by Derric Miller
— Managing Editor —
Too many genres … too little time. Progressive Metal/Epic Metal/Doom Metal/Black Metal/Christian Metal/Folk Metal/Grind & Metalcore … and on and on. Whatever happened to just good ol’ METAL? Fear no more kids, because War of Thrones Conflict in Creation is as Metal as it gets. No need to get all gussied up and use 12 different words to define the type of music they create, and if there’s anything better than just Metal, you may be lying to yourself.
You already know some of the players in the band, like lead singer Wade Black, formerly of bands like Crimson Glory and Leatherwolf; and guitarist Rich Renstrom, know for being Rob Rock’s studio and touring virtuoso. Along with the talented rhythm duo of Rich Marks and Jason Marks, this band can play anything they want, all under the name of Metal.
“Ascending” opens the album, a riff-tastic composition, and Black immediately takes the wheel with a small scream and some heavy, sneering vocals. Like most of the songs, War of Thrones easily changes tempo literally without missing a beat. With this much talent in the band at every facet, it’s almost like showing off except it’s really just masterful songwriting. By no means Neo-Classical because METAL, it’s immediately clear Renstrom’s chops are nearly supernatural.
“Creation” begins with a nearly bubbly, poppy opening, so of course it immediately goes into full-bore metal madness. Again, at times throughout the album, you’ll be reminded of Goran Edman-era Yngwie … you know, back when he wrote listenable music. Black impresses at each step, and although he’s holding back, his ending scream seals the song shut.
“Damnation” is another composition written like a track within a track, and Rich Marks grooves harder and more intricately on this song more than any other. Most of the songs on Conflict in Creation are guitar-led, but it’s the rhythm section that highlights “Damnation.”
“Rule the World” is one of the best songs–if not the best–on the release. While yes, it’s the rhythm breakdowns, it also features likely the best guitar solo on the release, and that’s saying a hell of a lot. In short, if you are a guitarhead and like your Metal because of guitarists like Skolnick, Petrucci, Vai, Malmsteen, Friedman, Broderick … and on and on, you must hear War of Thrones.
It all comes to an exploding conclusion on “Descending.” While this would seem the one time band could veer into perchance a more melodic, even mid-tempo direction, that’s not what War of Thrones is about. Yes, it owns the majesty of a Crimson Glory song, but it’s also heavy duty. As far as vocal melodies, though, this is as sing-song as Black gets, and as always, he melodically rips.
There’s not much else to say. Put War of Thrones in your arsenal, listen to it as often as you can, and get ready to hear one of 2018’s best Metal albums. The band doesn’t need any other sub-genre definitions–the music speaks for itself.
Genre: Metal
Band:
Wade Black – Vocals
Rick Renstrom – Guitar
Rich Marks – Bass
Jason Marks – Drums
Tracklisting:
01. Ascending
02. Creation
03. Savior
04. Entranced
05. Damnation
06. Aftermath
07. Say What
08. Kingdom
09. Rule the World
10. Reaction
11. Channeling Demons
12. Descending
Label: Sonic Night Music
Online:
www.warofthrones.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(8.6 / 10)
