by Dan Skiba
— Contributing Writer —
On one hand, it’s hard to believe that Icarus is once again the highlighted subject matter of a Heavy Metal release … but on the other hand, it’s even harder to believe how few young bands follow the Traditional Metal formula. After all, NWOBHM/Traditional Metal is what caught the attention and steamrolled the heavy rock musical world back in the early ‘80s. With many of those bands rockin’ ‘til they die (literally), Traditional Metal continues to await a much-needed shot in the arm, and bands such as Haunt thankfully are here to re-fill the Metal bucket.
Haunt hails from California, USA, and is a young old-school Metal band with all the tools to get noticed and make an impact. They’ve got the long, disheveled hair look with beat-up old t-shirts, flying V guitars, and a “play it loud” no matter what attitude. Haunt has been very active in the last few years, putting out a couple EP’s and a full-length LP prior to this If Icarus Could Fly release. This new album is only 8 tracks and 30 minutes long … but, hey … Van Halen did the same thing all of the time back in the day and it worked for them and their fans just fine.
The tracks on If Icarus Could Fly are good (not great), and there’s a certain warmth to their sound like what you used to only hear on Vinyl compared to a digital recording. Whether purposeful or not, If Icarus Could Fly is an unpolished production, but it fits in well with Haunt’s look and approach to their Metal. No tracks are crazy fast or crazy heavy, but they all are comfortably enjoyable to listen too … just like wearing that old tattered flannel shirt, and you can be sure these band members have plenty. Trevor William Church is the main guy behind the mic, and he’s got a uniquely familiar voice. Many times he sounds like Joe Elliot from Def Leppard, but only the way Elliot sounded in Def Leppard’s debut On Through The Night album. Fans of that album may recall his naturally raspy, semi-whine tone gracing the grooves of that album … before Def Leppard got the big recording contract and could afford sound engineers to “touch up” Elliot’s voice. Church has that same raspy, semi-whine delivery that Elliot once wasn’t afraid to hide, and that vocal sound further adds to their honest breed of Metal.
Overall, Traditional Metal fans of old should most definitely check out this new Haunt offering. This band should be given the opportunity to spread their wings and to show the world that Traditional Metal can look to pass the baton with confidence.
Genres: Traditional Metal
Band:
Trevor William Church – Vocals, Guitar
John Tucker – Backing Vocals, Guitar
Taylor Hollman – Bass
Daniel (Wolfie) Wilson – Drums
Tracklisting:
Run And Hide
It’s In My Hands
Cosmic Kiss
Ghosts
Clarion
Winds Of Destiny
If Icarus Could Fly
Defender
Label:
Shadow Master/Church Recordings
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/hauntthenation/
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(7 / 10)
