Holy Grail Improper Burial
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
OK, let’s clear this up from the get-go. California traditional metal band Holy Grail is basically 3/5 of the lineup that recorded White Wizzard’s debut EP High Speed GTO. Apparently there was a split and bassist Jon Leon reformed White Wizzard with a new lineup. Drummer Tyler Meahl, guitarist James LaRue and vocalist James Paul Luna, along with new guitarist Eli Santana and bassist Blake Mount started their own band, which, not coincidentally, sounded a lot like White Wizzard. They originally called themselves Sorceror, inviting further comparisons to their old band, before settling on Holy Grail and signing to Prosthetic Records.
Still with us? The bottom line is that now there are two kick-ass traditional heavy metal bands where we used to have one, and both are releasing full-length debuts this year. Obviously nobody wants to see a band to break up (except for Creed, and sadly that didn’t last long), but this looks like a win-win, at least for traditional metal fans.
The 4-song EP Improper Burial is Holy Grail’s initial release. With just two original songs and a pair of covers, it’s a bit of a tease, but hey, it works. Comparisons between Improper Burial and White Wizzard’s High Speed GTO are inevitable, so let’s start there. Both bands take their cue from British metal titans Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and both bands have a certain degree of West Coast polish. Where they diverge, and honestly it ain’t by much, is that Holy Grail has a bit more of an aggressive, NWOBHM vibe, sounding more like Angel Witch to White Wizzard’s Diamond Head. The new songs – “Fight to Kill” and “Immortal Man” – are both high-speed, high-energy, melodic metal anthems with a strong ‘80s metal atmosphere. The covers – of Judas Priest’s “Exciter” and Accept’s “Fast as a Shark” – maintain that atmosphere. Both cover songs are faithful to the originals while at the same time true to Holy Grail’s developing sound.
Improper Burial is the first must-have traditional metal release of a year that’s also slated to see new albums by Icarus Witch, Widow and yes White Wizzard. If this EP is any indication, the upcoming full length is going to absolutely slay. Watch for it.
Label: Prosthetic Records
Track Listing:
1. Fight to Kill
2. Immortal Man
3. Exciter
4. Fast as a Shark
Lineup:
Eli Santana – Guitar
Blake Mount – Bass
Tyler Meahl – Drums
James LaRue – Guitar
James Paul Luna – Vocals
Online: www.myspace.com/holygrailofficial
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7.5/10