Cauldron Burning Fortune

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by Derric Miller
Staff Writer

The Canadian trio Cauldron’s sophomore studio effort, Burning Fortune, is a step up from their debut Chained to the Nite, and not only because of proper spelling techniques. Burning Fortune features nine tracks that have no overt weaknesses, they are stronger songwriters this time around and lead singer/bassist Jason Decay further found himself as a vocalist, understand exactly what he does well and hones in on that every song. While overall more melodic, Burning Fortune is clearly just the result of a band owning who they are and what they do; you know, the way rock stars used to …

Beginning with one of the heaviest compositions, “All or Nothing,” Cauldron slams into you with their melodic blend of NWOBHM and traditional Heavy Metal. As heavy as anything they’ve ever recorded, the dearth of backing vocals is another trademark of the band. It’s Decay, belting it out, while the others ram the music into your skull, although at the end there are some alternating vocals to Decay’s lines.

You truly get a feel for the overall album on the next track, “Miss You to Death.” The song is addictive, catchy, melodic, and it’s about a sense of longing, with lines like “It kills me to think you’re not coming home.” With Arena Rock breakdowns and adept backing vocals added to the mix this time, “Miss You to Death” is proof Cauldron is improving across the board.

Again, it would seem the band is going through acidic relationships on “Tears Have Come.” Cauldron has penned another song about wanting someone who doesn’t want you. It’s nearing KISS in its anthemic qualities. This song would be a hit in the mid ‘80s without a doubt, and if people still like good music, it will be today. Ian Chains tears into a notable guitar solo, rife with passion. It’s just one of the many highlights on Burning Fortune.

Last time around, Cauldron covered ‘80s Glam Metal band Black ‘N’ Blue with “Chains Around Heaven.” They went the more obscure route this time, covering a Halloween track. No, not the German iconic Power Metal band Helloween, but the Detroit Horror Metal band Halloween. If you thought the previous songs bordered on stalker-quality, well, this song is based on the movie “Star 80,” the murder of Playmate Dorothy Stratten. Cauldron found the absolute perfect cover for Burning Fortune; these guys know great music, and since Halloween never got their due, go check out Halloween releases Victims of the Night and Don’t Metal With Evil so you know why Cauldron digs the band so much.

Why wouldn’t Cauldron write a song about a small South Dakota town called “Rapid City?” Don’t worry, they did, and it’s the heaviest and most chaotic track on the release. In fact, the second part of the composition is called “Unchained Assault,” an instrumental, and it allows the band to flaunt their musical Metal chops.

“Taken By Desire” brings closure to Burning Fortune, more NWOBHM than much of what you heard to this point. Slightly more subdued than the eight tracks before it, it’s probably the one time when you’ll think “They could have done better.” Not that it’s bad, but it falters just a little in comparison.

There are few bands as honest and unflinching as Cauldron. In the recent Decibel story on Cauldron, Decay pointed out they don’t play and record this kind of music for money. They know it’s not popular … and they could really give a rat’s ass. In the “for sale” sheer mimicry of today’s Hard Rock and Heavy Metal world, where corporations push bands to the top of the charts and listeners are too ignorant to understand that homogeneity should breed contempt, not applause, Cauldron is one of the few uncompromising bands left.

Band:
Jason Decay – bass, vocals
Ian Chains – guitar
Chris Steve – drums

Track listing:
01. All Or Nothing
02. Miss You To Death
03. Frozen In Fire
04. Tears Have Come
05. I Confess
06. Rapid City/Unchained Assault
07. Queen Of Fire
08. Breaking Through
09. Taken By Desire

Label: Earache Records

Online: http://www.myspace.com/cauldronmetal  

Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.3/10