Ok, so I have been out of the loop where the actual reviewing of things is concerned for a while and, technically, this review should have been written months ago. So, I apologise to the band Scrollkeeper for the delay with this. Hopefully, it will be worth the wait though.
Scrollkeeper are a band from Houston in Texas, formed in 2016, who specialise in high-energy, anthemic, original material that is “reminiscent of metal’s halcyon days!” – TRADITIONAL heavy metal to you and me!
The band consists of Simon Marfleet on the drums, Justin McKittrick on vocals, Alexander K on lead/rhythm guitars, John Morris also on lead/rhythm guitars and Will Sullivan on the bass and “Path To Glory” is their latest four track EP.
With influences cited as (deep breath here!) Les Warner, Ken Owen, Bruce Dickinson, Leather Leone, Geddy Lee, Andy Laroque, Ritchie Blackmore, Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen and Geezer Butler, the band’s debut show was as support for Delain and Hammerfall in 2017 and they have since shared the stage with the likes of Manilla Road, Dick Schneider, Angra and Cloven Hoof. They have also kept a busy show schedule in the Houston area, as well as some out of town festivals, as well as being scheduled to open for British heavy metal veterans, Saxon, in 2019.
The self-released EP “Path To Glory” was recorded at Sound Arts Studio and Nocturnal Sound Studios in Houston, Texas and was engineered by Brian Baker and the band’s guitarist, Alexander K. It was mixed and mastered by Ricardo Camargo at Tidalwar Studios in Queens, New York and the artwork was done by German illustrator, Helge C Balzer.
So, now you know a bit of the history of the band and some background to the music, what of the EP?
Well, this really has everything that all great traditional heavy metal albums should have. The drums are galloping, and the riffs are crunching. Justin’s voice is well suited to this type of metal, being powerful and strong and the guitar solos are fantastic.
There is such a high energy throughout the EP that if you are not headbanging with your sword held high by the end of track one then something is wrong with you! I had this on repeat for more than half a dozen run throughs and I was banging my head whilst cooking my chili con carne!
The pace throughout the EP hardly seems to let up (slowing down slightly for the track ‘Surrender’) and the choruses are anthemic (just as the band promised!) The band, as a whole, are tight and concise and although I find the vocals a little ‘flat’ at times, there really isn’t anything to dislike about this EP. The only drawback I could find is that it just wasn’t long enough. I would love to have seen what these guys could do for a whole album, and I wait with bated breath until one is released!
Did I like this EP? Hell, yes! Do I recommend you go and give it a listen? Again, hell, yes!
I can’t wait to see what these guys come up with next, and if this is anything to go by, it’s bound to go down a storm!
TRACK LIST:
Not Of This Earth
Path To Glory
Surrender
Fortune Favors The Bold
Originally posted on Ever Metal