{"id":119026,"date":"2023-07-28T11:00:15","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T16:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toiletovhell.com\/?p=119026"},"modified":"2023-07-28T08:37:20","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T13:37:20","slug":"review-owlbear-chaos-to-the-realm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toiletovhell.com\/review-owlbear-chaos-to-the-realm\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Owlbear<\/b> – Chaos To The Realm<\/i>"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It is always nice to be blindsided when writing reviews, especially in a genre often reliant on old timer veterans and hyped-up label darlings. Metal is after all a genre that prides itself on a strong underground presence but the rise of specialist labels and social media arguably has dimmed much of the mystique that used to shroud it in the ’80s and ’90s. Surprises are not absent but they are harder to come by yet when Owlbear<\/strong> reared its burly bulk a month ago, I took interest quickly. I was already aware of bassist Leona Howard\u2019s excellent bass skills in Weaponlord<\/strong> but admittedly Jeff Taft\u2019s cast-iron riffing and the piercing voice of Katy Scary I cannot say I am as acquainted with. The former\u2019s stint in the recent Euro-style power act Adamantis<\/strong> and the latter\u2019s nearly two decade long run of releases under her own name and Klaymore<\/strong> did not prepare me at all for the arrival of this rampaging beast of iron. As it should; after all, what is the best kind of metal discovery but the hidden classic you were not expecting?<\/p>\n

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Like the mammalian\/avian hybrid on its cover, Chaos to the Realm<\/em> makes itself known as a destructive force off the bat. Catchy high-energy riffing is punctuated by thick bass tone, set to the accusatory and piercing tone of Katy, resulting in a combo that is familiar at heart and easy to get. Nary an ounce of prog or any ambiguity sullies this beast\u2019s claws but they are kept lethal by a mixture of raucous hooks and weighty, hard-hitting delivery. It is easy to make a variety of ’80s metal comparisons but those of a more Germanic origin ring particularly true. Specifically, Running Wild<\/strong>\u2019s triumphant melodicism comes to the forefront particularly for its most aggressive numbers, even if I would not call this full-on power metal. Leona\u2019s ever-present basslines evoke their ex-bassist Jens Becker, striking a balance between pushing to the centre stage and muscling into the background. Although they are from the ’90s, Twisted Tower Dire<\/strong>\u2019s Wars in the Unknown<\/em> is another good comparison, with a similarly anthemic and immediately gripping approach as well as a high-energy singer belting out fantastically pulpy tales.<\/p>\n

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Although simple at heart, Owlbear\u2019s strength lies in the vicious attack of each member. Jeff\u2019s riffing starts off the album with a catchy Maiden<\/strong>-esque kind of agility but he quickly demonstrates himself capable of lumbering bruisers like the almost epic metal \u201cIuz the Old\u201d, even switching to a faster speed metal portion in its second half with a neat descending melodic pattern. \u201cCult of the Hidden Serpent\u201d has a looser ’80s American style power metal verse riff, heavy on the broad strokes of lethal strum and invigorating in its almost rollicking energy. It is the sort of primal might fit to trade blows with Flight of the Griffin<\/em> or March of the Saint<\/em>. Yet it is \u201cVoyage of the Wraith\u201d with the sort of wave-breaking energy that really shows his knack for triumphant melody not just on his part but also Leona\u2019s excellent ear for bass-sorcery. The Steve Harris style punchy gallop duelling with the riffing is one thing but it is the undulating pre-chorus harmony before doubling down for the crowd-lifting chorus with a series of hammering, tasteful accents that really demonstrates her might. Even when she is not as flashy, the shadowing motion and careful emphasis of her various basslines add a lot of not just vigour but additional melody to Jeff\u2019s already muscular and well-rounded axe-slinging.<\/p>\n