Here is an album I have been anticipating for awhile. For those who are not familiar with Asomvel, they are a trio that are true to their roots as a straight to the point classic Heavy Metal group. Their sound is rooted mainly in Motorhead all the way to the distorted Rickenbacker bass lines and growling vocals. However, with their sound so reminiscent of classic acts, can they hold up on their own? Now the album “Knuckle Duster” they released some years ago was damn good and a very fun album but I felt the production was just a tad flat in parts and the vocals just felt a bit off to me as well. However, with “Worldshaker”, the band forges on with the Nephew of original front man Jay Jay Winter at the front of the band and this album I have to say is pretty damn fun.
Now what makes this album to me an improvement over “Knuckle Duster” is firstly that the production seems a bit more lively. The bass really takes over and but still meshes well with the guitar lines. Even thought the Motorhead sound is even heavier here, it still works as the song quality is very tight. We have break neck speed tunes such as the title track, “Runnin The Gauntlet” and “Every Dog Has It’s Day” to songs that are locked in solid grooves like “PayBack’s A Bitch”, “Reap The Whirlwind” and the generic but straight to the point titled “The Law Is The Law”. However, for me personally the best song here is “The Nightmare Ain’t Over” which is one of the catchiest tunes and ends the album with everything it’s got.
While this album is everything but original, it hits you square in the face with a solid selection of songs that are straight, simple hard rock n roll. Asomvel to me are very much how Airbourne are in the spirit of keeping that Hard Rock sound alive and this record definitely exemplifies that for showing that the old school still has a place in 2019. “Worldshaker” comes out May 3rd through Heavy Psych Sounds. Check it out!
Order the album: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS102
Glistening Metal 