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STEEL ARCTUS
Master Of War

Valve Studio (2022)
Rating: 8.5/10

The most striking thing about this Greek act is the vocals of Tasos Lazaris who takes the traditional metal sound above and beyond.

Greece is boasting some excellent bands at the moment and Steel Arctus is one of the finest, a powerhouse of a band that stirs the epic power metal pot and yet with nary a layer of cheese in sight. Instead, you get a superbly produced and mixed batch of songs that hit hard in every department. So major kudos then has to go to guitarist Nash G., bassist Strutter and drummer Xinês, because the backbone they provide is like a vast metallic impenetrable wall where fiery solos are cast off and swirl with energy and mysticism, riffs just chug and churn majestically, and percussion just thuds… hard.

It’s strange how the power metal genre can throw up a lot of rather cringe-worthy bands, but Steel Arctus has found the perfect balance whereby you can get a track such as ‘Midnight Priest’ boasting driving synths, but not once do they leave you cold or feeling as if you’re hearing the latest entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. Instead, we are truly dazzled by the song; rich, exuberant and just sizzling.

Lazaris is arguably one of the finest metal vocalists around at the moment, who can deliver the darker, menacing tones but then soar into the heavens with a perfect pitch that chills the spine. I can’t heap enough rewards on this band; put simply, if you want epic, majestic and heart-thumping metal then visit this record on a daily basis for a long time just to appreciate the embarrassment of riches it has to offer.

Whether it’s the orgasmic rattle of ‘God Of Fire’, the charging grandiose statement that is ‘Hear My Battlecry’, the chugging ‘Flames Of Hades’ or the inner subtleties of the icy instrumental ‘Nekyia (Νέκυια)’, Master Of War conjures up so much imagery with all containing frost and fire in equal measure. Imagine then if you will a Greek take on Crimson Glory; Steel Arctus bristling with that same mystical energy and prowess. Support these guys and let’s see a vinyl release for Master Of War.

Neil Arnold

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