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GREYHAWK
Warriors Of Greyhawk

Cruz Del Sur Music (2026)
Rating: 8.5/10

The cover art of this album takes me back to the glorious 80s when, as a young metalhead, I became obsessed with J.R.R. Tolkien and all things pertaining to goblins, elves, orcs and wizards. In the heavy metal domain such subjects remain predominant as evidenced with the third full-length outing from Seattle, Washington-based metallers Greyhawk.

It’s a shame to see vocalist Rev Taylor no longer with the band, although he does appear on one track (‘Chosen’). If you’re not familiar with Greyhawk then expect commanding booms of emphatic epic metal led by recent acquisition Anthony Corso who, like some charismatic wizard on horseback, drives headlong into misty valleys with staff raised and respect earned. To his flanks, axe men Jesse Berlin and Rob Steinway provide sizzling sorcery. Leads and riffs fuse to form formidable walls of steel as ‘Ascension’ comes traipsing with cinematic aplomb. The sweep of Nate Butler’s drums provides an impenetrable backdrop of stone, littered by the hard bass of Darin Wall. Corso’s cries rise like mystical vapours as he barks: “We live in the shadows of dreams, with no reason to rise. Once, we had a vision of grandeur, but it all turned to lies”.

Lyrically, the album reads like a tapestry of bombastic yarns spun from yellowed pages with burnt corners. “Within the crosshairs, the enemy in sight, our spears collide, ringing through the night. Fear in his eyes, mirror to mine, he runs me through, a tragedy divine,” Corso croons on ‘Land Of Ashes’, with its speed metal nuances. This is where the axe men come into their own, stealing the show with a Glenn Tipton / K.K. Downing (Judas Priest) style of metallic vim. It also showcases the versatility of the band which provides steady gallops on ‘Take A Stand’ and ‘Embers Rise’.

Admittedly, on first viewing one could easily assume that Warriors Of Greyhawk is going to be one of those timid, stuffy and cheesy 80s throwbacks, but you’d be wrong. Instead, what you do get is a deadly dose of pure molten metal that really does throw its weight around. You won’t hear many heavy metal tracks this year that are as evocative and emotionally nostalgic as ‘Chosen’ or ‘Endless Race’, but the main ingredient I marvel at is the axe work. The band keeps things fresh with hasty scorches that aren’t afraid of becoming borderline speed metal exercises. Case in point, ‘Hyperspace’ with its Teutonic force, and there’s the masterful, slamming storytelling of the majestic title tune. One cannot help but embark on the same adventure as those hammering drums and fiery riffs as Corso wails: “In a land once forgotten, there lies a city of gold, where the halls of the champion now rest, and his fable is told. So the One, he did wander, throughout the land, he would ride, He founded the Keepers Of Flame in the night, and called the skies to divide”. Such lyrical content just makes me want to cosy down around a campfire and regal tales of great lands, vast armies and esoteric secrets.

In its simplest form this new Greyhawk platter can be described as epic heavy metal, but the AOR flashes of closer ‘Eternal Quest’ showcases a genuine flexibility and a stirring exploration of subtlety. While this album demands your attention as a masculine romp through Dungeons & Dragons landscapes, it’s first and foremost a prime example of how the future of the heavy metal genre is in safe and creative hands. While it’s cool that heavy metal has always been somewhat of an eclectic and underground phenomenon, bands like Greyhawk should be up there with some of the finest acts of the last few decades. The fact they are not is criminal, so spread the spread and you too shall become a warrior of the Greyhawk.

Neil Arnold

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