Local Review: Visigoth – Conqueror’s Oath

Visigoth
Conqueror’s Oath

Metal Blade
Street: 02.09
Visigoth = Manilla Road + Iron Maiden + Atlantean Kodex

It’s been a while since this album was released, so I’ve been lucky to have quite a few listens under my belt. Other than giving my humble opinion on the second album from SLC’s heavy metal crew Visigoth, I do want to address a couple things. One of them is what I came across browsing the web for reviews. The other the massive importance lyrics play—not just in metal, but in all music.

One thing is certain: There is no such thing as the sophomore slump for Visigoth. I actually enjoy Conqueror’s Oath significantly more than their debut, Revenant King. This is mostly due to a massive amount of riff candy, guitar solos that don’t repeat themselves and a rhythm section that is not just a background for guitars and vocals. I was getting the hooks and incredibly crunchy guitars stuck in my skull halfway through the second listen. So with this storm of all the instruments pumping come the lyrics. In heavy metal, a catchy riff is just as important as a catchy chorus or potent lyrics. With Conqueror’s Oath I actually recognize and remember songs by name better than the debut. I won’t name particular song highlights, since it would pretty much be the entire album.

While skimming other reviews online, I came across a strange theme. Visigoth has been accused of, for a lack of better words, “forced cheesiness.” Fuck, they’re not Steel Panther. The only read I can get on this critique comes from the bands love for, vast knowledge of and huge influence from metal and rock from the ’70s and ’80s. I do see some ways that a listener could confuse an influence from a specific sound and interpret it as “cheese”. In the end the influences are there, but I don’t find them straight ripping off a style. Find me a band from the ’70s or ’80s in the metal-rock realm that doesn’t sound cheesy. –Bryer Wharton