One thing that has kept me and many other metalheads into metal for the best part of our lives is how the world appeals to those who never lost their childhood sense of adventure. And because of that, it is no surprise that bands related to all genres with an adventurous reputation have begun referring to themselves as “adventure rock,” etc.
Adventure metal is a sub-genre I would see fit to label the fantasy themed traditional metal band, Tanith who, over their short but impressive history, have taken some of the finest stories of magic, epic treks over unknown lands, time travel and esotericism and put them to the most appropriate forms of music.
When listening to their latest release, Voyage I kept thinking I’d been transported back to the days of psychedelia and the emergence of hard rock and proto-metal by Tanith’s mix of bluesy riffs, low level gallops on percussion and the finely alternating male and female vocals. It would be appropriate to say Tanith remind me of the numerous magical or religion-related cults of the 1970s, but this is one that would offer a sense of adventure, humor and not the slavery and evil that the likes of Jim Jones promoted.
Nostalgia is a nice thing to drive a band’s repertoire, but when a band properly capture the sound and vibes of yesteryear and pay homage in such a heartwarming manner, you know this is group with much staying power. Tanith have taken all the good things from the music of the late 60s and early 70s and given it the best compliment one can muster. I personally recommend tracks “Falling Wizard” and “Mother of Exile” as being some of the biggest earworms on the track listing.
Check out Voyage if you want to travel across a desert on a mythical horse with no name, accompanied by bards versed in the classic tunes of early Judas Priest, Spooky Tooth or Jim Morrison at his most fantastical. Adventure metal is a form I can see emerging with Tanith and fellow acts like Riders of Rohan, so check them out if you fancy another sojourn into a land beyond the imagination of the rockers of yesteryear.
(8/10 Demitri Levantis)
27/04/2023 at 12:42 pm
Nice review Dimitri