vote
7.5
- Band:
Palantyr - Duration: 00:32:02
- Available since: 02/05/2025
- Label:
-
Jawbreaker Records
Palantyr: mark this name and listen to it as soon as possible. The present here EP “The Ascent & The Hunger” is their official debut after the change of monikers that took place in August last year – from the angular Destrukt, the French quintet has turned towards the most melodic and adventurous Palantyr, calling into question the imaginary fantasy of Jrr Tolkien and in particular that kind of crystal spheres, in fact Palantiriwho allowed those who scrutinized them to communicate with anyone who was in turn observing one. But beyond the degree of Tolkenian kinship – resumed, to close the speech, also from the epic cover – what most aggravates of “The Ascent & The Hunger” is its driving force in drawing in just over thirty minutes a very fresh dose of Heavy/Speed Metal in which the NWOBHM matrix certainly has the degrees of greater inspiring strength.
Making the names of Iron Maiden and Running Wild is almost obvious while the riffs of Odysseus and Atlantes (aka Ulysse Jacquin Thoriet and Thomas Amodio) envelop the atmosphere of the first three pieces, already present in the last work signed Destrukt and musically faster and gritty compared to the second terzetto, where instead the most mysterious side of the Thionville group enters the game.
The particular element of the Palantyr, the one that unites them to less high -sounding but equally effective realities such as Smouder, Meurrières, Blood Star, Iron Griffin and Tower, is certainly the presence behind the microphone of AT ATINA, female voice that, like the protagonist colleagues in the five bands mentioned, gives that vibrant touch to the instrumental commitment guaranteed by the travel companions.
And it is therefore on this base that the first trace develops: to open the dances, “Shan and Sikh” thinks about it, which highlights the evocative side of the transalpine band well, leaving “Broken Mirror” the task of showing off the claws of a Speed Metal with the contours and the compelling guitar detachments that will make the lovers of Rolf 'Rock'n'Rolf' Kasparek happy.
There are no big inventions in the Palantyr sound, the famous metal tradition that was the principle and the end of their current objective: however, the way they show the passion towards these sounds exceeds the obstacle of a certain lack of variety (on which perhaps they will have to work in the future), and the third trace of the EP, “Son of the White Mare”, is the perfect example of how you can find a song that smells fresh despite the rate Old-School that distinguishes it.
Irruent and enigmatic melody is instead the characteristic of the second part of “The Ascent & The Hunger”: “Ravenus”, perhaps slightly chaotic in its wanting to constantly change rhythm, prepares us for an interesting version of “Nosferatu”, less magical than the original forged by Paul Romand, but still successful, in line with the aggressive style of the Palantyr who are dismissive, momentary, Lightning and dark “Graveyard”.
Something will certainly be smooth and revised, both on the vocal and on that of the global proposal but the means to continue on the NWothm road, maintaining the vigorosity and spirit that marked this first exit, there are all. Therefore, new testimonies are expected to support our thesis.
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
