Review by Emma Brown for MPM
Combining history, mythology and legends of the past, New Horizon’s latest album “Conquerors”
is one of the most interesting and unique albums you’ll pick up this year.
Anthemic and triumphant, this album is themed around empires and legends of the past, and certainly brings the power and spirit that those ancient societies left behind.
So often, albums are written about band members’ own personal experiences, and although this
often comes with great emotion and vulnerability, when a musician decides to take on a challenge such as writing about something they’ve never truly experienced, it can be incredibly refreshing.
It’s one thing to be able to build such a world inside your head, but another entirely to be able to create a whole album purely from imagination.
With that in mind, it makes it all the more interesting when stories from the past are re-told via guitar shredding, drum pounding metal that makes your hairs stand on end.
Although this album contains all the best bits of classic metal we know and love, the band keeps it fresh with some added synths and other quirky electronic sounds.
The combination of the two help to make the album feel more immersive and spatially effective, whilst keeping the theme of the album consistent throughout.
Some of my favourite tracks on this album include “Shadow Warrior” for it’s energetic and invigorating melody, and “Fallout War” which definitely brings the dark and heavy to this album.
A special mention also goes to “Before The Dawn (Ft. Elzie Ryd)” for breaking up this intense album with something a little more gentle and soulful.
This album is a complex storybook of tales from long ago, and these tales are so wonderfully told through fantastic songwriting and striking vocals throughout.
Furthermore, the musicianship and energy in this album is strong throughout, and the passion that has gone into this project is clearly audible in each and every track.
So whether you’re looking for something one of a kind to break up your week, or are wondering what the music may have sounded like if ancient Rome knew what metal was, this album is perfect if you’re wanting to hear something a little outside the box.
“Conquerors” by New Horizon is out now – Buy/Listen to “Conquerors” HERE
