Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Review by David Pearce

Artist – SOUL THROWER
Album – The Beginning Of Dark Nights
Label – Heliaed Records / Indie
Year – 2014

1. Thrive In The Fire
2. Gore
3. Hurt Your Face
4. Skeleton Dance
5. Needle
6. A Years-Long Funeral
7. You Are The War
8. Man Of Nothing
9. Demoness
10. Shipwreck

SOUL THROWER is a band from Estonia founded in 2011 and who have been delivering a towering Mountain of dark rock! SOUL THROWER’s debut album “The End of Your Days” carries you through an emotional rise and fall with solos and crushing rhythms by lead guitarist and writer Val Tvoar of Estonia. American vocalist Daner Stumblejunk delivers every track with passion and skilful precision. From Metsatoll, guest musicians Marko Atso (drums) and Raivo “Kuri” Piirsalu (bass) are masterfully solid. In 2012, after more than a year of blood, sweat and energy, SOUL THROWER’s “The End of Your Days” delivers artistic craftsmanship of the highest level. In March 2014 the band is releasing “The Beginning Of Dark Nights” on Heliaed Records / Indie.

The album starts off with ‘Thrive In The Fire,’ this is a classic start to the album and the sound of the song reminds me of the grunge era such as early ALICE IN CHAINS. It has some really good riffs and classic style vocals, a great start. The second and third songs are ‘Gore’ and ‘Hurt Your Face.’ Both of these songs continue to impress me a great deal with their hard riffs and outstanding solos and quality vocals.

The fourth song is ‘Skeleton Dance’ which starts off with a heavy bit of riffage, then the vocals come in and they really remind me of classic Layne Staley of ALICE IN CHAINS. Top quality in the delivery and perfect in every way,very impressed with this song. The fifth and sixth songs are ‘Needle’ and ‘A Years-Long Funeral.’ The song ‘Needle’ is a bit slower than the others on the album, but as good in the delivery of the vocals. The riffs are as solid as you would hear anywhere, the solos are very precise and very well executed. ‘A Years-Long Funeral’ – this song again has a really good sound; the guitar work is outstanding along with the solos which just take my breath away. The vocals, what more can I say really but awesome.

The seventh and eighth songs are ‘You Are The War’ and ‘Man Of Nothing.’ The seventh song is more up tempo than the others on the album, but it is still as good. Instantly my foot is tapping and my head nodding away to the drumbeat. I also find it very hard not to get the old air guitar out and give it a good whirl around, brilliant. ‘Man Of Nothing’ starts off with a solid bass line then the guitars come smashing in with a top quality piece of riffage, the vocals are perfectly delivered in every way.

The ninth song is ‘Demoness’ which begins with talking, then the riffs come bursting in with style. The vocals are strong and well delivered as they can be, they just cannot get any better. The guitar work is amazing it just grabs you and says listen to my awesomeness and I have to agree 100% with that. The last song on the album is ‘Shipwreck’ which is what I would call a classic ballad and I think it is a perfect way to end such a cracking album. The solo on this is just mesmerizing, I close my eyes and drift away then it gets a bit heavier and it takes me away to a different place. It is just great, I love it.

Overall
The album is absolutely stunning. If you are a fan of ALICE IN CHAINS you will definitely love this the sound of the vocals and the way the guitars sound is just amazing. The album had me tapping my foot, my head nodding and at one point I dusted down my air guitar and gave that a whirl. I think even Jerry Cantrell would be very impressed by this, but that is my opinion. This album would definitely be worthy of going into my personal collection.

Rating 9 / 10

Members:

*Val Tvoar – Lead guitar, backing vocals
*Daner – Vocals
*Silver – Guitar
*J.B. – Bass
*Jaanus – Drums