Artist – Hamerex
Album – Rites Of Passage
Label – Casket Records
Year – 2012
Release Date – 30/1 /2012

1. Aftershocks Of Death
2. The Headless Horseman
3. Stalker
4. Hypnotise
5. The Lycan
6. Rites Of Passage
7. Army Of Darkness
8. To The End
9. Gates Of Hades
10. Waste Away

Hamerex are a 5 piece heavy metal outfit, founded back 2004 by Steve Blower who looks to the roots of metal from the early 80’s and combines it with different aspects of metal.
Soon to follow was Chris Moules who applied for the role of vocalist with the band and proving the best choice in the selection. After numerous changes from the original line-up, Andy Firth joined the band on bass and added a darker edge to the music. Soon after came veteran drummer Darren Kelsall and brought with him the pace and timing needed for a solid metal band.

During this time work began on the bands first E.P. ‘Into War’. As this was nearing completion Joe Wilson stepped into the recording studio on guitar completing the current line up. The band haven’t looked back since and have signed to Swerve Records. Now with the completion of their second E.P. ‘The Lycan’, and receiving positive reviews, Hamerex are now focusing on recording their debut album “Rites of Passage” which is due to be released in 2011. The band and Swerve Records mutually parted ways in January 2011 and the band played their first gig at the Black Flag in Wakefield which turned out to be one of the bands best gigs in the 6 years of playing live.

In between gigs the band focused on completing their debut album, which was completed in September. Also in September the band signed a deal with Casket Records to release the bands first album and began the first leg of the Rites Of Passage Tour 2011/2012. In November The 1st part of the tour came to an abrupt end when the band were in a car accident returning from a show in Hull, forcing the band to pull out of their final date of the year. Fortunately the band received only minor injuries and took the rest of the year off to recuperate. The band are now back out playing gigs and promoting their debut album Rites Of Passage through 2012.

The album starts off with Aftershocks Of Death a true down to earth metal track with powerful riffs good harsh vocals and some smashing solo’s this will continue through the whole album. The Headless Horseman is my favourite track of the album with the twin guitars metal riffs together with the galloping pounding drums really tells the story of the Headless Horseman. Together with the spine tingling solos and Chris Moules vocals makes this song one to listen to. Stalker starts with a bass riff then it breaks into a heavy riff and the harsh vocals once again it tells the story of the stalker well. But In this song you can hear the 80’s rock influence in the riffs and the screaming solo’s. Hypnotise starts with the pounding drums and the guitar riff kicks in with the harsh vocals next. But through the whole you have a very powerful solid riff that will make you bang your head with the screaming solo’s you will defiantly get your air guitar out. The Lycan starts with a really catchy guitar riff very reminiscent of Iron Maiden then the vocals kick in then you have the rolling drumbeat and the powerful riffs continue in this song. The twin guitar solo near the end of the song is just brilliant in my view you cannot beat twin guitars the sound is amazing. Rites Of Passage the title track to the album and the longest starts off slow then the heavy guitars come in and really deep vocals and some solo work with the sustain then into the main riff and drums. In the middle of the song you have rolling drums with a guitar riff to match little later you have another solo playing alongside the riff for a long song it has it all to keep you listening. Army Of Darkness starts off with a powerful riff with the drums beating alongside then it goes into a the main riff of the song with the harsh vocals later in the song you have some screaming solo’s which is flawless. This is another solid song full of punchy riffs good vocals and screaming solos. To The End immediately hits you with an catchy intro riff then the pounding drums and the guitars gets you banging your head with it. The vocals are punchy and harsh which goes with the whole album in honestly again the solos are stunning in this song the riffs just keeps coming pounding your ears into submission. At the end of the song the twin guitars kick in for a few bars to round it off. Gates Of Hades starts off with a rhythmic drumbeat then the guitars kick in with the same riff as the drums then the heavy guitar riffs come rolling in with the vocals. This song has pounding drumbeats, stunning solo’s really good heavy riffs all in all a real good song. Waste Away the last song on the album starts again with a classic style riff that gets my head banging straight away with the vocals give it just the right edge it needs. Again it has the classic twin guitars riffs combined with the drums and another superb solo which again wants me to get my air guitar out and giving it some rock.

Overall
This album has it all heavy harsh vocals powerful guitar riffs, screaming solos the only minor thing I have to say is on a couple of song the vocals have gone out of tune but only for a few bars then they are back into the swing of things. Whether it was meant to be like that or not I am not sure. With saying this it did not make a slightest difference to the album on the whole if you like 80’s metal you can hear that in this album. The twin guitars are just a joy to hear giving it a classic metal album feel along with the powerful riffs. It is an album that I will have on my playlist all the time cause it is that damn good. Well done guys you produced an album that has made me proud to have in my collection.

7.5/10

Line-up:
Steve Blower – Guitars and Backing Vocals
Chris Moules – Vocals
Andy Firth – Bass
Darren Kelsall – Drums
Joe Wilson – Guitars and Backing Vocals

Reviewed By David Pearce