One subgenre dripping in classic elements of heavy metal is epic doom. Beyond the slower tempos the listener becomes enveloped in this grandiose weight of the riffs, while the vocal melodies often shimmer in a mountain-top presence that tie together the deep emotional context these musicians deliver. Entering the fold from Münster, Germany is High Warden – a three-piece started in 2022, releasing the Land of Stone demo shortly thereafter to be picked up by Dying Victims Productions. Pulling from the works of historical events, legends & myths including familiar J.R.R. Tolkien fare on the lyrical front, Astral Iron as a debut album continues the group’s barbaric, mammoth approach to slower epic doom, heavy metal – injecting a mix of classic influences plus thoughtful transitions that heighten eternal impact.
The tasty, meaty riffs plus subsequent melodic or traditional branches guitarist / vocalist Alastair van Morgue-Gul build off present plenty of crushing moments to savor. Be it in a more compact, straightforward context on the relatively tidy “Pale Hunter” or the naturally Candlemass meets Doomsword-ish unfurling that takes place over the almost nine-minute “Devil His Due / Whore of Yerusalism”, his natural nuances create this force of steel that’s hard to resist. “Burgfrieden” as a synth interlude gives the record a refreshing breather – the guitar feedback adding horror-like tension before the next proper track kicks in. Bassist Lord Parish and drummer Sadistic Hammer understand their roles in setting up the foundation while occasionally settling into a specific, morose mood next to slightly energetic transitions to keep the songs dynamically appealing – the title track a shining example in all facets of their professional abilities. Acoustic guitars and water flow filters into the massive finale “We Shall Burn at Foreign Shores (The Choice of Achilles)” – titanic in its epic riffs once kicked into distortion mode, conjuring up aspects of Grand Magus, Mercyful Fate all the way to early Trouble. Alastair layers specific parts in harmony to raise the intensity of the hooks while his vocals have this forceful magnificence, a la J.B. of Grand Magus – the speedier, almost thrash-like blitz that occurs in the last minute of the song a brilliant surprise.
Once again subscribing to a less is more philosophy in keeping the record at six tracks in under thirty-eight minutes, Astral Iron proves epic doom metal can still register quality releases in 2024. High Warden has plenty of experience and ability to churn out fist waving anthems that speak to the ardent followers of this genre – and this is an ideal way to get in on the ground running.