Harbinger - Demo
Self-released
Classic Heavy Metal
3 songs (13:51)
Release year: 2005
Reviewed by Aaron

Harbinger is a ‘throwback’ sort of band, y’know, kinda like a less lame 3 Inches of Blood with more NWOBHM and less hardcore (well, technically, no hardcore whatsoever, but you get the idea).

Harbinger plays slightly thrashy heavy metal with cool punky vocals that only once break into a traditional metal falsetto, but only once. My advice to the vocalist would be to try and switch between styles more often, since both fit the music well, and it might add extra dimensions to the music.

The guitarists play speedy, Judas Priest/ Iron Maiden inspired riffs with hints of technical thrash creeping through. The riffing is damned solid, sloppy enough to sound appealing, and interestingly varied. The solos are twangy seventies-metal solos with just enough modernistic influence to make them interesting.

The drummer is reasonable, and really shows his chops around the end of ‘Poser Patrol,’ with some cool ‘end-of-song’ style fills that fit the riffs perfectly. Poser Patrol also happens to be my favorite song of the three, due to some really awesome structure and hilarious lyrics. It's been done before, but at least this is done well.

The production is, well, terrible, but it’s a bloody demo, what’s to be expected? Sounds basically analog, and if this were a black metal band, it would certainly sound ‘necro’ enough to make the final cut.

All in all, I rather like this a lot. It’s fun, doesn’t take itself seriously, and is some great headbanging material for sure. I’d like to see what this band could do with some better recording equipment.

If you like Maiden, check it out.

Killing Songs :
Poser Patrol
Aaron quoted no quote
Other albums by Harbinger that we have reviewed:
Harbinger - Doom on You reviewed by Stefan and quoted 82 / 100
Harbinger - Rock Your Face In reviewed by Aaron and quoted no quote
5 readers voted
Average:
 57
You did not vote yet.
Vote now

There are 74 replies to this review. Last one on Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:13 pm
View and Post comments