THE HERETIC ORDER

Evil Rising

MASSACRE Occult-dabbling classic metallers fail to provide the magick

With their comedic look, bland modern production and checklist approach to classic metal influences, there is something fatally unconvincing about this London quartet’s second album. Archly embracing superficial retro cheese for 55 interminable minutes, the only surprise about Evil Rising is its total lack of surprises, given that frontman ‘Lord Ragnar Wagner’ and bassist ‘Rotted Skull’ once pioneered a Gibraltarian flamenco take on nu metal in Breed 77. That band were opening Ozzfests 20 years ago, so it’s no surprise that Ozzy’s wail is sometimes audible in Ragnar’s voice (far preferable to his predominant hollow, monotone croak). Mercyful Fate are – inevitably – namedropped, but it’s an Early Learning Centre fancy-dress version of those sumptuously occult 80s chops. Despite some nice guitarwork, it’s mostly just a leaden pastiche, seemingly the result of Ghost making this sort of thing appear briefly fashionable. FOR FANS OF: GHOST, OZZY, POWERWOLF