Spidergawd

★★★ VI CRISPIN GLOVER. CD/DL/LP

Wayward Norwegians summon the NWOBHM spirit.

The urgent, engaging VI tracks a refined metal with vocal harmonies and anthemic, immediate melodies. The catchy Yours Truly could have been the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal crossover hit that never was, while Into The Deep Serene allows a prog edge in. Up to their 2016 album III, it was reasonable to see Spidergawd as a Motorpsycho offshoot as they featured two-thirds of the Trondheim sonic warriors: bassist Bent Saether and drummer Kenneth Kapstad. Saether bowed out and, after leaving Motorpsycho, Kapstad continued with Spidergawd. Album six, their most direct to date, features recently arrived co-lead guitarist Brynjar Takle Ohr. Kapstad’s walloping drums have always been a defining factor, now the double guitars lend a Thin Lizzy flavour. “Climb aboard my time machine,” demands Into The Deep Serene. In 1983, stadiums would have beckoned.