Album Review: Reap the Light - Deliver Hell (2021) - Guest Feature by Dmitriy Churilov
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| Picture Credit: Reap the Light |
Reap the Light - Deliver Hell
Release Date: December 10, 2021
Label: Light Reapers Media
Format: Digital
Duration: 50:44
Genre: Heavy Metal
Origin: Frederick, MD, USA
What you reap is not always what you sow - and Reap the Light delivers hell with their debut album.
Reap the Light is a two-piece American Heavy Metal act working with various vocalists to complete and embody their creative vision - on their latest release (Back to Bedlam) they even partnered with ex-Judas Priest vocalist, Tim Ripper Owens, holy shit.
"Deliver Hell" was released in late 2021 but it’s really hard to tell - cause the songs on the album are out of time Metal classics that could’ve been recorded by any band from the heavy metal pantheon of any era. The release is created by metal maniacs for metal maniacs. It is felt as everything refers to some established metal tropes, from sound and lyrics to song names and artwork.
The opener 'Burn in Hell' quickly establishes the signature approach of the band with the steady guitar riffing, reminiscent of Dewin Townsend, and overall groove metal aesthetics with constant nods to Black Label Society and Machine Head, uptempo solo madness included. By the end of the song the refrain “Burn in hell” is really imprinted in one’s brain, which makes the following song an unexpected turn.
The riff thickens furter with 'Fade to Black', with surprising female vocals turning this number into pure rock’n’roll anthem worthy of Coven and Pentagram. This one is more straightforward entry, a self-serving banger. Suddenly a sepultura-ish riff unleashes all hell of 'The Reckoning' - only to turn into pure DIO Heavy Metal with double tracked vocals and high ass pitched singing.
"Deliver Hell" shines as the band’s ability to combine classic Heavy Metal with groove influences peaks. Double bass, galloping verses and clean vocals make this song one of the albums highlights. 'If I Gave a Damn' continues the same trajectory, complementing "Deliver Hell" and displaying the love Reap the Light has for Heavy Metal.
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| Picture Credit: Reap the Light |
Obligatory ballad slot is occupied by 'Hollow', returning female vocals in the vein of Within Temptation and Evanescence. 'Dark as Night' is a little Slayer worship that everyone needs, with a pinch of Mastodon. 'Run Israel Run' is the spiritual successor of 'Creeping Death', both lyrically and musically.
Continuing to experiment with more melodic songwriting and development, Reap the Light descend into madness - and they do so by passing the cemetery gates, if you know what I mean. A seven plus minute epic to leave you empty and ready the end and deliverance.
The closing song 'Victory is Near' soundtracks the moment when the battle is over and now it’s time to leave, to return home. And home is where your Heavy Metal is.
Overall it’s a mature metal album built to please any metal fan out there - true Metal is more alive than ever.
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