Palantyr is a
heavy/speed metal band from Thionville, France. Originally active under the
name Destrukt until August 2024, the band
changed their name and quickly began building momentum with a renewed identity.
Their style combines powerful vocals, fast-paced riffing, and a strong sense of
melody, drawing inspiration from bands like Mystik,
Smoulder, Acid,
Blood Star, Iron
Griffin, and Tower.
“The Ascent & The Hunger” is a vinyl
release combining Palantyr’s earlier EP “The
Ascent” with three new tracks, creating a balanced and energetic 6-song
collection. Released on vinyl by Dying Victims
Productions and Jawbreaker Records,
this edition brings together the band’s earlier material and their most recent
writing, giving listeners both a taste of their origins and their current
direction.
From the
very beginning, the energy is high and consistent. The guitars move fast,
loaded with melodic hooks and galloping rhythms. The drumming keeps everything
tight and energetic, while the bass holds it all together with weight and
presence. Over it all, Athéna’s vocals rise
with power and confidence, cutting through the mix with a voice that’s mighty
and passionate. She reminds me a lot of Sarah Ann (Smoulder), so she adds an epic aura to their
music.
The older tracks (“The Ascent” material) already had a solid foundation, and they still sound fresh here. The new material adds an extra punch, feeling even faster and more intense. The riffs are catchy without being repetitive, and the solos are fast without losing control. Everything flows together naturally, making the EP feel cohesive even though it’s a mix of older and newer songs.
One of the
new tracks is a cover of “Nosferatu” by Paul Roland.
Palantyr makes it their own, speeding it up
and giving it a heavier edge. It fits surprisingly well alongside the original
songs, and it doesn’t interrupt the flow of the EP. The other two new songs
continue the trend of fast tempos and strong choruses. There’s a good balance
between aggression and melody, with songs that keep your attention and invite
repeated listens.
The
production supports the music well, and everything is audible and balanced.
There’s enough rawness to keep things grounded in the genre, but nothing sounds
buried or weak. The vinyl edition comes with artwork by Flamberge Illustration, which fits the band’s style and gives
the release a strong visual identity.
Palantyr delivers
a strong EP with “The Ascent & The Hunger.” It captures the spirit of
traditional speed and heavy metal while staying exciting from start to finish.
Whether you’ve heard the earlier “The Ascent” EP or not, this release stands
well on its own. It’s direct, energetic, and full of riffs that stick.
Score: 8.3
https://palantyr-heavymetal.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/palantyrSpeednHeavy
https://jawbreakerrecords.bandcamp.com
https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment