Slander | Take It To The Grave | Stormspell Records

 

Release Date: September 23rd, 2025

Format: CD (Limited to 300 copies)

Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal

Country: United Kingdom

Slander, the traditional heavy metal force from Lancashire, has a story that reads like a proper British metal saga. Born in 1990 out of a spontaneous gig arrangement and fueled by pure enthusiasm, they quickly went from local heroes to underground legends. Their debut “Careless Talk Costs Lives” became a collector’s gem, their second album “Resolution Defiance” revived the fire sixteen years later, and now, with “Take It To The Grave,” they return once again, uniting their original twin-guitar attack after more than three decades.

This third album doesn’t sound like a band looking back, it’s a band standing proud in its own identity. The riffs are lively, the vocals punch with authority, and the rhythm section drives the songs with the kind of energy you’d expect from a band half their age. “Terrified” opens with the familiar spirit of British steel, carrying that early 80s influence where galloping riffs and twin harmonies ruled the scene. The guitar work of Andy Saxon-Lamb and Andy Gregson is a key part of this energy, weaving melodies that recall the glory of early Iron Maiden and Tygers Of Pan Tang, while keeping things firmly rooted in Slander’s own sound.

The title track “Take It To The Grave” is built for headbangers. The hooks are immediate, and the choruses are built to be shouted live, fists high. Songs like “Rust In My Bones” and “Soul Reaper” hit with a no-nonsense attitude, straightforward, catchy, and proudly traditional. The band’s chemistry, sharpened by years of playing and reforming, shines in how naturally the songs unfold.

Vocally, there’s a raw power that fits perfectly with the sharp edges of the music. The production has that warm, organic tone that gives each instrument space to strike hard, keeping the album sounding alive. The result is a collection of songs that sound made for the stage, beer-soaked venues, and genuine metal fans. After years of silence, “Take It To The Grave” proves that Slander’s fire never faded. It’s honest, energetic, and clearly rooted in the spirit that defined British heavy metal from the start.

Score: 7.8

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