WSOU

Album Review: Time Stands Still by Unleash the Archers

Date: August 13, 2015

By Brendan the Barbarian


Unleash the Archers has been in our new music for several weeks with their track ‘Hall of the Tide’. It is a powerful song that drew me in from the very first time I listened to it. After a while I got curious about the band behind the music so I took it upon myself to listen to album ‘Time Stands Still’ from which the track originates. Having only a minimal idea of what to expect I sat down with an open mind and an eagerness to experience something new. The following is my review of not only ‘Time Stands Still’ but the feeling that Unleash the Archers inspired in me from start to finish.
Without wasting any time a tone is introduced for the entire album with the song ‘Northern Passage’. It is not a stretch of the imagination to envision one’s self standing atop a great hill adorned in fine armor while hearing this song. Grant Truesdell and Andrew Kingsley tease the listener with promises of beautifully synchronized guitar parts through only a fraction of their actual musical ability. Then, when ‘Frozen Steel’ begins to play, they let loose their full musical ability almost immediately with soul shredding harmonized guitar parts. Haunting is a fitting word to describe the layered melodies which converged to create one beautiful piece of music. The crowning element of Unleash the Archers sound is the vocal range of Brittney Slayes.
Going from the falsetto end of the scale to growling death vocals, Slayes is a shining example of what metal vocalists can be. This range can be heard in particular during the track ‘Hall of the Tide’. It opens with a growl which will knock you off your feet and eventually transitions into bellowing power with perfectly controlled vibrato. Truly, this is a woman you do not want to overlook in terms of vocals because she will easily work her way into your very soul. It is also worth noting that the drumming of Scott Buchanan is on point and very lively. In addition to this the bass work of Kyle Sheppard, though the newest member of Unleash the Archers, blends seamlessly into the sound of the band and contributes a perfect accenting sound.
If you are new to power metal or a longtime fan, Unleash the Archers is definitely a band you should have in your library. If you buy no other album this year then at least do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of ‘Time Stands Still’. It will certainly make you feel like a storming a castle with a profound sense of gusto. If a castle is unavailable or not in the immediate area you may want to just to just play the album in the background at your next Dungeons and Dragons game. Either way, you cannot go wrong when it comes to good music, which Storming the Archers defiantly is.  


Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are the opinions of the writer alone. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WSOU, Seton Hall University, nor any of its affiliates.

Posted in: Album Review, Metal, Storming the Ramparts, WSOU Exclusive

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