Hades
$avior$elf (Metal Blade)
by Martin Popoff
Yeah, yeah, long story, but the basic gist is that this is a comeback record by a fetching, always well-regarded consortium of bands known as Non-Fiction, Watchtower, and (of course) Hades. And $avior$elf lives up to the legacy in enigmatic fashion, sorta like if Led Zeppelin decided to booze Bonham-style and write a record in Portland (y’know, between the burgs of Bay Area thrash and the home of Nevermore). It’s an absolute thrill to hear a band so squarely heartfelt metallic and even boxing-stance retro, writing in this strange danger zone, throwing curves into hardcore politics, acoustic depression, red hot Anthrax rippery, and even a solo vocal through “The Lord’s Prayer.” But the highlight by far is the dug deep groove of “To Know One,” which somehow combines Sabbath, Savatage, and Aerosmith funk and flips itself into a suicide dirge. Brilliant!
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