Idol Throne – ‘A Clarion Call’

Power Metal/Thrash Metal/Prog Metal

Stormspell Records

Release Date – May 31st 2024

Review By Smudge Smith

I was lucky enough to have reviewed Idol Throne’s debut two years ago and a what a fine piece of work it was. With this, their sophomore effort, they have progressed from the debut, added more of everything and developed as players and writers.

Power chords and drum rolls open ‘Ecliptykon’ before a crushing thrash riff Starts things in earnest. Its big, powerful, macho metal which is exemplified by Jake Quintinalla’s masculine vocals. It’s essentially a thrash number with bits of prog here and there. ‘Covenant Of The Immortal’ brings some power/prog before the epic ‘King Among Jackals’ gives us everything including the kitchen sink. Guitarists Martin Bowman and Jason Schultz play off each other wonderfully – there’s heavy crushing riffage plus tasteful melodic lines and they also allow space for the song to ‘breathe’. Oh man do we get some rabid thrash on ‘Petrified’ where drummer Aaron Grove does a number on his kit – I hope he’s sponsored because he must have caused some serious damage. It’s back to the power/prog metal on ‘The Last Voyage’ and the title track. ‘System Simulacrum’ starts with a load of beeps and noises before they crash into another thrashtastic banger. ‘Falconers Cry’ is another epic that builds off a shimmering intro line into a more traditional metal instrumental.

Difficult second album? Not these guys! They’ve got all bases covered and as I said their development is obvious. Class songwriting expertly executed and superbly produced. Nothing more needs to be said.

Track List –

1 – Ecliptykon

2 – Covenant Of The Immortal

3 – King Among Jackals

4 – Petrified

5 – The Last Voyage

6 – A Clarion Call

7 – System Simulacrum

8 – Falconer’s Cry