Blazoner is a three-piece band hailing from Fredericksburg, Virginia. One thing that is immediately noticeable is that all three members provide vocals, putting them in a category not often used; vocal Power Trio. This allows for some very interesting voice usage, including harmonic and dissonant themes where they use cleans to offset grit and distortion. Blazoner weaves through many styles and genres, including, but not limited to, Doom, Heavy, Thrash, and Melodic Metal. Heavy riffing is bolstered with equally heavy rhythms that wrap around the electrifying vocals to create a sonic wave that will wash over you and leave you waiting for the next wave to bring another crash of audible heaviness.

https://blazoner.bandcamp.com/album/escape-to-electric-land

Band Members:

  • Stephen Sullivan – Guitar/Vocals
  • Brian Carnes – Bass/Vocals
  • Andy Murray – Drums/Vocals

November 3, 2023 – Self Released

Tracklist:

  1. Electric Land
  2. The Servant
  3. Ghost
  4. Fallout
  5. Onyx Stone
  6. Misfortune
  7. Time Shift
  8. Full Stop

I love the ambient opening of “Electric Land.” The calming effect it has kind of makes me want to escape to that lovely place. Then, they demolish that desire by having “The Servant” immediately ask everyone for money like some scam pastor just in it for tax-free riches. The gritty delivery of the vocals mixed in with cleans gives the song the feel of a conversation between the shepherd and the flock. Having three singers in a group allows for this to occur and I really love how bands are embracing this concept.

As much as I love the three-part harmonies of bands like King’s X, having the three take different lyrical themes and characters is even more exciting. Blazoner uses their three voices in several ways, including some quick harmonies, just in a different way the bands like King’s X or Triumph. The track most like those bands to me is “Time Shift” as far as vocals and composition go. The diversity Blazoner uses in how the arrange the three voices is truly impressive.

And maybe I’m imagining this, but I also think I hear early 2000s Nu/Alt Metal mixed into “Fallout.” I feel like that riff is reminiscent of Trust Company if anyone remembers them. There is such a wide range of influences throughout this record that I’m really curious as to what the individual band members listen to. I’d bet that is one diverse list.

The difference in styles from “Onyx Stone” to “Full Stop” shows the band’s ability to write and play in entirely different genres. There is no getting stuck in a rut on this record. Blazoner takes you on a musical journey through vast soundscapes, guiding you through multiple genres and sub-genres with no loss of coherence or power. All the songs sound like they belong together despite the incredibly different tones. This is an impressive debut album by a band that just recently formed (according to Metal Archives). This is definitely one of the best debuts of the year. I’m looking forward to hearing more from this band in the future.

MZ Ratings:

Musicianship:

  •             Guitars – 10
  •             Rhythms – 10
  •             Vocals – 10
  • Songwriting – 9
  • Production – 9

Overall – 9.40