Matterhorn is a heavy metal band from Australia forming in 2009 as a covers band, performing classic songs from bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Black Sabbath and Deep purple. The band soon became well known with a burgeoning legion of fans, resulting in the release of the E.P. ‘For True Fans Of Rock/Metal’ in 2013. After a successful tour in support of the E.P. including sharing the stage with Tim “Ripper” Owens, the band’s followers began baying for original material from Matterhorn. The band released their debut album ‘Crimes Of Man’ in 2018.
The awesome guitar buzz sound of the iconic NWOBHM genre plays a major part in the debut full-length album from Australian metallers Matterhorn. Every one of the albums thirteen songs features NWOBHM riffage, the album stretching to an incredible seventy-five minutes in length…with plenty of hooks and melodies to keep you addicted from start to finish. Lead singer Amanda Ozolins is adorned in black leather, studs and chains, an image that conjures a likeness to Doro Pesch and Rob Halford – an image of one hundred per cent heavy metal from head to foot, with metal pumping through their veins from their metal hearts. ‘Crimes Of Man’ is, without a shadow of a doubt, a heavy metal album.
The instantly recognisable NWOBHM guitar sound greets you as soon as you press play, ‘Judge Nought’ a thunderous and mid-tempo stomp of heavy-hitting riffage, launching the album in the heaviest hitting way imaginable. ‘Guest Of His Majesty’ brings a more melodic approach to the album, nodding heads harder as it marches on its way. Singer Amanda Ozolins has a husky, throaty rasp of a vocal style, all silky and sexy as she swaggers through the atmospheric Dio esque ‘Burial Ground’. The first single off the album ‘Memory Of The Guilty’ is an up-tempo, bombastic and energetic romp, displaying a more feverish feel than many of the songs on offer. ‘Asylum’ is both the heaviest and shortest song on offer, mercilessly bulldozing its way past. The most catchy and infectious offering is the majestic melodic march ‘Spear Of Destiny’. With its chorus and anthemic sing a long affair, ‘Spear Of Destiny’ is a head-nodder, a foot-stomper, and a smile inducer. Adding touches of the seventies classic rock sound of bands such as Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, ‘Poisoned Scars’ is a Sunday afternoon stroll.
Built on the iconic NWOBHM guitar sound, ‘Drive’ is afoot on the monitor style gallop, adding touches of Southern rock and blues as it glides on by at a mid to high pace. The first song to upgrade head nodding to headbanging, ‘Drive’ is glorious. ‘Lucid Awakening’ is in your face, attitude-laden and a full force fury of doom style riffs. Guitarist Brendan Ozolins is a master of heavy riffing, at times savage and rough, yet always catchy and infectious, with ‘Jade’ a perfect NWOBHM style guitar buzz. What a riff… ‘Jade’ is the mid-tempo heaviness of the highest order. Did I mention the riff? Oh man, what a riff… ‘I Am Become Death’ picks up the energy levels and races on at full tilt. The fastest-paced song on the album, ‘I Am Become Death’ is a raucous romp and ahead bangingly addictive gallop of heavy-hitting riffs and rhythms. ‘Children Of The Sun’ keeps the energy levels high, bringing forth a more melodic feel than the previous song. The anthemic chant style chorus is gonna be a crowd favourite live in concert moment for sure.
The final song on offer is the ten-minute epic ‘The Riff’, stirring in elements from a wide range of genres, including ballad, hard rock, blues and progressive. At its heart though, is still the iconic NWOBHM guitar sound, which has been a backbone of the entire album – an album that has been a pleasure to listen to and review.
Overall, a heavy-hitting and glorious romp of NWOBHM inspired heavy metal, ‘Crimes Of Man’ is an addictive and “can’t put down” rock-solid offering.
TRACKLIST
Judge Nought
Guest Of His Majesty
Burial Ground
Memory Of The Guilty
Asylum
Spear Of Destiny
Poisoned Scars
Drive
Lucid Awakening
Jade
I Am Become Death
Children Of The Sun
The Riff
Matterhorn: Facebook
Release Year: 2017
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Iron Mathew for Frenzy Fire, and Metal-Roos.
