ANCIENT SETTLERS „Our Last Eclipse: The Settlers Saga Pt. 1”

Blood Fire Death Promotion & Crusader Records, 2022

Music: Melodic Death Metal / Metalcore
Website: https://www.facebook.com/AncientSettlers/
Duration: 53:46 (10 tracks)
Country: Venezuela / Finland

These ancient settlers came straight from Venezuela. On the way, a Finn joined them. And since 2020 they have been wandering around Portugal, Spain and France, and apparently they have even been seen in the United States.

The men have over fifteen years of music experience in various bands – ex-HABORYN, ex-ESTEZA, BLACKBEER, ex-GAMALYEL, MERIDIAN DAWN, ex-NIGHTRAGE, ARMAGEDDON. But as ANCIENT SETTLERS, they recorded a few singles and made a few videos, and in April this year, this album will be released thanks to Crusader Records.

I must admit that I have heard a long time ago a band whose musicians come from South America. And usually these were bands whose members had a high level of musical skill. And this time is no different. Many years of experience and virtuoso skills allowed to create the debut album at a very high level.

The band directs their music mainly to fans of ARCH ENEMY, AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, SOILWORK and the like. So high-quality Melodic Death Metal, with its rapacity and dynamics combined with the enormity of melodies, often virtuoso, also very romantic, with a progressive approach to composing.

The arrangements are multi-themed, usually in medium-fast paces, but not without violent disturbances or monumental slowdowns. The drummer runs it all really well.

The crushing, very biting guitars with lots of solos (with different characteristics – typically metal licks or neoclassical and progressive and even jazz). Of course, melodic-thrash-death-metal patents are dominated. However, in the riffs you can hear core-music inclinations. The guitarists not only use “metal” effects (“distortion”), but also I hear clean guitars with “delay” and “chorus” effects.

An important element are the keyboards, which not only create an atmospheric background or introductions, but also play spectacular solos at times. The futuristic samples additionally increase the atmosphere, introducing a large dose of modern approach to creation, especially typical for Metalcore.

The vocal’s manifestations are also a combination of thrash-death screams and grwolings, as well as melodeclamations and singing and choirs, with frequent accentuation typical for Metalcore. Sometimes vocals sound simultaneous, creating an interesting effect.

The album “Our Last Eclipse: The Settlers Saga Pt. 1 ”, judging by the title, it seems to be a concept album. We will see with the next release. Lyrically, the band draws inspiration from past tragedies that hit the Earth and humanity.

The album contains a huge dose of very valuable music. On the one hand, it is aggressive and crushing, and on the other hand, it is very melodic, emotional and atmospheric.

Tracklist:
1. Into The Depths I Ride
2. Cast In Gold
3. Our Last Eclipse
4. Cerements
5. Jotnar Magick
6. Library Of Tears
7. Silent December
8. Memories
9. The Black Rainbow
10. Peregrination

Line-up:
Emmy Reyes – rhythm guitar
Hermán Riera – drums
Carlos Chiesa-Estomba – lead guitar
René González – keyboards
Antony Hämäläinen – vocals
Miguel Herrera – bass

Rate: 9.0/10