I'm Alive
Cirith Ungol
Few bands can compete with the storied history made by California's CIRITH UNGOL. The band formed in 1971 - just one year after the almighty BLACK SABBATH released their self-titled debut kickstarting the genre we love so dearly. Taking influence from Prog and the harder side of Rock as well as the burgeoning Metal scene along the way, the band formed a powerful sound, one that inspired myriad musicians from both the Power Metal and Doom genres. CIRITH UNGOL have always been their own animal with a heady brew of Fantasy-inspired lyrics and gripping Metal that could be both fist-pumping and joint-rolling material at the same time. Plainly said, they have a certain niche carved alongside acts like PAGAN ALTAR and MANILLA ROAD - true pioneers of pure and true Heavy Metal. When the band released their first album, "Frost and Fire," in 1981, they benefitted from the nascent NWOBHM movement. As the decade progressed, though, it was as if Metal split into two distinct and opposite directions with the MTV crowd at one end and the other occupied by heavier bands like METALLICA ( and of course, plenty of others, but METALLICA seemed a perfect choice to mention because of their stance prior to the release of the video for "One," which was stoically anti-MTV). After having a difficult relationship with their label, Restless Records, the band split up in 1992. Thankfully, though, they reunited in 2016 and have been hard at work since playing festivals across North America and Europe. They even recruited Jarvis Leatherby from Traditional Metal heroes, NIGHT DEMON, to lay down his active, highly-melodic bass playing in the rhythm section.
At twenty-two tracks, this is an album well worth its price tag. Sadly, though, all of the vinyl copies are sold out demonstrating the sheer demand for true Heavy Metal out there. On a personal note, though, my roommate did get a copy of the vinyl edition and I can therefore attest that it is truly a value-packed treasure trove of collectable goodness.
After the swelling of audience rapture, the band enters the fray performing a regal intro that perfectly sets up the mood for the coming ceremony. They next launch into the title track with its old school swagger which is sure to ensnare the metalhead in all privileged to hear it. It is an open call for headbangers to become enraptured by truly top shelf Heavy Metal. "Finger of Scorn," the ninth track is an epic masterpiece from "King of the Dead". Leatherby's bass playing truly shines here as he commands the neck of his instrument laying down creative lines underneath the main melodies and harmonies created by the guitars. Hearing both guitar players solo simultaneously and just making it work, especially while not specifically harmonizing is an accurate snapshot of the inherent talent the band retains. Few bands can really pull something like that off without sounding over-busy but CIRITH UNGOL are veterans, certainly members of the Heavy Metal elite. The highlight of the album, though, truly is how the band strings tracks twelve through fourteen ("Chaos Rising," "Fallen Idols," and "Paradise Lost") together for it is the same order as on the "Paradise Lost" album as well thus giving fans the chance to hear how that sequence sounds live.
The production is thoroughly live with little to no evidence of any major studio fixes or tricks. Tonally, the guitar is pure, undiluted overdriven Marshall JCM800, the staple of the '80s. It is a thick sound with plenty of girth and metallic rage. The drums are captured with a very lively sound, solid and organic. Tim Baker's vocals are as lethal as ever as he still rules over the microphone like a despotic ancient warlord from a Robert E. Howard or Michael Moorcock story. Weatherby's bass sounds huge. Though not particularly overindulgent, it is an articulate sound with plenty of presence that never gets buried in the mix.
When a band has Michael Whelan, the famed artist who designed the covers for Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melnibone saga, one can rest assured that they are legit, the real deal. CIRITH UNGOL were essentially paving the way for bands like ICED EARTH and their collaboration with Todd McFarland on "The Dark Saga". Everything about this album speaks to the professional aspect of this band. They were doing this since before most of you reading this (including me) were born. Because of that vital experience in the business, the band understands well what the fans want and caters to them particularly the die-hards. If you can find this for a decent price on vinyl: buy it! It is not only a solid investment, but genuine Heavy Metal magic.
9 / 10
Almost Perfect
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"I'm Alive" Track-listing:
1. Intro
2. I'm Alive
3. Join the Legion
4. Atom Smasher
5. Edge of a Knife
6. Blood and Iron
7. Black Machine
8. Frost and Fire
9. Finger of Scorn
10. Chaos Descends
11. Doomed Planet
12. Chaos Rising
13. Fallen Idols
14. Paradise Lost
15. Master of the Pit
16. King of the Dead
17. Cirith Ungol
18. Intro
19. War Eternal
20. Nadsokor
21. Fire
22. Death of the Sun
Cirith Ungol Lineup:
Greg Lindstrom - Guitars
Robert Garven - Drums
Tim Baker - Vocals
Jim Barraza - Guitars
Jarvis Leatherby - Bass
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