ARMAGH is a Heavy Metal foursome based in Warsaw. They have one EP and two full-length albums out, including "Serpent Storm" which was released in 2022 but has been recently re-released through Dying Victims Productions. Even though this is the band's third release, it still sounds like a demo, at least from a production standpoint. They sound like an overlooked gem, or a hungry wolf band on the verge of breaking-except, again, this is their third release. But oddly, that perpetual demo-mode aesthetic is part of their appeal.

As you might guess, "Serpent Storm" is seriously analog-but not in a lo-fi, hellscape way. More like in an equipment way. And even with that, the genius of their vocals, the riffs, the lead solos, all come through. It's like being time warped to a garage in the 1980's and discovering your big brother's band that he never had. But instead of being shitty, they are really good.

My favorite aspects of ARMAGH are the clean NWOBHM vocals and the great solos. The drums and bass are a bit washed out (production issue and not a performance issue), but the spirit is there. They are there, but you just want them more defined. Lyrically, it's all evil, death, and Satan and assorted variations thereof. The narratives are surprisingly rich. There's a Heavy Metal posturing but shrouded in a souring darkness.

Loads of strong tracks on this one. "Howling of the Black Wind" is a feverish march through a burning city-one of the heaviest tracks and one of the best. "Industrial District Fever" is a total ripper. Very thrashy. "Beyond the Night" has a strong Hard Rock vibe but set at turbo. I should also mention "Death is Near" which leans deep into the Punk/Thrash side of the spectrum. A nice closer for the album.

ARMAGH. So why would a Heavy Metal band from Poland name themselves after a county in Northern Ireland most famous for St. Patrick and for being known as "bandit county" during the Troubles? (And if you doubt the connection, track five is actually called "Mhache Heights" which is another name for Armagh. And also, St. Patrick-famous for chasing out the serpents from Ireland-and an album is literally called "Serpent Storm," I mean, right?) Or maybe it's that history of rebellion or the connection to the Catholic church, or maybe the name just sounds cool, which it does. Whatever the reason, it works. It's very hard not to like this band.