For some unknown reason, the moment I read this album's title the name of DOKKEN crossed my mind. Rather bizarre, initially, since there's not that much in common tying the well-known L.A. quartet with these Canadian traditional metallers. Then I saw the Neil Kernon name in the 'producer' field - the established maker of (among others) QUEENSRYCHE's same-titled debut EP and Rage For Order monument plus DOKKEN's Under Lock And Key and Back for The Attack masterpieces - and smiled thinking about mind games and such stuff.
CAULDRON's first full-length release is good. Very good. Excellent. All the above referring to your old-school Metal likes. Chained To The Nite is a Heavy Metal album crafted with the early 80s recipe, neither 'Power' nor 'Epic', neither 'Doom' nor 'Speed'; just call it Heavy. Tons of guitars, steel riffs, pounding rhythms, sharp solos, metallic melodies, vintage vocals and a bright-eyed production you shall not avoid but dig with fists held high. Related to the Canadian band's Into the Cauldron EP (2007), the full length sounds more conscious and in less frenzy, but definitely is a more well-worked release emphasizing both on striking melodies and 'street heart' attitude.
Jason Decay brought me back to the days of Metal dignity; the times that there was something hot happening in the Metal scene (first half of the 80s, that may be for some) in both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The times that e.g. IRON MAIDEN, ANGELWITCH, MERCYFUL FATE, ACCEPT, ANVIL, METALLICA, W.A.S.P. and MOTLEY CRUE/RATT/DOKKEN were already scorching names with only 2-3 albums in their portfolio. The times that you would wear your band shirt in full pride, crying out the declaration of Heavy Metal magic. The times that Heavy Metal was the real deal. To continue: he rarely screams, he's singing in mid-pitch patterns and has a distinct voice offering something like past times with good company. He's trying to be evil at times, too, while we should note done his efficiency in keeping a personal color in his singing (melodic enough, I'd put in), avoiding humbling comparisons.
The same goes for the instruments. The songwriting - while not leaving doubt on its aim - will possibly bring you hard times recalling who but shall easily give a helping hand in recall when and how hard. You won't notice much of speed in like Chained To The Nite, since most of the tracklist carries that '1-2-3-4 dance along' blend, while a couple of up-tempo slots supply all that's epic/occult in the album. Again said, the production of Neil Kernon is the cream of the crop for the songlist's needs.
Wanna call it traditional melodic Metal? Go ahead. Young And Hungry is a profound sign of Metal loyalty, Conjure The Mass can cause multiple rusty traumas in its riffing inferno, Chained Up In Chains breathes some all-the-world's-a-Metal-stage fire, The Leaven/Fermenting Enchantress evolves from a mild symmetry to some un-rescinding crescendo of killer tempos, Dreams Die Young outbursts killer speed, Bound To The Stake marches off to primacy, Witch Trail unveils its mid-pace vice spell (the bass lines are dressed in filth), Midnite Hour offers some primitive horsepower and Chains Around Heaven summons the Hard 'n' Heavy demons of prowling lust.
The seeds of Heavy Metal music (and Thrash Metal, to an extend) manifested themselves in the early-to-mid 80s? If yes, 25-30 years have gone by since then. For some Metal music's dead yet not buried while others mark its opening to other tribes/sounds as an attribute of healthy consciousness. Fact is with bands like CAULDRON and albums like Chained To The Nite there's really no need to offer battle in defense or condemnation, since songs like these herein included are the 80s Metal backbone itself. If you're still blown away with ENFORCER's Into The Night, ARMOUR's The Sonichouse Tapes or WOLF's Ravenous, this CD (out on vinyl format, too, hehe...) is a similar blessing.