Metal maniacs, rejoice! The Thrasher returns to present to you: CIRITH UNGOL; signed via Metal Blade Records, hailing from the United States of America - performing Heavy/Power/Doom Metal, on their 2^nd album entitled "King Of The Dead" (the re-released Ultimate Edition) (released on April 28^th, 2017). Since formation in 1972; the quintet in question have 4 albums in their lifespan, "King Of The Dead" is my introduction to CIRITH UNGOL. Combining a healthy mix of Heavy/Power/Doom Metal; the quartet formulate a distinctive formula of hard-hitting Heavy Metal riffs, to a cheesy Power Metal aesthetic, as well as a Doom Metal atmosphere. The mighty Metal Blade Records have released an Ultimate Edition, adding 4 Live tracks as well as an Alternate Mix. 13 tracks, ranging at around 50:16 – the quartet deliver organic riffs, stone-crushing drums and a high-pitched vocalist who showcase solid musicianship and instrumentation with equally constructive results. "Atom Smasher" opens the record up, at first the notable element was the cheesy Power Metal characteristic that I aforementioned was easily implemented at first glance, but the overall song has a diverse array of admirable substances built in that's diligently enlightening.

Consisting of Greg Lindstrom on guitars/keyboard, the artist provides a complex amount of dexterous riffs and consistently showcasing variety of distinct keyboardist elegance. "Black Machine" is full of unique songwriting that has an original aspect to it, with an rigorously  memorable contrast too, the powerhouse Robert Garven on drums & Jarvis Leatherby on bass combine an efficient amount of rocking sound production that's constructively exquisite. "Master Of The Pit" showcases more psychedelic grooves; crazily classically-inspired solos from Jerry Fogle (R.I.P. 1998) and some insanely fabricated vocals from Tim Baker.  Unrelenting harmonies from all members prolifically merit themselves with a delightfully eccentric coherence; "King Of The Dead" has a flourishing stability of epic franticness, upholding with a scorching vocal pattern that's bizarrely intricate in design while proficiently performed - gracefully. "Death Of The Sun" equally pummels you with more of those frantically-driven persistence with strangely adapt prominence that you can't help but enjoy, while leading into the more slower territory with "Finger Of Scorn" which is yet another monstrous opus with some formulaic lyricism such as "the finger! Of scorn! Points, to, us all!!!", which had me in an intense state of furious composure - CIRITH UNGOL has a uniquely fulfilling sophistication so far.

"Toccata In Dm" is the cover we all know and love from composer Johann Sebastian Bach, and is a rocking tribute to the artist's classic. "Cirith Ungol" ends the main portion of the record, that has an esoteric posture of understanding. It can be considered a bland and boring song, yet on the contrary...it showcases a cryptic fusion of the chosen sub-genres into one powerful song. And for me, that's a epic motive if anything. "Last Laugh (Live)" is the next batch of new material that's exclusively included in this Ultimate Edition of "King Of The Dead", some would consider Live songs unnecessary...I however would like to hear how well bands perform Live, and they do exceedingly well on that front. "Death Of The Sun (Alternate Mix)" is the next in line and showcases what's said on the tin; a differentialy composed mix that still has a progressive change to the original song, and is a technical advancement of gracefulness - maybe pointless, but still commendable. "Master Of The Pit (Live)", "King Of The Dead (Live)" & "Cirith Ungol (Live)" are great Live renditions of the original songs and expand the experience with distinguishing results. Overall – this was an unprecedented record that was full of surprises, that had an astonishing array of attributes at their disposal, a fine record for the ages and a pleasant listen entirely.