Singer David Rosario was looking for someone to record some of his songs with and had been impressed with guitarist Stein Hjertholm and drummer Per-Helge Bruvoll after seeing several gigs with their band, so he reached out to them. The three of them recorded a three-song demo, and during this process, the chemistry between them was eminent and the idea of ROZARIO was born (spelled with a Z because….well it just looks more metal). This was just prior to the pandemic and naturally all activity became very restricted. They used their time wisely and focused on song writing and finding the direction of the band, with songwriting contributions from all three. Rozario then teamed up with producer Trond Holter (WIG WAM, HOLTER, JORN) and started to record what would become “To The Gods We Swear” released October 10, 2023 in his studio in Halden, Norway. During the recordings of this release, the lineup of the band was finalized when young guitar virtuoso Johan Jamtfall and bassist Anders Halsan Engum joined them. They’re all brought up with the classic hard-rock and heavy metal music from the ‘70’s, ‘80’s. The result is a list of songs inspired by this, but with a clear, modern sound with their own distinctive character based around vocalist David Rosario and his lyrical universe with their songs are best described as solid, hard-hitting, yet melodical and catchy with verses always leading up to choruses that makes you wanna throw your fists in the air and sing along from the top of your lungs.

Giving us a short minute and twenty seconds of a catchy rocking instrumental on “Battle Cry/Rosario Anthem” anxiously has me pumped as I head into the title track “To The Gods We Swear” which opens with a classic NWOBHM burning riff and crunchy tempo as the dominant vocal delivery of David Rosario take over with a powerful and vigorous attitude. I know it’s early, but this has the makings of a true headbanging album. The next three songs definitely keep the momentum rolling on “Heavy Metal Rider”, “Nightmare In Flames” and “Born Again” with a nicely balanced and robust hard and melodic riffs with the vocals enriched together to give a, and I hope the band doesn’t hate me for this, a heavier, nastier BON JOVI sound. Taking us to a trip south of heaven on the dark and paradoxical “Headed for Hell” with a treacherously savage tuned down riff aided by the sinister vocal delivery. “Rage” is a mosh pit anthem song aggressively brought to a boiling point. ”Burning Up” ends this magnificent debut album with a hard driven soaring guitar dominated headbanger.

Heavy duty, rocking riffs….check, solid tight backing rhythm section….check, steamy, brazen guitar licks….check, powerful, passionate vocals….check, absorbing, engaging lyrics….check, well I guess they check all the boxes on a true, headbanging heavy metal experience, a well-oiled musical machine. There is absolutely nothing here not to love.