There are quite a few TANTRUMs around the world in Metal land. The one I am listening to at the moment is from West-Lothian in Scotland, UK. They have been in existence as a combo since 2014, and with their latest effort “No Place For The Damned” they are giving us a shot at their third studio album to date. They also have three EPs at their disposal, including a Xmas one. Unfortunately I haven’t heard anything of TANTRUM before, so I can only give you facts, not impressions. Their debut album “Melt It Down” came to fruition in 2018. The following “Another Life” came some five years alter, which makes that last year, 2023. So just one year after that one , on 30 August 2024 it was time for the one I am about to review, “No Place For The Damned”.

TANTRUM plays Heavy metal with Melodic and Speed Metal influences thrown in for good measure. It does give them a certain kind of sound. To describe it as best as I can, I would say that they are a watered-down version of RAVEN mixed with some IRON MAIDEN and their own ideas. About the RAVEN comparison, it does help that singer Mark Reid will remind you of John Gallagher, at least when he sings his higher octaves quite loud. And yes, he does that a lot. Just listen to the opener “Manifest Destiny (Trinity I)” and you will have to concede that I make a valid point. As for the IRON MAIDEN reference, just listen to “Minotaur”, which could be named as “Rhyme If The Ancient Mariner Part 2”. The riffing is a mix between MAIDEN and RAVEN, and it works!

As for the quality of the music itself, you know I always mention that. And I have to do it now. The songs are quite well written, have body and soul and are quite varied. I actually like what I hear on “No Place For The Damned”. TANTRUM has made making this kind of fast paced high octane heavy Metal their forte, and even though they are not as epic as IRON MAIDEN or as manic as RAVEN, they have something that keeps you interested, pushes your brain and makes you want to listen to it time and time again. So, the conclusion is that TANTRUM is doing something right on “No Place For The Damned”. They know how to make interesting Heavy Metal.