The Old School Metal genres are found in any country one can think of. Yes, it’s not a local phenomenon, but worldwide manifestation, with acts and more bands putting efforts on creating music on the old ways. And even Portugal, a country with a tendency into extreme Metal ways (and that has on MOONSPELL its greater name) has its names on Old School Metal, as WANDERER is here to show with “Awakening Force”. The responsibility to record, mix and master the songs of “Awakening Force” were left to the hands of André Ribeiro (the band’s guitarist). The main idea depicted on it is to bear an organic and simple outfit as the traditional Heavy Metal had on the early days of NWOBHM. It works, depicts things on a simple way, besides the instrumental tunes could be better chosen. It’s not bad, but could be better.

The band focus its energy on creating ad Old School Speed/Power Metal influenced by German acts as HELLOWEEN, RUNNING WILD, GRAVE DIGGER and others on their early ages. It means the combination of fast tempos with a good refinement on the technical appeal, and using a dense energy to sharp its melodies. Yes, it’s melodic, charming and aggressive at the same time, in a way that hard to resist to. “Oblivion” (a fast and energetic song driven by insane and melodic guitar riffs), “Spellbound” (again very good melodic guitars are spewing excellent riffs, but the vocals show very good singing), “Freedom’s Call” and “Dark Age” (wow, what lovely melodic arrangements can be heard on both songs, and all based on very good and heavy work of bass guitar and drums), and “Way of the Blade” can be said as a good set of songs to begin with, but all the album is truly very good.

It’s clear that WANDERER still has points to sharpen and become better. But “Awakening Force” is truly a very good album to be heard and enjoyed.