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The Extraterrestrial Compendium

    
       
       
       
     
             
Dire Peril are a power metal band from the USA formed in 2012, featuring Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime) and John Yelland (Judicator). The band released a number of singles in the run up to the release of their debut album, 'The Extraterrestrial Compendium' in 2018.    
             
With two veterans of the stature of Jason Ashcraft and John Yelland, you would expect a very heavy hitting and infectious album of heavy metal. And boy oh fucking boy, you are not gonna be disappointed with this effort. Twelve songs across an incredible sixty five minutes play time, song lengths ranging from three and a half minutes to the epic ten minute album closer. You have fast paced "foot on the monitor" style head bangers, you have melodic and anthemic heavy metal, and a massive amount of edge of the seat tension and atmosphere. The debut album from this new (well new-ish) band is a barnstormer, and is a must have for fans of the heavier style of power metal.    
             
Quickly into its stride 'The Extraterrestrial Compendium' explodes into life with the bombastic and highly energetic 'Yuatja Hunter Culture'. Heavy hitting with savage riffage, 'Yuatja Hunter Culture' sets the tone for the next hour. More aggressive than the albums opener, 'Planet Preservation' stomps heavily as it forcibly cuts and thrusts its way through the airways. Bringing a touch of the majestic style of heavy metal to the album, 'Enemy Mine' marches proudly on, 'The Visitor' slowing the pace to a mellow stroll...allowing a breather from the albums breathless opening triple salvo. Lighters high, hands higher, 'The Visitor' is an emotionally charged power ballad. Thundering into sight, 'Total Recall' picks up the tempo and gallops along at pace, guitars buzzing like a massive swarm of bees. A catchy, infectious and sing a long able chorus just adds to the songs attractiveness. Featuring the vocal talents of Unleash The Archers singer Brittney Slayes, 'Queen Of The Galaxy' is mid tempo melodic heavy metal of the highest calibre. It's a foot tapper, a head nodder, a one hundred percent sing a longer...    
             
The sub four minute 'Roughnecks' is a raucous and frenetic foray of swaggering heavy metal. Foot tapping becomes foot stomping and head nodding becomes head banging as 'Roughnecks' hurriedly scurries on by. 'Blood In The Ice' is a seven minute masterpiece, full of melody, harmony, atmosphere and everything in between. Tension filled, 'Blood In The Ice' is an epic journey through the genre of the glorious style of heavy metal. The best song on the album by the biggest country mile in history is the catchy and sing a long anthem 'Heart Of The Furyan'. The chorus is a joy to behold and will be chanted by the bands legion of fans everywhere. High pace and full of energy 'Heart Of The Furyan' is addictive and infectious in equal measures. The same measures have been applied to the romping 'Altair IV: The Forbidden Planet'. One of the most up tempo offerings 'Altair IV: The Forbidden Planet' is a swashbuckling, energy driven rampage. 'Always Right Here' is a perfect blend of power balladry and melodic hard rock, setting both a mellow and eerie atmosphere as it strides on by, paving the way for the albums epic ending. The ten minute opus 'Journey Beyond The Stars', is atmospheric and haunting, catchy and infectious, an elegant blend of rock and metal and is a glorious ending to a great album.    
             
Overall, an atmospherically epic album of passion and emotion, 'The Extraterrestrial Compendium' is a sparkling array of infectiousness.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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