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Call Of The Voyager

    
       
       
       
     
             
Warhog are a heavy metal band from the USA formed in 2020, releasing their debut album 'Call Of The Voyager' in 2022.    
             
Featuring twelve songs over an incredible seventy four minutes, 'Call Of The Voyager' is a blend of various metal styles - from the pounding doom of Black Sabbath to the galloping traditional metal of Iron Maiden, through to the groove of Pantera. The album is the epic story of a warrior prophesised to defeat ancient evil in faraway lands - opening with the atmospheric and scene setting, one and a half minute crescendo building instrumental intro 'The Call', leading into 'Voyager' - a groove heavy mid paced swagger! Featuring a strong Pantera feel, the band hammer riff after riff into listeners skulls, just like a carpenter hammers nails into wood. Yet 'Voyager' is a fairly gentle lead in to the album, Warhog going further down the doom metal path with 'Serpent And The Sorceress', also displaying a more mean and moody attitude - yet at the same featuring a strong hint of the guitar sound so synonymous with the iconic NWOBHM evolution. 'Serpent And The Sorceress' is so damn head noddingly addictive, you'll find your head involuntarily rocking back and forth - with absolutely no chance of stopping it!    
             
There are some fairly long songs on 'Call Of The Voyager' - a seven, a couple of eights, a nine and two ten minute long ones - 'Victorious' the first of the two ten minuters. And a slow burn intro for the first minute and a half before a glorious groove takes over, and we're nodding our heads in rhythmic unison once more. Without any real change of pace, 'Victorious' is one of those songs that just keeps chugging away, not giving a fuck what anyone thinks! It would seem that Warhog love their groove - it being a major feature of the album so far. An album that has remained in middle gear since it began. Although in the shape of 'In The Dragon's Den' - the shortest song on offer (besides the other instrumentals) at under four minutes in length - the album does change gear, to become a fast and furious gallop of turbo charged metal to properly head bang to. The mid song slow down is dramatic, bringing back the albums core groove metal sound, building back up to blistering speed. And as suddenly as pace appeared, it disappears - 'Saga' adopting the heaviest groove of the album so far. The meld of Black Sabbath with Pantera is a very good blend, Warhog strutting their stuff with majestic pride.    
             
But there does come a time when you're wanting a little more crunch and punch, and a bit more of the speed we heard on 'In The Dragon's Den' - well for me there is! 'Cause while groove metal is addictive listening, I want a bit more oomph, energy, and heaviness! The band going the opposite way to deliver a doom metal power ballad - if ever one exists! Well it does now, with 'Wretched Heart' stirring hymn-like serenity into the mix as well, Warhog keeping the mood low and the lighters high. The mid song breakdown does lift the mood though, 'Wretched Heart' showing a little more punch, which continues into 'Last Days' - the band hitting harder than anything up to this point! Which is good news for me, 'cause it was exactly what I was asking for! Kudos Warhog, kudos. 'Unanswered' is a sub two minute cinematic kind of operatic overture that has symphonic metal written all over it. Highly atmospheric and filled with tension, 'Unanswered' acts as an intro for the second ten minute long song on offer 'Desolation'...    
             
...and the heaviest groove metal stance the album has on offer! The heaviness blended with a doom metal driven riff, is complimented with lighter guitar work, hymn-like majesty and an overwhelming aura of eerie and haunting - the band running the gamut of a multitude of moods, keeping the listener totally hooked from minute one to minute ten. And the heavy groove remains in force for the foot stomper 'Revenant' - at least for the first minute or so, the band lifting the heaviness and venturing into progressive metal territory. And back again, as the heavy groove hits hard like a wrecking ball in full flight - the band swanning one way and then the other! And then planting their foot firmly on the accelerator to show a blistering turn of speed as 'Revenant' plays out. Bringing the album to a close, 'Epilogue' is an immensely mellow and serene outro - the kinda tune you'd listen to for a warm down after a vigorous work-out. Yet the band manage to make it sound symphonic in nature! Totally insane!    
             
Overall, a groove heavy meander of doom metal like riffs and traditional metal nuances.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Vlad Promotion    
             
             
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