SAINTS OF DEATH – Ascend to the Throne

Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Saints of Death started off as a Motörhead tribute band. After re-grouping from a break-up, the band decided to focus on original material. Ever since he was a kid, frontman Twan Holliday wanted to have a band with two bass players. That dream is a reality. Holliday plays the 8-string bass, while Juan Helluva plays the 5-string bass. Together with guitarist Ashley Blue and drummer Christopher James, Saints of Death released their debut album Ascend to the Throne.

Although it is just an instrumental intro track, “Call of the Kings” is something you would hear in a horror movie, just as the villain is about to strike around a dark corner. In that same vain, “You Can’t Run” delivers the killers point of view while he is giving chase to his next unlucky victim. You can practically hear vocalist Twan Holliday foaming at the mouth as the band sets a frantic pace. “Ascend to the Throne” builds slowly with thumping drums that swell into a frenzy. Holliday’s vocal growls are intense.

Twan spits vocal fire on “Watching Me Die.” Christopher James’ drum break down builds tension before Ashley Blue’s guitar solo kicks in. “Repentance” employs clean guitars and deep bass to set a dark and ominous mood. Holliday sounds as if he’s falling into a pit of regret and despair. “Soldiers of Metal” is a tribute to the Heavy Metal bands that stuck together and continued to wave the Metal flag.

Ascend to the Throne is short, sweet, and fierce.

Tracklist

1. Call of the Kings
2. Ascend to the Throne
3. Watching Me Die
4. God Can’t Help You Now
5. Repentance
6. You Can’t Run
7. Soldiers of Metal