Yup. This right here. See where I’m pointing? You mean you don’t see the blazing piece of metal that I am pointing at? Ah well, I guess I’ll just describe it to you then. Toronto based Cauldron, traditional in execution represent the remnants of equally compelling Goat Horn whom I had the opportunity to see live before they broke up and were quite enthralled by them. Cauldron have dropped the doomy tinge that Goat Horn possessed in favor of speed metal laced with their traditional metal barrage. Chained to the Nite represents their battering ram to my ears, and I must say that I am aloft with pleasures! Sorry….that was a bit too exuberant.

Seriously though, Chained to the Nite represents a quality dose of the modern old school. We have fantastic riffs, good production and vocals on behalf of Jason Decay that are passable though realistically kind of drab and flat. Usually this old school sound requires a singer who can really hold his own amongst the impenetrable drums and guitar solos, but Jason really isn’t all that good. Remarkably, unlike Ravage’s recent release, Jason’s shortcomings don’t really hinder the quality of Chained to the Nite as it’s saved by good riffs and toned down complexities that might require more variation in Jason’s voice.

What I enjoy most about this album is the throttle the band manages. Every song is not pedal to the metal speed to keep the kids interested, this is attitude over anger; swagger over beating the crap out of the guy next to you. I like metal that knows when to be fast and when to tone it down to let the riffs breathe, let alone the listener. Chained to the Nite may have been created by young enthusiasts of a bygone era, but their maturity in preserving what made this type of metal so great originally is apparent in each song.

I feel really excited about what metal holds for bands like this. It’s about time the marauding extreme metallers move over for something a bit less severe and intense. Metal has always been known for its diversity in spirit as well as the riff, so one can only hope that recognition be given to more bands like Cauldron who seek to promote this great music in a tried and true, yet often maligned method.

GOOD

Top Tracks: Chains Around Heaven, Conjure the Mass

Similar Artists: Wolf, Ravage, Virgin Steele, Armored Saint, Helloween

1.    Young and Hungry
2.    Conjure The Mass
3.    Chained Up in Chains
4.    The Leaven / Fermenting Enchantress
5.    Dreams Die Young
6.    Bound to the Stake
7.    Witch Trail
8.    Midnite Hour
9.    Chains Around Heaven (Black ‘N’ Blue cover)

Jason Decay – Vocals, Bass
Ian Chains – Guitar
Chris Rites – Drums

Earache Records

http://www.myspace.com/cauldronmetal

Review by CODY