PALANTYR, a band which are hailing us from France, have introduced themselves quite some time ago, since they were formed back in 2014 under the moniker DESTRUKT. Especially their last three-track EP of 2023, under their previous name, was embraced very warmly by the fans and made quite an impression with their scorching speed metal melodies and marvelous female vocals.
Lately I was wondering if there is an existing trend or musical movement, in the realm of traditional metal, because a lot of bands that have female vocalists have emerged. The most important is that most of them are proceeding with great music and astonishing results.
Bands such as SMOULDER, TOWER, SANHEDRIN, SAVAGE MASTER, CHRISTIAN MISTRESS, BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK, IRON GRIFFIN, BLOOD STAR and many others are the leading forces, in a phenomenon that is more than welcome. The times are ripe and the metal fans more than eager to relish the fruitful results.
As a direct consequence of the growing popularity of the band, Jawbreaker Records was interested in signing them and they joined forces with the Swedish label in August of 2024.
In their new record, PALANTYR have six songs, with the first three of them ‘’Shan-E-Sorkh’’, ‘’Broken Mirror’’ and ‘’Son of the White Mare’’, to have been introduced in their last EP, under their previous name. In these three songs, the talent and the potential of the band is really unfolding, with fire – burning speed metal, anthemic choruses, gripping guitar melodies, with the ethereal yet dynamic and magic voice of Athéna, warm organic sound and the very distinct – thundering drums.
The other three songs are new, one of them being a cover and they push forward with evoking lands of magic and mysteries, great legends and tales.
‘’Ravenous’’ initiates with a mild acoustic passage before it progresses to an epic soundscape, with ferocious storytelling, that finally explodes to a dramatic speed metal crescendo.
The cover song of the very special Paul Roland’s ‘’Nosferatu’’, is just an amazing moment, a really fitting selection of the band, that enhances the atmosphere and experience of the album.
‘’Graveyard’’ is the last song, a speed metal one, with a dramatical character and epic doom metal elements or even some black metal guitar picking, that showcases the very remarkable evolution of the band regarding songwriting.
The sound of PALANTYR, in general, may bring in mind bands such as SMOULDER, Sweden’s act MYSTIK, MEURTRIÈRES from France, TOWER and IRON GRIFFIN. Actually, PALANTYR’s music is a fine blend of epic grandeur, ferocity and raw heavy metal aggression with prevailing fast galloping riffs and mid-tempo interchanging rhythmical passages and tunes.
It needs to be stressed out, that the album was mixed and mastered by Olof Wikstrand of ENFORCER.
If you are not already familiar with the music of PALANTYR, don’t lose this opportunity to make a fine acquaintance with the band, through this fine record, that will offer delightful listening sessions of beautifully crafted traditional speed metal anthems.
‘’ The Ascent & The Hunger’’ will be released on the 2nd of May 2025 by Jawbreaker Records and will be available on CD and digital format.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
