Year: 2022
Total Time: 53.47
Label: Crusader Records
ANCIENT SETTLERS was founded in 2020 by Carlos Chiesa-Estomba & Herman Riera (ex-Haboryn), Rene González (ex-Aesthesis), Emmy Reyes (Blackbeer, ex-Gamalyel) and Antony Hämäläinen (Meridian Dawn, ex-Nightrage), a group of musicians with more than fifteen years of experience in the European and American metal circuit. So there is no specific country of origin and they declare themselves “international” band! This has its advantages, because it is easier to find the right musicians saving time and money, but also it has disadvantages in the sense that if in a (especially metal) band the members don’t meet in person to jam and just exchange music files, the result is sometimes controversial…
The band has started its journey to explore the boundaries of modern Μelodic Death Metal, including catchy guitar riffs, the very clever use of synths and keyboards, and a variety of different sounds and rhythms, trying to develop their own musical identity. And I think they are succeeding, especially in the parts where the electronic elements are used. In these parts the band is getting kind of close to FEAR FACTORY and they would be even closer to them if the vocals were harsher. In the 10 songs of “Our Last Eclipse” the Melodic Swedish Death Metal clearly dominates as an influence and will remind you in several points of NIGHTRAGE. The songs that stand out are “Into the Depths I Ride” that dynamically opens the album “Cerements” and the very rhythmic and with an awesome and anthemic chorus “Memories”! Lyrically speaking the band is inspired by recent tragedies affecting the earth (such as Covid19 and the depression it brings) and the human race. They try to spread their message to everyone who wants to hear and react.
Overall, we don’t hear anything new, since we come across music that has been played many times before, but it’s worth giving them a chance since ANCIENT SETTLERS exist as band for only two years and they have all the time in front of them to evolve. I would also like to emphasize the impeccable and clean production that definitely gives extra points to the final result!
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Dimitris Argyrakis
Related Link: ANCIENT SETTLERS – Facebook Page
