Cauldron: Into The Cauldron

Into The Cauldron takes us right back to the formative years of Canadian metal outfit Cauldron, the EP released in 2007, a year after the band’s debut Live 7� first alerted us to this fast and furious band.

Initially featuring only four tracks and barely running past 15 minutes, for this Cherry Red/HNE reissue two bonus tracks have been added in the shape of “Axe Cross� and the Tyrant cover, “Making Noise And Drinking Beer� and together these six forays make quite the impression. A little rough around the edges - but in a good way - “The Striker Strikes� kicks in with a romping Iron Maiden riff being punctuated by the energetic, if not always refined vocals from Jason Decay, who also spends his time hammering out a bulging bass line. With the guitar work from Ian K Childron breakneck in its attack and infectious in its execution it’s left to drummer Al Chambers to just about keep the whole shebang in check - although he too is hardly retiring in his forthrightness behind the kit.

“Into The Cauldron�, where I can’t quite shake off the notion that Decay isn’t actually singing ‘Jump, into the goblin…’, continues down the same hit ‘em hard and hit ‘em repeatedly path, and it might just be the best thing on show in the process. Cleverly, “Restless� pulls things back in slightly, a more mid-paced riff immediately dismissing any notions that this band might be one trick ponies, before “Torture’s Too Kind� adds a darker edge to what sits somewhere between speed, thrash and good honest traditional heavy metal.

As a statement this four track outburst was mighty indeed but the addition of the 2007 recorded bonus tracks raise things yet further, “Axe Cross� able to recreate the EP’s fury while adding a more mature edge, while the Tyrant cover is an inspired choice, highlighting the speed based romping of the guitars and Decay’s hard hitting vocal style to perfection.

Cauldron continue on to this very day and impressively they’ve never really let their standard drop right across those years. Into The Cauldron, however, is where it all began and as an example of what Cauldron are all about, it’s arguably never been bettered.

Track Listing
1. The Striker Strikes

2. Into The Cauldron

3. Restless

4. Torture’s Too Kind
Bonus Tracks

5. Axe Cross

6. Making Noise and Drinking Beer (Tyrant cover version)

Added: November 25th 2021
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Into The Cauldron @ Cherry Red
Hits: 627
Language: english

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