Review KNIGHT & GALLOW ‘For Honor and Bloodshed’

Knight & Gallow is a new player in the fields of epic metal. Based in Sacramento, California, the quintet follows their passion for heavy metal since 2019. To start a new band right before the beginning of a pandemic might not be the best timing, but who knew it back in 2019.

‘Stormbringer’s Call’ was the first single released by the Californian powerhouse, also included on the demo ‘Men of the West’. The demo helped the guys to get some attention, amongst other by the Greek No Remorse label. The label, being known for an excellent taste when it comes to (new) metal bands signed the band and the debut will hit the shelves these days.

‘For Honor and Bloodshed’ is the title of a nine-songs featuring debut that shows a band, being passionate and on fire for their favorite style of music. While listening to this well-crafted debut I had to think of bands like Eternal Champion and Visigoth. This gives you an idea of what the band sounds like.

The start into the album is a package, featuring the ‘Middle Earth’ intro and the epic ‘Men of the West’. The latter is known for the demo and shines in metallic light on the debut. A galloping rhythm and excellently done vocal lines reflect a solid start into the album. ‘Soul of Cinder’ is another great song on this record, starting with a chiming bell that hands over to a melodic metal track with earworm potential. The metal beast gets off the leash with the blistering ‘God’s Will’, a faster track with some high-pitch metal screams.

There is no real weak spot on this debut that has with ‘Blood of Wolves’ and ‘Black Swordsman’ two songs at the end of the tracklisting, being equally good as the tunes in the top half of this astonishing debut.

Knight & Gallow made great use of the time given by a period of non-touring. The debut got the attention needed and there is no surprise that No Remorse Records added the band to their portfolio. Hopefully we can enjoy this metal blast live on stage soon.