R.U.S.T.
- Legends
Pure Underground Records
R.U.S.T.'s debut album, “Legends”, released on Pure
Underground Records, immediately establishes the Romanian band as firm
adherents to the traditional heavy metal sound. It's worth noting this is at
least the third band to use a variant of the R.U.S.T. name that plays this
style, alongside a Cypriot band and the cult Greek act from the 80s.
The band's primary influences are highly apparent,
with the sound anchored in the epic styling of Manowar, while also
incorporating elements reminiscent of Grave Digger and Running Wild. On a technical
level, the album is well-produced and competently performed. The vocalist
delivers a strong performance, and the musicians display clear confidence and
proficiency with their instruments.
A specific highlight is the instrumental track, "Prelude
to Sign of the King" which features an unexpected but very effective
integration of the violin. This composition stands out brightly, possessing a
unique character that is unfortunately missing from the rest of the album.
The core issue with “Legends” is its compositional
predictability. While executed well, the album is laden with standard heavy
metal tropes. Listeners will find many of the riffs and melodies feel extremely
familiar, having been used repeatedly—and often more creatively—in other
releases over the decades. This makes “Legends” feel too typical for the
genre's standards.
As a result, the album's appeal is limited primarily
to the most dedicated, hardcore fanatics of traditional heavy metal. Even for
this niche, the sheer volume of high-quality releases available makes it a
difficult recommendation. R.U.S.T. clearly has the drive and technical ability,
but they must work on developing a more distinctive edge to their songwriting
if they hope to gain wider notice. The standout track, "Prelude to Sign of
the King" offers a clear blueprint for the more unique path they should
consider following. While I would personally pass on this release, traditional
metal fans may want to check it out to form their own opinion.
Nick Parastatidis
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