REVIEW: WARDRUM – Spadework

 

WARDRUM – Spadework (2011)

Steel Gallery Records

Spadework is the debut album from WARDRUM, a Greek metal band from Thessaloniki, the country's second-largest city and the hometown of both Behind The Veil and Steel Gallery Records. The band's connection with the local metal scene is particularly strong, as most of its members come from HORIZON'S END, an excellent progressive metal band with a reputation for its musicianship.

The driving force behind WARDRUM is drummer Stergios Kourou, while guitarist Kosta Vretos, also a member of HORIZON'S END, brings his considerable skills to the album. Vretos has also released some really good solo material, further demonstrating his abilities as a guitarist. Bassist Kostas Scandalis, another HORIZON'S END member, takes care of the production and mastering, and he has done a wonderful job. The sound is clear, powerful and well balanced, allowing the individual instruments to stand out without sacrificing the overall cohesion of the music.

On vocals, we find Pierro Leropale, a singer I had the chance to see live a couple of months ago alongside Uli Jon Roth, the former SCORPIONS guitarist. My impression of him was very positive, and Spadework confirms that he is equally convincing in the studio. His performance suits the band's melodic approach, delivering the material with the power and expression required by this style of metal.

The cover artwork was created by Michal Karcz, a member of the Rainer Kalwitz Crew, whose work has been associated with bands and labels such as SHADOW GALLERY, Century Media Records and Massacre Records. The artwork provides an appropriate visual presentation for the album, complementing the band's musical identity.

Musically, WARDRUM play lyrical power metal, combining strong melodies and memorable vocal lines with a considerable degree of technical ability. The guitar work is particularly impressive, with Kosta Vretos demonstrating both precision and a good sense of melody. The technical elements never become an end in themselves; instead, they serve the songs and help give the album its character. This balance between musicianship and accessibility is one of the record's main strengths.

Among the songs, I particularly enjoyed "The Meaning of Forever", "Crest of the Wave", "Yesterday" and "Soultrip". Each of them offers something worth returning to, while collectively they demonstrate the band's ability to combine melodic appeal with the energy expected from a power metal release.

In conclusion, Spadework is one of the most impressive Greek metal releases I have come across in recent years, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to fans of melodic and power metal. The musicianship, the vocal performance and the excellent production make this debut a release that deserves attention beyond the band's home country.

Of course, some might think that I am being particularly generous because WARDRUM come from my own city. Fair enough! My suggestion, however, is simple: listen to a few samples before making up your mind. I believe that once you have heard what the band has to offer, you will understand why I hold this album in such high regard.

Ioannis Kaskamanidis