Splintered Throne – The Greater Good of Man
Release Date: 19th August 2022
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Hard Rock, Melodic Metal, Old School Metal.
FFO: Saxon, Iron Maiden, Burning Witches.
Review By: Mark Waight
Wow, what an absolutely scorching hot album The Greater Good of Man by Splintered Throne is. This is without doubt my favourite album of 2022 so far, and is head and shoulders above many of the other current offerings out there.
Its style is classic yet at the same time captures the mood of the moment. It is aptly named as is, certainly for The Greater Good of Man that Splintered Throne have chosen to release such a banging compilation of new tunes plus a bonus reworking of their old power ballad “Immortal”.
The refreshed band line up is Brian Bailey (Bass), Matt Dorado (Guitar), Kris Holboke (Drums), Lisa Mann (vocals), Jason “JMo” Moser (Guitar) and it works superbly, like a finally tuned machine.
Opening track, The Reaper is Calling, is a high-octane metal feast that sets the bar extremely high. The track also introduces us to Lisa Manns awesome sounding rock voice and the quality of the band behind her. The Crossing is a harder hitting follow-up, with driving drums, a catchy, tight riff and some superb guitar playing with Matt Dorado and Jason Moser playing off against each other. It’s the albums longest track, but doesn’t feel its length at all. Morning Star Rising cleverly slows the pace down into a softer ballad, and highlights Lisa Manns soulful vocal capabilities and beautifully delivers musically on every front.
Title track, The Greater Good of Man, releases its inner Iron Maiden; a speedy little number which only slows up just long enough to deliver a neat little old school guitar passage before a flat-out finale. Let it Rain is a more traditional sounding hard rock track that has just about everything; cool sharp vocals, great pulsating bass riffs from Brian Bailey, tight drum work from Kris Holbroke and those screaming guitars.
Underdogs is an emotional song about battles with addiction and is an anthem to both survivors and those still at war. It is a heartfelt message delivered in a way that I am sure many people will relate to and is sure to become a favourite at gigs.
Night of the Heathens is a fast-paced, full on metal track with echoes that took me back to the days of the NWOBHM in the late 70s early 80s – absolutely banging! Time Stands Still follows in the same vein, with plenty of hooks to keep you engaged – time to break out the air guitar and rock!
Bonus track Immortal is an outstanding, remastered version of the bands classic power ballad, and worthy of a place amongst some of those most defining Metal tracks of all time.
I cannot pick a favourite track, as every one of them is worthy of a video and a single release on its own merit. The greater Good of Man by Splintered Throne is a must-have for any fan of old school Metal. You will love it!
(4.5 / 5)
