The August Engine (studio album) by Hammers Of Misfortune

You probably have expectations going into this one. The cover is moody with a sense of danger. Possibly war songs on here with cheap sound effects and gunfire to the biggest drums money could buy. The guitars are on from the very beginning and you're treated to something not unlike Black Sabbath 5 albums in their time. Technical and well crafted with low level clouds beneath a grayer sky. 'The August Engine Part 1' is all good and great but it is the next track which throws something completely different into the mix. Like a flashback to a time when nature was untamed and magic guitars grew from the ground, there is a mournful playing to what might have been and the tragedy yet to come. And the duality works! This is wonderful and really a piece of music that is as alive as it stands out in a year which rarely delivered. 'The Trial and the Grave' it all comes together neatly. Left right until the end so you can enjoy the album before then. I would want to learn the lyrics one day to see what this albums about.