Album Review: Dungeon Crawl & Throne of Iron – The Side Quest

Powerful and thrilling with blazing talent

Music is a universal phenomenon which allows bands to record an album together and for California-based Dungeon Crawl and Indiana-based Throne of Iron music has allowed them to create the record The Side Quest. On the first four tracks Dungeon Crawl spices things up with thrilling instrumentation and vocals whereas on the last three tunes Throne of Iron closes things with sizzling guitar riffs, drum beats and vocals. The Side Quest shows how powerful and passionate both bands are with their music.

Opening song “Minions of a Dark Master” welcomes listeners to Dungeon Crawl’s dark world that consists of righteous keyboard playing. In many ways the lovely keyboard notes brings a sense of imagination with the spacey sounds blending with the feeling of vengeance. “Minions of a Dark Master” proves that Dungeon Crawl are not afraid of showing off their creativity.

Headbanger “Critical Failure” is a heart stopper which has dynamite instrumentation and vocals. Jeff Potts brings killer riffs that contribute to the trash metal vibe and Codie Jones’s vocals are fantastic as he shrieks out the lyrics with pure hatred. “Critical Failure” gives an insight of what kind of a band Dungeon Crawl is through their hardcore musical performance.

Mind Blowing “Gods of Liquid Gold” is a solid start for Throne of Iron. Tucker Thomasson’s guitar playing and bass from Arzab of the Howling Abyss conjures old school metal style. Right off the bat, smooth and electrifying riffs relentlessly fill the atmosphere with solid sound and the low rumbles from the bass contribute to the endless insanity. Throne of Iron have done a great job with “Gods of Liquid Gold” showing skeptics that classic metal guitar playing can still exist in today’s musical world.

Closing composition “Tricksters” features an amazingly smooth vocal performance by Thomasson. The most thrilling part of the track is hearing Thomasson shout out the lyrics because the sound of his voice evokes an Iron Maiden vibe. “Tricksters” gives listeners the opportunity to hear Thomasson ‘s incredible vocal style.

Dungeon Crawl & Throne of Iron have done a fantastic job with collaborating on The Side Quest. Both bands give listeners an opportunity to hear the best of their instrumentation, vocal stylings and overall passion for the genre.