Timelord - Dawn of Dissent EP
  Genre: Melodic Thrash/Speed Metal
  Release Date: 2006
  Label: Unsigned
  Band Web Site: 

When it comes to what metal I want to listen to, it usually depends on what mood I'm in. If I'm in a "I want to destroy everything" mood, I'll listen to thrash or death metal. If I'm in a particularly good mood, I'll listen to power metal. If I'm very angry, I'll listen to black metal. Get the picture?  Anyways, there has always been a genre of metal that, no matter what mood I'm in, always fits the bill. That type of metal would be old school style metal. Metal from bands like Metal Church, Accept, Overkill, Messiah's Kiss, etc. Unfortunately, newer bands that play that style are harder and harder to come by.  Thankfully, due to us at Rising Forces USA are always looking for more and more metal in all the nooks and crannies of this country, we have found a band that's teaching form the school of old.

Timelord is a band born from the ever-expanding American metal mecca of Springfield, Virginia. Their music is a mix of old school metal riffs mixed with power metal-ish leads. There first EP/demo, entitled Dawn of Dissent, gives the listener a very good taste of just what they are all about.

The first track is "Dawn of Dissent". This is the song that has the most power metal-ish sound to it and therefore it's the one that showcases the talent of the band the best. It starts out with slow, dark riffs and then quickly ascends into a whirlwind of killer leads and trashing riffs. It then goes back and forth between beautiful, melodic music and head-banging trash. The time changes in this song are absolutely perfect. Vocalist/guitarist Matt Aub also sounds outstanding with his vocals.

The second track on the EP is "Aeons Calling". This is perhaps the most old school track on the album.  Anytime I listen to it I start thinking of Metal Church's The Dark album and other such classics. It's also a song that will have you singing along as you're banging your head. "Aeons Calling" is perhaps my favorite track, but I'm still not sure since "Dawn of Dissent" is also such a killer track and since the two songs are so different, it's hard to decide. But I digress.

The third track, "Rebellion", takes everything back to the more power metal-ish sound that I mentioned before, while maintain a major old school feel. Think of Helloween's Walls of Jericho album and you'll get an idea what I'm talking about. As with "Dawn of Dissent", it really shows what a great vocalist Matt Aub is. This is also a great example of Rick Hodes' drumming skills. My one gripe with this song is that I absolutely hate how it ends. It seems so out of place. Plus, I'm not a fan of songs "fading out", especially when it comes to metal.

"The Alchemist" is the fourth track and friggin' HEAVY! Thunderous riffs combined with Aub's air-raid-siren vocals and rapid drum beats make this the song you want playing when driving down the Interstate. This song also shows that you can be both thrashy and progressive at the same time, as again the time changes are numerous and spot on.

The final track is "The Cult of the Dead". This is yet another song that harkens back to pre-Kiske Helloween. I absolutely love the chorus! This would be the perfect final song in a major, arena-packed concert.
 
One thing I have to point out about this whole EP is that it has some amazing solos. Too often nowadays in the thrash metal scene, or metal in general, solos have been too short, too few, and/or too generic.  Fortunately, Timelord does not fit that mold.

With ripping solos, killer riffs, and outstanding vocals, Dawn of Dissent whole-heartedly deserves a 5 out of 5.

Review written by: Keith H.         
Date: September 29, 2006             
Rating: 5 stars out of 5