Temptation’s Wings – StormForged
Self released – 2025
Rock, Metal, Southern, Stoner, Doom, NWOBHM
Rated: ***
We were honored to premiere the video for Aquatusk last Thursday and were riding the crest of the StormForged EP wave for a while. They are a trio now. And a change within a band makes a new release extra interesting to dive into! Even more so, in my humble and possibly weird opinion, when it’s called StormForged and hints of elemental themes and mythical fury of Leviathan beasts! Southern metal voyagers Temptation’s Wings plunge into dark, uncharted waters now, and deliver a four-track EP that crashes like monster waves that drag you with it into the depths. They blend classic metal with an undercurrent of sludge and that makes their sound churn with the force of a rising tide…
Opening track, Aquatusk, breaches the surface like some ancient sea creature, massive and unpredictable. Its riffs roll in like storm surges, each one pounding with the weight of the deep and with an elemental force. From there, the band navigates treacherous sonic currents, weaving in NWOBHM harmonies, thunderous grooves, and lyrics steeped in myth and saltwater lore.
Following tracks Brother of the Storm and The Calm/The Fury shift from crushing heaviness to eerie, melodic calm, and give you the sensation of having to navigate safely between deadly whirlpools and siren songs. Psychedelic undertones ripple beneath the surface, adding texture to the sound without ever breaking the heavy, ocean-floor foundation. And then there's the battleship closer Hell-Ene, which opens like a fabled superstorm and then opens up to leave room for the survivors to grab hold of the wreckage...
What sets StormForged apart is its raw, weather-worn authenticity. The stripped-back production doesn’t polish the barnacles, it offers them up for all to see, giving the record a rugged, sea-beaten edge. Sure, some deck swabbing might add a bit of extra spice and a grade of shine. And that same spice might give the vocalist an added edge and besides power more control. But still, every riff sounds like it was dredged from the ocean floor and every lyric feels like a tale sung by sailors who’ve seen too much.
With StormForged, Temptation’s Wings have crafted an EP that doesn’t just make waves, it shows that they might just become the storm. And once that happens, they will surely pull your under…
(Written by JK)
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