Vinyl Review: "Shadows From The Past" by Lords of the Trident

Shadows From The Past

Growing up and listening to all make and manner of metal, the old people whom I lived with: parents, step-parents, common law step parents, and whatever the hell some of those other people were, routinely told me about how metal wasn't music.

Lords of the Trident however....

This would be like that time in Futurama when Bender said, that's no lady, that's a man bot! Her response, "One more upgrade and I'll be more lady than you can handle, stupid."

That's what's happening right here.

Now, let's not get all put off about their outfits. Music is a show and these gents here are ready to make you more immersed in what they're doing. In fact, this isn't something to look down upon, but something to applaud. (Please Note: I'm a Kiss fan.....and GWAR...and Bit Force....etc.)

Like the previously noted bands, Madison, Wisconsin's The Lords of the Trident aren't just on-stage costumes, though that is debatable now with KISS....

Lords of the Trident

Shadows From the Past would be the center portion of a Venn Diagram between where Huntress, King Diamond, and Dragonforce all meet. Then afterwards, a good tossing in a bowl with Iron Maiden.

They have definitely borrowed techniques from the masters and then used them to forge their own style.

As I feel I need to classify them as though they're a new species, they'd be Power Metal.

Using other bands to compare is a great reference point for anyone who's not listening to the music as they read this...presently, Side D is blasting out of my stereo and it's..well it's just an amazing work of art.

Here's a touchstone for you...they have a pair of guitarists both in the same league as Andy LaRoque, but they harmonize and work together as well as Dave Murray and Adrian Smith.

How is that even possible is my question.

Shadows From The Past is absolutely everything that made heavy metal special in the 1980's. They;re the kind of band Kim Thayil was insulting when he said he didn't want to listen to Dungeons & Dragons in Guitar World back in the 90's.

I'm gonna paraphrase my man from The International Playboys here when I say...

Fuck you. Dungeons & Dragons is cool!

Don't think that Lords of the Trident are this strange throwback band, because that's not remotely true.

All of those glorious things in the third wave of heavy metal are there, but that's not all! Robin Hood...I mean the drummer...has this thunderous blast beat going on pretty much at all times. It feels like the hoof beat of the horses or the rapid heart beats of the villains.

This record will give you chills from the moment that first scream pours out of your speakers. Don't deprive yourself of this pleasure.

Lords of the Trident chose to double LP this record, 45 RPM style.

Forgive my ignorance, but I have no earthly idea why bands do this. Please feel free to explain it to me in the most insultingly way possible in the comments. I welcome it.

It's a strong gatefold cover with beautifully metal imagery, from the classic period. This is another nod to those heady days when someone could sing about fantasy role playing.

The insert features all of the lyrics, but they're hardly necessary, like with Iron Maiden, they're quite intelligible.

Also, the LPs are red. That's just awesome.

From top to bottom, Shadows of the Past is the perfect example of why you should be buying music on vinyl again. The records sound amazing with a tonal range and clarity which gives the music a +1 Initiative, but the packing is awesome too.

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