For all intents and purposes, there are many out there that have been questioning the future of heavy metal for what’s likely been decades now. They call into question the quality and spirit of those that are rising to offering up their own sounds and experiences while always comparing the newer acts to those foundational names that came about to shape the very nature of heavy metal itself, and they somehow despair in the face of the new. Personally, I cannot help but feel like the style is in extremely capable hands. So long as that spirit is kept burning bright and people know the truth of steel itself, the ringing sound of heavy metal will never die. With champions like Writhen Hilt, how can one think otherwise?

“Ancient Sword Cult” is but the first piece that we’ve heard from Writhen Hilt, but it is every given aspect of this EP that gives the notion that we’re dealing with bonafide masters of the craft that have long been honing their skills. Without a shred of doubt in my mind as to the credentials of this band and the clear reverence they have for heavy metal itself, it is single-handedly with this EP that Writhen Hilt positions itself as one of the freshest need-to-know acts in the entire kingdom of heavy metal. Fans new and old should find immediate solace within the riffs and spirit with which Writhen Hilt commands with truly mastery to ensure that “Ancient Sword Cult” is far more than a shell of riffs hoping to ride on the coattails on the legends that have come before. Rather, Writhen Hilt blazes its own path forward into the sunset with swords draw and battle cries ringing loud. This is heavy metal unfettered where its deepest core values can reign supreme without hesitation or compromise for whatever came before or what will come after. What Writhen Hilt has done here is give 2024 the entry that heavy metal deserves from beginning to end with the sole lament that I have for this EP simply being that it ends. Every now and then, some albums just speak for themselves, and “Ancient Sword Cult” more than delivers at every possible turn!

Magnificence is all that it at play here. What Writhen Hilt has put forth in these five tracks are no less than the highest level of grandeur and power that we can ask for out of what heavy metal is still able to deliver, and it utterly boggles the mind to know that this is but the first release from Writhen Hilt! Whatever is to come next, “Ancient Sword Cult” is sure to be the foundational work for an act whose cult status is sure to already be on the rise with Writhen Hilt sure to quickly join the ranks of names like Visigoth, Sumerlands, Eternal Champion, and other rising names to claim the throne of heavy metal itself.

LISTEN to “Ancient Sword Cult” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Writhen Hilt on Facebook here.