It’s been two years since Holy Grail released their
fantastic debut album, Crisis In Utopia, and if you enjoyed it as much as I
did, it’s been two years too long since we’ve heard new material from the band.
With their unique blend of speed metal, traditional heavy metal, as well as
some influence from classical music and metalcore (though the metalcore
influence isn’t too pervasive) Holy Grail is definitely one of the more
interesting bands in the modern metal scene. “Dark Passenger” is the single
from the band’s next album, “Ride The Void”, and it’s exactly what you might
expect.
The track opens with heavy metal’s classic galloping pace that
continues for much of the song. Before long, James-Paul Luna’s melodic vocals
enter the song and you’ve found yourself right in the middle of your typical
Holy Grail song. Not surprisingly, a lead appears pretty quickly, but retreats
in favor of another verse. The chorus changes up the beat a little bit by
slowing things down and removing the gallop. Once again, the shredding guitars
of Eli Santana and Alex Lee (ex-Bonded By Blood axeman!) appear and don’t let
up much for the rest of the song.
“Dark Passenger” is by no means the fastest or most complex
thing Holy Grail has ever written, but it is a fine addition to their current
material. I am a little surprised that this was the single; obviously I haven’t
heard the new album, but this song doesn’t quite blow me away like “My Last
Attack” did when that was first released. Either way, Holy Grail is still
continuing to release strong material and this single confirmed that the new
album will be a first day buy for me!
Be sure to check out and like Holy Grail on Facebook!
Final Rating
4.4/5 or 88%.
Written by Scott