Metal Debate Album Review - Return To the Kingdom Of Fife (Gloryhammer)

The Great Metal Debate Podcast

Welcome back to The Great Metal Debate podcast. Today we are talking the new album from the Scottish power metal band Gloryhammer - Return To The Kingdom of Fife. Gloryhammer has created their own lore within their fantasy/science fiction themed lyrics. The basic premise is that there is a ruler of a type of people called the hootsman and his name is Angus McFife, the protector of an ancient powerful warhammer he must wield to slay goblins who are under the command of Lord Zargothrax. Oh yeah, and there are a lot of unicorns too. Gloryhammer is the only metal band who can confidently sing about unicorns and have it still be cool. First, we must address the elephant in the room. Thomas Winkler was the lead singer for the first 3 albums of this band's discography using the name Angus McFife XIII. But in the final 12-minute song on the previous album "In The Fires Of Ancient Cosmic Destiny" Angus McFife and Lord Zargothrax killed each other while battling in a fight to the death at the top of an erupting volcano. Now we have a new singer named Sozos Michael who is using the name Angus McFife V. "Incoming Transmission" might be a predictable and skipable intro but the first song "Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost" is a triumphant start to a kick ass record. The new voice might be jarring at first to people who are used to the previous 3 albums but Sozos absolutely owns that microphone despite having major shoes to fill and the overall sound is still undeniably Gloryhammer at their finest. "Imperium Dundaxia" is heavy with the grinding low guitar fret work. The drumming is also noticably crisp is the mixing but keyboardist who plays the character of Lord Zargothrax shows off his maniacal villainous vocals. He's like a natural born voice actor for a Saturday morning cartoon but the synth work really enhances it. And now for one of my favorite songs on this blazing new album goes to the band's latest single "Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol". This song is a sing-along bop that will get stuck in your head for days! Even the opening tune will remind you of the corniest 80s fantasy movie soundtrack. Keep in mind that I personally am a big nerd so I mean that as a compliment. It's all the better when enhanced by Sozos kicking things off with an epic power metal belt. Next up we have the song "Brotherhood Of Crail". I love the folky singing style as it brings a very medieval element to the table. "Fife Eternal" continues this trend but in an alternate way especially since the electronic moments help it stand out even further. "Sword Lord of the Goblin Horde" sounds like the type of song that an ordinary person who isn't a Metalhead would get stuck in their head. I can just imagine a regular coworker or friend just randomly mumbling the course to the song to themselves. It is very radio friendly in that way. The next track titled "Vorpal Laserblaster of Pittenweem" is a perfect example of what you should show your peers who have never listened to a power metal song before. "Keeper of the Celestial Flame of Abernethy" was the first single released for this album and it was presented to us in the form of an animated lyrical video. It's yet another very catchy bop that will have you singing along even if the only part you're singing is ..."He's a sorcerer, nefarious" The epic conclusion that has an almost equally long song title "Maleficus Geminus (Colossus Matrix 38B - Ultimate Invocation of the Binary Thaumaturge)" It's way too much to unpack here but definitely worth the listen if and when you have the time to devote to it. One part that stood out was at the exact 5-minute mark because it’s a callback to the song "Gloryhammer" from the last album. Instead of the double voice chanting the words "Glory Hammer" he instead says "Double Wizards". But how would I rate this album? every member of the band is as good as they have ever been and Sozos really steals the show. Return To The Kingdom Of Fife deserves a 9/10.