Samtar - Shadow Of The King's Charade

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Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: SAMTAR; with the record label unknown, the duo in question hail from the United States of America - performing Alternative/Progressive Rock, on the 5th full-length studio album entitled: “Shadow Of The King’s Charade” (released January 13th, 2023). The soloist in question has 5 full-length studio albums in his discography so far entitled: “Plotting Against Reality” (released 17th July, 2020); “The Curse Of Luminosity” (released 8th January, 2021), “Cryptic Tales From A Vision Obscured” (15th October,. 2021), “A Chapter Made Of Wood” (released 26th May, 2022) & this here 5th record entitled: “Shadow Of The King’s Charade” of which I am introduced to. 13 songs ranging around 44 minutes; SAMTAR arranges an intricately designed formula on some heavy-hitting rock developments.

Opening up with this riveting remedy of guitar acoustic harmony; a catchy element in ethereal mood & melody forges a distilled but atmospheric implementation as a fuzzy sound production shrouds speakers with mellifluous euphony and sublime sanguinity within “The Shadows From My Dreams”. A jazzy symbiosis ramifies with this organic substance on gritty density and raw yet monolithic tempo, manifesting with versatile boogie-esque exhilaration in composed synthetics where Samtar himself executes a snappy nimbleness on unique songwriting musicianship that’s most revelled with keyboard-esque symphony amongst a choppy foundation in a borderline integrity of rambunctious drum hammerings, razor-sharp bass audibility on top of some rapid guitar frolicking exuberance that’s quite dexterously dynamic - especially in the technical maelstrom of the jumpy quirkiness of “Cool To Me”.

“Echoes From Across The Sea” relishes with sulphurous yet venomous vibes of feel-good solace; where mythical guitars echo with majestic stridency & seamless momentum of unorthodox panache, vocally speaking… The best example I can give is from SYSTEM OF A DOWN’s Seri Tankian, clean but elegant, an alternative fabrication flamboyantly captivates eardrums with zestful throatiness that’s most wacky. “The Horror Within” creates a diversely boisterous flair in wildly rushing slabbiness; fuelling a hybrid experimentation in choppy finesse and crunchy calamity, crafting a distinctively distinguished ability in buoyant characteristics that transitions with trippy furore for good diligence. “The Man” & “The Fool” both interject an interlude tonality of progressive technicality that’s prodigiously swerve whilst sophisticated; salubriously thudding with sturdy synergy & systematic daintiness, as energetic grooves rumble you with reverberating distortion in chimeful exquisites that’s most moving.

“You Bleed” features Jamie Giesen on the thumpy bass (also in “Wild Boys”); conjuring up this rompy rift on immersive epic instrumental prowess, persistently persevering with vibrantly potent pursuits on singsong cryptics and vivacious rigour. Vigorously unearthing this striking serenity on upbeat effervescence; “She Will Have Her Revenge” captivates heads with these rollicking grips in headed flashiness, demonstrating a snazzy yet flexible fundamental in archaic archetypes of musical trance & immersive inventive but swaggy tremolo rips of shredding tonality. “River Spirit” dances epically with magnetic electricity; as does the marvelling meatiness of the most metallic song on the record: “Lost Vision”. The alt aesthetic is well known & solid, still making me think of SOAD legends heavily.

The penultimate rocker “Her Shadow” tones things down again with smooth & sweet-sounding tones, perfect for a good walking stroll through towns/forestry areas. Soothing pierces of thrilling singing and guitar driving hooks, the overall concluding grandeur “Town Of Forgotten Souls” orchestrates a grandiosity in flourishing pipes of uproarious vivacity and clamour whilst still keeping things melodramatic for good measure. The bottom line here is; I enjoyed a healthy dose in light-hearted but easy-listening echoes of wavering thrust that revolves around a diverse but idiosyncratic approach that will leave you mesmerised within the sheer talent SAMTAR offers here, which respectfully performs well under Samtar’s own merit & potential. An enjoyably entertaining discovery awaits you with this one; “Shadow Of The King’s Charade” is a lofty experience in Alt Rock magnificence that’s splendidly written - worthy of spinning or replaying a good few times, of which this subgenre has been justifiably produced - do check it out.

Songwriting: 8
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 8