Spell - Wretched Heart - review
Spell - Wretched Heart - review
Tracklist
01. Dark Inertia02. Lilac
03. Take My Life
04. Unquiet Graves
05. Oubliette
06. Iron Teeth
07. Exquisite Corpse
08. Savage Scourge
09. In Duress
10. Wretched Heart
A review by
AndyMetalFreak May 10, 2026
The Canadian heavy metal band have been gracing the scene quietly but confidently since their formation in 2013, and they have an impressive but perhaps overlooked discography behind them. As far as they're concerned, heavy metal needs to evolve to stay vibrant and exciting, and this much is evident on their fifth album Wretched Heart. This is a unique, charming, and eccentric take on the genre, filled beginning to end with catchy hooks, charismatic performances, and outstanding musicianship. Wretched Heart is not heavy metal as we've come to know, at least not when we compare it to what other groups in the Canadian NWOTHM scene (Cauldron, Striker, and Skull Fist for instance) are releasing at the moment; in fact, I wouldn't really consider it heavy metal at all.
Wretched Heart is easily the band's most ambitious and creative offering to date, blending gothic and 70s progressive rock with 80s heavy metal in a way that draws inspiration from, or at the very least, share similarities with the likes of Ghost, Blue Öyster Cult, and Unto Others. The unique style they've developed over the years is maintained through catchy guitar harmonies, soaring solos, and hooky choruses, but they've also evolved substantially from their previous work, favouring a more cinematic, hypnotic, and psychic approach focusing heavily on atmosphere and mood rather than general heaviness and aggression.
The most notable elements are the majestic gothic-tinged keys and retro-style synths, which are not only a charming theatrical feature but also play a pivotal role in shaping a dynamic atmosphere that can go from a feeling of dark mysticism to a pleasantly uplifting sensation. Another noteworthy element is the lyrics, which are bittersweet and more personal than on previous albums as they reflect on the lives of each musician rather than focusing on fantasy-based themes. The gothic-tinged vocal style is nothing short of passion and charm either and only adds further emotional depth to the lyrical content.
The songwriting has evidently improved in maturity and is of an impeccable standard, and with that there's a great level of consistency throughout the album. Each song is an infectiously catchy arena-pleasing anthem with the potential to be a hit single. Rather than delving into full-on heavy metal headbanging territory they have opted to step back and take a lighter route, and this has clearly proven to be the right step for them. There's no shortage of hooks; they're thrown at you left right and centre, with choruses that are memorable earworms, keys that are as deliciously melodic as the riffs, and an abundance of masterful solos, and yet they still manage to maintain a spectacular emotion-filled atmosphere, and it's that which sets them apart from the crowd. The only downside, and it's only minor, is the production; it's drenched in reverb and distortion, making the listening experience perhaps a touch too muddy. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though, it's a deliberate attempt to create a more dense atmosphere, but for some listeners this can seem a touch too overbearing.
Spell have always embraced heavy metal in the way they see fit, developing a unique style and identity that sets them apart from the crowd. However, they've often seemed like a band who've shown great promise and released solid material but still never quite hit their stride. Now, through Wretched Heart I believe they've finally hit their stride and reached their true potential. This isn't just their best record to date, it's one of the catchiest and most enjoyable albums you'll hear in 2026, whether or not it's heavy metal, hard rock, or gothic.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 7 |
Written on 10.05.2026 by
Written on 10.05.2026 by
This is an honest review on my part, but you don't necessarily have to agree with it. Comments
Comments:
5
Visited by
150 users
|
Posts: 670  |
Posts: 670
What a sales pitch. I'm definitly going to check this one out. Somehow I've never head of them, and I'm from Canada. If there is indeed a decent back catalog (as noted) then this could prove to be a decent rip.
Loading...
|
| Posts: 6646 |
Posts: 6646 Written by MetalManic on 11.05.2026 at 12:34 Thanks  This band is definitely worth looking into, they had a solid back catalog coming into this but they really took this album to the next level.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 211  |
Posts: 211
“ Each song is an infectiously catchy arena-pleasing anthem with the potential to be a hit single” Exactly !!
Loading...
|
 Posts: 8249 |
Posts: 8249
Agree on everything, the band influences that you mention (all three are spot on), how enjoyable it is, the description of the music, the fact that it's their best record to date, but... the vocals are just bad, man, there is no way around it. "Oubliette" and "Savage Scourge" have the drummer sing, who has a deeper voice and the songs benefit from it (especially the latter). "Lilac", "Unquiet Graves", or "Exquisite Corpse" are spectacular tracks that lose some of their appeal because the singer sounds like an annoying little girl. If they had just a decent singer, a woman preferably, this album would have been very high in my year-end list. As it is, I find it difficult to listen to the entire thing in one go.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 8  |
Posts: 8
Cool review. Enjoyed the production and atmosphere on this one. Really couldn't get past the annoying vocals.
Loading...
|
Hits total: 1366 | This month: 69