Band:	Hammers Of Misfortune
Album:	The Locust Years
Style:	Progressive metal
Release date:	2006
A review by:	GRIGAL

01. The Locust Years
02. We Are The Widows
03. Trot Out The Dead
04. Famine's Lamp
05. Chastity Rides
06. War Anthem
07. Election Day
08. Widow's Wall

Complex yet subtle. Such adjectives immediately come to mind when describing the 3rd Hammers' opus - "The Locust Years". This album clearly owes much of its substance to the fertile minds that drive Slough Feg, the most obvious aspect being the Epic feel of the songs. It comes as no surprise therefore that HOM also features Slough Feg dudes Mike Scalzi and John Cobbett.

While the 'style' we find here is quite modern, the sources of inspiration that come to the fore are ironically mature. Indeed the melodies have a very Classical feel and this factor, when augmented by an extensive use of the Hammond Organ, brings to mind 1970s Rock bands such as Yes, Colosseum, Thin Lizzy, ELP and Renaissance. Typically HOM we also find several songs, such as 'Chastity Rides', with vocals made up entirely of several layers of vocal harmonizations. Lead vocal duties are shared between Mike and bassist lass Jamie Myers.

There's nothing much to criticize about individual members' performance but special mention must go to Chewy who gives an excellent drum solo within 'War Anthem' as well as to keyboardist Sigrid Sheie especially for her contributions on 'Election Day' and melancholic closer 'Widow's Wall'. The latter song also turns out to be my album favorite regarding lyrics.

My only criticism of "The Locust Years" is an excessive use of vocal harmonies such that you rarely hear a voice properly. Aside from this, Hammers Of Misfortune have here crafted one of the most imaginative albums of the year.