Review by Tymell for Cirith Ungol - King of the Dead (1984)

Cirith Ungol's second album, King of the Dead, is often cited as their masterstroke, and what really helped cement them as a quality lesser-known heavy metal band. But I've got to be honest, on revisiting it for this review, it doesn't do a whole lot for me.

I'm a big fan of the band's debut, Frost and Fire (and their recent comeback material is solid too), but a lot of the energy and verve I felt there is missing here, traded in for what feels like an attempt at more refined song-writing. And while that is an admirable aim (and, judging by this album's usual reception, one many feel they hit), more often than not it feels like King of the Dead is lacking in hooks and memorability.

Too often this album plods when it should stride, meanders when it should charge onwards. There are longer, slower-paced numbers here in contrast to the quick punch of the debut, but too often they plod and meander when they should be striding and pounding. The remaining punchier tracks are decent ("Death of the Sun" is especially catchy, and despite being a longer track, "Master of the Pit" does what "Atom Smasher" tries to, but better), and there are some quality solos throughout. It's just a shame they're often buried amid too many forgettable riffs and melodies.

Still, King of the Dead is far from unpleasant. It has a good vintage feel to it, it's obviously made with passion rather than a desire to just churn something out, and I still think Tim Baker's vocals have a fantastic narm charm about them. But there's just not a lot to grab onto here.

Choice cuts: Master of the Pit, Death of the Sun