Protector - Cursed and Coronated (2016)

Cursed and Coronated is a difficult record to write about because it is so ridiculously close to its predecessor in production, songwriting and style that it's practically a clone of that. The lineup is the same, the level of aggression and dynamic range the same, they've even gotten another Krisian Wåhlin cover artwork (which is admittedly cool to see). So this is going to come down to the individual songs, blow by blow, and I think that if there's any one difference, it's that there is a little more confidence here. The 'comeback' album is out of the way, the band has proven itself, and can now settle down and just to try to pen some material which will make more of an impact, and I think to that extent, Protector's sixth LP does exactly that, slightly edging past its predecessor in quality.

It's reliable, meaty thrash, with riffing familiarities to their more famous countrymen. Still a whole lot of Sodom parallels, but I thought there were tunes here that reminded me a little more of Destruction, like "Six Hours on the Cross" or "Crosses in Carelia", which have those exciting Mike Sifringer-like riffing patterns saturated throughout. Actually you can play a fun game here where you're closing your eyes and imagining Angelripper singing on one of Destruction's Thrash Anthem rerecording compilations and you'd be straight in that ballpark with this album. That's not to speak down to this band, because they are energetic and authentic as hell, having been around during that formative 80s period when the genre was taking off, but just so you can get a clear idea of who is going to enjoy the hell out of this. There are some nice, eerie guitar melodies throughout the tunes, like the intro to the title track, which feel like the band is writing in its own little horror them jingles, and they balance well against the harder rhythms. Their also old hands at balancing the tempos and riff choices to make a fully fleshed out experience.

Rhythm section is tight as freshly-hammered nails, the guitarist is obviously reared on this genre because he's just battering out an endless stream of patterns you'll appreciate, at any speed, with even a few of the good old American mid-paced mosh rhythms circa Exodus or S.O.D. poking through in a piece like "Terra Mater". The 'death metal' aspects of the record are strictly relegated to Martin Missy's vocals, which are that early sort of abusive thrash/death hybrid, snappy enough for the former but guttural and brutal enough for the latter, with some backing vocals created in a more snarled timber which also emphasize that. Cursed and Coronated is another fun record, I spun it a bunch when it was released. Though it doesn't quite stand out in its field overall, and I wouldn't reach for it over Golem, The Heritage, A Shedding of Skin, it's potent and professional and the sort of disc I'll listen straight through without skipping anything.

Verdict: Win [7.75/10] (Facing the masters)

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