Those Once Loyal
Those Once Loyal takes little time to establish what Bolt Thrower do well. The guitars sound full, the rhythms move firmly forward, and the riffs quickly become familiar. The band barely alter their established death metal approach, but they develop it with considerable care.
At First Light sets the tone through heavy guitar work and Karl Willetts' low voice. His delivery adds weight without obstructing the rhythm. The words become part of the song's movement. The band do not need to make the music constantly more complicated to hold attention.
On The Killchain, the riffs lock so firmly into the drums that the song almost seems to carry itself forward. There is enough melodic feeling to make it recognisable while the guitars retain their heavy foundation. Last Stand of Humanity demonstrates the same strength. The music relies on clear ideas developed for just the right length of time.
The title track also lets its guitar lines find their own route through the rhythm. The melodies remove none of the weight. Instead, they give the music a stronger shape. The interaction makes the shifts between a firm march and faster passages convincing, allowing the players to vary the pace without losing the album's overall character.
The drawback is that the record offers few surprises for anyone already familiar with the band. Songs often use similar tools, and some slower sections hold their pace longer than necessary. Listeners looking for constant stylistic change will not find it here.
The execution is precise enough for that limit rarely to matter much. Those Once Loyal shows how much character a strong riff and a well-chosen rhythm can carry. Bolt Thrower keep the music clear, heavy and approachable within the genre. The quality of the songs and the interaction driving them forward make it convincing.
