Rise Of The Heraldic Beasts is the first full length from Jaldaboath, a band who dub themselves (amongst other things) 'British Heraldic Templar Metal'. A quick glance at the track listing gives a sense of what is to come- with song titles like 'Seek The Grail', 'Hark The Herald' and 'Axe Wielding Nuns' you know this album isn't going to be a deep, introspective soundscape. You expect some silliness- and it delivers.

The first half of the album sticks mainly to medieval-sounding melodies (reinforced with a fairly bad trumpet sound) with lyrics which, as Monty Python-esque as they may be, are actually almost possible to sing-a-long to. The chorus in 'Axe Wielding Nuns' which just repeats the name of the song like a bizarre chant is a personal highlight.

The second half of the album is quite a lot darker and heavier than the first half and leaves most of the silliness behind. It's a bizarre juxtaposition- the album is effectively split down the middle into 'fun' and 'dark' and I think it just makes for a confusing message in terms of what the band are actually all about. It's near impossible to take the darker messages of the second half seriously when you've heard the line "his undergarments washed when they've been soiled" earlier in the album.

Nevertheless, the second half of the album is closer to a traditional 'Black-Metal' sound and if you haven't heard the first half of the album then I'm sure that it could be enjoyed as such.

Ultimately, the album isn't really focused enough for it not to be confusing. On the one hand, the first half of the album is a fun listen and probably shouldn't be taken too seriously. On the other hand, the second half of the album sounds a little more menacing and possibly should be taken seriously… but it's almost impossible to tell.

Best tracks: Axe Wielding Nuns, Bring Me The Head Of Metatron
For fans of: Alestorm, Monty Python
Album rating: 5/10