EP Review: HVALROSS - EP entitled "Running The Gauntlet" released on January 9, 2024 // All Time Metal \\

EP entitled "Running The Gauntlet" of hard rock/heavy metal band HVALROSS, released on January 9, 2024.

Artist: Hvalross

Title: Running The Gauntlet

Format: Digital EP-CD

Label: Independent Release

All songs written by Hvalross

Recorded by Walter Poppelaars and Maarten Vermeulen

Mixed and mastered by Erwin Hermsen at Toneshed studios

Guest keyboards on HELIOS by Jochem Brok

Guest vocals on RUNNING THE GAUNTLET by Mario van Meer

Tracklist:

01. Running the Gauntlet

02. Mercenary Knight

03. Helios

EP Review:

"Running The Gauntlet" and "Mercenary Knight" are two well-crafted and commercial hard rock tracks bordering on melodic old fashioned heavy metal with harmonized vocals, guitars and drums.

"Helios" is a well-crafted piece, fundamentally old-fashioned with modern elements that give it a distinct identity.

All three songs have masterful symmetry on a professional level.

"Running The Gauntlet" is an EP that appeals to the whole spectrum of hard rock and heavy metal music fans.

Excellent! 9/10

Hvalross are:

Barry Veeke: Guitar

Gerben van Oosterhout: Vocals

Marc van Gastel: Drums and Percussion

Maarten Vermeulen: Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals

Bio of the band:

Hvalross is a four piece hard rocking band, not from Norway as the name would suggest, but from the South of the Netherlands. The band saw first light in the spring of 2018, but the members have been rocking since they were teenagers in the late eighties. Hvalross wants to honour these times. The hard rock and heavy metal from the seventies and eighties therefore has a strong base in their sound and lyrics, supplemented with influences from contemporary stoner and heavy rock music. It is said that you can hear influences from Mastodon, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. Expect the classic compact four-piece rock band, in a set up just like our heroes Black Sabbath, with melodic classic hard rock vocals over a rhythmic band. Heavy and monstrous like a walrus combined with an energetic stage performance.

In October 2020 Hvalross released their debut album 'Cold Dark Rain' on the regular streaming platforms. Because of the bands sentiments for the good old eighties, it is also released on 'cold rain' coloured vinyl. The album was well received and Hvalross got representation by Hard Life Promotion . Sadly, Covid did not make it possible to promote the album live and made original drummer Tristan decide to quit the band in 2021. Hvalross quickly got back in battle formation with our good friend and drummer Marc.

Continuing to unleash new music on the world, the band now released their EP "RUNNING THE GAUNTLET"!

Watch on YouTube:

Hvalross - Running the Gauntlet

Mercenary Knight - Lyric video

Hvalross Helios