Ranger - Where Evil Dwells

Published March 14 2015

*=Staff's pick	Defcon 1 Deadly Feast* Phantom Soldier Dead Zone Black Circle (S.Y.L.S.)* Where Evil Dwells* Storm Of Power*

Genre	Speed Metal	Dimi Pontiac	Vocals
Tracks	7	Mikael	Guitar
Running time	40 Min.	Ville	Guitar
Label	Spinefarm Records	Dimi Pontiac	Bass
Release	March 13, 2015	Miko	Drums
Country	Finland	-	Keyboard
Producer	-
Similar artists	---

Where Evil Dwells really comes out as a parade of intensity and energy. It's the first full length album of Finnish traditional speed metallers Ranger and the band certainly tries hard to really recreate what was built in the metal community around 3 decades ago, including the overall sonic experience. The sound picture is really rough and unpolished and my thoughts immediately go back to the days before the digital world and the entry of the compact disc.

I believe that these guys have a vision and that they are trying to send out a message to bring back people who listen to heavier music to a somewhat lost piece of art and to rediscover what this music once was all about. With basically a speedy performance, the band doesn't deviate from its foundations and they persistently gnaw their way through the record's 40 minutes and in the end most of its contents seem to come out like fresh winds, although a little covered in dirt and dust by the hoarse outcome.

The record is comprised by consistently vivid and quick guitar plays and the songs follow a distinct pattern, which results in an album that's really not filled with a lot of variation. The competence of Dimi Pontiac's old school voice isn't especially mind-blowing to say the least, but it's anyway properly suitable for this type of music at the end of the day. I usually don't appreciate all retro acts that flood the market at this point, but Ranger has really convinced me of its capacity and therefore I hand out 7 chalices.