Album Review // 2021-05-22

Bolt Thrower

Those Once Loyal

Released: 2005-11-14

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My introduction to this band was Killchain. It is on my Playlist 2.0. It felt like such catchy-in-a-good-way death metal. I knew I had to check out more by them at some point.

I started listening to this album on my way to drop off a gift to a friend. It made sense, driving on the highway with this type of riffage and pace. And later on, when I was struggling through some frustration it was there for me too.

This was the band's last release, and came out in 2005. I can't help but wonder where I have been, just listening to this now. I guess they lost the drummer (may he rest in peace), and decided the band was done making new material.

The title, Those Once Loyal, indicates that things were different in the past. Considering the obvious connection to war, it could speak of the soldiers that fought loyally, but are no longer with us. It could speak of the opposition who has turned against you. It could speak more personally of your own loyalty, or the loyalty of others towards you. I am not a big fan of war-themed things, but this is done tastefully.

The band's name clearly is referring to a weapon used in battle. The weapon hurls items at it's opponents. I think the name is easy to remember, and fits the style of music. And if it is connected to the weapon dwarfs use in Warhammer, it's even cooler. 

Artwork

This artwork has a chiselled look, like maybe it is made out of stone. It also contains lots of texture, even though it is all in shades of a similar colour. The title looks like it is on a metal plate, like you would see in a museum. The band name is hung on what looks like wood. It seems to be a World War I depiction; the cannon looks like something from that era. The commander on the phone indicates that there is a need for a change of plans - maybe they are being overwhelmed.

It is well done for this style. Not my personal favourite, but it makes sense with the type of music.

Mood

There is a sense of darkness hanging over, and a need for vigilance, but motivation rising up in unimaginable situations. No one is giving up while listening to this!

Vocals

I think this vocal is very recognizable. I really like the depth. It has the right amount of distortion for my liking. Few have matched this level of low vocal mastery. Nice! I know the band had another vocalist at times, I can't speak to the differences here. So far this is all I have heard.

Music

You just can't help but be moved by these expressive guitar riffs. They are memorable and talented. The pace makes it all feel zealous, never stagnant. All the parts fit together so cohesively. There is nothing that happens that feels out of place - no awkward moments. No songs I wished were over. That is a big deal for me!

At First Light

I think that this is talking about the moment when an order is given during war. It then means that strength has to come from tired souls. They push forward, even when it leads to death. 

Deep within entrenchments
The orders are revealed
A final push impending
Encoded messages have been received

At first light
Fires of the enemy dead will burn bright
If in mourning they choose we die
Zero hour at first light

Entrenched

The title of this song speaks of sticking to something firmly. Once you are out there in the middle of war, not knowing how long you might have, maybe it is easier to stay on track, or maybe it is harder? I can only try to envision what it would be like to have such a mission. Where does motivation come from? Determination? Strength?

Overpowering - gripped within the jaws of defeat
Under attack - no organized retreat
Trapped within the jaws of defeat
Won but lost - the misery complete

When least expected - with the element of surprise
Silent and swiftly - another taken life

Violated - breached are all defensive lines
The enemy has victory in sight

The Killchain

Apparently, this was/is an actual phrase used to talk about the steps in an attack during war. Hard to think about it all in steps, but there is a method to battle.

Target code
Assigned
Destructively
Inclined

World zone kill
In violent context set
Hostile status defined
Global network
Eliminates the threat
Enemy evaluation made

Zero rating
Applied
The life chances
Decline

Granite Wall

There have been many memorials commemorating the many many people that have lost their lives. This is speaking to this act of remembering. I think we really need to remember as hard as some things are to think about. The only way for history to not repeat itself is to be aware of what has already taken place, remember the horror surrounding it, and have the desire for something different.

Those that fell today shall be
In solemn sculpture cast
Always held in reverence
In memory of the past

Named in tribute forevermore
The colours carved on the granite wall

Those Once Loyal

These words really highlight the devotion aspect to war. People who signed up were being loyal, following through with what they said they would, putting their full self forward. I think we have lost the value for a lot of these types of qualities. But it also incredibly sad, that people have been loyal, lost their life and there is no understanding of how great the sacrifice was. There is no understanding and help for people who have been so attached to the cause and come back alive. They lived through it, but they have to go on and live life having given so much. How do you just go on?

Immortalized plaque of remembrance
With reverence their names are listed
Glorified and in honour held
In commemorance of those that fell

To those once loyal now wreathed in crimson
Solemn reminder of silent sacrifice
To the once loyal forever wrapped in glory
In white crossed acres - lines of sorrow laid

Anti-Tank (Dead Armour)

This song seems to illustrate the aftermath of war. The battered remnants. 

Scattered on foreign fields
Lie the burnt out hulls of our dead armour
Old landscape wreckage
And this earth now scorched
Selfless acts of bravery
In the face of overwhelming force
Hold position - position held
Retained new glory sought

Last Stand of Humanity

This speaks of confronting your death. You have to be active in death, fighting with everything you have. An unbelievable way to go. Not only that, but there is no time for anyone to be with you in that moment, no comfort, no acknowledgement. Others must press on and stay in the fight. 

There is no time for despair
Entering the void
Of your worst nightmares
As the spirit leaves
The body will decay
Watching as your life blood
Slowly slips away

In a second all turns black
Mind is numbed
With pain and torment
Alone the only witness
As you bleed
Departure of your soul
Will finally concede

Salvo

Here we imagine what it is like to be saturated by damp, dirty, crowded trenches as you wait for the right moment to set off the attack. The reality is that the stench and horror of these moments were unimaginable. Dead, decaying bodies, injuries, and infections from the conditions. These were times of needing extreme determination.

I watched a documentary with real footage from this war (They Shall Not Grow Old) and I could barely stomach it. Picture actually being there.

Stranded in no man's land
Water always tastes the same
Trapped within this shell hole
There is no shelter from the steel rain
Dead men again

When Cannons Fade

Think of a moment when you hated what you had to do, and couldn't wait until it was over. Visualize how it feels when you are finally released from it and can walk away. The journey home is still ahead, but you no longer have to continue. You have seen and heard so many things, and now it is quiet.

Now the guns are silenced
End of hell storm
The final argument of kings
All earth transformed

...When cannons fade

As the silence grows
Steadily replacing
The resonance of thunder
Deep in the soul

Conscience still remains
Horror - amongst the flames
Ashes keep on falling

I close my eyes
And even now
The distant memory remains
Of the last laments
To be played

A Symbol of Eight

I am not completely familiar with what the 8 can mean. I am thinking maybe the fact that it can be written with one line, it can be associated with forever or infinity. I have heard of that before. Although, if you are like me you actually write 8 using two lines and literally put two circles on top of each other.

Regardless, it seems to be talking about a new beginning, awakening. The end of the war.

Within the eye of chaos waits
Deep in your soul
Awakened
Symbol of eight

From the ruins - past life of delusion
Out of darkness - destroy all false illusion
New reality - discovered with time
The death of history - under this sign

Playlist Pick

I am going to go with At First Light for my playlist. It really sets the right mood to open the album up. It incites caution, and then I am thrown into it.

This is an example of a well-named album, as Those Once Loyal is a standout song! I like the low guitar riffs and vocals. It will make it to my playlist.