Crafted for the fallen, the die-hard and the future-steeled Yaroslavl, Russia-borne epic heavy/doom metal quintet SCALD resuscitate forgotten tomes and ambitions past on this inspired EP release. Excavated with great care ‘Relics‘ gathers a set of unrealized and unreleased pieces from their infamous first chapter and records definitive versions in a rare feat of fan service, showing great care for the original spirit of the band as they introduce their new vocalist. A singular legend within the epic doom metal pantheon these folks make good on the legacy of some of their final material written with their original leader while making a best argument yet for continuing on.

Scald formed circa 1993 by way of vocalist Максим Андрианов aka Agyl as his ambitions stretched beyond the dramatic patriotic hard rock/heavy metal of then-dissolving Pocc toward a sound inspired by vikingr-era Bathory, Manowar, Candlemass and heroic Scandinavian/Slavic pagan themes. Alongside drummer Ottar members of doom metal group Anamnesis Vitae were called upon for the original line-up, ultimately manifesting their “ancient doom metal” style on their brilliant demo (‘North Winds‘, 1994) soon after. Their idea and execution of it was entirely unique at the time and by the time their indomitable debut LP (‘Will of Gods is Great Power‘, 1997) released the band were granted a permanent station in the admittedly obscure halls of epic heavy metal gloria. It is among mine and many others’ favorite doom metal works of all time where extended immersive pieces transport far beyond the norm, a legendary “one-off” which couldn’t be replicated after Agyl would pass in an accident not long after release.

The band was over without their vocalist and visionary, and the former members’ other troupe Tumulus was very different, so a sort of underground infamy would surround their material by way of both lasting musical merit and the tragic loss of great potential. Over time crate diggers among us would slowly lobby for more info, more related/unreleased music, and a few interviews beyond the early 2000’s when throwback doom and epic heavy metal began receiving better notoriety online. I recall watching a couple of clips from the bands final live appearance via the ’97 Yaroslavskaya Strelka festival nearly two decades ago and recognizing what the band might’ve brough to a second LP.

I’m not sure I’d much faith in a 2019 revival of Scald with the Messiah Marcolin-edged style of Felipe Plaza (Procession, Capilla Ardiente, et al.) up front but between the band’s return on their second LP (‘Ancient Doom Metal‘, 2024) and the somewhat related prior alternative in Intothecrypt‘s ‘Vakor‘ (2019) it was clear they still had a firm grasp upon the spirit of old. For this new version of the band, now featuring Vendel‘s Hrafn on vocals, our point of re-entry comes by way of the past wherein numerous unreleased songs from the band’s original era, most of which only lived on via rehearsal tapes and live videos online, are finally given proper studio recordings.

Of course dramatic opener “Master of Tundra” is a sort of legendary coulda-been cut, the best argument for what Scald might’ve been alongside the even more strident “Ravens” as these songs were among the few featured in the aforementioned final performance from Agyl and crew back in the day. Here on ‘Relics‘ those two songs provide fan service to the lifers up front, given glossy aplomb and icy keys in surround as they’re reprised with the even more fitting inflections of Hrafn. The suggestion is that they were moving away from epic doom by mid-1996, naming power-thrash, early progressive metal and such as drivers for this style. This is potentially more noticeable on their version of “Flame” from that same era, which also appears on this EP. Giving these songs their dues is a rare feat in good metal faith, a miracle to those of us who’d waited around long enough.

To round out the EP Scald‘ve recorded a new version of “Falcon” a deepest possible cut which’d originally appeared on Pocc‘s rehearsal tape from 1991. Likely chosen for its commanding basslines and ‘epic’ stride there are two versions, one in English and the other Russian, of this song included as a tribute to the band’s original singer. This version takes on some of the folken edge of the group while making room for the vocals to power their advance. It’d inevitably be an improvement based on the rough source, which I like as well, but I think it is an exceptional tribute that’d probably have landed better than some of the other songs from those sessions.

At this point I’m not sure there is any part of Scald‘s history that they’ve not done an exceptional service through archive, recreation and tribute. This is the best-case scenario with a legendary underground band given endurance without ungainly revision or naked opportunism and this should be crystal clear boon to their fandom at this point. With ‘Relics‘ they’ve provided a miraculous feat of revival in realizing these songs that’d lingered in the back of our minds for decades. For the heavy metal, power-doom, and epic heavy metal fans this should be considered an essential addendum, a brilliant example of keeping the faith. A high recommendation.

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