Scald – Relics

Metalcatto

As you know, we almost never cover EPs, but today we’re talking about Scald. Probably the most important Doom Metal band from the land of cheap booze and great writers—I wonder if those two are connected. Scald already had a comeback that made me fanboy around, but could Relics have a similar effect? Can it keep changing a formula so old yet so effective? Yes? I’m kind of excited. Deal with it.

Relics has such an appropriate name. All these tracks have been part of the band’s folklore, but only now are they finally recorded. Yet this wasn’t what I expected. The band abandons Epic Doom for a while and becomes a proper Heavy and Power Metal band. Everything is faster and slightly more aggressive. You could say the whole thing feels more aerial and less about the ocean. So it’s an easier listen than the previous two albums—more approachable, less crushing.

Every track almost feels like it has a different singer. That’s not always the case, but since the styles change so much, the epicness keeps staying fresh. We also get a Scald that can play shorter tracks, but still packs them with as much drama and especially as many solos as possible. The guitar work here is pretty solid, even if it’s nothing revolutionary or super shreddy. It borders on Fates Warning territory, although never that complex in execution. Still, the melodies are strong and the performances are committed.

Now, I won’t lie—I felt a bit out of place with this faster and more accessible approach. It’s nice to see Scald isn’t a one-trick pony, but I did miss the more epic side here and there. Also, thanks to the track “Sokol” (or “Сокол”—finally I get to use what I learned in my класс русского языка), we get a glimpse that Scald could probably sound even better if it made a whole album in Russian. Everything just feels more natural. Aside from that, it’s a nice track compilation that makes more sense together than I expected.

Scald is trying something different with Relics. Good that they did it on an EP to spare us from a catastrophic full-length move. However, this effort ends up being enjoyable and engaging. Sure, it doesn’t have the songwriting and epicness of previous albums, but some Scald is better than another twenty-plus-year drought. So I’ll take it. It’s not the epic journey I was hoping for, but it’s a worthy detour. Sometimes a change of pace is exactly what a band needs, even if it leaves you wanting just a bit more of the old magic. And that’s okay. The magic will come back when it’s ready.

I’m so early, you have to click here to check it out!

Label: Cruz Del Sur Records

Release date: 4th September, 2026

Website: https://scaldepicdoom.bandcamp.com/album/relics

Country: Russia

Score: 3.7/5.0