Incursion – The Hunter

Incursion
The Hunter
No Remorse Records/Self
May 29^th, 2020 (digital) / December 12^th, 2020 (CD, Vinyl)
22:18

Reunions are in. Many bands from the eighties and nineties have come together again in this millennium. This is what happened to the US boys from Incursion. The band’s first creative period lasted only four years, from 1982 to 1986. The only sign of life from this time is a 3-track demo from 1985. (Source: Encyclopaedia Metallum). After that, it was quiet around the band for many decades. Only in 2018 did three of the four founding members get back together. With the addition of two other musicians, Incursion are now a quintet. And with this lineup they recorded their debut EP in Alpaca Ranch Recording (Chris Short – Alestorm). The EP received the final touch in the Soundlodge Recording Studio (Germany) by Jörg Uken.

There is a bit of confusion with the opening song. In my version “I – The Hunter – Prologue” and “II – Warrior Of Destruction” are combined into one song. But there are also playlists where both songs are listed separately. Whatever. Intro and first song merge seamlessly. The intro starts with roasting guitars before you can hear spoken words underlaid with hard riffs. The whole thing takes about a minute. Then classic 80s metal resounds from the speakers. With everything that goes with it. Twin guitars on both the riffs and the hooks and solos. And Steve Samson’s voice seems to come from that time too. I don’t like to use this word creation, but here NWOBHM meets modernity. A similar monstrous word is used in the press release: New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM). That hits it just as well (or just as badly). Whether the metal anthem “III Guiding Faith”, straight rocker “IV Fade To Black” or the slightly progressive epic “V Kingdom Of The Dead”. Incursion know how to let the spirit of the eighties resound in a modern sound. Even the short outro (again with spoken words) is convincing.

What lasts long will be good. This EP proves that once more. Thirty-eight years after its founding, Incursion makes a convincing debut. Even if only in EP length. I hope there is more to come.

Incursion – IV: Fade To Back: https://youtu.be/4jYmmuatITw

Lineup:

Steve Samson – Vocals
Maxx Havick – Guitars
Michael Lashinsky – Guitars
Stone Jamess – Bass
Buddy Norris – Drums

Track list:

• I – II The Hunter – Prologue & Warrior Of Destruction
• III Guiding Faith
• IV Fade To Black
• V Kingdom Of The Dead
• VI The Hunter – King Of All The Land.