By Martin Elliott
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With the band being named after the 18th century battle that ended the Jacobite rising, Culloden songs have always been an expression of bassist/vocalist Andrew Halliday’s penchant for history, particularly that of England’s North East. “The Siege” continues in this vein as a telling of the Siege of Newcastle in 1644, during the English Civil War.
The song opens on a pacey main riff, an invitation to headbanging that forms the backbone of the track’s 3 and a half minute run. Hitting a sweet spot between NWOBHM and speed metal, this style fits firmly in the wheelhouse established on previous Culloden releases, despite being the first studio outing for the current lineup. The trio (comprised of Halliday, Michael Lee on drums and David Thompson on guitar) are locked in tight here, forming a
compelling rhythmic whole. Halliday’s vocal style owes something to Venom’s Cronos and Kreator’s Mille Petrozza but retains a distinctive tone, pushing just far enough into a scream to suit the music. Thompson’s brief solo around the 2 minute mark provides a nice dose of melody to a song built solidly on rhythm.
All in all, “The Siege” does a fine job of showcasing the strengths of Culloden’s current lineup. The single is a tight, propulsive little belter that should appeal to fans of NWOBHM and speed metal. The ideas here are decent, the riffs are satisfying and the vocals are expressive, while effectively conveying a specific lyrical subject you wouldn’t see many bands touching on.
The song leaves you wanting more, and in a way that’s both a positive and a negative. Positive because what’s on display here is undeniably enjoyable, a glimpse at the talent the trio have at their disposal. It is just a glimpse, however. As satisfying as they are, there are really only a couple of riffs making up the song. Of course, every song out there doesn’t need to be made up of a dozen sections. The simplicity of the composition does nothing to take away enjoyment, but it does feel like it’s part of something larger yet to be unveiled. Indeed, Culloden have a longer release in the works. “The Siege”, then, offers a taste of what’s to come. The single should leave metalheads’ appetites whetted... if perhaps feeling slightly teased.
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