Helmed by vocalist/founder Ven Scott (also of Dead Earth Politics), Austin’s Runescarred’s We Are takes a page from early ‘00s InsideOut Music’s more AOR-tinged bands such as Royal Hunt and Elegy, cleanly-played leads and mid-range vocals. Nothing too over the top here, but (refreshingly) no whatever-core or NWOAHM big-boy badassery that often plagues both genres either, so it’s a win.
After a somber, acoustic beginning, “A Darker Man” lays down a low-end groove during the verses without falling into predictable territory, a ballad with choral moments in the chorus, flowing fluidly between the two emotions. Scott’s vocals never stray far from his mid-range, which, in this case, speak well to his treatment of the material: no larynx histrionics here, no screeching eagle nor silverback gorilla, just someone comfortable in their skin and playing to the song’s strengths. Instead, a lesson more should learn.
Closing out with “Ghost Ocean”, easily the heaviest song to be found on this tasteful EP, Runescarred conjure ghosts of early Crescent Shield and Edge Of Thorns-era Savatage, to fine effect.
On We Are, Runescarred provides a taste of what, hopefully, is to come. I, for one, am on board.
