Rewind two years. An unknown San Francisco-based band called Hammers of Misfortune releases a metal opera entitled The Bastard, one of the best metal albums ever (review in issue #3). It wins recognition in Terrorizer as one of the top 40 albums of the year. But no one seems to notice. "Tragic" is only perhaps slightly too strong a term to describe this situation.

Back to the present and Hammers of Misfortune album #2, the digipak The August Engine. The band drop the concept ideas (despite saying that the missing elements to The Bastard’s story would be recorded on an EP – read more in the interview, also in issue #3). Instead, the new album has a very jam session feel to it. Yes, it doesn’t feel as deep, but it’s more easily listened to and digested without all the dramatic acts and parts. Now, it’s still quite epic, with dueling acoustic and electric parts and true metal harmonies galore. But much of the record is without vocals.

And in this sense, the new album is better than the debut in that the only weak elements – the rough vocals of band leader John Cobbett – are absent. Instead, what vocals that are present concentrate more on the irresistibly unique voice of Mike Scalzi (The Lord Weird Slough Feg), and bassist/vocalist Janis Tanaka, who sound better than ever. The vocals are less "operatic" (forced) this time around, allowing us to really savour the sound of the singers' voices. With these improvements, the plethora of unmistakable signatures of the Cobbett/ Scalzi duo are strengthened even further. (Since this recording, Tanaka has gone on to play bass with pop star Pink, and has been replaced with two very talented newcomers: Sigrid Sheie on piano and Jamie Myers on bass. Both do vocals. Although both are credited as being in the lineup for The August Engine, Tanaka does all duties.) 

The August Engine is the perfect album to listen to as we head deep into autumn. The ample acoustic pieces of guitar and piano, and soft singing are a charming reminder of the falling leaves, while the powerful heaviness, quintessential harmonies and instrumental interplay signal what is yet again one of the finest heavy metal creations any fan could ask for. (Maelstrom.nu)