THE BEAST

Incursion - The Hunter (E.P.) - Reviewed At Street Clip! Check it out here at this link: http://streetclip.de/2020/11/22/incursion-the-hunter/

I'm really happy for INCURSION that they have finally found a label (or the label you?) And then with “No Remorse Records” also one that is worthy of them.
Traditionalists should definitely read on, because there are really no beginners who are at work here and it is amazing to find out the story behind the band and the songs on the EP presented here.
INCURSION were founded in Miami in 1982, but did not release their first demo cassette with three tracks until three years later, of course through their own distribution. In the same year ´Vengeance´ and ´Tell Me The Truth´ were released on the sampler ´Florida Explosion´, which remarkably contains songs by local bands that can be mainly assigned to hardcore and punk. So it remains to be said that ´Crown Of Thorns´ is an exclusive song of the demo to this day. I would like to emphasize this at this point, because all the pieces on the EP ´The Hunter´ at hand are from the years 1982 to 1986, but have never been immortalized on a medium. This honor has so far only been reserved for the three pieces mentioned. 1986 was also the year INCURSION was dissolved,which had not made it to an official publication in the five years of their existence. Allegedly there are recordings from the rehearsal room and from live performances from that time, but I don't want to imagine what sound quality they might have.
 
 
I have no idea what the band members at that time were up to in the 32 years after INCURSION broke up ... probably the usual, that is, getting married, building a house, fathering children and planting a tree. When that was all done and at some point your own children started repeating this cycle, you probably asked yourself what you could do with your free time and regained freedom. And there was something ... and songs are still left over from that time. So why not round up the old guys and see what goes on. After all, three of the four founding members got together again in 2018 and stubbornly pursued their freshly forged plan,to work through the unfinished business from the past and maybe even finally to bring out a full-fledged debut album with new songs. According to reports, the latter is already planned for next year. But there have been two changes. On the one hand there is a new singer in Steve Samson, who replaces David Russel, and the former bassist Maxx Havick has now strapped his guitar on. Since the old guitarist Mike Lashinsky is also part of the reunion, INCURSION now play with two guitars, which certainly gives the sound of the band and the songs that are now around 35 years old. The bass is now being played by Stone Jamess, and the drums are still being played by Buddy Norris, which means that INCURSION has grown into a quintet.According to reports, the latter is already planned for next year. But there have been two changes. On the one hand there is a new singer in Steve Samson, who replaces David Russel, and the former bassist Maxx Havick has now strapped his guitar on. Since the old guitarist Mike Lashinsky is also part of the reunion, INCURSION now play with two guitars, which certainly gives the sound of the band and the songs that are now around 35 years old. The bass is now being played by Stone Jamess, and the drums are still being played by Buddy Norris, which means that INCURSION has grown into a quintet.According to reports, the latter is already planned for next year. But there have been two changes. On the one hand there is a new singer in Steve Samson, who replaces David Russel, and the former bassist Maxx Havick has now strapped his guitar on. Since the old guitarist Mike Lashinsky is also part of the reunion, INCURSION now play with two guitars, which certainly gives the sound of the band and the songs that are now around 35 years old. The bass is now being played by Stone Jamess, and the drums are still being played by Buddy Norris, which means that INCURSION has grown into a quintet.a new singer and the former bassist Maxx Havick has now strapped on his guitar. Since the old guitarist Mike Lashinsky is also part of the reunion, INCURSION now play with two guitars, which certainly gives the sound of the band and the songs that are now around 35 years old. The bass is now being played by Stone Jamess, and the drums are still being played by Buddy Norris, which means that INCURSION has grown into a quintet.a new singer and the former bassist Maxx Havick has now strapped on his guitar. Since the old guitarist Mike Lashinsky is also part of the reunion, INCURSION now play with two guitars, which certainly gives the sound of the band and the songs that are now around 35 years old. The bass is now being played by Stone Jamess, and the drums are still being played by Buddy Norris, which means that INCURSION has grown into a quintet.The bass is now being played by Stone Jamess, and the drums are still being played by Buddy Norris, which means that INCURSION has grown into a quintet.The bass is now being played by Stone Jamess, and the drums are still being played by Buddy Norris, which means that INCURSION has grown into a quintet.

The almost 22 minutes long EP, of which almost three minutes are taken up by an intro and an outro, tell a story in the remaining four songs, regardless of whether it is in the Middle Ages or in a fantasy world, not entirely new. The main character of this concept album has been fighting for his survival since his birth in a country torn by war and devastation. In search of the only true king, he must be strong in faith, but also fight against his inner demons. Logically, this journey also leads him to a final battle against the ruling false king. Hmmm ... was there maybe Robin Hood looking for the godfather of the Lionheart, who had to defend himself against the seizure of power by Johann Ohneland and cross the blade with his henchmen?

The prologue begins with the melodic sounds of a guitar, which are soon replaced by a riff that would do Kirk Hammet's honor. After a spoken introduction to the story of the hunter it goes seamlessly into ´Warrior Of Destruction´, where the first surprise awaits me. The band comes from the USA ?! But what is echoing against me is classic NWoBHM. A first impression that is even reinforced when using Tim Samson's vocals. A warm but powerful voice that would have fit perfectly on a record released in England in the early 80s. The song is mainly carried by the killer riff, which runs through the entire song, literally pounds itself in the brain and reverberates in the ear canals for hours after listening to the piece.A hammer song that contains everything that lovers of Heavy Metal could wish for. A concise riff, a great voice, a chorus with harmonious choirs, elaborate guitar work in the middle section ... OK, I think you understood. Then follows ´Guiding Faith´ ... and my heart stops for a moment. Ohohoh choirs? This is supposed to create a particularly epic atmosphere matching the title, but thank God this moment only lasts a moment of shock (OK, there are almost 30 of them) and the song again offers what the opener promised. However darker and kept in the mid-tempo, this song, which can now be clearly located in the US Metal area, reminds of bands like OMEN, WARLORD, MANILLA ROAD and even CIRITH UNGOL (of course not Tim's vocals). The following ´Fade To Black´ then hits the gas again and goes straight to work.Only the chorus turned out to be a tad too cheesy for me, but that's what fans of great epic gestures will love, who keep all MANOWAR albums in a specially made shrine. But I am satisfied again with the classic playing of both guitars, corresponding solos and the particularly intense voice of Steve in this song. But my personal highlight is the last regular track ´Kingdom Of The Dead´. Maybe it's because I can't get Richard the Lionheart out of my head (he took part in the 3rd Crusade), but at the beginning of the piece I think I recognize an oriental keynote in the melody. The atmospherically dense, epic and almost doomy, very successful beginning of the piece changes very abruptly into a speedy part after about a minute,which is dominated by the double bass playing and Steve's very energetic vocals. The driving rhythm is regularly loosened up by melodic guitar solos and the chorus added to the chorus adds to the variety in this piece. With the final outro it was already with ´The Hunter´. Unfortunately, but as noted above, the band is actually currently working on their real debut with new songs, which will see the light of day sometime in the next year. If it comes even close to this EP in terms of quality, then I already predict a highlight of the year 2021.The driving rhythm is regularly loosened up by melodic guitar solos and the chorus added to the chorus adds to the variety in this piece. With the final outro it was already with ´The Hunter´. Unfortunately, but as noted above, the band is currently actually working on their real debut with new songs, which should see the light of day sometime in the next year. If it comes even close to this EP in terms of quality, then I already predict a highlight of the year 2021.The driving rhythm is regularly loosened up by melodic guitar solos and the chorus added to the chorus adds to the variety in this piece. With the final outro it was already with ´The Hunter´. Unfortunately, but as noted above, the band is currently actually working on their real debut with new songs, which should see the light of day sometime in the next year. If it comes even close to this EP in terms of quality, then I already predict a highlight of the year 2021.which will see the light of day sometime in the next year. If it comes even close to this EP in terms of quality, then I already predict a highlight of the year 2021.which will see the light of day sometime in the next year. If it comes even close to this EP in terms of quality, then I already predict a highlight of the year 2021.

If you hear INCURSION for the first time without knowing the history of the band, you might think of listening to another of these currently very hip and popular NWOTHM bands, but far from it. This is an original from a time when there was no differentiation between the NWoBHM and US Metal drawers. Everything was bloody heavy metal. The nice thing is that the EP was recorded and produced according to today's standards and such experienced people as Chris Short (Alpaca Ranch Recording in Florida) and Jorg Uken (Soundlodge recording studio in Rauderfehn, East Frisia) are responsible for the sound of this work. The commitment of Philip Lawvere for the artwork, who has already embellished the work of CELTIC FROST, KREATOR and HIRAX, is proof of thatthat the band is serious now. Because mind you, the album was released in digital form on May 29th. "No Remorse" only accepted the band afterwards and is now releasing ´The Hunter´ on CD and LP on December 11th.

Not only the music, but also this effort I just have to go along with
8.5 points
reward.

Incursion - "The Hunter"
Label: No Remorse Records Release: TBD
Incursion - "The Hunter"
DIGITAL | CD | LP
NWOTHM from USA

"The Hunter" is Incursion's debut EP, a US band originally active between 1982 and 1986, which returned its activity back in 2018. Ready to assault you with their New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal, Incursion are set to release "The Hunter" on CD and vinyl this fall.

Bio


Incursion has reunited and burst onto the traditional Heavy Metal scene. The band has released their debut six-song EP – The Hunter – on No Remorse Records. Incursion consists of original members Maxx Havick and Michael Lashinsky on guitars with Buddy Norris on drums. The lineup is completed by Stone Jamess on bass and Steve Samson on lead vocals.

The Miami, FL based band was active from 1982-1986 and did not have a formal release outside a locally produced cassette compilation of Florida Hardcore and metal bands in 1985. In 2018 the three original members got back together with the intent of finally performing and recording their wealth of material. Recruiting Steve and then Stone made the band complete and ready to present the music as it was intended. The Hunter is a concept EP. The Hunter – born in a war-torn land and destined to fight for survival since birth, faced all adversaries, man and beast alike. He mastered his inner demons through faith, battle and revenge. The Hunter’s blade led him through chaos to his final struggle with the false king. In his quest to become the King of All the Land, The Hunter’s journey is ageless, but almost forgotten.

The Hunter EP was recorded at Alpaca Ranch Recording by Chris Short ( Alestorm ). It was mixed by Jorg Uken
at Soundlodge Studios ( Anvil, Savage Blood, Powergame ). The Artwork was created by famed artist Phil Lawvere ( Celtic Frost, Kreator, Hirax ). The alliance with No Remorse will increase the interest in The Hunter EP
and Incursion look forward to delivering their first full length album in 2021.

Credits:
Recorded at Alpaca Ranch Studios (Winter Park, FL).
Additional recordings at Samson Pro Studios (Nashville, TN) and Daylight Studios (Nashville, TN).
Mixed by Jorg Uken at Soundlodge Recording Studio (Rhauderfehn, Germany).
Mastered by Jorg Uken
Engineered by Chris Short.

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

Line-up:
Steve Samson - Vocals
Maxx Havick - Guitars
Michael Lashinsky - Guitars
Stone Jamess - Bass
Buddy Norris - Drums

Links:

https://incursionmetal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUNWtHLWL117_61xngaqh7A
https://open.spotify.com/album/0DuxRi3ssT43x1DeaFgVAH?si=cn63SMPBS2-abCod10naLQ
https://www.facebook.com/TheBandIncursion/
https://www.instagram.com/thebandincursion/
http://www.incursionheavymetal.com/