Albert Bell’s Sacro Sanctus unleashed their fourth album, Sword of Fierbois, in September 2022—a monumental tribute to the legend of Joan of Arc and her fabled sword. Packed with intense riffs, doom-laden atmosphere, and a host of guest musicians, this concept album blends heavy metal history with gritty storytelling. From powerful lead guitars to haunting backing vocals, each track showcases the talents of seasoned veterans in the metal world, creating an epic journey that spans over 11 tracks and 66 minutes.
Albert Bell’s Sacro Sanctus returned in full force with their fourth album, Sword of Fierbois, released on September 30th, 2022, through Metal-on-Metal Records. The album stands as a historical metal journey, focusing on the legendary tale of Joan of Arc and the myth of the sword she discovered at Fierbois. This release saw Albert Bell pushing his signature blend of doom-laden heavy metal further, incorporating varied influences while delivering a dense, brooding soundscape. While the concept and storytelling drew praise, the album was equally noted for its extensive and impressive list of guest musicians, each leaving their own mark on the epic journey.
Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (Venom Inc.) was among the most notable guests, providing both lead and rhythm guitars on the title track, "Sword of Fierbois." His fierce guitar work added an extra layer of intensity to the track, setting a grand tone for the album’s opener. Eduardo Slayer (The Cross) contributed additional vocals, while Julian Grech (Nomad Son/Tryst Arcane) layered the track with keyboards, lending a powerful atmosphere to the dramatic opener.
For the pounding second track, "War, Metal, Leather," Owen Grech (Killerwitch) took on lead guitar duties, delivering gritty solos that mirrored the song's aggressive themes. Backing vocals were provided by Stefan "Rusty" Curmi (X-Vandals), whose contributions added a battle-hardened edge. Grech would return later on "Hail the Hammer," reinforcing his role as a core contributor to this heavy, doom-laden album.
"Rise of the Scimitar" shifted gears with Sean Vukovic (Forsaken) on lead guitar and Achraf Loudiy (Aeternam) adding additional vocals. Vukovic’s guitar work provided the track with dynamic energy, giving it a unique, speed-driven intensity, while Loudiy's vocal contrasts were crucial in enhancing the song's harsh, martial atmosphere.
"Hail the Hammer" stands out as a galloping, doom-inspired anthem that recalls Reverend Bizarre, and Jordan Cutajar's (Nomad Son) additional vocals were a fitting complement to Bell’s gritty delivery. Similarly, on the epic "Clarions of War," Stathis Pavlantis (Reflection) shone with his lead guitar, while backing vocalists Chris Kappas (Achelous), Kevin Portz (Gravety/Old Mother Hell), and Sascha Maurer (Dayfly’s Diary) contributed to the track’s layered battle-cry feel.
Further enriching the album’s sonic landscape, Alan Jones of Pagan Altar delivered a stunning guitar solo on "Imperator," a track heavily influenced by the raw intensity of Motörhead and the epic narrative style of bands like Bathory. His playing gave the song a gravitas that elevated it above the steady, heavy riffs.
In addition to the already impressive lineup of guests on Sword of Fierbois, track 7, "For God, King and Country," stands out as a bold anthem in its own right. This track features the backing vocal contributions of Arkham Witch members Aldo 'Dodo' Delle Rose, Simon Rourke, and Ben Snowden, each of whom added layers of vocal depth to complement Albert Bell's growling, gritty delivery. Their combined efforts on this mid-tempo, Motörhead-inspired track helped elevate the song’s militant, rallying cry, enhancing its power and drive.
The backing vocals on this track were crucial in reinforcing the song's strong, battle-hardened themes, bringing to life the spirit of unity and defiance, much in the vein of metal anthems that echo war and resistance. Their contributions added an essential dynamic, highlighting the collaborative effort across the album while maintaining the gritty, true-metal atmosphere that Albert Bell’s Sacro Sanctus is known for.
As the album neared its climactic close, "The Maiden from Lorraine" featured Luciano Schembri (Colourblind) on keyboards and Marcus Jidell (Avatarium / The Doomsday Kingdom) providing a soaring guitar lead. Both musicians added a majestic, almost ethereal quality, perfect for the track's reflection on Joan of Arc’s mythic significance. The following track, "Blood at Orléans," saw Martin Jepsen Andersen (Anchorite/Meridian) and Francesco Sozzi (Dark Quarterer) unleash dual lead guitars, with Leo Stivala's (Forsaken)vocals adding a dramatic, doom-inflected punch to the seven-minute epic.
The album’s final moments were marked by the sinister "Flight of the Witch," where John Gallo (Blizaro/Orodruin) took the lead guitar helm, and the haunting "Ember Eyes" closed the album with lead guitar work from Chris Grech (Nomad Son/scarlet Pimpernel) and additional vocals by Jessica Grech (Scarlet Pimpernel), her voice adding an eerie, melodic counterpoint to Bell's gruff delivery.
Critics such as GasMask Colostomy from Metal Observer appreciated the diverse range of guests but noted that despite this, the album maintained a largely consistent sound throughout its 66-minute runtime whelming presence of doom and traditional heavy metal elements kept the pace steady, and while some reviewers, like RaoulDuke25, felt the album could have benefitted from more variety, the contributions from the guest musicians ensured the album had plenty of standout moments . Spooky raised the combination of the dirty, gritty sound with historical themes, describing the album as perfect for fans of old-school metal and doom.
Sword of Fierbois not only told a powerful story but also demonstrated Albert Bell’s ability to curate a vast array of talent to enhance his vision. The result was a heavy, battle-scarred journey through history, set to a soundtrack of doom, speed, and classic metal that will undoubtedly satisfy fans of the genre.
If you haven't picked up a copy of this magnificent album yet, head over to the merch page on melodija.eu.
Comments