Borrowed Time

Artist: 
Album Title: 
Borrowed Time
Release Date: 
Friday, October 25, 2013
Distribution: 
Review Type: 

According to the info sheet we got along with the download promo of this album, Borrowed Time was founded in Detroit, Michigan during 2010 by vocalist/ keyboardist J. Priest, guitarist/ keyboardist Matt Preston, guitarist Victor Ruiz, bassist Mark Kiseliovas, and drummer Sam Ceckowski, yet that is not in accordance to the shit-list of former band members mentioned on the band's page at metal-archives.com!

You see, before Ceckowski, there were original drummer Nick Marocco (2010 – 2011) and Danny Vier (2011 – 2012, formerly a member of Shadow Self, as was Priest, real name Abboud). Victor Ruiz (a former member of Röt, and currently still also with Sauron and Harbringer) wàs with the band from the beginning, until somewhere in 2013, but continues to be present as an occasional guest...and was originally backed on guitar by one David Ruiz (also a Harbringer member, and formerly of Wartorn). The latter was apparently replaced by one Mike Tuff (played live with Harbringer and Acid Witch, and is currently a member of Temple Of Void and Failed) in the band's formation year, stayed with the band until an undisclosed time, and was eventually replaced by Preston (formerly of Dungeon Beast, Ghost Tower, and Infectonator) in 2012. As for the bassist...if Kuro equals Kiseliovas (does that seem likely? If so, then he's a former Anguish member), then his function was previously performed by one Dennis Schwan, whom was actually with the band from its conception until somewhere in 2012!

Anyway, this True Heavy Metal band first had itself heard from, by recording 4 songs for their September 2010 released self-titled demo (according to metal-archives.com, those recordings were done by the trio of J. Priest on vocals and bass, David Ruiz on guitars and backing vocals, and a drummer named Sean Cyriis Sethi). The demo was followed up in Nov. 2011 by a 7-inch single containing two new songs, and released through Dying Victims Productions (again according to metal-archives.com, the line-up by then consisted of Priest, V. Ruiz, Tuff, Schwan, and Vier – which is at least consistent with the info above). Those early recordings were subsequently compiled on the Arkane Metal Arts  disc, issued by the label of the same name in 2012, and followed up by a split 7-inch with Wytch Hazel (each band contributing one song) in October. It was the band's debut release with High Roller Records, with a line-up which found Priest backed by Schwan, the twó Ruiz brothers, Preston, and Vier! Earlier in 2013, BT made its first trip to continental Europe, playing at Germany's Keep it True festival. Whether that was in the former line-up, or in the one now cited at the band's facebook page [with Priest backed by Preston, Kuro, and new drummer Justin Henry (formerly a live member of Obeisance, and a former member of Swamp Ass, Summa Nura, Infectonator – it's a small world, innit?, Her Rotting Ways, and currently also with Mysophilia and Dark Psychosis)] is quite unknown to me.

The current album contains 9 completely new songs which give away the band's musical leanings: '80s heavy Metal, and what else can you expect from a band which cites as influences the likes of both more successful (Judas Priest, Helloween, (old) Merciful Fate, Uriah Heep, Satan, Leatherwolf, Scorpions, Angel Witch, Candlemass, Brocas Helm, Running Wild, Warlord, Iron Maiden, Baron Rojo, Manilla Road, Omen, UK's Incubus and Wolf) as some of the more Cult bands (Pagan Altar, Traitors Gate, Viper, Ritual, Dark Age, Acid, Heavy Load, Pokolgép (hey...I never even héard of that outfit!), Solstice, Nocturnal Rites, Silver Mountain, Deep Switch, Witch Cross, Cloven Hoof, Oracle, Exodo, and Mindless Sinner)? Somehow however, the guys even took that very sound of that era into the recordings, giving them a flair of recordings done back when (back when technology allowed for far more superior sound, that is!). For some listening sessions, surf to the band's facebook page (www.) facebook.com/BorrowedTime (the album's tracks being “Libertine”, “Pygmalion” and “The Traumatusgist”) to discover a band which is high on soaring vocals and somewhat progressive guitar runs with nicely memorable solos and lead parts. At the band's own (www.) borrowedtimemetal.com, you can follow-up on the band (the site only sports some of the latest news on the band).

88/100