Rock Media UK
- 3 min read

Girish And The Chronicles - Hail To The Heroes

Album review by; DeeDee

A third studio album from Girish And The Chronicles, this one being the first released on the Frontiers Record label. The band are from Bengaluru in Sikkim, India and have been making waves on the heavy rock scene over there, since their inception eleven years ago. In 2014 the initial album ‘Back to Earth’ saw them gain more popularity and the successor in 2020, ‘Rock The Highway’ cemented the bands rise, as they have this ability to deliver that classic rock sound of the 80’s and 90’s with total passion and gusto. You may have seen frontman Girish Pradhan with other projects in the UK, most recently he toured with the metal outfit ‘Firstborne’. This is a band put together by Ex ‘Lamb Of God’ man Chris Adler, who also features on the last track of this album.

It all kicks off with the first track ‘Primeval Desire’ which has a pulverising chant ‘Kill, kill won’t you help me? Kill this primeval desire’ and it gets right under your epidermis layer with a sucking riff. ‘Children Of The Night’ is just as punishing and the vocals are as screeching and tormenting as any I’ve heard. ‘I’m Not The Devil’ twists and revolves more, but still retains the solid power-metal theme. It has some riveting guitar by Suraz Sun, pressing from all sides and thudding right up to the final seconds. The slower pace of ‘Loves Damnation’ allows us to take breath, it’s an intricate track though, with staunch bass from Yogesh Pradhan, yet more astonishing guitar and Girish ventures into the lower octaves. ‘Lovers Train’ is another with a smoother presence, more Whitesnake than Judas Priest, but it has an incredible balance.

The title track begins with an instrumental intro of delicate keys, that hold an air of trepidation. ‘Hail To The Heroes’ itself, rolls into the limelight as sturdy as any classic rock anthem you have ever witnessed. With lyrics, ‘Look at the horizon, A bleeding sun fades into the night, Whispering tales of the past’ this band deserve your attention. The next song ’Shamans Of Time’ is also worth mentioning, it floats effortlessly like a warm breeze and the vocals are sumptuous. I like how it reaches higher peaks midway before descending back down with fret storming guitar and generates a heavy rhythm. There’s a storm of a jamming finish with ‘Rock N’ Roll Fever’, guitar antics and gutsy vocals rule and it just demonstrates that Girish And The Chronicles are simply full on ‘rock and roll’.

This album is really worth a listen if you are an old school classic rock lover or even into the faster metal bands. Can’t fault Girish and the Chronicles, they have dropped twelve tracks that have exceptional lyrics and magnificent playing. Praise worthy indeed and credit to Frontiers Music for bringing them to our attention.

4/5

Buy or Stream HERE

Watch the video for 'Primeval Desire'

Tracklist;

Primeval Desire

Children Of The Night

I'm Not The Devil

Love's Damnation

Clearing The Blur

Lover's Train

Rock And Roll Jack

Hail To The Heroes (intro)