Glyph – Honor.Power.Glory. (2024)

You grew up with Rhapsody after being enchanted by their grand, epic, symphonic music. At some you discovered Sabaton and totally bought their more direct and to your face approach. You believe Gloryhammer are the perfect inheritors that combine the style of those above, even if you wished they were a little more serious (just a little). Then Glyph are your next stop, as their debut is a love letter to that style of Power Metal and beyond that, a very enjoyable record. 

The band consists of members of Greyhawk, Gatekeeper and Ravenous among many other groups they have participated in. So Honor.Power.Glory. may be a debut, but carries experience that goes back to even 20 years and countless records. For the concept of the lyrics I will use the band’s own words: “This album tells the tale of how our home planet was besieged by dragons long ago, how they destroyed everything, and how those who survived rebuilt and learned to fight back!”

To go straight to the point, the album is freaking amazing, as long as you are a fan of that sound! If you are not moved by those we named in the intro, Glyph will not change your mind. To those who are in and continue to read, I will just say that every chorus is a banger and perhaps the main strength of this album. Songs are usually short with none reaching the five minute mark, but still the band manages to fit some symphonic parts that are great. 

I liked that vocals are mostly heavy with a tone somewhere between Joacim from Sabaton and Chris from Grave Digger. At the same time they do not follow a single vocal style, for example they turn more lyrical at points, which adds variety to the final result. In that regard they end up closer to Powerwolf and Attila Dorn than their military counterparts.

Highlight for me is When the World Was Young for its great melodies and perhaps because the music resurfaces vibes from Kamelot’s early era at a point or two. Also I have to take my hat off for the ending of March of the Northern Clan, that is a great tribute to the Ride, Die, Sacrifice moment found in another march…that of the swordmaster (If you scratch your head, stop everything and listen to Rhapsody – March of the swordmaster). 

The lyrics overall are what you expect, they will not lead to philosophical conversations, but what more do you expect from that concept? On the song March of the Northern Clan I didn’t like the deep voice spoken part, for fear that the album would reach Gloryhammer levels of cheesiness, but thankfully it was not repeated again afterwards. Finally, not that I don’t enjoy short duration songs, but out of curiosity I would like Glyph to tackle some more complex compositions in the future. That is because their music seemed really promising, so I would want to see what they can do if they explore that part a little more. 

Wrapping this up, we have a very strong debut that builds a very promising start and if Glyph capitalize this momentum, up is the only way they will go. By not belonging to any label, the album has little coverage currently, so it would be a sin to let it pass unnoticed. Leave any doubt behind, turn up those speakers and let the title track introduce you to those intergalactical players. You will not regret it!

PS. For ultimate enjoyment, better experienced with a cup of Volarad, drink of the gods!

80/100

Pavlos Pavlakis

On behalf of Metal Domain