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Here we have the debut release from Brits When Idols Fall. Their sound aligns nicely into an epic/true heavy metal niche, with big riffs being the name of the game across the board. It's always good to hear some quality homegrown talent, and judging by the eight tracks on here, I'd say When Idols Fall certainly offer a good deal of potential, and some cool stuff for the meantime.

If there's any issue on Arms Of Our Fathers I'd say it stems from the production, which despite serving up a natural, live sound, is a little rough around the edges. The low end certainly dominates, with some particularly thick, audible bass, which is cool, although I did find Dale Robinson's vocals struggling to find a place in the mix. No biggie, and on the subject of vocals I think Dale's manner is good, certainly owing to the more endearing, characteristic singers typical of the style, as opposed to a studied, professional approach. The passion is there, no doubt, but at times he does sound a little strained, particularly when aiming for the higher registers; his mid-range is all good, though.

Really, it's all about the riffs here. Big, fat, juggernaut riffs, which take the best elements from melodic doom, and straight-up heavy metal; at times I'm reminded of Tad Morose at in their mid-paced approach, with that cool mystical vibe; and in others I get some serious Candlemass-style vibes. Either way, the guitar performances are killer across the board, with some well-played and well-conceived guitar solos, and of course the odd Iron Maiden style guitar harmony or melody – this is British heavy metal. Wan Malachi's drum battery oozes heavy metal charm too, with hammering rhythms and classic fills, perfectly in touch with the aforementioned towering bass sound.

On the whole, this is a really solid debut album, with plenty of enjoyable moments throughout. If you're in the market for some straight-up heavy metal, I think you could certainly do a lot worse than When Idols Fall. There's plenty of energy across the board, and any sore points are decidedly minor. A promising start from a band I hope to see grow over the years, and of course hear more from. Nothing amazing or trailblazing, but undoubtedly good, and best of all fun; well worth a listen.