Shadow Kingdom Records is a true stronghold for yesteryear, preserving the past and unearthing old gems. But Deceptor, like new label mates Corsair, are intriguing new additions to the SK roster, as they don’t cleanly fit that mold, yet uphold the values of the label while pushing traditional styles into the contemporary. Both acts have undeniable ties to vintage metal yet are indelibly modern in their application.

Deceptor is a British three-piece that combines a handful of classic styles and then bends and manipulates them to their will. They handily blend thrash with vintage classic and speed metal and then infuse an impressive razor sharp technicality that conveys a progressive spirit. Tracks like “Heatseeker” and “Oblivion’s Call” show off the band’s penchant for complexity and their diverse bloodlines. I’m sure these boys love Priest (as the album cover suggests), but I’m equally sure they’ve worn out copies of albums from everyone from Atheist and Death to Coroner and Voivod to Agent Steel and Flotsam and Jetsam.

Any time you can play metal borne from the ‘80s and not be immediately tied directly back to one or two of the titans of that era you’re doing something right. Deceptor still have room to mature—they could use a more crisp production, and some of the melodies fall a half step short, but the band has a hell of a vision, and Chains of Delusion is a damn impressive EP offering.

Chains of Delusion is out now on Shadow Kingdom Records.  You can stream it now at SK’s bandcamp.

Deceptor on Facebook

Shadow Kingdom Records