The Rise and Demise of the Motorsteeple

Battlesnake’s second album sees the costumed Sydney septet elevate its attack to a newly epic scale. Linked themes edge it close to a concept album and multiple tracks apply heroic metal to a mixture of *Mad Max*-style diesel and doom and the robed religious iconography of Ghost. Lead single “Motorsteeple” is all propulsive wallop, while “Road Warrior” opens with a motorbike revving at length before launching into the gruff voice of Satan, among other patented metal flourishes. Similarly, “Pangea Breaker” romps through the primordial landscape with a sustained growl and grimace and “I Speak Tongues” sees vocalist Sam Frank boast with relish: “My eyes are laser beams/My breath is sulphur steam.” Yet, as much as the album provides an engaging playground for memorable riffage and imagery, there are ambitious twists at work too. The minute-long scene-setter, “A Blessing of Fire and Speed,” introduces a dramatic mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation, which later comes fully into play on the prog-style centerpiece “Alpha & Omega.” Starting with soft, folky twinges, the suite evokes the more delicate side of Led Zeppelin until big, synchronized guitar leads kick in and Frank holds forth about demons, Mother Earth, and other favorite themes. It’s an exhilarating step forward for a band which has long since nailed its steely scaffolding.