August 6th, 2024 - Skullseeker's of Ravening Iron

 

Hello and hails metal maniacs and craft beer freaks!  Your drinkin' buddy the Meista here today rockin' the hell out to Eternal Champion's great "Ravening Iron" with a tasty and smooth Skullseeker Blonde Ale from TRVE Brewing! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Eternal Champion
• Title: "Ravening Iron" 
• Recorded: 2020 at Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberley, Texas
• Release date: November 6th, 2020 (2nd studio album by Eternal Champion)
• Record company: No Remorse Records
• Production: Arthur Rizk
• Album cover art: Ken Kelly
• Personnel: John Powers (keyboards and guitars), Brad Raub (bass), Arthur Rizk (guitars, keyboards, drums, and backing vocals), and Jason Tarpey (lead vocals and war horn) 
• Guest musician: Alex Giannascoli (additional keyboards on "Ravening Iron") and Jake Rogers (backing vocals on "Coward's Keep")
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal
• Sound: In the tradition of bands like Cirith Ungol, Jag Panzer, Omen, Warrior, etc., with "Ravening Iron", Eternal Champion lays down some high-energy, fist-pumping, and just plain epic heavy metal!  The guitars and vocals soar over a thunderous and powerful rhythmic tapestry.
• Major themes: Bravery, war, violence, warriors, power, might, death, good vs. evil, fantasy, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "A Face In The Glare"
2. "Ravening Iron"
3. "Skullseeker"
4. "War At The Edge Of The End"
5. "Coward's Keep"
6. "Worms Of The Earth"
7. "The Godblade"
8. "Banners Of Arhai"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: TRVE Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado)
• Website: https://www.trvebrewing.com/
• Brew: Skullseeker Blonde Ale
• Style: American Blonde Ale / Golden Ale
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.1%
• Ingredients: Troubadour Trvth malts and Magnum, Grungeist, and Citra hops
• Pour: The Skullseeker pours a hazy, golden yellow hue with a bright white, 1-finger head with great retention and sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by crackery malts, bright yeast, and citrus aromas.  There are notes of toasted white bread, orange zest, lemon zest, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste follows the nose with bright citrus, malt, and yeast flavors.  There are notes of , crackery biscuit, cracked wheat, light lemon and orange, and soft caramel/toffee. 
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Skullseeker is very crisp, finish.

Overall pairing: Along with the beer being named for the Eternal Champion song of the same name on the "Ravening Iron" album, those malty, complex, yet very crushable flavors of the TRVE Skullseeker Blonde Ale wonderfully compliment the brilliance and depth of "Ravening Iron"!  And the two together?  Damned good!!  'Nuff said!

Skål!!  Hails!