The Album

Los Angeles wizard rock band Slytherin released this seven song album on July 9, 2020. Slytherin combines a wide variety of sounds in their music, from screaming vocals to soothing keyboard melodies, which makes this band unique among the wizard rock world. A Tale We’ll Tell Of What Hath Been… is Slytherin’s first album on bandcamp. Let’s check it out!

The Tracks

A lone organ introduces the first song on the album, Hogwarts Castle. More instruments are added as I imagine soaring over the sweeping grounds of Hogwarts and onward toward the castle itself. Adding drums and vocals, the underlying flowing melody remains constant while the music takes on a harder rock/metal feel. I love the use of the melody as the foundation to the faster tempo of the drums and electric bass above.

We travel next to Godric’s Hollow. The percussion combined with the Celtic-esque instrumentals remind me of tavern music. In the middle of the track, there is a mystical suspense using what sounds like chimes over top of some prolonged lower instrumentals. It made me think of mist enveloping tombstones in a graveyard. The song ends with the Celtic sound we heard in the beginning.

We hear a familiar tune in Chamber of Secrets (John Williams Cover). The melody we all know and love starts out on quiet bells, but quickly incorporates the metal instrumentals of drums and electric bass. I really loved this rendition of the main theme. The different types of instruments plus the screaming vocals really make it an interesting parody.

Salazar Slytherin is up next. Intense percussive rhythms permeate most of this song, giving it a very Slytherin-like quality of drive, ambition, and strength. I was surprised to hear that the main melody is in a major key (as opposed to a darker sounding minor), but it works very well.

We do, however, move into a minor key with the next piece, James And Lily. This song has a mournful melody that tells of lost souls, gone too young. The chimes and flute pull at my heartstrings. A steady pulse reminiscent of a heartbeat underlies the tune with low strings and an organ. This song is absolutely gorgeous and a lovely tribute to Harry’s parents.

The Sword Of Gryffindor is a regal, adventurous song. It gives off a no-nonsense brave energy throughout. I can imagine this song being played in an adventurer’s guild as heroes look at a quest board.

The last song on the album starts with the chilling sound of wind and a howl. Call Of The Moon seems very appropriate as a metal song, with the vocals encapsulating the emotions that a werewolf goes through during a full moon. The drums keep a fast pace as panic sets in, and I imagine a werewolf seeing the dreaded orb shining brightly in the sky. There is a brief reprieve toward the end of the song with a soothing piano section before the metal comes back in full force. The song fades out as the werewolf longs for the dawn.

In Summary

I was very impressed with the wide range of instrumentals used in this album. It managed to convey so many different emotions by using only instruments. Each song tells a specific story that made me want to hear more. Slytherin continues to keep wizard metal alive, and I hope they keep coming out with more music in the future! This album gets a rating of 7/7 Slytherin Common Room passwords.