SPELLCASTER under the spell HA5-5022-1-4

New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal: Spellcaster’s ‘Under The Spell’ (HA5-5022-1-4)

Today’s entry highlights a key release from the “New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal” (NWOTHM) movement of the early 2010s. We are looking at the 2011 debut album Under The Spell by the Portland-based band Spellcaster, released on Heavy Artillery with the catalog number HA5-5022-1-4.

Reviving the Spirit of the 80s
Released at a time when traditional heavy metal was enjoying a massive global resurgence, Under The Spell established Spellcaster as one of the premier US acts in the genre, sitting comfortably alongside contemporaries like Enforcer and Cauldron. The band draws heavy influence from mid-80s US speed metal and power metal, delivering a sound defined by galloping rhythms, dual-guitar harmonies, and high-pitched, melodic vocals.

Key Tracks
The album is a relentless tribute to the old school. Tracks like “Chainsaw Champion” and “Molten Steel” are high-speed rippers that showcase the band’s technical precision. The title track “Spellcaster” serves as an anthem for the band, while “Power Rising” captures the fist-pumping energy of early Metal Blade Records releases.

Collector’s Details
Heavy Artillery Records was a crucial label for the thrash and speed metal revival of this era (also home to bands like Vektor and Exmortus). Collectors should note the catalog number HA5-5022-1-4. Heavy Artillery often used specific number suffixes to denote different color vinyl variants (e.g., purple, blue, or splatter), making this release part of a fun series for variant hunters. This album remains a modern classic for fans who crave the authentic sound of 1985 in a modern production package.