Crisis in Utopia

The names Priest, Maiden, Armored Saint and Dio conjure an image of legendary, classic metal acts who value precision playing, killer vocals, masterful songwriting and a sense of lyrical mysticism and fantasy (as well as the occasional tale of epic partying). In recent years, a new batch of bands who share these core values and characteristics have begun bubbling to the surface of this metallic primordial ooze; at the head of this new 'wave' in metal is the Los Angeles quintet HOLY GRAIL. Originally known as Sorcerer, HOLY GRAIL formed when three members of the band White Wizzard decided to go out on their own. In the short few months after the band's inception, they received a full-page feature in the L.A. Weekly, toured the Western U.S. and signed to Prosthetic Records, who released their debut EP, 'Improper Burial,' in late 2009. The CD version features two original tracks, 'Immortal Man' and 'Fight to Kill,' alongside Accept and Judas Priest covers.