"Born is the Hammer, one of three
To strike the door, and Farick's freeNot ill Nitaar, not Albrunn's spire
Can stand against The Armor of Ire."
Eternal Champion - 'I Am The Hammer'
THERE'S AN OBVIOUS crossover between fans of epic heavy metal, RPG players and readers of fantasy literature. So, for fans of Eternal Champion wanting to immerse themselves deeper into the world of the Texas four-piece's two albums 'The Armor Of Ire' (2016) and 'Ravening Iron' (2020), this debut novel by the band's singer Jason Tarpey is a dream come true.
The story centers around the warrior smith Raenon, whose mission is to destroy the mad god Brakur. To this end he must journey to find the tomb of the long-dead deity Farick, whose remains are necessary for the forging of the Godblade - a sword so sharp it can cut through armour like butter. Only with the Godblade can Raenon slay Brakur and stand against the armies of the foul cult of Arhai to save his homeland.
Tarpey's writing is energetic and authoritative - especially when describing at length the process by which the Godblade is forged - but he's no Michael Moorcock, and at times his prose lacks polish and depth of characterisation. But the story moves on at a steady pace, rich with incident, so that you're never far away from a bloody fight, a foul monster or a ripe-breasted sorceress. Tarpey's world (like his sorceresses) is well built (although a map would have been useful) and invites further exploration. The narrative style and pace is reminiscent of Warhammer literature and the work of Gygax. It's never boring, and leaves you with a healthy appetite for a sequel. Essential for fans of Eternal Champion and obscure fantasy literature.
J. Cooper (2021)
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