Fogalord - Masters of War

Artist: Fogalord
Release Title: Masters of War
Year: 2017
Label: Limb Music
Genre: Symphonic Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Il racconto della tempesta
2. Rising Through the Mist of Time
3. Daughter of the Morning Light
4. Masters of War
5. By the Everspring Tree
6. The Storm of Steel
7. Absence of Light
8. When the Blizzard Awakes
9. In Everwinter Wait
10. The Gift of the White Lady
11. The Sword's Will

Coming onboard with renewed intensity, Italian symphonic power metal newcomers Fogalord quickly took the scene by storm and formed this newfound hero in a scene that all comes from them incorporating more of their trademarked elements into their newest effort. Now after a five-year gap following their initial appearance, the groups’ sophomore release was initially released June 2, 2017 on Limb Music.

Much like their past efforts, the group is simply intent on offering the attack from a strong series of epic rhythms that add plenty of greatness to their approach. This is based around the tight, flowing riffing here that propels this one along at rapid paces by offering an endless series of fiery speed metal riff-work in the greatest sense of the bands’ past. The rhythms are fast, vicious and built for glorious harmonies when utilized in conjunction with the blistering drum-work and shimmering keyboards that are draped all over the music here that adds an overwhelming atmosphere of epic grandeur that makes for a fun time. Even more impressive is the fact that these are put to the fullest test on a ten-minute-plus epic that enables every facet of their sound to be put to the test with plenty of exciting and enjoyable moments spread throughout which really ratchets up the enjoyment here for including such an enjoyable piece here. While these here are the overwhelming factors on display here, there’s a slight discrepancy here in the album dropping in intensity for bland mid-tempo gallops that just don’t have any kind of impact like the previous tracks, making for a somewhat lessening approach than normal and causes this one to lose a lot of its steam during the middle of the album where all those tracks are placed. Spreading them out on the album would’ve been preferable, yet that’s still an obvious factor about this one.

Filled with plenty of ravishing symphonic goodness and making up for only a few minor flaws ends up working rather well for the band here by enabling this one to come up with plenty of enjoyable moments throughout here that this becomes another notch for a promising act in the symphonic power metal realm.

Score: 89/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.fogalord.com/fog-shop/

Stormhammer - Welcome to the End

Artist: Stormhammerbuy now needed]
Release Title: Welcome to the End
Year: 2017
Label: Massacre Records
Genre: Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Beginning of the End
2. Northman
3. Welcome to the End
4. The Heritage
5. Secret
6. The Law
7. Watchmen
8. Road to Heaven
9. My Dark Side
10. Into the Night
11. Spirit of the Night
12. Soul Temptation
13. The Awakening
14. Black Dragon

Continuing to carry on nicely, German power metallers Stormhammer have steadily built up their brand of power metal with the expanded use of live dates and constant work to get to the point where the band has improved with every release thus far. Keeping the same lineup from their last effort, the groups’ sixth full-length was released March 24, 2017 on Massacre Records.

Offering up plenty of rather impressive work here, this is driven quite nicely by the bands’ rather fun and impressive driving, melodic attack. Featuring a rather thick rhythm section, there’s a much heavier, more traditional-sounding structure built up here with a nice driving attack utilizing the more harder-hitting rhythms during the main sections here. That translates into a steady stream of heavy mid-tempo gallops for the most part here, letting the bands’ faster moments carry this one along to the point of enjoyment throughout here by going for the striking riff-work, the old-school sounding patterns and generous melodic rhythms that give this such a strong and enjoyable method of attack here that manages to hold this up one over the album’s one overbearing, glaring flaw that’s nearly impossible to overcome. Simply, there’s just way too many tracks here and it really wears on the longer this goes as it just features such an enlarged running time with over a dozen tracks here that there’s just no reason for the release to be this long, especially with so many of the songs here being pretty much of the same type and quality. The way this goes for the same fiery, energetic crunch as the earlier tracks the need for going on this long makes less sense with no deviation or variation, so regardless of the quality of the tracks the fact that this one has this bloated, overlong feeling is hard to pass-up and ignore.

While this one is just a touch too long and overblown with a few too many tracks here, there’s still something to be said for how energetic and engaging this one is in spite of that somewhat crippling factor here makes this one recommended mainly for hardcore power metal fans or those who can look past the flaws in this one.

Score: 84/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.stormhammershop.de/epages/78889353.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/78889353/Products/wtte_cd

Ruins of Elysium - Seeds of Chaos and Serenity

Artist: Ruins of Elysium
Release Title: Seeds of Chaos and Serenity
Year: 2017
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Symphonic Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Kama Sutra
2. Shadow of the Colossus
3. Serpentarius
4. Beyond the Witching Hour
5. Iris
6. The Birth of a Goddess
7. Seeds of Chaos and Serenity

Continuing to uphold their past success, international symphonic metallers Ruins of Elysium have brought their epic sound and capabilities to offer even more bombast and grandeur into their material than their previous efforts. Taking a concept approach around the anime Sailor Moon for their epic title track, the groups’ sophomore full-length was self-released April 4, 2017.

Similar to their previous effort, the band is once again in full-on bombastic and glory mode throughout this one offering a stellar look into their formula. This here is built primarily around the grandiose tempos, featuring lightning-fast riffing and barreling drumming that is completely overshadowed by the bombastic keyboards that offer the over-the-top theatrics customary within the genre. It runs through these efforts with reckless abandon as the histrionics from the music match the spoken tales of glory and heroism that is captured expertly by these over-the-top rhythms giving this one the kind of driving attitude that works for the most part. That gets held up by the one detrimental, overriding flaw here in the overriding and truly bombastic epic at the end, going on far longer than necessary to really prove it’s point and making for a truly exhaustive ending more than anything. The dedication to go for something like this, a massive mini-album in its own right as the five-track suite makes for a fun enough representation of their work anyway beyond going through the motions of what’s on offer elsewhere on the album, yet the fact that it just goes on endlessly as the five movements clock in around regular-length tracks anyway and it just makes the album a drag to have to get through in order to experience it all. Though it’s fun enough, the daunting feel and approach are what somewhat lower this one.

As there’s one huge, nearly overwhelming effort holding this one back somewhat, it’s a little lower than what it should be as the rest of this one is some rather impressive symphonic-styled power metal that’s featured here make this a must for any fan of the style or can celebrate the excess within.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://ruinsofelysium.bandcamp.com/album/seeds-of-chaos-and-serenity

Seven Kingdoms - Decennium

Artist: Seven Kingdoms
Release Title: Decennium
Year: 2017
Label: Nightmare Records
Genre: Power/Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Stargazer
2. Undying
3. In the Walls
4. The Tale of Deathface Ginny
5. Castles in the Snow
6. Kingslayer
7. The Faceless Hero
8. Neverending
9. Hollow
10. Awakened from Nothing

Bound to continue their hard-working style, Floridian power/thrashers Seven Kingdoms have brought along plenty of dedication which manages to infuse the traditional blend of power and thrash metal with a fine blend of professionalism and maturity. Following the previous years’ EP release and a full five-year gap from full-length albums, the groups’ Kickstarter-funded fourth full-length was released January 30, 2017 on Nightmare Records with a reissue May 5 on new-label Napalm Records.

Firing off almost immediately, it’s quite apparent from the onset that there’s a much more pronounced attack that yields some of the most impressive work of their career. This is mostly based around tight, thunderous thrash rhythms and paces while packing in sparkling melodies and a grandiose choral approach that effectively mixes their work together, fitting this one with plenty of stellar work between these sections. This one offers up the kind of fiery riffing volley at those higher tempos that there’s plenty of fireworks generated by the frantic patterns bringing these churning thrash efforts alongside the furious melodies and stellar vocal dynamics that is quite apparent throughout here. Not nearly as impressive but still wholly enjoyable, when the band slips down into steadier, more mid-tempo realms there’s a rather marked dynamic here where the album prefers going for stellar chugging and thicker grooves in their rhythms to offset the melodic firepower. That leads into some rather fun and enjoyable efforts where it keeps the fire and bombast with a slightly varied approach that renders this one incredibly enjoyable overall. However, these being the primary functions of the album, that does end up being the lone factor against this one since it runs into familiar ground rather quickly with each other, tending to come off rather similar and being filled with overly cliched moments as a result since it relies on these same two formats for the majority of the tracks. It isn’t that detrimental on the whole, but it does lower the album.

While it does come across somewhat familiar and rather one-note in a series of familiar tactics throughout here, none of that detracts from what is a rather fun and endless series of enjoyable up-tempo thrashing power metal anthems that will certainly appeal to all fans of their previous work as well as fans of power/thrash in general.

Score: 90/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://shop.napalmrecords.com/seven-kingdoms-decennium-cd.html

Steel Seal - The Lion's Den

Artist: Steel Seal
Release Title: The Lion's Den
Year: 2017
Label: Underground Symphony
Genre: Neoclassical Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Never Die
2. Master of Hell
3. Open Fire
4. Break Your Chains
5. Fate (Knocking at Your Door)
6. Lonely
7. A Dream Within a Dream
8. In for the Kill
9. Waiting for the Rain
10. Wake or Sleep

One of the finest groups in the genre, Italian neoclassical power metallers Steel Seal have endured plenty of turmoil within their ranks since the group initially formed nearly a decade ago and has finally curbed itself into one of the top bands in the style. Now finally returning after a seven-year gap between releases, the groups’ third full-length effort was initially released March 27, 2017 on Underground Symphony.

For the most part, this here is yet another stellar offering in the bands’ chosen style of boundless neoclassical melodies being infused with power metal rhythms. This one generates a rather impressive atmosphere from the barreling riff-work that features a steady, composed mid-tempo charge that works incredibly well, allowing for the band to switch tempos rather well. Being able to work in plenty of high-energy, speed-drenched thrash numbers as well as classy mid-tempo marches is a fine dose of variety with the fine amount of speedsters making for a stellar offering throughout here which brings out the shimmering neoclassical melodies to counterbalance the fury. However, it's when the album drops into the mid-tempo range where this one really hits it’s stride, dropping the stellar speed-metal riffing and letting the melodic flurries come to the forefront in earnest. Fueled by the stellar mid-tempo energy of the rhythms, those melodies are taken to the more impressive lead in the tracks where the far more intricate playing during these sections brings up the albums’ stance really nicely here. Combining these into a rather fun whole alongside the stellar vocals it generates the requisite connection to this style, even though it does highlight the overly-obvious minor flaw here in the album losing steam and energy in the second half where it really could’ve utilized some more fire to liven up the back-half of the album. Otherwise, this one has a lot to like about it.

Although it’s quite enjoyable for the most part, there’s a little bit of a lowered energy throughout here with the second half dropping in quality only slight enough to detract from the positives which make this one rather appealing for fans of neoclassical power metal or melodic metal in general.

Score: 88/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.undergroundsymphony.it/?page_id=1281

Sailing to Nowhere - Lost in Time

Artist: Sailing to Nowhere
Release Title: Lost in Time
Year: 2017
Label: Underground Symphony
Genre: Melodic Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Lost in Time
2. Scream of the World
3. Ghost City
4. Apocalypse
5. Suffering in Silence
6. Our Last Night on Earth
7. Fight for Your Dreams
8. New Life
9. Start Again

Following the success of their previous work, Italian melodic power metal newcomers Sailing to Nowhere have certainly grown in their enthusiasm and performances since the beginning as they’ve managed to enhance their nautical theme effectively. With the band experiencing a rash of personnel turnover to include female vocalists Helena Pieraccini and Clara Trucchi, new guitarist Emiliano Tessitore and keyboardist Alessio Contori, their sophomore release was initially released April 14, 2017 on Underground Symphony.

Once this one starts up, it’s quite an exuberant showing of solid mid-tempo power metal that readily showcases the best aspects of the genre at hand. This one really goes for the triumphant gallop favored predominantly for the genre, mixing in some really enjoyable fire in the riff-work which makes their sparkling melodic keyboard accents all the more impressive. Shimmering along throughout the blazing rhythms and managing to mix in a great triple-vocalist attack with dueling female voices alongside the victorious main male vocalist, the band manages to readily evoke the majestic atmosphere rather effectively. When the band drops in tempo for more of a mid-tempo charge, those keyboard accents take more of a showcase here with the galloping chugs allowing for a rather impressive surge out brilliant melodic outbursts that shine really nicely alongside the rather enjoyable mid-tempo elements that feature bigger and grander rhythms than these more laid back and restrained like proper mid-tempo melodic power metal tracks generally provide. The fact that these are generally grouped onto the back-half of the release is a bit of a slight flaw here with this one obviously toplined with the faster tracks leaving the slower ones and the ballad afterwards, but this isn’t that big of a flaw here.

With some minor issues springing up more from the running order rather than any kind of performance-issues or any other factors to be had here, this is a wholly enjoyable and fiery brand of melody-tinged power metal that will readily appeal to all fans of Euro-accented power metal.

Score: 90/100

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http://www.usstore.it/index.php?id_product=2106&controller=product&id_lang=1&search_query=Sailing+to+Nowhere&results=1

Burning Shadows - Truth in Legend

Artist: Burning Shadows
Release Title: Truth in Legend
Year: 2017
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Power/Heavy Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Day of Darkness
2. Southwind
3. Sworn to Victory
4. From the Stars
5. The Last One to Fall
6. Truth in Legend
7. The Blessed
8. Deathstone Rider

Continuing to branch out in their career, Maryland heavy/power metallers Burning Shadows have continued to utilize their tried and tested brand of explosive old-school rhythms with plenty of impressive lyrical efforts recounting their previously-established love of history. Taking a more singular approach away from the concept album of their last effort, their independently-released third album was released May 5, 2017.

Stylistically, the album as a whole carries pretty much a lot of the same elements that made their previous works so much fun with a rousing and vigorous attack. Based primarily around the stellar riff-work, the general approach here contains plenty of tight, crunchy patterns that march along at a steady mid-tempo charge that follows a more traditional metal march. Alongside this typically fine crunch, the main element at play here is the fine melodic rhythms that are at the forefront of so many tracks here, giving this one the kind of light, airy atmosphere which carries the tracks at a fine melodic buzz with the tight, crunchy riffing plodding along here. This is greatly enhanced even more with the album’s faster, more fiery efforts which lets the crunchy trad metal stylings take a more active stance in the rhythms and forces along plenty of great work throughout here with these fine elements bringing about a solid variety that gives this balance and dynamics that keep things interesting. About the only thing that can really hurt an approach like this happens to pop up which is an overly-long and needlessly complex epic that derails the momentum, contains way too many segments to be needed and overall comes off as a draining experience to end the album on, and that’s what happens here as the last epic really feels it’s length and seems endless throughout here, making this end on a somewhat sour note. Otherwise, there’s plenty to like here.

While it does get held up somewhat slightly by the excessive and overly ambitious epic at the end which is a pain to get through, overall there’s plenty of enjoyable enough work here that this one becomes quite a promising effort for those that like their power metal with a heavy crunch or trad-metal fans who can appreciate power metal melodies.

Score: 92/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://burningshadows.bandcamp.com/album/truth-in-legend

Lux Perpetua - The Curse of the Iron King

Artist: Lux Perpetua
Release Title: The Curse of the Iron King
Year: 2017
Label: Underground Symphony
Genre: Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Celebration
2. Curse of the Iron King
3. The Legend
4. Army of Salvation
5. An Old Bard
6. Eversong
7. Riders of the Dead
8. Rebellion
9. The Werewolf
10. Desert of Destiny
11. Consolation
12. Straight Back to Hell

Originally formed in 2003, Polish power metallers Lux Perpetua began as Sentinel which lasted until 2009 before they dropped the name and were resurrected in their current moniker which took their sound to their current formation and standing. With longtime member Martinez leaving and being replaced by vocalist Artur Rosiński and new keyboardist Meg, the groups’ full-length debut was originally released February 28, 2017 on Underground Symphony.

Firing off straight from the old-school, the group is quite intent on letting their influences get pushed to the forefront that it’s quite apparent from the start. There’s a prominent showing of fiery neoclassical-inspired rhythms and bombastic paces that keep the majority of the tracks at full-throttle for the massive sound generated here. The inclusion of twinkling keyboards and blistering drum-work makes for an even greater sprinkling of power, and this creates the kind of bombastic take on the genre which gives this one the required speed and tone that falls right in line with the bombastic efforts in this style. When this drops off into the softer realms, this drops those elements in favor of a lethargic chug and a more overblown keyboard-drenched style that keeps the fiery speed-metal riffing in the background as the melodic tones become far more prominent which does take some of the sting out of the attack even with these still providing plenty of engaging work in these sections. There’s a slight tendency here to feel somewhat overlong as the second half does get a more enhanced epic vibe in the material here which does strike as a somewhat minor problematic issue, but for the most part, this one really doesn’t detract much from what’s expected here. Far more problematic, though, is the fact that the vocals here are somewhat off-putting in the genre being much too gravelly and gruff for this type of light and fluffy genre so those going in expecting an operatic performance might be somewhat surprised here. However, even combined these aren’t enough to knock this down that much.

Despite the slightly off vocals and a minor bloated second half, there’s far too much good produced here for a first-time effort that this one manages to come out of the gates swinging and lands often enough to be of great significance for those yearning for the early days of the power metal explosion and bright, bombastic power metal.

Score: 92/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://luxperpetuaband.bandcamp.com/album/the-curse-of-the-iron-king

Cellador - Off the Grid

Artist: Cellador [audio and buy now]
Release Title: Off the Grid
Year: 2017
Label: Scarlet Records
Genre: Power/Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Sole Survivors
2. Break Heresy
3. Shadowfold
4. Wake Up the Tyrant
5. Off the Grid
6. Swallow Your Pride
7. Shimmering Status
8. Good Enough
9. This Means War
10. Running Riot

Tormented by an insanely-troubling past, Colorado-based power metallers Cellador have seen themselves beset by label and lineup turmoil that has stunted and very nearly halted the promise shown by their initially-appealing debut work just over a decade prior. Attempting to carry on with a new, solidified lineup, the long-awaited sophomore album was originally released March 10, 2017 on Scarlet Records.

Considering the long layoff, it’s entirely possible to forget what the band was about and to fix that the group manages to fly right out of the gate with what made them so promising in the first place. There’s plenty of tight, fast and frantic thrashing patterns laced with strong melodic accents flowing throughout here, generating the kind of explosive up-tempo power metal rhythms full of aggressive attacks in the rhythm. That goes hand-in-hand with a more stripped down, simplistic approach that generates plenty of fiery, engaging material without the long-winded and aimless approach of their past, streamlining the best tactics into a more substantial and cohesive style of attack that still brings out their best work in propelling plenty of speed and intensity out while displaying top-notch melodic interlaced together for a spectacular and energizing style. Though the epic approach to their past material gave them a somewhat more unique and individualized identity in the field during their initial appearance in the field, the fact is the intervening years and their stripped-down style has now come back against them as it’s turned them into a slightly rehashed and formulaic style without really doing much else about it, but being not only an engaging approach to the material and given the turmoil within the break it’s commendable to be this fiery and enjoyable all things considered.

Already a strong Comeback of the Year contender, this was quite a surprising tactical change in their style that now comes off like a condensed version of their style that will greatly appeal to fans of their original work or the curious to see how they’ve managed to hold up considering their troubles.

Score: 95/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://scarletrecords.bandcamp.com/album/off-the-grid

Victorius - Heart of the Phoenix

Artist: Victorius
Release Title: Heart of the Phoenix
Year: 2017
Label: Massacre Records
Genre: Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Shadow Warriors
2. Hero
3. End of the Rainbow
4. Die by My Sword
5. Sons of Orion
6. Heart of the Phoenix
7. Empire of the Dragonking
8. Hammer of Justice
9. Beyond the Iron Sky
10. Virus
11. A Million Lightyears

Following their current trend, German power metallers Victorius have been continuing to hone their skills in the live format as the bands’ recent hiatus has allowed them to produce a tighter, more vibrant sound through all the enhanced activity they went through. With the live activity resulting in a three-year gap between releases, the groups’ fourth full-length was originally released January 13, 2017 on Massacre Records.

Almost immediately, it’s apparent that the bands’ hard work has paid off in dividends as there’s an immense blast of forceful and power-packed power metal. Taking the same general approach as before which takes the form of sterling rhythms, triumphant vocals and sparkling melodies interwoven into a tight, charging speed-metal core, forming the essence of plenty of spectacular power metal bands throughout its history. As well, these tracks that gallop along at rather nice mid-tempo speeds here rather than going overboard with the bombastic overkill balance out the more chugging-centered patterns that hold off the driving rhythms in favor of harmony-laden keyboard and more cheese-driven speedsters that tend to be more emblematic of the genre’s more current output of layering plenty of the keyboards and vocals over the driving drumming and explosive guitar melodies that adds worlds of harmonious rhythms to the tracks throughout here by adding the triumphant nature to a strong baseline of work. The strong melodic interjections work quite nicely here at forming a blistering sense of power running through a toughened exterior, though it does highlight the fact that the band does dip into those shallower depths somewhat frequently and brings about a rather formulaic approach which doesn’t need to be there with the album working nicely with the stronger rhythms generating quite a lot to like here and the lighter approach does undo a lot of that good will. It’s not completely extinguished but does bring it down somewhat.

While it’s still a somewhat new and novel experience for the group, there’s plenty to like here with the bands’ rather impressive attack getting utilized to it’s fullest extent which has the great effect of making this one a wholly worthwhile release for fans of triumphant, highly melodic power metal.

Score: 92/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.victoriusmetal.net/products/heart-of-the-phoenix.html

Flidais - Kazador EP

Artist: Flidais
Release Title: Kazador EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Progressive Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Traffic
2. Pinnacle
3. High Stakes
4. Hunter
5. Resolve
6. Missing

Continuing to hone their craft, Canadian progressive power metallers Flidais have comprised their central style of galloping power metal full of tight, bright melodies that are merged together with deft ease and execution that was a part of their original style. As original members Jordan Litt on guitars and Chris Darmanin on drums have left with only the latter being replaced by Ryley Swatman, the group’s new EP is original self-released December 2, 2016.

This here is quite the enjoyable release mainly due to the rather enjoyable nature of the band really offering quite an impressive attack here. Built upon the swirling, challenging progressive-tinged riffing that’s quite impressive how it manages to go for the variety of work overall here, is due to the bands’ insistence on featuring the riffing more as a straightforward gallop while still featuring plenty of challenging rhythms and patterns which give it a strong progressive bent. With this given a strong boost by the strong melodic outpouring throughout here due to the tight riffing and strong accents placed within the music, on the whole, this one carries itself pretty well here and doesn’t really strike as too detrimental in too many areas as the riffing is strong, the melodies are bright and the varied attack makes this one quite enjoyable. There’s one element that could use some minor touch-up in here which is the album’s tendency to stay within quite familiar stylings to each other so that a vast majority of the songs are blended together into the same general sound of challenging, churning riffing and bright melodies that sound good yet doesn’t strike as any kind of distinctive voice here due to the repeat style featured. It’s not a big detriment but it is there.

Though only hurt here somewhat by the relatively small aspect of their music with the commonly-used riff-work and rhythms making it blend into itself quite easily, it’s not nearly enough to let this one loose itself into that flaw and comes off rather nicely for fans of bright, melodic power metal or progressive-minded fans of the genre.

Score: 88/100

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https://www.facebook.com/FlidaisMusic/

Malacoda - Ritualis Aeterna EP

Artist: Malacoda
Release Title: Ritualis Aeterna EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Power/Gothic Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Penny Dreadful
2. I Got A Letter
3. Pandemonium
4. The Wild Hunt
5. Linger Here
6. There Will Always Be One

Containing a lot of the same elements, Canadian gothic metallers Malacoda have further expanded their dark gothic vision by including even more literary and visual influences into their sound since their previous release. As the lineup is now rounded out with the addition of keyboard virtuoso Jonah Weingarten into their ranks, the groups’ new EP is self-released December 2, 2016.

This here comes off as a rather strong and impressive release that has plenty of strong work at play here with the rather disparate elements coming together into a strong whole. For the most part here the band is clearly adept at delving into the grandiose Gothic imagery present here which is quite strong and prominent featuring plenty of the swirling riff-work, the utterly dramatic blend of rhythms here that delve from progressive-styled groove to bombastic symphonics overlaid with plenty of melodic interludes and a variance in the tempos all come forward into making this one flirt incredibly heavily with the dark romantic vibe present in the genre. These here work incredibly well for the band, but the fact that there’s not a whole lot else really going on here does affect this one as the band seems to just simply pound through their signature sound but that’s about it. It’s adept at their stylistic variation within the style, but otherwise, it’s just a mostly bland offering that never really reaches any kind of impressive  riffing that really comes off as quite bland without having any more impressive rhythms involved. On the whole, this is a competent if uninspired effort.

Though this one has some decent work involved, there’s not a whole lot else with this one going on that makes this one feel quite bland overall in terms of performance that this one really only seems worthwhile for the most devout and hardcore gothic/power metal fans or followers of the band members’ previous bands.

Score: 60/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://malacoda.bandcamp.com/album/ritualis-aeterna

Afterlife Symphony - Moment Between Lies

Artist: Afterlife Symphony
Release Title: Moment Between Lies
Year: 2016
Label: Revalve Records
Genre: Symphonic Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Half-Moon Night
2. The Abyss
3. Under the Sleeping Tree
4. My Existence to You
5. Broken Breath
6. Dreamer's Paradox
7. Seventh
8. Last Hope
9. Novembre, Pt. 1
10. Novembre, Pt. 2
11. Genesis of Eternity

Finally making their mark on the genre, Italian symphonic metallers Afterlife Symphony added the last segment to the name yet still keeping their blend of orchestral grandiosity with the strong sense of progressive riffing which strikes as quite the impressive overall attack. With the re-branded group finally prepared to unleash their pleasing sound, the groups’ second full-length album was released September 9, 2016 on Revalve Records.

Even with the name change, it’s still quite obvious the band has still kept up their glorious sound in full force throughout here which really goes for the grandiose and the symphonic throughout this one. The riffing in particular keeps itself aligned mostly in the mid-tempo chugging realm while still being draped in harmonious melodies and mesmerizing symphonic rhythms throughout here which makes for a much lighter and immersive experience here by bringing in plenty of the orchestral elements not to add bombastic grandiosity but more of an operatic approach here which goes hand-in-hand with those chugging mid-tempo rhythms in the riffing. This offers up the kind of challenging, swirling rhythm-work throughout here that gives it a progressive tinge to the music while still offering up that lighter atmosphere to give this the kind of near-Gothic approach that mixes in the warmer melodies rather than enhanced speed, leaving this one quite dramatic and emotional which goes so well with the professional arrangements and the gorgeous female vocals. Indeed, the fact that this one is at it’s fastest in the mid-tempo realm might be seen as a detriment to some by keeping this one solely devoid of the main element in favor of it’s appeal here with the gregarious power and over-the-top grandiosity, as the heavily emotional feel derived from the rhythms here aren’t that typical style and highlights this factor somewhat throughout here. Still, that’s clearly not the main aim here and there’s quite a lot to really like here.

Offering up plenty of enjoyable elements here even though the album’s main focus on going for the mid-tempo style leaves this one feeling quite sluggish at times if the focus is clearly kept away from their assumed intentions which makes this one quite enjoyable for fans of Gothic-tinged power metal or emotional symphonic metal in general.

Score: 89/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://revalverecords.bigcartel.com/product/afterlife-symphony-moment-between-lives-preorder-start-29-08-2016

Expired Utopia - Expired Utopia EP

Artist: Expired Utopia
Release Title: Expired Utopia EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Progressive Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Chasing a Tattered Flag
2. Defining the Gods
3. Expired Utopia

Comprised of scene veterans, Canadian progressive power metallers Expired Utopia were initially born from a mutual love of power metal with a vast and unique style ranging from symphonic to progressive and everything else in between. Bringing these influences to the forefront of their first release, the groups’ self-titled debut EP was originally released August 25, 2016.

For the most part this here is certainly whipped around the frantic, technical riff-work usually featured here with the album’s varied approach and dynamic patterns holding this one up throughout the tracks here. There’s a great sense of technical work here changing through a series of dynamic rhythms that soar through a grand series of strong, melodic rhythms and tight, pounding rhythms that all feature the strong technically-proficient riffing alongside it. Graced with occasional mid-tempo chugging that adds a strong melodic charge to these compositions, there’s a generally strong and imposing framework for the material here that generates the kind of dynamic patterns and melodic accessibility required for the genre.given that this is a bands’ debut offering, it’s not a hugely detrimental factor but there’s a sense of meandering riff-work and a lack of focus here on the tracks as they tend to go on simply feeling that’s what’s required to be in the genre through their influences and at times this makes the album seem like a chore to get through despite only getting three tracks. Though this can be refined and honed in the future, it’s still a factor here.

Though it gets into some problematic areas here with the overdrawn riffing not really going for the tight, clean work of their predecessors it has more than enough that does work here that with some minor refining this could be another solid and enjoyable band for fans of technical/progressive power metal or epic metal in general.

Score: 73/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://expiredutopia.bandcamp.com/

Perseus (It) - A Tale Whispered in the Night

Artist: Perseus (It)
Release Title: A Tale Whispered in the Night
Year: 2016
Label: Buil2Kill Records
Genre: Heavy/Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. The Diary
3. Time Over
4. Hidden Murders
5. Magic Mirror
6. Echoes of Mind
7. Dying Every Time
8. Ana Annur
9. Deceiver
10. Lux Domini
11. Son of the Rising Sun
12. My Endless Dream
13. Whispers in the Mist
14. I'm the Chosen One
15. Rain Is Falling
16. Legions of Ravens
17. Never Surrender
18. The Ride of Pegasus
19. Epilogue

Still holding true to their sound, Italian heavy/power metallers Perseus are continuing their concept album storyline from their debut about Dr. Icarus Lazard and his quest to lead a powerful army to fight against a dark force opposing their eternal quest. Getting the storyline continued in their second release, the album is released April 1, 2016 on Buil2Kill Records.

This here is quite a fun album, featuring their blend of sparkling traditional heavy metal and melodic power metal hymns. Featuring a deep, steady rhythm section full of a tight, engaging crunch that keeps this barreling along at a fine mid-tempo pace while enabling the kind of glorious harmonic leads to sprout forth giving this a rather appealing melodic crunch. This manages to become the main style here during the bands’ main, proper tracks which is featured enough here that it’s quite an appealing time, and when given breathe amidst the ballads which slow these rhythms down even further to accent the soft, romantic and the strong central storyline concerning their epic concept makes for a generally rewarding time on the album. Though there’s a lot to like here, right off the bat what’s immediately glaring about this one is the absurd track length here, as the bands’ penchant for peppering the entire track with a short, bonus interlude setting up the next proper track is quite a struggle to get over. Even though it doesn’t really hurt the album all that much, the fact that it’s just such a startling tactic of bringing the album’s momentum to a grinding, startling halt every time it’s going to a new track since it only occasionally brings two tracks back-to-back before changing into a short interlude. Without these buggers and just keeping the momentum going from song-to-song would bump up this one significantly as the main tracks are just so much fun but get short-changed with their placement here.

With a lot of absolutely great parts to really like here interrupted only with a truly stuttering amount of momentum-stopping segments keeping this one down, this is a pretty torn one overall as the stellar music on the main album might be enough to overcome the flaws and appeal to the fans of this style, while the flaws could also be enough to prevent a lot from really liking it.

Score: 74/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Whispered-Night-Explicit/dp/B01FEZQTDM

Highlord - Hic Sunt Leones

Artist: Highlord
Release Title: Hic Sunt Leones
Year: 2016
Label: Massacre Records
Genre: Power/Heavy Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Time for a Change
2. One World at a Time
3. Be King or Be Killed
4. Let There Be Fire
5. Hic Sunt Leones
6. Wrong Side of Sanity
7. Feathers to a Bird
8. Warmight
9. I've Chosen My Poison
10. Once Were Immortal
11. Full Circle

Founded as Avatar in 1997, Italian heavy/power metallers Highlord quickly adapted their new moniker and have steadily increased their profile as one of the country’s finest purveyors of this style. Having lost founding guitarist Stefano Droetto for his replacement Marco Malacame, the group’s eighth full-length effort was released June 24, 2016 on Massacre Records.

With a catalog as deep as theirs clearly is by now, it’s no surprise what’s to be found here which is what makes this one so enjoyable. Immediately assaulted with a series of melodic rhythms around which the band wraps a strong series of heavy, thumping patterns into a stylish mid-tempo charge, it’s quite obvious that the band is quite adept at firing off this style of tight, thumping heavy metal laced with the fiery melodies derived from the power metal scene. It’s all quite enjoyable with the melodic arrangements generating the kind of steady arrangements and rather fine keyboard accents offering enough of a neoclassical touch that it’s allowed to offset the remaining tracks and their relentless pounding charge in those sections. With a deeper, churning drive in the drumming and generating a tighter, more focused rhythm section that contains the necessary thumping drive that employs a more traditional metal experience with the group generating quite a significantly heavy backbone to display those melodic flurries. With the band’s experience driving these along into quite enjoyable tempos and paces that manage to hit the proper frenzy at the right time to move this one along, it’s all a testament to their proficiency at building these elements together into a rather enjoyable time, though the band does hit a few sour notes especially in the genre-staple ballad. It’s far more plodding and dragging than the majority of their other tracks not on purpose but the main rhythm is just not suitable for a ballad, the clean vocals are weak and buried in the mix and the acoustic rhythms are placed through cliched patterns that seems like the band running through the motions rather than displaying any kind of passion or fire which is displayed prominently throughout here. It’s really the album’s biggest stumbling block that holds it back.

Beyond one minor hiccup to be found here, there’s much more impressive work on display here that makes this one of the more enjoyable and consistent acts in the style for giving yet another solid album which makes this one highly appealing to fans of the band in the past or those who enjoy this melody-tinged heavy/power metal style.

Score: 92/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.metalmerchant.com/detail.asp?request=CD&orderno=200947&bandname=HIGHLORD&genre=Heavy&ID=

Wisdom (Hung) - Rise of the Wise

Artist: Wisdom (Hung)
Release Title: Rise of the Wise
Year: 2016
Label: NoiseArt Records
Genre: Power/Heavy Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Over the Wall
2. Ravens' Night
3. My Heart Is Alive
4. Hunting the Night
5. Hero
6. Through the Fire
7. Nightmare of the Seas
8. Believe in Me
9. Secret Life
10. Welcome to My Story
11. Rise of the Wise

Built up as the country’s greatest genre act, Hungarian heavy/power metallers Wisdom are without doubt one of the best genre acts in that part of the world as well as their country’s premier act as well. With Anton Kabanen joining on guitars, the group’s fourth full-length effort released February 26, 2016 on NoiseArt Records firmly showcases this feat with the fact at the top of their game.

This here is such an infectious and utterly enjoyable effort that there’s plenty of enjoyable elements found within this one that really shows off how enjoyable their sound is. The main impetus here is on fiery, bright melodies within the riffing that showcases the dynamic power of melodic power metal while running alongside the tight, thunderous crunch of traditional heavy metal and is made all the better with the album’s infectious energy. That alone here is one of the most impressive elements to be found here as the album stays within this framework for the most part and doesn’t really offer up much deviation at all which is what allows this one to keep the steady pounding rhythms featured here at the forefront as there’s a rather large amount of stylish tempos and arrangements here that come from the deeper rhythm section charging away while the band fires off their melodic power metal firestorm and more uplifting tempos that have a much greater and enjoyable charge throughout here which is what makes the group so lively yet still heavy enough here even on the ballads. At times the bands’ approach drops off unexpectedly into a rather bland mid-tempo chug that sounds completely at odds with the victorious choruses and melodies which cause them to stick out against the much stronger crunchier riff-work that picks up the tempo nicely, but the band is confident enough to leave them in such short bursts that there’s a lot more elements to like here that dominate the album as a whole.

With a few small and relatively minor missteps that don’t really upset the album all that much, this one really does pick out the best parts of the bands’ sound and makes them enjoyable with their dominance on the album that this is surely one of the better entries in their catalog and is wholly recommended not only to fans of the band but of the style as well.

Score: 92/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.wisdom.hu/webshopeur.php#

Skylark - The Princess' Day

Artist: Skylark
Release Title: The Princess' Day
Year: 2001
Label: Underground Symphony
Genre: Symphonic Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Princess' Day
2. I Will Cry Tonight
3. Journey Through the Fire
4. Another Life
5. Hope (Intro)
6. Rufus (Part 1)
7. Symbol of Freedom (Part 2)
8. The Tragedy
9. White Warrior
10. Princess of the Snow

Appearing to have honed their sound down, Italian symphonic metallers Skylark follows up with their patented Italian symphonic metal sound from their previous efforts without much difference here. The fifth full-length album from the group, which sees new drummer Carlos Cantatore join the group, has them dropping their Divine Gates concept for a new story that was originally released November 5, 2001 from Underground Symphony before various reissues by the label.

As this implies, the keyboards are up-front and become the focal point of the whole album with it placed so high in the mix this leads to light, dreary atmospheres over the entire album. Bristling with Neoclassical melodies, dexterous symphonic tones that weave throughout the melodies and sparkling bursts of flowery arrangements, the majority of the keyboard work is all sorts of fun. The Neoclassical melodies at play here with the bombastic nature of the symphonic patterns within the keyboards allows for a rather grand and majestic vibe that plays a big role interjecting melodies along the up-tempo patterns and the blinding double-kick drumming, all of which are part of the bands’ sound. While the album itself is noticeably straightforward, the fact that it is so straightforward and unyielding exposes several flaws. Their set-up of blinding speed and Neoclassical patterns shows the band relying on the same tricks, for the most part played around the same speeds which tend to get pretty familiar-sounding bleeding into each other managing to utilize the same rhythmic patterns over and over again. Nearly all the drum patterns sound the same, the riffing falls into eerily similar patterns and the keyboards strike up the same series of familiar patterns with the constant appearance of the same rhythms and melodies appearing throughout the album as a whole. Beyond this big issue, there’s another rather big one with the incredibly shoddy mix, really doing none of the instruments any favors. The drums are lifeless and hollow complete with irritating typewriter-clicking double-bass runs, the guitars tend to disappear from whole sections in the songs and are so light and airy they get drowned out. These factors are enough to keep this one down but still not to the point of being on the lower end.

Although there’s a lot to really like here about this one, it’s flaws just do hold this one back to the point of madness with the one lone problem featured here which makes this one solely appealing to the most devout and enthusiastic Italian power metal aficionados and fans of flowery power metal while all others should heed extreme caution.

Score: 73/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.usstore.it/index.php?id_product=108&controller=product&id_lang=1

Helion Prime - Helion Prime

Artist: Helion Prime
Release Title: Helion Prime
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Divebomb Records reissue)
Genre: Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Into the Alien Terrain
2. The Drake Equation
3. Life Finds a Way
4. Into the Black Hole
5. A Place I Thought I Knew
6. You Keep What You Kill
7. The Ocean of Time
8. Moon-Watcher
9. Apollo (The Eagle Has Landed)
10. Live and Die on This Day

Formed just a few years ago, Sacramento-based power metallers Helion Prime wasted no time in setting a course for their career, as their first EP was released just a few short months after forming. Now ready to release their full-length self-titled debut February 15, 2016 independently with a reissue on Divebomb Records August 12, this release comes loaded with special guests and total science-fiction driven lyrical matter.

This is a wholly enjoyable and dynamic release that manages to get a lot of enjoyable elements here out of the bands’ striking musicianship. Rattling off straightforward riffing in a slightly technical bent while showcasing the ability to drive out swirling leads rife with speed-driven rhythms or charging along at a steady mid-tempo crunch, this basic attack is quite appealing at the diversity it affords them with the ease of switching between these varied elements oftentimes with the same track for a great progressive edge. As the riffing is slightly-technical to begin with, that extra boost as well gives this one a rather impressive charge with the bands’ science-fiction themes as that extra boost from the technicality is meshed together into a series of impressive arrangements fully encompassing those themes and atmospheres to the fullest. This strong science-fiction attitude is further greeted by the nominal power metal melodies running throughout the riff-work and just simply makes this one so rousing and energetic with the band fully able to employ those elements together into such a cohesive, competent attack that the music’s varied moods allow for a diverse, well-rounded and highly enjoyable effort. There’s one slight problem running throughout the album, which results in the band tending to be such accomplished musicians here that the need for all the guests doesn’t really seem all that obvious with them all getting mostly buried in the album so much that it’s hard to pick out what they’re doing or why they’re even there to begin with. It’s all so nicely accomplished and polished that the guests seem superfluous and somewhat unnecessary here as they tend to drag out some of the songs on the second half a little longer than what they should’ve been, but it’s not nearly a detriment at all.

On the whole this is a wholly enjoyable and impressive debut effort that gets much more right than it does not, and for the most part this here really tends to come off on the enjoyable end of the spectrum and results in a fantastic debut that will undoubtedly appeal to all sci-fi-obsessed metal fans or those who prefer the energetic side of power metal.

Score: 95/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://helionprime.bandcamp.com/album/helion-prime

Valtikan - Exordium

Artist: Valtikan
Release Title: Exordium
Year: 2015
Label: Sepulchral Silence Records
Genre: Folk Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Exordium
2. A Warrior's Path
3. Eternal Flame of the Dragon
4. Moonrise
5. Skogmetsä pt. I
6. Skogmetsä pt. II
7. Alter Ego
8. War Cry
9. Victory
10. A New Dawn

Appearing first as DemonHeart in 2011, Mexican power metallers Valtikan soon adopted this new moniker in 2012 and have since appeared to hone their nice blend of folky rhythms and ripping power metal. Initially a July 10, 2015 release before getting a digital re-release June 24, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence, this fine debut starts the group off on a really impressive note and sets them up in the scene to carry on.

From the outset here it’s apparent the band is clearly influenced by the folkier end of power metal with the band clearly generating some rather impressive and enjoyable rhythms running throughout here with the main focus running throughout here being the ripping power metal riffing. Strong, energetic rhythms and relentless full-throttle drumming carrying the tightened speed-metal hallmarks of the genre to it’s normal running grounds, this part of the album is wholly enjoyable enough on it’s own before the band even attempts to introduce the folksier parts here with the nominal interjections of medieval rhythms and instrumentation throughout the tracks here. However, rather than dominating these tracks this one instead allows them to run through these elements in select spots in the music and then relying on their more traditional power metal arrangements to carry the rest of the load on the album, which is a wholly appreciative approach in that there’s still room for their medieval runs and rhythms while still packing a heavy-end blast, most notably on the band’s epic arrangements which allow for spirited sections of jaunty rhythms and localized patterns alongside the ripping sections to come through. For a debut this is quite nice and really manages quite a lot to like, making for even more to like here with only one minor element to creep in here which is the rather jumbled and crowded manner of their epics in that they cram in so much that it’s hard to breathe and really focus on anything as it’s quickly onto new sections and arrangements which gets a little overwhelming when they have a much easier time accomplishing this in their shorter tracks. Still, for a debut this is a highly impressive one.

Though it gets a little overlong for it’s own good at times, this is still a nicely enjoyable and impressive debut from this group which has enough elements at play to really appeal to those who prefer the heavier end of folk-influenced metal or appreciate the bands’ attempts to incorporate those elements together into enjoyable power metal.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/exordium