Swordborn

Sonic Prophecy – Savage Gods Review

Sonic Prophecy – Savage Gods Review

“Salt Lake City’s Sonic Prophecy has at this point become a fixture in the US metal underground, plying their craft of beefy, vocal-driven, traditionally styled heavy/power metal that evokes Judas Priest, Iced Earth, Manowar, and others of the sort. Word on the street has been positive for this lot, so Savage Gods now stands in judgement before easily-irritated power metal guy.” Swords n’ Tequila hold the tequila.

Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins – Pawn and Prophecy Review

Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins – Pawn and Prophecy Review

“In 2014, Symphony X bassist Mike LePond brought his four strings of righteous fury to a new “solo” all-star project by the name of Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins, featuring (Symphony X) bandmate Michael Romeo, prominent session guitarist “Metal Mike” Chlasciak, and Alan Tecchio, reknowned vocalist of Hades, Watchtower, and Seven Witches (formerly). The foursome doled out a self-titled debut that was refreshingly powerful, while balancing potent original compositions with ultra-hooky selections from LePond and Tecchio’s erstwhile involvement in Seven Witches. Now, LePond, Romeo, and Tecchio are back as a trio with multiple guests to dole out a second helping of hard-hitting traditional metal inspired by whatever historical and mythological subjects happen to be kicking around in Mike’s head.” Mike and the Real Mechanics.

Ancient Empire – The Tower [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

Ancient Empire – The Tower [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

“When I was a wee swordbearer in the northern taiga with fewer years under my belt and not enough Jørn Lande in my life, I lived on a metal diet comprised almost solely of Freedom Call, Power Quest, Dark Moor, and their ilk. I was absolutely convinced that other than Kamelot, there was really nothing coming out of the US that could interest me. Then, a couple years later, I was slapped silly by Pharaoh, Nevermore, and Twisted Tower Dire.” Murican power metal – it’ll slap ya.

Cromonic – Time [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

Cromonic – Time [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

“Back in the early 2000’s, Sweden was a hotspot for classic power metal. In addition to the many well-known acts that were getting rolling at that time, several albums were released by the bands Freternia and Ironware, which were fronted by a very distinctive voice in one Pasi Humppi. Various members of Freternia, including Humppi, formed a little side project called Cromonic.” Know what day it is? It’s Humppi Day!

Ancestral – Master of Fate [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

Ancestral – Master of Fate [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

“A couple of years ago, I did a favor for Underground Symphony Records, and they retaliated by sending me a package of OOP and/or hard to find old power metal CDs — much to my delight. Amongst those CDs was the 2007 debut of Sicily’s Ancestral, a work of rough-edged, chaotic, yet surprisingly aggressive and adept power metal. Skip ahead a handful of months, and the band was announcing its upcoming sophomore release on Facebook after a wait of nearly a full decade.” Italian treats minus the dairy.

Palantír – Lost Between Dimensions [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

Palantír – Lost Between Dimensions [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

“Stormspell Records has rocketed to the top of my list of favorite labels this year, with a case of such enjoyable and varied heavy/power metal pyrotechnics as Blazon Stone, Grimgotts, Númenor, Ancient Empire, Nocturnal Alliance, Raging Fate, Dream Tröll, and perhaps my favorite of the lot, the subject of this review: Sweden’s Palantír.” Gaze into the orb, and you’ll find AMG gazing back.

Lucid Dreaming – The Chronicles Pt. II Review

Lucid Dreaming – The Chronicles Pt. II Review

“2013 saw the release of one of the most unique power metal albums that I’d ever heard. Till Oberboßel (Elvenpath) and his host of guests constitute the conceptual studio project known as Lucid Dreaming, which is based very faithfully on Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles Of Prydain, a rather idyllic young adult coming-of-age saga inspired by Welsh mythology.” Puberty metal.

Scars of Armageddon – Dead End Review

Scars of Armageddon – Dead End Review

Scars of Armageddon has an interesting fusion of sounds to its credit. The band’s style of power metal straddles the line between USPM and Euro-power, with occasional blips of melodic death metal influence, particularly in the rhythm section. All of this, along with a lack of keys, gives them a Germanic cant.” Chicks dig scars, but power metal? Not so much.