Power Metal

Hammerfall – Built to Last Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 3, 2016 in 2016, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Power Metal, 33 comments

“Sometimes I wish AMG released audio reviews. If we did, the first thirty seconds of my review of Hammerfall’s Built to Last would be uncontrollable laughter. I mean, for fuck’s sake, they have a song called the ‘Twilight Princess.’ But, for all the laughter and poking fun I can have with Built to Last, Hammerfall have never let me down. Maybe it’s because I don’t expect that much from them, I have never taken them too seriously, and they have been pretty damn consistent for over twenty years.” BEWARE: Falling hammers.

Theocracy – Ghost Ship Review

By Steel Druhm on November 1, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Ulterium Records, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 55 comments

“Though I’ll admit to having steered clear of “Christian metal” over the years due to some silly, small-minded prejudices, there have been exceptions that slowly opened my eyes. Trouble began life as a “white metal” act and I still loved them intensely, and little known Barren Cross caught me in a weirdly inescapable web of hooks with their Atomic Arena album back in 88. Much more recently I was completely blown away by Theocracy’s 2011 opus As the World Bleeds, which mixed bombastic power with prog and classic metal in a way that suited me down to my nonspiritual bones.” It’s high time to get some religion!

Civil War – The Last Full Measure Review

By Dr. Wvrm on October 27, 2016 in 2016, Heavy Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 35 comments

Copycatting is behavior generally reserved for little twerps on a mulch-surfaced playground at recess (and only slightly less annoying than asking “Why?” non-stop). Imitation naturally extends to metal as well, though it typically has to transcend influence and homage into rank apery before bands get a strike against them. Even blatant mimicry can earn a […]

Debackliner – Debackliner Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 22, 2016 in 2016, French Metal, Heavy Metal, Pitch Black Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 10 comments

“Debackliner is the second French group in a week for me. The first was the excellent Ars Moriendi—a one-man, black metal act focused on the Frenchy weirdness of bands like Spektr and Blut aus Nord. But, Debackliner is something else. It’s not a one-man band, it’s not black metal, and it’s not anything you were expecting.” Is there a French connection?

Black Yet Full of Stars – Black Yet Full of Stars Review

By Ferrous Beuller on October 22, 2016 in 2016, International Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 29 comments

“There’s no doubt about it, in this burgeoning world of myriad metal sub-genres, an unlucky few have been branded as default pejoratives. We’re all guilty of it to some degree: nu metal, metalcore, deathcore… basically anything with a core, all sneered at and vilified down the length of our long, elitist noses. It saddens my iron bones to find that power metal seems to be suffering the same fate. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but there can be no denying the scene’s quality output.” Up with power!

Iron Mask – Diabolica Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 16, 2016 in 2016, AFM Records, Belgian Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Neo-Classical Metal, Power Metal, 20 comments

“While Narnia has shifted their direction to a more power-metal sound, Iron Mask stayed true to the Mighty Malmsteen. Hell, Iron Mask even used an actual Malmsteen vocalist for their epic Black as Death release. But, the Belgian’s 2013 record, Fifth Son of Winterdoom, was not good. And I’m sorta afraid to hear this newest release. Well, duty calls. Here goes nothing…” Answer the call of Malmsteen.

Them – Sweet Hollow Review

By Treble Yell on October 10, 2016 in 2016, Empire Records, Heavy Metal, International Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 50 comments

“New the band may be, but the individual members are all seasoned veterans, most notably bassist Mike LePond from Symphony X and drummer Kevin Talley from Suffocation. Markus Ulrich (Lanfear) and Markus Johansson (Sylencer) are on six-string duties and Richie Seibel (also Lanfear) handles the keyboards. Vocalist Troy Norr’s recent experience moonlighting in a King Diamond tribute band informs what Sweet Hollow is all about.” But they do make a good cup of tea….

Skálmöld – Vögguvísur Yggdrasils Review

By El Cuervo on October 2, 2016 in 2016, Icelandic Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Viking Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal, Viking Metal, 20 comments

“Vögguvísur Yggdrasils is the fourth full-length from Iceland’s most (only?) notable Viking metal band, Skálmöld. I’ve formerly criticized this genre tag in my review of the album’s predecessor but ultimately conceded that it was a neater way of describing the number of influences at play in their energetic interpretation of Northern European mythology.” Let your blood eagle fly.

Almah – E.V.O. Review

By Zephyrus on October 2, 2016 in 2016, Brazilian Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Test Your Metal, Uncategorized, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 24 comments

“Concerning geography, I’m the first to admit my complete and total cluelessness. I’m the guy that, until recently, thought the Philippines were off the coast of Central America. My knowledge of European countries is directly linked to the number of metal bands they have produced. When it comes to Brazil, I’m aware of exactly three things; their Olympics were a gong show, they lost 7-1 and they love their power metal. That’s right, Almah is back with E.V.O, another offering of trademark Brazilian power.” From Brazil with love.

Sonata Arctica – The Ninth Hour Review

By Angry Metal Guy on September 30, 2016 in 2016, Finnish Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 91 comments

“The Ninth Hour marks Sonata Arctica’s fourth full length since Unia. In 2016, that means that half the band’s career is post-Unia and since that monumental album Sonata Arctica has gone through a tense relationship with its history and—if the comments on this blog are anything to go by—their fanbase. This has led to these veterans of Europower reintroducing wolf shirt and their old logo. But for me it’s The Days of Grays—an album distinctly lacking in both—that remains the band’s best since 2007.” So after all this time has Sonata Arctica produced a worthy successor to The Days of Grays?