Primal Fear

Diviner – Avaton Review

By Steel Druhm on November 10, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 37 comments

“In a year steeped with excessive amounts of death metal and the unspeakable depravities that go with that, I’ve been without my normal dosage of sword-swinging traditional and trve metals. Luckily, the Hellenic warriors in Diviner are out to remedy that situation with their mammoth third opus, Avaton. Since their founding in 2015, Diviner made it their business to bring burly, machismo-laden classic metal to the masses on quality platters Fallen Empires and Realms of Time.” Divine interwention.

Iron Savior – Firestar Review

By Steel Druhm on October 4, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 21 comments

“As with so many German metal bands, Iron Savior doesn’t have a kill switch. They’ve been rolling out albums regularly since 1997, completely immune to the shifting tastes and trends in metal. Formed as a classic Euro-power act with legacy ties to the genre’s beginning, founder Piet Sielck has kept his vision and direction very consistent over the band’s 25-plus year voyage, delivering sci-fi-themed power with a heavier, more traditional metal punch and crunch.” Savior complex.

Primal Fear – Code Red Review

By Steel Druhm on August 30, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 39 comments

“When a band makes it to their 14th album, you know they’re either doing something right or they have some really incriminating photos of a record company executive in their back pocket. In the case of German’s Primal Fear, I can’t completely rule out the extortion angle, but I suspect we’ve gotten to this point because these gents know how to play classic Judas Priest-influenced heavy metal with enough hooks and charm to keep folks coming back for more.” Who ordered the Code Red??

Fifth Angel – When Angels Kill Review

By Steel Druhm on June 16, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 36 comments

“Seeing a Fifth Angel promo surface in 2023 comes as quite a nostalgic surprise for Elder Steel. As a metal-loving teen, I stumbled upon their 86 debut while on a treasure hunt at the legendary Slipped Disc record shop in Valley Stream, New York. I knew nothing of them but bought it based on the cool cover and badass song titles. Turns out it was a wise choice as it’s a smoke show of classic metal anthems in the vein of Crimson Glory and Warrior. Their 89 follow-up was also fun but moved in an unsettlingly Dokken-adjacent hair/glam direction. And just like that, they closed up shop. Somehow I missed that they reformed and dropped a new album in 2018, but here we are in 2023 and they’ve crafted a conceptual DOUBLE goddamn ALBUM!” How many angels can fit on a double album?

Screamer – Kingmaker Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on January 11, 2023 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 30 comments

“Screamer doesn’t shout in the face of tradition—they never have and, predictably so, never will. Yes, here in this brand new year of 2023, young(ish) names chase the 40-year (or more) legacy of established icons like Rainbow, Van Halen, and Judas Priest, and there’s nothing wrong with that as many such surviving progenitors have trouble playing after bingo hours these days.” Still sreaming in the night.

Circle of Silence – Walk Through Hell Review

By Steel Druhm on May 27, 2022 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 53 comments

“Fate and happenstance have conspired against Germany’s Circle of Silence lo these many years. I was scheduled to review both their 2013 outing The Rise of Resistance and 2018s effort The Crimson Throne. In both cases, I was forced to drop them to cover bigger albums and Circle of Silence was silenced. When I saw the promo for fourth album, Walk Through Hell bobbing in the noxious filth of the promo sump, I made a blood oath that no force on Earth or beyond would prevent me from reviewing it. I owed it to them.” Hell, oaths, wictory and wengeance.

Saxon – Carpe Diem Review

By Steel Druhm on February 2, 2022 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 90 comments

“Saxon was there with Elrond 3000 years ago when Sauron fell. Saxon has more albums than some of you have years on Earth. Saxon will still be releasing albums long after you are dust crumbs. These are truisms metal fans must accept before moving on and living a happy and productive existence. Now Saxon’s 23rd fucking album is here, and it’s titled, Carpe Diem. And what can you expect to find when you follow instructions and seize the day?” Elder Godz and day hoarding.

Brainstorm – Wall of Skulls Review

By Steel Druhm on September 14, 2021 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 95 comments

“Ever since I stumbled upon Brainstorm by way of Symphorce by way of Ivanhoe, I’ve found these German heavy metal masters to be one of the most reliably ass-kicking acts running. And what a run they’ve been on of late. Every album since 2014s Firesoul has been extra-inspired and brimming with fist-pumping, blood-angering metal classics. 2018s Midnight Ghost was the best in a long line of very good to great outings and it gave me everything I crave from a traditional metal album. Led by powerhouse vocalist Andy B. Franck, Brainstorm have long shown a knack for crafting tunes loaded with hook after hook, infused with beefy, muscular riffage in the Nevermore / Iced Earth vein, and few bands can match their ability to craft a monster chorus. On thirteenth opus Wall of Skulls, absolutely nothing has changed.” Trophy metal.

Avaland – Theater of Sorcery Review

By Twelve on March 31, 2021 in Reviews, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 33 comments

“The metal opera is, enduringly, one of my favorite concepts of the genre. Avantasia and Ayreon are the two projects that I return to most often, and it seems I’m not the only one. Adrien Gzagg, of Grenoble, France, has been similarly inspired, which is why today I’m introducing you to Avaland and its debut full-length, Theater of Sorcery, a symphonic power metal opera with a fantastical backstory.” Another rainy night at the metal opera.

Primal Fear – Metal Commando Review

By Steel Druhm on July 28, 2020 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 39 comments

“Anthems, man. Big, beefy, brainless metal anthems. We all love em, and there are some bands born to churn em out. Primal Fear is at the front of that mob, throwing elbows and spilling cheap beer on posers. Unsurprisingly, lucky album 13, the cringe-inducing yet righteously titled Metal Commando is another big ball o’ metal anthems.” Metal forces.