Sabaton

Stormhammer – Seven Seals Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on June 2, 2019 in 2019, German Metal, Massacre Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 34 comments

“There’re seven things in this world I cherish, seven people I don’t hate, and seven albums I’ll love to the grave. OK, the seven ‘things’ are only one, the seven ‘people’ are only two, and the seven albums I plan to die with are none of your fucking business. ‘Seven’ is a lucky number for dumbasses in Hollywood movies. But, for me, seven is a convenient middle-ground to questions from my boss, family, and ‘friends.’ ‘How much longer is this gonna take?!’ Seven minutes. ‘Christmas is starting! How far away are you?’ Seven days. ‘How old is Abigail?’ Seven. Wait! Nine?! Fuck. You get what I mean. Regardless of how idiotic a lucky number can be, ‘seven’ might be, indeed, a lucky number for Germany’s Stormhammer.” Lucky number Stormhammer.

Bloodbound – Rise of the Dragon Empire Review

By Steel Druhm on March 19, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Power Metal, 76 comments

“I miss Swordborn. I really do. He was up on all the latest power metal cheddar and well steeped in the genre’s Gouda, bad and ugly. With him inexplicably missing in action, I’m tasked with more power metal glory than I’ve been since the primordial days of AMG. That means taking the bitter with the sweet and brother, there’s a lot of bitter out there. That brings us to Sweden’s Bloodbound, who began life as a traditional metal act helmed by the great Urban Breed. After he left the band, they shifted from classic to power metal, and since 2014s Stormborn, they’ve been playing the Game of Thrones, delivering tales of dragons, empires, and orcs with somewhat uneven results.” Train your dragon.

Beast in Black – From Hell with Love Review

By Eldritch Elitist on February 12, 2019 in 2019, Finnish Metal, Nuclear Blast, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 80 comments

“To fully understand the absurdity that is Beast in Black is to know their roots and lyrical inclinations. Formed by Battle Beast guitarist Anton Kabanen following his departure from the band in 2015, BiB’s debut Berserker is a sonic extension of BB; ostensibly, it’s an identical formulation of mid-paced heavy/power metal, with added Sabaton influence and a side helping of glam rock and Euro pop. This nakedly derivative formula is made all the more amusing when one realizes that Kabanen also imported his Berserk-themed lyrics from his old band. From Hell With Love sees Beast in Black sinking to new new ineffectual lows, and the resulting irony of pairing this music with one of the most brutal comics I’ve ever encountered is more hilarious than ever.” Love is Hell.

70000 Tons of Metal 2018: Enter the Metal World

By sentynel on March 29, 2018 in 2018, Blog Posts, Live Reviews, 73 comments

“Scene: German dancy folk metal band In Extremo play on a stage built on the deck of a giant ship. In the hot tub in the audience, a woman wearing a unicorn mask headbangs. A conga line lead by Jesus winds its way through the crowd.” Join the Metal Navy!

Last Days of Eden – Chrysalis Review

By Steel Druhm on March 20, 2018 in 2018, Pride & Joy Music, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Symphonic Metal, 75 comments

“When the whole “symphonic metal with opera vocals” thing hit the world with Nightwish, I was intrigued and quite receptive to the concept. I enjoyed their first few albums, yet within a scant few years, the deluge of generic female-fronted clone acts had me running for more extreme climes and rarely have I looked back. That brings us to Last Days of Eden, Spain’s answer to Nightwish.” Symphony of the Night(wish).

Blazon Stone – Down in the Dark [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

By Dr. Wvrm on January 7, 2018 in 2017, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Stormspell Records, Swedish Metal, Things You MIght Have Missed 2017, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 9 comments

“Though pirate metal has branched out in recent decades, Running Wild’s bloody cutlass is still the measuring stick for wannabe scalawags. Blazon Stone defer to the captain publicly, but in quiet plan mutiny. Steal the dread captain’s ship and plunder the high seas with it? Nonsense! No one can best the the captain… can they? Blazon Stone certainly try.” There can be 3 pirate-themed metal bands when 2 are dead.

Serenity – Lionheart Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 26, 2017 in 2017, Austrian Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 97 comments

“Serenity is an Austrian symphonic power metal band that has met my standards with 2016’s Codex Atlanticus. That record was solid, yes, but I was surprised by the band’s newest record landing in my inbox a year after its release. More concerning than surprising, however, is that the record is a concept album about Richard the Lion-Hearted. A solid record a year later is an ask for most bands, but do-able. A solid concept album in the same time is simply a reach. So, is Serenity’s Lionheart a good album? And, more importantly, is it a good concept album?” Lions, hearts and crusades, oh my!

Lonewolf – Raised on Metal Review

By Dr. Wvrm on October 4, 2017 in 2017, French Metal, Heavy Metal, Massacre Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 21 comments

“Lonewolf could desperately use some time off. Raised on Metal culminates a decade-long span that saw seven LP releases, including a peak of increasingly unaffecting albums between 2012-2014. The gap to 2016’s The Heathen Dawn revitalized Lonewolf’s sound, suggesting that even a mild breather can do them some good. Not one for learning from their mistakes (or enjoying life or its many bounties), the Frenchmen offer yet another album for judgment, nary sixteen months later.” Can’t we just admire the French work ethic?

FireForce – Annihilate the Evil Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 3, 2017 in 2017, Belgian Metal, Limb Music, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 29 comments

“Like Sabaton, Belgium’s FireForce focuses all their energy around battles come-and-gone, the bravery of the few, and the historical instances that led to war. With two albums under their belt, this five-piece is back with another history lesson. This time on Greece’s Oxi Day, the Danevirke, the infamous Iron Brigade, and much more. So, come along, dweebs. School’s in session. Grab your Thermos and knapsack, it’s time to get learneded.” The professor is a doctor.

Reflection – Bleed Babylon Bleed Review

By GardensTale on April 7, 2017 in 2017, Epic Metal, Greek Metal, Heavy Metal, Pitch Black Records, Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 17 comments

“Reflection are clearly major fans of Sabaton, however, while it’s not quite a mirror copy of the Swedes, these Greeks have definitely cast Bleed Babylon Bleed from the same mold. But is this an epic fail or can they seize victory on the battlefield?” Souvlakaton.