Gatekeeper – From Western Shores (Review)

Gatekeeper - From Western ShoresThis is the second album from US heavy metal band Gatekeeper.

Gatekeeper play epic heavy metal, and they do this with passion and skill. From Western Shores contains 49 minutes of classic-feeling material from a band that clearly know what they’re doing with this old-school style. Continue reading “Gatekeeper – From Western Shores (Review)”

Battle Born – Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel (Review)

Battle Born - Blood, Fire, Magic and SteelThis is the debut album from UK power metallers Battle Born.

Following on from their 2020 self-titled debut EP, Battle Born have returned to bring TRVE METAL back into our hearts. Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel brings us 45 minutes of the stuff, and it is glorious. Continue reading “Battle Born – Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel (Review)”

Frozen Crown – Call of the North (Review)

Frozen Crown - Call of the NorthFrozen Crown are an Italian power metal band and this is their fourth album.

With promo blurb that states Call of the North is for fans of Iron Maiden, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, Dragonforce, and Unleash the Archers, it would be churlish not to check this out. I’m glad I did. Continue reading “Frozen Crown – Call of the North (Review)”

Gomorra – Dealer of Souls (Review)

Gomorra - Dealer of SoulsGomorra are a heavy metal band from Switzerland and this is their second album.

Featuring members of Comaniac and Destruction, Gomorra combine heavy, thrash, and power metal into 49 minutes of well-executed music. Continue reading “Gomorra – Dealer of Souls (Review)”

Induction – Born from Fire (Review)

Induction - Born from FireInduction are an international power metal band and this is their second album.

Born from Fire provides the listener with 58 minutes of symphonic power metal to get their teeth into. Like the album cover, it seems Induction are on fire. Continue reading “Induction – Born from Fire (Review)”

Judicator – The Majesty of Decay (Review)

Judicator - The Majesty of DecayThis is the sixth album from US power metallers Judicator.

Following on from 2020’s Let There Be Nothing, The Majesty of Decay delivers 61 minutes of conceptually driven metal. Whereas Let There Be Nothing was historically themed, The Majesty of Decay takes a more contemporary approach, and feels more personal because of this. Continue reading “Judicator – The Majesty of Decay (Review)”

Blind Guardian – The God Machine (Review)

Blind Guardian - The God MachineBlind Guardian are a German power metal band and this is their twelfth album.

Blind Guardian return with a new 51-minute opus. Fans of the band will be interested to know that The God Machine doesn’t directly continue with the trajectory of their last few albums, and instead offers a compelling mix of past and present. Continue reading “Blind Guardian – The God Machine (Review)”

Fellowship – The Saberlight Chronicles (Review)

Fellowship - The Saberlight ChroniclesFellowship are a symphonic power metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.

I love a good power metal album, but I also find I’m constantly disappointed by it, as I’m not easily pleased with the style. Not so with The Saberlight Chronicles – this is a first rate slice of the good stuff. Fun, ridiculously positive and over the top, and packed with great tunes, Fellowship have massively impressed. Continue reading “Fellowship – The Saberlight Chronicles (Review)”

Judicator – Let There Be Nothing (Review)

Judicator - Let There Be NothingJudicator are a power metal band from the US and this is their fifth album.

Let There Be Nothing is a 60-minute concept album, one that’s epic on scope and ambition. Will this be 2020’s best power metal release? Well, it’s certainly the best one I’ve heard so far, for whatever that’s worth. Continue reading “Judicator – Let There Be Nothing (Review)”

Orphaned Land – Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs (Review)

Orphaned LandOrphaned Land are a progressive folk metal band from Israel and this is their sixth album.

Orphaned Land play music that’s inspired and influenced by Middle Eastern melodies and ideas. These elements are skilfully woven into the band’s progressive metal in natural, effortless ways, resulting in characterful and Continue reading “Orphaned Land – Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs (Review)”