Angry Metal Guy<p><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/brainstorm-plague-of-rats-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brainstorm – Plague of Rats Review</a></p><p><i>By Steel Druhm</i></p><p>Another <strong>Brainstorm</strong> album is upon us, and that means another opportunity for me to blather on about how they’re the most consistent heavy metal band out there. Since I found them back in 2000 by stalking frontman extraordinaire Andy B. Franck from his <strong>Ivanhoe</strong> and <strong>Symphorce</strong> projects, they’ve regularly impressed me with their hyper-hooky and punchy take on the classic heavy metal formula. Their sound is similar to <strong>Primal Fear</strong> and <strong>Mystic Prophecy</strong> with nods to <strong>Tad Morose</strong> and the catchier eras of <strong>Iced Earth</strong>, and albums like <em>Ambiguit</em>y, <em>Mentus Mortis</em>, <em>Soul Temptatio</em>n, <em>Firesoul</em>, <em>Midnight Ghost</em> and 2021s <em>Wall of Skulls</em> offer so much catchy, beefy metal with such high levels of replay addiction, it almost seems unfair. Even their “lesser” albums are stocked with huge high points. That brings us to the 14th album, <em>Plague of Rat</em>s. <strong>Brainstorm</strong> are seasoned and savvy enough to know they shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken, so this is another platter full of Andy’s powerful vocals soaring forcefully over crunchy riffs. They always possessed a supernatural ability to craft huge choruses and that crucial skill continues to bear juicy fruit with a collection of large and in-charge tunes designed to jack you up like a honey badger on diesel meth. Ready to brave the Ratnado?</p><p>As per usual for <strong>Brainstorm</strong>, they come out swinging after an obligatory intro. “Beyond Enemy Lines” is a big song with an epic chorus that you’ll remember after just one exposure. It’s got everything <strong>Brainstorm</strong> is known for, namely Andy’s huge voice and Torsten Ihlenfeld’s and Milan Loncaric’s ace riffs that pave the road and flatten resistance. It also has that feeling of BIGness that <strong>Brainstorm</strong> always delivers, getting your blood up and angry. “Garuda (Eater of Snakes)” finds the band revisiting their love of Indian culture and mythology as they did so famously on <em>Soul Temptation</em>, and they’re once again blessed with massive success by Shiva and Company. This is such a simple song structure-wise but it’s just so damn badass and Andy sells it like he just heard the motivational speech from <em>Glengarry Glen Ross</em>. You simply cannot hear this and not love it. “The Shepard Girl (Gitavoginda)” is another massive tune with more hooks than a Bass Pro Super Shop and it’s everything I love about <strong>Brainstorm</strong> in one sharp 3-plus minute explosion with a chorus you can’t unhear or forget.</p><p>Song after song arrives, delivers, and departs, and though not every selection has the scope and power of the high points, nothing falls flat. “Masquerade Conspiracy” is all about the thick, beefy riffs and a <strong>Primal Fear</strong>-esque attack, and “The Dark of Night” inspires the spirit with an ever so slightly Gothic shade and a ginormously epic chorus that stabs your brain like an ice pick. What are the downsides? The back half is less titanic than the front, though no song feels unworthy of inclusion. At a crisp 45 minutes, <em>Plague of Rats</em> is a dynamic ride, and if forced to pick a song to drop, I’d go with “From Hell.” It’s a solid enough cut with decent death metal guest vocals by Alexander Krull, but it’s the weakest monkey in the barrel of greater apes. One could also argue there are traces of self-plagiarism creeping in at times, and several riffs do sound a lot like those from the <em>Ambiguity</em> and <em>Mentus Mortis</em> platters. These are small concerns though when an album is as entertaining as <em>Plague of Rats</em>.</p><p></p><p>Every few years I go on a rant about how underappreciated Andy B. Franck is among metal vocalists, so here’s the next installment. Andy is one of the very best vocalists in all of metal and he’s aging like the finest of expensive vintages. He’s not a high-pitched wailer and bases his delivery around a burly mid-range but the man can stretch to great heights when needed and knows exactly how to place his vocal lines for maximum effect. I’ve been a huge fan since I heard him on the old <strong>Ivanhoe</strong> albums and he’s still blowing my mind 27 years later. Give this man some love already! The rest of <strong>Brainstorm</strong> are masters of their craft too. Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric are one of the best guitar tandems in metal, consistently churning out fist-pumping, ass-kicking riffs to drive songs through the wall like an Adamantium Kool-Aid Man. They bring power and poise to the game and know how to keep interest levels high. Dieter Bernert’s been there since the beginning bringing down the thunder with furious anger, creating the stable foundation for the larger-than-life songcrafting.</p><p>Another <strong>Brainstorm</strong> release and another victory for this hard-working crew of Teutonic Titans. You need never worry about whether they’ll deliver the goods and you always end up loving what you get. <em>Plague of Rats</em> is another in a long line of <strong>Brainstorm</strong> albums I’ll be playing and replaying for years and maybe decades. If you haven’t gotten into this band yet, you’re a daft punk. Be like <strong>Brainstorm</strong> and do the right thing. Even the rats know the deal.</p><p></p> <p><strong>Rating:</strong> 3.5/5.0<br><strong>DR:</strong> 5 | <strong>Format Reviewed:</strong> 320 kbps mp3<br><strong>Label:</strong> <a href="https://reigningphoenixmusic.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reigning Phoenix</a><br><strong>Websites:</strong> <a href="https://www.brainstorm-web.net/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">brainstorm-web.net</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/officialbrainstorm" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/officialbrainstorm</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/official.brainstorm/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">instagram.com/official.brainstorm</a><br><strong>Releases Worldwide:</strong> February 28th, 2025</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2025/" target="_blank">#2025</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/35/" target="_blank">#35</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/ambiguity/" target="_blank">#Ambiguity</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/brainstorm/" target="_blank">#Brainstorm</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/feb25/" target="_blank">#Feb25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/german-metal/" target="_blank">#GermanMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/heavy-metal/" target="_blank">#HeavyMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/iced-earth/" target="_blank">#IcedEarth</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/mentus-mortis/" target="_blank">#MentusMortis</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/mystic-prophecy/" target="_blank">#MysticProphecy</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/plague-of-rats/" target="_blank">#PlagueOfRats</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/primal-fear/" target="_blank">#PrimalFear</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reigning-phoenix-music/" target="_blank">#ReigningPhoenixMusic</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/soul-temptation/" target="_blank">#SoulTemptation</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/wall-of-skulls/" target="_blank">#WallOfSkulls</a></p>
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Angry Metal Guy<p><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/kilmara-journey-to-the-sun-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Kilmara – Journey to the Sun Review</a></p><p><i>By Killjoy</i></p><p>The 1980s was a decade that is often portrayed with a thick rose-tinted sheen in today’s media. Whether it was a better time during which to live or this idea was born from simple nostalgia I’ll leave to the reader’s discretion. The fact remains that tons of music artists–both inside and outside of the metal sphere–wear their 80s influence as prominently as Indiana Jones wears his signature fedora. Spanish melodic power metal band <strong>Kilmara</strong> is intent to join their ranks with <em>Journey to the Sun</em>, whose overarching theme centers around video game arcades at the height of popularity. Can they effectively combine the classic with the contemporary or is this a feeble remake? The only way to find out is to insert a few coins and press start.</p><p><strong>Kilmara</strong> leveled up considerably after selecting yes at their last continue screen. While 2018’s <em>Across the Realm of Time</em> sanded off the unsightly edges of their early heavy/power metal to achieve a cleaner, more polished sound, it ultimately suffered from lackluster songwriting. On the title track of <em>Journey to the Sun</em>, Daniel Ponce sings, “Choose wisely who’s by your side.” <strong>Kilmara</strong> have taken their own advice to heart, bringing on guitarist/songwriter Carles Salse and drummer Eric Killer to power up the group. Their influence is palpable; this time around the vocals and guitars work in lockstep to sling sticky hooks and choruses, some of which became lodged in my brain after only a few listens. “Alliance of the Free” is my personal favorite, sprinkled with spirited guitar leads and an infectious chorus that elicits triumphant feelings.</p><p><em>Journey to the Sun</em> derives much of its success from transmuting the simple and upbeat melodies common in retro video games to a modern power metal form. In this sense, <strong>Kilmara</strong>’s game plan is not dissimilar to that of <strong>Beast in Black</strong>’s science fiction aesthetic run through an 80s filter, the major difference being that <strong>Kilmara</strong> is very much guitar-centric in the same way as <strong>Fellowship</strong> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75_VrG18byo" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Evershine</strong></a>. There are several guitar leads in particular (“An Even Whole,” “Alliance of the Free,” “Wildfire”) that I can envision looping in the background of an arcade game stage. Synths are present, of course, but used with tasteful restraint. Another example of moderation is Ponce’s vocal delivery. While I wouldn’t call him a powerhouse, he wisely stays within his range in registers lower than one might commonly associate with power metal while still bringing plenty of character and charisma. His voice has a nasally yet gritty pop-punk texture which may not appeal to everyone, but it can ably carry a chorus in a manner that gives the record a definite poppy quality.</p><p></p><p>The tradeoff of being constrained to relatively simple melodies is that this <em>Journey to the Sun</em> thrusts or stalls according to the level of catchiness from song to song. From this standpoint, the album is front loaded with the strongest material, but everything after “Chances”–a bizarrely decent mashup of a power ballad and good, old-fashioned heavy metal–slowly atrophies in sticking power as the album progresses. To be clear, nothing in the back half is bad or even bland but the hooks aren’t as barbed, particularly in the choruses of “An Even Whole” and “Take Me Back.” The latter features singer Daniel Heiman (<strong>Lost Horizon</strong>, <strong>Sacred Outcry</strong>) in the Player 2 slot but probably shouldn’t have been a duet, as Heiman is obliged to uncharacteristically stick to lower pitches to not leave his partner behind. These are, perhaps, nitpicks, but with such a narrow win condition, <strong>Kilmara</strong> can’t afford much of a drop in their damage per second.</p><p><strong>Kilmara</strong> shot for the <em>Sun</em> and, while they didn’t entirely stick the landing, I still consider the <em>Journey</em> a success. It’s undeniably derivative and straightforward (like much retro-themed music) but also endearingly earnest. <em>Journey to the Sun</em> is a pleasant, comfortable listen that should appeal to those who like their power metal with an extra helping of melody. Next time, I’d like to see <strong>Kilmara</strong> apply their songwriting talents to a less cliché concept than 80s nostalgia but, in any case, I look forward to their attempt to beat their personal high score.</p><p></p> <p><strong>Rating</strong>: 3.5/5.0<br><strong>DR:</strong> 4 | <strong>Format Reviewed:</strong> 320 kbps mp3<br><strong>Label:</strong> <a href="https://reigningphoenixmusic.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reigning Phoenix Music</a><br><strong>Websites:</strong> <a href="https://roar-kilmara.bandcamp.com/album/across-the-realm-of-time" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">roar-kilmara.bandcamp.com</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kilmaraofficial/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/kilmaraofficial</a><br><strong>Releases Worldwide:</strong> January 31st, 2025</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2025/" target="_blank">#2025</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/35/" target="_blank">#35</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/beast-in-black/" target="_blank">#BeastInBlack</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/evershine/" target="_blank">#Evershine</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/fellowship/" target="_blank">#Fellowship</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/heavy-metal/" target="_blank">#HeavyMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/jan25/" target="_blank">#Jan25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/journey-to-the-sun/" target="_blank">#JourneyToTheSun</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/kilmara/" target="_blank">#Kilmara</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/lost-horizon/" target="_blank">#LostHorizon</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/power-metal/" target="_blank">#PowerMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reigning-phoenix-music/" target="_blank">#ReigningPhoenixMusic</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sacred-outcry/" target="_blank">#SacredOutcry</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/spanish-metal/" target="_blank">#SpanishMetal</a></p>
Angry Metal Guy<p><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/athena-xix-everflow-part-1-frames-of-humanity-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Athena XIX – Everflow Part 1: Frames of Humanity Review</a></p><p><i>By Dolphin Whisperer</i></p><p>Before Fabio Lione rose to prominence with<strong> [(Luca) Turilli(/Lione)’s] Rhapsody [of Fire]</strong> and <strong>Angra</strong>, <strong>Athena</strong>—stylized now as <strong>Athena XIX</strong><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/athena-xix-everflow-part-1-frames-of-humanity-review/#fn-204087-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">1</a>—served as another potential vehicle into the growing European prog/power landscape. Wielding an of-the-time histrionic <strong>Dream Theater</strong> guitar-driven drama alongside the lightness of chorus-driven power metal, the low-fanfare Italian outfit<strong> </strong>never quite topped any charts despite respectable musicianship and Lione’s formative pipes on 1998’s <em>A New Religion</em><span><em>?.</em></span> And after another swing at success, sans the <strong>Rhapsody</strong>-snatched Lione, with 2001’s equally unreceived <em>Twilight of Days</em>, <strong>Athena</strong> hung up its spurs to ride another day. And now, twenty-six years after Lione had debuted his only full-length recording with <strong>Athena</strong>, that same line-up has returned, rested and determined to show age like a fine Parmigiano-Reggiano.</p><p><strong>Athena XIX</strong>, at core, emerges with <em>Everflow Part 1: Frames of Humanity</em> as a revived relic of the late ’90s and early ’00s prog/power realm. Finding riffs that move with the low-end groove of classic <strong>Symphony X</strong> and an overblown narrative that flies due to the talent of a powerhouse vocalist—think Jørn Lande with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9un2HDLoJ_Q" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Beyond Twilight</strong></a> or Vasilis Georgiou from <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sunburst-manifesto-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Sunburst</strong></a>—<strong>Athena XIX</strong> hasn’t made many attempts to live in the synth-forward lands of modern takes on the style. That’s not to say that classic line-up keyboardist Gabriele Guidi strays entirely away from the dancing electronic works of a band like <strong>Voyager</strong>, with a pulsing <em>wub</em> and panning synth flutter adorning key intros to keep the total of <em>Frames</em> diverse (“Legacy of the World,” “The Calm Before the Storm”). But <strong>Athena XIX</strong> always manages to find a way back to a driving stringed refrain, whether it be in the virtuosic thick-stringed pop of Alessio Sabella (“The Day We Obscured the Sun,” “The Conscience of Everything” among others) or the down-tuned axe clamor of Simone Pellegrini.</p><p>Despite the instrumental prowess at play throughout <em>Frames</em>, its true power rests in the piped-prowess that Lione imbues into every verse and chorus. Neither as operatic as his time with any of the <strong>Rhapsody</strong>s (especially <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/turilli-lione-rhapsody-zero-gravity-rebirth-and-evolution-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Turilli / Lione Rhapsody</strong></a>) nor as aggressive as in his <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amg-goes-ranking-angra/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">continued charge with <strong>Angra</strong></a>, Lione uses <strong>Athena XIX</strong> to play around with different, more subtle techniques. Though morose and haunting vocal harmonies are standard in the darker tones of prog/power, Lione’s wide range serves him well in creating a unique eeriness between his capable heady highs, smooth mid-range croons, ghastly counterpoint lows, and reckless nasal lashings (“Legacy…,” “The Conscience…,” “Where Innocence Disappears”). Given the number of layers that live within each phrase for these captivating runs, it’d be easy for Lione to get lost in the art of tracking. But as <em>Frames</em> progresses Lione reveals consistently that he still possesses the pure diaphragmatic might to sear gigantic choruses and gritty wails deep into ears that crave his dramatic expression with late player “Synchrolife” seeing every cranny of his voice play out against a wild-and-whipping sonic clash.</p><p></p><p>Though just about everything that <strong>Athena XIX</strong> has put to tape produces a gentle bob of a closed-eye groove or delightful and resonant harmony, <em>Frames</em> doesn’t build a strong scaffold for its cinematic scope. A few moments from a tonal perspective do feel like they belong side-by-side—the riff reprisal of “The Day…” into “The Seed,” the piano refrain morphing to modulated synth backing from “Where Innocence Disappears to “Idle Mind.” But these kinds of related happenings often occur regardless of whether an album’s connected ideas build a greater thematic whole. And with a continued reliance on huge choruses to propel interest, <em>Frames</em>’ fifty-plus minute stretch enters the realm of crescendo fatigue without a tightly woven plot to catch it. By the time we arrive at the dramatic closing segue that presumably builds for part two’s introduction, I have a hard time believing more is necessary.</p><p>Twenty-three years in the making, <em>Everflow Part 1: Frames of Humanity</em> does more right than wrong for a band who never got much of a chance to prove themselves to the greater metalverse. <strong>Athena XIX</strong> may find comfort in a sound long removed from the popular paradigm, but its members, many of whom also have assisted in the engineering and recording of this comeback album, have kept an ear to enough production trends and tonal constructions to give <em>Frames</em> a full and engaging platform to display their talents. And, perchance, its implied sequel will deliver to us a package further refined to turn gentle smiles into screaming fans.</p><p></p> <p><strong>Rating:</strong> 3.0/5.0<br><strong>DR:</strong> 6 | <strong>Format Reviewed:</strong> 320 kbps mp3<br><strong>Label:</strong> <a href="https://shopeu.reigningphoenixmusic.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reigning Phoenix Music</a><br><strong>Website: </strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Athena.Band.Italy/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/Athena.Band.Italy</a><br><strong>Releases Worldwide:</strong> December 6th, 2024</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/luca-turillis-lione-rhapsody-of-fire/" target="_blank">#LucaTurilliSLioneRhapsodyOfFire_</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2024/" target="_blank">#2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/30/" target="_blank">#30</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/angra/" target="_blank">#Angra</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/athena-xix/" target="_blank">#AthenaXIX</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/beyond-twilight/" target="_blank">#BeyondTwilight</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/dec24/" target="_blank">#Dec24</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/dream-theater/" target="_blank">#DreamTheater</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/italian-metal/" target="_blank">#ItalianMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/power-metal/" target="_blank">#PowerMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progpower/" target="_blank">#ProgPower</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progressive-metal/" target="_blank">#ProgressiveMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reigning-phoenix-music/" target="_blank">#ReigningPhoenixMusic</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/rhapsody/" target="_blank">#Rhapsody</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/rhapsody-of-fire/" target="_blank">#RhapsodyOfFire</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sunburst/" target="_blank">#Sunburst</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/symphony-x/" target="_blank">#SymphonyX</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/turilli-lione-rhapsody/" target="_blank">#TurilliLioneRhapsody</a></p>
Angry Metal Guy<p><strong><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/god-dethroned-the-judas-paradox-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">God Dethroned – The Judas Paradox Review</a></strong></p><p><i>By Dear Hollow</i></p><p>I got saddled with <strong>God Dethroned </strong>even though I’m not entirely sure what my qualifications are. I really liked <em>Under the </em><em>Sign of the Iron Cross</em>, which I didn’t even realize was part of a war-themed trilogy, so I had to race through a crash course in the Dutch death metallers. While they peaked in the late ’90s with <em>The Grand Grimoire </em>and <em>Bloody Blasphemy </em>and encountered a resurgence with the World War I trilogy, the act has truly never made a bad album. As such, the lesser in quality maintain a better simmer than the high heat of much of death metal’s legions. However, the inimitable and illustrious <strong><span>Ferrous Beuller</span> </strong>expressed pleasant despondence about 2020’s <em>Illuminati</em>, reasserting its quality while pointing out its relatively monotone dynamics. Is <em>The Judas Paradox </em>a new peak or a pleasant simmer?</p><p><strong>God Dethroned </strong>continues its melodeath and blackened influence in its pummeling breed of riffy death metal. Expect the usual: blazing riffs and wild solos courtesy of Henri Sattler and Dave Meester, weighty bass of Jeroen Pomper and rock-solid percussion of Frank Schilperoort, guided by Sattler’s nasty snarls. Continuing the theme of <em>Illuminati </em>with anti-Christian sentiment through the lens of Vatican obfuscation, <em>The Judas Paradox</em> balances its attack with ecclesiastical moods and melodic motifs with an album as intense as it is haunting. Contrary to its predecessor, however, in which the whole was prioritized over the parts, <strong>God Dethroned </strong>deals in several different sounds that strike differently. As a result, while still bulletproof and undeniably trademark, <em>The Judas Paradox </em>is an improvement over <em>Illuminati </em>but little else.</p><p>While <strong>God Dethroned </strong>maintains a solid foundation of riffy, black-influenced, and melodic death metal, there are several dimensions to <em>The Judas Paradox</em>: the darker, the heavy metal-influenced, and the riffy. The opening title track introduces the darker, haunting plucking motif offering a ghostly and mysterious aura atop its more chugging riff, a palette honed and weaponized in “Hubris Anorexia” and “Asmodeus,” adding to the darker liturgical theme that the album proffers. Meanwhile, the full-out riff assaults of “The Hanged Man,” “The Eye of Providence,” and “War Machine” are sure to get your head bobbing with bruising rhythms and searing leads. Finally, tracks that feature an older heavy metal melodic template like “Rat Kingdom,” “Kashmir Princess,” and “Hailing Death,” feel like a throwback to <strong>Slayer</strong>’s best eras, complete with wailing solos and tastefully dramatic progressions. Although its elements are far more distinct than its predecessor, <em>The Judas Paradox </em>is held together by <strong>God Dethroned</strong>’s trademark foundation, and Meester’s solos are always a welcome element.</p><p></p><p>The problem with <em>The Judas Paradox </em>is that there are weaker tracks aboard, particularly in the back half, and the album’s holistic inability to hold a candle to <strong>God Dethroned</strong>’s classic albums is also prominent. The vapid repetition of “Kashmir Princess” and its passage of random electronic warbles, the indecisive chord progressions of “Hubris Anorexia,” the awkward rhythms of “Broken Bloodlines,” and the strange melodic chanting of closer “War Machine” make them questionable songwriting choices for a band so devoted to consistency. Ultimately, “The Judas Paradox” is the best track here, the ultimate audio representation of its blasphemous themes and Vatican interpretation – leaving every subsequent track in its shadow. As such, although <em>Illuminati </em>and <em>The Judas Paradox </em>are returns to <strong>God Dethroned</strong>’s more heretical foundations, they are different beasts entirely than the likes of <em>Bloody Blasphemy</em>. While the strong arm of death metal still flexes and flashes of melodic death adds a humanity, they focus more on black metal elements than in previous incarnations – making this duo more scathing than devastating.</p><p>I stand by what has been said again and again: <strong>God Dethroned </strong>does not make bad albums, and <em>The Judas Paradox </em>is no exception. It’s a step up from <em>Illuminati </em>in that it focuses on distinctness between tracks rather than a death metal blanket statement of solidarity, but that lends itself to inconsistencies and jarring placements. The second half of <em>The Judas Paradox </em>is a tad weaker in some questionable experimental tendencies, but beneath the pomp and circumstance, it’s still a <strong>God Dethroned </strong>album, and the Dutch quartet maintains its legendary status through its twelfth full-length – nothing more, nothing less.</p><p></p> <p><strong>Rating</strong>: 3.0/5.0<br><strong>DR</strong>: 5 | <strong>Format Reviewed</strong>: 320 kbps mp3<br><strong>Label</strong>: <a href="https://reigningphoenixmusic.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reigning Phoenix Music</a><br><strong>Websites</strong>: <a href="https://goddethroned.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">goddethroned.bandcamp.com</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/goddethronedofficial/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/goddethronedofficial</a><br><strong>Releases Worldwide</strong>: February 7th, 2020</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2024/" target="_blank">#2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/30/" target="_blank">#30</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/blackened-death-metal/" target="_blank">#BlackenedDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/death-metal/" target="_blank">#DeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/dutch-metal/" target="_blank">#DutchMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/god-dethroned/" target="_blank">#GodDethroned</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/melodic-blackened-death-metal/" target="_blank">#MelodicBlackenedDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/melodic-death-metal/" target="_blank">#MelodicDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reigning-phoenix-music/" target="_blank">#ReigningPhoenixMusic</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sep24/" target="_blank">#Sep24</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/slayer/" target="_blank">#Slayer</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-judas-paradox/" target="_blank">#TheJudasParadox</a></p>
Angry Metal Guy<p><strong><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/all-for-metal-gods-of-metal-year-of-the-dragon-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">All for Metal – Gods of Metal (Year of the Dragon) Review</a></strong></p><p><i>By Holdeneye</i></p><p>Damn, I love watching the Olympics. As a former high school and collegiate shot putter, I am captivated mostly by the track, field, and weightlifting events, but my interest goes beyond that into watching the incredible performances in volleyball, rugby, and gymnastics as well. Many of my favorite events are judged by very objective standards like distance thrown, time run, points scored, or weight lifted, but while watching gymnastics, I realized that calculating a score comprised of subjective ‘difficulty’ and ‘execution’ ratings is not unlike what your favorite Angry Metal reviewers do when scoring albums. Yeah, that new avant-garde, technical, progressive disso-grind album may have an insane difficulty rating, but the chances of the band sticking the dismount is next-to-none, in my humble opinion. I believe every reviewer falls somewhere along a spectrum between valuing difficulty over execution, and vice versa. I am firmly in the ‘execution’ camp. I really don’t care if a band is doing something new with their sound; all I care about is: ‘did they nail it?’</p><p>When <strong>All for Metal</strong> released their <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/all-for-metal-legends-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">debut album</a>, <em>Legends</em>, just barely over one year ago, my relationship with metal and metal writing was in a dark place. After I saw/heard the singles for that debut, I initially waved these guys off as just another <strong>Sabaton</strong>, <strong>Brothers of Metal</strong>, and/or <strong>Manowar</strong> rip-off (albeit with a side of <strong>Disturbed</strong>), so it came as a total shock when the album’s cheesy anthems finally clicked, reigniting the dying embers trapped within my downtrodden heart of steel. Having said that, <em>Legends</em>’ success did little to assuage my fears that following up that record after so short a time might be biting off more than <strong>All for Metal</strong> could chew, but I’m happy to report that these lads and lasses are more than up to the task on <em>Gods of Metal (Year of the Dragon)</em>.</p><p>While <strong>All for Metal</strong>’s songwriting style tends towards the generic, the execution is impressive. I had a tough time choosing a single to embed since they all highlight some aspect of the band’s strengths, but I ultimately went for “Path of the Brave,” a ballad that properly shows off <strong>All for Metal</strong>’s secret weapon: singer Antonio Calanna. This guy could sing the phonebook and I’d probably give it a 3.0. He takes good songs like the title track, “The Way of the Samurai,” and “Valkyries in the Sky” and elevates them to greatness. After the band’s resident mountain of power, Tetzel (also of <strong>Asenblut</strong>), begins “Who Wants to Live Forever” with his Arnold Schwarzenegger-on-even-<em>moar</em>-steroids singing voice, Calanna gives a heartfelt performance that ends the album on a surprisingly powerful, somber note.</p><p></p><p>There are a couple of things I’d change about <em>Gods of Metal</em>, but they are relatively minor. “Like Loki and Thor” feels like a 0.3-point deduction as it falls into good-but-nearly-filler territory; it’s just a little too campy and fails to induce the same level of excitement as its neighbors. I don’t mind the guest singing of <strong>Burning Witches</strong>’ Laura Guldemond on “Valkeries in the Sky,” but I’d honestly rather Calanna had sung the whole thing because he’s just much, much better. While Calanna gets MVP honors again, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention <strong>All or Metal</strong>’s guitar duo, Ursula Zanichelli and Jasmin Pabst. These ladies are able to take a very modern, crunchy approach to the guitar and make it feel right at home amongst the traditional ethos of these metal anthems. The songs may be straightforward, but there are enough licks and leads thrown in to make them feel molten and vibrant.</p><p><strong>All for Metal</strong>’s approach does not come with a high difficulty rating, so their execution is of the utmost importance. They absolutely delivered on debut <em>Legends</em>, and while I doubted they could repeat after so short a time, <em>Gods of Metal (Year of the Dragon)</em> gets high marks as well. These guys seem to have garnered quite the following in a very short amount of time, and it’s easy to see why: they’ve made metal fun again. Cheers to these brothers and sisters of metal, and may the blood on their katanas never dry!</p><p></p> <p><strong>Rating:</strong> 3.0/5.0<br><strong>DR:</strong> 5 | <strong>Format Reviewed:</strong> 320 kb/s mp3<br><strong>Label:</strong> <a href="https://reigningphoenixmusic.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reigning Phoenix Music</a><br><strong>Websites:</strong> <a href="http://allformetal.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">allformetal.com</a> | <a href="http://facebook.com/allformetalofficial" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/allformetalofficial</a><br><strong>Releases Worldwide:</strong> August 23rd, 2024</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2024/" target="_blank">#2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/30/" target="_blank">#30</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/all-for-metal/" target="_blank">#AllForMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/asenblut/" target="_blank">#Asenblut</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aug24/" target="_blank">#Aug24</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/brothers-of-metal/" target="_blank">#BrothersOfMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/disturbed/" target="_blank">#Disturbed</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/gods-of-metal/" target="_blank">#GodsOfMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/heavy-metal/" target="_blank">#HeavyMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/international-metal/" target="_blank">#InternationalMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/manowar/" target="_blank">#Manowar</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/power-metal/" target="_blank">#PowerMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reigning-phoenix-music/" target="_blank">#ReigningPhoenixMusic</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sabaton/" target="_blank">#Sabaton</a></p>
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