Brainstorm
Liquid Monster
Metal Blade Records/Stomp Records Distribution
Liquid Monster
Metal Blade Records/Stomp Records Distribution
German power metal outfit Brainstorm certainly set a high standard for the scene in general with their previous release (2003's "Soul Temptation"), and along with the success of the album, an almost impossible task of matching the excellence with their follow up.
There's little new under the sun for the power metal scene, but Brainstorm (Who consist of vocalist Andy B. Franck, guitarists/backing vocalists Torsten 'Todde' Ihlenfeld and Milan 'Mille' Loncaric, bassist Andreas Andy Mailänder and drummer Dieter Bernert) have managed shake up the formula, and cling onto their reputation as one of the power metal scene's brightest hopes with album number six, "Liquid Monster". Pulling no punches, Brainstorm deliver plenty of heavy riffs and powerful melodies in the opening attack of "Worlds Are Comin' Through", with Franck in particular ensuring that his vocals steer the music well clear of the cheese side of the typical German power metal sound with a strong performance.
"Inside The Monster" is an absolute killer with its stunningly catchy chorus and pounding rhythm section (Strengthened by subtle keyboards from Ferdy Doernberg of Axel Rudi Pell's band fame, who appears throughout the album), while the slower "All Those Words" (The first single/promotional video clip shot for the album) is given a twist with Carmen Schäper providing an operatic contrast to Franck strong voice. "Lifeline" is a little more traditional sounding with its double kick drumming and tight rhythms, while "Invisible Enemy" is salvaged from what could have been filler material with some Eastern influence guitar within the middle section.
The ballad "Heavenly" is perhaps the albums one true weak moment (While reminding me of Yngwie J. Malmsteen's "Dreaming (Tell Me)" through the acoustic passages), but things are soon back on track with the mid paced "Painside" and "Mask Of Life", the thrashier "Despair To Drown" and the solid Brainstorm staples "Even Higher" and "Burns My Soul". "Liquid Monster" is another example of why Brainstorm is Germany's unsung heroes of the power metal world. Rather than follow the tried and true formula of most, Brainstorm manage to vary their albums with plenty of ever changing diversity from song to song, while holding true to the sound they've championed from their previous releases.
This may not be a bold departure for Brainstorm, but it's yet another consistent and entertaining release from the German act, and proof that power metal needn't be one-dimensional like most would have you believe.
The ballad "Heavenly" is perhaps the albums one true weak moment (While reminding me of Yngwie J. Malmsteen's "Dreaming (Tell Me)" through the acoustic passages), but things are soon back on track with the mid paced "Painside" and "Mask Of Life", the thrashier "Despair To Drown" and the solid Brainstorm staples "Even Higher" and "Burns My Soul". "Liquid Monster" is another example of why Brainstorm is Germany's unsung heroes of the power metal world. Rather than follow the tried and true formula of most, Brainstorm manage to vary their albums with plenty of ever changing diversity from song to song, while holding true to the sound they've championed from their previous releases.
This may not be a bold departure for Brainstorm, but it's yet another consistent and entertaining release from the German act, and proof that power metal needn't be one-dimensional like most would have you believe.
For more information on Brainstorm, check out - https://www.facebook.com/officialbrainstorm.
© Justin Donnelly.
