Brainstorm: Wall of Skulls

German power metallers Brainstorm are a prolific outfit by modern standards. Wall of Skulls is their eleventh full-length release since vocalist Andy B. Franck joined the band in 1999. It is also one of their better efforts.

In addition to Franck, the lineup includes mainstays Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric on guitars and drummer Dieter Bernert, all of whom have been with the band since their debut release, and Antonio Ieva on bass, who joined with the 2009 release, Memorial Roots. Unusual for the band is the inclusion of two guest vocalists: Peavy Wagner of Rage, who appears on “Escape the Silence,� and Seeb Levermann of Orden Ogan, who also produced the album, on “Turn Off the Light.� Not surprisingly, given Wagner’s presence, “Escape the Silence� is one of the speedier and thrashier songs. It’s a good track. “Turn Off the Light� is enjoyable as well, and more in keeping with traditional power metal.

One criticism that has been leveled at Brainstorm is that their albums sound a lot alike. There is some truth to that. But when most albums are of high quality, is that necessarily a bad thing? Wall of Skulls features their typical sound: a heavier brand of power metal but with vocals that are memorable and easy to sing along to, common to the genre. I have the chorus of “Where Ravens Fly� in my head, in fact, as I write this review.

The album is well produced. It sounds good on home speakers, headphones, and in the car. It may be a bit front-loaded, with many of the strongest tracks found on the first half of the album, but the second half is no sleeper.

The promotional copy of the album has 12 tracks (including a short, atmospheric opener). The listing for the CD has only 11, though, with the final song, “Cold Embrace, Ltd.� omitted. Perhaps it will appear as a bonus track on a special release. The album features another strong cover from artist Gyula Havancsak.

Wall of Skulls is not my favorite Brainstorm release. It will take something particularly special to overtake 2003’s Soul Temptation for that position, but I would place it in the top third of their discography, and it is probably my favorite of the last decade.

The album will be released on September 17th on AFM Records.

Track Listing:
1. Chamber Thirteen
2. Where Ravens Fly
3. Solitude
4. Escape the Silence
5. Turn Off the Light
6. Glory Disappears
7. Dystopia
8. End of My Innocence
9. Stigmatized (Shadows Fall)
10. Holding
11. I, the Deceiver
12. Cold Embrace, Ltd.

Added: October 14th 2021
Reviewer: Aaron Steelman
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1832
Language: english

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