Brainstorm
Firesoul AFM Records
Brainstorm are a gem of a band who should be better known than they are, having only come across them with their last album 'Spur of The Moment', I couldn’t wait to get their album on the turntable, and believe me I was not disappointed in the slightest.
How can you put into words what this album is, don’t get me wrong, by no means is it the best album ever, but it’s a metal fans dream, if you like clean vocals, sing-along choruses and exceptional musicianship that uplifts you and really hits the spot, this will do nicely.
Brainstorm are a German band... there’s a surprise, everything that comes out of this country is immense in my opinion, even the dodgy Bavarian shorts and hats! The album opens with the thundering 'Erased By The Dark', this is a fast opener and bodes well for the rest of the album, and I am not wrong! 'Firesoul' whips into the room, and like the opener it’s fast and chugging, I really like Franck's vocals, which can remind you at times a bit of Bruce “foghorn” Dickinson’s style. I am sure this song will become a favourite live as it’s catchy and wunderbar! 'Descendants of the Fire' cracks the whip igniting a firestorm of mean riffs and heads down delight.
'Entering Solitude' is a mellow song with gigantic, soaring vocals it is an emotional number which, for me is Brainstorm's forte they do this kind of song with so much finesse and verve, it really does give you gooseys! 'Recall the Real' has a similar feeling it’s a melodic meltdown, a grandiose number, a stunning tune with an atmosphere of eerie and otherworldly vibes. 'Shadowseeker' sees the band step back up a gear; it’s a delight, with the heavy chugging guitars and melodious effects.
Possibly the heaviest track is track eight 'What Grows Inside', it’s menacing and baleful. Penultimate song is 'The Chosen' a power metal heads delight as is the whole album, its grand and bombastic.
'And I Wonder' is an impressive and spectacular finish to a fabulous album, it has everything, be it the guitarmanship, soaring vocals and floating melodies.
I hope the world sits up and takes notice of Brainstorm they really are amazing, and in this reviewers mind one of the best Power Metal bands around. Go check out these rockers from Stuttgart, grab a hold of 'Firesoul' and their back catalogue, it’s well worth it!
Review by: Seb Di Gatto
Tracklisting:
1. Erased By The Dark 2. Firesoul3. Descendants Of The Fire4. Entering Solitude5. Recall The Real6. Shadowseeker7. Feed Me Lies8. What Grows Inside9. The Chosen10. ... And I Wonder
