Brainstorm – Memorial Roots
released in the US 2009Jan13
The best German power metal band named after ‘a spontaneous group discussion to produce ideas and ways of solving problems’ (so says my computer’s dictionary) are back! Twenty years and eight albums later, they have solidified as premier leaders of the genre.
We start strong with a two-punch combination reminiscent of their last release, Downburst. “Forsake What I Believe” ventures into epic territory with a keyboard intro and long runtime, while “Shiver” strips it back to short, fast and raw. Powerful their formula may be, it didn’t fully recapture my attention until “Blood Still Stains”, though it retained it through “Ahimsa”. Both tracks feature keyboards that add a nice dimension to balance the metallic might. I was most impressed with how it accents “Victim” (Bernard Herrmann would be, too), and the tune’s tempo shifts are my favorite on the album.
And I finally figured out who vocalist Andy B. Franck reminds me of: Nevermore‘s Warrel Dane (particularly in terms of timbre and delivery). He rightfully takes center stage to lead the songs, but this is welcome, not overwrought. This does not detract from the rest of the band; rather, it punctuates how much Brainstorm relies on cooperation for maximum effect. Veteran drummer Dieter Bernert interlocks well with newcomer Antonio Leva on bass, while fellow founders Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric are deadly executers of both taut, efficient riffs and exciting solos. This band truly makes you proud to put your fist in the air, with the proverbial foot on the amplifier.
FCC OK
Try 1, 2, 6, 7, 9
01. Forsake What I Believed
02. Shiver
03. The Conjunction Of 7 Planets
04. Cross The Line
05. Nailed Down Dreams
06. Blood Still Stains
07. Ahimsa
08. The Final Stages Of Decay
09. Victim
10. When No One Cares
11. Would You
Rating : 3.5/5
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