This week, namely today, has been incredibly eventful in the world of power metal. Aside from the highly-anticipated comeback album of Tommy Johansson’s Majestica/ReinXeed, Above the Sky, we were blessed with an absolute assload of high-profile singles.
So, to keep you busy this weekend, take a look at what’s new in power and folk metal!
Elvenking – Under the Sign of a Black Star
Beginning with the one that I was the most excited for, Elvenking’s first single of Reader of the Runes: Divination (out 30 August) is finally here. It’s a great piece of power/folk metal, but it’s nothing special by Elvenking’s standards. The whole thing is really straightforward and, for some reason, the vocal mix seems to be quiet on all of the speakers I’ve heard it on so far.
Anyway, this definitely isn’t enough to drop my hopes in the upcoming album, because it’s pretty typical to save your best or most intricate tracks for the album release, but I’m hopeful that the majority of the album will be better than this one.
Turilli / Lione Rhapsody – DNA (Demon and Angel)
On the other side of my expectations, Turilli / Lione Rhapsody’s singles only get better and better. ‘DNA’ is epic as all hell, with intense symphonic elements and fantastic contributions to one of my favourite female vocalists in metal, Amaranthe’s Elize Ryd.
Make sure to check out Zero Gravity (Rebirth and Evolution) when it arises on 5 July.
NorthTale – Higher
The first NorthTale single is fucking incredible. Taken from their upcoming debut, Welcome to Paradise, ‘Higher’ achieves exactly what the band intended: to bring back a taste of early 00s power metal. The highlight of the track is toward the end on the solo section, so keep your ears ready!
NorthTale is a brand new international power metal supergroup. Included in its staggering lineup are Bill Hudson (ex-U.D.O., ex-Power Quest) and vocalist Christian Eriksson (ex-Twilight Force), who formed the band in 2018.
You wont want to miss Welcome to Paradise when it drops on 2 August!
Merging Flare – Alliance in Defiance
Finnish melodic metal masterminds Merging Flare are just a week from their upcoming album, Revolt Regime. In the meantime, enjoy this catchy banger and check out my full review if you’re too reluctant to hit that play button below.
Moonlight Haze – Ad Astra
The female fronted symphonic power outfit Moonlight Haze has released a single from their upcoming debut album, De Rerum Natura, which comes out on 21 June. Judging by this track alone, De Rerum Natura will be a hit for fans of melodic, power, and symphonic metal acros the board.
This comes as no surprise to me, seeing as the lineup consists of members and ex-members of Temperance, Elvenking, Sound Storm, Teodasia and Overtures, as well as a few guest musicians from Epica, MaYan, and Elvenking.
Wind Rose – Diggy Diggy Hole
Folk Metallers Wind Rose are here with a new bumbling single, ‘Diggy Diggy Hole’. I don’t have much to say about this Dwarven tune other than that it’s rough, manly, and I like it a lot.
Lion’s Share – We Are What We Are
Along with the release of ‘We Are What We Are’, heavy/power outfit Lion’s Share have confirmed that a huge 23-song album will be coming some time in 2020. This will be the band’s first full-length in over a decade. No further details have been released yet, but stay tuned for more on that.
Twilight Force – Night of Winterlight
Wrapping up this blessed day are Twilight Force with ‘Night of Winterlight’. And, don’t worry, it’s exactly what you want to hear from them. Pure, cheesy, uplifting power metal with themes of fantasy and splendour. This track is from the band’s upcoming Dawn of the Dragonstar, which will be invoked on 16 August under the new partnership of Nuclear Blast.
If these songs aren’t enough to get you through the weekend, you can click the Album Release Calendar in the top menu and see what else is new!
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