2 weeks ago we looked at an iconic album from the equally iconic Nightwish, and man was it a hit! It was as strong & impressive as a man, but thanks to Tarja Turunen's vocals, gave it a feminine edge & sensibility that was really refreshing to the metal scene. However, not all women who enter the realm of Heavy Metal posses grace & beauty. Sometimes, you get a girl that’s full of fury, toughness, and strength. Sometimes, you get a girl that when she opens her mouth & sings, you swear that you heard a guy. I can think of no better example than those Finnish badasses known......as Battle Beast!
Yes, Battle Beast. Though they’re a relatively recent band, it’s obvious that from the very beginning that these guys have a bright future ahead of them. They’re very dedicated to the ways of Power Metal, but at the same time have a deep reverence for metal from it’s heyday back in the 1980s. Coupled with references to anime, manga, and science fiction, and you have a band that’s perfect for old-school metalheads, and new-age geeks of all stripes. Yeah Power Metal can be nerdy sometimes, but not all bands that take up the mantle go in that direction. So sit back, maybe get a soda and your d20, and get ready for a look at Battle Beast’s second release. Let the review begin!
Background
Taken from Wikipedia:
“In Autumn 2012, after touring the Finnish rock festivals for the summer, Nitte Valo was announced to be leaving the band because of family issues. With the news of her departure, came the announcement of a new lead singer Noora Louhimo from Tampere, Finland. With Louhimo in the band, Battle Beast started another European tour in November, this time supporting the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica.
After the tour, the band immediately went into studio to record their second album. The label Hype Productions had gone out of business and the band moved on to Warner Music Finland, with Nuclear Blast still handling international releases. The first single with Noora Louhimo on vocals, "Into the Heart of Danger" was released on 26 April 2013, followed by the album Battle Beast on 17 May 2013. Another single and a music video for the song "Black Ninja" was released to coincide with the release of the album. The album topped the sales of its predecessor easily, peaking at No. 5 and staying on the charts for 17 weeks. The album also charted on various European countries including Germany. The following autumn Battle Beast headed on another European tour, this time supporting the German bands Powerwolf and U.D.O..”
Now here’s my story about an experience with the band: for a few years I never actually heard of Battle Beast, apart from listening to a song or two from their 2015 release. Come April of this year, and I have a ticket to a concert that my Dad bought me, and on the docket were 3 bands (Never knew it was 3). There was Battle Beast, Leaves Eyes, and the main band I went to see (I’ll be talking about them next month). Battle Beast was the first band up, and it was actually their first time in the United States! For their first time in the USA, they brought their a-game, and for a brief moment in time, I felt like I was transported to the heart of the Heavy Metal scene back in the 1980s. Not many modern metal bands can say they do this, but Battle Beast is a rare exception.
Basic Description
Old-School vibes wearing a modern suit.
Alright, let’s get the old-school part out of the way. Battle Beast are the living embodiment of all things 80s metal, not to mention Power Metal. They play like they’re an old-school band, and they have the look of one as well (Noora Louhimo had a streak of pink in her hair if I remember right, and it was definitely a wild hairstyle). It’s obvious when the old-school kicks in when certain beats, rhythms, and moments of vocal work show up. There’s a general cheesiness that comes with 80s Heavy Metal, and coupled with what seems like the older style of Power Metal they play, it just makes these aspects that much more obvious.
Where the “Modern Suit” comes into play involves the production quality. While Battle Beast plays like an older band, that age doesn’t translate into how the album was constructed. The sound is crisp, the transition between each song is seamless, yet it doesn’t ruin the vibe of the music. This kind of thing doesn’t always happen, but it’s welcome when it does.
Best Track
I’m not sure if I can pick one! Battle Beast did a good job......a damn good job with every.....single.....track! Within each & every single tune there’s a deep love for fantasy & science fiction. A deep love of all things old school Heavy Metal. From Berserk flavored tracks like Golden Age & Kingdom, to the cyberpunk-painted Neuromancer (A song that references the classic Cyberpunk book), you’ll be geeking out just as much as you’ll be headbanging. So for me, I’ll go on the record and say that all of the songs on this album are the best.
As for my favorite track......gotta go with Into The Heart Of Danger. Located right around the middle of the album, this is the song that you should listen to before you go into something big & you need a big dose of courage. Whether it's proposing to the one you love, going for a new business venture, or simply trying something new. Even if you're not doing any of these things, this track is still incredible! A healthy dose of 80s vibes, complete with modern day production & a healthy dose of Power Metal cheese, creates an experience that's just awesome!
Into The Heart Of Danger
Worst Track
If there was anything to complain about, it would be decided to make their 2nd release the self-titled one. Now I’m all for bands (Metal or Otherwise) naming an album after the band’s name, but you usually do it for the first record (Metallica were able to get away with it for their 5th album). It’s just silly!
Other
If you’re interested in listening to this album, check out the link below:
Battle Beast
Overall Impression & Rating
Battle Beast hit it out of the park when it comes to their second album. Though I thought it was goofy for them to name their 2nd release after themselves, it’s blatantly obvious that the music definitely the opposite of such words. With one foot firmly in the past, another foot in the realm of Power Metal, and a healthy dose of respect for both, it’s obvious that this group is a force to be reckoned with. Given that they managed to put an album out back in early February, it’s obvious that they’re not going away anytime soon. My final words about this album: listen to it!!!
Battle Beast gets a out 10 of 10. It’s that damn good!
So that was a look at Battle Beast’s 2nd & self-titled album. The band channels to glory of the past, and brings it right to the modern day for everyone to enjoy. There’s a little bit of Ladies Month left on Power Metal Pandemonium, so 2 weeks from now I’ll be looking at an anime that positively screams Power Metal. Until then, may you know the beast in your mind, and the beast in your heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment