BRAINSTORM – Wall Of Skulls

Lucky Number 13

German Power Metal veterans Brainstorm have really outdone themselves with their 13th studio release: Wall of Skulls. The follow up to 2018’s Midnight Ghost, the album has picked up the pace a bit with more high energy, fast paced Power Metal. Excellent vocalist Andy B. Franck (ex-Symphorce, ex-Almanac, ex-Ivanhoe) is joined by guitarists Torsten Ihlenfeld (ex-Twilight) and Milan Loncaric (ex-Changes, ex-Twilight), bassist Antonio Ieva (ex-Farmer Boys, ex-Letter X, ex-Stereo Pilot) and drummer Dieter Bernert (ex-Tarot’s Myst, ex-Twilight).

Metal Heaven

For the first time ever, the band has worked with two guest vocalists who assume a central role in the respective songs. “Escape The Silence” stars Rage’s Peavy Wagner, while “Turn Off The Light” features Orden Ogan front man (and also Wall Of Skulls producer) Seeb Levermann.  “I’ve known Peavy for 15 years, he’s a German Metal legend, which makes me all the happier that he recorded a number for our album. As far as I’m concerned, his voice takes the song to another level. In contrast, the duet with Seeb on “Turn Off The Light” has a haunting battle-type quality which highlights the album’s diversity,” states Andy B. Franck.

Final Notes

Wall of Skulls has great songs that feel good on the first listen, and keep you coming back for more. The vocals are layered in beautiful harmonies that remind of classic Savatage when Zak Stevens was fronting the band. The production is excellent, the guitars perfectly composed and performed, like icing on the sweet cake of slamming drums and thundering bass. Over all, a great release that shows the maturity of the band in performance and composition. Last but not least, the album art by Gyula Havancsak is fantastic, reminding of classic Heavy Metal covers from the glory years. Wall of Skulls is a definite must for fans of everything Power Metal, making it a perfect addition to your Metal library. Get your copy today!

Lineup

Andy B. Franck – vocals
Torsten Ihlenfeld – guitars
Milan Loncaric – guitars
Antonio Ieva – bass
Dieter Bernert – drums

Wall of Skulls – Tracklist

01 – Chamber Thirteen
02 – Where Ravens Fly
03 – Solitude
04 – Escape the Silence
05 – Turn Off The Light
06 – Glory Disappears
07 – My Dystopia
08 – End Of My Innocence
09 – Stigmatized (Shadows Fall)
10 – Holding On
11 – I, The Deceiver