The eighth full-length album by the German Power Metal band.
A lot of things have changed in Metal since 1989, the year in which Brainstorm's original lineup came together. Alternative Metal became much more prominent, Death Metal and Black Metal became more and more plentiful (especially in Scandinavia), Goth Metal gained an enthusiastic cult following, and Metalcore took the Metal/Punk union in an increasingly vicious direction. But none of those developments have had a major stylistic impact on Brainstorm, who were a Melodic Power Metal band when they started out in 1989 and continued to be a Melodic Power Metal band 20 years later on "Memorial Roots"!
Once again, the South German Power Metal quintet pulls no punches as they bash out a firework of dynamic, melodic and technical Metal. They make no effort to change with the times on this 2009 release; obviously, they reason that if it isn't broke, why do they need to fix it? And no, it isn't broke. "Memorial Roots" is a tad predictable - at least if one has been following Brainstorm for a long time - and you won't find a lot of surprises on "Cross the Line", "Ahimsa", or any of the other tracks. Brainstorm maintain their allegiance to the old-school Power Metal of the '70s and '80s, which is probably just as well because even though "Memorial Roots" doesn't take a lot of chances, the material is enjoyable nonetheless.
Besides, if Jazz, the Blues, Salsa, Folk, Bluegrass, Reggae, and Celtic music can have their classicists - that is, those who adamantly cling to the styles of a previous era - there is no reason at all why Metal shouldn't have them as well. "Memorial Roots" isn't an essential listen, but it's definitely a worthwhile listen for Power Metal diehards who haven't lost interest in Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, or Fates Warning's pre-'90s recordings and probably never will! Less aggressive than its predecessor "Downburst", the new album has a more straightforward and anthemic quality to it!!
AFM Records, 2009 (AFM 262-2). Made in Germany. Pressed in Austria. First press.
Tracklist:
1. Forsake What I Believed 6:31
2. Shiver 3:21
3. The Conjuction Of 7 Planets 6:33
4. Cross The Line 5:03
5. Nailed Down Dreams 5:38
6. Blood Still Stains 4:11
7. Ahimsa 4:23
8. The Final Stages Of Decay 6:28
9. Victim 4:17
10. When No One Cares 3:20
11. Would You 5:12 Total playing time: 54:57
The eighth full-length album by the German Power Metal band.
A lot of things have changed in Metal since 1989, the year in which Brainstorm's original lineup came together. Alternative Metal became much more prominent, Death Metal and Black Metal became more and more plentiful (especially in Sc..
The ninth full-length album by the German Heavy/Power Metal band.
Whatever its title may suggest, there's nothing about Germanic Heavy Metal band Brainstorm that would imply a spur of the moment decision; the band's timeless regeneration of traditional Heavy Metal is evidently arranged, performed, recorded, and produced with meticulous planning and attention to detail. But whatever the band may lack in spontaneous combustion, they rather make up for in clinical efficiency, which may not impress unconverted observers much, but is clearly something their established fan base has not only continued to support but very much come to expect: that's right, the expected. Be that as it may, since nothing is ever guaranteed where memorable songwriting is concerned, Brainstorm deserve much credit for keeping things relatively interesting within the confines of their limited musical range.
Imperial opener "Below the Line" really outperforms its mundane title; energized fist-pumping anthems like "In the Blink of an Eye", "Still Insane", and "Dark Life" seamlessly wed biting staccato riffs to double kick drums, yet never exceed their mid-paced speed limits. And even classy late-album offerings that finally threaten Power Metal velocity - "Where Your Actions Lead You to Live" and "A life on Hold - stop quite short of losing any measure of control. Surprises? None whatsoever; so, again, don't let the title fool you: "On The Spur Of The Moment" finds Brainstorm acting like their predictable yet reliable selves. Hey, someone has to toe the line in Heavy Metal, why not Brainstorm?
AFM Records, 2011 (AFM 360-2). Made in Germany. Pressed in Austria. First press.
Tracklist:
1. Below The Line 6:40
2. In The Blink Of An Eye 4:31
3. Temple Of Stone 3:26
4. In These Walls 5:22
5. Still Insane 3:51
6. Dark Life 4:10
7. No Saint - No Sinner 5:29
8. Where Your Actions Lead You To Live 3:30
9. A Life On Hold 3:09
10. My Own Hell 5:28 Total playing time: 45:36
The ninth full-length album by the German Heavy/Power Metal band.
Whatever its title may suggest, there's nothing about Germanic Heavy Metal band Brainstorm that would imply a spur of the moment decision; the band's timeless regeneration of traditional Heavy Metal is evidently arranged, per..