Er verscheen een zeer positieve recensie in Distorted Sound van het nieuwe album van de Finse groep Battle Beast, getiteld Circus of Doom: https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-rev ... tle-beast/
Verschijningsdatum: 21 januari 2022.
ALBUM REVIEW: Circus Of Doom – Battle Beast
When you think about life these days, it feels a bit like a circus.
Politicians are shooting themselves out of cannons, pandemics are driving us through circles of fire, and the world is watching.
It’s spectacular, riotous, disorganised chaos. It’s a Circus Of Doom.
And BATTLE BEAST are here to provide the soundtrack.
Let’s set the record straight from the start: the Finnish sextet have never sounded better.
2019’s No More Hollywood Endings saw them toy with the possibilities of power metal, injecting it with 80s synths and euro-pop sensibilities.
Circus Of Doom sees them fully flesh out their vision, becoming a band that have the chops to headline the S.O.P.H.I.E. stage at Bloodstock one night and compete in Eurovision the next.
On previous outings, it’s often felt like BATTLE BEAST are battling their own identity crisis.
Whether they’re banging out power ballads, treading close to thrash metal finesse, or travelling down the country roads of classic power metal a la HELLOWEEN and EDGUY, there were times it felt they didn’t know what band they wanted to be.
Circus Of Doom does away with that.
Gone are the days of pushing and pulling between sounds, and in its place are ten absolute anthems that form a power metal playbook for the modern era.
Wings Of Light marries disco synths and power solos with a chorus that packs a punch for festival crowds; Eye Of The Storm is a laser-light show of effervescent keys and glitzy, shimmering riffs from Joona Björkroth and Juuso Soinio; and Armageddon is an all-out 80s dance-off, as if ABBA went to a drive-in movie with GHOST.
Simply put, everything they touch turns to gold.
It’s no secret power metal albums can lose steam quickly.
In recent years, quantity has ruled over quality as over bloated albums swallow up solid songs in unnecessary chaff.
Circus Of Doom is all killer no filler, resetting power metal’s reputation with three and four minute blasts that don’t overstay their welcome.
With keyboardist Janne Björkroth at the helm of its production, there are dozens of audible easter eggs to discover on repeat listens without rolling your eyes.
BATTLE BEAST do their best balancing act on Circus Of Doom.
As much as the album offers an escape from the circus of doom our day to day lives are consumed with currently, their tales of fantastical worlds and journeys hit closer to home than you might think.
Master Of Illusion tells the tale of a self-centred, narrow-minded human being, whilst Where Angels Fear To Fly sings of those who’ve made the world a better place.
In many ways, Circus Of Doom is a moral compass holding up a mirror to the choices we’re making as a global community, from bumbling politicians to forward-thinking activists.
Considering the album begins with its darker tales, and ends on more positive notes, it’s no surprise its messaging feels like a Disney movie.
BATTLE BEAST have long gone under the radar against power metal’s masters.
On Circus Of Doom, they step out of the shadows and announce their long-awaited arrival as heirs to the throne.
Rating: 9/10
Drie nummers:
BATTLE BEAST - Master Of Illusion (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sLSyTEXfCI&t=1s
BATTLE BEAST - Where Angels Fear To Fly (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn6v1FptxQc
BATTLE BEAST - Eye of the Storm (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Z-IP2onYQ
