On disc: Brainstorm

 
 Ambiguity
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Metus Mortis
 
- Alex Albrecht -
 
 


 
 Metus Mortis
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Fire Walk With Me
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Memorial Roots
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 On The Spur Of The Moment
 
- Philip Thelen -
 
 

On The Spur Of The Moment

(AFM Records - 2011)



 
 

 

Brainstorm released several albums so far. They wrote a new chapter in german power metal with albums as Metus Mortis (2001), Soul Temptation (2003) and Liquid Monster (2005) which are following their very own style of power metal. Another good point is the difference between vocalist Andy B. Franck's other band Symphorce and Brainstorm. Both great bands.



On The Spur Of The Moment is the second Brainstorm release of AFM Records. When I listened to it for the first time I recognized the typical Brainstorm riffings and arrangements. Sometime it is getting a bit boring listening to an whole album of similar songs, but on this new release it seems that they tried to vary the sound and riffings. Their songs are great but nearly every song is similar to the previous or following track on the record. And I think this is the same for this new album. In anyway, their sound is a statement and I like them. If you have the chance, watch them live. These songs are killers played live (I hope this is the same for the new songs!). My fave on the album is Still Insane. Killer ear catching chorus and straight rhythms.



Although this album is similar to the previous ones, it has neck breaking ability. If you don't know them, check 'em out; if you know Brainstorm already and like them, purchase it!



I recommend the following: Below The Line, Still Insane, My Own Hell

 
 










Philip Thelen


  
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Memorial Roots

(AFM Records - 2009)



 
 

 

Brainstorm are back with a new album called Memorial Roots. Let's see where they lead us!

Slowly they kick off with Forsake What I Believe, in the beginning you can hear the wind blow, sounds from a forest and with a cello they create a dark, threatening atmosphere... Symphonically the song begins, but then they head into an up-tempo guitar-driven rocker. Then easy off again and a catchy mid-paced part asks for your attention. An unusual track for Brainstorm and especially as an opener it probably will disappoint some fans... I think it's a great idea, coz it makes you curious to hear more... to find out, if the band changed their sound or if it's just another facet of their sound. With Shiver they offer a fast, melodic rocker which has a dash of hard rock, too. With the 7 minute long The Conjunction Of 7 Planets Brainstorm offer another mid-tempo tune - and a quite epic one. But it also becomes obvious that the guitar sound could be more powerful... more prominent on this album. Anyway, they storm off with Cross The Line, guitars force them ahead and fast double bass drumming keeps pushing. The melodic rocker Nailed Down Dreams shows Andy B. Franck more expressive and the backing vocals are a bit 90's like... Not a fast one, but a heavy mid-paced track. With Blood Still Stains and Ahimsa they present some typical Brainstorm song, but at Ahimsa they add some Oriental sounds - quite cool. The Final Stages Of Decay brings back the symphonic sounds, but is a heavy riff-based rocker. A real ear catcher is the up-tempo track When No One Cares, again some symphonic elements found their way into this one. The closer is the fast Would You which shows one more time the class of Andy B. Franck, but it's also the guitar play of Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric. Even if the guitar sound isn't as powerful as usual, but it's not their play, just the mix. Towards the end they should be able to satisfy their long-time fans and make them spin the album again. And perhaps one falls in love with the mid-paced tunes as well...

The album offers more mid-tempo songs compared to their earlier releases and they expanded their sound spectrum a bit. Perhaps not what the fans expected, but a more then decent album which shows varying speeds and sounds. Be aware that this album needs a few more spins, it needs time to grow!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Fire Walk With Me (single)

(Metal Blade - 2007)



 
 

 

With Fire Walk With Me the German power metal band Brainstorm delivers an appetizer for their coming album. The track is guitar-based and catchy. A groovy power metal tune with breaks and a short guitar solo part. Additionally there is a remix version of Fire Walk With Me which is sounding more modern and has a Prodigy touch.

For their fans they added Breathe which was the bonus track on the Japanese version of Liquid Monster and might be interesting for some fans. Breathe is a fast one, based on heavy riffs and make me thing of Megadeth... partly. But I miss a bit the great melodies... the catchiness. Not a bad song, coz it's very heavy, guitar-driven and grooves. Needs a few more spins. 

With Worlds Are Coming Through and Painside they added 2 live tracks which were recorded in 2006 at Sziget festival, but if this is really interesting for fans depends, if one has the DVD Honey From The B's or not.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Metus Mortis

(Metal Blade - 2001)



 
 

 

This is the second release of Brainstorm with their 'new' singer Andy B. Franck. First I wasn't sure what to think about the change, but now I'm really into the 'new' Brainstorm. Opening with the title track Metus Mortis the quintet is starting instrumentally with a powerful modern sound. The following Blind Suffering is showing that they are one of the hottest power metal acts these days. Very heavy with a forcing drum beat and heavy riffing combined with powerful, melodic vocals and a great hook line. This is how power metal should sound! But was it a good idea to open up with such a killer track? Will they be able to keep up with it? Yes, they can!

Another killer is Checkmate In Red which is groovy and has a dark vibe. This one will make it into their next live set, coz it's fast, heavy, guitar-driven and has a catchy hookline which the fans can sing along. Weakness Sows Its Seed is presenting a different side of the Germans, here they starts almost balladesque, but then got into a heavy mid-tempo rocker. Great guitar work by Todde and Milan.

You can also check out: Cycles and Hollow Hideaway. Btw, the digi-pack has a bonus track which is called Face Down.

For me this one it a must-buy and one of my top 10 albums in 2001!
 
 










Alex Albrecht
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)

  
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Metus Mortis

(Metal Blade - 2001)



 
 

 

Again the quintet proof that they are one of the hottest German power metal acts, this time they could transport their live power onto the CD. Metus Mortis is the second album with outstanding singer Andy B. Franck (ex-Ivanhoe) who is also known for his band Symphorce. Their American influenced power metal is hard, fast, sometimes with thrash elements, but always with a lot melody. The solid rhythm section is building the playground for the guitar riffing and solo parts. Just check out Shadow Land or Checkmate In Red which has anthem-like backing vocals and you will know. Brainstorm offer a variety of songs, but have their own sound. Easy to identify in the growing scene of power metal acts. High ratings everywhere will be the result of this recording, I'll give them again 9 points, even if this one is a step forward for Brainstorm, but not big enough to get closer to the perfect album. No doubt that they have the talent to reach this one day. Well done, guys!!!!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Ambiguity

(Metal Blade - 2000)



 
 

 

After beeing around for 10 years Brainstorm  release their 3rd album - Ambiguity. Their first album Hungry was released in 1997 and soon the band toured to introduce themselves to the metal fans. After the recordings of Unholy (album no.2) singer Marcus left the band. To take their chance to tour with Iced Earth the band had to find a new singer and in time they found Henne Basse. The tour was succesful and it seems that time is on their side... But Henne left the band and a long time of searching began.... At Wacken they presented a new one, but it didn't worked out. So the band took the offer of Andy B. Franck (Symphorce, ex-Ivanhoe). Andy will continue with Symphorce as well, but found time and power to work with Brainstorm. The result of this is Ambiguity! An excellant power metal album which contains 11 tracks... Fast and melodic, powerful riffing and also in a kind of power ballad like Beyond My Destiny very powerful and emotinal.

I can recommend this album to all power metal fans out there!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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