05) Temperance, Diamanti (Napalm Records)
The Italian quintet has been through an interesting history. Original singer Chiara Tricarico left the band in 2017 to pursue her career with Moonlight Haze. From 2018 on, the band departed a bit from its more progressive metal roots in favor of a catchier, more easily accessible sound with their fourth album Of Jupiter and Moons. This record already featured current vocalists Michele Guaitoli and Alessia Scolletti (with additional lead vocals provided by guitarist Marco Pastorino), which has become even more prevalent in their two most recent albums, 2020’s Viridian and now Diamanti from 2021. Apart from the impressive compositions and intricate instrumental work, the band’s biggest strength is the three lead vocalists. They add a multi-layered dimension to the band’s sound that sets the Italians apart from other genre groups, including Amaranthe, as Temperance doesn’t include harsh vocals in their vocal harmonies. This is a band definitely worth checking out when they are “Breaking the Rules of Heavy Metal,” as the title of one of their latest single suggests.
Key Track: “Breaking the Rules of Heavy Metal”
04) Helloween, Helloween (Nuclear Blast)
What can you say about Helloween that hasn’t already been said? One of the “big four” founding fathers of European-style Melodic/Power metal besides Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, and Angra, Helloween are practically single-handedly responsible for the existence of pretty much every other European power metal band today. Their 2021 self-titled album however marks a definite milestone in the band’s history. It is the first album released by “Helloween United” – meaning not only the most recent lineup featuring singer Andi Deris recorded this album. It also features the returned prod sons Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray) and singer Michael Kiske, a feat long been considered impossible. Michael Kiske seemed to have had some bad blood with Helloween guitarist Michael Weikath for many years. However, it seems the two managed to work out their differences on the most recent “Helloween United” tour and this brand new album – and I think it turned out for the best. The split of lead vocal duties among two main (three, if you count Kai Hansen’s occasional vocal moments) singers definitely adds to the diversification of the album’s sound. It also serves the band in the live situation. It is not up to one singer alone to carry an entire show. Still, it allows them to rest up a bit between songs, which in the case of some of Helloween’s vocally very challenging material is an absolute boon both for the performers and the audience. This new dynamic also translated quite well to the new eponymous album, as it entertains from the opening chords of “Out for the Glory” to the Hansen-penned twelve-minute epic closer “Skyfall.” A special note should be made for the album artwork, designed by Eliran Kantor, which is absolutely beautiful and probably my favorite album artwork of the entire year.
Key Track: “Skyfall”
03) Beast In Black, Dark Connection (Nuclear Blast)
Guitarist Anton Kabanen seems to have the ability to capture lightning in a bottle twice. After enjoying considerable success with his previous band, Battle Beast, who are still going strong in their own right, Kabanen appears to have come into his own after his firing from the said band and founding Beast in Black with Greek vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos. On the band’s third album, Dark Connection, the 80s-synth-wave elements are even more pronounced than on previous albums. The album concept’s setting in a dystopian cyberpunk future fits that musical tone to perfection. It could be argued that it will be tough for the band to top their impressive debut album Berserker that sported instant hits like “Blind and Frozen” and “Born Again.” However, the material of Dark Connection is solid enough to be considered well above average, thanks primarily to Kabanen’s trademark songwriting and singer Yannis’ outstanding vocal skills. He can switch from strong power metal shouts to high-pitched, almost effeminate falsetto parts on a dime. While straight-up 90s Eurodance-track “One Night in Tokyo” will definitely not be a palate pleaser for everyone, songs like “Moonlight Rendevouz” or opening track “Blader Runner” (guess they just had to go there!) are enjoyable cuts if you can stomach heavy doses of 80s synths and elements of disco metal.
Key Track: “One Night in Tokyo”
02) Northtale, Eternal Flame (Nuclear Blast)
Northtale sure haven’t had it easy. After a highly regarded debut album with Welcome to Paradise in 2019, the band quickly split with singer Christian Eriksson and was tasked with finding a new suitable singer already for the second album. Not exactly an envious position, but the band, spearheaded by Brazilian guitarist Bill Hudson (also shredding for Doro and Udo Dirkschneider on occasion), managed to come back strong and arguably even stronger than before. Guilherme Hirose, also from Brazil, is the new man behind the microphone. He fits the band’s very traditional European-sounding power metal to a T. I mentioned bands like Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, and Angra being the forefathers of this style of power metal, and their influences are full-on display in the material of Northtale. Soaring vocals, high-speed drumming, intricate solos, and the occasional progressive parts mix together in a beautiful blend of highly melodic metal that will please fans of the aforementioned bands. Eternal Flame is therefore highly recommended, with the song “The Land of Mystic Rites” being a definite favorite, as it incorporates elements from Brazilian folk music.
Key Track: “The Land of Mystic Rites”
