Melodic Metallers FELSKINN have been around for around fifteen years and their upcoming release Enter The Light is my first experience of them. One thought enters my mind with listening to this record; why has it taken me this long to come across them? This record is mind blowing and a great introduction to this band. Let me explain.
It wastes no time blasting off with Darkness In Your Eyes. From the moment you press play, you are sucked in and already along for the ride whether you are ready for it or not. ARION’s song Unforgiveable comes to mind when I listen to this. If you’re a new listener like me, you get the first taste of Andy Portman’s prevailing vocal work alongside slick riffs and solos from Martin Rauber and Tom Graber, Beat Schaub’s pounding bass and Ronny Wolf’s thunderous drums. Once you have whet your appetite, you will be wanting more.
Due to it’s pumping riffs in the verses that lead to a soaring chorus, I can tell instantly Send The Angels Down is a stadium and festival anthem in the making. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a live anthem already. It’s a great sounding track that keeps you on your toes.
The title track takes a no-nonsense and straight to the point heavy metal route. This track will please fans of this style of metal and it keeps up a strong melody that will have you singing along wherever you happen to be.
The unusual melody structure in Your Life Is… brought back memories of the sort of songs I listened to when growing up. There is a part of the chorus that brings an iconic line from LED ZEPPELIN anthem Immigrant Song to mind.
Twinkling lights all over a stadium come to mind when World Will End plays. This track wouldn’t be out of place on an ALTER BRIDGE album. The mixture of pumping distortion and soaring beauty works flawlessly here.
Given these uncertain times we live in and morale being at an all time low, the track Driven couldn’t have come along at a better time. This is due to the infectiously empowering riff and uplifting lyrics such as “I’m driven by the force of the unknown”.
The blues rock intro at the beginning of The Saviour Was Born works really well. Air guitarists will rejoice at this track due to the number of slick riffs and solos it contains.
From the moment Life Beyond The Line plays, you can tell instantly that it wouldn’t be out of place in an action movie. Think Top Gun on steroids and this should give you an idea on what this track sounds like. It contains moments that will ensure it appears on ‘walk like a badass’ and workout playlists.
A superhero series comes to mind when Lonely Heart is comes around. This track contains elements for the bold, exciting sounds from eighties rock whilst taking a modern twist.
The Final Reason reminds me of those hard rock tracks I started listen to when getting into rock music. In particular BON JOVI release Have A Nice Day, this nostalgic track brings me joy and comfort.
The beginning of Where brings the Beverley Hills Cop theme to mind before it ramps it up to max.
It closes in a powerful style with SixFiveFour. It has powerful marching beats and that infectious chorus that will have you chanting within the first listen. Note when listening to this, savour the power it bestows upon you before going for round two.
Enter The Light is a solid and motivating album. Expect to feel empowered and inspired after listening to this Melodic Metal gem. If this strong album doesn’t get you to sign up to the FELSKINN clan, I don’t know what will.
Rating: 10/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
Enter The Light will be released 25th February 2022 via Rock Of Angels Records.
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