As I said in my last post, here is part two of my halfway choices. Like I said in part one; if you like what you hear from each of the YouTube clips, check the bands out and tell your friends. Without further ado, here they are in order of release date.
Saint Daemon – League Of The Serpent
The name SAINT DAEMON had come up on the Power Metal circuit several times and it was this year I gave them a try. Their latest record League Of The Serpent is a power metal and hard rock fan’s dream come true; in my opinion, this album contains the best of both. The best examples of these can be found in the punchy sounds of The Final Fight, the ORDEN OGAN-esque Raise Hell and the new power metal anthem that is Load Your Cannons.
You can read more about this in my album review here.
Find SAINT DEAMON on Facebook.
Storm Seeker – Nautic Force
The single releases for STORM SEEKER’s latest voyage Nautic Force already had be eagerly anticipating the album and the expectations were correct. It’s a great album full of fun folk metal shanties that make you want to commandeer the nearest ship, gather your crew and go on an epic adventure. This album is chocked full of great melodies including Blow Winds Blow, Nine Ships By Night, Cannonthunder and the single releases like my personal favourite one Bottoms Up.
Find STORM SEEKER on Facebook.
Freya Ridings – Blood Orange
Whilst it’s incredibly rare I take to newer artists that are outside the rock and metal sphere, it’s really refreshing when it does happen. Freya Ridings’ single Weekends came up in a YouTube advert and the song was that captivating, I let it play instead of doing the usual skip. Before I knew it, her self titled debut made my Album Of The Month in February, which you can read about here and her latest album is now on this post.
Blood Orange is a fantastic follow up that showcases the impeccable talent that this singer/songwriter has to offer up. This album displays a variety of raw emotions that are so powerful that you start to feel them yourselves; strong examples of this can be found in the heart-breaking Last Day That You Loved Me, the happy go luck Happier Alone and the determination in Wolves.
Coming across Freya Ridings taught me that once in a while, I need to try new things outside my comfort zone. I encourage you to do the same.
Find FREYA RIDINGS on Facebook.
Battle Born – Blood, Fire, Magic & Steel
Ever since Power Metal darlings BATTLE BORN first graced the scene in 2020, their fan base has been growing every day and their sound is developing. Their debut album Blood, Fire, Magic & Steel is a gallant collection of melodies that make you feel you can conquer anything that comes your way. Before this album was released, they showcased some of the tracks live including the pumping Power Force, party anthem Down Your Drinks And Raise Your Swords and the epic Fire Storm. This solid debut is further proof why BATTLE BORN are Power Metal icons in the making.
Find BATTLE BORN on Facebook.
Scar Symmetry – The Singularity (Phase II – Xenotaph)
SCAR SYMMETRY were one of the first melodic death metal bands I had come across and they helped to develop my music taste, in particular to the heavier side of metal music. It’s been nine years since the release of their last album The Singularity (Phase I – Neohumanity) so it’s safe to say that Phase II – Xenotaph was an eagerly awaited release.
In this album, there are some complexities that are displayed here; when I say this, I mean you aren’t quite sure what’s coming around the corner. Each track is made up different elements; there is enough that keep you curious and intrigued yet not so many that you end up getting lost along the way. This album flew by for me and it’s a triumphant return for the band.
Find SCAR SYMMETRY on Facebook.
What albums have made your year so far? Let us know below in the comments.
