Album review: BRAINSTORM – Scary Creatures

January 18th, 2016 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [Release date 15.01.16]

Brainstorm’s 11^th studio album “Scary Creatures” follows hot on the heels of 2014’s “Firesoul” and features ten more Euro-style power metal numbers.

The Bavarian band were formed way back in 1989 and released their first official release “Hungry” in 1997. The line-up remains stable again and still features three original members to this day – guitarists Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric plus drummer Dieter Bernert. Vocalist Andy B. Franck joined back in 1999 with bassist Antonio Ieva being the relative new boy – currently 9 years in the band.

The press release states that “Scary Creatures” is better than “Firesoul”…being more anthemic, heavier and delivered to the max…hmm…let’s see shall we…

An orchestra opens proceedings with some Hammer House of Horror creepiness before hell breaks loose on The World You See…reminds me of a heavy early Queensrӱche or Crimson Glory. Last time out vocalist Andy B Franck was Bruce Dickinson…this time it’s Geoff Tate on steroids…

How Much Can You Take follows a similar vein whilst We Are… blends a little Primal Fear, piano and a weird sounding kids choir into the mix. Where Angels Dream and Twisted Ways are nothing special. Title track Scary Creatures is a decent enough song but is let down somewhat by the strained vocal style used.

Brainstorm have turned up the heaviness but in doing so have lost some of the more intricate passages seen previously and the number of songs that just wash over you needs to be reduced…

More of the same…solid but very predictable… ***

Review by Phil Berisford

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DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

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