Album review: BRAINSTORM – Scary Creatures

BRAINSTORM – Scary Creatures

AFM Records [Release date 15.01.16]

Brainstorm’s 11th 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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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)



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