BATTLE BEAST is Finnish power metal band formed in Helsinki in 2008. The core of the band were the three high school friends Anton Kabanen, Juuso Soino and drummer Pyry Vikki. The final form of the band as it is today became after auditions and after singer Nitte Valo left due to family issues. The new singer Noora Louhimo joined the band in 2012.
Having already released two full-length albums, the “Steel” (2011) and the homonymous “Battle Beast” (2013), the Finnish returns with their new album “Unholy Savior” which came out on January 9th by Nuclear Blast. On this album we have a mixture of feelings and many different influences as it comes about the sound. Death, pain, hate, agony, fear, confusion and insecurity oppose love, longing and consolation, which more or less are what the band has already experienced.
There are 11 songs and a bonus track in this album. The opening is the song “Lionheart”, a very powerful song full of hope, and a good sign that something good might follow. Second is the homonymous “Unholy Savior” which for me clearly describes the album, through storm and thunders. The choral parts are combined beautifully with Loora’s strong voice. More powerful songs follow, such as “Madness”, “Speed and Danger” and “Far Far Away”, where the lyrics, the music and the chorus are perfectly combined. “Touch in the Night” is a song that takes us back to another decade, maybe in 80’s without being boring, and adds a touch of rock in the whole album.
There also are three nice ballads on the record: “Sea of Dreams”, “The Black Swordsman” and “Angel Cry”. The last one is actually the ending of the album, which fits perfectly even if it a complete contrast to the opening. The bonus track “Push it to the Limit” will be loved by those who love power metal music but also like hard rock.
BATTLE BEAST is a promising power metal band. The “Unholy Savior” might be something very pleasant for the lovers of this genre. Since they have a long way to the top, they have to try and work hard to succeed and diverge from many other, known and unknown, bands who play the same kind of music. We are looking forward to listening new material in the future.
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