Brainstorm - Scary Creatures

You know, I'm preeeeety sure I don't want to attend this particluar show. Sorry, creepy doll guys.German power metal band Brainstorm hits your ears with their latest album Scary Creatures, and these cats aren't fooling around. Their previous effort Firesoul was understandably well-received, but they really get some traction with the cruncy in milk distortion of their latest offering.

Founded in 1989, Brainstorm has been crafting classic metal for over 25 years, with guitarists Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric laying down some of the nice harmonized leads and nasty rhythyms us metalheads crave. Tracks like We Are... have a great Judas Priest feel to them that must play great live. I can imagine an audience of people chanting "We are, we are!" in unison. Vocalist Andy B. Franck does a nice impression of Halford, deliberately or otherwise, and Antonio Leva and Dieter Bernert setup a solid foundation on which Brainstorm builds its epic sound. All in all, this is classic European power metal and there's little to dislike about it.

The Bottom Line: Brainstorm rolls over you like a frieght train of metal, so be prepared for some killer headbanging and no mistake. 'Nuff said!

- Genghis is rifling through his closet for his studded belt...