At the very moment I put on “Petrichor,” the sixth full-length effort from Battleroar, a few things instantly come to mind among them just how extraordinary Metal music truly is, and how many incredible bands and vocalists it has given to this often sad, lonely little planet. Yes, I am a huge Metal fan, and I say that every chance I get. I have never had a problem admitting it. I am a fan writing reviews, and perhaps that is exactly why my writing tends to feel so personal. To me, those are the best kinds of memories.
Musically, one of Battleroar’s greatest achievements on “Petrichor” is the seamless way they blend a deeply melancholic and emotional violin with their powerful brand of Metal, as heard so beautifully on “The Earth Remembers, the Rain Forgives.” The violin, in particular, captures the song’s emotional weight with remarkable precision. Finding such a natural fusion of strength and vulnerability is no easy task, yet Battleroar makes it sound effortless. At the same time, the guitars deserve equal praise, adding power, depth, and an additional emotional layer that perfectly complements the violin.
If I were to simplify Battleroar’s sound as much as possible, I could describe it as a more melodic version of Iron Maiden enriched by the aforementioned violin. Of course, that would be an overly simplistic—and somewhat lazy—assessment. There is far more happening here. Vocalist Michael Karasoulis, with his operatic tenor, certainly supports that comparison, although his delivery often feels closer to Blaze Bayley than to Bruce Dickinson. His voice is truly impressive, full of character and emotional conviction. Meanwhile, the violin not only enhances the album’s melancholic atmosphere, but also introduces a subtle Folk Metal dimension that enriches tracks such as Wield the Myth.
“Petrichor” opens with the epic and, to some extent, mythical “The Last Mythkeeper,” whose spoken introduction immediately brings to mind Manowar—another clear point of reference for Battleroar’s sound. The powerful “The Missing Note” follows in commanding fashion, delivering soaring guitar work that occasionally recalls Judas Priest, while Karasoulis once again pours every ounce of emotion into a remarkable vocal performance. In many ways, this emotional intensity has become Battleroar’s defining musical signature. Throughout the album, the spirit of Manowar remains a constant presence.
Earlier, I mentioned that it would be easy to label Battleroar as simply a more melodic Iron Maiden. That comparison still holds some truth. But once you add Manowar’s unmistakable emotional grandeur into the equation, the picture becomes far clearer—and far more accurate, my dear child of the night.
Battleroar “Petrichor” was released on April 24th via No Remorse Records.
Track Listing:
1. The Last Mythkeeper
3. Atē, Hybris, Nemesis
4. Legacy of Suffering (Flagellants)
5. The Earth Remembers, the Rain Forgives
7. Chaosbane
9. Storm Inside (Bonus Track)
Watch “Willed Myth” official lyric video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!