Gothminister – Pandemonium II The Battle of the Underworlds Review

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It’s a fact Europeans have a thing for Industrial Gothic Metal acts. This so true Lordi, a band rose to fame in 2002 with their hit single “Would You Love a Monsterman?,” won the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with their song “Hard Rock Hallelujah” a song that had a vibe very near opening act and tittle track “Battle of the Underworlds” from Gothminister, a band rose atenttion because made it into the finals of the Melodi Grand Prix (pre-qualifications for Eurovision Song Contest 2024) in Norway. I have to say Gothminister reminds a lot Lordi and other bands as Facetaker, for instance, whose album “Tales Untold” we had the honor to review here. The tally could go on and on, but I’m satisfied with both examples. I like my dear children of the night well-informed.

The tittle “Battle of the Underworlds” reminds me of the movies series Underworld – with Kate Beckinsale! Not only the tittle, but also the CD cover. Sorry, it’s impossible for me not to. The album commences with the aforementioned track “Battle of the Underworlds” whose guitar riffing is a pure gem from the 1980’s. I have to say I don’t like any kind of dance music or its subgenres, but the melt with Metal calls my eye. I like the contrast of the guitars with the electronic effects. They give the songs some crazy and insane mooding taken to the extreme with the addition of a female voice that appears here does the role of a dance music singer, if I’m not wrong. The intent was to contrast both. From where I’m standing, this is really cool. Following track “We Live Another Day” commences with a grand keyboard riffing fitting perfectly with the song tittle. Though the band has a prone to the grand, vocalist, and mastermind, Bjørn Alexander Brem doesn’t put it in his voice. He lets the grand and pomp to the guitars and keyboards. Wise choice. Here and there as in “Creepy Shadows” there are some pop influences, as it would be expected as they are part of the package of an Industrial Metal band. The track is a slow movement of the album.

In “Battle of the Underworlds” Gothminister knew how to balance very well both influences in order to make the album palatable to a metalhead. Wise choice again because I don’t believe one who likes dance music would ever buy a Metal album even though with dance music influences. Industrial Metal is for metalheads who have a thing for dance music, not the opposite.

Gothminister “Battle of the Underworlds” was released on May 03rd via AFM Records.

Track Listing:

  1. Battle of the Underworlds
  2. We Live Another Day
  3. Creepy Shadows
  4. One Dark Happy Nation
  5. I Am the Devil
  6. The Procession
  7. I Will Drink Your Blood
  8. Aftermath
  9. Tonight
  10. We Are the Heroes
  11. Monostereo Creature
  12. We Come Alive

Watch “Battle of the Underworlds” official music video here:

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