It’s been really a while since my last Power Metal band. I say that because Power Metal bands are a constant here and, you know, Power Metal is Power Metal. So, I put the album to play expecting something different from the Rhapsody constant and the fancy flamboyant guitar shredding. I know sometimes I am not being fair to the bands, but I do not ask much. So sorry about that, but my Power Metal has to be more Helloween than Rhapsody, but I will be satisfied with some Hammerfall. Well, Reinforcer with “Ice and Death” heard my prayers. Okay, their thematic is so, but so Power Metal, but that’s alright, I do not complain about other Metal’s thematic and iconography, hence, I will not complain about Reinforcer’s.
Telling you, my dear fan, the truth, what attracted me here was that Reinforcer are more blood, sweat, and tears, than the fancy show-off instrumentals of most bands. “Ice and Death” can really be simple sometimes, and I know this is a bad thing for some musicians, however, for me, I’d rather listen to a honest performing band than to a show-off band. Do not get me wrong, I love well-performed album when the musicians are really skilled, but, somehow, I do not know when this became a required, and so desirable, feature for Metal music. I just loved the fact guitar duo Niclas Stappert and Tobias Schwarzer do the simple, but effective thing here. There are no modals at all in “Ice and Death,” I praise the Lord for that!
I knew I would like “Ice and Death” when I put opening track “Heir Of The Bear” to play. The initial catchy drum filling with some very interesting bass lines got me by the guts. But it was when the guitars came with those so 1980’s catchy, and simple, riffing that I knew I was already in love with the band. Things got even better Logan Lexi’s vocals only made sure with its nice, well-tuned and cozy features. His smooth voice gives you that comfy feeling of knowing where to step. I just loved the comfy sound of the twin guitars of “Five Brothers.” This track shows that Reinforcer’s warm and catchy melodies seem to be embracing you while giving them a listen. By “Dead Men Tell No Tales“ I take that Hammerfall are a great influence on the band for what I heard. Well, we all like Hammerfall a lot, don’t we? I guess I can say sometimes it is great not to be surprised. I am the kind of guy who loves comfort zones, but, aren’t we all?
Ok, you can call me conservative or any other names you have for that, however, I deal pretty well with the idea of having some comfort music. That music that takes you to known and cozy places just to feel safe. There is nothing wrong with it. The wheel was already invented, hence, no need to reinvent it again in all albums or to try to impress us with some fancy playing. Reinforcer’s “Ice and Death” just proved me that.
Reinforcer “Ice and Death” will be released on August 22nd via Scarlet Records.
Track Listing:
- Heir Of The Bear
- Dead Men Tell No Tales
- Skogamor
- The Witch Mayor
- Ice And Death
- The Piper
- Five Brothers
- House Of Lies
- Bring Out Your Dead
Watch “The Witch Mayor” official music 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!