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Messenger: Starwolf Part 1 - The Messengers

Heavy/Power Metal

4.0/5.0

Website Facebook
Massacre Records
by Craig Hartranft,  08.31.2013

Germany's Messenger returns with the first chapter of their new sci-fi metal epic, Starwolf Part 1 - The Messengers. According to the band, who have changed their names to represent characters in the tale, the story was created in cooperation with 'novelist' Victor L. Pax (whom I'm quite sure does not exist). The story is rather convoluted having something to do with some religious inquisition overthrowing science and technology in the galaxy.

Messenger: burning up the stage.

While the religious rulers purged technology, they also enslaved or killed most all of the sex workers. Survivors became pirates seeking to find the remnants of technology. (I know, this is getting weird, but I told you so.) Some are also followers of Starwolf, spreading his revolutionary message of freedom and the return of science. Okay then, did you get all that?

So that's the story. What about the music? It's classic melodic heavy and power metal in the best Germanic tradition; 'true metal,' if you will. Messenger is quite good at it, too. Galloping rhythm section, big vocal arrangements, and lots of traditional soaring guitar solos. You get the drill. Put the two together, story and music, what you have, without the folk or medieval references, is basically Blind Guardian in outer space. That's pretty much all you need to know. But here are some notable and powerful cuts: Starwolf, Pirates of Space, Born to Face the Wind, and Raiders of Galaxy.

Listen, Then Buy: Messenger - Starwolf Part One

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Messenger's Starwolf Part 1 - The Messengers applies classic power metal to a sci-fi fantasy story creating Blind Guardian in outer space.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]