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Battle Beast: Battle Beast
Battle Beast 2014 Self-titled CD Album Review

Battle Beast: Battle Beast

Heavy/Power Metal
4.0/5.0

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Nuclear Beast Records
by Craig Hartranft,  05.02.2014

Without referencing the information above, but looking at the album art and band photo, you probably can guess what style of metal Finland's Battle Beast plays. Yep, traditional heavy/power metal. For their second album, simply self-titled, it comes with a new female lead vocalist, Noora Louhimo, and a touch of keyboards.

Battle Beast Band Photo

Battle Beast: there was a sale on black clothing.

Perhaps the best way to describe Louhimo's voice and vocal style may be to reference Doro Pesch, more like Doro screamo. When Louhimo favors a more milder register, as on Black Ninja, she can sing smooth and clean or, with Into the Heart of Danger, simply a bit gruffer. But when she gets to those metal screams Noora can be pretty raging as with Let It Roar. Thankfully, she's not in screamo mode all the time. That would make for a very redundant, and unpleasant, listening experience.

Alternatively, Battle Beast's power metal, being quite traditional, is dead on target. Of course, purists might say that some of Janne Björkroth's quirky synth spots run between quirky to flowery, something not necessarily a part of true power metal. Nevertheless, it makes for some interesting additions as within Machine Revolution, a good dose of rushing power metal. And power metal is definitely the theme here: Kingdom, Out of Control, Raven, and Fight Kill Die are all raging speed monsters, especially that last one, packing a blur into a mere two minutes and 44 seconds.

Conversely, Over The Top or Black Ninja might pass for basic melodic metal. One of the best songs, Let It Roar, moves more on a terrific rock groove and a catchy chorus. Quite nice. Finally, what's proper heavy/power metal without generous amounts of guitar solos. The answer would be, shit. There's oodles of ripping solos here. While Noora Louhimo's vocals may take some getting used to, Battle Beast basically nails classic heavy/power metal with ease for fine headbanging results. Recommended.


Battle Beast - Black Ninja





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In Short

While Noora Louhimo's vocals may take some getting used to, Battle Beast basically nails classic heavy/power metal with ease for fine headbanging results. Recommended.

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