Kev Rowland Grand Magus are back, with the same line-up they have had for quite a long period of time now with Janne „JB“ Christoffersson (guitar, vocals) and Mats Fox Hedén Skinner (bass) having been there since the very beginning, and even “new boy” Ludwig Witt (drums) has been there since 2012. This time they decided to record in a different manner, as JB says, “We decided to let go of the current philosophy to record drums first and then bass and then guitar etc. This time, we met up, jammed and created together during the last six months with the goal to record basic tracks live.“

I have long been a fan of JB’s voice, and while this is their ninth studio album I think I have six of them, so am always intrigued to hear what they come up with, but to say this is something of a disappointment is an understatement. Straight forward metal, with some nods along the way to the likes of doom, this reminds me a great deal of a heavy take on Rainbow’s “The Shed (Subtle)”, while bands such as Rage and even Sabbath also get a look in. But, there is little here for the metalhead to really get into, and while the band may not be going through the motions it certainly feels like it at times. If it wasn’t for the powerful vocals, particularly on numbers such as “Brother of the Storm”, then I doubt I would have played it as much as I have. It’s not that it’s a bad album, but rather that for me it is just pretty boring. Next.

Kev Rowland Back with their seventh studio album, the trio based around singer/guitarist JB Christoffersson have come back with something that is going to please all those who wish that traditional heavy metal was the musical form most in vogue instead of the multiple sub-genres it spawned. Along with bassist Fox Skinner and drummer Ludwig Witt, JB has created something that holds Manowar in awe, while also bringing in elements of Sabaton and Priest while also managing to throw in aspects of doom and stoner for good measure. It hits hard on the beat, with a real groove to the overall sound, yet definitely harkens back to the metal of thirty or forty years ago. That is one of the albums major strengths, but also in my ears one of the biggest downfalls. One of the reasons that metal split and fractured in so many ways is that bands wanted to do something in a different way, so going back to a more traditional sound means that in many ways this is dated, and not necessarily in a good way.

The production is very good on the vocals on the guitars and vocals, but the bass is too low in the mix and the drums too high, but JB keeps powering through and his vocals are the real highlight with loads of passion and emotion and plenty of breadth. I found this an enjoyable romp while playing it, but little here to make me want to do so repeatedly. It is a solid album, nothing more or less, and will undoubtedly please all the many fans of this Swedish group, but whether it will gain them many new ones remains to be seen. www.nuclearblast.de