Battleroar
Age Of Chaos

Epic Metal. Once again.

Never change a winning team. This seems to be the imperative of Battleroar who in 2005 under the Black Lotus label, release “Age of chaos” which follows the eponymous debut by two years. The album is certainly more mature than the first, thanks to particularly inspired and much more complex compositions compared to the debut album. Moreover, the sounds have improved, especially the drums, which were overly prominent in the first album but now, thanks also to the help of Mark Cross (ex Helloween and Metalium), accompany the other instruments more effectively. Furthermore, the band features another guest star like the legend Mark Shelton (Manilla Road) who has a significant role within the CD (he composed and sang the first track, wrote the final solo in Calm before the storm, and did a small recitation part in Sword of crom). Also contributing to this album is Alex Papadiamantis, a violinist from Athens who lends his performances to several parts of the record. Great performance from the Venetian singer Marco, whose theatrical and very expressive voice conveys increasingly rare emotions within the global metal scene.

The album opens with The wanderer, a wonderful song sung and interpreted superbly by the aforementioned singer of Manilla Road. Vampire killer. One of the best songs on the platter thanks to the varied, aggressive, and fast riffing accompanied by a great performance by the vocalist.

Siegecraft stands in all its majesty, demonstrating the band's worth, if there was still any need. A massive track, gorgeous vocal lines, dark and deep refrain preceding a slow moment where the strings add greater epicness to the piece. There are few words to describe Tower of the elephant, inspired by the tales of Conan the Barbarian; tracks like this are increasingly difficult to find. Listen to it, and especially in the last seconds, close your eyes and let yourself be carried away to the battlefields.

Deep buried faith is a fast and aggressive track, very engaging, preluding to the arrival of a mini-suite like Dyvim Tvar, entirely written by our local singer, who crafts an epic and complex song based on the saga of Melnibone. Another magnificent piece with a spine-chilling initial riff, pure music, pure emotions. Sword of crom and Narsil (Reforge the sword) are two fast tracks imbued with great epicness. The first, still inspired by Conan, and the second tells the story in music of Narsil, reforged to bring hope to the people of Middle-earth, thus inspired by Tolkien’s masterpiece The Lord of the Rings. Not just an instrument to kill but a symbol of hope for victory, a symbol meant for the heir to the throne of Gondor, Aragorn, who wields Anduril, flame of the west.

Calm before the storm is another complex piece that starts aggressively but suddenly stops to drag you into lost and dreamy scenarios scattered at the dawn of time, where acoustic guitar and strings describe melodic intertwines of rare emotionality. The calm before the storm seems to be experienced even within the song because after this sweet and delicate moment, the storm breaks out, with fast and destructive guitars reminiscent of Metallica-style thrash. The CD closes with Dreams on steel, a masterpiece ballad, poignant and melancholic, embellished by the singer delivering a performance of extraordinary theatricality and expressiveness, pulling us away from battlefields to lead us into a sleep meant to let us rest before we set out again pursuing our own death. For those who love this genre, it's an album to buy with eyes closed.

For all those who declare epic ugly, predictable, and cliche, run away at the mere sight of this album. But folks, this is music played with heart, recorded, and conceived with heart by a band wholeheartedly dedicated to what they love.

And as it is known: you cannot command the heart...

Guest star:

Mark Shelton (Manilla Road)

Mark Cross (Metalium and Helloween)

Alex Papadiamantis - violinist

01. The wanderer (4:03)
02. Vampire killer (5:52)
03. Siegecraft (5.23)
04. Tower of the elephant (7:10)
05. Deep buried faith (3:56)
06. Dyvim Tvar (8:54)
07. Sword of Crom (4:54)
08. Narsil (Reforge the sword) (4:07)
09. Calm before the storm (8:50)
10. Dreams on steel (5:04)