Now that’s a powerful storm to bring!
Florian from the band reached out to us directly, and here’s the PR write-up we were provided.
“We are a four-person Heavy Metal band from the Braunau am Inn area in Upper Austria, founded in 2020. We came together after the end of various previous bands and immediately started writing the first songs and finding our style.
Stylistically, we are into classic heavy metal, but we are not afraid to incorporate modern influences and combine them in a clear, powerful sound.
In June 2024, we went back to the DeepDeepPressure Studios in Braunau am Inn, where the debut EP was recorded in 2021. Now, it was time to record the second EP called “Stormbringer” under the direction of Lukas Haidinger, who was responsible for recording, mixing and mastering.
“Stormbringer” will finally be released on October 12, 2024 on CD, vinyl (includes the 2021 EP as a bonus), tape (100% DIY) and the usual online and streaming platforms. None other than Velio Josto is responsible for the cover, as is easily recognizable from his characteristic style.
Now it is time to take care of the upcoming concerts in order to present the new songs on stage. Some dates for the winter of 2024/2025 have already been set, and further gigs for the spring and summer of 2025 are currently being worked on.”
LINE-UP
Yosh- Vocals/Guitar
Andi- Guitar
Alex- Bass
Flo- Drums
REVIEW
1. “Fear of Death”. A killer intro bit gives way to a really gnarly set of riffs, that had just the right amount of hard rockin’ to them (reminded me a bit of AC/DC). The vox were crisp and clear, though the accent was thick, and they reminded me of somebody, but I was blanking. More than that, this track managed to feel both retro and modern at the same time, and I think it worked in the band’s favor. This was a solid way to open up the EP!
2. “Stormbringer”. Flurry of drums ushered us into this one with a proper banshee’s wail not far behind. This was a much more-paced, borderline thrash, track. There was an addictive chorus in this one, and the overall delivery of the lyrics themselves was like a drug. Excellent riffing as well, great stuff all around. Also have to appreciate that little bass solo near the 2/3 mark, and that all pieces of the band are present readily audible.
3. “Lure Her In”. Another solid riff to begin, and once again the drumming is shining bright here. Just as I began to wonder if the track would find its second gear, it did, though it was subtle and brief. A sort of sprint to the finish line, if you would. All told, while not as strong as the first two tracks, I still found this one to be quite strong. I still felt couldn’t place my finger on who the vocals remind me of though, maybe BLIZZEN?
4. “H.S.F.” Before I listen to the song, I am going to guess the acronym: Hail Satan’s Fury. Ooh, that opening drumroll was epic, very Painkiller esque. Found myself headbanging to this one almost immediately, and that main riff was a huge reason why. This was far and away my favorite track on the album, what a banger. I can easily see this one being a regular in my rotation. They didn’t say anything that would fit the acronym that I could tell. So, I’m counting this as a correct guess.
5. “Victory!” Very 80s sounding riff to begin this one, and once more the drumming is immaculate. The way that riffs morphs, almost unnaturally, into another form of itself, just pure magic. The call of “victory” really made me feel like I had just one some epic battle, or eaten a really large pizza that someone said was too much for me (either way, the same feeling).
CONCLUSION
What a pleasant surprise this one was! When listening to any of a band’s releases before their debut full-length, I get equal parts anxious and excited, but by the end of the release one of those usually vanishes. For “Stormbringer”, it was the anxiety. If anything, all I feel for RUSTY DIAMONDS right now is excitement! Excitement for their future, because they really brought their A-game here. Every member of the band got a chance to showcase what they could do (seriously, this is some exceptional drumming), and I cannot wait to see what else RUSTY DIAMONDS puts out in the coming years.
TheNWOTHM Score: 9.5/10
RÜSTY DIAMÖNDS “Stormbringer” EP releases on 12 October, 2024
The Nwothm 
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