Release date: Out Now!

Label: Stormspell Records

Reigning all the way from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Epic Heavy Metal band Executioner Steel was formed just 5 years ago with the intention to bring more epic themes into the metal scene. Executioner Steel was formed by the band’s singer, Uzzair K. Xion, as he and the band have previously released their first single titled “Defenders of Metal” in 2023 and another single titled “Shadhin Shurjo” last year, it is a 7 min piece that was also a perfect way to introduce the band to the scene overall just as their first single! The band was proud to announce their signing to Stormspell Records on

Review

“Rage of The Thunderstorm” begins with the opening track under the title of “The Awakening“. The song begins with a synth piece, with sort of a regal kind of vibe as it slowly builds up, creating this anticipation; slowly but surely. It creatively sets the entire mood and tone for what is to come later in the rest of the album with also properly laying the foundation down for what is the Awakening of the “Rage of the Thunderstorm”.

“Rage of The Thunderstorm” begins with absolute ease, straightly getting our toes dipped into the epic metal that is being presented to us in this track. The vocals instantly remind me of the iconic Bruce Dickinson, with a bit of more roughness and edginess to it, it’s absolutely awesome and impressive to me personally. “Rage of the Thunderstorm” is admittedly the first song I listened to from this group, and all I can think of is the Manowar, Iron Maiden, hints here and there, which instantly got me hooked to the whole rest of the album!

Listening to the next track, “Warrior of Steel”, I automatically got swept in with the intro with the guitar work and commanding “marching” like vibes it was giving off. And rightfully so, the instrumentals light up perfectly with the title of the song. The track talks about fighting in an epic war, the togetherness of fighting in a battlefield. Added sword sound effects and smooth yet steel as hell guitar solos..the Usual epic/ power metal themes, but it is a bad ass track nonetheless, it’s a fun listen that I personally enjoyed.

“March to War” is another interesting instrumental break/ bridge. Similar to the opening one, but this one sounds more dark, a slight tone change with the percussion work resembling that of when soldiers are preparing for a war, at least that is what I formulated in my mind/ imagination. In my opinion, I love these kinds of “breaks” between other tracks in albums as it adds more character, and a sense of theatrics for the whole album over all, which creates more immersion into the music itself.

The next track on the list: “Defenders of Metal” just straightaway made me smile, the title right away reminded me of Manowar once again, it is a sort of a title you’d see on “Hail to England” or “Kings of Metal”. I began to bang my head already within the first minute, it has a nice balanced tone all throughout. The band does an awesome job with really encapsulating the energy, vibe, and lyrical themes that define the power/ epic metal subgenre all together. I feel as though this track is a homage or nod to Manowar, especially because of the theme of the track which talks about defending the true meaning of the metal genre and community.

“Heralds of The Sword” begins with a proclamation by their singer, a message about keeping metal alive and true to the core. The track is a little past 6 minutes long, for most of the track, it is an awesome instrumentation. It feels like more of a highlight for the guitar work, drumming, bass lines, it is all actually well balanced in my opinion. Even though there are no actual vocals to tell a story, the instruments all together speak for the majority of the track. All well put together and orchestrated in a neat way, actually loved this track and all the melodies meshed into it.

“Wrath of Desire” eases up next, it begins gentle and slower than the previous tracks in the album. It begins with a softer intro, with flowy, smooth, melodies from the guitars. It prepares the listener to the change of tone and pace as it soon picks up near the middle of the track, although it is still a bit slower than the other songs it still maintains that heaviness and epicness that is also being told through the lyrics. The song is almost pushing 8 minutes long, but it is filled with lots of highlights, like the soloing, and I would personally say the melodies and transitions are also smooth and very nice. Great track overall!

“Valiant Queen” is probably my personal favorite off this album so far, it fires off in a quicker, more upbeat tone that also has that kick of energy with the badass riffs that suck you into the story of the Valiant Queen. The main riff in the track is hands down my favorite one I’ve heard in the whole album, its catchy, almost speedy like and it is just kick ass, simple as that! This song is another with a longer duration as well, and honestly I love that the music alone is a story teller like I mentioned before. Definitely an awesome track to highlight on!

“Ragnarok” also begins with that same energy and momentum as most of the tracks in the album, straightforward, solid, sturdy and ready to unpack the bombastic riffs, edgy vocals, and fantasy themes to the listener. For some reason, this specific track makes me imagine a whole movie in my mind, it does have that theatrical vibe to it as well just like a couple of the previous tracks. Personally, it is a bit more flowy and toned than for example the previous track, but it is still a good and solid listen.

“Keepers of The Eternal Flames” is truthfully not much of a song per say, it is more of a spoken- word piece that adds and dives in even more deeper into the story telling of the whole album overall. And of course, as it Is the closing track for the album, I think that it is an interesting way to wrap it all up. Outside the themes of the spoken monologue, it gives the impression that the band has fun and loves what they are doing and creating. The passion, and the creativity from the band is actually being spoken into this piece and it is honestly one of the most epic metal things I have listened to in a album so far!

Conclusion

Although truthfully this was my first time listening to Executioner Steel, I was instantly hooked right away with all the nods and hints of older bands like Manowar and Iron maiden for example. The album overall is absolutely jam packed with a whole lot of epic themes and lyrical content ranging from mythology and fantasy story telling. Which is another thing I need to add, the album has a big focus on story telling, which I personally enjoyed too, especially at times when the instrumentals themselves would do the “speaking”. Real fun album, definitely one that made me use my imagination to create mini movies in my mind. Just Pure, unapologetic epic metal all throughout!

TheNwothm Score: 8.5/10

Links

Bandcamp:https://executionersteel.bandcamp.com/album/rage-of-the-thunderstorm

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/executionersteelofficial/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/executionersteelofficial/

Label:https://www.stormspell.com/