Release date: 22 August, 2025

Following their successful debut album spawning a cassette, a CD release via Stormspell Records and a CD re-release via Silverstream Records, Hungary’s BURNING SUN is ready to unleash their second record, “Retribution”! It is a dark and cohesive fantasy power metal concept album that tells a story about fight, struggle, revenge and finally, salvation.
Although the main influences of “Retribution” are rooted in the German scene of the 1990s such as HELLOWEEN or GRAVE DIGGER, BURNING SUN delivers a power metal album with a unique touch. With a wide range of guitar harmonies, massive choruses, soaring vocals and tasteful guitar solos, “Retribution” is not just another memorable power metal release, but a musical journey that creates an immersive experience. Though the songwriting is polished, the mix has a sharp and raw edge that emphasizes the  concept of the record.

Lyrically, the songs of the album are directly connected telling the story of Emaly, a young paladin, who remains the sole survivor of a clash between her group and the death cult of a necromancer. After her mentor and his companions fell, she swears to avenge their death then sets out find the necromancer and destroy his cult once and for all.
The album is based on Zoltán Papi’s (bass) story and lyrics while the music was composed by Pancho Ireland (vocals, guitars) also known from his own band, Merciless Law. “Retribution” offers some minor sound effects & acted narration that help to tell the story but don’t break the flow of a strong and powerful record.

Review

Bursting out with a monster of an opening riff, “By The Light” reminded me a lot of power metal of the early 2000s. While not recalling these bands in particular, I found the sound to be somewhat in line with the likes of At Vance or Persuader. It definitely skews toward the heavier side of power metal, which is practically the perfect storm. High-pitched vocals that never felt too Dickinson or Halford, and some really nice riffing, as mentioned above, helped this one have an identity all of its own. If there was one knock I had on the track, it would be that the drums felt a little hollow at times, but it wasn’t enough so as to detract from the song itself.

“Fight in the Night” featured a bit more of a thrash/speed tempo to start off. The real show-stealer here was by far the chorus sequence, first heard near the 1:45 mark, the sheer power and vigor in the delivery was incredible. Reminded me a bit of very early Manowar, think “Battle Hymn”.

In a rather unexpected move, “Aftermath” opened with some nice synthesizers (which will always remind me of 80s movie scores). Buoyed by a main riff that was reminiscent of “Holy Diver”, but not too much. Being a bit more of a mid-tempo affair was a nice change of pace from the first two tracks blistering speeds. Though I must admit that I was half-expecting the song to feature a sudden shift back into the speed/thrash norm.

“Cold Winds”, aptly enough, opened with some ambient winds and the sound of feet crunching snow beneath before a brief, but great, drumroll. Ooh damn, I love the delivery of chorus, might be one of my favorites so far this year. While I don’t quite think the rest of the track lived up to the chorus, which was easily the pinnacle of the song, it does enough to lift it up into ‘pretty good’ territory. The ending keyboards definitely gave it a few more points as well.

“Heart of Darkness” returned us to the heavier side of power metal with an opening riff to die (or kill) for. Though I found the remainder of the track unable to live up to that killer opener, I also never found it to be dull or poor, just sort of there for me.

“Open Your Eyes” was a more standard power metal affair, for good or ill. I don’t believe that keeping things simple is inherently bad, and this song was a testament to that mantra. Was it the most technically flashy? No, but it was coherent and complete in a way that not every song is. Despite my previous claim of the track being a standard power metal affair, the guitar solo in this one was in fact, pretty darn good.

“Shadows Undone”, the lead single from the album, kicked off with a blitz of a drumroll. Vocally, this one reminded me a lot of somebody, but not one that I could exactly pinpoint. Like many of the other tracks on the album, this one had an infectious chorus and some truly standout drumming. UPDATE: It’s Heavenly that this reminds me of, the French power metal band, in particular their track “Evil”.

Our final track, “Redemption”, opened with some nice melodic sustains before once more giving us some slick heavy riffing (again, think the heavier side of power metal).I wasn’t expecting the complete shift at around 2:35, wherein a narrated sequence overtakes the song itself, undercut by some feint keyboard work. Nor the balls to the wall instrumental, emphasis on ‘mental’, sequence that followed. The drums were thundering ahead like a locomotive, while the guitar solo ripped out like a hurricane of bullets.

Conclusion

Burning Sun’s 2023 release “Wake of Ashes” was one that I filed under ‘Solid, but no spectacular’, and made the band one that I put on notice for whether I enjoy them or not. I found this record to be superior to the debut in nearly all ways. While a few tracks were a touch standard fare for my taste, I didn’t think any were outright bad, nor did I ever wish for one of them to end. As it stands now, I’d place Burning Sun’s “Retribution” in the upper echelon of 2025 albums.

TheNwothm Score: 8.5

Links

Bandcamp: https://burningsun.bandcamp.com/

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

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

Label: Metalizer Records