Krilloan – Return Of The Heralds – Album Review

Review By Graeme Wright

Let me tell you of the days of high adventure…..

I rated Krilloan’s debut album as one of the finest Power Metal albums of the last ten years upon its initial release and I’ve been counting the days until I could get my hands on their new record, the aptly titled ‘Return Of The Heralds’. I find the musicianship of this band astonishing, from the huge vocal range of singer Alex VanTrue, the twin guitar assault from Klas Holmgren and Steve Brockmann, right through to the amazing back line of Marco Toba on the bass and Christoph Brandes on drums. Brandes in particular must feel as if his arms are about to drop off at the end of every live show or recording session playing this bands music!

Now onto the album itself, the big question was always going to be if they could possibly match the quality of their first record. I’m pleased to report that they have managed to do that and more, as this album contains ten killer Power Metal songs of the highest quality which means the record doesn’t falter from start to finish. The album tells a variety of stories, mostly based on the tales of Conan the Barbarian from the pen of Robert E. Howard (with a touch of Warhammer 40,000 and Elric of Melnibone thrown in for good measure.)

Opener ‘Atlantean Sword’ gives you a good idea of what to expect from this record. Air-raid siren vocals, a thunderous backbeat and huge swathes of guitar work, all played out with a pace and intricacy that is both astonishing and exhilarating. ‘Kings Of The Iron Hill’ is next up and it is another song with a Rolls Royce engine under its bonnet, with a pitch perfect, almost operatic vocal harmony which is just the icing on the cake as far as I’m concerned.

I’ve mentioned in previous reviews that I was obsessed with Conan the Barbarian when I was a teenager, and to hear the Basil Poledouris theme from that film reworked and given the Krilloan treatment in ‘Blood & Fire (Born On A Battlefield)’ is almost a dream come true and it left me with a big stupid grin on my face from the very first time I heard it. This is an amazing song and technically it shows how much the band have advanced since the first record. ‘Hammer Of Wrath’ is another stormer of a track, while ‘Avenging Son’ contains enough huge hooks and big riffs to satisfy any fan of the genre.

Things finally slowdown for ‘The Oathpact’ which is another of those “sitting around a camp fire telling stories” type of intros that Krilloan do so well. Title track ‘Return Of The Heralds’ soars to the skies and ‘The Kingkillers Tale’ sees the band back in storytelling bard mode and for me nobody displays this kind of pomp and ceremony better than Krilloan. ‘We Burn’ flys out of the traps and means serious business, but all too soon we are at the end of the record with album closer ‘Beyond The Gates’. This is another awesome track that finishes the album off in fine style with a real epic feel to it.

Look, I love everything about Krilloan. The songs, the stories, the power, the speed, the amazing musicianship from all five band members and their love of the work of Robert E. Howard. If you like this genre of Metal this is an absolute no-brainer, just get it bought.

Band Members:

Alex VanTrue – Vocals

Klas Holmgren – Guitar

Steve Brockmann – Guitar

Marco Toba – Bass

Christoph Brandes – Drums

Track Listing.

1. Atlantean Sword

2. Kings Of The Iron Hill

3. Blood & Fire (Born On A Battlefield)

4. Hammer Of Wrath

5. Avenging Son

6. The Oathpact

7. Return Of The Heralds

8. The Kingkillers Tale

9. We Burn

10. Beyond The Gates