By Jonny Bakes
I started off my Über Rockin’ 2023 with a healthy dose of power metal, so I figured why not continue the trend with some ‘Might And Power’. The name of this album just screams classic heavy metal where all of the songs are about power, steel and metal. Hell, it sounds like it could be the name of a Manowar album that has been lurking in the shadows for a number of years.. but it isn’t. Instead this is the latest effort from the weighty Megaton Sword.
Like many bands of the heavy metal ilk, Megaton Sword claim to have mastered the art of metal and honed their own skills to wield its mighty force. With their debut album already under their belts in the form of ‘Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire’ this Swiss metal force have turned their sights towards the all important sophomore album to bring the might of steel into your homes. You’ll find themes of fantasy, valour and conquest told through the medium of relentless rhythms, ’70s sounding guitar work and clear melodic vocals. Perhaps you’ll find influences from Blind Guardian, Manowar, Metallica and more amongst the musical power being brought forth, but most importantly you’ll find a healthy dose of the golden era of heavy metal to tickle that nostalgia bone of yours.
‘Cowards Remain’ is a stand out track that channels the spirit of Judas Priest in its composition. The riff is pretty catchy and is combined with a neat little fuzzy guitar solo for a bit of extra guitar flourish as well. The vocals threaten to get a little bit aggressive in this track with an edge to the otherwise melodic nature of them to further add to the Judas Priest feel of it. Although it does lack the signature wails that would really make this into a homage piece!
The album opens with a very promising start in the introduction to ‘The Raving Light of Day’ which opens with nothing but some simple heavy drums before building up into a chuggy riff. It’s got the perfect rhythm to headbang along to that’s similar Manowar’s ‘Brothers of Metal’ before it hits the chorus where it sounds more like ‘Tallica’s ‘Creeping Death’ so there’s plenty to get stuck into here. But the thing that struck me with this song, that unfortunately carried through the rest of the album, is that I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. I’m not sure what it is, but it didn’t strike me in the gut in the same way that other heavy metal bands do and I didn’t find myself with the uncontrollable urge to fist pump.
All in all, ‘Might And Power’ had everything I should like on paper, but for some reason it just didn’t quite gel together in a way that got me excited. I still can’t put my figure on exactly what is missing but it just lacks a bit of depth so I couldn’t get as sucked in as I have done with other albums of this nature. However, there was a significant buzz around Megaton Sword’s debut album, and ‘Might And Power’ does indeed build further on that so there’s every chance that this will excite classic metal fans across Europe and beyond. If Judas Priest, Blind Guardian, Helloween, etc. are your bag then it’s worth having a swing with the Megaton Sword, hell, it could end up being your mighty Excalibur!
- ‘Might And Power’ is released on 24 February. You can get your copy HERE.
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