Review | Brainstorm – Plague Of Rats

Reigning Phoenix Music

My review of ‘Wall Of Skulls’, the previous album of Brainstorm, was not incredibly positive as I called it a cliché album filled with eleven Teutonic power metal songs and of course a must for power metal fans…

THE TRADEMARK

After the first seconds of the song ,,Beyond The Enemy Lines” you hear without a shadow of a doubt that Brainstorm hails from Germany as these new songs on ‘Plague Of Rats’ are all packed with catchy hooks and catchy choruses galore, with obvious musical references to other German bands like Gamma Ray, Masterplan, Primal Fear and Helloween. There is absolutely no rest for the wicked as most of the songs are really up tempo, packed with those typical galloping rhythms that seem to be a trademark of Brainstorm.

,,False Memories” is such a typical Brainstorm fast-paced power metal track, packed with razor-sharp, fiery riffs, while ,,Masquerade Conspiracy” with its galloping rhythms almost sounds like a thrash metal song. ,,From Hell” is another example of Brainstorm’s “unique” style, but this one also features some guttural vocals by guest singer Alexander Krull from Leaves Eyes, making it even harder to enjoy this track.

BRAINSTORM – THE CONCLUSION

The highlight is definitely the opening track called ,,Beyond Enemy Lines”, a pounding and uplifting song, featuring soaring vocal harmonies and wild guitar solos that make this song a classic Brainstorm one. Need I say more? Probably not, as ‘Plague Of Rats’ is again, just like their previous one, a MUST for Brainstorm fans and fans of German power metal. Play it LOUD, if you can.

Release date: 28 February 2025