Band : Stormhammer
Album title : Signs Of Revolution
Label : Silverwolf Productions
Distributor : SPV
Release date : 22/05/2009
Release : CD

Originally operating as Lizard and Steamhammer (which they had to change due to confusion with the ‘70s bands by the same names), the core of München based German band StormHammer (in the form of guitarists Alex Heigl & Markus Ewender, plus bassist Horst Tessmann) has been together since 1993.

In 1996 they were joined by singer Michael Schinkel (later to join Eternal Flame and Firefox), who was of sufficient standard to convince Century Media into signing the band, leading to the recording of the band’s debut album FireBall in 1999, and its release a year after. Although the frontman had left even before the release of the album, he was replaced by the even more exquisite Tommy Lion (also of Drifter, Cloud Nine, and Mana Prime fame), and the band was hailed as “newcomer Of The Year 2000” by the readers of German magazine Metal Heart. With Lion, the band would record the albums Cold Desert Moon (released 2001 through Century Media, it saw the band touring throughout Europe, even supporting Blind Guardian in Italy, Vienna and Budapest in 2002) and Lord Of Darkness (2004, for Mausoleum this time), the latter also seing the induction of drummer Chris Widman (of Emergency Gate). Regretfully, Lion left the band after a Spring 2005 tour with Grave Digger.

New man at the mike stand would be Mike Zotter, formerly of Neverland and Dreamscape (two Progressive Metal acts), and after a replacement on the drum stool (Stygian Shore’s Johannes Lang stepping in for Widmann) the band finished recordings of this album in early 2008, aided out in this by another addition to the line-up, keyboardist Manuel Schallinger, who’d joined the band in 2007. However…line-up problems apparently being a problem with these guys, the band have since lost their longstanding guitarist Alex Heigl (going on as a one-guitarist band for a while, they recently rejoiced in the recruitment of Semih Felke as a replacement). Lang’s contribution was apparently also but temporary, his position now taken by Ruben Strenzke (of As Stormclouds Gather and Raidshelter repute). To continue the keyboard tradition (let it be known that, after the departure of their original keyboardist…who’d contributed to the first two albums, the band had been without keyboardist until 2007), the band have recruited former Benedictum keyboarder Chris Morgan into their ranks.

Well, back to the album at hand, which was produced by the band itself (as was their previous album), and then mixed by Thomas Burlefinger (who’s worked with the likes of Greg Bissonette, Dave Evans, L.A.Guns, Mike Portnoy, Subway To Sally, Darren Wharton and many more) and mastered by Christoph Stickel (known from his work with, a.o., Bonfire, Gotthard, Reamonn, Seal, and Shakra). For the album cover artwork, the band secured themselves the services of yet another known name in the Metal business, namely “Stripe” Schinzel, known from his artwork for the likes of Agent Steel, Anvil,  Hanoi Rocks, Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P., and Witchcraft.

Talking music, I cannot confirm the acclaimed development concerning the songs and sound, because I never heard any StormHammer material before, but there’s definitely a progressive touch in the band’s Heavy Metal. Whether that is indeed due mainly due, as the band states, to the undeniable voice of their new singer, is something which they know best! No matter what, the band’s Heavy Metal is nicely melodic while also containing the slight complexities needed to entertain the more seasoned listener. Although the keyboardist doés occasionally get a chance at showing off his prowess (and his piano play is obviously is a centerpiece during the album’s semi-ballad “Bridges Of Eternity”), the music is mainly guitar-oriented, and these instruments soar through the album with enchanting clearness! Check out three songs off the new album (among which that ballad) at myspace.com/stormhammerband. As the band also posted a song off each of itss earlier albums, you might take the troublee to make a comparison (something which I didn’t have time for, seeing as I’ve had to gather info on some 25 artists only two days before leaving for a 3-week holiday, and not being able to surf on the Internet during that time). As for my end conclusion about Signs Of Revolution…gréat album, in fact quite impressive. But not enough to make my year-lists.

90/100

Tony.