Band: Stormwarrior
Album title: Heathen Warrior
Label: Massacre Records
Distributor: Suburban
Release date: 27/05/2011
Release: CD, Ltd. Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP

Stormwarrior is a German speed metal that goes way back to 1998, where vocalist and guitar player Lars Ramcke founded it together with drummer Andre Schumann. Joining later in the same year was guitarist Scott Bolter and bass player Tim Zienert. The band isn’t a pure speed metal band as it also draws it’s influences from the 80’s heavy metal scene and thus can be compared with bands like “Running Wild” and “Helloween”. With the exception that the band has a thing going for Vikings and Norse mythology, witch can be find on almost every song and cover art.
Although the band has been around since 1998, it wasn’t until 2002 when they first released a full studio album (not counting demo’s and EP). And it was this album that got them really noticed and started with the Viking vibe.
In the end It makes up a decent power/ heavy metal album. It’s not really something special, new or groundbreaking, but it is a good solid album that gives you no problem for listening to it from start till end. The Viking vibe is present and to be honest, I’m not into that kind of metal. The strongest point about the record is that those elements are rather subtle than overwhelming like other bands that draw influences from the same elements (like Amon Amarth). Definitely worth listening/buying.

92/100

Jeroen.