BATTLE BEAST – Battle Beast [Japan Edition +1]

Here we have a band a friend pointed out, and although they have a newer album released, this is the one to recommend by this blog: we are talking about BATTLE BEAST and their self-titled CD which in fact it’s the band sophomore effort.

Do not be afraid by the cover artwork… this is not an extreme metal album, this six-piece band from Finland delivers traditional metal tinged with a little Euro-power, but all served with a – hard edged, gotta say – melodic hard rock feel.
Think Allen/Lande mixed with some Axel Rudi Pell, Helloween, Pretty Maids, etc, but Battle Beast are much more commercial and with lots of keyboards / synths effects into the mix.
These are truly infectious songs with a slick, bombastic production, and while lyrics and the sci-fi concept are a bit cheesy, darn, they sound terrific.

A huge part of the band’s charm came from the leather lunged power and presence of front woman Noora Louhimo. She is part banshee, part rock star, all metal and her pipes are impossible to resist, with a really distinctive vocal color.

The guitars are huge – layers of them – but never overwhelming the strong keyboard presence and the thumping rhythm section.
‘Let It Roar’ is a sturdy metal opener to the album, perhaps the heavier on the entire record, lead by face-ripping riffs and in-your-face vocals. But soon, and since track 2 the album go for a more accessible sound.

‘Machine Revolution’, for example, has a wonderfully optimistic melodic rock spirit to it with a rigid drive at the same time, while ‘Kingdom’ feels like the ultimate anthem for Battle Beast.
‘Out of Control’ and ‘Out in the Streets’ are joyful, Lita Ford-ish lite metal and they have an undeniable hook factor come chorus time.
On the more heavier side there’s ‘Raven’ where Noora shows she can get rough and raspy when needed, and despite ‘Black Ninja’ starts with somewhat a softer ’80s sound, quickly changes pace to metal squeals that really leave an impression.

But my favorite track and one that clearly represents Battle Beast style & sound it’s ‘Into The Heart Of Danger’. The strong lead vocals by Noora – supported by guitarist Anton Kabanen who also does lead vocal parts – the pumping bass and the awesome, twinkling keyboard arrangement all over turn this baby a pure delight for Euro Melodic Hard fans, and why not, those leaning for the harder side of the AOR spectrum.
Japanese bonus track ‘Shutdown’ is another punchy number with a hard rock groove driving the proceedings, with a kick ass chorus, some kind of orchestrated keys and a razor solo.

“Battle Beast” may have a heavy metal imaginary, some rapid double-bass drum lines and melting riffs, but mostly, this is a truly melodic album with epic choruses and infectious keyboards.
Yeah, lyrics are a little cheesy – human-animal hybrids fighting evil robot drones into some kind of concept – but musically the songs are quite fan-damn-tastic, benefited by a pristine bombastic production.
Strongly Recommended

Nippon / Columbia ~ COCB-60095
Ｂ Ａ Ｔ Ｔ Ｌ Ｅ  Ｂ Ｅ Ａ Ｓ Ｔ 【ＣＤ】

01 – Let It Roar
02 – Out Of Control
03 – Out On The Streets
04 – Neuromancer
05 – Raven
06 – Into The Heart Of Danger
07 – Machine Revolution
08 – Golden Age
09 – Kingdom
10 – Over The Top
11 – Fight, Kill, Die
12 – Black Ninja
13 – Rain Man
14 – Shutdown (Japanese bonus track)

Noora Louhimo – lead vocals
Anton Kabanen – guitar, lead and backing vocals
Eero Sipilä – bass, backing vocals
Janne Björkroth – keyboard, backing vocals
Juuso Soinio – guitar
Pyry Vikki – drums

BUY IT !
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