STORMZONE – Immortal Beloved (2026) *HQ Exclusive*
320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2
Belfast’s STORMZONE debut album appeared two decades ago on Escape Music. After seven LP’s on different labels, now the band returns to Escape for the release of their brand new effort titled “Immortal Beloved“, ready for their 20th Anniversary.
Musically STORMZONE’s origins blended traditonal hard rock with metal with AOR touches and tons of melody. Well, STORMZONE 2026 developed into a mighty melodic metal monster and this is without doubt the finest thing they have ever committed to whatever medium you like to listen to. Think latter day Pretty Maids and perhaps some Pink Cream 69, however STORMZONE sports their own sound.
And a huge sound it is. Opener ‘Steel Meets Ice’ sets the stall out straightaway with some superb chunky riffage, loads of double kick action and soaring vocals. Then thatc 2 is a highlight, the utterly superb ‘Tyrannosaur (Screaming in the Night)’, opens with a twin guitar intro before it eases smoothly into a fist-pumping metal anthem with a hook so big you could catch Moby Dick.
‘My Immortal Beloved’ has a vicious riff and a barrage of kick drums over another quality vocal melody before the storming ‘Stand In Line’ punches you in the face. ‘Hammerfall’ has a keyboard intro over some crunchy guitar lines before they leave, then singer John ‘Harv’ Harbison takes over before they all join in on the huge chorus. This is going to sound massive live and is bound to get the fists pumping.
‘Hands Held High’ is another fist pumper, then the crushing ‘Ironclad’ does some serious damage with Harbison going to the top of his range. We get a power ballad on ‘Blood And Tears’, which starts with a beautiful bright piano line before the molten metal of ‘The Reckoning’, where Harv lets out a proper scream before the epic ‘Light Of Day’, which has a keyboard intro very similar to Sweet’s ‘Fox On The Run’.
‘Until I Found You’ rattles along at a fair old clip before it settles into a melodic metal pounder and leads to another on ‘Heart Of Fire’ before the punch-up metal of ‘Facing Time’ closes the album in fine style.
All involved into “Immortal Beloved” should be justly proud of what they have created here. Superb songs, excellent, memorable melodies and some world-class performances. Guitarists David Shields and Shaun Nelson-Frame (who also produces) have the gift of the riff and fluid fingers too; the rhythm section are tighter than a duck’s bum, and singer Harv makes it sound effortless.
A killer record.
Highly Recommended
01 – Titanic (Steel Meets Ice)
02 – Tyrannosaur (Screaming in the Night)
03 – My Immortal Beloved
04 – Stand in Line
05 – The Hammer Has to Fall
06 – Hands Held High
07 – Ironclad
08 – Blood and Tears
09 – The Reckoning
10 – The Light of Day
11 – Until I Found You
12 – Heart on Fire
13 – Facing Time
John ‘Harv’ Harbinson – Vocals
Shaun Nelson-Frame – Guitar
David Shields – Guitar
Jan Uhlin – Bass
Petro Uhlin – Drums
Pre order:
spindizzyrecords.com/products/stormzone-immortal-beloved-cd
