FROZEN CROWN
"Winterbane" (Scarlet Records; 2021)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"Winterbane" is pure and unapologetic power metal that delivers exactly what you'd expect based on the genre and the album cover. it's fast and furious with mind-blowing guitar leads and devastating rhythms. The glorious female lead vocals and the epic songwriting make this one BIG album, with songs that continually pummel you with their furiosity and their epic sound. And it's made all the more impressive considering how tight this band is. There's a lot going on in the tracks on "Winterbane," but the band never gets lost in it all and keeps their sights firmly on their target.
As mentioned above, "Winterbane" is a big listen. You'll be a little exhausted when the album comes to its conclusion but you'll be satisfied as well. Sure, there's not a lot of originality here — this is one band that doesn't shy away from the clichés — but here's the thing: Clichés are clichés because they work. And "Winterbane" is just further evidence of exactly that. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Hard to pick out favorite tracks here because they all rock hard but I did particularly enjoy the band's cover of the Judas Priest classic, "Night Crawler" as well as the album closer, "Blood on the Snow."
Frozen Crown: Giada "Jade" Etro – vocals; Federico Mondelli – guitars, keyboards, vocals; Fabiola "Sheena" Bellomo – guitars; Francesco Zof; Niso Tomasini – drums (2021–present).
For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/frozencrownofficial.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2021 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
