Brainstorm - Plague of Rats

Brainstorm is a heavy/power metal band from Germany, who formed in 1989.  Their latest release, “Plague of Rats,” is their fourteenth (!) full-length album.  Over the years, they have also released numerous demos, splits, EPs, compilations, and live albums. 

Doomed For Metal Reviews isn’t just for extreme or doom metal.  I love all metal, and power metal is no exception!    When I worked for Metal Temple, I reviewed their 2018 release “Midnight Ghost,” which I absolutely loved.  I didn’t realize but they also released a full-length album in 2021 called, “Wall of Skulls.” I’ll have to fix my stupidity and check that one out.  But I’ll have to stop listening to “Plague of Rats,” first and I’m not sure if that is going to happen. 

Listening to this album is like coming home again—it’s familiar but in a way that is welcoming and safe, not stressful or redundant.  Once again, the band has put out another album that gets as close as possible to taking me back to my formative years when I first discovered the genre. 

If you have heard Brainstorm before, you probably know what to expect.  But just in case you don’t like good things, I’ll tell you what to expect:  huge riffs, bombastic energy, massive choruses, strong rhythms, and utterly god-like vocals.

Speaking of vocals, let’s talk about Andy B. Franck.  Is he immortal?  He’s aging like fine wine at the very least because his vocals are just as soaring and potent as they ever have been.    This dude is in his mid-fifties but he sounds like he is 20.  What the fuck?  I’m not complaining, just blown away.  He is a BEAST.  With the exception of their demo days and their first two full-lengths, he has been on every release and he shows zero signs of slowing down.  I actually first encountered his vocals when I bought Symphorce’s “Godspeed,” on a whim back in 2005…and he still sounds the same!  Also, can we get another Symphorce album?  Thanks.

But I don’t want to discount the rest of the band.  Dieter (drums), Torsten (Guitars), Milan (Guitars) have all three been in the band since 1989—they too are all ageless.  Each of them bring with them the same fervent energy they have had since the beginning.  Seriously,  few musicians in the power/heavy metal genre have remained as relevant as these guys.   Newcomer on bass, Jim, displays his worth though and he fits in with them very well.  I’m familiar with his work from On Thorns I Lay, and it’s cool that he is as good with power metal as he is doom metal. 

After a simple but effective intro that ramps up the energy, the band dives in head first with “Beyond Enemy Lines.”  Engaging melodies and a faced paced tempo get the song raging within seconds.  The chorus is huge and catchy as hell but why wouldn’t it be?  Andy could sing instructions on building a vacuum cleaner and I’d still listen.   They pour on the melody but let the guitars rage out after the 2:50 mark…and that solo! 

“False Memories,” is an immediate song with fast riffage and an uncanny sense of throwing little epic details in between.  The drums really drive the song, alongside the vocals, which push the song to be one of their best in a long time.  

“Your Soul That Lingers In Me,” could be a mainstream hit if modern radio wasn’t full of shit.  The guitar melodies/harmonies are uber catchy, as are the rhythms of the vocals.  Speaking of which, the Leaves’ Eyes vocalist, Elina, provides guest vocals and she does a solid job, pairing well with Andy.  Another blazing guitar solo rips through in the later half, icing on the cake.

Speaking of which, Alexander Krull, who is from Leaves’ Eyes as well in addition to death metal legends Atrocity, lends his growls to “From Hell.”  The growls actually work pretty well for the song, as music has a strong, driving presence that creates a strong foundation for Krull.  Andy’s own vocals are rather theatrical, matching Krull’s power in a different fashion.

The last two songs, “Crawling,” and “Curtains Fall,” are a mighty fine ending for the album.  The former is one of the most catchy songs they have done, loaded with simple but powerful guitars/bass and delicious melodies.  Keys are used as well, adding a jaunty energy. The latter is riff heavy, driving ever forward like a battering ram.  The vocals are particularly potent, especially during the pre-chorus with the drums backing them up.  The actual chorus is TOWERING!  

Brainstorm’s discography is ridiculously huge and, for a lot of bands, there is dip in quality as the years tick by.  Not for Brainstorm!   “Plague of Rats,” is yet another fantastic album in their ever expanding repertoire.

Rating: Excellent