ALBUM REVIEW: Barbarians in Black – Armored Dawn

Following the release of their debut record Power Of Warrior in 2016, Brazilian metallers ARMORED DAWN have been back in the studio in preparation for their second album Barbarians In Black. The band have been growing in reputation rapidly, touring worldwide with the likes of MEGADETH, SYMPHONY X, RHAPSODY and SABATON and the new record is highly anticipated.

The album begins with Bloodstone, starting with a heavy emphasis on the keyboards of Rafael Agostino, and the echoes of a choir to really capture the essence of power metal. Once the vocals kick in from Eduardo Parras the track becomes much heavier – the sound focusing much more on the fast paced riffs and changing from power metal to something along the lines of death metal, and maintains that sound throughout the rest of the track; a very good track to begin the new album. The next track, Eyes Behind The Crow, begins much slower than the first, and the pace overall is much slower. The sound takes on a more generic heavy metal twist to start, before the power metal elements come back into it before too long as the track gradually builds up throughout, and again is very well put together.

The recipe is pretty much the same throughout the record, but each one is unique in its own way, whether it’s down to the intro, the pace or individual efforts such as more emphasis on the guitars etc. One thing that is clearly evident in this record is the Viking theme which ARMORED DAWN have based themselves on, and with tracks such as Men Of Odin, Sail Away and of course the title track Barbarians in Black, it gives the listener a pretty clear idea of what the tracks are about, especially those ones in particular.

Barbarians in Black is the final track to feature on the record, which seems like an apt way to bring the album to an end. The power metal elements really come into this track more than the others, with the verses building up to an epic chorus, and it is a track that would make a fantastic last song at a gig.

It’s always hard to try and stand out in the power metal scene, with it being such a niche genre of metal and a lot of bands having very similar themes. ARMORED DAWN though seem to be one of the few bands that have taken the Viking theme and used it for power metal – normally you’d associate Vikings with the likes of AMON AMARTH or BATHORY. They have really managed to blend the heavier elements of metal though with power metal, and the overall package is a huge triumph. The vocals are powerful and each individual element sounds in sync with all the others. One of the most hotly anticipated records of 2018, ARMORED DAWN have not disappointed with Barbarians In Black, and is certainly one album well worth picking up when you get the chance.

Rating: 8/10

Barbarians In Black is out now via AFM Records.

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