ALBUM REVIEW: Renegades – Equilibrium

Folk metal giants EQUILIBRIUM have been busy in the recording studio and have brewed their sixth album Renegades. The German group have had two new members join their ranks this year, with Skar replacing Makki on bass, and Skadi Rosehurst stepping behind the keyboards. Do the line-up changes lead to a stronger offering, or are EQUILIBRIUM still trying to get into the groove with their newest members?

Kicking things off, EQUILIBRIUM dive into Renegades‘ pseudo-title track: Renegades – A Lost Generation. From the opening seconds, the keyboards add that symphonic element to EQUILIBRIUM‘s sound and you are teleported into the deepest realms of space. The riffs kick in not long later and the breakdown comes out of nowhere, followed by Robse’s haunting vocals, and the whole track really showcases what the band are all about. The extra keyboards are very prominent and it adds another dimension to the EQUILIBRIUM package.

The following track Tornado starts off in a similar fashion to the opening track with a lot of emphasis on a keyboard-based intro, giving off that intergalactic feel to it. Robse’s vocal range is pushed to the limit, his low pitch throughout the opening verse giving that darker feel that has become paramount with EQUILIBRIUM‘s overall sound, as well as showcasing his higher pitched singing to add real depth to the track as a whole. The pace isn’t quite as fast as the opener for the vast majority, but when you least expect it the riff tempo is turned up to the max and turns the track on its head.

Moonlight is certainly one honourable mention that has to be included in the top picks for Renegades – it’s fast, hard, heavy and absolutely mind blowing all at once. If there is one song that defines EQUILIBRIUM, this is it; it redefines the sound the band have been renowned for since their formation back in 2001, and has almost every element of metal you could ever imagine combined together in perfect harmony.

It’s been three years since the release of their previous record Armageddon, and it is immediately clear that EQUILIBRIUM haven’t squandered this time, enhancing their identity and further mastering their craft. From the overall perspective of the album, Renegades is certainly one of the best albums to have been released so far this year. The way it has all been put together makes it an absolute joy to listen to from start to finish, serving as an excellent jumping off point for those new to the band and an excellent addition for veteran fans.

Rating: 8/10

Renegades is set for release August 16th via Nuclear Blast Records. 

Like EQUILIBRIUM on Facebook.