POWER SURGE were formed in 2024 and they are an international band with members from Croatia, Serbia, and UK. The Heavy Metal outfit release their debut album. “Shadows Warning” was produced, mixed, and mastered by Luka Matkovic (INFEST; JENNER). The album has a length of about 42 minutes, and it was released via international label FHM Records, which have Heavy and Power Metal bands among their current roster. The album starts with the title track and traditional Heavy Metal. The verse parts are driven by powerful guitar riffing at mid-tempo, catchy melodies, and vocals that vary between the medium and higher end of the vocal range with a few higher pitched notes. The bridge includes a few double-bass parts. The choruses are very melodic and almost sing-alongs. Highlight of the track is the very contributing lead guitar solo. “A Dream Into A Nightmare” continues with the classical Heavy Metal attack. The main riff is direct and simple. It is a mid-tempo track with some faster and dynamic parts. The chorus line is anthemic. There are a few tempo switches throughout, for example the break slows down at the beginning, leading into an extended lead guitar solo at high pace. “Breathe New Life” starts with an extended guitar-driven pre-lude at a measured tempo. The melodies are dark. Eventually, the track comes to life and to pace as the verse parts are fast with tight guitar riffing. The choruses maintain the pace and rhythm, while the vocals follow the melody, resulting into another anthemic chorus. The break also keeps the pace and at its core is an excellent extended lead guitar solo including twin guitars. “Breathe New Life” is one of the album highlights.

“With The Dawning” slows things down a little bit. After a bit of instrumental introduction, the track develops into a mixture of measured tempo and mid-tempo. The verse parts are delivery of dark melodies with some melancholic features. The break raises pace and leads into another contributing lead guitar solo. Most solos of the album have some length and fit very well into the tracks. The choruses have backing vocal support and provide an additional layer to the track. “No Turning Back” is a fast song with tight guitar riffs. It is a very melodic track with a lot of catchiness in the melodies, where the vocals follow the melodies. There is no bridge, and no tempo change between verses and choruses. The break initially maintains the tempo for the lead guitar solo and slows down afterwards for a little while. However, the track circles back for another fast verse and chorus. “No Turning Back” is the official video release, and the YouTube link is provided below.  “Calm Before The Storm” fades in and includes a few synthesizer effects, before the main guitar riff starts the verse part. It is the classical mid-tempo and head-banging track, in particular during the sing-along chorus parts. The verse parts have a bit more complexity in the riffing and subtle changes in tempo and rhythm. The break has a long start with repeated guitar riffs until it finally transitions into the lead guitar solo. There are bits and pieces where the tempo slows down with melancholic melodies. The track seems to be a bit unfinished as it slowly fades out.

“Carry On” is a WARRIOR cover song. It comes with Dejana Garcevic (CLAYMOREAN) as guest vocalist and Vlad Invictus (CLAYMOREAN) on guitars. “Last Man Standing” is a mixture of fast verse parts and choruses at a measured tempo. The guitar riffing during the verse parts is tight with a galloping rhythm, and thunderous during the chorus parts. The melodies of the choruses are dark with anthemic chorus lines. The break returns to the galloping rhythm and the whole break including the lead guitar solo is IRON MAIDEN inspired. However, despite or because of that, Last Man Standing” is one of my album favourites. The album finishes with “Burnout”, which is another mid-tempo track. It is a final delivery of melodic Heavy Metal and is a good representation of the album sound.

POWER SURGE release an interesting and promising debut album. “Shadows Warning” is largely based on classical Heavy Metal, but with a modern Metal sound. Many of the tracks are relatively fast and dynamic. The focal points of the album are the guitar riffing and the very contributing lead guitar solos. The songwriting still needs a bit of polishing, and it will be important for POWER SURGE to find their very own characteristic Heavy Metal sound. The album is well produced. POWER SURGE is a new star on the Heavy Metal sky and fans who like traditional Heavy Metal with a modern touch will be delighted with “Shadows Warning”.