Formed back in 2023, this is the first release from German Power Metal band UNDER RUINS. With members of the vastly underrated THEM and LANFEAR, they combine the gruff 80's style Thrash Metal with Power Metal elements to create a sound of their own, without compromise and with equal promise. Building a band on a lyrical theme like the golden age of piracy is no small task. You obviously do not want to sound corny because most of the bands that have taken that path are more comical, not so serious approach. Bands like ALESTORM or THE PRIVATEER have tarnished a bit the legacy of piracy as a theme, nothing against them at all, ALESTORM is still one of my favorite bands but I guess you can say they have given the piracy theme a bit of a party feel. They won't do something like the incredible VISIONS OF ATLANTIS yet they carve they own path with the theme itself. It's safe to say that UNDER RUINS go with the approach of longstanding veterans RUNNING WILD. The true originators of the genre.

They take the more historical approach, akin to a band like SABATON. I am happy to see such a young band writing lyrics on historical events, I have always been a fan of history and wanted to be a high school history teacher back in the day so bands that take the risk of talking about things from the past with a vast knowledge is something that will always be close to my heart. My love for bands like IRON MAIDEN, SABATON have come from this perception that you can write about something that really happened in a way that catches the listener's attention. For starters, any band claiming to have anything to do with the power metal genre is only as good as its singer. Bad singers can kill otherwise decent albums. No worries here, though, as vocalist Nuno Miguel de Barros Fernandes is in fine for. He possesses one of those voices that sounds pleasant no matter how high or low he sings.

One of the most engaging, nay enthralling aspects of the European power metal scene is the conceptual storytelling that often comes along with the infectious hooks, high octane riff work and virtuosic musicianship. The blend of German power and speed metal and mixed with traditional 80’s stuff while also having a more modern sound. Heavy focus on hard hitting riffs and lead work being in the forefront with a quite unique singer that while operating in the traditional high note power metal range has that character to his voice you need to hear yourself. With some slower parts coupled with keyboards adding to epic feel of the songs this is what makes the DNA of UNDER RUINS. 

The album is also soaked in this ominous and brooding aura, which coupled with the massive sound of the music, courtesy of a great production job, only helps to accentuate the heaviness of the brand of power metal that these guys portray. This is not an album that can be appreciated in one run, not because it’s overly complex, but because the songs are teeming with ideas and they’re all so wonderfully executed that it takes a couple of listens to fully appreciate everything that is at play.