REINFORCER were formed in 2015 and they are from Paderborn, Germany. They play a mixture of Heavy and Power Metal, and after releasing one EP and one full-length album, “Ice And Death” is the band’s sophomore album. It has a length of about 38 minutes, and it was released via Italian Heavy, Power, Thrash, and Gothic Metal specialists Scarlet Records. The album starts fast with “Heir Of The Bear”, which is a very dynamic song with powerful guitar riffing and catchy melodies. The vocals are clean and vary around the medium end of the vocal range with a few distinct tonal shifts in either direction. While most of the track is played fast, there are a couple of twists towards mid-tempo. At the heart of the track is the break that delivers an extended and contributing lead guitar solo. “Heir Of The Bear” is a good opening track with a lot of modern Heavy Metal vibes. “Dead Men Tell No Tales” continues with the Heavy Metal attack at mid-tempo. The guitar riffing is tight at times and the basslines are crushing. The vocals follow the melodies and there is some backing vocal support during the track. For the chorus parts, the tempo slows down a bit and the melodies become epic. The break is also played at a measured tempo and at its focal point is the extended lead guitar solo seamlessly transitioning into a final chorus part.

“Skogamor” is introduced with a guitar-driven pre-lude leading into the verse part at mid-tempo. The guitar riffing follows traditional Heavy Metal patterns. The tempo slows down for the bridge, while the chorus parts are back at mid-tempo. There is a lot of double-bass support during the chorus parts. The break is two-parted, starting with the solo at a measured tempo with an abrupt transition towards mid-tempo. The melodies during the chorus parts have some epic features. “The Witch Mayor” starts with powerful guitar riffs supported by the lead guitars at mid-tempo. The vocals follow the melodies, which are dark but catchy. The short bridge contains a double-bass outburst leading into the chorus part. The melodies remain dark with some melancholy in them, while the choruses are almost anthemic. The highlight of the track is another extended contributing lead guitar solo. The title track starts with a short atmospheric intro, before the main riff starts the track. It is another mid-tempo track, and the melodic framework remains dark and melancholic. The guitar riffing is tight at times and is supported by a lot of double-bass drumming. The verse parts and the bridges have a few IRON MAIDEN vibes, and the melodies are catchy. The chorus parts are almost sing-alongs.

“Ice And Death” was released as lyric video, and the YouTube link is provided below. “The Piper” is a track switching between mid-tempo and measured tempo. The track is driven by powerful guitar riffs, strong basslines, and occasionally a few double-bass drumming. The vocals utilize a few higher notes. Altogether, “The Piper” cannot quite keep up with most of the album tracks. “Five Brothers” is an easy-to-listen mid-tempo track with catchy melodies. It is a melodic delivery of verse/chorus parts with anthemic choruses. It is a song for live shows, and I am sure fans will jump up and down and sing along. From that perspective, “Five Brothers” is an album highlight. “House Of Lies” increases the heat and the pace. It is a dynamic track with tight guitar riffing and a lot of lead guitar contributions as well as double-bass drumming. The vocals include a few marked tonal shifts towards higher notes. Although, most parts of the track are up-tempo, the break delivers a darker and melancholic side at a measured tempo for the lead guitars. The final track “Bring Out Your Dead” is the album ballad. It starts with an extended guitar intro supported by the strings leading into the verse part. It is the classical Heavy Metal ballad with powerful guitar riffs, dark and melancholic melodies, and the lead guitars being one of the main contributors.

REINFORCER deliver a promising Heavy Metal album. “Ice And Death” is largely based on traditional Heavy Metal, and it offers solid guitar riffs, catchy and at times dark melodies, and excellent lead guitar contributions and solos. The album is well produced. REINFORCER do not re-invent the Heavy Metal wheel; they keep it spinning and “Ice And Death” will have its share of fans.