Active since 2008, German Epic Heavy Metal band SKULLWINX have taken a slow but steady approach to releasing product. Two previous EP's hit the market in 2013 and this year, setting the stage for this 8 song full length album "The Mission of Heracles". I would say IRON MAIDEN factors in heavily to the guitar sound and nature of the arrangements - along with exotic/ cultural elements that go hand in hand with their heroes, tales, and legends lyrical concepts.

They champion the 1980's - look at song titles such as "Ceryneian Hind" or "Horses of Diomedes", and listen to those mountaintop riffs or epic melodies. WARLORD and RIOT factor into "The Stymphalides", the lead break from Lennart Hammerer possessing an interesting harmonic echo that gets repeated throughout to engrain itself into the skull. Remember the early epics for the Di'Anno-led MAIDEN years - "Phantom of the Opera" and to a certain extent instrumentals like "The Ides of March"? I'm sure parts of "The Enemy Hera" and "Unchain the Hero" dig into those feelings once again- at varying slow to mid-tempo paces.

As much as I tried to really get into this album, the flat, monotone nature of vocalist Johannes Haller renders most of this material as second-rate, because he fails to elevate anything beyond predictable melodies and can't sustain much in the way of power. Check out "Nemëna Beast" during the verses and you'll hear clearly where his mostly talk/sneer doesn't really seem in accordance to the music these gentlemen perform.

SKULLWINX may gain modest appreciation from the Epic Heavy Metal community, but I fail to see their current songwriting/ performances elevating them much beyond the status they currently enjoy. Labels would expect more, so let's hope for the best down the road.