Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: SKELETOON; signed via Scarlet Records, hailing from Italian grounds - performing Power Metal, on their 5th Full-length album entitled: "The 1.21 Gigawatts Club" (released October 15th, 2021). Since formation in 2011; the quintet in question have 3 Singles entitled: "Il Tramonto Delle Ere" (released August 25th, 2020), "Nemesis" (released September 8th, 2020) & "Starseeker" (released September 21st, 2020). Among 5 Full-length albums entitled: "The Curse Of The Avenger" (released January 22nd, 2016), "Ticking Clock" (released March 3rd, 2017), "They Never Say Die" (released March 8th, 2019). "Nemesis" (released September 25th, 2020) & this here 5th offering of which I am introduced to entitled: "The 1.21 Gigawatts Club". 11 tracks ranging at around 49:23; SKELETOON arrange an intricately designed formula on some heavy-hitting Power Metal developments.

Obviously, the record name "The 1.21 Gigawatts Club" is a blatant reference to the Back To The Future films; this influence in mind, SKELETOON unleash a kind of conceptual adaptation from Marty McFly's time travelling adventures...35 years the franchise has been around for now.. It's the right time to unveil the Back To The Future: The Musical, and for us rocking maniacs, this quintessential virtuoso meticulously merges this striking formulaic diligently for all metal nerds to relish in...and it's pretty massive.

Opening up with this majestic shroud of static & synthesized harmonies, an introductory track sets the tone until "Holding On" barrages an exhilarating heft on punchy pandemonium, melodic trailblazing & rumbling reverberation which pummels you with weighty tightness. A boisterously bouncy adrenaline amplifies with sturdy trembles from hammering drummer Henry "Sydoz" Sidoti, as galloping flamboyance furiously stampedes with stompy & steely precision. Rollicking with strident punchline grooves amongst a rampantly rompy foundation in borderline firepower expertise, fabricating piledriving yet rambunctious smacks while twinning guitars fret with rapidly swift nimbleness & remedious momentum. "Outatime" showcases sulfurous riffage from dexterously dynamic duo Andrea Cappellari & Davide "Lord Dave" Piletto; the two shred with organic substance, ripping soars & riveting maelstrom proficiencies that supply with profusely robust synergies on upbeat yet relentless catchiness in which lacerates with killer tonality.

A hybrid experimentation in complexly creative hymns add an immersive design in feel-good euphony; capturing a crunchy mellow on vibrantly potent rhythms that thunder with frolicking chugs, amongst an enriching singing zeal as clean pipes surge with shouty yells from high-pitched vocalist Tomi Fooler who excels exclatfully with vigorous panache while outre exuberance excels with strong yet smooth vivacity. Songs like "The Pinheads" chisel eardrums with wildly rushing yet razor-sharp songwriting musicianship, as choppy bass audibility from Jack Stiaccini thumps his axe with triggering flickers and infectiously venomous solidity. This mid-paced rocker is a hasty but steamrolling rampager, clobbering and bulldozing with vivacious velocity while "2204" strikes with more impactfully frantic distinction. Advancing into ballad-territory now with the obligatory power-ballad "Enchant Me"; an enlightening but enthralling spellbind that surges with throaty but anthemic distilment, as choir-like cords transition with mellifluous transparency amongst an empowering force of entrancing elegance & alluring grips.

"We Don't Need Roads (The Great Scott Madness)" features an incredible amount of layered backing vocals & AOR, Pop-fused influence implement an intriguing element of sanguinely sublime performances that rock with mountainous yet salubrious musical variety on towering persistence that perseveres with prodigiously prestigious fundamentals in flexible flourishments make this such a wonderful listen, while radically wicked transparency pursuits with high-octane and lightning-fast speed. This is evident in "Pleasure Paradise (Oh-La-La), a belting banger enforcing on traditional hooks and gripping intensity. Where sonically seamless tempos articulates in those over-the-top cliches intriguingly, as a grandiose grandeur in fun filled hype and adventurously ambitious loft densely provides versatile vehemence & unique utilization on piercing riffs, double kick pedal bashing and tapping slaps while the symphonic culmination is exquisitely welcome. "The 4th Dimensional Legacy" has a climatic swerve of those trad blends and drifting but explorative volume, where polished but fluid assaults attack speakers with rich magnitude...while the penultimate anthem "Eastwood Ravine" radiates with resonant enthusiasm in buoyancy and lively elan.

Overall concluding "The 1.21 Gigawatts Club" with the finale but epic cover of CHUCK BILLY's infamous classic "Johnny B. Goode"; electrified with much synth fueled keys, attributing in pianist overload amongst a enjoyably exquisite rendition of the timeless staple that while it does make me prefer to go back to JUDAS PRIEST's version instead, this one still manages to bring a smile to my face delightfully with jumpy grace. Bottom line; I am compelled to say that SKELETOON was an interesting listen, it's a great audial tribute to the legacy of the time streamer's drive into the past - joyfully. Power Metal meets Pop Rock AOR deficiencies bring forth an entertaining discovery for those who have a guilty pleasure of these sub-genres, absolutely perfect with this in mind while worthy of spinning & replaying a good few times. Most surely worth the listen, check it out.