In 2021 The Grandmaster hit the melodic metal scene with a collaboration between Jens Ludwig known for his work with Edguy in the power metal world, along with Brazilian singer Nando Fernandes and also Frontiers Records A&R director Alessandro Del Vecchio. The Grandmaster introduces a fresh perspective on German Power Metal with an emphasis on melody. In pursuit of of further refining the project, they recruited Danish vocalist Peer Johansson especially in the context of their live performances who has contributed to the likes of Fate, Ureas and Pentrakill. Three years from the debut release comes the sophomore album with Peer Johansson taking over on vocal duties for this album.

The title track “Black Sun” is a fast paced with pounding drums, gritty guitar riffs with growling vocals very reminiscent of UDO and Rob Halford which is a great start to this album .”Watching The End” gives a bit more melodic melody with the keyboard chords in the verses & the bridge, which lead to those crunching guitar riffs in the chorus a really great track. Unfortunately the next three tracks ”While The Sun Goes Down”, ”Learn To Forgive” and “Heavens Calling” seem vocally to loose their way for me. The vocals from Peer Johansson seem to be strained, almost forced, as if he is struggling to fit in with the heaviness of the songs or production. ”Something More” brings the album back to form again ,great chorus ,melody and vocals, a great track. ”Fly Icarus Fly” is a slow paced track that has a great piano melody ,its heartfelt vocals really shine through with great harmonies in the chorus definitely an album standout track. ”I'm Alive” and “What We Can Bear” pick up the album with those cool keyboard melodies giving the tracks that modern melodic metal feel ,not too heavy with the right power metal balance that fit in well with Peer Johansson's vocals. ”Soul Sacrifice” is the most melodic track on the album which gives me flashes of Pretty Maids ,vocally it reminds me of Ronnie Atkins. The last track on the album “Into The Dark” a power metal enriched with key chords ,fast paced thumping drums with fast guitar riffs and solo thrown in to give us a heavy finale to this album.

“Black Sun” is an average/mediocre album, for me as I mentioned some tracks do not sound great vocally in my opinion, which appear early on in the album, which is a shame because Peer Johansson's voice sounds great with the right type of song which is clearly evident with tracks like “Fly Icarus Fly”, ”Black Sun” and “Soul Sacrifice”. The album is not a power metal classic which will be remembered for years to come but is worth listening to for the stand out tracks on the album I mentioned.