Initially, I was prepared to really hate this self-titled sophomore release from Finnish power metal act Battle Beast, and in fact was attempting to come up with all sorts of fair and reasonable explanations about why I had to shit all over this CD without really, um, shitting all over it. Truth be told, after a few listens, I don't love Battle Beast, but hell, it's not really all that bad either. Female fronted power metal with a flair for Judas Priest, Primal Fear, Hammerfall, Helloween, and the like, with new vocalist Noora Louhimo doing a commendable job stretching her leather lungs. Some pretty memorable fare in spots, like the anthem "Out On the Streets", the galloping "Let It Roar", and the chugging '80s styled metal of "Neuromancer". In fact, some of the material here reminds me of classic Chastain, minus the overabundance of shredding guitar solos of course, with Noora approaching Leather Leone venom in spots. "Raven" just might be my favorite tune of the bunch, filled to the max with crushing malice just like a leftover from Judas Priest's Painkiller or any of those early Primal Fear records, and "Kingdom", though a tad on the power metal cheese side, has an epic quality that works. The rest? Standard power metal, nothing bad, but not going to set the world on fire either, though "Black Ninja" sees Noora mix her tender side with some lethal screams, supported by some truly crunchy riffs. Fans of classic power metal will no doubt flock to this kicked up Warlock/Doro Pesch formula that's on display, so I can easily recommend this, as long as you don't go into thinking your world is going to be completely turned upside down.
Track Listing
1. Let It Roar
2. Out Of Control
3. Out On The Streets
4. Neuromancer
5. Raven
6. Into The Heart Of Danger
7. Machine Revolution
8. Golden Age
9. Kingdom
10. Over The Top
11. Kill Fight Die
12. Black Ninja
13. Rain Man
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