by Franco Cerchiari
— Sr. Columnist —
Off the heels of their fantastic debut Beserker that was met with glowing reviews from around the world, Beast In Black roars back with this, their sophomore release, From Hell With Love, released on the always great Nuclear Blast Records label. Fans of Dynazty, Brothers in Metal, Cryonic Temple, or Wisdom need to make this one part of their metal collections for everything that one loves about Power Metal is all over this release.
From the moment the opening track, the heavy as all hell “Cry Out For A Hero” came within earshot, an instant reach for the volume knob was made, and it stayed at that volume until the whole album faded into black. Vocal harmonies, glorious keyboards, crushing guitar riffs and solos, heavy-handed drums, and melodies that soar abound with the astonishing voice of Yannis Papadopoulos towering above it all. Able to reach into the upper octaves with ease, his vocal range is reminiscent of ReinXeed’s Tommy Johansson.
In 2015 Helskink Finland guitarist/songwriter Anton Kabanen after leaving his former band, Battle Beast, set about creating a band and a sound that allowed him a venue to continue his love for music that flourishes with melody, harmonies, and solid musicianship, all the while keeping Power Metal the order of the day. Fast forward to 2019 and guaranteed, as did their debut back in 2017, will From Hell With Love make many a top ten release for this year. Assisting him in his endeavor is Mate Molnar (Wisdom,) guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen (Amberian Dawn/U.D.O.) and drummer Sami Hanninen (Brymir/Spirit Disease). Replacing Hanninen on From Hell With Love is Atte Palokangas (Thunderstone/Before the Dawn/Dream Realm/Agonizer.)
When a band releases such a strong debut as Beast In Black did, it is with a certain amount of trepidation that a follow up is heard. But not to worry, this will make fans of Beast In Black’s debut stand up and again take notice. The head banging opening track “Cry Out For A Hero,” comes barreling toward the listener making no apologies and sets the tone for the entire record. The drums are amazing, and the voice, oh holy God, the voice of Yanni is simply magnificent. He sings his royal lungs out, and a mid-track guitar solo rips into the melody taking center stage.
Synthesizers kick off track 2, the CD highlight, “From Hell With Love, “ into high gear, and brace yourself when the chorus comes around, for it will be a wish you could climb into the speakers to hear it louder, for multi-layered vocals, guitars, and pounding drums send this song straight into the stratosphere. From there listen (loudly) to the almost 1980’s metal vibe of the keyboard heavy “Die By The Blade,” Yanni’s jaw dropping vocal work heard on “Repentless,” the fun, almost cheesy Melodic Rock vibe of “Sweet True Lies,” the woodwind instruments and acoustic guitars of what starts out as a ballad is “Oceandeep,” but it is halfway through this song the intensity and volume grows as what was once a ballad is now a pure Melodic Hard Rocker. The rousing, exciting battle cry of “Unlimited Sin,” with its thumping beat, and loud keyboards was outstanding, as was “This Is War,” with almost growling vocals, and layered vocals that were everywhere. Pay attention to the bass, drums and emotive keyboards of “Heart Of Steel,” and the closing track “No Surrender,” was also great.
With more of an emphasis on keyboards as what was heard on Beserker, on From Hell With Love Anton has shown that along with adding more keyboards, he was also intent on making sure that guitars and drums still prevail on each track. The mixing was exceptional, the overall sound clear, as each instrument came and went in and out of focus at just the right times. The songs were addicting, epic, energetic, and passionate. The vocals of Yanni are extraordinary, as was the musicianship and songwriting. Overall the CD came together well, and the band members played off each other well. Of course ANOTHER release that American radio will prove (again) how utterly useless, stupid, and incompetent they are at supporting bands like Beast In Black and leaving songs like “Cry Out For A Hero,” “Die By The Blade,” “Repentless,” “Unlimited Sin,” “Sweet True Lies,” “This Is War,” and the simply fantastic title track off their play lists. Hearing releases like From Hell With Love, and feeling of the care that came into creating these songs makes one’s hatred for radio even more intense.
Get this now – listen to it the way it supposed to be heard – loud, with headphones in place, away from distraction and lose yourself in what it is that Power Metal is all about. This one was simply fantastic all the way around. Now come to America, Beast In Black. Soon.
Genre: Power Metal
Band Members:
Anton Kabanen – background vocals, guitar
Yannis Papadopoulos – lead vocals
Kasperi Heikken – guitar
Mate Molnar – bass
Atte Palokangas – drums
Track Listing:
Cry Out For A Hero
From Hell With Love
Sweet True Lies
Repentless
Die By The Blade
Oceandeep
Unlimited Sin
True Believer
This Is War
Heart Of Steel
No Surrender
Label: Nuclear Blast
Band Website: www.beastinblack.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(9 / 10)
