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Life And Death

    
       
       
       
     
             
BIWO are a heavy metal band from Germany founded in 2020 by guitarist/vocalist Sven Biwo, releasing their debut album 'Life And Death' in 2022,    
             
The undying spirit of the glorious eighties for heavy metal, is brought to the fore in abundance on the debut album from German metallers BIWO. Shunning their country's popularity for power, and/or thrash metal, the band hit the ground running with 'Live Now' - and a fabulous old school NWOBHM guitar riff. Followed by a traditional mid tempo "foot on the monitor" gallop, BIWO have gotten off to a very energetic start. Maintaining the sound of classic heavy metal, 'Fountain Of Youth' is more melodic than the previous song, and will bring smiles a mile wide to the faces of listeners everywhere. And after just two songs, the influence of Britain and the glorious NWOBHM can clearly be heard.    
             
Which is not a bad thing - 'cause the evolution of heavy metal during the eighties was a magical time. A time that will never be repeated. A time that I was fortunate enough to experience, growing up as a teenager when the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Saxon were shaping the sound of heavy metal - for the likes of BIWO to follow. Slowing the pace down, the band bring a little menace to the fore - for about fourteen seconds! And then we're off and running at high tempo with 'Win This Fight' - a gear changing gallop of glorious metal. A hundred percent head bang-able, the mosh pits of the world are gonna love this one. At over eight minutes in length, 'Mother Earth' is the longest song on offer, and is an epic in all senses of the word - an atmospheric intro, a riff building tension fuelled crescendo leading to a majestic swagger as the song unfolds. And pace changes too! Some extraordinary speed to please the head bangers of the world.    
             
Entering ballad country - somewhere that heavy metal albums should never be - 'Poor Boy' is a soft wander with lighters held high. Regular readers will know my position on ballads versus metal and rock, keep them that side of the fence! 'I' is wonderfully crafted, full of atmosphere and a knife edged tension to make listeners start biting their nails! Swinging from mid to high tempo with outbursts of energy, BIWO keep a strong spirit of the eighties at all times. Picking up the pace and galloping forth with an awesome traditional feel about it, 'Alone In The Dark' is one of those melodic metal numbers that reaches right into the hearts and minds of fans all over the world. The band keeping true to the flavour of old school heavy metal. Bringing the album to a close is another long epic, this time 'Judgment Of The Gods' clocking in at just under seven minutes in length. And a very Iron Maiden-ish intro, a mellow meandering that builds and builds until - a heaviness hits hard and you're jolted into life! Adopting a menacing feel, 'Judgment Of The Gods' marches on relentlessly, sweeping the listener along on a tidal wave of mid tempo majestic-ness.    
             
Overall, a hard hitting journey of traditional heavy metal, featuring the classic sound of the iconic NWOBHM.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metalmessage    
             
             
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