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Way Of Heroes

    
       
       
       
     
             
Kliodna are a symphonic power metal band from Belarus formed in 2013, releasing their debut album 'The Dark Side...' in 2016. The bands sophomore album 'Way Of Heroes' was released in 2022...    
             
...and features a number of guest vocalists - Fabio Lione (Angra, ex-Rhapsody Of Fire), Christer Slettebo (Critical Solution), Alina Pochebyt (ex-Among Your Gods), and Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear). The album is a varied mix of power, heavy, and symphonic metal, with every song sonically different - from all out power metallers to balladry to hymn-like, and also the inclusion of a chamber choir and some death metal vocals! More on all that later...    
             
...cause right now, the album is brought to life with a menacing spoken word passage over a backdrop of stormy weather - 'Bring Me Her Head' storming ahead with a crescendo of thunderous metal, racing off into the distance as it gets going proper. The change of pace at nigh on two minutes is electrifying, Kliodna melding speed with a majestic almost folk metal-like ambience. A simply barnstorming start to the new album, the band moving powerfully on with the more mid tempo symphonic metaller 'Wind Of Freedom (Hymn For Nations)' - anything but hymn-like in nature, Kliodna take an anthemic path. The bombastic stance of 'Wind Of Freedom (Hymn For Nations)' has a call to arms vibe that'll have every listener, fan, follower and concert goer all getting behind the band and supporting their quest! 'Jester Killer' features the death metal vocals I mentioned earlier - and I believe courtesy of former Among Your Gods singer Alina Pochebyt! Planting a different slant on the bands sound, 'Jester Killer' is the heaviest song heard so far, rumbling on at a mid tempo pace, thumping the listeners with a mild brutality! And then asking if they're alright!    
             
And with the mellowness and serenity of a ballad, 'Hope For Healing' enters the fray gliding on the crest of sublime keyboards - until a thundering cacophony of metal crashes the party! 'Hope For Healing' turning into a tempo changing thunderstorm of light and heavy, swinging this way and that, so if you fancy holding your lighters aloft, expect the flames to continually be blown out. And with an incredible upturn in energy, Kliodna power on with the barnstorming 'Forgotten Heroes' - a galloping gourmet of heavy hitting power metal. The infectious level rising off the charts, the band deliver a slice of head bang-able heaven. Simply gorgeous! And oof! 'You Are A Hero' is a magical gallop of stunning symphonic power metal - the majestic swagger is top level, the band parading a sound that is infectious, intoxicating, and bloody great! The last two songs have quickly become my two favourites on the album - they are both superb and placed right in the centre of the album! Genius!    
             
Moving back into the realms of anthemic metal, 'Winter Symphony (Ice & Fire)' is a crushing slab of foot stomping heavy metal with a "to die for" guitar sound. The band meld the iconic guitar buzz of the NWOBHM evolution with bold and in your face symphonic metal. To say this is brilliance may be understating it a little, but crikey, 'Winter Symphony (Ice & Fire)' is an emphatic heavy hitter! Taking a departure from the all out slamming metal approach, Kliodna bring forth an angelic hymn come ballad come symphonic metal stroll - 'Scream Of Silence' lifting the vocals way higher than even eagles soar! And I mean way higher - like into outer space higher! The kinda vocals that would grace the centre stage of an opera - simply beautiful! Such a mellow meander, 'Scream Of Silence' is a timely breather from the all out power metal pomp of 'Way Of Heroes' up to this point - cause the albums final hurrah is a blockbuster! And features the legend that is Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) - 'For A New Day To Come' is an exhilarating and breath taking gallop of fast paced power metal. The head bang ability has just shot through the roof, with metalheads and moshers all over the world enjoying themselves one last time. What a sparkling end to a very good album.    
             
Overall, energy fuelled fast and mid paced infectious symphonic power metal with a few surprises along the way.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Kliodna    
             
             
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