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The Waymaker

    
       
       
       
     
             
The Waymaker are a Swedish/Finnish based melodic metal band formed in 2019 by vocalist Christian Liljegren and guitarist Jani Stefanovic. releasing their self titled debut album in 2020.    
             
The duo of Christian and Jani, have over fifty albums of experience in the world of heavy metal, proving their mettle with bands such as DivineFire, Golden Resurrection, Narnia, Miseration and Solution .45 - to name just a few. Joined by solo artist Katja Stefanovic on vocals, the three band members all share the vocal duties. Their debut album is a bombastic heavy hitter - lurching forward with opener (and self titled) 'The Waymaker'. I don't actually know what it's like to be "hit with a tonne of bricks", but I reckon the devastating force (of the song) 'The Waymaker' imparts must come close! Crikey, what a way to announce yourselves... With no let up in the intensity set by the opening salvo, the band step up a gear for the faster paced 'Kingdom Of Heaven'. The blend of different vocalists certainly plants a different slant on the listening experience, bringing forth unexpected twists and turns, never knowing which singer is gonna adorn the airways. Next up is a cover of a Stryper  classic - 'Soldiers Under Command', taken from the bands 1985 album of the same name. Stryper were one of the first Christian metal bands, coming to prominence during the eighties, lighting a path for others to follow. The Waymaker heavy up 'Soldiers Under Command', making it more beefy and punchy, yet keeping to the pace of the original. A good choice of song, and a very good cover.    
             
Heading into power metal territory, The Waymaker gallop forward with the barnstorming 'Marching On'. Hitting the accelerator, the band match bands such as Helloween, Rage and Running Wild for excitement and exhilaration. The euphoria that 'Marching On' spreads is undeniable, with heads banging hard all around the world. The band even throw in some symphonic, and anthemic elements too, to make 'Marching On' a major highlight on the album. The instrumental 'Prophet's Sign', is an atmospheric and thunderous journey through the epic and glory styles of heavy metal. It has menace, intrigue and awe, elegantly gracing the airways, serving as the albums mid point. Crashing into life with the classic sound of NWOBHM guitars, 'The Name Above All Names' pulsates with thunder, and rocks with the best of the anthemic metallers the world has ever known. Hitting harder than world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson in his prime, 'The Name Above All Names' goes all out for a first round knockout!    
             
The entire mood and balance of the album shifts into ballad country, with the mellow strains of 'The Rain Of Your Love' - replete with soulful vocals from Katja. This is definitely one of those lighters in the air and sway from side to side moments of indulgence. Okay, back to the pace and power of metal - 'I Am Sustained' lifts the pace to a gallop, proceeding to enter power metal territory once more, and I defy anyone to not think of Iron Maiden when a certain four words are sung... I'll leave you to listen and find out for yourself which four words... And what a boomer the final song is! Probably the hardest hitting of the nine songs on offer, 'See The New Generation' is explosive like fire and brimstone, as exciting as fireworks, and as enjoyable as the big "O" . . . The Waymaker have rounded off their debut album in glorious style.    
             
Overall, a nine song serenade of melodic metal at its finest, The Waymaker have announced their arrival on the scene in spectacular style.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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