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Space Ninjas From Hell

    
       
       
       
     
             
Victorius are a power metal band from Germany forming in 2004 releasing their debut album in 2010. The band released two more albums in quick succession, 2013 and 2014, with their fourth album 'Heart Of The Phoenix', released in 2017. Victorius were quick to follow that albums success with the 2018 release of the storming 'Dinosaur Warfare' E.P. The pace at which that E.P. was delivered, is nothing compared to the pace of the bands fifth album, 'Space Ninjas From Hell', released in 2020.    
             
In the space of forty five minutes, Victorius deliver a breath taking barnstormer of a power metal album. 'Space Ninjas From Hell' has so much power and speed, that not only will it endanger the world land speed record, it will send shivers down the spines of (current) kings of the speed/power metal genres DragonForce and Cellador. Yes - 'Space Ninjas From Hell' is that good. Underneath the wacky outfits, garish colours and heavily laden Japanese theme, German metallers Victorius have produced a spectacular album. Scorching into life with 'Tale Of The Sunbladers', the album is off to a fabulous flyer. Pace, power and speed is astonishing, 'Tale Of The Sunbladers' as fast, if not faster than anything the band have released previously. With no pause for a breather, 'Ninjas Unite' is much heavier than the opening salvo, and just as fast. The speed over the opening two songs is incredible, a speed that remains in top gear for the entire album.    
             
'Super Sonic Samurai' adds a touch of the epic, just a little touch for the first ten seconds...before launching into an aggressive assault of intent and purpose. 'Super Sonic Samurai' is heavy/power metal with a massive melodic edge, proving Victorius are more then just speed metal merchants. But what's wrong with being a speed metal merchant when you're this bloody good? Nothing, that's what! The speed is mesmerising, and you will be gaping open mouthed as the album powers on at top speed with the pulsating 'Evil Wizard Wushu Master'. I feel I'm gonna run out of superlatives before I reach the end of my review, and may have to consult a thesaurus for more words to describe the speed at which the album travels. Ah, a slightly slower song to catch a breath... 'Nippon Knights' is a melodic march of heavy/power metal that accelerates through the chorus break, resuming the march for the next verse. 'Shuriken Showdown' is one of the most melodic power metal anthems you're ever likely to hear this year. An infectious sing a long chorus adds to the spellbinding atmosphere of not only 'Shuriken Showdown', but the album as a whole. Victorius are showing the way with regards to blistering speed/power metal, pushing them to the front of the genre, looking over their shoulder and yelling "come and catch us - if you can". A crazy cartoon character chin wag pre-empts 'Wasabi Warmachine', which launches forth in a manner as fast and aggressive as anything the thrash metal genre has to offer. Adopting the bands more familiar heavy/power metal sound, 'Wasabi Warmachine' swiftly passes by in a flash.    
             
Over halfway through the album now and there's been no let up in either pace, power and energy - and definitely no sign of it letting up either with the heavy yet melodic 'Wrath Of The Dragongod'. And oh my fucking God - the pace at which 'Astral Assassin Shark Attack' begins is simply amazing, and a bit of a shame it didn't continue for the entire song. But it don't matter, the albums overall heavy/power metal stance is still in full flight as 'Astral Assassin Shark Attack' races to a finish. The title song 'Space Ninjas From Hell' is phenomenally quick, highly energetic and has a huge melodic streak running through it. Nearing the end of the album and 'Cosmic Space Commando Base' launches forth in a blaze of thundering riffs, dropping all out speed for a majestic and anthemic mid tempo melodic march. Highly infectious and one hundred percent addictive 'Cosmic Space Commando Base' is a power metal party anthem. The album ends with the spoken word 'Shinobi Strike 3000' telling the story of the "space ninjas from hell" - or maybe it's a prelude to the bands next album... Just a thought...    
             
Overall, a dazzling display of electrifying pace and lightning speed, Victorius have been victorious in delivering a very strong 'Album Of The Year' contender.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Heart Of The Phoenix      
           
"majestic power metal delivered at pace, with a twin guitar lead, a galloping rhythm and clean and clear vocals. A breath taking album from a rising band" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Dinosaur Warfare E.P.      
           
"a breath taking twenty one minutes of superb power metal, delivered at a blistering pace, with an infectiousness that will make you press the replay button over and over" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Dinosaur Warfare Pt. 2      
           
"a great album of high energy high intensity power metal, infectious and memorable, and a very strong contender for Album Of The Year" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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