FRENZY FIRE

    

METAL & ROCK REVIEWS

    
             
HOME            
REVIEWS            
ARTISTS            
UPCOMING            
LINKS            
             

 

     
   
   
       
       

Break The Silence

    
       
       
       
     
             
Voltstorm are a heavy metal band from the UK formed in 2019 by singer John Prasec and (the bands former) guitarist Fred Stigliano, the current line-up featuring (new) guitarist Steff Nurra, drummer Ivo Yordanov, and bass player Ben Turner alongside Prasec. Voltstorm's debut album 'Voltstorm' was released in 2022, with sophomore album 'Break The Silence' a 2024 release...    
             
...which showcases an evolution in the bands sound - "we wanted to push our sound further than ever before while staying true to our roots, capturing both the heaviness and melody that define us a band", comments the band. 'Break The Silence' is ten songs and forty four minutes long, beginning with the eerie two minute instrumental 'Stormchaser' - an air of menace descending upon listeners as 'Stormchaser' builds stealthily to a crescendo!    
             
And then with a raucous bout of riffing, 'Judas' storms into life and gallops forth with all the get up and go of old school heavy metal, Voltstorm keeping their sound true to metals evolutionary era - the glorious eighties! That said, the British metallers are not a retro band in any way shape or form, there's plenty of modern touches to keep the band current and in the eye-line - or should that be ear-shot - of every metal fan around the world. And with 'Break The Silence' fully up and running, 'Wake Me Up' enters the fray with a mesmerising guitar chug, the kinda chug that involuntarily nods your head and taps your feet! I tell ya readers, if you ain't nodding or tapping to this one, are you deaf? Dead? Or just a downright numpty? This is heavy metal as it should be, infectious, attractive and addictive - 'Lambs' maintaining the metal avalanche with a weighty injection of the progressive nature of heavy metal, Voltstorm expanding their musical horizons further than ever before! Which can only be a good thing right - evolving and growing so you don't get left behind and become outdated like the pioneering American make-up wearing rock band of the seventies who've survived the last twelve years just touring with only their reputation and past glories as their only selling point!    
             
'Break The Silence' enters a much heavier metal realm with the mid paced thunderstorm 'Eye Of The Storm' shuddering the ground as it marches on by, nearby walls wobbling and buildings crumbling under the sheer oomph emanating from the band - Voltstorm blending progressive and anthemic elements into their root traditional heavy metal sound. The band are sounding fresher and re-energised since their debut two years ago, 'Evil Eyes' increasing both the pace and thunder of 'Break The Silence' up to this point! The classic sound of galloping heavy metal is rife here, Voltstorm battering listeners with a barnstorming barrage of head bang ability - I defy anyone to not be head banging right now! I know I am - and to be honest, I have been since the album began! 'Rise Above' is the longest song on offer at nearly seven minutes in length, and in epic Iron Maiden fashion, opens in a slow building, highly anticipative nature, progressing to increase the intensity until eventually "normal" metal resumes! And I use the term "normal" to refer to the classic and much loved style of heavy metal, Voltstorm exhibiting a huge anthemic edge here too, 'Rise Above' a majestic march of elegance and excellence.    
             
The title song 'Break The Silence', is loaded to the rafters with jack hammer style riffing and an abrasive nature that gives this one the roughest, toughest feel of all the songs on offer, 'Break The Silence' (the album) maintaining heaviness at a level much greater than the bands debut! The growth from (2022's) 'Voltstorm' has been immense, Voltstorm growing in stature to rub shoulders with the recent new breed of metal bands to emerge onto the world scene. And who knows, maybe in the future the band might even head the new breed - the bands progressive leanings taking front and centre for the thunderous 'Black Cage'. And when I say thunderous, I mean hurricane style thunderous, the band crushing everything in their path with 'Black Cage' to leave only desolation and stunned listeners in their wake! And bringing the album to a close, 'Destroyer' blasts off at a hundred miles an hour, the band accelerating to top speed in the blink of an eye - the level of head bang ability shooting right through the roof! What a final song, every metaller and thrasher on the planet coming together as one to head bang furiously.    
             
Overall, a hard hitting and infectious blend of traditional and progressive metal, 'Break The Silence' is addictive and highly head bang-able.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Voltstorm      
           
"a cracking debut from a new band offering a blend of metal and rock melded with a touch of progressive prowess" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
Top