Label: AFM Records
Date: July 7th, 2023
When the first video for the song “All for Metal” was released, back in October 2022, I felt goosebumps that after over three decades of being in metal are rare to happen, I was awaiting this album enthusiastically. When I finally have it in my hands, I simply can not stop listening to it.
Speaking of All for Metal, visual appearance stands out. The cover art depicts duality in its best. Here we have Connan the Barbarian embodied in Tim “Tetzel” Schmidt known as Asenblut singer and Apollon, Antonio Calanna, former DeVicious singer. Besides the powerful duo that stands behind this project Jasmin Pabst (guitars), Ursula Zanichelli (guitars), Florian Toma (bass) and Leif Jensen (drums) give their seal to an absolute favorite for the best new band of 2023. Carefully selected costumes perfectly fit the musical concept. Male and female costumes are compatible and show the unity of the band. Videos are cinematic. Swords and hammers, leather and spikes… Jasmin and Ursula are not there just to draw the attention, ladies can play, they play great and also have great vocals which spice up the magic of this magnificent band.
To start with the first single, “All for Metal”. Officially released on October 7th, 2022, this song could immediately be categorised as one of the best heavy metal anthems. In chorus:
“It’s all for metal and metal for all,
Our kingdom’s rising our kingdom won’t fall,
The sky is burning we must heed the call,
It’s all for metal And metal for all”,
the band clarifies their vision and mission.
Blacksmith Tetzel at the beginning pounds in “Warriors of the World United” rhythm; his rough, frightening vocals are soon cut with clean high powerful Antonio’s vocal parts, everzthing spiced with great melody, catchy chorus, great guitar solo (yes, Jasmin is damn good guitarist) and formula for the great song is written.
Musically, the spirit of Manowar is awakened! The beat that leads the song simply pumps the blood in your veins, almost narrative rough vocal clash melodic clean vocal and you can notice that the duality, the contrast dominates the song and yes, it is the trademark of the magnificent duo who stands behind All for Metal. Lyrics might be cheesy to someone’s taste, but come on, if you did not form your metal taste on cheesy lyrics, something might be wrong with you.
“Born in Valhalla” (December 2nd, 2022) continued the journey of metal warriors who now confirmed that they will dominate the metal scene. Another cinematic video made by Rainer Fränzen shows that All for Metal are seriously thinking about every detail in the presentation of their project. Maybe not expected from German/Italian crew, but the lyrics are focused on Norse mythology. Great riffs, powerful drumming, amazing guitar solo and catchy chorus are not left out here. Axes, swords, Thor’s hammer, the feast after the great battle complete the visual atmosphere and a demon is proof that the band leaves nothing to chance.
The next single was “Raise Your Hammer” (January 27th, 2023), showing once again that the band seriously thought about the visual appearance. Costumes and makeup are identical as in the previous videos. Song has a bit slower rhythm than the previous singles but still effective, thunderous and catchy. Antonio here demonstrates his high pitched vocal in the best light while Tetzel still stays in his comfort zone. In addition of Jasmin’s great guitar solo, folk elements woven in this ode to Thor and another anthem is born. Tatzel with Thor’s hammer can be easily imagined as a superior act on their shows.
Ursula enreaches “Fury of the Gods”, (March 3rd, 2023) with beautiful backing vocals, the song brought back fast pace, and somehow draws to HammerFall direction.The video is made on band’s first live performance and reveals a bit the atmosphere that awaits fans in the future to come. Again powerful drumming and guitar work stands out.
“Legends Never Die” (June 1st, 2013) is the song that closes the album. The ballad in a musical way goes in the direction of Quorthon’s legacy. Here I will be free to quote Antonio:
“The first ballad of a metal band is always the most difficult to write and to perform. We gave all of us for this song, it’s gonna be just pure emotion!”
And yes, listening to the song you will feel the emotion and as the Tatzel adds: “…raw power”.
In my head, when they sing:
“So don’t you cry when the sky comes down,
Save your tears when a hero drowns,
They will stay alive,
Through the stories in your mind,
And don’t you cry when a star falls down,
Save your tears when,
I’m not around,
Oh my child Legends never die”,
it would be the perfect moment to take the lighters out of the overcrowded venue during their live performance.
“Mountain of Power” (July 7th, 2023), is the perfect biographical song. He is giant, he is mighty, higher than a tower, the ground shakes as he walks, he is harder than steel… A living legend! As a professional weightlifter / strongman, Tetzel deserves an own ode. The song with organ intro goes a bit in Powerwolf’s direction but soon it transforms into another heavy metal anthem. With Tetzel as backing vocalist and a narrator, Antonio with clear high powerful vocals, Jasmin’s solo parts, it is clear that with every song All For Metal gets better.
Now, when I am done with the elaboration of singles, I can go back to the rest of the album.
“Goddess of War” is one of my personal favorites. The song has a great melody (nothing unusual now that I heard the album for at least 145 times), but what stands out here is definitely the chorus and guitar solo which brings back the best of 1980s metal sound. Bagpipes give a nice touch, and the chorus absolutely wins here.
Tetzel very effectively starts with his half narational vocal part in “Hear the Drum”, another battle song supported by a powerful choir part. This is the only song in which Tetzel overtook the leading role.
Another favorite, “Run”, is pumped up song with infectious rhythm that can not leave you immune:
“Run, run, better run, run better run…”
An absolute favorite – “The Day of Hammerfall”, the song with the strongest message and most serious lyrics. In my 30+ years of worshiping metal, there was one chorus I would not regret dying after listening to it, and it was “Wasted Years”. Now, “The Day of Hammerfall” overtook it.
“Welcome to the day of hammerfall,
For our time has just begun,
The day of hammerfall,
May our kingdom come.
Welcome to the day of hammerfall,
Let all the sinners here be judged,
Come find your place and return to grace,
You are one of us by blood.”
“Prophecy of Hope” is great intermezzo, well spoken/interpreted, and it leads to the already mentioned “Mountain of Power”. The beginning of the song goes a bit in Powerwolf direction, but when the drumming starts, just forget about any influence or inspiration. This might be, at least in my ears, the most melodic, the most moving song on the album.
Although Tetzel and Antonio are coming from different worlds, speaking of their previous work (weightlifter / strongman vs. actor; death metal singer vs. hard rock singer) they are extremely compatible and the love, passion and enthusiasm made them create a great album surrounded by the people who obviously share their dream.
In the end, all I can write is: I hope their drums will beat forever, they’re gonna hit them hard and they will conquer the world!
