Band: Gloryhammer
Album: Legends From Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex
Release Date: 31st May 2019
Record Label: Napalm Records
It seems like this year is the year of some epic power metal releases, with the likes of Beast in Black, Bloodbound, and Rhapsody of Fire already putting out some killer releases so far this year. Gloryhammer definitely continue that trend.
Legends From Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex is Gloryhammer’s third installment in their epic battle for the mighty Kingdom of Fife, where we travel Into the Terrorvortex of Kor-Virliath. We have a sinister start, with evil spoken work, and sci-fi, orchestral backing music. There is a great buildup with choral vocals and an organ as we lead into The Siege of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust). An epic powerful instrumental and choral vocals start this epic galactic battle. “In Hoots We Trust!” provides a great crowd chant for the live shows, and it’s a triumphant singalong start.
The 80’s are well and truly back with Masters of the Galaxy. It’s a slightly more subdued track, but still filled with the epicness that Gloryhammer are famed for. It’s another catchy chorus to sing along to, and something to lift your spirits. The tempo continues to be a little less energetic, but there is no letup on the catchy singalong choruses, and we continue that with The Land of Unicorns.
Now onto two of the best titles of the album. The fast pace is back with Power of the Laser Dragon Fire, which has epic guitar solos. It’s not quite as catchy as previous tracks, but you can still feel the mighty glory. Onto possibly the best named track ever, Legendary Enchanted Jetpack. It’s triumphant with heavy emphasis on the base, lots of “woah”‘s for the crowd, and leaves you wanting a jetpack made of cosmic steel.
An Amon Amarth sounding riff and the battle cries of “Glory! Hammer!” brings us a track of the same name. Yet another catchy, headbanging, singalong track which will go down a storm live, and be one of those tracks that becomes a Gloryhammer staple. A great dance number, and personally one of my favourite track is up next. Hootsforce begins with a the chorus and chant which everyone can sing along to, and there is even a bit of a folky melody in the synth and there’s the obligatory key change. There is a bit of a lull in the penultimate track, Battle for Eternity (but still with a catchy chorus), setting us up for the final track.
The Fires of Ancient Cosmic Destiny is the final and most epic track of the album. It tells us of the final battle to save Dundee and the Kingdom of Fife! The instrumental takes us through the highs and lows of the battle, with slow and triumphant choral section, and fast synth sections to build up the tension. We switch between good and evil, and dramatic spoken word parts tell us the story. And, sadly, as a final sacrifice so he doesn’t turn against his own, Angus McFife leaps into a fiery death. But we hear dial-up internet, and Morse Code. “Translation complete.”
I absolutely love Gloryhammer, and music like this never fails to bring my joy on a sad day (those of you who follow my Facebook page will know things have not been great for me over the past few months). Gloryhammer have stuck to their core style, harking back to elements and melodies of previous tracks, as well as bringing a new and exciting installment to their sage to save the Kingdom of Fife and the mighty City of Dundee.
Verdict: 9.5/10
Buy Gloryhammer music and merch: https://gloryhammer.napalmrecords.com/
Listen to Gloryhammer on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7dkEByOe0oHqc54qU4hwzV
Like Gloryhammer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gloryhammer/
Gloryhammer website: https://gloryhammer.com/
Ostara Metal 
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