{"id":99115,"date":"2020-01-30T15:00:01","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T21:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toiletovhell.com\/?p=99115"},"modified":"2020-01-30T13:08:17","modified_gmt":"2020-01-30T19:08:17","slug":"napalm-records-roundup-amberian-dawn-serenity-victorius","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toiletovhell.com\/napalm-records-roundup-amberian-dawn-serenity-victorius\/","title":{"rendered":"Napalm Records Roundup: Amberian Dawn<\/b>, Serenity<\/b> & Victorius<\/b>"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Today we’re reviewing the three latest power metal-adjacent albums from Napalm Records’ roster.<\/p>\n

Victorius<\/strong><\/a> – Space Ninjas from Hell<\/em><\/h2>\n

January 17th<\/strong><\/p>\n

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After a few full-lengths of cliche-ridden, even generic euro-styled power metal that also happened to be simple, hook-riddled fun, Victorius<\/strong> underwent an aesthetic transformation on Dinosaur Warfare – Legend of the Powersaurus<\/em>. On a deeper level there was no real change, but the band slapped an 80’s\/synthwave\/retro aesthetic on themselves, wrote a few dinosaur references in their lyrics, every bit as generic as before. All the while- and this is the important point- stripping down the hooks from their songs. Previously their output, despite all it’s shortcomings, had easily challenged the simultaneous output of all the Freedom Calls<\/strong> and Hammerfalls<\/strong> in the world, but placing roughly all of the EP’s weight of vocalist David Ba\u00dfin’s shoulders, as capable as he is, was a terrible idea.<\/p>\n

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Except that it worked; their profile rose violently and got the band signed on Napalm Records because of synthwave and dinos. Space Ninjas from Hell<\/em> replaces the dinosaur’s with shallow, generic Japan references – ninjas, samurai, Nippon, wasabi, you know the drill- but other than that follows right at it’s predecessor’s hind. Somehow, Space Ninjas from Hell<\/em> is even more cliche-ridden and generic than before. With double-bass beats, chugging rhythms, a handful of thrashier riffs, and, as a new trick, heavily present synths that are mostly just used to double vocal melodies. The guitarists keep busier than on the previous EP but rarely still bust out anything noteworthy or even integral to the compositions.<\/p>\n