For me, Brainstorm is one of the few bands for which I hit “order now” the moment they announce a new album—without even listening to a single note. After all, with 14 albums in their arsenal, not one could be considered even mediocre, let alone bad. So after multiple listens, Plague of Rats not only holds no unpleasant surprises but delivers exactly what we would expect from the Germans.
Four years have passed since the release of Wall of Skulls, an equally excellent album, and Plague of Rats leaves little room for second thoughts as it kicks off with a quintessential Brainstorm track. Beyond Enemy Lines encapsulates everything that has made the band a favorite among power metal fans—it’s grand, with a soaring refrain where Frank gives it his all. Despite the album running nearly 50 minutes, there isn’t a single filler track to be found.
On the contrary, Brainstorm enrich their sound here by featuring guest vocalists on two tracks: Elina Siirala on The Shepherd Girl and Alex Krull on From Hell. Additionally, after a long time, we get another cover—this time of Rick Springfield’s Celebrate Youth. Who could forget their reworking of Don’t Wait for Me, which somehow became even heavier?
This is how Plague of Rats unfolds. The compositions rarely exceed four or five minutes, with no unnecessary embellishments or filler moments. After so many years—since their founding in 1989, no less—Brainstorm continues to deliver power metal (or, more accurately, US metal) to their ever-loyal and always hungry fans. Needless to say, this album is already an early contender for one of the best of the year.
