I love well done symphonic power metal. There is just something about the over the top feel, the big melodies and earworm choruses, and the stereotypical concept album tapestry. Germany’s WarKings released their latest album, “Armageddon,” in July, and it absolutely fits the bill. The focus on historical events hearkens a bit to Sabaton, though this is faster and more straightforward. The sing-along factor is massive, with each song having big choruses that literally beg you to join in. The vocals are primarily massive cleans like you would expect from power metal, featuring Serenity vocalist Georg Neuhauser (aka The Tribune), but second vocalist Secil Sen (aka Morgana le Fay) contributes a fantastic raspy thrashy vocal. Her vocals add a different feel, providing both a dichotomy (see “Armageddon”) as well as a focused heavier edge (see “Circle of Witches”). The guitars and drums are used to good effect, never being super flashy, but providing plenty of speed riffing, power, and some light lead work. Unlike a lot of power metal, none of the songs here are long, with not one even hitting the 4 minutes mark. The album rarely slows down, with really only 1 true ballad, making for a constant headbanging singalong experience, but it does feel like it ends a bit too quickly. It is tons of fun, and I bet their live set would be amazing!

After an intro track, which includes some cool throat singing and epic battlefield sounds, the album kicks off properly with the title track, a song that could easily be one of my favorite power metal tracks of the year. It sprints out of the gate, with a great set of speedy riffs, killer melodies, and an absolute earworm chorus. The juxtapositon of Georg’s and Secil’s vocals between the 2 verses is really nice, as is the big anthemic feel throughout. “Genghis Khan” melds in a folksy feel with collaboration help from fellow Germans Orden Ogan. The chorus is triumphant and impossible not to sing along, and I could see this being a crowd favorite live, fists pumping in the air.

“Kingdom Come” has a driving chunky riff embellished with keys at opportune times that gives way to a massive chorus that will stick in your head, and the late key change makes me smile. “Morgana’s Incantation” is a spooky narrative leading into “Circle of Witches,” easily the heaviest and fastest song on the album. This thrasher features Secil on lead vocals, and she shows off her versatile aggressive vocal approach. I love the different feel she brings and wish her vocals were actually utilized more, as she adds such a fun dimension to the WarKings sound. The long late guitar solo before the finishing salvo is also quite nice. “Kings of Ragnarök” has a cinematic feel permeating the driving riffs, and the melodies are addictive and bombastic. Secil adds some heft to the bridge before the late guitar solo, adding nice unexpected depth to the composition.

“Call to Arms” is a quick battlefield marching chant that sets up “Troops of Immortality,” a song that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Gloryhammer album. This is another song that would beg for crowd participation at a live show and has a big feel. “Nightfall” starts out feeling like a power ballad, complete with a nostalgic feel, and builds to a nice driving conclusion. The chorus is massive (and yet another earworm), with both Georg and Secil playing off each other. “Hangman’s Night” melds a folksy feel with a driving thrashy underbelly, all while incorporating a bit of a spooky ambiance courtesy of their collaboration with Dominum. “Varangoi” has driving power metal verses trading off with a folk-tinged anthemic chorus. “Here Comes the Rain” slows things way down and is a beautiful ballad that demonstrates passion and versatility from the band. Closer “Stahl Auf Stahl” features a collaboration with medieval metallers Subway to Sally. It features both German and English lyrics while unleashing the folk metal feel.

“Armageddon” is a fun ride from start to finish, one that is almost done too quickly. I find myself constantly returning to it and highly recommend.

Original Instagram review Part 1
Original Instagram review Part 2