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The most German of the Spanish bands is out for blood again with their fifth studio album. I've enjoyed the hell out of the Old Kings Visions EP released earlier this year and was very excited to see what Carlos Escudero (vocals), Pedro J. Monge (guitar) and company had in store with their new effort, only to be blown away by the result.

This is every Power Metal fan's dream: chugging and powerful riffs, epic choruses and radiant and energetic atmosphere are plenty in Against All Kings. Songs like "Old King's Visions (V)" and the title track maintain the same approach frequently used by the band, while tracks like "Rebel Mind" and "Howling at the Moon" are presented in a more melodic way, with more prominent keyboard layers provided by newcomer Jonkol Tera (Incursed, ex-Orion Child) and some great anthemic guitar and bass leads. I find the latter to be one of the best compositions of their career; magical and opulent at the same time, the song is the epitome of honest, manly and creative Power Metal.

Vhäldemar brilliantly mixes elements from bands such as Grave Digger, Iron Savior, Stormwarrior, Manowar and even X-Wild – especially when Escudero's harsher vocal lines come to surface – like on "I Will Stand Forever" – into their own stuff, which in turn resulted in one of the most awesome, badass and wimp-proof Power Metal albums of 2017. Vicious and relentless, the Spanish quintet floods Against All Kings with inspiring moments and killer attitude. Great album.