SKULL & CROSSBONES (feat. former members of STORMWITCH) secured a worldwide signing with Massacre Records and their upcoming, first full-length studio album entitled ”Sungazer”, will be released on September 8, 2023. The four ex-Stormwitch members Volker Schmietow, Tobi Kipp, Jürgen “Wanschi” Wannenwetsch and Marc Opppold, are joined by vocalist Tobi Hübner to complete the line up.
SKULL & CROSSBONES style is traditional, melodic old-school metal – no tricks, no modern twists – just an occasional hard rock groove: ”Sungazer” is produced with a modern sound, still retaining the genre’s soul.
The obvious seasoning and experience of SKULL & CROSSBONES as musicians make ”Sungazer” a much stronger effort than most would expect for a debut effort. If you enjoy a mix of classic / traditional melodic metal with immediate musical hooks plus plenty of vocal acrobatics, this should be a no-brainer to add to your collection.
Listeners who live for a traditional form of Teutonic driven metal chock full of strong power melodious riffs, high energy rhythm section support, plus monstrous, multi-octave vocal melodies that can hit eagle highs as much as shatter steel on impact should have no trouble devouring this material.
Specific main riffs demand synchronized headbanging action – most will be hard pressed to not be swept into the Judas Priest / Accept-like mid-tempo fervor for “Manhunter”, the harmonized chorus from Tobi’s pristine in a Blind Guardian meets Queen manner.
At other points, cleaner guitars give chase to massive, mountain-top musical parts that showcase an epic march to glory – “The Invisible Man” similar to the feel of early Queensrÿche, cult act Q5, or classic Dio during his 80’s ascent to arena level attraction, the lead breaks of Volker Schmietow and Tobi Kipp exemplary.
The mechanics of drummer Marc Oppold sit between conventional power metal with the flair for intricacy – thorough in his double kick abilities, while entertaining in specific transitions / fill spots to make “Nature’s Legacy” a spotlight effort on his behalf.
There are even hints of 70’s-oriented classic rock as far as the calmer clean to electric axe work and fantastic multi-part vocal harmonies in the power ballad “Live Your Dreams”, the additional piano passages perfect for dynamic ambiance. Many will hear Tobi’s star-like qualities – he has a belter-oriented range to confidently hit those falsetto screams (check out “The Drowned” for this aspect) that should earn him praise, applause, and all the acclaim a professional metal singer of his caliber deserves.
A very strong, well crafted debut album.
Highly Recommended
1. Midnight Fyre
2. Sungazer
3. Manhunter
4. The Invisible Man
5. Tyrant's Rule
6. Nature's Legacy
7. Inner Self
8. Live Your Dreams
9. The Drowned
10. The Traveller
Tobi Hübner – Vocals
Volker Schmietow – Guitar
Tobi Kipp – Guitar
Jürgen “Wanschi” Wannenwetsch – Bass
Marc Oppold – Drums
Skull & Crossbones – Sungazer 2023
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