Music News - Stormforge: Relentless Power Metal from the far Southern Isles
03 September 2019 - 0 Comments
The New Zealand metal underground is famed for obliterating black and death metal, but Auckland five-piece Stormforge prove that formidable power metal prowess also lurks in the far southern isles.
Described as a “chest-pounding heavy metal juggernaut” (Six Noises) and “New Zealand's answer to DragonForce” (Metal Temple), Stormforge have been astonishing Antipodean audiences for close to a decade. Inspired by icons such as Lost Horizon, Helloween, Blind Guardian, and Wintersun, Stormforge’s combination of theatrical songwriting and maestro musicianship has been enthusiastically received at home and overseas.
After taking time off touring to hone their sound and vision, Stormforge are set to return soon with a brace of captivating singles, Madness and Might and Star Descended. Both tracks showcase Stormforge’s pulse-pounding virtuosity, with triumphant power metal underscoring every dramatic turn. The band’s sound has evolved since their 2014 EP, Sea Of Stone. With their new singles, Stormforge give fans an insight into the creative changes that have taken place as they’ve added more modern elements into their sound.
Stormforge have shared stages with international bands like Iced Earth, Dragonforce, Korpiklaani, Wintersun, LORD, Nightwish and Alestorm. They’ve also played electrifying sets at New Zealand’s Hell Smash Fest in 2017 and 2018, and at Australian festivals Under the Southern Cross in 2017 and Steel Assassins in 2018.
Metal Bandcamp noted that Stormforge’s "dynamic and energetic" music is jam-packed with the crucial elements “that make power metal such a joy for fans in the first place”. No question, Stormforge push the limits of technical precision with their blistering pace. But melodies reign supreme thanks to the majestic riffing of the band’s guitarists, Flynn Fredriksson and Raj Singarajah.
The galloping bass of Tom O’Leary and lightning-fast drumming of Antony Mifsud-Houghton add to the charge. And Stormforge’s not-so-secret weapon lies in the intensity and power of frontman Courtney O’Leary, who’s been rated as “the best clean vocalist [NZ] metal has to offer” (Subcide Webzine). For the past few years, O’Leary’s been receiving vocal coaching from Primal Fear’s Ralf Scheepers. The strength of O’Leary’s operatic range is undeniable, and that’s highlighted on the band’s upcoming new singles, which are only the first step in an imminent campaign.
The recording of Stormforge’s first full-length album, provisionally entitled The Tower, is also close to completion. The Tower marks a historic point in the band’s career, featuring Stormforge’s most addictive and expertly arranged music yet, with intoxicating songs set to rocket into the stratosphere.
The Tower affirms Stormforge’s commitment to the authentic spirit of classic metal. Both the album and the upcoming singles are produced in-house by Singarajah and his Exordium Mors bandmate Cam Sinclair, who’s acclaimed for his studio work with Bölzer, Diocletian, Heresiarch, Stälker, Bulletbelt and many more.
Stormforge’s upcoming singles will also be some of the first recordings to emerge from Dynamic Rage, Singarajah and Sinclair’s new music production studio. Stormforge are more invested than ever in getting their music heard, and they’re wholeheartedly committed to connecting with international audiences, especially in the US and Europe.
Take note: the Storm has only just begun…
Madness and Might and Star Descended will be released on 23 September 2019. Stormforge will also embark on a national tour in support of the release in October.
http://www.stormforgedmetal.com/
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