(Heavy Metal) Katana - Storms Of War - 2012, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The Gothenburg band Katana wererookies last year when they released their debut album Heads Will Roll, but now comes their second album, Storms of War, and they are here to prove that this music, inspired by ancient Japan, is here at the top to stay.

Just like on Heads Will Roll, the songs on Storms of War are highly influenced by the '80's NWOBHM movement. Good or bad? Sure, you can complain that the band is like a rip-off of any NWOBHM band, but Katana's music feels very modern and I think that the band is making the music their own and do it with such a quality that I think that if I would play this album to any of the pioneers in the NWOBHM movement, I think that they would be proud and honoured. No one in the band is making any mistakes and the singer, Johan Bernspång, has reached a new level with his voice since their debut.

The opener is called The Reaper, a song where the guitars and the speed have the main roles. The song roars on and sets the bar perfectly for the rest of the songs. A song for all of you adrenaline junkies. If you are the kind of person who likes long and epic songs, then you will not be disappointed either because we have the songs The Wisdom of Emond's Field and In The Land of the Sun. The Wisdom of Emond's Field starts off with a good rhythm that later goes to soother and calmer sound waves. The song ends with what started it, a good and catchy rhythm. You can feel the epicness in In The Land of the Sun, a fantastic melodic trip. Other great songs from this album are the single Kubilai Khan, which has the best chorus on the entire album, the rocky Modesty Blaise, and the marvelous Wrath of the Emerald Witch.

Now let us make a comparison between Katana's two albums. Heads Will Roll is a strong debut, but had several unfinished products that felt either weak or just not ready. Here on Storms of War, it feels like the consistency is way better, bringing a greater listening experience for us fans. The songs are also more complex on Storms of War, but are also more elaborate, therefore we can draw the conclusion that Heads Will Roll is a solid debut album, but Storms of War is almost a world class album and a leap in the right direction.

Summary:
I am more and more convinced that if Iron Maiden was from Japan (and not from Great Britain), this is how they would have sounded. Katana made so much right on this album and I do not see anything that can stop this band from expanding their music even further out into this world. The question now is where the limit goes for the band. It will definitely be a delight to follow the band and see where that limit is (if there is any).

Best song: In The Land of the Sun