Guardians of Time - Tearing Up The World (2018)

Hailing from Norway and seeming coming out of nowhere (figuratively) is Guardians of Time who have unleashed their 5th CD.  Fifth CD...that's hard to fathom that they've done that much and are relatively unknown in the metal circles outside of Europe.  What sets Guardians of Time apart from many others in the Euro Power Metal genre are their ability to write really catch songs.  Oh sure, bands like Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, and Sonata Arctica have had thier share of great songs but for a relatively obscure band to come along and put out an opus of this magnitude..is well, pretty special.   One song after another seems to fire off  monster riffs and memorable choruses.  Tearing Up the World is the opening song and honestly one that took a while to grow on me.  It features Norway legend Abbath who's vocals are a little more harsh than most of the layered vocals found on many of the other songs.  Don't get me wrong, I don't mind harsh vocals but so many of the songs were built around really strong harmonies and the vocals seemed a bit out of place.   After getting over the initial shock I've come to enjoy the song.   Where the band really stood out were tracks like Raise The Eagle, As I Burn which featured Tim "Ripper" Owens, Masters We Were and...well there really isn't a weak track throughout the CD.  Every song just has great harmonies and is so memorable.  The CD was mixed and mastered at Studio Fredman and really is superb

The general concensous is the Power Metal genre has become stagnant with no real heir to the Stratovarius/Blind Guardian throne.  Guardians of Time are living proof that Power Metal is alive and well. Will they lay claim to the Power Metal throne? Maybe, maybe not, but for now Tearing Up the World is my #1 CD of 2018.  In a year of really strong releases that says a lot and honestly it's going to take something pretty special to dethrone it this late in the year.  (Rating: 10/10)

Tracklist:

1. Tearing Up the World 2. Raise the Eagle 3. We’ll Bring War 4. Burning of Rome 5. Kingdom Come 6. Valhalla Awaits 7. Brothers of the North 8. Light Won’t Shine 9. As I Burn 10. Drawn in Blood 11. Masters We Were