Released by: Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM)
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Melodic Metal
Links: https://www.innerwish.gr/
Line Up:
George Eikosipentakis
Manolis Tsigos
Thimios Krikos
Georgios Georgiou
Antonis Mazarakis
Fragiskos Samoilis
Tracklist:
1. Forevermore
2. Sea Of Lies
3. Higher
4. Soul Assunder
5. Primal Scream
6. Ash Of Eternal Flame
7. Cretan Warriors
8. The Hands Of Doom
9. Once Again
10. I Walk Alone
11. Breathe
Innerwish are one of a select few bands where the announcement of new material still gives me chills. From the off, ‘Forevermore’ hits the mark with the glorious vocal work on the chorus. That’s over the top of some rhythmic grooves and guitar licks that lift, lift and then lift again the song and after 6 minutes… I’m grinning like an eejit because the band know exactly what to do and how to give me the sort of music I truly appreciate.”
“It continues with ‘Sea of Lies’ which features none other than Hansi Kursch as guest vocalist and ‘Higher’, with the band dropping 5 and 6-minute songs with ease that guarantee you can get into it all before moving onto the next one. None of this 2–3-minute rubbish here. No wham, bam, thank you ma’am from Innerwish. This isn’t just musicianship this is the thinking man’s musicianship and if Sting is reading, at 1 hour 8 minutes, this album is the sort of release he can think about adding if he wants to put some metal into his tantric sex workouts.”
“‘Soul Assunder’, ‘Primal Scream’ (one for the wife Sting?) lead us neatly into the title track, an epic 7-minute monster with the sort of riffage that will see the band lined up, side by side, banging their heads in unison a la Scorpions. ‘Once Again’, ‘I Walk Alone’ and ‘Breathe’ close out the main body of work and it’s fair to say I’m breathless. The music is powerful, relentless, glorious and energising in equal measure. It’s pure escapism and for that hour, it’s the ideal workout.”
“I’ve followed them for years now thanks to my knowledgeable editor initially introducing them in the magazine I subscribed to before becoming a writer for him. Since then I’ve reviewed all of their releases and continue to get a buzz from new material being sent to me.””It closes though with an interesting track. ‘Send Me An Angel’ is a cover of Blackfoot’s 1983 classic.
Innerwish have definitely made it their own though and it feels right at home here. A first for the band as I believe this is their first cover. Another classic from an immense metal outfit.
Written by: Adrian Hextall
Ratings: 10/10
Editors Pick