Album Review: Serious Black – Vengeance Is Mine (AFM Records)

Serious Black, the international power metal band surrounding bassist and founder Mario Lochert, will release their new album ‘Vengeance Is Mine’ on 25th February, out on AFM Records.

Lochert says:

This time, I have allowed more insights into my emotions and private life than ever before, i.e. into how I think, how I feel, how I am, and how difficult it can be to keep a band going when you yourself aren’t well. The lyrics on ‘Vengeance Is Mine’ reflect the past four or five years. This, of course, has had an impact on the songwriting, which has become even more intense and emotional.

It really shouldn’t need to be said anymore but regardless, it’s important to point out that power metal is not all about fantastical stories, lightening crashing from the sky and bard-like tales of supremacy and plunder. Sometimes its music that has an honesty which reflects real-life and real issues. Wrapped up in music that is perpetually upbeat and energetic sounding.

Serious Black’s Vengeance is Mine is an example of power metal with heart and soul, reflecting on personal problems and the challenge that comes with overcoming them. It makes this album one of the more authentic power metal listens in some time. While also being a chest-thumping and fist-lifting listen.

Serious Black tick a lot of the familiar boxes for power metal. Energetic riffs, groovy hooks, massive choruses, powerful melodies and so much more. 13 tracks of top-shelf metal that might seem par for the course but only because Serious Black are doing it so well.

We’re talking banger track after banger track. From the chugging groove and injection of energy that comes with Rock with Us Tonight. To the punchy beat and melody-tinged Fallen Hero and the gargantuan power-ballad of Ray of Light. The first half of the album features some ‘serious’ musical gold.

Of course, when you see 13 tracks, there is a chance that Vengeance Is Mine might overstay its welcome. Happily, that’s not the case as Serious Black have enough mileage to make this journey a complete one. The latter half of the album sees a track like Just for You deliver a thumping blast of heavy. A track like The Story reach emotive, melodic highs not heard elsewhere. A track like Album of Our Lives confirming the importance of this record to the band and a track like Alea Lacta Est delivering classic, grin-inducing power metal energy.

Serious Black – Vengeance Is Mine Full Track Listing:

1. Rock with Us Tonight
2. Out Of the Ashes
3. Fallen Hero
4. Senso Della Vita
5. Ray Of Light
6. Soul Divider
7. Tonight I’m Ready To Fight
8. Just For You
9. Soldiers Of Eternal Light
10. The Story
11. Queen Of Lies
12. Album Of Our Life
13. Alea Lacta Est

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