Album Review: Emperor Rising by Krilloan (Scarlet Records)

Swedish power metallers, Krilloan, will release their full-length debut album, Emperor Rising, on the 9th of December via Scarlet Records.

Formed in 2020, Krilloan became known to the metal community with their debut EP, Stories of Time Forgotten, released in 2021 and full of high pitch vocals, soaring guitar solos and thundering drums.

Following the path of the true Gods, they aim to go straight for the heart when it comes to power metal – that is, fast, melodic, anthemic and epic stuff.

‘Emperor Rising’ is written around classic fantasy themes as well as the far future and Krilloan, based around the Swedish guitarist Klas Holmgren, have one goal and one goal only in mind: to bring back the power in power metal with hard-hitting, sing-along, fists-in-the-air hymns!

Krilloan are Alex VanTrue on vocals, Klas Holmgren and Steve Brockmann on guitars, Marco Toba on bass and Cristoph Brandes on drums.

Emperor Rising comes with 9 big tracks on it starting with the anthemic Prince of Caledor. A wickedly fast track bursting with cheesy lyrics, speed riffs and a flowing, gorgeous melodic structure. The vocals are strong, with plenty of power and pitch, plenty of backing gang vocals too. The drums are also really standing out with speed and power aplenty. If a band claim to base themselves around a guitarist in Klas Holmgren, you are going to expect some serious soloing and Krilloan don’t disappoint here with a ferocious and fiery solo. It’s a 100 miles per hour start to Emperor Rising.

Sons of the Lion keeps the energy at maximum levels with another quality anthem. The structure to the songs, the way the lyrics flow, the riffs and drums. This is quality metal with big choruses to try and sing along to as well as stunning solos to elevate the tracks to that higher plain. Fireborn lulls you in with a brief respite in its intro before jumping in with another quality track. It’s still quick, still going for it but with an even catchier beat this time.

The melodies that make up the majority of this track are stunning, the chunky riffs and drums that take over the verses are punchy and aggressive. Krilloan are killing it on Emperor Rising.

Return to Melnibone lays down the atmosphere with a folk like interlude and a touch of orchestral backing in a brief interlude that is really just an epic extended intro for the massive title track, Emperor Rising. This is power metal perfection, from the hair-raising intro to the speedy, let loose verses. The huge choruses, gang vocals and of course combination of intense drum speed with powerful melodic guitars. It’s Power Metal 101, does exactly what you would expect but my god, Krilloan do it well.

Break of Dawn (Brothers in Arms) drops the pace for an emotional, melodic number full of stunning instrumental work and gorgeous vocal passages. I love the chorus here; love the way the vocals and guitar melody synchronise. The acoustic sections are beautiful, adding more emphasis to the sections that follow with lead guitars joining back in. It’s a cleverly structured song, very easy to listen to and supremely entertaining.

Into the Storm brings back the pace with a fiery number chock full of impactful drumming and guitars being driven at a dangerous speed. The stop start drumbeats in the verse is cool, the drums throughout are just insane, across the whole of Emperor Rising. The vocals are still delivering, and the solo is another special one as is the slow down, “whoah whoah” section. It just breaks the song up a little.

So, our journey nears an end with the penultimate track, Stormlight. It’s another quality track, full of pace and power, melody and grandeur. That leads us to the ending of Emperor Rising, the closing track titled Angels Sacrifice. I’m hoping for something huge here and Krilloan don’t disappoint. It starts off with a chorus of pure epicness before hitting us hard with the speed drumming and melody. The verses are heavy and hard hitting, full of fire and power with a wicked riff. Vocals are delivered at speed all building up to the chorus you are hoping for.

Soaring vocals, plenty of backing in a majestic and grandiose section that is sure to see fists planted firmly in the air. Huge solos, chanting sections and repeats of the chorus close the album out leaving you feeling immensely empowered and satisfied.

Krilloan have smashed it out of the park with Emperor Rising, a fast and fiery power metal album that will leave you feeling invigorated and filled with adrenaline. The album allows very little time to catch your breath as it moves from huge, melodic anthem to huge melodic anthem relentlessly. The drums are phenomenal throughout, the guitars shine as do the vocals. It’s a well-produced, well laid out album that firmly puts Krilloan on the map as one of the hottest prospects in metal with one of the best power metal releases of this year.

Grab your copy of Krilloan’s Emperor Rising at this link tree.

Krilloan Links

Bandcamp – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify – Scarlet Records YouTube