Album Review: Wind Rose – Trollslayer (Napalm Records)

Italian dwarven power metal army Wind Rose returns to the forge with their new album, ‘Trollslayer’, out October 4, 2024 via Napalm Records.

Dwarven warriors unite! Wind Rose have returned and with them comes plunder of epic proportions bearing the name of Trollslayer. The power metal band are back, sticking exclusively to type, and delivering a thoroughly enjoyable blast of head banging anthemic fun.

We’re all going on an adventure when we’re listening to Wind Rose music, but these are no small stories, standards are high, and Wind Rose never come up short when it comes creativity (sorry, dwarf puns write themselves). Beginning this album off in epic style with the chest-beating instrumental Of Ice and Blood and the frantic vitality that pours out of Dance of the Axes. The latter is a perfect example of Wind Rose’s heavier style and alongside the potent heavy rhythms are some nice vocal growls.

Heavy as it is, and like so much of this album is too, it proves to be delightfully infectious. However, it’s when Wind Rose step up their party game that they truly showcase what it means to be anthemic. First, there is The Great Feast Underground, a drinking song as only Wind Rose can do, and then there is Rock and Stone, a goldmine of fun. Not just because it is inspired by the space dwarf first-person shooter video game Deep Rock Galactic, but because it is one of the most ‘shout-along’ tracks of all.

Although To Be a Dwarf certainly comes close to that high bar with a track that takes the listener into deep and dark mines. Wind Rose ask that you are in fine of voice and stout of heart for this one, and it will, no doubt, go down well in the live environment.

Over the years Wind Rose have carved out their niche and are now reaching peak power performance when it comes to delivering consistent catchy anthems. An album like this, especially one that continues to feature blasting efforts like Home of the Twilight, the title track, and Legacy of the Forge, is never going to set the world alight, but as far as making it that little bit brighter, Wind Rose deliver. Digging out shafts to let the light in and welcoming all into their opulent halls.

If all of this wasn’t ensuring that their fanbase would broaden, the album wraps up with a surprising effort. A more emotionally gripping and thought-provoking finale called No More Sorrow. Wind Rose clearly wanting to show that they are more than capable of writing music with depth, while still being inherently infectious through and through. The chorus, in particular, is immense.

This is music with rocks in.

Wind Rose – Trollslayer Track Listing:

1. Of Ice and Blood
2. Dance of the Axes
3. The Great Feast Underground
4. Rock and Stone
5. To Be a Dwarf
6. Home of the Twilight
7. Trollslayer
8. Legacy of the Forge
9. No More Sorrow

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