ALBUM REVIEW: Megaton Sword – Might & Power

Swiss epic Heavy Metal warriors MEGATON SWORD are back with their 2nd album, out via Dying Victims Productions on February 24th.

Pounding drums set us off with a warlike mood, readying us for battle as scolding guitars jump into life with a warm tone that feels veritably classic. The bass lines are equally well-recorded with a huge presence as the mighty blows of the sword strike from the off. I love it when a record just starts, rather than making us sit through same lame time-wasting. Those uniquely excellent vocals that Megaton Sword have divided opinion with hit just as powerfully as ever, for me these are one of the main attractions of the band. Harkening back to the likes of Manilla Road with timelessly epic Heavy Metal. The songwriting is also no letdown, with the storytelling methods and brilliant musicianship entwining to magnificent effect. There are plenty of haunting moments that send chills down the spine before pummelling us with pure metallic glory like hammer upon an anvil of sublime sound. The distinctive guitar work really comes through, especially in the solos. Even though Megaton Sword play classic Heavy Metal, they do so in a way that really feels like it stands out as their own. “Might & Power” is a befitting title and a promise delivered from the start.

In classic Heavy Metal, dynamics are obviously a huge portion of how powerful a band sounds. So when you can go from soaring leads to a more introspective doomy passage and then blast at high tempos without feeling jarring or confused about your identity, you are onto something special. These titans have so much to offer, while being a band who can easily give you goosebumps, can just as effectively raise fists to pound with a force so visceral it shakes the heavens. The power in the drums and bass yield such an impenetrable rhythm section that it is some feat that the leads and vocals can pierce them so effectively. This is obviously a band who work extremely closely to craft such potent tracks and master their individual crafts without detracting from their bandmates. Such an execution in tandem with a marvellous production and truly fantastical artwork makes for such an enchanting experience to behold on all frontiers.

Although this is an intoxicatingly fierce record, there is emotional complexity too. There are moments which really hit the heart with a hot iron and especially in the vocal department can really bend the mood to something more sombre temporarily before thrusting us back into the conquest for glorious spirits to soar once more. A treasure trove of the things that I think makes Heavy Metal such a life-force for so many people, Megaton Sword have tapped into the very conscious of what the world needed and crafted a soundtrack to make something that feels so genuinely impassioned and heartfelt yet beautifully savage at the same time. It feels like they have held firm to every aspect of their identity without compromise and yet continued to elevate and grow to new heights in a natural manner that is trustworthy for us fans who do not want to lose them to the characterless mass of people-pleasing, low-effort bands. The sheer power of this record is difficult to put into words, but I think upon hearing it you will either feel the fire or will not. Those who do, will want to bask in its radiant glow for all time.

Another masterwork from one of the best Heavy Metal bands spawned in recent years. After the EP and debut album, it was clear that Megaton Sword were going to be an unforgettable name in the genre and this new opus only confirms and consolidates that opinion further. The word epic only begins to cover it, you must experience true “Might & Power” for yourself.

For more Megaton Sword reading, check out my interview with them here!