Review | Battle Beast – Steelbound

Nuclear Blast Records

With `Steelbound’, Battle Beast deliver their seventh studio album with bravado, melody and drama. It’s not a subtle record. But that’s exactly the charm of the Finnish metal brigade led by powerhouse vocalist Noora Louhimo. While the band once focused mainly on solid power metal, this album boldly flirts with groove, theatrical flair, and even a touch of Latin and cabaret. The result? A record full of highlights, a few weaker moments here and there, and thematically rich from start to finish.

HIGHLIGHTS

First and foremost, `Steelbound’ shines when Battle Beast do what they do best: powerful hooks, a magnificent singer, and melodies that stick in your head for days. The opener ,,The Burning Within’’ bursts out with fury and freedom, a declaration to the world: here we are! The band balances raw riffs with 80s-style synths in an impressive way.

The title track ,,Steelbound’’ follows as an anthem of resilience and defiance. A battle cry for anyone who has ever been ignored, underestimated, or silenced. A glorious track with a strong 80s vibe that wouldn’t feel out of place in the movie `Flashdance’.

A true crowd-pleaser is ,,Last Goodbye’’: emotionally charged and heavier than many other songs, with a chorus that lingers long after it ends. Then comes the surprising gem, ,,Twilight Cabaret’’. It’s amazing how a hint of salsa fits perfectly in a Battle Beast song. The Latin-influenced piano, the theatrical flair, the contrasts between glamour and gravity. It all makes this track unforgettable. Finally, ,,Watch the Sky Fall’’ closes the album with a worthy finale: epic, grand, and packed with emotion.

Themes of struggle, self-respect, resistance against oppression, and the celebration of inner strength run throughout the album. In `Steelbound’ we find defiance, in ,,Here We Are’’ the recognition of survival, in ,,Blood of Heroes’’ a tribute to courage, and in ,,Twilight Cabaret’’ a biting critique of power and manipulation.

WEAKER MOMENTS

That said, the album isn’t flawless. At times, the melodies feel a bit too safe or accessible. ,,Angel of Midnight’’, for example, comes across as somewhat conventional. It’s certainly a good song, but it loses some impact when compared to the more distinctive tracks.

Songs like ,,Riders of the Storm’’ have plenty of drive and arena energy but lack that unique spark that makes other tracks stand out. Throughout the record, the band pulls out all the stops and sometimes it feels a bit overdone. The balance between bombast and sharpness isn’t always consistent.

BATTLE BEAST – THE FINAL VERDICT

`Steelbound’ is a fine showcase of what Battle Beast stands for and where they dare to go next. A full-on metal record that doesn’t shy away from experimenting with style, genre, and emotion. Fans of soaring vocals, melody, and theatrical flair will get plenty of value here. At the same time, the album can feel a bit too polished, which slightly mutes the raw power that defines the best classic metal albums.

For long-time fans, this is a must-listen and for anyone curious about a metal album with flair, strong themes, and a danceable twist (yes, that salsa in ,,Twilight Cabaret’’!), this is your chance. It’s an easily digestible album that won’t wear out quickly. Around here, it’s already on repeat.

Release date: 17 October 2025