Review | Front Row Warriors – Running Out Of Time

Rock Of Angels Records

There are albums that entertain, and then there are albums that charge at you like a wild horse. Its untamed, deliberate, and roaring with purpose galore are mind blowing. ‘Running Out of Time’, the second release by German melodic metal force Front Row Warriors, falls directly into the last category. This is not just a follow-up to their much-praised debut ‘Wheel of Fortune’, this nothing short of a battle cry, and a declaration of artistic growth and maturity. The new album is a showcase of musical synergy that grips from the first second and never lets go. ‘Running out of Time’ is the shout out to the masses, that the future of melodic rock has arrived!

Everything about this album screams conviction, back to front. Nothing forced, but the kind that lives in your genes when you’ve invested the hours and experience, built in your identity, and sharpened its every edge. The band sounds tighter, bolder, and even more in sync than on its debut. It’s as if everything was rehearsed until it started breathing fire. It feels like the stage presence has morphed into studio swagger. The production is pristine and powerful, sculpting a sound that honours the past of heavy metal and melodic rock while confidently being rooted into the now. It is modern contemporary metal that pulls you into the mix immediately!

KICK OFF

It all kicks off with ,,Turn the Tide”, a high-voltage opener that immediately sets the tone. No compromise, no soft entry. Just a head-first dive into melodic metal that blends speed, melody and precision like a forged blade slicing through silence. There’s a muscularity in the riffs, a galloping urgency in the rhythm section, and a harmonic elegance in the lead melodies that makes it instantly addictive. But what truly lifts this album above the fray is the interaction between the musicians. This is a band playing as a full-frontal unity of spirits, feeding off each other, challenging each other, lifting one another to the next level with a telepathic connection rock’s greatest share. It all gels impressively well and it bonds with the musicians as much as it does with the listener.

DUELLISTS

Guitarists Stef Binnig-Gollub and Dominik Barth are on fire. Their playing is not just fast or technical, but it’s true at heart and extremely expressive, fluid, and in perfect dialogue. The duels are powerful, and the harmonies executed with a phenomenal close-tone fluent interaction. Whether they’re doubling up on razor-sharp harmonies, trading licks like duellists in a showdown, or letting a solo soar across the sonic spectre of the song their craftsmanship is impressive. On tracks like ,,Rise Against” and ,,Cast A Spell”, they create a push-and-pull dynamic that gives the songs an elaborate tension and drama, instantly nesting with the listener. They build toward climaxes without rushing, always exploding the right moment to unleash their pristine interaction. It adds to the song’s core of storytelling and uplifts the technical output of this album. It is impressive and generic.

A THUNDERING ENGINE ROOM

Metal however is nothing without a thundering engine room, and here the rhythm section really delivers. The gears grip into one another fluently. Timo Michels’ bass doesn’t just sit beneath the surface. It snarls and growls, it leads and it moves, unloading notes and chords much like a triple axe-attack would have. His playing rides piggy back with the guitars, adding to the extravagant delivery of the record. Jay-G’s drums pound with powerful purpose, adding to the songs power and character. The grooves are tight, the fills multi-dimensional and tasteful. And together they provide a foundation for Richie Seibel’s keyboards to add that extra layer of pompous grandeur. His keyboard playing is not just ornamental, Seibel weaves texture with taste. He adds power, sometimes provides the right atmosphere, and mostly takes the lead in supporting the song’s elemental melodic delivery.

THE HEART OF THIS RECORD

But let’s not forget the impressive Elkie Gee, the frontwoman with her radiant presence. Her voice is the lightning to the band’s thunder. Her discharge is fiery and fierce, elastic and contemporary, commanding and at times very eloquate. She can deliver with attitude-laden snarl and pivot into a melodic crescendo with impressive control. Elkie brings character, range, and raw charisma to the plate. She doesn’t just sing the songs, she inhabits them! Whether it’s the anthemic fire of the title track, the soul-baring beauty of ,,Seems Like Paradise”, or the fearless declaration of identity in the slightly weaker live rambles ,,FRW (Front Row Warriors)”, Elkie is the heart of this record, beating loud and proud. Her interaction atop the musical marksmanship enhances the band’s force.

Stylistically, the album walks a wonderful the thin line of rock and metal of the past and present. There’s a strong 80s undercurrent, from the theatrical riffing to the arena-sized choruses, the anthemic discharge of the songs and its enormous hooks, all the way to the energetic arena-like delivery. It’s presented with modern punch and momentum. With a rousing subnote and delivered like a homage to the genres crossing borders to blend its finest. It’s metal that remembers its roots but dares to blaze new trails. Vicious Rumors comes to mind as easily as Karo and Craaft, without missing out on the musical keenness of Giant and TNT. Everything is packed into this action set combusting constantly.

LIVE STAGE

Songs like ,,The Holy” and ,,New Horizons” bring hooks that beg for a live stage and a sizzling crowd at a small brooding venue. While ,,Don’t Think the Night Is Over” is a ready-made sing-along anthem that could close any festival set in style. It is all there; it is all delivered with the charisma that chums!

Just when you think you’ve heard it all FRW pull out a surprise cover of Pat Benatar’s ,,Heartbreaker”. It is performed not as a predictable gimmick, but as a homage, beefed up and injected with grit. Gee bring it to life with heartfelt delivery, while the chunky guitars and groove add to the slick spectre of the original. It’s a smart move, a homage, a perfect fit. The cover fits into the album’s flow, tying the band’s melodic instinct to the rock ‘n’ roll.

By the time the final track fades, one thing is clear: Front Row Warriors are no longer just promising, they are delivering. ‘Running Out of Time’ is packed with passion, precision, and personality. It’s a showcase of musical marksmanship and band chemistry, and a shot of adrenaline for fans who believe in the power of melodic metal.

FRONT ROW WARRIORS – THE CONCLUSION

I deliberately wrote this record to tease you into listening. I don’t go into a rundown of tracks, but refrain to enticing you and luring you in, as much as the band has lured me into their debut. ‘Running out of Time’ is not just a step forward in metal. It is a leap forward for the genre and the band, while maintaining and safe-guarding all benchmarks and characteristics of melodic metal, hardrock and classic AOR. How daunting is that?!

This album doesn’t just demand your attention, it earns it… and some!

Front Row Warriors have stepped up, fire on all cylinders, and deliver a melodic metal beast that combines searing guitar duels, towering vocals, and pure unfiltered energy. They’re not ‘running out of time’, they’re right on time. Let’s start listening!

Release date: 1 July 2025