Zippo is one of the oldest BATTLEROAR fans. In fact he was the one that introduced the band to many of us back in the early 00s. So he is the most suitable person to share a word about the new material. The new BATTLEROAR album is coming on April 24th, so the band organized a listening session for the press. Of course Zippo was there, capturing the first impressions about “Petrichor”.
I have a soft spot for BATTLEROAR: Its one of those bands that appeared when I was a young adult and sometimes I feel (as with many bands of this era) that we grew up together. Well, twenty three years have passed since I first heard their first songs, and here I am now attending their newest album presentation.
The event took place on Saturday, March 14th, at Manos Backline Services Studio, in Tavros, Athens, Greece.Β All the band members were present, the buffet was full of goodies, beer and sodas, and the friendly atmosphere suggested that the band was mainly addressing friends and fans. Notable appearances by Thimios Krikos (INNERWISH), Yiannis Papanikolaou (DIVINER, ex-INNERWISH, ex-BATTLEROAR) and Stathis Pavlantis (REFLECTION) among others.
The album’s presentation was handled by guitarist Kostas Tzortzis. Before I move into the music I have to share with you some important credits about the particular release: So, “Petrichor” was produced by Kostas Tzortzis, sound engineering was done by Thimios Krikos, Stamos Vasilakis and Stathis Pavlantis. The record was mixed & mastered by Arthur Rizk (ETERNAL CHAMPION, SUMMERLANDS) and cover art was done by Mars Triumph (TRIUMPHER).
Now lets dive deep into the music, here are my first impressions of the new album’s songs:
1. The Last Mythkeeper: The introductory minute of the “Last Mythkeeper” leads us to the first track.
2. The Missing Note: Maybe the “fastest” and more “direct metal” song of the album.Β The composition instantly progresses into a BATTLEROAR classic, somehow more into the early doomy days of the band, while the first acquaintance with the singer Michael Karasoulis is shocking: far from the high pitched Dickinson clones that are around, Marios has a deeper more masculine voice, imagine a mix of Mark Sheldon, JD Kimball and Gabriele Grilli (ex DOOMSWORD, GOTHIC STONE / SANGREAL). I really loved this one.
3. AtΔ, Hybris, Nemesis: The album’s second song begins with a acoustic intro imbued with the violin sound. This one is more atmospheric, slower, with a prominent desperate vibe all over its course. The violin plays a dominant role in hear, especially in the middle break almost acting as a second voice. The third act is faster, more direct metal with the violin still dominating the sound.
4. Legacy of Suffering (Flagellants): This one is a mid-tempo doomy song, quite aggressive and less epic that I felt it drew influences from bands like SOLITUDE AETURNUS and Swedish doom acts like MORGANA LE FAY. There is something almost paranoid into this song, maybe the trembling violin sounds or the “desperate” vocals of Michael, I cannot really figure out.
5. The Earth Remembers, the Rain Forgives: Another aggressive track, more MANOWAR-ish, faster, more direct, yet with a majestic vibe. This one bears the most catchy chorus of the album, but fear not. This is not “commercial” metal, instead its raw deeply inspired by the early days of the band. I loved the ending in this one.
6. What is Best in Life?: Another “direct metal” mid-tempo song, that bears inspiration from the mighty DOOMSWORD and the late BATTLEROAR (Gerrit Mutz era). It features a aggressive, warlike riff and a stendor performance by Michael. Perhaps with the first track, the most “straightforward” songs of the album.
7. Chaosbane: A doomy, slow, “excruciating” song, with the grieving vocals of Manos transforming it to a doom / epic metal anthem. This one is quite complex with tempo changes, while the vocals play a leading part. It reminded me of “Sword of Crom” from the bands second album.
8. Wiled the Myth: Another melodic doomy riff that progresses into a song full of grief and despair. This is the closing track of the album therefore it climaxed the emotional charge from the previous tracks, as if its the tragic finale of a desperate fight. I love the small swift into a more classic metal tune in the solo and the quick turn into a doom closure. This one continues the bands tradition for complex epic tracks like “Death Before Disgrace” or “Enchanting Threnody”
9. Storm Inside: This one is a bonus track, but fear not, its no “lesser quality” song. Instead its a slow doom metal little hymn which turns into an faster epic climatic end, in the vein of “Poisoned Well” from “Blood of Legends”. It could have found its way somewhere inside the album (maybe fifth or sixth track) but vinyl edition requires certain minutes per turn and therefore it acts like a CD bonus. I loved it, its quite doomy and frightful.
Final thoughts:
As you may have noticed I used quite a lot quotation marks especially when describing “direct” metal so let me explain: “Petrichor” is not an “easy listening” album, meaning that most songs have complex and climatic structures featuring tempo changes, swifts from distorted metal to acoustic passages, not your usual “verse-bridge-chorus” songs.
There are no catchy sing-along choruses no uptempo atmosphere. This is a dark, brooding album which manages to maintain a breath of hope through out the songs. Michael literally steals the show, conquering upon the riffs and taking the tragic atmosphere of the album to the very next level.
“Petrichor” is a stellar epic metal album, worthy of the bands legacy and I firmly believe its one of the most impressive comebacks, eight years after their previous one. Impressive, complex, grim, emotional, paranoid at times, yet powerful and passionate, showing that BATTLEROAR is once again leading the way for epic metal.
“Petrichor” will be out on No Remorse Records, April 24th, 2026.
Check the album’s discussion on our forum pages.
