Marauder - 'Strike Back Again' (Nick 'Yngve' Samios drum playthrough)

Πάρα πολύ ευχάριστο νέο. Ένα από τα πλέον αγαπημένα (και δικό μου) Ελληνικά σχήματα, οι Marauder, επέστρεψαν δισκογραφικά μετά από επτά έτη. Ο διάδοχος του album "Bullethead" (2016) και έβδομος συνολικά "ολοκληρωμένος" δίσκος των Marauder τιτλοφορείται "Metal Constructions VII" και κυκλοφόρησε προ ημερών. Οι Marauder υπάρχουν στο "κουρμπέτι" από το μακρινό 1990 και έχουν κυκλοφορήσει επτά full length albums, τρία demos και μία συλλογή...

Δελτίο τύπου: «Pitch Black Records is thrilled to announce the return of Greek Heavy Metal veterans Marauder! The band’s new album, titled “Metal Constructions VII”, is out March 10th, on CD and Digital.

This twelve-track, semi-conceptual opus will be sure to please long-time followers and newcomers alike with the classic Marauder blend of muscular Heavy/Power Metal, melodic finesse and fist-pumping anthems – all channeled into what is arguably the band’s most heartfelt musical statement since 2000’s masterpiece “1821”.

Having enjoyed a joint career spanning over 30 years, guitarist duo Andreas Tsaousis and George Sofronas have shown a remarkable ability to successfully steer Marauder through a variety of times and settings. By staying true to their roots? Definitely, but also by refining their craft and by adding new tricks to the table, so to speak. “Metal Constructions VII” is no exception.

For any lover of traditional Heavy Metal guitarwork, it is pure joy to behold the melodic and harmonic interplay that permeates the new Marauder material. Most easily notable this time around is of course the recruitment of Greek Metal scene strongmen Tassos Krokodilos (vocals) and Nick “Yngve” Samios (drums).

With his soaring voice having just recently graced the latest album by Hellenic old school act Spitfire, the securement of Tassos Krokodilos as the band’s new vocalist keeps Marauder’s tradition of fine, charismatic frontmen alive. Moreover, the act of pairing the ever-reliable (and seemingly indefatigable!) Nick Samios with long-standing bassist Thodoris Paralis have resulted in what is arguably the strongest rhythmic backbone for the band so far.

What further adds to the gravitas of “Metal Constructions VII” - much like it did on “1821”, although in a different conceptual area – are the lyrical themes and how they relate to the music at hand.

Tackling themes of hardship and despair that surely anyone alive in 2022 can relate to AND presenting them in a way that brings to the listener a sense of strength and hope rather than apathy should be enough to earn Marauder a medal of honor.

An endearing testament to the deep-seated powers of Man to not only ride-out, but overcome and eventually learn something from times of great distress, “Metal Constructions VII” both resonates with its times and boldly points towards a brighter future.»

Band: Marauder
Country of origin: Greece
Location: Athens, Attica
Formed in: 1990
Genre: Epic Heavy/Power Metal
Themes: Life, Metal, History, Heroes
Years active: 1990-present

Video: "Strike Back Again" (drum playthrough)
Album: "Metal Constructions VII"
Type: Full length
Release date: March 10th, 2023
Label: Pitch Black Records
Format: CD, Digital

Track listing:
01. Intro
02. Strike Back Again
03. Shout it Out
04. Under Her Spell
05. Nightfall
06. Erase
07. Rock Fighters
08. The Iron Mask
09. Holy Bible
10. Never Die
11. The Son of God
12. Father

Band members:
George Sofronas - Guitars
Andreas Tsaousis - Guitars
Thodoris Paralis - Bass
Tassos Krokodilos - Vocals (lead)

Guest/Session:
Nick Samios - Drums
Gus Dibelas - Keyboards