BATTLE BEAST Circus of Doom | Weekly Heavy Metal Album Review

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on January 21th, 2022

Quick Background

Battle Beast is a Finnish heavy/power metal band established in Helsinki in 2005 by guitarist Anton Kabanen. Battle Beast's first album, titled Steel, was released in Finland in the Spring of 2011 and worldwide in January 2012 with the support of the two singles, "Show Me How to Die" and "Enter the Metal World". The first single with Noora Louhimo on vocals, "Into the Heart of Danger" was released in 2013, followed by the album Battle Beast. In 2015, Battle Beast released its third album, Unholy Savior and right after it the band parted ways with Anton Kabanen. He went on to form Beast In Black. Despite that, Battle Beast's ascent up the metal ladder quickly and the band’s 3rd studio album achieved remarkable chart positions all over Europe. Bringer of Pain first output without their original songwriter was released in 2017 and achieved even higher success. Then No More Hollywood Endings came to life in 2019. 

Circus of Doom

Now in 2022, the Finnish heavy metal sextet sixth studio album, Circus of Doom brings us 10 tracks in 42 minutes. A pretty sweet and easy to digest format. All songs are direct and to the point. All of which last between 3 and 5 minutes delivering a blend of true heavy metal with pop and rock-vibes, paired with Noora Louhimo’s unique voice. The album opens with the title track which features one of the heaviest riffs on the album. Relatively speaking it is a darker song but nothing to to with doom metal. It is a perfect sample of the album's quality. This time around Battle Beast went for a heavier album with more power metal influences than previous efforts. With that said the symphonic and pop rock elements are still very much present. "Wings of Light" follows and keeps the energy and tempo up. Great guitar work on this song in particular, I love the solos on it.

In terms of lyrics the album is full of clichés and even song titles that you'll make you think of other metal tracks such as "Master of Illusion" and "Eye of the Storm". But that doesn't bother me actually.  Funny enough those are my two favorite songs on the album. Louhimo's performance on "Master of Illusion" is fantastic, so much energy, range and hitting those high notes while delivering catchy vocal melodies. It's a power metal delight. 

The stunning artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (Among others Manowar), who already took care of Battle Beast’s previous two album designs. The album was produced and mixed by keyboardist Janne Björkroth and it sounds quite good.

The Picky Guy

There are a couple of moments that BB sounds too much like Nightwish era with Anette Olzon and I don't like it. It looses grip and energy. Not that I don't like NW, but that's not the style they shine here. The examples are "Where Angels Fear to Fly" a mid tempo song that doesn't keep my interest. "The Road to Avalon" featuring a very pop chorus and most of all "Armageddon". It sounds like a happy song to end a concert, but too much...  

The good thing is that the band arranged the song order in a way that the less impactful songs are not standing out. More importantly, Circus of Doom ends on a high note because the closer track "Place That We Call Home" is a good energetic heavy one. 

Wrap Up Opinion 

I liked this album a lot, but I haven't seen many good reviews. That doesn't surprise me and it's one of the reasons I started this channel. Of course if you want extreme metal or prog metal adventures this is not the album. But we have to judge an album for what it is and tries to accomplish. In that sense Battle Beast stayed true to the formula of “100% heavy metal - 0% bullshit!” This is fun, catchy and contagious while delivering energy and quality song writing. It's a very good album, 82/100 and I keep listening to it and I am not ashamed. For me their best album yet. Looks to me that Kabanen leaving the band was the best for all. Now on top of Battle Beast on top form we also get Beast in Black. 

SCORE: 82/100

Genre: Heavy Metal

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on January 21th, 2022

Rating System

99 - 100 Perfect
94 - 98 Excellent
87 - 93 Great
82 - 86 Very Good
77 - 81 Good
66 - 76 Mixed
58 - 65 Bad

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