A dozen songs, plus ‘The Other Side’ intro, grace the German traditional metallers’ fourth album (debut with vocalist #3, former Dreamscape frontman Mike Zotter). A more progressive voice, Zotter is a little thin on the meat & potatoes variety, fist throwing Teutonic beer hall anthems (people’s exhibit #1: ‘Calls From The Other Side’). A wee much keyboards on ‘Kiss At The Abyss’ and piano on the lame Queen inspired ‘Bridges To Eternity’ ballad.

There’s also appears to be a hidden agenda within the lyrics. The upbeat likes of ‘Omens Of Agony’, ‘Pied Piper’ or the regally introduced ‘Permanent Menace’ are Stormhammer’s calling card. ‘Ride On A Razorblade’, even with the imitation Hammond organ intro, saves the later half of the disc from being a complete throw-away.