The Grandmaster is a new addition to the Frontiers Records roster of bands and presents us with a solid and nicely arranged melodic heavy metal opus featuring the amazing Nando Fernandes (Brother Against Brother) on vocals, and this one was a most pleasant surprise in that the songs are generally quite strong and absolutely loaded with atmosphere. These types of projects by the label are usually a bit hit-or-miss, but the exceptionally talented and musically powerful combination of Fernandes and Edguy guitarist Jens Ludwig works like a charm with Nando’s dynamic voice complementing those big, juicy riffs of Ludwig’s superbly.

 

The record is certainly also varied in terms of its content and every member of the ensemble brings their A-game, so all is well in those departments. Although the words and lyrics are standard heavy metal fare and not particularly noteworthy, the riffs and melodies are most definitely great and I would very much like to see these guys stick together for a follow-up to this epic-sounding output. Fans of Dio’s later works such as "Magica" and "Master of the Moon" might just find "Skywards" appealing and memorable, and you should try giving the four excellent tracks that are "Someday Somehow", "Cannot Find the Way", "True North", and the ridiculously catchy "Surrender" a listen. In short, The Grandmaster delivers the heavy metal goods here and knows exactly how to merge hard-hitting guitars and soaring vocals with interesting keyboard textures and an energetic rhythm section.

 

The Grandmaster – Facebook