SUNSTORM – Brothers in Arms

The previous effort by the talented hard rockers Sunstorm, more specifically Afterlife (2021), impressed me greatly and was a musically accomplished opus in every sense of the word. Enlisting Rainbow vocalist Ronnie Romero and including him in their ranks was a stroke of genius, and it fills me with joy that he is on board for this epic new LP of theirs too. Sophisticated arrangements, huge riffs, melodic solos, and awesome vocal hooks are the order of the day, and one could argue that Brothers in Arms is even catchier and more accessible than the aforementioned Afterlife. With its bright-sounding and powerful production not to mention the stellar musicianship, this is yet another inspired example of how to shape majestic tunes and construct an album that feels like a little journey of sorts. Although not quite as gripping and musically diverse as its predecessor was (and arguably not as cleverly arranged or full of surprises as that one either), Brothers in Arms is undoubtedly a classy and atmospheric record that deserves praise, and there are some excellent tracks to be enjoyed and played loud here. With their melodic flair, subtle 70s-inspired ideas, and great choruses, ‘Games We Play’, ‘No Turning Back’, ‘Miracle‘, and the heartfelt ‘Lost in the Shadows of Love’ rank among the very highlights. A fine offering with longevity to it.