Angus McSix and the Sword of Power

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Thomas Winkler, formerly known as lead singer Angus McFife from power metal band Gloryhammer, has now leveled up to Angus McSix and started a new project. The album was supposed to come out in the beginning of April, but because of high demand, the album got a later release date which is April 21, 2023. In the Gloryhammer album 'Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex', Angus McFife dies during his heroic battles. In the 'Sword of Power', he comes back from the death as Angus McSix.

Something happened between the band members of Gloryhammer and Thomas couldn’t sing for the band anymore. So he started his own project and reincarnated to Angus McSix, forming alliances on the way with drummer Buff Berserker Skaw and guitarist Queen of the Laser-Amazons Thalestris. Together they take on a very dark power named Archdemon Seebulon. This album is the first chapter of our new golden hero escaping the underworld. And this time, he’s wielding a sword.

Master of the Universe was the first single that surfaced. In the beginning it’s already clear that Gloryhammer is not a part of him anymore with the lyric ‘Glory left my hammer, now I wield a sword’. This powerful power metal song does not all the justice Thomas’s vocals deserve, as the music seems louder than his vocals, putting it to the background a little.

In Sixcalibur, the second single released and also the second song on the album, we get a close up to Angus McSix’s new weapon; the golden sword Sixcalibur. The song celebrates Angus’s new powers with a heroic touch to the song. This time, the vocals do come through loud and clear, which I’m very happy to hear. The music video for the song shows Angus drinking beer together with his sword, which has a 6 on the place where the handle goes into the blade. Not only Angus is showing his skills. Thalestris is playing her amazing guitar solo on top of an eagle, and Buff is showing off behind his drums.

Laser-Shooting Dinosaur, a song with this title can’t be bad right? It starts of with the first lines sounding like it comes from a radio. Then it goes full action. A fast-paced power metal piece with synths in the background. The guitars make place for the synths and vice versa. But once they join together, they are making this song highly danceable.

Amazons of Caledonia starts with a calm synth melody, then it blends together with the electric guitars. The instruments then let Angus sing, before they all join together and create this wall of sound that is simply mind-blowing. If the word ‘heroic’ would have a sound, then this is definitely it.

Ride to Hell starts with what sounds like a helicopter sound, that’s probably a very low synth sound. Then the beat comes in, creating another highly danceable moment. Angus comes in, and then it all comes together, creating a moment that is going to be amazing live when we can all sing along. A song with a strong beat, ready to march!

Starlord of the Sixtus Stellar System starts off with stunning guitar work and the song chanting ‘ANGUS’. This incredible riff continues throughout the song. The chanting comes back for the chorus, creating another moment that’s going to be impressive live. A song that stands strong with both feet on the ground, ready to conquer it all.

The Vision in the Fire forms the instrumental intro to Eternal Warrior. The intro announces action and heroism, getting you ready for the next song. Eternal Warrior has fast drums and focuses in the verses on the vocals, which I’m happy to hear because I sometimes feel the vocals are drowning in the instrumentals. Both vocals and the music in amazingly done, but they both deserve attention, also when they blend together.

The Key to Eternity has an electronic touch to it at the start. Then it continues in a calm but steady pace with harmonies on top. The electronics continue ringing as the song fades out. In a Past Reality blasts in with long guitar strums and synths. Together with the vocals, they create beautiful melodies and harmonies, while talking about the portal that got Angus McFife to die and Angus McSix to break out of the darkness and resurface.

Fireflies and doom are normally not two things that you expect to be in the same sentence, but it is in the second to last song Fireflies of Doom. Very catchy and funny on a bed of nice guitar riffs and fast drums. A song full of radioactive horses and laser dinosaurs of steel.

Last and bonus track Just a Fool Will Play Tricks on Angus McSix let us enjoy the beautiful harmonies on this album for one last time.

Wow, I can assure you, if you’ve only heard the first two singles available before the album came out, you are in for so much more. This album has so much to offer. First of all, it has beautiful harmonies. The electric guitars, synths, drums, bass, and vocals all come together so beautifully that it gives you goosebumps. In those harmonies, the vocals sometimes get a bit lost on some songs. But the greatness of the experience tops that off.
On top of the music, we also get great storytelling and fantasy that creates this magical world. This all on a bed of power metal music.

If you want to see Angus McSix in action, you have to go to the neighboring countries since they’re not playing in Belgium. They do play at Into the Graves Festival in the Netherlands and Wacken Open Air in Germany.

Angus McSix are:
Thomas Winkler (Angus McSix) – Vocals
Seeb Levermann (Archdemon Seebulon) – Guitars, Bass, backing vocals
Thalia Bellazecca (Queen of the Lazer-Amazons Thalestris) – Guitars
Manu Lotter (Buff Berserker Skaw from the North) – Drums

REVIEW SCORE

  • Music / Songwriting 9/10
  • Vocals / Lyrics 9/10
  • Mix / Production 8/10
  • Artwork & Packaging 9/10
  • Originality 8/10
8.6

This album has beautiful harmonies. The electric guitars, synths, drums, bass, and vocals all come together so beautifully that it gives you goosebumps. On top of the music, we also get great storytelling and fantasy that creates this magical world. This all on a bed of power metal music.

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