Two years after their comeback, melodic death metal outfit WARMEN return with another studio effort, this time their second with the refreshed lineup. “Band of Brothers” drops on August 15th, 2025, via Reaper Entertainment, ready to make some serious noise. If you thought their comeback was impressive, this album cranks things up a notch by delivering heavier riffs, sharper dynamics, and enough melodic fury to keep your head banging well into next year.
The album picks up where the previous album, “Here For None,” left off with the opening track, “Band of Brothers.“ Stylistically, it’s the closest to “Here For None,” with a groove that pulls you right in. From the start, the mix shines: the drums have crisp dynamics, cymbals cutting through like a spotlight, and the bass is delightfully loud and bad-ass. You can tell a lot of thought went into making sure every hit and cymbal splash sounds just right. That careful attention to dynamics carries into “One More Year.” While “Band of Brothers” ends with the same keyboard outro it began with, this track wastes no time hitting you with Petri’s raw vocals shouting “Reap what you sow.” It’s more aggressive, with some beautiful guitar melodies and a SLAYER-esque solo. Jyri Helko’s bass really comes through on the outro, adding an extra layer of brutal energy.
Next up, “Nine Lives” keeps the momentum going. The band describes it as a perfect workout song, and it delivers on that promise. With a CHILDREN OF BODOM-style chorus and Janne’s signature keyboard melodies, it balances heaviness with a lighter touch. The guitar solo and riffs give you plenty of reasons to headbang.
Now, maybe I overstated how fast everything is—there’s a ballad here, sort of. The mid-paced “When Doves Cry Blood” is the slowest track, but it still packs a punch. Its rhythmic guitar riff feels a little quirky, making it a unique moment on the album. On the heavier side, “Out For Blood” kicks off with a rhythmic frenzy before settling into a driving guitar riff and bass groove. The band has mentioned German metal inspiration here, and you can definitely catch a bit of KREATOR in the verses and solos—like a shoutout from the Teutonic metal scene.
“Kingdom of Rust” is a tongue-in-cheek track inspired by the Wirman brothers’ garage up North, where cars apparently take a backseat to drinking sessions. It’s fun to see a lighter moment on the album, and the guitar work even mimics an engine starting, with subtle neoclassical melodies sprinkled in. Despite the playful vibe, the song carries a darker undertone.
“March or Die” is one of the heaviest tracks on the record, driven by relentless triplets and keyboards that recall WARMEN’s early sound. I’d bet this one becomes a fan favorite. “Untouched,” the next single, brings a wave of early 2000s Finnish melodic death metal nostalgia. With Petri Lindroos and Seppo Tarvainen as primary songwriters, it’s a solid track fans will appreciate.
As we near the end, “Coup de Grâce” shifts gears with a more minimalistic approach. Keyboards are subtle and sparing, letting the guitars lead. The line “I’ve had enough of your bullshit” hits hard in the C-part, followed by a slick guitar solo. “Dethroned” wraps up the original WARMEN songs with some studio experimentation—listen closely, and you might hear Antti and Seppo playing a note stand and even a step ladder as percussion. I’m hoping they bring this experimental touch to live shows. We need people banging on random shit, okay? The album closes with “The Kiss of Judas,” a STRATOVARIUS cover so well done you’d swear it was a WARMEN original.
“Band of Brothers” is a natural step forward from “Here For None.” Written with Petri Lindroos’ vocals front and center, it’s a bit more aggressive and heavier. Even with a similar number of tracks, the album feels longer, thanks to its diversity. If “Band of Brothers” doesn’t get your blood pumping, check your pulse. This is a tighter, heavier, and more relentless WARMEN, firing on all cylinders and not letting up. Crank it up, blast it loud, scare your neighbors, and enjoy one of the most satisfying melodeath releases of the year.
Tracklist
1. Band of Brothers
2. One More Year
3. Nine Lives
4. When Doves Cry Blood
5. Out for Blood
6. Kingdom of Rust
7. March or Die
8. Untouched
9. Coup de Grâce
10. Dethroned
11. The Kiss of Judas (Stratovarius Cover)
Lineup
Janne “Warman” Wirman – Keyboards
Petri Lindroos – Vocals
Antti “Warman” Wirman – Guitar
Jyri Helko – Bass
Seppo Tarvainen – Drums
Label
Reaper Entertainment
