WARMEN
Band Of Brothers

Warmen is a very relevant name in Finnish melodic death metal. Originally born as the solo project of Janne Warman (former keyboardist for Finnish metal giants Children of Bodom and Kotipelto), the band evolved when he joined forces with his brother Antti and Ensiferum’s frontman Petri Lindroos on vocals to deliver this new incarnation of the project. Band of Brothers features 11 tracks with a total playtime of 40 minutes and 19 seconds. Starting with the title track, ‘Band of Brothers’, the album opens with virtuosic keyboards and fast riffs, reminiscent of the early days of melodic death metal. These are combined with elements of what was once dubbed “Dark Power Metal.” ‘One More Year’ and ‘Nine Lives’ strongly evoke the early sound of Children of Bodom — a band that served as a gateway into extreme metal for many fans, without ever sacrificing melody or technical skill.

‘When Doves Cry Blood’ is the slowest song on the album, offering a ballad-like quality that adds emotional depth. ‘Out for Blood’ is a call to arms — this track leans more toward Ensiferum’s style and might feel less accessible compared to the rest of the album due to its shift in tone. ‘Kingdom of Rust’ is the most power metal-sounding song of the bunch: fun, light-hearted, and a great reflection of Finnish humor. ‘March or Die’ brings the most keyboard-heavy arrangement on the album — a nice nod to Janne’s legacy of incorporating keys into metal. It’s followed by ‘Untouched’, which in my opinion is the second most power metal-leaning track and acts as a solid bridge to the album’s closing stretch.

‘Coup de Grâce’ was one of my favorite tracks on the record. With a stronger focus on guitar riffs, it complements the rest of the album perfectly. As for the final original track, ‘Dethroned’ delivers a triumphant ending. Janne’s keyboard mastery shines once again here. ‘The Kiss of Judas’ closes the album with a homage to Stratovarius — a cover of the classic from their Visions album. It’s a fitting tribute, especially considering how Stratovarius paved the way for bands like Warmen.

All in all, this album feels like a nostalgic return to an era when Finnish metal bands weren’t afraid to showcase musicianship and complex compositions, even within the realm of extreme metal. Petri’s vocals, though more aligned with Ensiferum’s sound, are a great fit here. It’s important to note that Warmen has been playing a couple of festivals during 2025, and I can’t wait to see them at some point.