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Battle Beast's fourth full-length is called Bringer of Pain and the band is in full Power Metal mode this time around. 2015's Unholy Savior was a fine mix of crunch and melody and that is still in evidence on tracks like "Straight to the Heart" and "We Will Fight". The keys are ramped up this time around and the effect is more of the sugary sweet choruses and harmonies and less of the crunchy riffing we've heard in the past. You'll no doubt sing along to "King for a Day" even if the vocal lines sound eerily like Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and the Stormwarrior-esque "Bastard Son of Odin" as they are Power Metal done right. Where Battle Beast really takes an odd turn is on "Dancing With the Beast," a synth-pop track that features singer Noora Louhimo ditching her gravelly delivery and the guitars taking a back seat. I can't say my foot wasn't tapping but this song sounds like something my 14-year-old might put on when I'm not paying attention. The closing ballad "Far from Heaven" is a cliché throwaway.

I like Bringer of Pain but I'm a Power Metal fan, so if you like Sonata Arctica, Burning Point, Thunderstone, et al, you'll like it, too. If you were hoping for something in the vein of the debut, Steel, you'll need to look elsewhere.