Almost two and a half years after releasing their acclaimed and stellar "Liquid Monster" album, it was hard to predict if BRAINSTORM were going to keep up with what they were able to produce then, having raised the bar to a level rarely equaled by other formations in the same genre. Not afraid of being measured up to today's best performers, for the promotion of this new opus, BRAINSTORM decided to hire the services of PAGAN'S MIND, one of the most skilled bands out there, as the opening act for their European tour in spring 2008. But enough said already, let's just see what these Germans have in store for us with this new opus. "Downburst".

With the first notes of the opening track, "Falling Spiral Down", it is evident that BRAINSTORM's capabilities of producing top-notch Power Metal have not faded away. The band are still working at full capacity like a fine art requiring a lot of practice and tremendous talent in order to be mastered. Things keep getting more interesting with the following tracks, "Fire Walk With Me" and "Stained With Sin". However, the Germans are able to surpass some of the best songs they have come up with in the last ten years with the super-powerful "Redemption In Your Eyes" as well as the more mellow, but nonetheless extremely catchy, "End In Sorrow".

The recent departure of bassist Andreas Milander, who has since been replaced by Antonio Leva, could have been perceived as a source of concern for BRAINSTORM fans, but it has not affected the band's ever kick-ass sound. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite occurred - starting with the musical performance and finishing with the production, blessed once again by Sascha Paeth and Miro (ANGRA, HEAVEN'S GATE, KAMELOT, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, SHAMAN). The result is beyond reproach. As always, the combination of Andy Franck's voice, accompanied by the guitars of Tursten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric and Dieter Bernert's strong drumming style, work together in perfect synergy. The second part of the set is what makes this a near perfect disc with killer songs such as the very melodic "How Do You Feel" and "Surrounding Walls", the very thrashy "Protect Me From Myself" or "Frozen", and "All Alone", which closes the album in the most efficient manner.

Artists such as BRAINSTORM are the reason why Heavy Metal (the most under-rated musical genre ever) has survived more than thirty years of adversity and misunderstanding. Despite being from a newer generation, with the release of "Downburst", BRAINSTORM have been able to prove that Metal is here to stay, instead of dying off like the flavor of the day. "Downburst" is a must for those who like it loud and heavy!