“It’s rare that the slogan ‘All killer, no filler’ suits an album that well!”
ROCK HARD (DE), Marcus Schleutermann – 9/10 Points
“BRAINSTORM have proven that they belong to the very top of their genre once again.”
STORMBRINGER.AT, Stephan Scholz – 4,5/5 Points
“An enormously strong top 10 album of the year 2025 contender for all fans of good ol’ metal
with a dose of US metal, who aren’t afraid to also enjoy a decent dose of thrash.”
METAL FACTORY (CH), Tinu – 9,5/10 Points
“…there’s still no sign of the band’s overall quality dropping off anytime soon.”
MYGLOBALMIND.COM, Travis Green – 8/10 Points
“Get it, no questions asked.”
BRAVEWORDS.COM, Mark Gromen – 8/10 Points
Artwork: Gyula Havanczák
Long-serving German metallers BRAINSTORM are starting the celebrations of their long-awaited new album Plague Of Rats (Reigning Phoenix Music) early! Tonight, the quintet are playing the first out of eight co-headline release shows with label mates ARION but they have also launched a lyric video for “Crawling,” another track taken from their new record, which was highly praised by press throughout and will finally be unleashed tomorrow.
The song is based on strong synth leads entering one’s mind instantly – and there’s no chance to get rid of them anytime soon. Taken over by guitar duo Ihlenfeld/Loncaric, the melody settles even more, resulting in another new BRAINSTORM anthem while telling a critical story about expectations the society has from individuals and reminding fans of the importance of free speech.
“Another single on the album and perhaps the most melodic track on “Plague Of Rats.” ‘Crawling in’ and ‘crawling out’ suggest a feeling of being trapped and a desire for freedom. But what creeps in and where does it creep out? Having your own opinion has become very difficult in our world. In our society, we’re easily manipulated and lured with nice words to support or accept an opinion. For example, the line ‘I lured you with my sweet words’ is intended to clarify this somewhat. It’s good and important to represent completely contrary opinions sometimes. This is what today’s world has to endure. We don’t walk upright through a door but crawl through cracks to avoid attracting attention instead. If you don’t follow the instructions or – in this case – manipulation, you’re out. You fall off the grid and no longer belong. The message? Stand by yourself and your ideals…and don’t move like a skeleton or zombie,” states vocalist Andy B Franck.
Check out the lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ids2tik6It0
Get Plague Of Rats: https://brainstorm.rpm.link/plagueofratsPR
BRAINSTORM remain a vital force in the metal scene, seamlessly blending traditional elements with modern influences in their latest work, Plague Of Rats. Drawing inspiration from the rich and mystical narratives of ancient Indian civilization, this album delivers an energetic line-up of tracks devoid of slow songs or ballads, fully embodying the band’s dynamic and robust metal style. Expertly crafted with the collaboration of Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann (ORDEN OGAN, ANGUS McSIX) for mixing and mastering at Greenman Studios, and featuring striking artwork by Gyula Havancsák (DESTRUCTION, KREATOR, GRAVE DIGGER etc.) and photography by Alex Kühr, Plague Of Rats offers ten compelling new tracks that transport listeners to the captivating worlds of India and beyond.
Plague Of Rats – Track Listing:
01. Beyond Enemy Lines
02. Garuda (Eater Of Snakes)
03. False Memories
04. The Shepherd Girl (Gitavoginda)
05. Your Soul That Lingers In Me [feat. Elina Siirala]
06. Masquerade Conspiracy
07. From Hell [feat. Alex Krull]
08. The Dark Of Night
09. Crawling
10. Celebrate Youth [RICK SPRINGFIELD Cover; excl. digipak/earbook bonus track]
11. Curtains Fall
More from “Plague Of Rats”:
“Garuda (Eater Of Snakes)” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giLwrNqQpTQ
“Beyond Enemy Lines” OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuSBlOfFDPQ
“The Shepherd Girl (Gitagovinda)” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H54C3lR4yhU
BRAINSTORM live:
“The Plague That Burns The Sky”
BRAINSTORM + ARION
Co-Headline Tour 2025
w/ STRANGER VISION
Presented by Rock Hard, musix, metal.de, powermetal.de, Decibel-Touring & RPM
27.02.2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal
28.02.2025 CH Solothurn – Kulturfabrik Kofmehl
01.03.2025 DE Essen – Turock
02.03.2025 DE Mannheim – 7er Club
03.03.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Halle)
04.03.2025 DE Hamburg – Bahnhof Pauli
05.03.2025 DE Hanover – MusikZentrum
06.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann
Tickets:https://linktr.ee/brainstormarion
w/ SIGNUM REGIS
08.03.2025 NL Harderwijk – Estrado
09.03.2025 NL Gouda – StudioGonz
05. – 08.06.2025 DE Oettingen i. Bay. – Camping Battleground Festival
11.07.2025 BG Chirpan – Midalidare Rock In the Wine Valley
24.08.2025 PT Pindelo dos Milagres – Milagre Metaleiro Open Air
L-R:
Milan Loncaric (guitars), Torsten “Todde” Ihlenfeld (guitars), Andy B Franck (vocals),
Dieter Bernert (drums), Jim Ramses (bass)
Photo credit: Alex Kühr
— — — — —
About BRAINSTORM
BRAINSTORM look back on an unparalleled career: since their 1997 debut Hungry,the band have continued to develop and to consolidate their position in the international metal scene with albums like Metus Mortis [2001], Soul Temptation [2003], Liquid Monster [2005], and most recently Midnight Ghost [2018] and Wall Of Skulls [2021]. They have toured worldwide and achieved impressive chart positions in recent years, but instead of resting on their laurels, they are more determined than ever to set new milestones with their brand new album Plague Of Rats.
BRAINSTORM are:
Andy B. Franck | vocals
Torsten Ihlenfeld | guitars
Milan Loncaric | guitars
Jim Ramses | bass
Dieter Bernert | drums
More on BRAINSTORM:
brainstorm-web.net | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | RPM
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About Reigning Phoenix Music
Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme, hard, and heavy music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists, by offering best services and practices in the industry. But most important is to help the artists amplify their art and talent to a winning formula for success. The label recently opened a new office in London, UK.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Reigning Phoenix Music on YouTube to stay updated and listen to ‘Crawling’ along with other new tracks in the RPM New Releases playlist on Spotify. Subscribe here: https://rpm.link/spotifynewreleasesPR.
More on RPM:
reigningphoenixmusic.com | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube