Sequel of “Land of The Rising Sun (part 1)” (2024), this new album of Metal de Facto is finally out on the 6th of March. Teased with two great singles, “Across the Milky Way” and “Gojira”, I was really impatient to finally give it a listen.
Metal de Facto is a Finnish power metal band founded in 2019. The members are Sami Hinkka (Ensiferum, Ssshhh) playing the bass, Esa Orjatsalo on the guitar, Atte Marttinen on drums, Benjamin Connelly on Keyboard and finally Aitor Arrastia as the main singer.
The slogan of the band is "Let's make power metal great again!". Let's see if, with their new album “Land of The Rising Sun (part 2)” we can say that the challenge is complete.
This new album continues well the travel started in 2024: despite being a bit calmer in my opinion, it goes deeper as the atmosphere is more inspired by Japan. We can even find a song with a Japanese title.
The album is an example of real true power metal. It is full of energy, rhythm and roaring guitar. Mix that with an incredible singer and dynamic backup singing (for example in the song “Gojira”), you have everything you could ask if you like this genre.
As a bit of novelty compared to the previous album, you can find here a beautiful ballad, “The Wanderers Truth”. The keyboard suddenly turns calmer and gives us an emotional break. We walk along with the wanderers to catch up our breath before continuing the adventure.
The real strength of the album is the importance given to the melody, with beautiful instrumental passages in several songs, such as in “Lighter than a Feather”. Most of the melodies would even be totally fine on their own, but the addition of Aitor's incredible and powerful voice is the cherry on the top of the cake. He has an incredible range that carries the lyrics perfectly.
The album is dynamic, full of energy and definitely takes us in the land of the rising sun with a huge Japanese influence, partly thanks to the collaboration with Ryoji Shinomoto.
This album is indeed a good example of true power metal, with an original and interesting Japanese twist. More than the little brother of “The Land of the Rising Sun (part 1)”, the part 2 feels to me like an heir who goes further. It is more technical, takes us deeper in the land of Japan and gives a spiritual aspect of the trip while keeping the music as fun, dynamic and powerful as it was in the first part.
Metal de Facto will have an album release party in Helsinki at the end of the month and I truly hope they will soon tour in Europe so the non-finnish fans will have the pleasure to hear this new album live!
I would give a strong 95% to this album and I urge all the power metal fans to give it a listen! Challenge complete!
Written by Céline Fetel
Edit by Kerry Lynx