Alterium is an Italian power metal quintet founded in
late 2022 by vocalist Nicoletta Rosellini (ex-Kalidia, Walk In
Darkness), joined by former bandmates Paolo
Campitelli (guitars, keyboards) and Dario
Gozzi (drums), later completed by Alessandro
Mammola (guitars) and Luca Scalabrin (bass).
Produced by Lars Rettkowitz (Freedom Call), their debut album “Of War And
Flames” was released on March 8, 2024 via AFM
Records. The album contained 9 original songs and a cover of Sabaton’s “Bismarck”, quickly surpassing 1 million
streams on Spotify and 1.2 million YouTube views. Even before the debut’s
release, the band appeared live at events such as Epic
Fest in Denmark and Brainstorm Fest in the Netherlands, building a
strong reputation in the European power metal scene.
With “Stormrage”,
Alterium deliver a short yet striking
release that builds on their growing momentum. Containing two brand-new tracks,
plus two bonus versions available exclusively on the limited CD edition, this
EP is designed both as a collector’s item and a powerful bridge between past
and future material.
The title track “Stormrage” bursts forward with galloping riffs, layered orchestrations, and the soaring voice of Rosellini leading the charge. It’s fast, melodic, and packed with the triumphant energy that defines the band’s sound. The symphonic layers never overpower the guitars, instead creating an atmosphere that feels vast and cinematic, perfectly suited for fans of European melodic power metal.
“Sui” takes
a slightly different path, opening with a delicate acoustic section before
erupting into a blazing display of speed, melody, and orchestral grandeur.
Inspired by Chinese mythology, the track shows Alterium’s
ability to weave storytelling into their music, making it both energetic and
immersive. Played live at summer festivals ahead of its release, the song
already feels like a crowd favorite, and it’s easy to understand why.
For collectors and completists, the CD version also includes two bonuses: a cover of Symphony X’s “Paradise Lost” and an orchestral reimagining of “Of War And Flames.” Both additions give extra depth to the physical edition, with the Symphony X cover adding a progressive twist to the band’s repertoire and the orchestral version offering a cinematic reinterpretation of one of their strongest songs.
The
production is sharp, vibrant, and fittingly epic, allowing each instrument to breathe
while keeping the vocal performance at the forefront. With “Stormrage”, Alterium confirm their identity as one of the most
promising new acts in European power metal. It’s a compact release, but it
carries the intensity and grandeur needed to keep excitement high for their
next full-length.
Score: 7.5
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