Tomorrow’s Outlook – Black Waves
Release Date: 27th March 2026
Label: Battlegod Productions (Australia) / Sörvik Rock Music
Stream
Genre: Power Metal, Heavy Metal, Melodic Metal, Progressive Metal.
FFO: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Crimson Glory, Bruce Dickinson, early Queensrÿche, Sanctuary.
Review By: Rick Farley
“Black Waves blends melodic heavy metal with a heavier, more direct form of power metal, deliberately avoiding the overly bombastic choirs often associated with the genre. Instead, the focus lies on atmosphere, storytelling, and a colder more grounded sound shaped by Norwegian history, folklore, and coastal tragedy – a sound the band describes as Arctic Heavy Metal.”
Tomorrow’s Outlook was founded in northern Norway in 2007, forged by the majestic and arctic landscapes of a region encased in a cold atmosphere and coastal folk beliefs. The band released their first full length album 34613 in 2012 and followed that up in 2018 with A Voice Unheard, an album that saw the band incorporate a darker, more atmospheric, ambitious approach which gave them a fully developed band sound as opposed to a being musical project. Now eight years later they return once again with a refinement on that soundscape of melodic, sharpened riffs, potent rhythm section, shreddy leads and soaring vocals. A timeless, energetic sound that will forever lift your spirits and bang your heads.
The immediate comparisons if you’re new to Tomorrow’s Outlook is Iron Maiden simply because vocalist Tony Johannessen has an unmistakable voice capable of reaching Bruce Dickinson level mastery, but truthfully that’s selling this band a little short, Tony does have the phrasing and style locked down, but he also has a bit of early Queensrÿche Geoff Tate as well as the late great Warrel Dane, it’s not immediately noticeable, but it’s definitely there. As far as musically the band is a powerhouse of heavy metal/power metal fretboard frenzy with crunchy riffs much edgier and jagged than that of most NWOBHM or European power metal in general. Deeply influenced by US power metal as well as the other genres, the heavy metal grittiness is tense, yet melodic and muscular. Neoclassical virtuosity, wicked crunch, and progressive flourishes energize the tracks far further than being just inspired worship. Tomorrow’s Outlook is their own heavy metal arctic beast capable of mauling if they so choose to.
That’s immediately evident on the stormy opener Eventide which carries a traditional metal aggressiveness within its riffs that give it gnarled teeth and bite. A progressive edge accents the forward driving track setting this apart from the power metal trappings of excess grandeur, while title track Black Waves stomps with a heavy hook, shifting its tempo towards fiery energy and back again allowing the listener to just soak in its simple raised horns glory. Lament of the Damned brings that melodic gallop we all know and love. It’s powerful rhythm section marches triumphantly as guitar leads rip and tear through the mix. High reaching vocals touch the sky while the track leans on musical complexity that not only is technical but engaging and catchy. An absolute highlight.
When all is said and done Black Waves is a beautifully written, well executed, well produced heavy metal album not needing to be anything more than what it is. Frenetic melodies, torching lead guitars, soaring vocals and sharp riff based songs you want to just jam too. Based conceptually on the rich history of their coastal region and the folklore that goes with it, Tomorrow’s Outlook does their homeland proud as well as the great tradition of heavy metal’s history and all those that have come before them. Authentic heavy metal will never die and will always be relevant in today’s music; this is a band that clearly knows that. Easy recommend.
(4 / 5)
