Shadowborne – Heaven’s Falling
Release Date: 19th June 2026
Label: Scarlet Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Power Metal
FFO: Battlebeast, Beast in Black, Gloryhammer, Powerwolf, Metalite, Amaranthe.
Review By: Mark Waight
There are a very bright and shinning new cluster of stars ascending in the world of Power Metal. Hailing from the fiery heart of the land of ice and snow the mysterious Shadowborne breathe new life into the genre with their outstanding debut album “Heaven’s Falling.” Having already signed a multi-album deal these guys are now creating quite the storm around the metal community.
Shadowborne is Eira Shadowborne (lead and backing vocals), The Warden (guitar, keyboards and backing vocals), The Oathbearer (lead guitar), The Keeper (bass), and The Warbringer (drums).
An orchestral Instrumental Intro kicks things off in true Game of Thrones style with “Winter is Coming.” If you’ve been hunting “High and Low” for a great European power metal album, then look no further. “Heaven’s Falling” has it all going on with high tempo, fist-pumping power chords and epic axe slinging that could even shake the great hall of Odin to its very foundations.
The magical and mystical sing-along “Wolf and the Queen” plays host to a very strong vocal performance and a wicked guitar solo in a pleasurable two-pronged sonic attack that lifts both the soul and the spirits. The heavier, harder punching “Custodians” echoes the great Noora Louhimo from her early days at Battle Beast and is a sure-fire way to get the listener dusting off their trusty old air guitar.
“Hold the Door” here’s another cracking tune which combines a wicked pulsating riff, fabulous screaming vocals with some enjoyable electronic keyboard trickery. Title track “Heaven’s Falling (Dragon’s Hymn)” is a crisp, clean and awe-inspiring call to arms! To battle we go!
Next up the mesmerising electro beat of “Stranger to Myself” takes us on a crazy journey that ends with a fabulous headbanging solo and leads us nicely to the Celtic/Folk influenced “The Wall” where you won’t be able to resist joining in with some epic guitar craft very much in the style of the legendary Brian May.
Penultimate track “Raven” has a darker, more gothic edge to it that delivers a stunning Nordic symphonic metal aura and slows things down a tad. Bringing us nicely to the “End of the World” or in this case a lovely power ballad curtain closer with vulnerable vocals.
Shadowborne’s arrival is still something of an enigma. Despite delivering a polished and confident release with their superb debut album “Heavens’s Falling”, there is still remarkably little information available about the band online. Whether this is a deliberate attempt to let the music speak for itself, a new project from incognito experienced musicians, or simply a group yet to establish a digital presence, the complete sense of mystery only adds further fuel to the fire. I’m certainly very intrigued to find out more, how about you? Highly recommended.
(4.5 / 5)
