POWER SURGE is a brand-new heavy metal band, which was formed very recently, in June of 2024, but the impact they made with the release of just a couple of singles was so intense, that was capable to grant them the support slot for the September’s (2024) European Tour of the legendary US Metal band FIFTH ANGEL. Furthermore, the band was offered an invitation to play at the significant ‘’Keep It True Rising’’ festival in October 2025.
The band may be still a ‘’newborn’’ one but the members of the band are not beginners. They are quite known musicians, with a strong background in the European metal and hard – rock scene, since the vocalist Roko Nikolic has performed in support acts to bands like WHITESNAKE and ARMORED SAINT, leads his own band FLESH and was a long-term collaborator of the band JELUSICK.
The co-founder of the band, the guitarist Srdan Bilic is not a rookie as well. He is a member of the UK metallers PRIMITAI, performed with them twice at Bloodstock festival and shared European dates with FIREWIND and ENFORCER. The other members of POWER SURGE are the guitarist Calvin Lever (also a member of PRIMITAI), the bassist Radek Koval and the drums were performed by Milan ‘’The Yeqy’’ Jejina, a sought-after drummer in the Balkans, who is going to join the band for live dates when it is possible.
Talking about Europe and specifically the Balkan peninsula, since 4 out of the 5 aforementioned members and contributors to the album, originate from that area, I feel that I should highlight the fact that their sound is not whatsoever ‘’European’’. The album is based on traditional heavy metal influences from the other side of the Atlantic and especially in the late ‘80s US Power Metal scene, drawing inspiration from bands such as ARMORED SAINT, FIFTH ANGEL, ‘80s era DOKKEN or the Canadian band SWORD.
The album grabs the listener from the very first moment with the first song which is the title-track ‘’Shadows Warning’’, with the powerful voice of Nikolic that is reminiscent of John Bush’s vocal performance particularly in the iconic three albums of ARMORED SAINT (‘’March of the Saint’’, ‘’Delirious Nomad’’, ‘’Raising Fear’’). The rhythm is hooking from the beginning and the intricate guitar work and solos blend with the memorable chorus in a song that makes the difference from the beginning, setting the level of quality in high standards.
The fantastic riffs and shredding solos continue relentlessly in the next songs such as the heavier ‘’A Dream into a Nightmare’’, the galloping ‘’Breathe New Life’’ or the more melodic ‘’With the Dawning’’. In the fast-tempo ‘’No Turning Back’’ Milan Jejina excels with his thunderous drumming, while ‘’Calm Before the Storm’’, which was the first single released from the band in August 2024, is a prevailing US Metal song that of course couldn’t stand lower than an absolute highlight of the album.
The next song called ‘’Carry On’’ is a cover of an ex-Yugoslavian band under the moniker WARRIORS, which was the first band from the region to get a North American record deal and were even scheduled to support IRON MAIDEN. In this one, a guest performance from Dejana (vocals) and Vlad (guitar) Garcevic of CLAYMOREAN is featured in a soaring traditional heavy metal / hard rock anthem that is absolutely mind blowing and adorable.
‘’Last Man Standing’’ and ‘’Burnout’’ were two excellent choices as songs, for the closure of the album, because they comprise the melodic aspect of the album on one hand and the energetic speedy character on the other hand, leaving the listener with the desire for a back-to-back listening session.
I have come to the conclusion that POWER SURGE have delivered in such a way that showcases their songwriting ability – skills and also in a way that made it possible to refine all the US Metal influences of the band and produce / forge a personal distinct character for themselves, through a wonderful debut album, that US Power Metal afficionados of the ‘80s, should not miss.
‘’ Shadows Warning’’ will be released on the 2nd of May 2025 by FHM Records and will be available on LP, CD and Digital format.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
