Reinforcer – Ice And Death

Reinforcer
Ice And Death
Label: Scarlet Records
Out: August 22^nd, 2025
Playing time: 38:52

Forged in the flames of myth and history, Reinforcer returns with a new album of heroic Power Metal. 

Labels and promoters are never at a loss for big words. But let’s stick to the facts. Reinforcer are a Power Metal band from Paderborn (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany). Founded in 2015. And the band has been playing together in its current line-up for a long time, at least since 2018, but most likely since its founding.  At least all of the band’s releases have been recorded with the current line-up, starting with the EP ‘The Wanderer’ (2018), followed by the album ‘Prince Of The Tribes’ (2021) and ‘Ice And Death’, which will be released in August this year. An impressive continuity. The second album was named after the Norse legend of Ymir, the frost giant born of ice and chaos.

The East Westphalians kick off their new album energetically with ‘Heir Of The Bear’. Logan Lexi sings powerfully, driven by drums and guitar. In a first guitar solo, Niclas Stappert and Tobias Schwarzer show what they’re capable of. Bird cries (seagulls?) introduce ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’. But soon the guitarists and drummer Lasse Schmiedel pick up the pace. The chorus has an anthem-like feeling. ‘Skogamor’ starts abruptly with twin guitar hooks. Once again, Reinforcer impress with their riff-driven Power Metal. Here, too, you can hear polyphonic choruses that sound almost like battle cries. This contrasts with the melodic guitar solo. ‘The Witch Mayor’ is a forceful Power Metal anthem. ‘Ice And Death’ starts with a menacing soundscape before the guitars mercilessly fry. Drums and vocals join in this high-speed metal. And ‘The Piper’ continues at high speed. Towards the end, tapestries of strings briefly provide a little bit of calm. ‘Five Brothers’ is the next Metal anthem, dominated by beautiful guitar melodies. Once again, short epic choruses can be heard. With ‘House Of Lies’, we then switch back to higher speeds. With all this power, the listener yearns for a ballad to catch their breath. And ‘Bring Out Your Dead’ offers just that at the end. A grandiose power ballad.

Reinforcer have released a very good second album. The musicians are convincing throughout. A well-rehearsed band, varied songwriting and expressive vocals – these are the musicians’ strengths.

Reinforcer – Ice And Death: https://youtu.be/0hDtA4pA6n8?si=VbbnP2NTux-fM9RB

Lineup:

Logan Lexi (aka Luca Todorovic) – Vocals
Niclas Stappert – Lead Guitar
Tobias Schwarzer – Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Fabiàn Rodriguez – Bass
Lasse Schmiedel – Drums

Track list:

• Heir Of The Bear
• Dead Men Tell No Tales
• Skogamor
• The Witch Mayor
• Ice And Death
• The Piper
• Five Brothers
• House Of Lies
• Bring Out Your Dead