Skull & Crossbones – Time

Skull & Crossbones
Time
Label: Massacre Records
Out: 14 November 2025
Playing time: 49:23

It’s autumn and the leaves are falling. New albums are also falling onto the turntables and into the CD players of the fans. So does ‘Time’, the second album by Baden-Württemberg Power Metal band Skull & Crossbones. Founded in 2019 in Gerstetten (Heidenheim district, East Württemberg region). The debut album ‘Sungazer’ was released in 2023. According to the press release, ‘Time’ represents a big step forward compared to the debut, both in terms of songwriting and production. And enthuses about ‘powerful, melodic and timeless Heavy Metal that combines energy with emotion’.

Guitar riffs whip out of the speakers without a break on ‘Echoes Of Eternity’. Drums and bass provide a powerful and fast rhythm. Singer Tobias Hübner convinces with his powerful Metal voice, occasionally also with high-pitched screams. In contrast, ‘Labyrinth Of Time’ is calmer and is occasionally characterised by Manowar memory riffs. However, the sound is less bombastic than that of the “guardians of Trve Metal”. During the guitar solo, both guitarists throw the balls to each other almost playfully. The tempo picks up again at the beginning of ‘Time Thief’. Surely the fans will sing along to the chorus live. I don’t need to say another word about the quality of the band’s guitar solos – simply outstanding. The alternating speed bath continues. After an almost ballad-like introduction, ‘The Illusionist’ evolves into a great mid-tempo Metal anthem. ‘The Price’ moves into high-speed Metal territory. The next song starts with the announced ‘Thunderstorm’. Both literally and later musically. ‘Passing Hours’ starts with clean guitar chords. Here, too, a ballad-like beginning is followed by a great Metal anthem with a catchy sing-along chorus. In ‘Eye Of Wisdom’, which is characterised by riffs and double bass attacks, Skull & Crossbones once again swing into high-speed Metal. The power ballad ‘Nocturnal Dreams’ follows shortly before the end. ‘The Ocean’s Call’, another anthem, forms the finale. The song starts with ‘ohohohohohoho’ chants. Here, too, we hear a very catchy chorus. Absolutely suitable for airplay.

Skull & Crossbones are a boost for the German Power Metal scene. The sound is fresh and unspent. The album impresses with its varied songwriting. ‘Powerful, melodic, timeless, energetic and emotional’ – I can fully agree with this assessment of the press release. I only mentioned the airplay suitability of ‘The Ocean’s Call’. But every individual song would be worthy of being played on rock radio stations.

Skull & Crossbones – Echoes of Eternity: https://youtu.be/i3P-P5syrMo?si=eGHCOdaxzYHKHcw5

Lineup:

Tobias Hübner – Vocals
Volker Schmietow – Guitars
Tobias Kipp – Guitars
Jürgen Wannenwetsch – Bass
Bernd Heining – Drums

Track list:

• Echoes Of Eternity
• Labyrinth Of Time
• Time Thief
• The Illusionist
• The Price
• Thunderstorm
• Passing Hours
• Eye Of Wisdom
• Nocturnal Dreams
• The Ocean’s Call