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SKULL & CROSSBONES “Time”
SKULL & CROSSBONES “Time”
By Iron Sheik
Kicking the album off with a “Fast As A Shark” styled intro, sans the opera piece that opened the original, is as great an opener and attention getter to this album as it is a great sounding homage to ACCEPTt. SKULL & CROSSBONES come via Germany where tons of great power metal bands have originated, so it is of no surprise their new album “Time” hits like the greatest of the genre even with a further tipping of the hat in a singer sounding akin to Mike Kiske of HELLOWEEN as well as many others. I think this might be one of the best power metal albums to arrive in 2025.
Comprised of Tobi Hubber on vocals and keys, Volker Schmietow on guitar, Tobi Kipp on guitar, Jurgen Wannenwetsch on bass, and Bernd Heining on drums, SKULL & CROSSBONES have laid down a classic power metal album with “Time”. Tobi H's vocal range while sounding like numerous other German singers of the same genre sounds distinct. Volker and Tobi K sound like an accomplished guitar duo that could stand alongside any of the great twin axe attack masters. Jurgen and Bernd hold the bottom end down with a tightness and a mastery. Tight, precise, polished and in step with everyone else in the band.
From “Echoes Of Eternity” and pulsing through “Labyrinth Of Time” the band grab your attention. “Time Thief” along with “The Illusionist” and “The Price” are a tour de force of power hitting hard on the first half of the album. “Time” ticking into the second half of the album beginning with “Thunderstorm” you hear a majestic height that reigns. “Passing Hours” does not let the hammer fall while it keeps the pace going and the fists pumping right into “Nocturnal Dreams” which sees things wind down a hair and experiences a sound shift. While bringing the journey to an end the galloping outro song “The Ocean's Call” has you rocking right up to the last note. An excellent hour. An absorbing piece of time.
Ten tracks that rock and sound like a lost piece of work from the 80s or early aughts power metal movement, “Time” is not that. “Time” is a lofty modern 2025 album, and it is an album worth it's own merits not that of a band riding on the coattails of the greats. As much as SKULL & CROSSBONES have locked into the sound of 80s and 00s power metal they are also locked into their own interpretation and expression of that style of music.”Time” is an excellent album worthy of it's place alongside the best in power metal and surely would be an excellent addition to any music collection. In the end passing hours are “Time”. Everything is time. Whether a thief, a magician, just passing by with an echo it all boils down to “Time”.
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