From between the cosmic wake of a thousand solar nightmares... comes the next transmission of epic battles between good and evil for the glory of Dundee. Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex is the third full length by power metal sensation and meme factory Gloryhammer, and… it’s exactly what’s expected, and also not. Which is exactly what’s expected. Let’s start with the undeniable truth that these mighty warriors are songsmiths of epic proportions, knowing exactly how to craft the power metal anthems in the vein of Rhapsody and the like, with all its campy cheesiness while maintaining the approachable mainstream flirtatious aura. The style, while remaining entirely true to the symphonic power formula continues to develop upon the movie score setting that permeated the previous album. And perhaps that’s the unexpected twist.

Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex takes a slightly darker spin, more weight to the guitars and the pounding battle drums and fleshy bass tones of the Hootsman. it is perhaps a more melancholy setting, befitting the story of a parallel universe under a dark lord’s rule. The majestic voice of Angus McFife is better than ever, soaring mightily along the riffing and the flourishing keyboard melodic antics of dark lord Zargothrax navigating the mood and style befitting the story. He pulls some shouts and battle cries previously unheard, like the close of The Land of Unicorns. What both the previous albums had by the goblin load is epic choruses, shouts of battle cries of might, but that seems to be toned down, or even missing on here. Certainly catchy choruses like in The Land of Unicorns or Power of the Laser Dragon Fire are as epic, melodic and uplifting as any power metal chorus, and will hook the unwary listener in with their cheesy melodies, but the sound doesn’t let them blow the skies in epic might.

Perhaps the most notable example of this would be closer The Fires of Ancient Cosmic Destiny, clocking in at 12 minutes and ending with an ominous transmission. which should be the epic, majestic final battle between the forces of good and evil, but it just doesn’t have that colossal sound that defined its counterparts on the previous two albums (Apocalypse 1992 stands still victorious). Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex is filled to the rim with furious anthems like the band’s namesake Gloryhammer or opening track The Battle of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust). Thrilling rides of rolling power metal in Masters of the Galaxy and Power of the Laser Dragon Fire add more fire. Gloryhammer’s greatest strength is however still their penchant for penning a power metal tune exactly as it needs to be. Their comical, cheesy intonation still comes first and foremost from a true love for power metal.

Again these guys toss in a short, succinct techno song and make it as glorious as soaring through emerald skies on the backs of a thousand eagles. Hootsforce is ridiculous in all respects, taking some elements from the likes of Angus McFife and Goblin King of the Darkstorm Galaxy from the first and second album respectively, while tossing in the techno elements brought in on Universe on Fire, taking it in a slightly more metallic direction. Much like the album as a whole, it’s super ridiculous, it’s cheesier than that grill cheese you make at 2 AM when no one is watching, and it’s impossible not to love the crap out of. It is however questionable how long this will continue, being how mainman Christopher Bowes seems to be focused on more important things, like his plate of beans, having been replaced by Michael Barber in both promotional videos and in the live setting. Gloryhammer is still the best thing he’s ever done, and Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex cements that fact further. With unicorns. And laser dragons.

Standout tracks: The Siege of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust), Power of the Laser Dragon Fire, Gloryhammer, Hootsforce