After years of uncertainty, it’s almost miraculous that Hamburg’s Paragon have delivered Metalation, an album that embodies the undying spirit of German heavy metal. For a band with such a storied career, it’s no small feat that Metalation may just be their most compelling work yet—a titanic slab of Teutonic steel that blends blistering speed, anthemic melodies, and an indomitable warrior spirit.

Fighting The Fire roars out of the gate with the same thunderous power that defines the German metal tradition. This is pure, unrelenting heavy metal—think Helloween or Grave Digger in their prime. The guitar work here is off the scale, with lead lines that scream out with precision and fury. Andreas “Buschi” Babuschkin’s vocals channel the intensity of the music perfectly, commanding with the authority only a seasoned frontman could muster. Quite simply, this is the reason we listen to metal.

On Slenderman, the band shifts gears into a crushing mid-paced assault. Jason Wöbcke’s drumming shines here, his powerful, calculated rhythms pushing the track into new realms of heaviness. There’s a theatrical edge to the track, the slow burn giving way to a massive chorus, as Paragon take their listeners on a dynamic, heavy-hitting journey.

Things slow further with Battalions, but not at the expense of intensity. In fact, Paragon’s songwriting hits new heights here. It’s almost impossible to fathom why this band isn’t better known worldwide, as tracks like this showcase a grandeur and scope that must surely put them firmly in the upper echelons of the metal world. The triumphant, anthem-like energy of Battalions leaves listeners breathless, demonstrating Paragon’s skill in creating epic compositions that stick with you long after the last note fades.

That said, Beyond the Horizon doesn’t hit quite as hard from the outset, but don’t let that fool you. This track slowly builds toward a soaring, singalong chorus that’s destined to become a live favourite. It’s a testament to Paragon’s understanding of pacing and atmosphere—this is an album designed to be experienced in full, with each track adding new layers to the overall experience.

Midway through the album, MarioNET rips in with a furious burst of speed and thrash mayhem. It’s an unexpected jolt of energy at this stage, a reminder that Paragon can switch gears with ease and still maintain their razor-sharp focus. The precision here is staggering, and the sheer power of the track is enough to take your breath away. Thrash fans will absolutely love this.

The Haunted House barks back to the glory days of UDO, channeling the best of German metal’s legacy with its mid-tempo stomp. But make no mistake—despite the nods to the past, this track, like the rest of the album, feels vital and fresh. Paragon aren’t just copying the old masters; they’re forging their own path and doing it with style.

Burn The Whore is the album’s crowning glory, a latter-day Helloween-style banger that’s guaranteed to light up festival stages next summer. Everything about this track is perfect—the riffs, the chorus, the driving rhythms—it all comes together in a blaze of pure metal glory. This is what modern power metal should sound like: confident, uncompromising, and utterly infectious.

And then we come to the title track, Metalation. “When darkness prevails, metal our holy grail”—it’s hard to argue with that! Another singalong anthem in the making, this track encapsulates everything great about Paragon. The mid-song breakdown is a moment of pure genius, providing an unexpected, almost theatrical twist that only strengthens the track’s impact.

Closing things out is My Asylum, a beautifully crafted power ballad that brings a sense of grandeur to the album’s conclusion. It’s a lighter-raising, soul-stirring finale, complete with yet another killer solo that cements Paragon’s place as one of the finest purveyors of traditional metal on the scene today.

With Metalation, Paragon have delivered an album that is as versatile as it is powerful. It may be rooted in the well-worn tropes of German heavy metal, but Paragon infuse each track with a vitality and passion that few can match. From start to finish, Metalation is a triumphant celebration of everything we love about metal. If this is what the band can produce when they’re at their most strained, then the future looks bright indeed.

Metalation releases on November 8th.