Eight years is a long time to wait for a new slab of metal, but Greek epic heavy metal titans Reflection have made the hiatus worthwhile with new album The Battles I Have Won. This is a record that storms out of the gates with all the fire and fury you’d expect from a band that’s been hammering away at the anvil of true metal for over three decades. With founding brothers Stathis (guitars) and Giorgos Pavlantis (drums) still leading the charge, alongside stalwart bassist John Litinakis and the commanding ‘new’ voice of Kostas Tokas (who actualy made an appearance in the vocal booth on the band’s last album as a guest), Reflection have crafted what might just be their finest hour (forty three minutes actually) yet—a towering monument to the glory of epic heavy metal.

From the opening salvo of Only Swords Survive, the band wastes no time reminding us why they’re legends in the Greek scene. It’s a straight-up power metal romp, galloping with reckless abandon and enough fist-pumping energy to get the blood racing. Tokas, the new man behind the mic, slots in seamlessly, his vocals soaring with a clarity and power that prove he’s no mere guest star this time around. The title track, The Battles I Have Won, is pure, unfiltered Manowar worship—think mead-soaked choirs, thundering drums from Giorgos, and a majestic sweep that screams true metal without apology. It’s nothing short of colossal.

The album’s strength lies in its ability to balance unrelenting power with versatility. Lord of the Wind motors along on a neoclassical edge, with Stathis Pavlantis peeling off some of his most inspired lead work yet. The sound here is fuller, richer, and more sumptuous than on 2017’s Bleed Babylon Bleed, giving every member a chance to shine—Litinakis even gets a rare moment in the spotlight on bass. Then there’s Sirens Song, a masterclass in pacing, where the band dials back the tempo to deliver a slab of dramatic, doom-laden epicry. It’s a showcase of their mastery of metal’s full spectrum, exhibiting a depth that keeps the album from ever feeling one-dimensional.

The energy spikes again with Once Again (Crime In The Valley of Death), a track that kicks off with a Dio-era Sabbath swagger before locking into a Euro-power groove that’s clearly Reflection’s happy place. Celestial War goes full Milton, tackling the fall of Satan’s angels with bombastic pomp and a scale that’s nothing short of cinematic. March of the Argonauts keeps things straightforward but no less heroic, while the album’s crown jewel, Lady In The Water, is an absolute belter. Channelling the best of Crimson Glory’s early magic, it’s a radio-friendly (in the best way) slice of spellbinding metal—catchy, immediate, and destined to be stuck in your head for weeks.

No epic metal album is complete without a closer to match its ambition, and City Walls Of Malta – The Great Siege delivers in spades. It’s a Homeric beast, weaving narrative mastery with towering riffs and orchestration that elevates the whole affair to mythic heights. Speaking of orchestration, a massive nod must go to Kostas Rekleitis, whose work adds a layer of atmosphere and grandeur that ties these tales together. The production, helmed by Stathis at Dark Water Audio, is warm and vibrant, while Alexandros Vasilopoulos’ stunning cover art pulls you straight into Reflection’s world of myth and steel.

The Battles I Have Won is a triumph— nothing more, nothing less. It’s an album that not only lives up to the band’s legacy but pushes it further. Every track is a highlight, every riff a call to arms, every melody a spark to the heavy metal flame still burning in all our hearts. This will be one of my favourite albums of 2025, no question. Reflection are back, and they’re ready to conquer.

The Battles I Have Won releases on June 20th.