Turbo’s Tribunal – Mills of Tribunal Review By Grin Reaper

Melodic heavy metal outfit Turbo’s Tribunal heralds the arrival of Mills of Tribunal, hoping to light a fire that warms the dark recesses of our cynical hearts.1 Hailing from Denmark, Turbo’s Tribunal is the invention of mastermind and sole contributor Andreas Thunbo. Having toiled on demos, EPs, and splits over the last couple of decades, Mills of Tribunal presents Thunbo’s first full-length endeavor. Citing legendary acts like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Running Wild as creative touchstones, can Turbo’s Tribunal live up to the lofty expectations, or does Mills of Tribunal need further refinement under the grinding wheel?

Though the promo material for Turbo’s Tribunal lists a handful of inspirations, the one I hear most immediately is Iron Maiden. And while I’d like to say that you can’t go wrong using such an exalted act as a template, the truth is some bands define a sound so well that treading too closely creates an unattainable promise for listeners. Thankfully, Turbo’s Tribunal admirably balances inspiration and originality, evoking muses without aping them. Specifically, Mills of Tribunal most reminds me of Piece of Mind, though later 80s Maiden seeps in via sustained synth twinkles (“Draw the Line” and “Satan Is Here”). Priestliness also rears its head, particularly on the intro to “Men of the World,” and Running Wild’s guitar and bass interplay runs rampant throughout.

Mills of Tribunal by Turbo’s Tribunal

For a record where Thunbo provides all the instrumentation, Mills of Tribunal occupies a remarkably three-dimensional soundscape. The belle of the ball is Turbo’s Tribunal’s bouncing bass, fluttering and chugging on every track with delightful, Steve Harris-inspired melodicism.2 Spotlighted by a spacious mix, I can’t resist the enchantments of Mills of Tribunal’s well-crafted grooves and countermelodies (“Deliberation” and “Summon the Tribunal”). Nearly as alluring as the basswork, guitars dance and swirl, establishing a fleet lead here (“Draw the Line”) and a supporting power chord there (“Men of the World”). Meanwhile, synths enrich the atmosphere of many tracks, supplying subtle retro pangs reminiscent of Somewhere in Time or Rush’s Grace Under Pressure. Through it all, Thunbo’s higher register cleans pierce with melodic clarity, occasionally summoning the specter of a subdued King Diamond. And while I think that Turbo’s Tribunal vocals are good, examining them closely highlights larger opportunities across Mills of Tribunal.

The individual tracks on Mills of Tribunal furnish a polished debut, although in totality, Turbo’s Tribunal suffers from the tangle of a safety net. Too many mid-paced songs, repetitive vocals, and too narrow a scope of sounds limit what Mills of Tribunal could be. Make no mistake, what’s on tap here is unequivocally good, but it’s like the aural counterpart to a sepia photograph—limited dynamism paints the album in a uniformity that artificially imposes limits on what Mills achieves. While Thunbo does a fine job on the mic, there’s too little variation. Adding some gritty phrasing or a guest vocalist would help satisfy the need for the sonic diversity required to drive anticipation and tension. Besides the drums, which are inoffensive and unremarkable, the instrumentation delivers beefy trad character, though I wish Turbo’s Tribunal experimented more with the guitar tone; like the vocals, a lack of range imposes a ceiling. While many things are done well on Mills of Tribunal, there’s ample potential for a greater outing, and if addressed, closing these gaps will help push future platters into fatally fun territory.

Despite some missed opportunities on risk-taking, Turbo’s Tribunal offers an entertaining debut that’s sure to garner fans. Audible basscraft that draws Steve Harris comparisons should get people’s attention, as should a rich DR and a restrained forty-minute runtime. Mills of Tribunal marks a success that most new bands would be proud of,3 and Thunbo deserves praise for such a tight and well-composed dish. If Turbo’s Tribunal can maintain the engaging songwriting while amplifying the tolerance for danger and risks, the next album might just burn the place down in a heavy metal inferno.

Rating: Good
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Jawbreaker Records
Websites: turbostribunal.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/turbostribunal
Releases Worldwide: January 23rd, 2026

#2026 #30 #DanishMetal #HeavyMetal #IronMaiden #Jan26 #JawbreakerRecords #JudasPriest #KingDiamond #MelodicHeavyMetal #MillsOfTribunal #Review #Reviews #RunningWild #Rush #TraditionalMetal #TurboSTribunal

Throw back Thursday: Fist (UK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-xPSAHL_74

Formed in April 1978 as Axe, the band quickly rebranded as Fist in late 1979, becoming part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. Their debut single “Name, Rank and Serial Number” (1980) gained strong radio play and critical praise, leading to tours with UFO, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. Despite setbacks with MCA Records, Fist released two influential albums: Turn the Hell On (1980) and Back with a Vengeance (1982), earning respect for their catchy choruses and avoidance of heavy metal clichés.

After disbanding in 1985, Fist resurfaced in 2001 when original frontman Keith Satchfield assembled a new lineup, releasing the heavier album Storm (2004). Though activity was limited, the record marked a new chapter in the band’s legacy.

In 2013, Fist reformed again with classic-era members Harry “Hiroshima” Hill, Davey Irwin, and Norman Appleby, joined by NWOBHM veteran Glenn S. Howes. Their triumphant return at Bro Fest 2014 reaffirmed their cult status, with subsequent live shows across the UK and Europe. Lineup changes followed, but the band continued to perform, maintaining their reputation as one of the North East’s legendary heavy rock outfits. It is unknown if the band is still active though according to their Facebook, their drummer Harry Hill passed away in August 2025.

Active periods:

  • 1978–1979 (as Axe)
  • 1979–1984 (as Fist)
  • 2001–? (Storm era)
  • 2013–? (Bro Fest and beyond)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fistnwobhm

#Axe #FistNwobhm #HeavyMetal #IronMaiden #JudasPriest #newWaveOfBritishHeavyMetal #thenwothmCom #throwBackThursday #traditionalMetal #TurnTheHellOn #ufo

Chalice announce second album “Divine Spear” out February 2026 via Dying Victims Productions

On the 27th February 2026, Dying Victims Productions will release the highly anticipated second album from Finland’s Chalice, “Divine Spear,” available internationally on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Formed in Helsinki in 2016, Chalice have swiftly established themselves as a beacon of esoteric heavy metal. With members connected to bands such as Ranger, Satan’s Fall and Vincent Revenge, the group first unveiled a demo in 2017 followed by an EP in 2019, before delivering their acclaimed debut album “Trembling Crown” in 2020. That record showcased a dramatic and dynamic style which earned widespread recognition.

Now Chalice return with “Divine Spear,” a work that surpasses their debut in scope and ambition. True to its name, the album is a finely honed creation that reveals layers of sonic and emotional depth. Forged in the harsh Finnish winter, the record refines the band’s elegant approach, blending the spirit of classic European heavy metal with cinematic progressive elements and the sombre atmosphere of northern melancholy. While some passages unfold with patience, rewarding attentive listeners, the album ultimately paints a vivid landscape of light and shadow, pushing beyond the boundaries of the so‑called new wave of traditional metal.

Highlights include striking transitions into cleaner, quieter territory, heightening the drama that defined their first album. Chalice demonstrate masterful control of their craft, using their formidable skills to create awe‑inspiring compositions that invite listeners to immerse themselves fully in the narrative flow.

With production that is both crisp and natural, “Divine Spear” achieves a sound that is powerful yet warm, diving deeper than appearances suggest. Chalice continue to raise the banner of heavy metal high, offering a record that is as commanding as it is captivating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la_6oQ8FSsI

Cover art and track listing are as follows:

Track listing for Chalice (Finland)’s Divine Spear
1. Mare Imbrium
2. Dwell of a Stellar Trance
3. Hollow Curtain
4. The Pact
5. Age EtherealChalice announce second album Divine Spear out February 2026 via Dying Victims Productions
6. The Divine Spear
7. Empyrean Liturgy
8. In From the Cold
9. Alioth

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChaliceFIN

#ChaliceFinland #DivineSpear #DwellOfAStellarTrance #dyingVictimsProductions #HeavyMetal #NewAlbum #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #NWOTHM #thenwothm #thenwothmCom #tradMetal #traditionalMetal

Doro releases an intriguing compilation of new, live, and greatest hit songs on Warriors Of The Sea. Review at FFR, https://flyingfiddlesticks.com/2025/10/23/doro-warriors-of-the-sea-rare-diamonds-2025/ #heavymetal #rock #hardrock #Doro #RareDiamonds #tradmetal #classicmetal #Warlock #traditionalmetal #Germany
Counterrevolutionary metal band Dirkschneider And The Old Gang release their first full-length record, Babylon. Review at FFR, https://flyingfiddlesticks.com/2025/09/29/dirkschneider-and-the-old-gang-babylon-reigning-phoenix-2025/ #heavymetal #metal #rock #hardrock #Germany #DATOG #DirkschneiderAndTheOldGang #tradmetal #traditionalmetal

Allmächd! Fate's Hand veröffentlicht am 21.11. „Steel, Fire And Ice“.
YouTube-Video zu ‚Fire Reigns Once More‘: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrnMT5d89V4

🔗 https://gloomr.de/#1597

#HeavyMetal #TraditionalMetal #NowPlaying #NeuesAlbum

Fate's Hand - Fire Reigns Once More (Steel, Fire & Ice 2025)

YouTube