REVIEW: Alterium - Stormrage

The Italian melodic power metal force Alterium has hit the scene with its latest release Stormrage, pushing themselves above the parapet. The band took over the charts in 2024, two years after being formed, with the full-length debut album Of War and Flames that featured nine original songs and a cover of Sabaton’s hit song 'Bismarck'. The band has played at numerous festivals and concerts since, with an upcoming festival tour this summer and a debut appearance at the acclaimed ProgPower festival in Atlanta, USA, and guest appearances at Fabio Lione’s Dawn of Victory’s shows across the Europe this autumn.

The short yet powerful EP Stormrage has two new songs inside, one cover song and a jaw-dropping symphonic version of one of their most acclaimed songs, 'Of War and Flames'. By making the project a bridge between their debut album Of War and Flames and upcoming full-length releases and blending in the best of their power metal, Alterium have created a pathway for future projects, and a superb foundation on which to build.

'Stormrage' is a fast-paced song full of powerful guitars thanks to the guitarists Paolo Campitelli, who is also playing the keyboards, and Alessandro Mammola, hitting drums that are guided by Dario Gozzi, and dynamic bass played by Luca Scalabrin, all while combined with the strong vocals of the singer Nicoletta Rosellini. The song is a perfect introductory piece, as it takes the listeners into the world of the band and immerses them in their sounds.

The next song, 'Sui', starts off a bit slower, even though it picks up pretty quickly. Featuring ear-catching riffs at the beginning, the song is diving more into the lore of Stormrage, narrated by the talented Rosellini, who delivers her lines on point and oftentimes layers her vocals throughout the song, creating beautiful harmonies. Unfortunately, apart from the drums, the rest of the instruments are not as prominent for a good chunk of the song, resulting in a sound that's not as rich in some instances.

The third song on the EP, 'Paradise Lost', is a cover of the Symphony X song and showcases Campitelli’s keyboard skills in a way that complements the overall sound of the song. By using synths only in certain parts, rather than throughout the whole song, the band achieved a rich melody that is neither chaotic nor overwhelming, which is perfectly suited for the song. Carrying the atmosphere of a closing piece, the song feels like a proper goodbye at the end, hinting at something new that is about to come. Once again, the use of guitars in the song is well executed, with the riffs and solos not being forced and blending in well with the rest of the instruments.

The last song of the release is not a new piece, but it still holds a big impact on the overall listener experience. As the song 'Of War and Flames' is one of the band’s most prominent releases, bearing the name of their debut album, Alterium decided to level it up a notch and put the symphonic version of this iconic song on the EP. Featuring plenty of classical instruments such as pianos and violins, as well as a choir, the sound is grandiose from beginning to end, creating a unique sound whilst still upholding everything the fans love about the song. Rosellini’s voice fits in wonderfully with the symphonic melody, and the song makes one long for more songs like this from the band in the future, as it would elevate the band’s performance.

Although Stormrage is only four songs long, it still bears pieces that are both unique and memorable. From the EP's title track to the stunning orchestral version of one of their acclaimed songs, the listeners are met with rich guitars and bass, prominent drums and a voice that is one of the best on the scene. Unfortunately, sometimes the instruments got lost in the background, as the voice and the drums were a powerful combo, resulting into a weaker melody, but this does not take from the listening experience the EP offers to anyone who listens to it. Alterium have once again confirmed that they are ready to take over the power metal scene, and are not afraid to bring more of their trademark charm and energy with them.

Score: 8/10

Stormrage was released on July 25^th 2025.

Words: Katerina Stepanikova

Photos: Alterium