Angry Metal Guy<p><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/burning-sun-retribution-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Burning Sun – Retribution Review</a></p><p><i>By Angry Metal Guy</i></p><p><strong>By: <span>Nameless_n00b_607</span></strong></p><p></p><p>It has been a much slower year for power metal than I would like. There have been a couple of fun releases here and there, but the volume of quality output has been very low. The classic ‘90s style of guitar-forward and keyboard-minimalist power metal has been significantly lacking in particular, and <strong>Burning Sun</strong> is looking to change that. Naming themselves after a <strong>Helloween</strong> song,<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/burning-sun-retribution-review/#fn-222006-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">1</a> this half-Hungarian, half-Chilean duo is on a mission to tell a classic fantasy story through a legacy sound. <strong>Burning Sun</strong>’s sophomore album, <em>Retribution</em>, lands only two years after their debut, <em>Wake of Ashes</em>, continuing the story of a paladin named Emaly.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/burning-sun-retribution-review/#fn-222006-2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">2</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Burning Sun</strong> pays homage to various ‘90s European power metal bands well. While the debut was all about breakneck brightness, <em>Retribution</em> sets its sights towards the guitar grit of <strong>Iron Savior</strong> and <strong>Primal Fear </strong>(“Cold Winds,” “Fight in the Night”). The anthemic qualities of <strong>Helloween</strong> dominate across the board (“Open Your Eyes,” “Shadows Undone”),<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/burning-sun-retribution-review/#fn-222006-3" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">3</a> and the occasional <strong>Iron Maiden</strong>-informed gallops and choruses are a welcome presence. Of the duo, Zoltán Papi<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/burning-sun-retribution-review/#fn-222006-4" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">4</a> handles the bass and lyrics, whereas Pancho Ireland doubles as vocalist and guitarist. Ireland has a knack for emulating the classic style of power metal riffage they’re no doubt both fans of, opting for rhythmic hooks rather than lighting up the fretboard. He has upped his vocal game, too, navigating wail and grit in Zak Stevens fashion. Furthermore, he is now the only lead vocalist. Where the debut disoriented itself, juggling three voices, <em>Retribution</em> relies solely on Ireland’s pipes and is better for it. Reducing the number of hands on deck reinforces both vocal and instrumental cohesion.</p><p><strong>Burning Sun</strong>’s focus on guitars over keyboards is a welcome change from current norms. Power metal of the European variety is often mischaracterized as the over-the-top synth-laden side of the genre, even though it’s never been that simple.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/burning-sun-retribution-review/#fn-222006-5" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">5</a> I love a good mission to Mars, but sometimes remaining at ground level is a better option, and <em>Retribution</em> largely sticks to German conventions. <strong>Burning Sun</strong> enforces a guitar-first attitude and swears by the triumvirate of soaring anthemic vocals, triumphant guitars, and charming choruses. The culmination of this approach is the stunning <strong>Primal Fear</strong>esque lead guitar melody on “Cold Winds.” Unfortunately, <em>Retribution</em> does stray from its own design philosophy at times. For example, the moodier ‘80s synth stomper “Aftermath” features some vocal fumbles and feels out of place so early into the album. The voice acting at the end of “Cold Winds” is unintentionally hilarious and breaks immersion—once again confirming that storytelling works best when left to the music and lyrics. The album’s minor drawbacks fortunately never snowball into any major issues, and it never loses its critical fun factor.</p><p></p><p><em>Retribution</em> is short and sweet but could pack a bigger punch. I’m a big fan of the trend of younger (and even some older) bands starting to write tight and concise records again, and <em>Retribution</em> is no exception. Below 40 minutes and sans the gargantuan epics that often characterize the genre, it’s a highly replayable breeze. But it feels like <strong>Burning Sun</strong> is still holding back its full potential. The record does its job well but lacks ambition, and I wouldn’t mind it flying a bit closer to the sun—just a bit more heft, speed, and drama to spice things up throughout. <em>Retribution</em> doesn’t need more songs; its material just needs to rip and tear more. It lacks a true barn burner, the likes of “Steel Tormentor,” or indeed, “Burning Sun.” Cuts like “Heart of Darkness” and “By the Light” are damn close to fortune and glory. Likewise, further production improvements can only help. The sound is better than on the debut, but it could still use punchier drums and more prominent bass. I’m content with what the album delivers, but the flame can and should burn brighter.</p><p><em>Retribution</em> is a fun throwback to the glory days of power metal. <strong>Burning Sun </strong>isn’t doing anything extraordinary, but they’ve accomplished their goals of writing a good, earnest tale of swords and sorcery. It’s the sort of comfort food that I can never have enough of. The trajectory looks promising for <strong>Burning Sun</strong>, and I’m curious to see if they can enchant their blades in the future and set aflame the ground beneath.</p> <p><strong>Rating:</strong> Good!<br><strong>DR: </strong>9 | <strong>Format Reviewed:</strong> 320 kb/s CBR MP3<br><strong>Label:</strong> <a href="https://www.metalizer-records.de/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Metalizer Records</a><br><strong>Websites:</strong> <a href="https://burningsun.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/burningsunpower" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/burningsunpower" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br><strong>Release Date:</strong> August 22nd, 2025</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2025/" target="_blank">#2025</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/30/" target="_blank">#30</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aug25/" target="_blank">#Aug25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/burning-sun/" target="_blank">#BurningSun</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/chilean-metal/" target="_blank">#ChileanMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/europower/" target="_blank">#Europower</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/helloween/" target="_blank">#Helloween</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/hungarian-metal/" target="_blank">#HungarianMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/iron-maiden/" target="_blank">#IronMaiden</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/iron-savior/" target="_blank">#IronSavior</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/metalizer-records/" target="_blank">#MetalizerRecords</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/power-metal/" target="_blank">#PowerMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/primal-fear/" target="_blank">#PrimalFear</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/retribution/" target="_blank">#Retribution</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/world-of-warcraft/" target="_blank">#WorldOfWarcraft</a></p>