Rawhead Rexx is a German power metal act that deviates strongly from the current trend in European power metal. In fact, the band sounds more like certain American counterparts and avoids the use of keyboards altogether. One can safely say that the keyword of Diary In Black is power. Strong, raw, thrash riffs drive the album forward like a roller coaster while the drums beat a frantic staccato. All the while Jürgen Volk’s (ex-Glenmore) vocals weave a pattern of scintillating beauty. This man simply has a superb voice with an enormous reach; whether he sings or screams at the top of his lungs, it doesn’t matter. It just sounds great and he puts Rawhead Rexx’s level up a few notches. Listen to the wonderful ballad “What If (Chapter VII)“, a song in which he absolutely shines.

Diary In Black is a very good power metal album on which the band manage to walk the fine line between melody and power. The songs are quite recognizable due to the level of repetition in each song, although at times this repetition slightly damages the songs but this is a matter of opinion. The guitar solos are pretty decent and quite original, nevertheless there’s slightly too many of them and sometimes they seem to break the balance of the song. Finally I can say that Rawhead Rexx has managed to make an impressing album without trying to copy anyone else. It is very difficult to describe this band’s music and you should just check them out yourself.