‘As our Army Grows’ is the second full album of the English power metal band Intense. The album was produced by Karl Groom and Richard West (both Threshold) at the Thin Age Studios. In 2006 the band signed a record deal with Napalm Records.

When listening to the album, it becomes perfectly clear that the members are huge fans of Iced Earth, and they’ve listened especially well to the ‘Glorious Burden’ album. ‘As our Army Grows’ has the same type of riffs, melodies and even the same atmosphere as ‘The Glorious Burden’ has.

Although there are many similarities between both albums, Intense didn’t just copy ‘The Glorious Burden’. ‘As our Army Grows’ is more keyboard oriented, and still there are more guitar solos as well. These elements, the strong melodies, the good production and the heavy (Iced Earth) riffs make the album quite interesting for every power metal fan.

One of the greatest differences however, are the vocals. Sean Hetherington can’t possibly compete with Tim Owens’ powerful voice.

Absolute highlights are the songs ‘You Die Today’ and the trilogy ‘The chronicles of the New Flesh’. The first one is a slow tempo symphonic power metal song with a superb guitar solo. Then the trilogy, which lasts over 18 minutes. The first part is power metal, the second part a power ballad, and the final part ‘Long Live the New Flesh’ is a combination of both.

‘As our Army Grows’ is a great power metal album about war, fights and battlefields, just like their role model Iced Earth. By not just copying them but adding their own elements, Intense has succeeded in making a melodic power metal album that might be very interesting for Iced Earth fans and melodic power metal fans.