When you forge power heavy metal, you are Finn and you have a female singer as a figurehead, it seems difficult to escape the comparison with Nightwish, the undisputed boss! Amberian Dawn was one of the victims. Battle Beast could be yet another clone of Tuomas Holopainen's band, yet he has the good idea to try to free himself from this sometimes invading shadow by going to draw his inspiration directly from the source of the 80s.
What was already emerging on the surface of the previous albums irrigates even more frankly "No More Hollywood Endings". Of course, with its evocative choruses, the grandiloquent introduction track 'Unbroken' belies this statement. The same goes for the eponymous title that follows it, which introduces orchestral colors before going to ride on the powerful lands of a Stratovarius. 'Eden' is also very close to Nightwish with the unstoppable addition of a racy female vocals and galloping keyboards.
Except that Noora Louhimo's luminous voice is more reminiscent of the eighties metal than Tarja or Floor Jansen. It is thus well in this decade that Battle Beast plants its nails. 'Unfairy Tales' and 'Endless Summer' are the best examples while 'The Hero' has a thunderous start with synthwave gleams. And the whole keeps a very modern sound and a devastating energy. 'I Wish' is an emotional breath, worthy of the great ballads of yesteryear. Noora Louhimo is overwhelming and makes you forget the syrupy temptations of synthesizers. If 'Piece Of Me' and the very fast 'The Golden Horde' sees her claws coming out in a belligerent flood like an angry Judas Priest, 'Raise Your Fists' and then 'World On Fire' are carried away by this typically Finnish and nightwish-like metallic impulse.
While the quality of his compositions is not surprising, "No More Hollywood Endings" exposes even more than its predecessors the rich vocal palette of Noora Louhimo, cat or tigress capable of biting or charming with the same ease. Cinematic flights of fancy as well as virile cavalcades suit her: she shines with a thousand lights. Let's bet that without her, Battle Beast wouldn't have the same flavor and that the band wouldn't stand out as much from the power metal with a common singer. This successor to "Bringer Of Pain" provides a great launching pad for Battle Beast, which he uses to take it to new heights, making it the band's most mastered album.