Whirlwind 1640 Review
Whirlwind
1640
Dying Victims Productions
2026
Spain seems to be on a serious run lately when it comes to Heavy Metal, with release after release pouring out of the scene. The latest to land on my desk is Whirlwind, gearing up to unleash their sophomore album “1640” via the ever-reliable Dying Victims Productions - who, at this point, are basically a guarantee of quality Metal.
I missed the band’s debut, but that’s about to change, because “1640” comes out swinging right from the gate. This is a straight-up clash of Speed and Power Metal, built on sharp melodies and strong songwriting. And honestly, that’s becoming a calling card for this label, they don’t just sign bands, they sign bands that know how to write songs, as opposed to just stacking riffs.
Whirlwind land somewhere in the orbit of Riot and early Helloween, but this isn’t imitation, its influence filtered through their own fire. The guitar work is the real weapon here: ripping riffs, scorching leads, and solos that feel like they’re barely holding together under their own intensity. Add in clean vocals with just enough grit and a clear lean toward speed-driven energy, and the record hits that sweet spot where melody and aggression actually work together instead of fighting each other.
If there’s a knock, it’s the production, it doesn’t quite have the clarity or punch I’d personally want for this style. But even that doesn’t derail the experience. Once this thing starts rolling, it’s all fist-in-the-air, head-down, full-speed ahead. “1640” still manages to deliver that undeniable “hell yeah” factor track after track.
If you live for Speed Metal with a dramatic, melodic edge, Whirlwind should be on your radar immediately. This is a strong step forward, and if this is just the band levelling up, the next release could be dangerous.
Standouts: “Days Of Doom”, “Through Fire and Blood”, “Ready To Explode”, “Marching To Victory”