Imagine waiting nearly two decades for a band’s debut album—only to find it’s a wild fusion of sci-fi storytelling and heavy metal subgenres. Sounds ambitious, right? But here’s where it gets controversial: does Battering Ram’s Time Masters live up to its epic promise, or does it get lost in its own cosmic sprawl?
Spain’s Battering Ram has been on a long and winding road since their formation in 2008, finally releasing their self-titled debut Time Masters in 2026. What started as a humble pet project has evolved into a sci-fi concept album that aims to blend the grandeur of power metal with the technical ferocity of thrash. It’s a bold vision, but how well does it execute? Let’s dive in.
At its core, Time Masters leans more toward the heavy/power metal spectrum than thrash, though it borrows liberally from both. Guitarist Guillermo Marqués showcases a diverse range of influences, from ’90s German power metal to ’80s heavy metal, and even progressive thrash (as heard in the sprawling “Time Masters (Gods of Soul Deliverance)”). The result is a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh, reminiscent of Persistence of Time-era Anthrax, with hints of Gamma Ray and Iron Savior—especially in tracks like “The Persecuted (Back Again)”. And this is the part most people miss: the rhythm section, featuring Benjamín Mateo’s energetic drumming and Francisco Cabañas’s thick, groovy bass lines, truly shines in the album’s thrashier moments, like “Immortality Fed by Death (Unstoppable Train)”.
The songwriting is equally ambitious, alternating between straightforward bangers like “The Persecuted” and complex, 10-minute epics like “Unexpected Events (The Beginning of the End)”. But here’s the catch: while the ingredients are all there, Time Masters struggles with consistency. Vocalist David Ordás, for instance, delivers a fun performance but often feels mismatched with the instrumentation. His flat delivery on tracks like “Holy Grail (Blood)” clashes with the epic, melodramatic feel of the music, though he improves significantly on the thrash-heavy back half of the album.
Another head-scratching moment? The double interlude of “The Prophecy (Revelations)” and “Armageddon Wars (Ragnarök)”, which disrupts the flow between the album’s strongest tracks. Replacing this segment with the bonus track “Wormhole (Dreaming Eutocia)” could have streamlined the experience, giving more room to the album’s standout guitar and drum work. And speaking of flow, while the instrumentation is solid—with riffs that pack attitude and a bass that’s cranked to perfection—much of the first half lacks the urgency that thrash and power metal thrive on. By the time the album hits its stride with “Immortality Fed by Death” and “Time Masters”, it feels almost too little, too late.
But here’s the real question: Is Time Masters a rough draft of something greater, or a missed opportunity? The production, though not bad, doesn’t quite capture the band’s full potential, and the pacing issues are hard to ignore. Yet, there’s no denying the album’s highlights—the second half, in particular, is a thrilling ride for power/thrash enthusiasts. With tighter songwriting, stronger vocals, and a more polished production, Battering Ram could transform this uneven debut into a manic space adventure.
As it stands, Time Masters is a mixed bag—a proof of concept with moments of brilliance. If you’re craving more power/thrash in your life, it’s worth a listen, flaws and all. And hey, while we’re at it, whatever happened to new Paladin? The world could use more bands like that.
Rating: Mixed
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: WAV
Label: Self-Released
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Releases Worldwide: January 10th, 2026
Thought-provoking question for you: Do you think Time Masters is a bold experiment worth celebrating, or does it fall short of its ambitious goals? Let’s debate in the comments!
