Review INDUCTION “Love Kills!”

Induction is a young and ambitious band whose roots go back to 2014. The band made their debut with a self-titled album in 2019, and two factors have helped them from this early stage. Firstly, Tim Hansen, son of Kai Hansen (Helloween), is in the band. As well as being a talented guitarist, his name alone generated a lot of interest. Secondly, German TV station SWR produced a documentary about Induction’s early rise to fame.

None of this would matter if the music wasn’t good too. What the band has launched so far is well-crafted melodic metal. Their music strikes the perfect balance between heaviness and melody, a quality that is also evident in their new album. The title of the band’s third studio album is “Love Kills!”, and it features eleven new songs.

Induction has undergone many line-up changes in their short career, and the new album features three musicians who haven’t been involved in any previous releases: Markus Felber, Justus Sahlmann and Gabriele Gozzi. This renewed line-up aims to build on the previous releases while also taking the band to the next level.

While operating in a new setup, Induction’s music remains a constant factor. This becomes apparent from the first song, “Virtual Insanity”. “Virtual Insanity” is the captivating opening track. Hansen’s guitar and the stronger synth sounds create the foundation for this melodic metal offering. The synths are even more prominent during “Dark Temptation” and it’s hard not to be captivated by this sugary song.

It seems the band realised this too, adding the robust metal anthem “Steel and Thunder” to the dentist-friendly start. The song is a real headbanger, with a catchy chorus and increased speed.

“Gods of Steel” is another stereotypical title for a metal song. It is a highlight of the album. Starting with a throbbing bassline, the song evolves into a dramatically pounding metal tune with an atmospheric progression. While Diamond Head asked, “Am I Evil?”, the new generation boldly states, “I Am Evil”. However, there isn’t that much evil embedded, as we are facing another hook-driven song in which the keyboards do more than just provide density.

Induction follow their tried-and-tested formula, so metalheads looking for something new might be disappointed. “Love Kills!” relies on familiar elements, such as excessive melodies combined with upbeat guitar lines. At the same time, each song grabs your attention from the moment you spin the album for the first time. It might not be a long-lasting, exploratory journey through larger soundscapes. It’s more like the sugar that provides instant energy while listening to “Love Kills!”.