![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plotn08.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Michael-Schinkels-Eternal-Flame.jpg\")
\nMICHAEL SCHINKEL’S ETERNAL FLAME return with \u201cMan Or God\u201d, a classy collision of melodic hard rock, heavy metal and that old RAINBOW-style grandeur where the guitars still have something dangerous to say. Mark Boals is now firmly at the microphone, and the whole album sounds built around his voice and Schinkel\u2019s taste for big, dramatic riffs.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The fifth ETERNAL FLAME studio album opens with \u201cRun\u201d, charging straight out of the gate on double-bass drums and sharp melodic guitar work. \u201cLord Of Flies\u201d then slows the pulse just enough to let the epic side of the band take over, with Boals sounding completely at home in material that clearly nods toward the Dio-era school of hard rock and metal.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Strong So Wrong\u201d brings in G\u00f6ran Edman, and his appearance gives the song another flash of classic melodic-metal pedigree. The guest list gets even more interesting on \u201cLost And Alone\u201d, where Alessandro Del Vecchio joins Michael Schinkel for a dramatic vocal exchange that pushes the ballad away from safe territory.<\/p>\n
The middle of the album is where ETERNAL FLAME really settle into their stride. \u201cRight Back To You\u201d, \u201cThere Was A Time\u201d and \u201cBleeding Colors\u201d mix thick riffs with polished melodic hooks, while the title track pulls together the band\u2019s strongest ingredients \u2014 weight, melody, keyboards and guitar work that knows exactly when to show off and when to get out of the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cInto Eternity\u201d and \u201cNo Return\u201d keep the record moving toward a darker finish before \u201cIn Trance\u201d turns the spotlight over to the instrumental side of the band. On the CD edition, the bonus track \u201cLady Of The Lake\u201d provides a fitting full-circle moment: a RAINBOW cover from 1978 performed by musicians whose DNA has clearly carried that flame for years.<\/p>\n
There is an old-school heart beating underneath \u201cMan Or God\u201d, but the record never feels embalmed in nostalgia. The production is modern, the performances are muscular, and Schinkel still plays like a guitarist who believes a well-placed melodic run can hit just as hard as a wall of distortion.<\/p>\n
Country: Germany
\nLabel: Fastball Music \/ BOB-Media
\nGenre: Melodic Hard Rock \/ Heavy Metal \/ Melodic Metal
\nRelease date: October 30, 2026
\nFormat: CD \/ Digital
\nTotal time: 55:12<\/p>\n
Tracklist:
\n01 \u2013 Run
\n02 \u2013 Lord Of Flies
\n03 \u2013 So Strong So Wrong
\n04 \u2013 Lost And Alone
\n05 \u2013 Right Back To You
\n06 \u2013 There Was A Time
\n07 \u2013 Bleeding Colors
\n08 \u2013 Man Or God
\n09 \u2013 Into Eternity
\n10 \u2013 No Return
\n11 \u2013 In Trance
\n12 \u2013 Lady Of The Lake [Bonus Track]<\/p>\n
Mark Boals \u2013 Lead Vocals
\nMichael Schinkel \u2013 Guitars, Songwriting
\nHelmut Kohlpaintner \u2013 Keyboards
\nFabian Pleiner \u2013 Bass
\nTommy Wagner \u2013 Drums<\/p>\n
Guests:
\nG\u00f6ran Edman \u2013 Guest Vocals on \u201cSo Strong So Wrong\u201d
\nAlessandro Del Vecchio \u2013 Guest Vocals on \u201cLost And Alone\u201d<\/p>\n
MP3<\/a> FLAC<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" <\/p>\n The fifth ETERNAL FLAME studio album opens with \u201cRun\u201d, charging straight out of the gate on double-bass drums and sharp melodic guitar work. \u201cLord Of Flies\u201d then slows the pulse just enough to let the epic side of the band take over, with Boals sounding completely at home in material that clearly nods toward the Dio-era school of hard rock and metal.<\/p>\n
\nMICHAEL SCHINKEL’S ETERNAL FLAME return with \u201cMan Or God\u201d, a classy collision of melodic hard rock, heavy metal and that old RAINBOW-style grandeur where the guitars still have something dangerous to say. Mark Boals is now firmly at the microphone, and the whole album sounds built around his voice and Schinkel\u2019s taste for big, dramatic riffs.<\/p>\n