“Has it really been two weeks since Joe has graced our computer/mobile screens with a new album review? Could it be that the old master has forgotten how to put pen to paper, or rather cursor to screen?” Folks, if I’m to be completely honest, for a split second, my inner demons almost had me believing this nonsense…then my ears had the pleasure of being blessed by an album as thrilling and adventurous as StarForce’s debut, Beyond the Eternal Night, and this review started writing itself. Feelings quickly evolved into thoughts, thoughts into words, words into sentences, and sentences into a breakdown of thee fastest album that you’ll hear all week, if not all month!
StarForce are a band of the ’20s, or rather a “new band” proper, if there ever was one. Hailing from, in the words of Limelight, “Across the border in Mexico.”, the band formed in 2021, and has kept busy ever since. 2022 saw the release of their debut EP, The Universe is Mine, as well as an appearance on the Guerreras del metal – Volumen 1 split. The Hell’Stars split with fellow Mexican speedsters Hellmidian followed in 2024. It only makes sense after a flurry of split cameos and assorted singles, the time has come for the band’s debut full length, arriving in the form of the high octane Beyond the Eternal Night, and it sure is out of this world.
Upon first spin, Beyond is an album that draws heavily in terms of formula and attack from two classic albums: Riot’s Thundersteel and Judas Priest’s Painkiller. Sure, there is the occasional middle of the road trad metal palette cleanse, as heard on cuts like the passionate ballad, “Piel Helada”, and dramatic suite, “Lejos de ti”, both of which bear resemblance to Warlock thanks to frontwoman Mely Wild’s soaring Doro-esque pipes. Take away those songs and you’re faced with an outing that’s all gas, no brakes, albeit with far more character and dynamism than similarly natured releases in this realm. StarForce are a force to be reckoned with, armed with both top tier musicianship and spellbinding songwriting skills.
Raging speedsters like “Andrómeda”, “Prophecy”, and “Sign of an Angel” are brilliant showcases of how the Thundersteel formula can be twisted, mangled, and mutated to still sound fresh and compelling over 35 years on, grabbing you with those high-flying vocals, insane twin guitars, and most importantly, massive hooks. Meanwhile, the violent “R.T.K. (Sadistic Impulses)” sees the band dipping their toes towards the dark, I mean, thrash side, while the anthemic spirit of “Space Warrior” and “Stay Heavy!” give strong Priest vibes. What really pushes StarForce over the top is the absolutely wicked guitarwork of Kevin Valencia and Yeux Garcia, that draws less from the Tipton/Downing well and more from the Shrapnel roster circa ’88. I’m not sure what other bands are fusing unrelenting power/speed with Jason Becker-esque licks in 2025, but if you know any, send ’em my way!
StarForce are undoubtedly the latest stars of the speed metal scene, and Beyond the Eternal Night is a bonafide ass-kicker of an album! Assuming you don’t have the resources to shoot yourself into the cosmos Jeffrey Bezos-style, the next best thing (and proper way to play this album) is to find a highway route with no cops along the way (Waze will help you with that), hop on, put the pedal to the metal, and crank that volume dial to 11! For how much speed this album packs, you’ll be able to hit Mexico and back in no time!
8 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: Power/Speed Metal
For fans of: Riot, Enforcer, Warlock