Melodic heavy metal outfit Turbo’s Tribunal heralds the arrival of Mills of Tribunal, hoping to light a fire that warms the dark recesses of our cynical hearts.1 Hailing from Denmark, Turbo’s Tribunal is the invention of mastermind and sole contributor Andreas Thunbo. Having toiled on demos, EPs, and splits over the last couple of decades, Mills of Tribunal presents Thunbo’s first full-length endeavor. Citing legendary acts like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Running Wild as creative touchstones, can Turbo’s Tribunal live up to the lofty expectations, or does Mills of Tribunal need further refinement under the grinding wheel?
Though the promo material for Turbo’s Tribunal lists a handful of inspirations, the one I hear most immediately is Iron Maiden. And while I’d like to say that you can’t go wrong using such an exalted act as a template, the truth is some bands define a sound so well that treading too closely creates an unattainable promise for listeners. Thankfully, Turbo’s Tribunal admirably balances inspiration and originality, evoking muses without aping them. Specifically, Mills of Tribunal most reminds me of Piece of Mind, though later 80s Maiden seeps in via sustained synth twinkles (“Draw the Line” and “Satan Is Here”). Priestliness also rears its head, particularly on the intro to “Men of the World,” and Running Wild’s guitar and bass interplay runs rampant throughout.
Mills of Tribunal by Turbo’s Tribunal
For a record where Thunbo provides all the instrumentation, Mills of Tribunal occupies a remarkably three-dimensional soundscape. The belle of the ball is Turbo’s Tribunal’s bouncing bass, fluttering and chugging on every track with delightful, Steve Harris-inspired melodicism.2 Spotlighted by a spacious mix, I can’t resist the enchantments of Mills of Tribunal’s well-crafted grooves and countermelodies (“Deliberation” and “Summon the Tribunal”). Nearly as alluring as the basswork, guitars dance and swirl, establishing a fleet lead here (“Draw the Line”) and a supporting power chord there (“Men of the World”). Meanwhile, synths enrich the atmosphere of many tracks, supplying subtle retro pangs reminiscent of Somewhere in Time or Rush’s Grace Under Pressure. Through it all, Thunbo’s higher register cleans pierce with melodic clarity, occasionally summoning the specter of a subdued King Diamond. And while I think that Turbo’s Tribunal vocals are good, examining them closely highlights larger opportunities across Mills of Tribunal.
The individual tracks on Mills of Tribunal furnish a polished debut, although in totality, Turbo’s Tribunal suffers from the tangle of a safety net. Too many mid-paced songs, repetitive vocals, and too narrow a scope of sounds limit what Mills of Tribunal could be. Make no mistake, what’s on tap here is unequivocally good, but it’s like the aural counterpart to a sepia photograph—limited dynamism paints the album in a uniformity that artificially imposes limits on what Mills achieves. While Thunbo does a fine job on the mic, there’s too little variation. Adding some gritty phrasing or a guest vocalist would help satisfy the need for the sonic diversity required to drive anticipation and tension. Besides the drums, which are inoffensive and unremarkable, the instrumentation delivers beefy trad character, though I wish Turbo’s Tribunal experimented more with the guitar tone; like the vocals, a lack of range imposes a ceiling. While many things are done well on Mills of Tribunal, there’s ample potential for a greater outing, and if addressed, closing these gaps will help push future platters into fatally fun territory.
Despite some missed opportunities on risk-taking, Turbo’s Tribunal offers an entertaining debut that’s sure to garner fans. Audible basscraft that draws Steve Harris comparisons should get people’s attention, as should a rich DR and a restrained forty-minute runtime. Mills of Tribunal marks a success that most new bands would be proud of,3 and Thunbo deserves praise for such a tight and well-composed dish. If Turbo’s Tribunal can maintain the engaging songwriting while amplifying the tolerance for danger and risks, the next album might just burn the place down in a heavy metal inferno.
Rating: Good
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Jawbreaker Records
Websites: turbostribunal.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/turbostribunal
Releases Worldwide: January 23rd, 2026
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