Let me start by disclosing something. I probably have the least metaphorical chest hair out of the entire AMG staff, meaning I often struggle to appreciate the more virile metal subgenres, including the “trad and true” heavy metal. But there are exceptions to every rule, and a big one is Mega Colossus.1 These North Carolinians have thus far been received warmly in these halls by the venerable Eldritch Elitist, and for good reason. Their euphoric cocktail of ultra-catchy tunes and clever lyrics—frequently paying homage to fantasy stories on the fringes of popular culture—is served with an infectious, fun-loving attitude. When Showdown appeared in 2024, it felt like things couldn’t get much better than that. Now, Mega Colossus is back to answer their self-imposed gauntlet with Watch Out! and continue to spread boundless cheer throughout the metalverse.
Mega Colossus’s philosophy for making music seems to be “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” What this specifically means for them is a triumphant return of their hybrid of traditional heavy metal and classic rock, with pinches of thrash and power metal. Similar to Iron Maiden, Judicator, or Dream Tröll, Mega Colossus eschews the darker and harsher aspects of metal, choosing instead to build upon an unassailable melodic foundation. In that regard, it feels like Mega Colossus is operating at a godlike level. They have an exceptional knack for unearthing juicy earworms and threading them onto more hooks than can be found in a master angler’s tacklebox. Just like with Riptime and Showdown, to call Watch Out! fun would be a massive understatement.
As ever, an unadulterated spirit of camaraderie shines through in the way the members of Mega Colossus play together. I’ve already established how catchy Watch Out! is, but it’s the way that the melodic components synergize that makes it special. While twin guitar harmonizations may be standard in this genre, the skill with which Chris Millard and Bill Fischer craft them is anything but. The vocal harmonies, though more sparing, are no less sweet, with up to three other band members melding their voices with lead singer Sean Buchanan’s during key lines (“Good Hunting”). Every time they shout during the chorus of “Battlefront,” I can’t help but dream of shouting along with them in the crowd at a show. Fittingly, “Tag in Your Friend” is the greatest all-around example of coordination between the vocal and guitar melodies. Anthony Micale’s bass lines are no less important to this melody delivery system than are Doza Mendoza’s high-octane drum rhythms.
While Mega Colossus largely functions the same, they refuse to stagnate in songwriting. Others in this genre may struggle to keep songs relevant past the 5-minute mark, but Mega Colossus expertly stretches song lengths without the listener noticing. Chief among them is “Good Hunting,” which has the highest hooks per minute and a stellar bridge. If this isn’t my Song o’ the Year in December, something must have gone very right in 2026. Elsewhere, Mega Colossus proves that they can still write engaging music with the speed dial turned down. The dreamy guitars in “Here Lies You” echo Led Zeppelin, while “Bloodless” goes full bard-mode, telling the tale of Kvothe (The Kingkiller Chronicle). I would have preferred that these two slower tracks weren’t placed back-to-back at the end of Watch Out!, which might be why “Bloodless” feels a bit too long. Minor pacing quibbles aside, it’s great to hear Mega Colossus continue to branch out compositionally.
Showdown was a tough act to follow, but Mega Colossus knocked another album out of the park with seeming ease. Each member’s individual performances have leveled up, with faster, more technical fretwork and an impressive array of drum tempos. Buchanan’s vocal range has expanded, the rich timbre of his voice drawing me into the stories he spins and making the poetic lyrics even easier to appreciate. The sheer quality and quantity of hooks radiate enthusiasm with every note. I hope that Watch Out! will be the record to ignite the explosion in popularity that Mega Colossus deserves. These lovable ruffians have once again brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Cruz del Sur Music
Websites: colossusmetal.bandcamp.com | meltedfaces.com | facebook.com/colossusmetal
Releases Worldwide: March 6th, 2026
Kutemouse (aka Mrs. Killjoy)
Watch Out! Mega Colossus has done it yet again. And by “it,” I mean they captured the heart and soul of traditional metal in the most entertaining way possible. So entertaining, in fact, that they have managed to grab my attention and pulled me from the depths of stale pop music to a world of rich lyrics, incredible guitar riffs, and extraordinary vocals. This down-to-earth band of unapologetic nerds hails from North Carolina, with Watch Out! being their fifth full-length album since their debut in 2008. Their music continues to be the bridge between pop culture and metal that the world never asked for but desperately needs, leading to me, an avid pop and K-pop listener, feeling a critical desire to share this review.
This seven-track album carries on the trend of combining sharp hooks with entertaining lyrics that its preceding album Showdown set, yet once again, this band has evolved their sound. Several tracks feature eerie interludes and dark lyrics, providing contrast to the high-energy compositions we’ve heard from Mega Colossus previously. That’s not to say that each track doesn’t make me want to get up and dance, grab a sword, jump in a Chevy Impala, and go on an adventure (yes, in that order), but the album as a whole deals with heavier themes that are followed through within the instrumentals. Mega Colossus has cited rock band Uriah Heep as inspiration for this album, accounting for the lean into the contrasting style this album presents. In fact, thanks to the darker tones pervading this record, Watch Out! swerves more into traditional metal territory over the band’s previous Kansas-esque classic rock sound.
Most tracks begin gradually, with the two guitarists, Chris Millard and Bill Fischer, leading the build-up into the familiar quick-tempo, high-energy sections as lead vocalist Sean Buchanan begins singing. More contrast is introduced with a subdued interlude or two, only to get thrown right back into the frenzied fray that gets your heart racing. One of the tracks that doesn’t follow this pattern is “Battlefront,” the first single to drop from Watch Out!. This is likely not a coincidence, as the song best mirrors the warmer sound and hopeful call-to-action lyrics found in previous hits. It’s a full dance party throughout the entirety of the track, with no breaks in tempo to be found and guitar riffs that ascend and descend like hills on a roller coaster. Yet the fact that the song is in a minor key and contains lyrics concerning fighting ‘til death gives the track more edginess over its mellow counterparts like “Wicked Road” (Showdown).
As one who comes from a background of listening strictly to pop music, I greatly appreciate Mega Colossus’s elaborate storytelling ability that breathes life into each song’s lyrics. “Here Lies You” provides a reprieve from nimble tremolo picks and a breather from all that adventuring and dancing. The song swells into a gorgeous duet between the two guitarists, accompanied by Sean Buchanan’s husky vibrato, that tells the story of a fallen soldier haunting the battleground where he passed rather than moving onto an afterlife reminiscent of Valhalla. The tragic, poetic lyrics are what bring this album to life and are what help shape its doomful sound that still appeals to pop culture enthusiasts like myself.
While I wasn’t as intrigued by this album as I was by Showdown, this album will hopefully broaden Mega Colossus’s listener base by adding edgy tempo contrasts and imaginative, somber lyrics to their overall sound. Between the incredible vocals that have only improved with time, the easter eggs in their lyrics that point to fictitious worlds created by others, and the dueting guitarists that bring powerful energy to each track, Watch Out! deserves a listen or twelve from music listeners of any genre.
Rating: 3.5/5.02
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