Album Review: Märvel – Brain Drain Diaries (Self Released)

After more than two decades behind the masks, Märvel returns with ‘Brain Drain Diaries’ – their most personal and revealing album to date. Out on December 5th, 2025, ‘Brain Drain Diaries’ is about everyday struggles – about finding sparks of energy when everything feels drained, about standing tall through hardship, and about coming out on the other side with new strength. It’s also a record about coping with the madness of the world – trying to keep your head above water when everything feels upside down.

Pivoting to a more personal delivery on their tenth album might seem like an unusual decision, but rest assured, this is still the Märvel you know and love. The Märvel that brings forth thunderous groove, dynamic riffs, thumping drumbeats, and infectious vocals. The Märvel that has become a name synonymous with quality hard rock music, and a Märvel that refuses to stay still.

Which is how we’ve ended up here, with the band doing a bit more soul bearing, and connecting to the listener in a brand new, exciting, and memorable way. Everyone can relate to Brain Drain Diaries in some way or another.

Don’t want to think too hard about it all though? Worry not! The album is every bit the riotous record that any hard rock fan would want it to be, and nothing defines it more than the energised opener, Look! It’s Rock ‘n’ Roll. Märvel hit the ground running, and deliver pure infectious brilliance, and while it does a set a high bar, it’s not long before the bar is hit and passed.

Especially when they’re offering up punchy and anthemic efforts like A Beautiful Corpse, Brain Drain, Take A Stand, and How Much Can I Wait. Sing, scream, shake your hips, bang your head, move your feet, tap your fingers, whatever works for you, Märvel have the songs to encourage it all here. That it just so happens to come with messages that are relatable just gives it even more oomph.

Like always, the band keep their focus where it should be too, going the ‘all killer, no filler’ route and ensuring the listener isn’t left feeling exhausted. Each track is tight and to the point, there’s just ten, and the entire thing has massive replay value because it is so infectious.

How about a riffy banger like Biding My Time? A groovy old-school rock and roll banger like Lord of the Gilded Cage? A foot-tapper like Time Has a Way? Or a melodic blast of excitable vibrancy courtesy of Butt to the Head? An excellently titled track too. Finally, it’s Steal the Night and Märvel ending things as they begun, with energy, heart, and potency.

Ten albums in and still delighting, it’s Märvel!

Märvel – Brain Drain Diaries Track Listing:

1. Look! It’s Rock ‘n’ Roll
2. A Beautiful Corpse
3. Brain Drain
4. Take a Stand
5. How Much Can I Wait
6. Biding My Time
7. Lord of the Gilded Cage
8. Time Has a Way
9. Butt to the Head
10. Steal the Night

Links

Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok