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| 21st CENTURY - Kukaracha (CD Single) | The Netherlands | November 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Hardrock | Running time: 07:13 (Tracks: 2) | ||
| I did not know about this band until the cd single appeared in my mail. Apparently, this band was formed around singer Martin Van Der Meyde, who was a Soundmix finalist in 1994 imitating David Coverdale. Besides doing his vocal thing in many bands, he also worked as a singer for tv commercials. Knowing that, I was curious what my ears would experience. Well it wasn't the Kukaracha song I knew from a (long ago) past, like in the Mexican-style song. No, the song itself sounds a bit strange, poppy, childish, you name it. I could recognize the vocal capabilities of Martin, although the song made it very hard. A message to Martin: work on some decent hardrock material and get serious. You have the voice…use it well. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.21stcentury.nu
Recordlabel: http://www.multidisk.nl |
50/100 |
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| ACE FREHLEY - Anomaly (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Hard Rock | Running time: 54:44 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| Finally, after 20 years my all time favorite guitarist ACE FREHLEY (real name: Paul Daniel Frehley) is back with a brand new album. The last studio album of the one and only Space Ace, "Trouble Walkin'", dates from 1989. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a KISS fan (since 1978) and especially a huge Ace Frehley fan. I have seen seventeen KISS concerts in my life so far, and six of those shows were with the Spaceman. And on June 12th, 2008 I saw Ace for the first time solo, when he did an unforgettable concert in venue 013 in my own hometown Tilburg, Holland (see also live reviews). I knew he was working on a new album, so I've been looking forward to this album for a long time. I was very curious about how the new album would be like. And on September 15th, Ace's fourth solo album, which is titled "Anomaly", saw the light of day. The album was recorded at Frehley's Home Studio and Schoolhouse Studios in New York and features 12 tracks. One of those twelve songs is a cover of SWEET's classic "Fox On The Run" and really, Ace did a very good version of it. Also the production was done by Ace himself and sounds fantastic. I must admit that there are just a few less songs on “Anomaly”, which are in my opinion “Change The World”, “A Little Below The Angels” and “It's A Great Life”. But the rest of the songs are great, with fantastic riffs and most of all killer ACE solos. The two instrumentals on “Anomaly” are the fantastic “Space Bear” and of course “Fractured Quantum”. Musicians who've worked with Ace on “Anomaly” are Derrek Hawkins (rhythm guitar), Anthony Esposito (bass) and Scot Coogan (drums) who are all in Ace's live band as well. But also Anton Fig, Ace's long time friend, who played on Ace's 1978 solo album of KISS and on “Frehley's Comet” (1987), “Live + 1” (1988) and “Trouble Walkin'”, is playing drums on several songs. To me, the best songs of “Anomaly” are “Foxy & Free”, “Outer Space”, “Pain In The Neck”, “Fox On The Run”, “To Many Faces”, “Space Bear” and “Sister”. Go see ACE FREHLEY on his upcoming European tour. On December 16th, 2009, Ace will be playing at the venue “Lucky” in Rijssen, Holland. And of course I already have my ticket, because I won't miss it. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.acefrehley.com
Recordlabel: http://www.season-of-mist.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/acefrehley |
89/100 |
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| ANNIHILATOR – Live at Masters of Rock (DVD & CD) | Canada | November 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Speed / Thrash Metal |
Running time: CD: 1:12:52 (Tracks: 14) DVD approx. 90 minutes | ||
| In July 2007 I reviewed the “Metal” album from Jeff Waters & Co. I really liked that album after a period in which the band released some weaker stuff. As far as I know this is the bands 2nd DVD release and the show is filmed at the Masters of Metal festival 2008 in the Czech Republic. This show was filmed during the promotion tour of the “Metal” album. Annihilator has a reputation of not having a stable line up and on this live performance only Jeff Waters & Dave Padden are left from the “Metal” album line up. The recordings are very nice; just faithfully recorded; not to underground and also not over-produced! Jeff produced and mixed the whole show at his own Watersound Studios and he did a good job! The setlist is a perfect mix of the bands repertoire. The DVD starts with a nice festival intro in which you can nearly feel the great atmosphere over there. All the recordings are filmed with 5 non directed live camera's and mixed into a great overview. Most of today's live recordings are so much overproduced that you get the feeling that bands are nearly “play back”ing during the show. Well, this is a very nice live recording that will visit my DVD player regularly! Well done Jeff! Hope to see Annihilator back soon in Europe (as headliner of Mario's Metal Meeting 4 ??). Check this DVD out! There is also a live CD (with the same set) added to this DVD box but you can also choose to buy the CD version of the performance. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.annihilatormetal.com
Recordlabel: http://www.spv.de MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/annihilatorofficial |
88/100 |
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| ARCH RIVAL – In the Face of Danger (DVD & CD) | USA | November 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 54:32 (Tracks: 13) | ||
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Do you believe in justice? I want to believe but the music world is full of injustices. Crappy bands get all the fame and money while those who really deserve them get lost into obscurity. That is pretty much the story of Arch Rival. A band that should have made it big but never crossed the border to stardom. Arch Rival is the brainchild of guitarist extraordinaire Michael Harris. This is the first album (out of three) that the band released back in 1991. Newcomer Rockaholics Records tries to correct this injustice by reissuing this long out of print title. This is actually more than a simple reissue. Besides the standard bonus tracks you will find, there is also a DVD with rare live footage and promo videos, new artwork and master plus fantastic packaging. On the musical department, “In the Face of Danger” is a melodic heavy metal dynamite. It flirts with power metal and hard rock from song to song while Michael Harris and amazing vocalist Steve Snyder rock the house to the ground. The songs are catchy and extremely well written and the choruses are carefully engineered for arena singing. Each one could easily find airplay on any station that cares about this kind of music. The cd is literally filled with hits! From start to finish, from the fast paced songs to the anthemic ballads, “In the Face of Danger” captivates the listener. Pressing the repeat button is inevitable. Let's hope that this album will get the recognition it deserves even 18 years since its initial release. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.rockaholicsrecords.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/archrivalofficial |
90/100 |
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| ARKONA – Goi, Rode, Goi ! (CD) | Russia | November 2009 | Frans Neelen |
| Style: Pagan Folk Metal | Running time: 79.57 (Tracks: 14) | ||
| Russia 2002; some members of a local pagan community called “Vyatichi” find themselves ready to combine their musical tastes and philosophy in a band called Hyperborea which soon they changed in Arkona. From this first line up the only one left is Maria Arichipowa, better known as Masha “Scream”. This female vocalist is a true survivor and the main woman of the band. I've been not familiar with this band, but with Goi, Rode, Goi ! they deliver us their already 5th album. And what an album it is ! Masha is blessed with an incredible sounding voice that has been forged by the Pagan Gods themselves for creating a perfect Slavic soundtrack. She sings as easily the clean as the “down from the gutter” parts which are very impressive, creating the right sphere the songs need. Also the quality of musicianship of the other band members Serje “Lazar” (guitars), Ruslan “Kniaz” (bass), Vlad “Artist” (drums, synths) and Vladimir “Volk” (wind ethnic instruments) is unquestionable of a very high level. (Listen to the drum parts in the title track) This is a superb sounding album which is full, and I mean really full, with authentic and medieval instruments, blastbeats, double bass interludes, fierce axe work, choirs, clean and black metal vocals and enough melody to keep it catchy. What do you want with an album that clocks 80 minutes ! And even after that you simply put your cd player on repeat, ready to enjoy it once again. To be honest it will take you a few times listening because the band has managed to write a very complex album. But don't worry, it will catch you, I'm sure about that. Arkona used several guest musicians on this album like the members of Manegarm, Menhir, Skyforger and our own pride of Holland Heidevolk. They all appear in the 15 minute epos “Moey Zemle” which tells the story of a Slav who tries to find his luck in other European countries. While visiting those different countries you hear the choruses be sung by the band in their own language of that particular country which sounds brilliant ! So you can hear the person visiting Joris Boghtdrinker; just marvellous. Other songs that are worth to mention are the title track, which I can imagine it makes a good chance to become a pagan classic, “Tropoiu Nevedannoi” that starts like pure Black but turns into a fine, very divers headbanger, the fierce “Arkona” and the ballad “Nebo Hmurde, Tuchi Mrachniye”. Damn fine album which needs only one word to be described. Impressive ! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.arkona-russia.com
Recordlabel: http://www.napalmrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/arkonarussia |
87/100 |
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| AT WAR – Infidel (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Oldschool Thrash Metal | Running time: 33:58 (Tracks: 9) | ||
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These thrashers from Washington BC already exist since 1983 and im one of their biggest fans since the release of their first 2 albums; “Ordered to Kill” (1986) & “Retaliatory Strike” (1988). The band plays thrash in a kind of Motorhead/Carnivore mix but has always been really underestimated in my home country The Netherlands. Officially the band never disbanded but when I heard that the band was releasing their 3rd official album in 2009 I was wondering what to expect! Even though I loved their first 2 albums; it's not a guarantee for a good follow up after more than 20 years!!! Well strange enough I have to admit that the album sounds as oldschool as his 2 predecessors from 1986/1988. Not only musical the band is still great; they also still have that typical sound that they already had in the glorious 80's! It even sounds like the album was recorded right after the first 2 albums but was released lately…… Damn, im so glad this band returns with their oldschool thrash! To me this kind of thrash is more important than for example the latest effort of Slayer which, according the press, goes back to their 80's…..forget it; check these guys out if you still didn't already! Hope to get this band over to Holland someday because last year they already proved that they are a superb live band also during their Headbangers Open Air festival performance. Excellent album guys!! Thanks for sending me a hard copy instead of the label-offered I-Pool download crap. Check this band out!! | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.heavyartillery.us
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/atwartheband |
95/100 |
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| BEATALLICA – Masterful Mystery Tour (CD) | U.S.A. | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal Tribute / Parody | Running time: 43:09 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| "Masterful Mystery Tour", the second full length album of BEATALLICA was released on August 4th and features twelve songs, which of course are again mixed songs of METALLICA and THE BEATLES. Even the album cover is a mix of METALLICA's “Master Of Puppets” (1986) and “Magical Mystery Tour” (1967) of THE BEATLES. Anyway, the line-up of the band still exists of Jaymz Lennfield (vocals, rhythm & lead guitar), Grg “III” Hammetson (lead guitar, electric sitar), Kliff McBurtney (bass, backing vocals) and Ringo Larz (drums). So, on “Masterful Mystery Tour” it's still the same recipe as on their debut album “Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band” of 2007 (see reviews April 2008), namely classic METALLICA and BEATLES songs fantastically mixed, and all with completely new written lyrics. Of course Jaymz sounds like James Hetfield, but even in “And I'm Evil?” (“And I Love Her” & “Am I Evil?” originally of DIAMOND HEAD) we also hear Glenn Danzig type of vocals (done by Kliff???). “Running For Your Life” is a mixture of THE BEATLES' “Run For Your Life” (of “Rubber Soul”, 1965) and “Breadfan” of English Hard Rock band BUDGIE, which was covered by METALLICA for the B-side of their “Harvester Of Sorrow” single (1988). Songs like “The Battery Of Jaymz And Yoko”, “Masterful Mystery Tour”, “Fuel On The Hill”, “Everybody's Got A Ticket To Ride Except For Me And My Lightning”, “Hero Of The Day Tripper”, “Got To Get You Trapped Under Ice” and “I Want To Choke Your Band” are all fantastic and very well done. If you already liked the first album, you sure can buy this second one too. I'm very curious which METALLICA and BEATLES songs BEATALLICA are gonna use on the next album. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.beatallica.com
Recordlabel: http://www.oglio.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/beatallica |
83/100 |
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| BONAFIDE – Something's Dripping (CD) | Sweden | November 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Hardrock | Running time: 42:38 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| BONAFIDE was formed by singer/guitarist Pontus Snibb and bassplayer Michael Nilsson in Malmo, southern Sweden, in 2006. Pontus already made name playing with countless well known artists on the Scandinavian blues and rock scene, and wanted to broaden his musical horizon by turning the volume to 11 and play hard rock the way it's supposed to be played, true to it's roots in the electric blues and early R'n'B. With Mikael Fassberg, guitar, and Sticky Bomb on drums the quartet was completed. BONAFIDE released their debut album in 2007, and now the follow up is here 'Something's Dripping'. The album is recorded at Musicamatic studios in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Chips Kiesbye (The Hellacopters, The Nomads, Millencollin), and released through Black Lodge Records. BONAFIDE delivers a blues and R'n'B based full throttle rock'n'roll album, with a simplistic, yet innovative and fresh take on classic hard rock. When putting on this album, you can't be mistaken, there is definitely a big AC/DC influence to be heard right here. Heavy, pounding rock, simple and pure, but o so effective, well done with a very good production. Also a guest appearance by Mia Coldheart on Straight Shooters, this could well be the new AC/DC from Sweden. Raw, hard and dirty rock, with blues influences, for instance Dirt Bound, Hard Livin Man or Elvis Chapel Blues. Crank up the volume and Fill Your Head With Rock is what I'm saying. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.bonafiderocks.com
Recordlabel: http://www.myspace.com/blacklodgesweden MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/bonafiderocks |
80/100 |
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| CAIN – The Master Clockwork (CD) | Sweden | November 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Heavy / Alternative | Running time: 39:44 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Bands with little to none information on the internet. They still exist. In this case that is quite a shame. Why? Because that when you don't have a label yet, you have to do the promotion yourself. Anyway, in my promo package I found a small biography so that I got the chance to know the band a little bit before listening to this record. Cain was founded in 2003 and since then they are active on various podia in Sweden. Now it is 2009 and their third studio effort 'The master clockwork' is released. Cains music is what you could call 'Heavy alternative,' like the band Mustasch for example. Nice songs, although the album as a whole does not seem to convince me. Tracks like 'Intelligence 101,' 'The master clockwork' and the closing song 'Sink' have catchy melodies en refrains, but not of a level that wants to make me play this over and over again. Off course you have to see everything in perspective. I know I can enjoy can Cain performance on a small festival or something like that. The music fits perfectly for such an occasion. However, putting out an album and receiving international attention is a whole different story. But when you look at this record on a more underground level, Cain did a good job. 'The master clockwork' turned out to be a mediocre but listenable Heavy record. But a must have for your collection? I don't think so. | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cainswe |
65/100 |
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| CHERRY LIPS – Cherry Lips (CD) | Italy | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Rock | Running time: 43:47 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| The title of this album speaks for itself, it's the debut album of CHERRY LIPS from Italy. The band exists around 4 years now, and the four lovely ladies, which are Stefania Parks (vocals, guitar), Elisa (lead guitar), Karima (bass) and Serena (drums) recorded twelve nice heavy poppy rock songs for this album. One of those twelve songs is a cover version of CYNDI LAUPER's classic "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". And it's a nice version anyway. In the meantime, the band had a line-up change, because last Summer drummer Serena left the band and was replaced by Michael Reale. So, with the current line-up, CHERRY LIPS isn't an all girl band anymore. The album was produced by the ladies themselves and with Fabio Serra and sounds good. Also live the band is doing some covers. When you look on YouTube, you can see them doing live performances of "I Love Rock And Roll" (JOAN JETT) and "Lick It Up" (KISS). It's really not bad what these ladies present on this album, but don't expect real heavy stuff. It's, like I said, more heavy pop rock with sometimes a sleazy punk edge. They remind me a bit of Swedish all girl band SAHARA HOTNIGHTS and GIRLSCHOOL. Anyway, these ladies can write very good and catchy compositions and that makes that this album listens easily away. Stefania is a nice singer, and she does have a very good English accent. Some favorite songs of this album are “Dead Or Alive? (Are You)”, “Stop Messin' Around”, “Right Now”, “Mean Hot And Nasty” and "The Race Is On". Well done ladies, because it's a nice album. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.cherrylipsrock.com
Recordlabel: http://www.swedmetal.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cherrylipsrock |
76/100 |
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| CIRRHA NIVA – For Moments Never Done (CD) | The Netherlands | November 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Progressive Metal | Running time: 46:37 (Tracks: 7) | ||
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Cirrha Niva is a band from the South of The Netherlands and they play progressive metal. In the beginning of this century they released the “Liaison De La Morte” concept album and they toured with that eponymous name. After several line up changes the band finally continues their musical path with this new album “For Moments Never Done'. A big plus is the acquisition from singer Legrand (Michel de Groot ). He has a very professional sounding voice and brings the band to an even higher level! According to the band they play technical thrash riffs, pounding drums & melodic and shredding guitar solos. Well that's the best way to describe this band. Musically they can be compared with bands like; Dream Theater, Rush & Evergrey. This album sounds very good and musically this is way better than what the band has ever done before! With this high standard of progmetal they will enter the top of the progressive rock scene soon; believe me! Finally The Netherlands has a 'new' progressive metal band that will blow a fresh wind through the Dutch scene; especially now that bands like Sphere of Souls & Sun Caged are continuous fighting against line up problems. Hopefully Cirrha Niva will not have this problems because I don't want to wait again for so many years to a follow up to this marvellous album! Compliments guys!! See you soon somewhere! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.cirrhaniva.nl
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cirrhaniva |
90/100 |
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| DECADENCE – Chargepoint (CD) | Sweden | November 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Melodic Thrash Metal | Running time: 37:59 (Tracks: 9) | ||
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For a small bio of this band I advice you to read the review of the “3rd Stage of Decay” album (see Archive CD/DVD Reviews). “Chargepoint” is already the 4th release from this Swedish thrashband with extreme female singer “Metallic” Kitty Saric as midpoint. She is not only good looking; she also has a great voice with her typical screams now and then. I already loved their 3rd album '3RD STAGE OF DECAY” a lot and this album is the logical successor. It's the first release on the bands new label; Spiritual Beast. The total running time of not even 40 minutes is the only little complain I have about this great album. The album is filled with great compositions and the band already proved me also live on stage (when they headlined the Warm Up show of Mario's Metal Meeting 3 last month) that they all are great musicians and have a very professional attitude! All the songs are fast, straight in your face thrash songs with a lot of oldschool elements which suit me very well! Some people call them a weak Arch Enemy imitator but I don't know where they base this on?? Decadence is sounding at least much more oldschool and musically they are a lot better than Angela Gossow & Co. No, Decadence has nothing to do with Arch Enemy except for the fact that they are both Swedish and have a female grunter in the band….. Very good album! Hope to see/meet the band soon again because I had a hell of a time with them over here in Killburg Rockcity! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.decadence.se
Recordlabel: http://www.spiritual-beast.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/decadenceswe |
83/100 |
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| DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY - Battle Sluts (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Power Metal (with harsh vocals) | Running time: 41:48 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| Besides the fact that they have the most ridiculous band name I've heard this year (sucky deathcore bands not included) I didn't really know anything about this band when I gave their 2nd album a try. The type of music this band plays is a genre that isn't something you hear that often although it does remind me a lot of Children of Bodom. The music has everything a good power metal album has, with melodies, great solo's and nice hooks but the vocals sound like they've been taken from a metalcore album which will scare away a lot of potential fans but given the band's name I do think they're more in it for the fun which is something we can all approve of. For fans of Children of Bodom, 3 Inches of Blood and more of those. | |||
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Visit their Website: http://www.destroydestroydestroy.com
Recordlabel: http://www.blackmarketactivities.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/destroydestroydestroy |
60/100 |
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| DEVIOUS – Vison (CD) | The Netherlands | November 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Death Metal | Running time: 35:44 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| No other band have I seen this much over the past year than the Dutch death metal formation Devious. I remember being pleasantly surprised with their energetic performances with Legion of the Damned and the show at the Elsrock festival. This last event also gave me the opportunity to buy a copy of their recently released album 'Vison,' which I did. Devious exists since the beginning of this millennium, which has up till now resulted in three full length album. 'Acts of rage' in 2003, 'Domain' in 2007 and the album 'Vision' that is being reviewed right here. Next to these releases, you could also find the Devious on various (inter)national stages with bands like Vader, Krisiun and God Dethroned to name a few. 'Vision' is, just like it's predecessor, released via the Dutch label Deity Down Records. When you know a band foremost of their live performances, you get curious of their studio accomplishments. Not without reason, because the ability to capture the live intensity on a record is not that easy. Luckily, with Devious this is the case. As soon as the spherical intro was over, albumopener 'Heritage of the reckless' hits you like a ton of bricks with the typical Devious breaks and tempo changes. You can hear these aspects back on every song. This goes for the melodic aspect as well. 'Vision' sounds like a logical follow up album to 'Domain,' although the trash influences are a little less present. Also the presence of synthesizers are a big plus. It really brings out a nice atmosphere. The musical growth in combination with the previously mentioned aspects are making 'Vision' a qualitatively strong death metal record. In think that with the release of 'Vision,' Devious has earned a rightful place in the Dutch death metal top. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.devious.nl
Recordlabel: http://www.deitydownrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/deviousdomain |
85/100 |
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| DYNAZTY - Bring The Storm (CD) | Sweden | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Melodic Hard Rock | Running time: 40:14 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| DYNAZTY is a Swedish melodic rock band from Stockholm and was formed in late 2007. In September of 2008 they entered the legendary Polar Studios (which was founded by Benny & Bjorn from ABBA) with producer Chris Laney to record their debut album “Bring The Thunder”. And early 2009 these Swedish rockers signed a deal with American label Perris Records. The line-up of DYNAZTY on this album exists of Nils Molin (vocals), Rob Love (guitar), John Berg (guitar), Joey Fox (bass) and George Egg (drums). Recently in September guitarist and one of the co-founders John Berg had left the band. Anyway, “Bring The Thunder”, which has a very simple album cover, features eleven melodic and catchy songs. The production of Laney is fantastic. DYNAZTY reminds me of bands like EUROPE, TNT, DOKKEN, STRYPER, SKID ROW etcetera. Molin is a good singer who can sing very high and the musicians are very talented as well. Specially the guitarists are fantastic. “Bring The Thunder” is not a spectacular album, but it's just an enjoyable good one with nice songs like “Bring The Thunder”, “Catch The Night”, “Lights Out In Candyland”, “Top Of The Line”, “Take Me Down” and “The Devil's Shake”. Next time pay more attention to the album cover please! By the way, DYNAZTY will support THE POODLES in October/November during their “Clash Of The Elements” tour. For our Dutch readers who are interested, they play at the Rock Temple, Kerkrade on November 20th, 2009. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.dynasty.com
Recordlabel: http://www.swedmetal.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dynaztyband |
75/100 |
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| ETERNAL DESCENT – The Phantom Of The Opera (MCD) | United Kingdom | November 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Epic / Industrial Metal | Running time: 11:07 (Tracks: 3) | ||
| From the category “never heard of this before”, I received this limited edition promosingle containing a metal version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's “The Phantom Of The Opera” and two instrumental tracks. The project called “Eternal Descent” is inspired by comics, where the characters Loki and Lyra (guitarist Llexi Leon and singer Elisha West) are taking the listeners on a musical journey into musical land, where a metal version of the forementioned song actually overwhelms. The two instrumental tracks both sound a bit like film music, offering a wall of suspense with some dark guitar squeaks by Leon and angelic interludes by West. Llexi Leon sees this as his multimediaproject, based upon comic characters that are positioned in strange fantasy storyboards. This single is a teaser for an upcoming full-length album with guest roles for members of bands we all know: Firewind, Kamelot, Chiemra, Atreyu and many others. Eddie Kramer (the man needs no further introduction) will be the producing overseer. This project promises a lot of fireworks; in the meantime we have this single as messenger for that full album, and based upon what I've heard now, I am curious what it will sound like. The display of several styles sounded like prog to me, and I think that this could become quite interesting. Musicwise, I hear no virtuosity on this single but three songs is not much to get a good impression. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.eternaldescent.com
Recordlabel: http://www.myspace.com/incendiumrecords MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/eternaldescent |
79/100 |
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| EVIL INVADERS – D-emokill 2009 (Demo-tape) | Belgium | November 2009 | Ronny Elst |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 27:45 (Tracks: 6) | ||
| Evil Invaders is another young, talented thrash metal band from Belgium (Mol). It all started for them in 2007 when Jöe (vocals/guitars) and Stavrös (guitars) decided to start a band. Soon drummer Frey joined them too. After a year of jamming, drinking and covering, they found a bassist, Boner, and from that moment they decided to call their band Evil Invaders. On their first demo tape are 6 thrash metal songs, the old fashioned way. Evil Invaders is clearly influenced by great 80's thrash metal bands like Exodus, Exciter, Over Kill, Slayer, Kreator, Megadeth and Cyclone. Vocally this band reminds me of Agent Steel and Exciter, and guitar riffs/solo's wise of mighty Slayer. Surely a young Belgian band with a lot of potential!! | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/evilinvadersmetal |
88/100 |
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| FAIR WARNING – Aura (CD) | Germany | November 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Melodic Hardrock | Running time: 48.57 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| It's been only two and a half years since German rockers around the charismatic singer Tommy Heart returned powerfully after a five year break with their reunion album “Brother's Keeper“. A sold out tour in Japan and some impressive festival shows in Europe followed. This Summer, on the 24th of July, their long awaited sixth album called “Aura” will finally be released, almost completely written by bass player Ule W. Ritgen (9 of the 12 songs) and guitar hero Helge Engelke. Their sound is characterized by Tommy Heart's voice, which seems to have matured but also aged. I miss the power that I had found on “Brother's Keeper” which had made me enthousiastic about the band again, after all these years. But it seems that this album is a kneefall to commercial poprock. Where are the catchy hooks? The fine melodies? I keep thinking that the reunion had as much ripe fruits as there are on their previous album. This album does not stand out, both musically as productionwise. Hopefullt the band will succeed in waking up from the commercial corner of poprock, leave out the pop and start to really rock again soon! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.fair-warning.de
Recordlabel: http://www.metalheaven.net MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/therealfairwarning |
70/100 |
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| FIRST REASON - Never Give Up (MCD) | Italy | November 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 16:30 (Tracks: 5) | ||
| Italy's First Reason, formed in 2007, released their first promo EP to give the world a chance to get to know them. This band plays old school thrash metal with some hardcore influences and they're doing just fine. Nothing new, nothing fancy, nothing really that good either but overall not bad at all. The riffs are pretty basic but they sound good and that's what really matters after all. The vocals are quite aggressive but pretty good understandable given the sound quality of this demo. The drums support the entire songs nicely and as a whole this all sounds pretty good. I think that this band will definitely kick ass live when they got a good crowd and I actually find myself looking forward to hearing more about these guys, maybe with a good production and sound quality. | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/firstreason |
78/100 |
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| GEFF – Land Of The Free (CD) | Sweden | November 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Hardrock | Running time: 46:07 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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GEFF is a new all star group featuring some of Sweden's finest and most talented heavy metal and hard rock musicians; Göran Edman (vocals), Anders Johansson (drums), Mats Olausson (keyboards) and Per Stadin (bass). Well….so says the bio. The names may be recognized from such artists as Yngwie Malmsteen, Hammerfall, John Norum, Silver Mountain, Snake Charmer, Glory, Brazen Abbot, Jean Beauvoir and A.R.K, just to name a few. But that does not always do the trick and quite often it is a smokescreen to name all those bands.
Theses guys have joined forces with guitarist and songwriter talent Ralf Jedestedt who makes his record debut with this album. Ralf is the actual brain behind GEFF. And yes, the band is talented, but so strange that the REAL talent is hidden is the last tracks. Why not put them in the beginning of the cd? Edman rarely lives up to the promise of being a dominant and clear singer; his best performance on the album is the title track which I actually like. But unfortunately, the song material could have been better, and also the production..well…it kinda sucks. Guys, take your time with the next album ! Be prepared well, and I hope next album will have a more constant quality of the songs. You are, so I read, already busy with it. The talent is there…the trick is to let it out. Another trick is taking care of a real website…… | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.metalheaven.net
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75/100 |
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| GRIMLORD – Dolce Vita Sath-an as (CD) | Poland | November 2009 | Frans Neelen |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 49.54 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Grimlord is a polish band that offers us, after bringing out several demos, their second full length cd. I am not familiar with their other stuff so I can't say if they have made any progress. Not that it matters anyway because what Barth la Picard (vocals, guitar), Orson (bass) and Lukass (drums) are serving us is of a very respectable musical level. What can you find on this album. Well, the guys have a good sense of humour (logical with such an album name) which they use in weird interludes especially in the first three tracks. Opener “Dolce Vita Sath-anas” is a fine example of that and it continually varies between up tempo metal and rapid trash attacks. Bandleader and main man Bart la Picard 's voice is a bit of weak point in here, although in the chorus he does some very acceptable screaming. The second track shows some improvement, because the band slows down and he sounds more like good old Paul D'ianno. Now that is not a strange thing while the band is highly influenced by Iron Maiden as you can hear in the riffs and solos. While the first three tracks offers us melodic metal, alternated with trashy riffs and full of variety accompanied by vocals, the band shows a drastic change further on. From the start of “Shade of Wrath Angels” the trashy elements and vocals are disappeared and the band demonstrates their skills playing some damn fine melodic, sometimes even progressive, instrumentals. To be honest I'm not really into instrumental stuff, but this time I had no problem listening to rest of the album. Grimlord has succeeded in making them exciting enough to keep on listening and that is worth a big compliment. Based on excellent, powerful melodies the tracks guarantee you an enjoyable time. Nevertheless, for a final break-thru I think this three piece should find themselves a good powerful singer. Meanwhile, this well produced album is more than worth checking it out. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.grimlord.eu
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/grimlordband |
78/100 |
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| HARDREAMS - Calling Everywhere (CD) | Spain | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Melodic Hard Rock | Running time: 61:09 (Tracks: 14) | ||
| HARDREAMS is a melodic rock band from Ripollet, Barcelona, Spain and was formed in 2000. In December 2001 they released their 4 track demo "Wings On Fire". Just like many other bands, also HARDREAMS did have some line-up changes. The current line-up of the band is Manu Esteve (vocals), David Agüera (guitar), Victor Muiòo (bass), Sergi Hormigó (drums) and Sergi Segarra (keyboards). "Calling Everywhere" was recorded during the summer of 2002 and it was released in 2004. Yes, this is just a re-release on Perris Records, only this version features some bonus tracks, which are a demo version of "Pain" and two live tracks ("Si Tu Te Vas" & "Two Shots"). In 2008 their second album "The Road Goes On…" was released (also on Perris Records). I have to say that "Calling Everywhere" is a nice album to listen to. The songs are of a high qualitative level and don't bore at all. It's all not that heavy, because there are also some mellower songs on the album. The band has in Esteve a very good singer. And the musicians are okay as well. "A Place For Our Love" is a beautiful ballad. And songs like "Wings Of Fire", "The Crime Of Loving You", "Calling", “I Don't Know Why”, “Pain” and "After Hell" are all fantastic songs. Also the production of the album is good. This is just a nice album for anyone who's into good melodic Rock and likes bands as JOURNEY, SIGNAL, TYKETTO etcetera. I don't know many Spanish rock bands, but HARDREAMS is worth checking out anyway. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.swedmetal.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hardreams |
79/100 |
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| INNOCENT ROSIE – Bad Habit Romance (CD) | Sweden | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Sleaze Rock | Running time: 47:37 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| INNOCENT ROSIE is a Sleaze Rock band from Sweden which was formed in late 2005. The band exists of Oscar Kaleva (vocals), Dixxi (lead guitar), Joel Eliasson (rhythm guitar), Olof Oljelund (bass) and Benjamin Borong (drums). “Bad Habit Romance” is the debut album of these Swedish rockers. And it's more than just a fine debut album with twelve kick ass rock and roll songs. Already with the first track of the album, which is “Bitter Cocktail”, I had to think of SKID ROW, especially because of the riff. But also bands/artists like GUNS N' ROSES, BILLY IDOL, POISON, STEADLÜR comes in mind, while listening to this fantastic album. I really like this kind of honest kick ass rock 'n roll music. Okay, it's not sounding very original, but damn it sounds awesome and addictive. In my opinion there's just one weak song on “Bad Habit Romance”, which is “Shine, Shine, Shine”. This is a very simple song and it's less heavy as well. Okay, the guitar solo in the song is good, but that's all. I really prefer all the other songs on the album, which have great riffs, catchy melodies and fantastic guitar solos. Some favorite songs are “Bitter Cocktail”, “Knock Me Out”, “Let A Memory Die”, “Bad Habit Romance”, “Wasteland”, “Don't Drag Me Down” and “I'll Get Rich”. If you're into some good Sleaze Rock, then “Bad Habit Romance” is absolutely a must. Very good debut album. I'm sure we'll be hearing more of this fantastic band in the near future. Well, come on and let's rock and roll all nite and party every day. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.swedmetal.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rosieisbleeding |
83/100 |
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| KISS - Sonic Boom (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Hard Rock |
Running time: CD1: 43:17 (Tracks: 11) CD2: 53:36 (Tracks: 15) DVD: 34:14 | ||
| First of all, I'm a big KISS fan since 1978, I have all their regular studio & live albums and all the compilation albums until the "KISS Box Set". Well, the last official studio album of KISS, “Psycho Circus”, dates from 1998. After “Psycho Circus”, which was a nice album, only compilation albums were released. So, finally after eleven years, KISS is back with “Sonic Boom”, their nineteenth studio album. Since their reunion tour in the original line-up in 1996, KISS is back on the road again with their legendary make-up and costumes. Only original members Ace Frehley (1996-2002) and Peter Criss (1996-2001 & 2003-2004) aren't in the band anymore. No, since 2002 it's, besides Paul Stanley (vocals, guitar) and Gene Simmons (vocals, bass), solo guitarist Tommy Thayer (formerly of BLACK N' BLUE) as "Ace" and superb drummer Eric Singer (who played in KISS' unmasked period from 1991 to 1996) put Peter's make-up on in 2001-2002 and since 2004 until present. Anyway, with “Sonic Boom” KISS delivered a brilliant album. I must say “Sonic Boom” is a mixture of KISS' sound of their highlight days in the seventies (“Destroyer”, “Rock And Roll Over” and “Love Gun”), but also a bit of their eighties and nineties sound. Two songs are in my opinion a bit less, which are “Stand” and “Say Yeah”. But really, all other songs are AWESOME. The album starts with the first single “Modern Day Delilah”, which is a fantastic opener. Since "Lick It Up" (1983), the first album of KISS without make-up, not all the songs Gene Simmons had written were always great. Don't get me wrong, since "Lick It Up" he wrote some awesome songs like "Fits Like A Glove", "Burn Bitch Burn", "Trial By Fire", "Love's A Deadly Weapon" and especially killer songs like "Betrayed", "Unholy" and "Hate". But now on "Sonic Boom" all his songs are fantastic again. Just like in the old days, when Paul, Gene, Ace and Peter did lead vocals, also now on "Sonic Boom" every KISS member is singing. Eric Singer does the lead vocals on "All For The Glory" (great song) and Tommy Thayer is singing "When Lightning Strikes". Only on "Stand", Stanley and Simmons are sharing the lead vocals. Tommy Thayer's ACE solos are really AWESOME, but they sound so familiar. That's because they are just a mixture of all Ace's original solos. Hey, there's only one ACE and that's mister Frehley himself. Anyway, there a two versions of "Sonic Boom" available, the regular version (jewel case) and the limited edition digi pack version with the bonus disc "KISS Klassics" and a six track DVD "Live In Buenos Aires" (Argentina). In 2008 KISS exclusively released "Jigoku-Retsuden / Kiss Best - Kissology" in Japan. On that album, which I also have of course, KISS re-recorded fifteen KISS classics. Now that same album is the bonus disc, only titled "Kiss Klassics". The six songs on the DVD are "Deuce", "Hotter Than Hell" (with Gene fire breathing), "C'mon And Love Me", "Watchin' You", "100,000 Years" and "Rock & Roll All Nite". Once again, "Stand" and "Say Yeah" are a bit less, but absolutely not bad, but just listen to songs like "Never Enough" (superb), "Hot And Cold", "Danger Us", "Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)", the single "Modern Day Delilah", "All For The Glory" and "I'm An Animal" and you know why "Stand" and "Say Yeah" are the less songs of "Sonic Boom". The production of the album was done by Paul Stanley, and sounds just marvelous. Anyway, with "Sonic Boom" KISS will surprise a lot of people. This is the album KISS had to make in the 70's. Absolutely a KILLER album, that should not be missing in any KISS fans' collection and a real recommendation for none KISS fans as well of course. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.kissonline.com
Recordlabel: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com |
95/100 |
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| MADMEN AND DREAMERS – Remembrance (2 CD) | USA | November 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Progressive Rock |
Running time: CD1: 61:09 (Tracks: 20 ) CD2: 38:30 (Tracks: 12 ) | ||
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The first album which was released by Madmen and Dreamers (MaD) is The Children of Children. This rock opera was released in 2000 and received some nice critics. The band was formed by keyboard player Mark A. Durstewitz and soon he recruited 5 other experienced musicians because he wanted to be able to perform The Children of Children live. The line-up has been stable over all these years and now MaD has released their second album, Remembrance. The story on this album has been developed by Mario Renes (Bass) and Mark A. Durstewitz. Renes is also responsible for the music on the album. The lyrics were written by Mark A. Durstewitz & Christine Hull (Vocals). MaD is a progressive rock band who writes rock operas. They choose subjects that in their opinion need greater public discussion and awareness. Their first project, The Children of Children, was about a family going through a divorce with a special emphasis on what happens to the kids. Remembrance is an environmental story dealing with the corporate theft of water. The music on both cd`s is very diverse. This counts also for the number of vocalists. In total 14 different vocalists are present on the album, but I`m not convinced about the quality of all the vocalists. Sometimes, the music is very intense and chaotic, but in my opinion, that is understandable if you keep in mind the central theme, that need special attention. Other moments the music is very well composed and of a high level, especially the symphonic rock parts. Remembrance is a nice album, but it takes some time to hear all the special elements and details. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.madmen-and-dreamers.com
Recordlabel: http://www.madelf.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/madmenanddreamers |
82/100 |
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| MARDUK – Wormwood (CD) | Sweden | November 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Black Metal | Running time: 45:59 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| With recruiting Mortuus a few years ago and getting back Devo Morgan made the best decision in his quest to create the most brutal and blasphemous band ever. Marduk is now again a force to be reckoned with. While Plague Angel was an interesting start it was with Rom: 512 that this new line up reached its full potential. Now 2 years later their 11th studio album lies in front of me. “Wormwood”. Wormwood was a star that fell down upon the earth and made the water three times bigger than it was. When you translate the word into Russian it says Chernobyl. An interesting theory to know before listening to the album. What I always missed on the later albums of Marduk were songs where they not blasted all the time. I like it when a song reaches somewhat of a climax. Think of for example: “Wolves” Within the albums post “Opus Nocturne” it was always fast or boring slow. Finally with Wormwood they give answer to my request. If I must describe the album in one word I would choose: “dynamic”. There is so much going on while listening to the album. The insane blastbeats in “Into Utter Madness” to the slow sick riffing in “Funeral Dawn”. There are lots to discover here. In my introduction I already spoke about Mortuus. It is with him that Marduk became again a “true” black metal band. I know that this word is often used and misused but Marduk was a band that lost the interest of the elite fans in the mid nineties. Now with Mortuus in the band automatically has a darker sound and image. The sick samples that can be found in the songs are without a doubt his idea and his voice is an incredible instrument. New drummer Lars Broddesson is someone who easily gets forgotten throughout all the giants. He needs to be mentioned because he fills the place Emil Dragutinovic left open with splendour, and that isn't easy! To me with “Wormwood” Marduk shows its best line up ever and definitely returns to the premier league of extreme metal. I must see who will top this album in 2009. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.marduk.nu
Recordlabel: http://www.regainrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/truemarduk |
92/100 |
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| MASA FIRE – Demo 2009 (CDemo) | Japan | November 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Melodic Heavy Metal | Running time: 41:49 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Ah…another guitarrero from the land of the rising sun and the city of Kanagawa. Masa Fire released another demo in 2006, and apparently, it hasn't brought his breakthrough. For a solo artist playing guitar, with all these talented guys out there on the planet, it almost seems like a lost mission. Masa hired an American vocalist (Leo Loebenberg) who was singer in an American tribute band, and did all the other instruments and programming himself. This demo contains 9 tracks, of which only the first three are new; the other six songs are a remix of his 2006 demo. The new tracks feature mr Loebenberg on vocals, but he hasn't been able to move me with his voice; at times he even produces a number of false notes. Compositionwise and guitarwise, I came to understand why Masa still records demo's. The 2006 tracks are more powermetal, and the guitar sounds a lot better here; the same goes for the songs, with lots of keyboards that enrich the music. The song material from 2009 is too much of a melting pot of several songs by several bands, without one track really standing out. Despite his attempt to play like a Japanese Malmsteen, he lacks both sophistication and quality to stand out as a guitarist. I'm afraid this sympathetic attempt will remain just that… | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/masafire |
60/100 |
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| MONKEY3 - Undercover (CD) | Switzerland | November 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Stoner Rock | Running time: 37:34 (Tracks: 6) | ||
| The new release of Monkey3 has become a cover album. In my opinion, a cover album is very often released because of a lack of creativity, but this album is an exception. What I really appreciate is the really nice production, also the musical performance of the 4 band members (dB – Keys, Boris – Guitar, Walter – Drums, Picasso – Bass) is of a very high level. Monkey3 was founded in 2001 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Their first release was the album Monkey3 in 2003. When they were signed by the Belgian record label Buzzville Records, this album was re-released in 2004. The second album, "39 laps", was also released by Buzzville Records, in December 2006. Undercover is Monkey3`s third album. Their music can be characterized by instrumental grooving stoner rock. Undercover contains 6 covers from bands who have influenced Monkey3. The album starts with a grooving version of Numb from the band Archive. The second song is Watchin` you from Kiss with a fantastic guest appearance of John Garcia (Kyuss, Hermano). This is for the very first time that Monkey3 makes use of vocals. The performance of Garcia is great and adds an extra dimension to this song. One of these Days (Pink Floyd) and Burn (Deep Purple) are very well interpreted while Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) is the second song ever of Monkey3 with nice vocals of Tony Jelencovich. The album ends with a live version of Once upon a time in the West from Ennio Morricone. With Undercover, Monkey3 has released an impressive cover album. The album is worth listening especially for people who like well performed (stoner) rock. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.monkeythree.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/monkeythreecom |
80/100 |
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| MUD - Slow Degradation (MCD) | Italy | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metalcore | Running time: 20:07 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| First of all, this MUD is not the legendary MUD of all time classics "Dyna-mite" and "Tiger Feet". No, this MUD is an Italian Metalcore/Crossover band. The line-up of the band on this EP exists of Aldohc (vocals), Dedo (guitar), Garçon (guitar), Iobbi (bass) and Frank (drums). On their MySpace page I saw that they have a new drummer called Valerio. I guess that this MUD are formed in 2004, because their bio's on their official website and MySpace are all written in Italian and I can't read it. A tip for the band, write everything in English please, so that everyone can read it and not only Italian people. Anyway, "Slow Degradation" is a four track EP. The EP starts with the a short intro simply called "Intro" (1:23), which is just a bit of talking. The next two songs "Electric Chair" and "Corrupt Soul" are moderate Metalcore songs. The last song of this EP is titled "Shit Of The World" and has a running time of 11:33 minutes. After 4:08 minutes until 6:01 minutes you just get some annoying noise. After that noise it's instrumental ambient music you get. To tell the truth, these Italians can't impress me at all with these songs. I have heard much and much better Metalcore in my life. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.mudband.it
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mud04 |
59/100 |
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| MURDER THERAPY – Symmetry Of Delirium (CD) | Italy | November 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Death Metal. | Running time: 33:20 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| This relatively new band from band Italy is a good example of taking some old school death metal mix it with some mathcore, some metalcore and a few hints of Meshuggah put in into a blender and: Voila! an original record. In theory it is maybe this easy but to put this in practice is a whole different story. The old school death metal influences are too much thirteen in one dozen sounding to connect with the “modern sounding math- and metalcore parts. With these parts the band tries to give you some insides in the head of a psychotic person or a sociopath. All this is written after analyzing and observing the aspects of mental deviance. The band likes to call it serial-psychic-death metal. But I don't find it that hysteric. The band will do good by trying to drop the old school Cannibal Corpse influences and replace them with some more modern technical death metal. Benighted has released a good example of this with their latest record “Icon” On the other hand the production sounds surprisingly good for a first full length. Every instrument is audible, there is no fuzzy sound and the vocals are projected and rest on top. Also the instrumentation on Symmetry Of Delirium is quite good. You can hear that these guys have prepared their selves well before recording this album. So potential enough for the next record to score in the lower eighties. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.deitydownrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/murdertherapy |
72/100 |
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| OPPOSITE SIDES – Soul Mechanics (CD) | Italy | November 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Death Metal / Experimental | Running time: 51:50 (Tracks: 13) | ||
| Nearly ten years ago, Opposite Sides was formed in Italy by guitarist/vocalist Arke. At that time their intention was to write and record technical death metal. Over the years and due to some line-up changes the musical direction became more and more divers. That, you can hear on 'Soul Mechanics.' Obviously the death metal influences are there. For example the vocals, drum parts and the typical riffing. You can also hear some electronic sounds and the melodic aspect is very much present on this record. Quite original, in my opinion. But enough about styles and stuff like that. The most important question is off course: does the album contain good material? The answer to that is: Yes it does! At first I've had to get used to the diversity, but when I listen to the album more and more, everything fell into place. 'Soul Mechanics' offers a great variety of heavy riffing, aggressive grunts, melodic elements and ditto vocals. If you are into death metal, experimental music or just kick ass noise, you might want to give this a try. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.oppositesides.com
Recordlabel: http://www.mondongocanibale.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/oppositesides |
75/100 |
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| OVERDRIVER – Overdriver (CD) | Argentina | November 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 44:13 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| Overdriver is an Argentinean Heavy Metal band which debuts with this cd. I have no information about them so I will jump right on the music department. The band delivers 12 songs of classic heavy metal with a rock n roll attitude sung in Spanish. I really appreciate the band's effort but the lack of originality is obvious. I have heard this kind of songs many many times in the past. Nothing special in my opinion. The band delivers the 12 songs with passion but some times this is not enough. For fans of exotic metal only. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.overdriver.com.ar
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/overdriverhr |
65/100 |
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| PARAMORE - Brand New Eyes (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Alternative Rock / Pop / Punk / Emo | Running time: 44:38 (Tracks: 12) | ||
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PARAMORE is a very popular young band from Franklin, Tennessee, U.S.A., who was formed in 2004. Since I discovered their fantastic debut album "All We Know Is Falling" (2005), with awesome songs like "All We Know", "Pressure", “Emergency”, "Here We Go Again" and “Whoa”, I'm a fan of this band. Also the second album "Riot!" (2007), with great songs like “For A Pessimist I'm Pretty Optimistic”, “That's What You Get”, “Misery Business”, “Miracle”, “Crushcrushcrush” and “Fences”, is a superb album. I was really surprised that the band already released a live album after two studio albums. Anyway, that live album "The Final Riot!" (2008, including DVD of the full concert, plus behind the scenes footage and interviews) is a recommendation as well. So, it's understandable why PARAMORE are so popular, because they have such great and catchy songs. It all sounds very accessible and that's why they reach a wide audience. PARAMORE also has a very recognizable own sound. Anyway, "Brand New Eyes" is PARAMORE's third studio album, and is just like the two previous albums a fantastic album with brilliant songs. The line-up on “Brand New Eyes” exists of Hayley Williams (vocals), Josh Farro (lead guitar), Taylor York (rhythm/lead guitar), Jeremy Davis (bass) and Zac Farro (drums). The production, which was done by Rob Cavallo, is perfect. I'm sure this album will be a million seller as well. My favorite songs of “Brand New Eyes” are “Careful”, “Ignorance”, “Brick By Boring Brick” (superb), “Turn It Off”, “Feeling Sorry”, “Looking Up” and “All I Wanted”. The bonus track on the album is “Decode”, which is also one of the two PARAMORE songs on the soundtrack album of the movie “Twilight” (2008). From November 29th until December 18th, the band is doing a European tour. On December 8th, PARAMORE plays at the 013, Tilburg, Holland. To bad it was sold out very quickly, because I really would love to see them live too. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.paramore.net
Recordlabel: http://www.fueledbyramen.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/paramore |
89/100 |
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| PRETTY WILD - All The Way (CD) | Sweden | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Glam Rock / Sleaze Rock | Running time: 27:39 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| PRETTY WILD is a Swedish Glam/Sleaze Rock band existing of Ivan (Ivve) Höglund (vocals), Krizzy Field (guitar), Kim Chevélle (bass) and Johnny Benson (drums). There's no any information about the band on their MySpace page, so I can't tell you when PRETTY WILD was formed. I assume that "All The Way" is their first album, which contains 8 songs. Actually it's six songs and a remixed song and a live track. They remind very much of bands like POISON, MÖTLEY CRÜE and EUROPE. The album starts very good with the title track "All The Way". The second track, which is "Time", is an up tempo rocker and reminds me of EUROPE's "Wings Of Tomorrow" era. "Let The Good Times Roll" is a great and catchy song and could have been from POISON. In my opinion there's no weak song on "All The Way", because all other songs like "Shockin' Teen", "Dangerous" and "Take It Off" are fantastic as well. The band has in Höglund a very good singer, the musicians are very talented, and for the ladies….they have the right looks. "Let The Good Times Roll (86 Mix)" is, instead of the regular version, an acoustic ballad version and takes a little longer. The last track of this album is a live version of "Dangerous" which was recorded in Los Angeles. My compliments for this fantastic album, only 27:39 minutes is just too short. And that's my only negative point of "All The Way". Anyway, a fantastic band and a real recommendation. I'm already looking forward to their next album. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.swedmetal.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/prettywildrocks |
80/100 |
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| REDEMPTION – Snowfall on Judgment Day (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Progressive Metal | Running time: 70:29 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| This is the 4th release of this progressive metal supergroup. Nick Van Dyk's Redemption (not to be confused with the Christian metal band) maintains the same line-up (minus the keyboard player) as the previous album “The Origins of Ruin”. This means that Ray Alder is still behind the microphone and Bernie Versailles on guitar. For those who are not familiar with the group I would have to say that its progressive metal is a mix between Fates Warning, Dream Theater and Symphony X. “Snowfall on Judgment Day” is yet another ingenious album with great melodies and ideas. Nevertheless I have an objection. Ray Alder sings far lower than his real potential. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect from him to sing the way he did on “No Exit” or even “Inside Out” but I am not a fan of Engine either. I think that he can really shine through the Redemption material. Anyway he still delivers some fantastic performances, the man is still one of the leading singers of his generation. “Leviathan Rising” is probably the best tune but the rest of the songs don't fall short on inspiration and quality. If you are looking for the real deal in progressive metal, Redemption is the way to go. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.redemptionweb.com
Recordlabel: http://www.insideout.de MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thebandredemption |
80/100 |
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| SEVENTH RIZE - Full Moon (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Hard Rock | Running time: 45:14 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| From Texas, U.S.A. comes SEVENTH RIZE. The band exists since the Fall of 1991 and the members of the band are Stacy “Big Daddy” Humphries (vocals), Darin Andersen (guitar), Jerry Stone (guitar), David Hamilton (bass) and Sulli (drums). Their debut album “Visceral Rock” was released in August of 2000. Now nine years later their second album “Full Moon” has been released on Perris Records. Personally I had never heard of them before. They play classic Hard Rock, and I must say that it's absolutely not bad what they present on "Full Moon". There are really some nice songs on this second album, like “Dirty Livin'”, “Torn” (with nice slide guitar solo), "Roller Coaster" and “Wreckage” (great riff). After several times, the album gets even better. Also "One Last Time" and "I'll Be There" are two nice ballads. Humphries is a very good singer, and the rest of the band are skilled musicians who are doing their job well. The production of the album could in my opinion a bit better. “Full Moon” is a very nice album to listen to once in a while. But if they will have a breakthrough with it, that's the question. Anyway, if you like traditional rock, check them out yourself and take a listen on their MySpace page. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.seventhrize.net
Recordlabel: http://www.swedmetal.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/seventhrize |
74/100 |
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| S.E.X. DEPARTMENT - Rock 'n' Roll Suicide (CD) | Italy | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Glam Rock / Sleaze Rock | Running time: 36:39 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| S.E.X. DEPARTMENT is an Italian Glam/Sleaze trio existing of Kelly "Trash" Mendess (vocals, guitar), Nasty Lane (bass, vocals) and Justin Sandler (drums, vocals). I'm not sure when the band was formed, but they have released the following albums so far: "Night Club 666" (2005) and "S.E.X. DEPARTMENT" (2007). This album, "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide", features 9 tracks, which in my opinion are all very cliché and moderate. The only song which is nice is "Wasted In Texas". And the remix version of "S.E.X. Department", which is the last song on the album, is terrible and superfluous. Actually, S.E.X. DEPARTMENT can't convince me with this album. There are way much better Glam/Sleaze bands in the world than these Italians. Even PRETTY WILD (see also reviews of this month) is much and much better. And Mendess is a awful singer who has a very annoying voice. So, this album is not really a recommendation, it's a real rock 'n' roll suicide, hahahaha. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.sexdepartment.net
Recordlabel: http://www.swedmetal.com/ MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sexdepartment |
61/100 |
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| SHADOWS FALL - Retribution (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Thrash / Speed / Metalcore / Melodic Death Metal | Running time: 46:00 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| I have to admit, I only knew SHADOWS FALL by name. So, this sixth album "Retribution" is my first acquaintance of SHADOWS FALL. The band was formed in 1995 and the current line-up exists of Brian Fair (vocals), Jon Donais (lead guitar, vocals), Matt Banchand (guitar), Paul Romanko (bass) and Jason Bittner (drums). So far they have released the following albums: “Somber Eyes To The Sky” (1998), “Of One Blood” (2000), “The Art Of Balance” (2002), “The War Within” (2004) and “”Threads Of Life” (2007). Their style is a mixture of Thrash, Speed, Metalcore and Melodic Death Metal. Brian Fair is a fantastic singer with a varied voice (brutal, clean) and the other members of the band are all very technical skilled musicians. Listen to the solos of Donais. "Retribution" was produced by Zeuss (Hatebreed, Municipal Waste) and sounds fantastic. Musically SHADOWS FALL reminds me sometimes of HATEBREED too (“War”, “King Of Nothing”). The song “Picture Perfect” is a semi-ballad kind of song, which is just a nice one. Anyway, this is a very good and technical band with fantastic compositions. My favorite songs on "Retribution" are "My Demise", "Still I Rise", “War”, “King Of Nothing” and "Embrace Annihilation". Well, if you like bands as LAMB OF GOD, HATEBREED etcetera, then you will like SHADOWS FALL too. "Retribution" is a fantastic album, which I really can recommend. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.shadowsfall.com
Recordlabel: http://www.spinefarm.fi MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shadowsfall |
86/100 |
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| SKINDRED - Shark Bites And Dog Fights (CD) | United Kingdom | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal / Reggae / Crossover | Running time: 31:00 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| When I saw the in 1998 formed English band SKINDRED as support act of Gypsy Punkers GOGOL BORDELLO on April 21st, 2008, I really liked the band. That's why I bought their second album "Roots Rock Riot" that night and reviewed it for MMM (see reviews of May 2008). Now their third album "Shark Bites And Dog Fights" has been released on Bieler Bros. (distribution by Suburban). The album has eight songs of which one is a cover version of EDDY GRANT's classic "Electric Avenue". It's a nice version, but not really one of my favourite tracks. Actually, in my opinion it's the least song of the album. The production of the album is very good, which was done by Matt LaPlant and the band themselves. If you already know material of SKINDRED, you know they play a mixture of Metal, Rock and Reggae. On the attached press info sheet their style is called "Ragga Metal". Anyway, the songs are all catchy and very accessible. The first single of the album is the opening track "Stand For Something". Benji Webb is a great singer, and if you have seen SKINDRED live, you know he's an energetic performer as well. I have to admit that this album grows every time I listen to it. So, "Shark Bites And Dog Fights" is absolutely not a bad album (or is it an EP?), but I think that "Roots Rock Riot" is a better album. My favourite songs of "Shark Bites And Dog Fights" are "Stand For Something", "You Can't Stop It", "Calling All Stations", "Corrupted" and "Days Like This". But SKINDRED is a fantastic band anyway. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.skindred.com
Recordlabel: http://www.bielerbros.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/skindred |
82/100 |
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| SLAYER – World Painted Blood (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 40:11 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| A new album from Slayer finally! I already heard a lot of good things about this release from the once “thrash-gods” Slayer. A biography of the band looks unnecessary because when you dont know this band; please shut down your pc and go back playing with your barbie dolls! The title song 'World Painted Blood' ruins your speakers if you don't watch out! Classic Slayer song! 'Unit 731' is also a speed song in the style of the 3th & 4th album. I quit being a fanatic Slayer fan after their disappointing “South of Heaven” album and it suits me that this new album is sounding like the oldschool Slayer; even if the level of the first 3 albums will never be equalled. The third song 'Snuff' is again a good song but I have to admit that I heard most of the riffs on this album earlier before on the previous releases. So the album sounds good (production is a bit raw and could have been better) but far from original. 'Beauty Through Order” is a more midtempo song with some recognisable riffs but also with some interesting breaks and a great end! 'Hate Worldwide' is again full of speedy guitar riffs & solo's in the typical Hanneman/King tradition. Nice song with some unusual riffs from these guys. 'Public Display op Dismemberment' is again a thrashy song in the 'South of Heaven' style. 'Human Strain' starts slowly and is one of the weakest songs on this album. 'Americon' is a nice songwith again great solos and Dave Lombardo in shape! Here he shows that he is not only drumming good on the faster songs! “Psyhopathy Red” is again a fast song in the “Reign in Blood” style! Superb song! 'Playing with Dolls' is a strange song which cant convince me the whole running time. Last song 'Not of this God' is again a good & fast song. So this is a good album in the old Slayer tradition but I miss the originality on most of the songs. Check it out. Personally I would advice you thrashers to spend your money on the latest At War album! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.slayer.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/slayer |
86,66/100 |
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| STEEL HORSE – Wild Power (MCD) | Spain | November 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 12:16 (Tracks:3) | ||
| This is an advanced 3 track promo copy of Spain's STEEL HORSE, taken from their coming debut album Wild Power. STEEL HORSE was founded in 2007 in Madrid by Willy Gascon (guitars), Jorge Cortes (vocals) and Ricardo (drums) joined immediately after. The band play NWOBHM, influenced by Priest, Maiden and Sabbath, during February 2008 they recorded their first 4 track demo Raise Your Fist EP. Now their debut album is here, and I can tell you this is 100% pure metal, old school maybe but the way it should sound, what a band, makes me wanna hear the whole album instead of just 3 promo songs of it. This is real powerful true metal, all 3 songs, 'Run to survive', 'Wild Power' and 'Burning Soul' are true metal diamonds with great guitarwork in them. Jorge has also got an excellent voice matching this music, a great new band to keep an eye (or ear) on. This is really great melodic and true metal, to name bands to compare with, besides the mentioned ones, I would say Riot comes close, but they do have their own sound, and maybe their style isn't exactly original, but who is these days, anyway they deliver a great piece of metal with this album, well done! | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/steelhorsemetal |
82/100 |
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| SUBHUMAN - Profondo Rozzo (CD) | Italy | November 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Thrash / Death Metal | Running time: 35:36 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Subhuman is an Italian thrashing death metal band formed in 2001. After a demo in 2005 they released their first full album just about a year ago. This has been picked up by Maple Metal Records and is now being released by them since august. This band brings a nice mix of thrash and death metal with the focus on thrash metal musically and the vocals are more of grunt and a metalcore scream combined. Besided the vocals there are more metalcore influences by some breakdowns, but the focus of it all remains thrash: fast paced riffs, pounding drums, some nice solo's. On the downside the band writes their songs in Italian which makes it a bit harder to acces but I don't think anyone will actually care once they're getting their ass kicked in the moshpits. | |||
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Visit their Website: http://www.subhumanmetal.it
Recordlabel: http://www.myspace.com/maplemetal MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/subhumanweb |
80/100 |
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| SYCRONOMICA – Sycroscope (CD) | Germany | November 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Symphonic Black Metal | Running time: 54:51 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Some time ago the news reached me that Simon Hestnaes had left Dimmu Borgir. While listening to Sycronomica's new album “Sycroscope” I frequently thought that he had joined the ranks of this German black metal band. With this 3th full length the band goes further with their worshipping of Dimmu Borgir. Sure there is a lot going on' on this record but people, one Dimmu Borgir is enough for me. I don't know where the market for this kind of band lies but the honey-sweet symphonic black metal immediately gets on my nerves. Biggest problem is that the band tries to mix in some power metal influences from time to time which does the overall sound no good. I can't think of a band that wants their black metal sounding happy and kitsch? The last few years Germany is one of the leading countries concerning black metal. With bands as Lunar Aurora (RIP), Nagelfar (RIP) the path was paved for other good bands. Sycronomica is definitely not on that path. They're nowhere even near, damn copycats! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.sycronomica.de
Recordlabel: http://www.silverwolf-productions.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sycronomica |
45/100 |
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| THE 11th HOUR - Burden of Grief (CD) | The Netherlands/Sweden | November 2009 | Corinne van den Brand |
| Style: Doom Metal | Running time: 52:37 (Tracks: 6) | ||
| The 11TH Hour is a new Dutch/Swedish doom metal band formed by Ed Warby ( Gorefest, Hail of Bullets, Ayreon, Elegy ) and Rogga Johansson ( Edge of Sanity, Demiurg ). Making a doom metal album is a wish come true for Ed bacause he is a fan of the genre for a long time and he wrote all the material for this album and plays all the instruments. The vocals are a joint effort of both Ed and Rogga. It`s a concept album about a man dying of lung cancer haunted by nightmares forcing him to revisit the blackest days of his life and in his last days he tries to get a grip of his troubled past and attemps to redeem himself. 'Burden of Grief' turned out to be a heavy doom, melancholic album with a typical slow pace which reminds me of bands like Candlemass ( Especially the first song ) although The 11th Hour doesn`t have mid tempo songs but keeps on playing the same pace throughout the album. The keyboards are beautifully woven into the structure of the songs without having the upper hand.The vocals of Ed surprise me. He has a very clean and sad melancholic voice although it`s not very powerfull. But he sings with a lot of emotion and with the theme of this cd it`s very effective. On the other hand you can`t say the voice of Rogga is not very powerfull. The contrast with Ed`s vocals is huge. His guttural grinding death vocals are a welcome variation with Ed`s clean vocals. I like that and I wish he had a larger share on this album but I get the idea of Ed`s vocals represent the sad , melancholic site of the old dying man and Rogga the bitter, angry site. 'Burden of Grief' turned out to be a very good cd although it`s nothing groundbreaking or innovative but to all doom fans it`s a nice addition to their collection. < /td> | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.napalmrecords.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/11thhourdoom |
82/100 |
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| THEODORE ZIRAS – Territory 4 (CD) | Greece | November 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Instrumental Progressive Rock | Running time: 44:10 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| Greece seems to be the country where the new rockstars emerge, like Sweden had the honour back in the eighties. After Laki Ragazas' Killer Sixgun, please welcome Theodore Ziras, a guitarist in the style of Steve Vai meets Tony Macalpine. Ziras moved to Great Britain to get his bachelor in music performance & composition at the prestigious guitar institute of London which he became in 2001. Immediately after his return to Greece he signed his first solo record deal for “Trained To Play” - released in April 2001. Almost two years later Ziras prepared his second album “Virtual Virtuosity” (March 2003) and only a few months later he decided to produce an album with vocals together with the German Jiotis Parcharidis (Human Fortress) and after two years of recording the “Euroforce” album hit the market on June 2005. Always a busy man, Ziras prepared his third instrumental album. On this “Hyperpyrexia” Theodore plays along with legendary keyboardist Derek Sherinian. And now his 4th album. And what an album it is. Combine fusion with rock and metal and there you go. Theodore collected some fine musicians to make this album which makes me think back to the first time I heard Tony Macalpine; I was like Wow…… Although more experimental sounding, this album grabs you by the throat. Go and get it if you like guitar masterminds that can handle a guitar. On this CD you can listen to a diversity of styles such as metal, shred, rock and fusion, all mixed together in a unique way. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.theodoreziras.com
Recordlabel: http://www. sleaszyrider.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theodorezirasguitar |
90/100 |
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| VL45 - Inside the Dice (CD) | Hungary | November 2009 | Corinne van den Brand |
| Style: Hardrock | Running time: 53:50 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| I couldn't find a lot of information about VL45 on the internet and their wasn`t a lot of info with the digipack I got so I can`t tell a lot about the band. They are from Hungary and released their first demo in 2002. The band is Apron Antal on drums, Botka Zsolt-guitar, Meszaros-Komaromy denes on bass and Szabo David on vocals and he also is responsable for the artwork on the cd. What can I say about the music. It`s decently played hardrock with a touch of grunge and now and then a bit emo. Straight forward metal with good vocals(without an accent!!!) but it`s nothing more than that. Not a band to really listen to but a nice cd to play on the background while you do other stuff like write reviews or whatever .It`s all well played and the guitarsound is pretty edgy and the cd is well produced but it`s just not my genre. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.vl45.hu
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/vl45 |
60/100 |
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| W.A.S.P. - Babylon (CD) | USA | November 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal | Running time: 43:45 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| “Babylon” is the fourteenth studio album of W.A.S.P. and features 9 songs. I must admit that I can't compare this new album with previous albums, because I only have the first two albums “W.A.S.P.” (1984) and “The Last Command” (1985), which are real classics. W.A.S.P. is of course Blackie Lawless (real name Steven Edward Duren), who's the only remaining original member of the band. Besides Lawless on vocals and guitar (on the first two albums Lawless played bass), W.A.S.P. exists of Doug Blair (lead & rhythm guitar), Mike Duda (bass) and Mike Dupke (drums). This album is based around the biblical visions of "The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse". Those “Four Horseman” are shown on the beautiful album cover. Two of the nine tracks on “Babylon” are covers. The first one is a fantastic version of DEEP PURPLE's classic “Burn” (one of my all time favorite PURPLE songs). The second one, which is the last track of the album, is “Promised Land” of legendary rock and roll star CHUCK BERRY (of his 1964 album “St. Louis To Liverpool”) and is a nice rock and roll version. There are two (semi) ballads on “Babylon”, which are “Into The Fire” and “Godless Run”. These are nice songs, but I prefer heavy rockers. Of course Blackie Lawless has a very recognizable voice. If you hear him sing, you immediately know that it's W.A.S.P. The best song on “Babylon” is absolutely “Babylon's Burning”. Other favorite songs are “Crazy”, “Burn”, “Thunder Red” and “Seas Of Fire”. Fantastic album. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.waspnation.com
Recordlabel: http://www.demolitionrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wasp |
86/100 |
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| WATCH ME BLEED – Souldrinker (CD) | Germany | November 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Modern Metal | Running time: 45:00 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| WATCH ME BLEED was founded in the spring of 2007 by Markus Pohl (Symphorce, Mystic Prophecy) and Steffen Theurer (Symphorce). Kickdown frontman Chris Rodens completed the line up, and six weeks later they hit the stage supporting Stone Sour. In 2008 Markus Wenzel from Austrian Deathcore-heroes Inzest joined the band , a second singer who adds more aggression with his death metal voice. In 2009 the band recorded their debut album Souldrinker, produced and mixed by Christian Moos (Delain, Everon, C-187…) and mastered by Eroc (Sodom, Delain…). Souldrinker contains eleven songs with guest appearances by Andy B. Frank (Brainstorm), Nemesis (Eigensinn) and Greek guitar-wizard Constantine (Mystic Prophecy, The Descending). The music of WATCH ME BLEED is a mix of thrash, death and a bit of hardcore in it, mixed to a modern metal sound. Most unique item is of course that this band has 2 leadsingers, although it is a matter of taste if you will like it this way. Musically it sounds rock solid, great riffing with enough variety in their songs, sometimes melodic, other parts most aggressive with maybe even some Pantera influences here and there. The album has a good production, which makes it sound very heavy, a big plus. Also the cover is nicely done, best songs to me are The Bleeding Chalice and The Game Is On, try it out and decide if you like them cause this is not bad at all, one of the better new heavy bands in metal land. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.watchmebleed.com
Recordlabel: http://www.silverwolf-productions.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/watchmebleed667 |
74/100 |
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| ZANARKAND – Mas Alla (CD) | Spain | November 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 36:54 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Spanish band Zanarkand is a newcomer which debuts with “Mas Alla”. The lyrics are in Spanish of course and the music is a mix of classic heavy and power metal. The first thing I noticed was the very good and powerful voice of singer Jose Manuel Varela. The rest of the band also delivers attractive metal with lots of melody and passion. They reminded me of some other well know Spanish metal groups like Tierra Santa and Lujuria. “Mas Alla” is a well executed metal album which features some very interesting and enjoyable songs. The cd also features two video clips. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.zanarkandmetal.com
Recordlabel: http://www.santogrialproducciones.es MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/zanarkandmetal |
76/100 |
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| ASKA – Absolute Power (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: US Power Metal | Running time: 48:38 (Tracks: 10) | ||
|
ASKA is born during the nascent alternative/grunge movement of the early 90's and eschews the popular fad in favor of playing metal music…their way. Metal Gods, both past and present, find worthy brothers-in-arms in ASKA. Their ways have not been forgotten but are indeed carried on with pride by this Dallas based construct of metal passion and fury. This is just a small part of their long biography. This is the bands 5th release and shame on me; my first acquaintance with these US power metallers! I've seen the band last April at the Keep it True festival in Germany and they blew me away! The only thing I heard before of this band was the fact that there singer is also the new singer of US-power metallers Omen these days (see my Omen review this month @ the Swordbrothers festival)….. Because I was never a big fan of Omen's music I wasn't really interested in listening to the bands music. Still I have the drift to check out every band at any festival because im always in for surprises for this kind of bands. I discovered a lot of great bands during all these years by following my biggest passion; listening to every kind of metal. Luckily after the KIT show the band gave me their latest release (2007 originally) to review for MMM The band makes real powermetal in a way I like it most; technical US powermetal with excellent vocals! The band does not have any musical link with Omen (luckily) but can be compared with bands like; Jacob's Dream, Riot, Sacred Oath, Savatage, Liege Lord and I hear a lot of Iron Maiden elements back in their music. The songs vary from uptempo to ballads but all performed very well. Singer George Call has a remarkable voice and a very wide range; excellent! This is a great album filled with metal evergreens and the band should be checked out by everybody that likes technical powermetal in a way only US-musicians can arrange it! Awesome album! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.askaband.com
Recordlabel: http://www.myspace.com/vanadiumrecords MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/askaband |
93/100 |
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| AT DAGGERS DRAWN – Ignition (CDemo) | Germany | October 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Melodic Death Metal. | Running time: 23:32 (Tracks: 5) | ||
| This is the demo from German melodic death metallers At Daggers Drawn (ADD) which is obviously recorded to score a record deal. And while ADD doesn't reinvent the wheel with their organized on the same lines melodic death metal such as, lets say In Flames or Soilwork, the potential is there because of good diverse song writing and o.k. instrumentation. The use of the keys give this demo a modern/futuristic sound which is a plus. Within a few songs the band tries to adapt some metalcore riffs which contributes to the aforementioned diversity. The clean vocals are something that I am not that amused with because of the German accent. But I am glad they are not as much used as the grunts and screams. ADD shows on almost every part that they are professional in what they are doing. A record deal won't be far away! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.at-daggers-drawn.net MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/atdaggersdrawnmetal |
80/100 |
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| BACKLASH – Backlash (CDemo) | USA | October 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 17:00 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| This is a demo cd of Backlash from Florida, USA, with came with no info at all, which is too bad, because this is great stuff! The band consists of John Sparks (guitar, vocals), Dan Alonzo (vocals), Jim Dailey (drums) and Nathalie Roeck (bass guitar). There are lots of bands called Backlash, I found out looking over the internet for some info on this band, but this one rocks for real! On this demo cd you will find 4 tracks in real old school true metal style, the way Mario likes it I think, and I know I like what I hear on this one! This band has the high pitch vocals and superb guitar work, and not to forget great songs with 'Apocalyptic Cataclysm', 'Mad at the World', 'Shackled and Bound' and last track 'Hell Will Rise', all good songs in true metal style as I see it, I love it. Too bad there wasn´t any info to be found on their MySpace page, but the music counts! | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/unofficalbacklash1 |
85/100 |
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| CLAMATH - Last Exit To Damnation (CDemo) | Finland | October 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Thrash / Metal | Running time: 16:45 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| "Last Exit To Damnation" is a four track CDemo of CLAMATH, a metal band from FINLAND, who was formed in 2002. According to their biography, the band had many line-up changes during the years. In 2006 they recorded also a four track demo called "Mushroomcloud Solutions". The current line-up of CLAMATH exists of Ville "Turo" Niskakoski (vocals), Mikko Syväterä (guitar & backing vocals), Olli Sundholm (bass) and Panu Koskinen (drums). On this CDemo the bass parts were done by Janne Findeiss and Syväterä also did the drums parts. CLAMATH is influenced by metal bands such as PANTERA, THE HAUNTED and LAMB OF GOD. The first track of this demo, which is called "State Of Total Awareness", is in my opinion the best one. Some riffs of second song "The Blackest Nightmare", which is a good song too, reminds me of MASTODON. The other two songs on this demo "Ground Breaks" and "Last Exit To Damnation" are just nice. The production is of this demo is okay. I hope the band will have a steady line-up now, because having line-up changes constantly is not good for a band. Anyway, I don't know what the price will be of this CDemo, but if you are interested in it, contact them at clamath_@hotmail.com or through their MySpace page. Not bad, just a nice moderate demo if you ask me. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.clamath.cjb.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/clamath1 |
69/100 |
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| CONSTRUCDEAD - Endless Echo (CD) | Sweden | October 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Thrash / Melodic Death Metal | Running time: 44:27 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| Also from Sweden comes CONSTRUCDEAD, which is a 5 piece melodic Thrash/Death Metal band from Stockholm, existing of Jens Broman (vocals), Christian Ericson (guitar), Rickard Dahlberg (guitar, backing & additional vocals), Thomas Wallander (bass) and Nicke Karlsson (drums). The band exists since 1999 and has had several line-up changes. CONSTRUCDEAD released several EP's and three albums so far. This fourth studio album "Endless Echo", which was already recorded in August & September of 2007, is my first acquaintance of CONSTRUCDEAD. So I can’t compare this album with their previous albums. Anyway, "Endless Echo" contains twelve songs and is very well produced by Peter Wildoer, Klas Ideberg and the band themselves. The vocals of Broman (who’s also the singer of DARKANE and THE DEFACED) are very varied. On the second track of the album, which is "My Haven", Björn "Speed" Strid of SOILWORK is doing some guest vocals. The music which the band plays is a mixture of melodic Death Metal with Thrash. Actually, it’s not sounding very original. I would say that for this genre "Endless Echo" is not a very notable album, but it’s just a moderate one. My favourite songs are "Sedated Morning", "Endless Echoes", "Disfigured Beauty", "No Exit" and "The One Beside Me". If you like bands as DARKANE, IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, then you can check this band out too. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.construcdead.com
Recordlabel: http://www.blacklodge.se MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/construcdead |
76/100 |
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| CRESCENT SHIELD – The Stars of Never Seen (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: US Power Metal | Running time: 48:58 (Tracks: 9) | ||
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Crescent Shield began in 2000, originally as a side project for then-Onward vocalist Michael Grant and then-Destiny's End guitarist Daniel DeLucie. They completed the line-up with drummer Craig Anderson (ex-Ignite/Engine/Destiny's End/Seven Witches) and bassist Melanie Sisneros (ex-New Eden/The Iron Maidens/Sinergy). I already reviewed the bands debut album "The Last of my Kind" in January 2007. Well finally here is the the follow up to that album and again its released on the good Cruz Del Sur label. Unfortunately this will most likely be the last album I review for Cruz Del Sur because this label also switched to I-Pool downloads and we as MMM team don't cooperate to much with that system. The new album is again a very decent album but I don't hear a lot of progression since their debut and that's a pity! Musically its again more than okay but I have the feeling that the band has chosen for a save direction. The band that I compared Crescent Shield with; Destiny's End, had the same problem and split up after their second album. Hopefully Crescent Shield will go on but they really need more refreshing elements on an eventual 3rd album. Again a good album with great musicianship, nice vocals but as said; to less progression to my opinion. Still hope to see the band live because I missed their KIT 10 performance due to personal reasons. I still think that Michael Grant is a good singer but to this kind of metal you need more high-pitch orientated vocals. But than again they have to watch out that they don't get an even more Destiny's End sound…… | |||
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Visit their website: http://blog.crescentshield.com
Recordlabel: http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/crescentshield |
78/100 |
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| DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA - Sing Along Songs for the Damned & Delirious (CD) | Sweden | October 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Experimental / Avant-garde / Symphonic metal | Running time: 50:13 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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Strange, that is what I thought when I heard the first sounds of "Sing Along Songs for the Damned & Delirious", the new album of the Diablo Swing Orchestra. But the music directly attracted my attention. Diablo Swing Orchestra was founded in Stockholm in 2003 and consists of six highly skilled musicians. The name of the band has it's origin in the 16th century. The history tells the tale of an orchestra that played like no other and whose music overwhelmed audiences over the whole country. However the orchestra had big problems with the church, which wanted to restrict their influence on the population. In 2003, Diablo Swing Orchestra released the EP Borderline Hymns, but the "The Butcher's Ballroom", released in 2006/2007, is considered as their official debut album. In the mean time, the band has gained a loyal fan base. "Sing Along Songs for the Damned & Delirious" is Diablo Swing Orchestra's second full length album. The ten songs on the album are very different. The music that Diablo Swing Orchestra plays is very diverse. You can hear lots of jazz, folk, a big classical influence (especially the vocals of Annlouice Loegdlund-Wolgers) and, of course, heavy rock and metal. The orchestration of the songs is also unique, with all kinds of keyboards, cello and percussion. One moment you think the music is just only metal, the other moment you hear folk or jazz. The compositions are quite nice, but sometimes I lose my attention because of the intensive and chaotic character of the music. In my opinion this is an album you have to listen with an open mind. It is very hard to give this album a score because of its unique character. Some people will have the opinion that it's brilliant, I'm still not convinced totally, the album needs more time. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.diabloswing.com
Recordlabel: http://www.ascendancerecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/diabloswingorchestra |
72/100 |
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| ENSIFERUM – From Afar (CD) | Finland | October 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Viking / Folk metal | Running time: 56:40 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Our favourite pagan/folk metal friends from Finland are back with a new album. "From Afar" is their fourth full length album and could be considered as their strongest to date. Ensiferum is a band that believes in what it is doing. They take their image a bit more seriously and that's something you can hear through the music. Although the main focus of the band is still to drink some beer and having a good time listening to their music. To me it just sounds more "mature" than other bands in this genre. Of course there are some "happy tunes" throughout the album. For example take "Stone Cold Metal" with a middle part that sounds as a "Finnish western" (the first in history, I think), but most of the album embodies are serious and symphonic sound. Ensiferum actually plays power metal but because of the image, the odd instruments (Hammond, banjo) and besides the normal vocals, harsh sounding grunts and screams its sound is quite diverse. Most of the songs are up tempo folkbeat melodies with some thrash parts woven into them and revealing a sense of energetic enjoyment. Nothing new to the front but always good for a pleasant evening with your drinking brothers. I am not quite sure if the title refers to a journey the Norsemen made from the north east of Ethiopia. Afar is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia and is the homeland of the Afar people. Since the lyrics are not so thorough I hope I have the change to ask one of the band members sometimes. Maybe Afar is just a fantasy name meaning nothing. On the metal archives I read a review of this album sentencing "If you buy one folk metal album this year…" Right! It would be this one! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.ensiferum.com
Recordlabel: http://www.spinefarm.fi MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ensiferum |
78/100 |
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| EVIL SHEPHERD - Sadistik Legions (CDemo) | Belgium | October 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 18:56 (Tracks: 6) | ||
| After 2 thrash metal bands from the 'dender' region in Belgium split up, some of their members decided to join forces and form the old school thrash project that is today known as Evil Shepherd. The band immediately hit off with a bunch of live shows and in June of this year their demo 'Sadistik Legions' was released. This demo consists of 6 tracks of pure old school thrashmetal. The fans of the genre know what to expect: fast songs with nice riffs, pounding drums and vocals that rip through all of it nicely. The cool part of this demo is that you actually hear that the guys are enjoying themselves immensely which results in realy cool songs that makes you want to bang your head and hit your best friend in the face. Since this is just a demo the sound isn't what it should be but I find that this actually adds up to the charm of the band, thrash shouldn't be nice and clean and overproduced. Anyway as every old school thrash project these songs are meant to be played live so you'll get to go completely ape shit and mosh the shit up. Thrash metal fans, go support your underground and check these guys out! | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/evilshepherdthrash |
78/100 |
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| GRIEVING AGE – In Aloof Lantern, Thy Bequeathed A Wailer Quietus… (CD) | Saudi Arabia | October 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Doom / Death Metal | Running time: 36:54 (Tracks: 2) | ||
| One of the two bands I know from Saudi Arabia besides black metal based band Al-Namrood. Grieving age are a doom /death metal band and are quite new to the scene. After Ghassan and Ahmed met each other in a record store in Saudi Arabia they decided to form a doom band. Later on Emad from Wasted Land joined them on drums, Abdullah on piano and Ayman from Wasted Land took the change to play the 2nd guitar. There biography says that the first single they recorded "My Hopeless River" was a big success in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon. I wonder what that means in these countries? After some changes on the bass and a demo recorded they got picked up by the Spanish label Lugga Music productions and recorded their first full length album "In Aloof Lantern, Thy Bequeathed A Wailer Quietus… (I am not going to translate this for you) There are only two songs contributing the album which are rather boring if you ask me. Diversity is something this band hasn't heard of. The band would like to let us know that they were influenced by My Dying Bride and (old) Anathema but they weren't this monotone and boring as Grieving Age. Both songs really seem to go nowhere and the Fred Flinstone grunt gets annoying after a couple of minutes. Too bad because on other parts the Grieving Age really tried their best by letting Dan Swano do the mixing and mastering and Aaron Stainthorpe (My Dying Bride) doing the artwork. But all these things can't save the music itself which is no more than mediocre doom at best. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.grievingage.multiply.com
Recordlabel: http://www.luggamusic.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/grievingage |
55/100 |
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| HARM - The Nine (CD) | Canada | October 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal / Alternative Rock | Running time: 45:21 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| Wow, this album "The Nine" of HARM is (more than) a very nice acquaintance to me. I never had heard of this band before, but what they present on this album is just awesome. HARM is a band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and was formed in 2003. The band exists of Steve Sharpen (vocals), Mike Allen (guitar), Ania Fitch (bass, vocals) and Enrique Changanaqui (drums). "The Nine" is the second album of the band (their self titled debut album was released in October of 2008) and is released through Hypnotic/E1 (distribution by Suburban). The band of which HARM reminds me the most of is TOOL. Steven Sharpen is a fantastic singer. His vocals are very varied, brutal screams but also vocals like TOOL's Maynard James Keenan. The album has a very simple cover, but the ten songs on it are just all brilliant. The level of the songs is very high. At least, I can't find any weak song on "The Nine". It doesn't matter if you listen to songs like "Little Pariah" (which is the first single of the album), "Philistine", "Stuck In Time", "Argue And Grin" or "Hand Me Down Virtue", because all songs are superb. Great riffs, fantastic grooves, awesome vocals of Sharpen and a marvellous production of Tom Treumuth. I don't have any negative points about this album. I'm just very impressed by these Canadians. To me, they are the discovery of the month. TOOL fans CHECK THIS BAND OUT, I'm really sure you will like HARM as well. Very promising band of which we will hear much more in the future I think. Anyway, superb album. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.suburban.nl
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/harmband |
88/100 |
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| HATEBREED - Hatebreed (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Hardcore | Running time: 42:20 (Tracks: 14) | ||
| When Hatebreed, the band responsible for the revival of hardcore music and it's popularity among younger people releases a new album every fan of the genre can't deny to be curious about it. Since their last album 'Supremacy' didn't really do it for me, while I'm a huge fan of their earlier work, I was afraid of this one as well. But it seems that the recordings of their cover album 'For the Lions' got them right back to their roots as the self titled new album is just a 14 track kick in the balls! This record has about everything a good hardcore record should have: great riffing, agressive vocals, enormous breakdowns and songs that keep playing in your head for days. Add some great thrash metal influences, Jayme Jasta's killer voice, recognizable lyrics and a good production and you've got yourself a hardcore record that every fan will love. The whole record also sounds more old school than the previous one which is a good thing in my opinion so I would really recommend this one to the fans of the genre. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.hatebreed.com
Recordlabel: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hatebreed |
85/100 |
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| HYADES – The Roots of Trash (CD) | Italy | October 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Old School Thrash Metal | Running time: 43:02 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| Hyades from Italy is a band which I already know for many years. The band was formed around 1996 and in 2004 I already reviewed their "No Bullshit....just Metal!" & "Hyades" demo's. So far a bio I want to advice you all to check out the earlier reviews of this band. Their previous album "And The Worst Is Yet To Come" album of 2007 was also reviewed on MMM. Because im friends with their guitarplayer Lorenzo Testa, I managed to book the band 2 years ago to play at the Tilburg Headbangers Fest which I co-organised for 2 editions. Well, I can tell; they blew the whole place down with their energy! That was also the main reason that I booked the band again for this year's instalment of Mario's Metal Meeting 3 on the 4th of October at the 013 venue in Tilburg, The Netherlands. This is a real live band and all the guys are very addicted with their love for oldschool thrashmetal! I can tell a lot about these guys and this album but the best advice is to check them out (if you read this review on time….). I was planning to review this album already in September but unfortunately I received it 1 day before that September deadline/update but here it is finally. Hyades plays metal in the vein of old Bay Area bands like; Exodus, Testament & Heathen. If you're still stocked into the 80's thrashmetal than you should check this band (and all their releases) out! They are going to raise the roof of the 013 venue; that's for sure! Only little complain is the picture at the innersleeve with my own ugly face on it, hahhahaaha. Nevertheless I have to be honest and rate this album without any personal influences but I can guarantee that this review is honest a hell!! Very good album by one the leading European retro-thrashers! Without the non-thrash cover "Come out and Play" from The Offspring my rate would have even be higher….. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.hyadesmetal.com
Recordlabel: http://www.mausoleum-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hyadesband |
88/100 |
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| HYSTERICA – Metal War (CD) | Sweden | October 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Female Heavy / True Metal | Running time: 40:04 (Tracks: 11) | ||
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From the start female guitarist Bitchie decided to start a new metal band with females only.
She had played in a lot of bands over the years, but this was going to be something totally different. As the name Hysterica was formed, the search for band members began.
She wanted girls with great skills for their instruments and vocals but still was crazy and fun.
Hysterica has been playing live at all kind of stages and it has taken about three years with different members to form what today is the final HYSTERICA, ready to conquer the world. In 2006, Hysterica made a demo that included 6 tracks. The demo was a great success. A lot of people blame me to be a real true metal fan but that's not true at all! I prefer well played US-metal which has to my opinion more potential than any European band. Still there are a lot of great bands from Europe which I also adore. Hysterica is one of them but that has more to do with their looks; ive seen the band a while ago in Weert, The Netherlands and I can assure you that they all look good and I have a weak for their singer Anni De Vil who is looking awesome. Musically its all nice to hear but I know lots of better bands that play better but have awefull looks (maybe because most of them are male bands???). During the gig at De Bosuil in Weert it counted me that the band was rather unexperienced on stage but you cant hear that on this album. The production & mix is awesome done by Tommy & Peter Tagtren (Hypocrisy, Pain). The booklet is also looking very professional and I heard that the band is planning a new tour in October/November this year in Europe. This is food for horny Manowar fans and unfortunately im not one of them. According the band im also not a "Heavy Metal Man" because you need long hair & tattoos for that?? I think that being a Heavy Metal Man has more to do with your attitude instead of your looks….. Still I have to rate this album positive because of the professional looks & awesome sound! Check them out in your neighbourhood if you are also sick of all these ugly male bands! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.hysterica.se
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hysterica |
75/100 |
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| IRON AGE - The Sleeping Eye (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Thrash / Metal / Doom | Running time: 44:02 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| IRON AGE is a five piece band from Austin, Texas, U.S.A. and exists of Jason, Jared, Ribz, Wade and Alex. It's not clear who's the singer and who's playing which instrument. It's not mentioned on the attached info sheet of the CD and it's also not mentioned on their MySpace page. The band was formed in 2005 and their debut album "Constant Struggle" was released in 2006. This second album "The Sleeping Eye" was released on August 4th on Tee Pee Records (distribution by Suburban) and features 8 moderate thrash songs with sometimes heavy doom parts. It's just riffs we've heard hundred times before. So, it's all sounds not very original. Personally I'm not really impressed by IRON AGE. But if you are curious about this band, check them out yourself. And if you do want to see them live, they are doing a European tour from November 6th until November 28th (according their MySpace pace). For our Dutch readers, the band is playing at the Dynamo, Eindhoven on November 26th. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.thesleepingeyeofold.blogspot.com
Recordlabel: http://www.teepeerecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ironagetexas |
65/100 |
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| IZEGRIM – Point of no Return (MCD) | The Netherlands | October 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 16:40 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| 'On the record I bought afterwards you can hear the potential of this band.' That was the last comment of my Izegrim review on their performance at the Mezz, Breda. The record I was talking about was 'Point of no Return,' the same record that is being reviewed here. Izegrim has been around since 1996. Since then, they quickly built up a reputation in the (inter)national metal scene with their thrash metal. A lot of this has to do with their live presentation, but also with their releases. Here's a short overview of their discography: 'Bird of Prey [MCD]' in 1999, 'Guidelines for Genocide [CD]' in 2002, 'New World Order [MCD]' in 2005 and the second full length 'Tribute to Totalitarianism' in 2008. When 'Tribute to Totalitarianism' was released, a successful tour with Flotsam & Jetsam followed. After that, a couple of line-up changes took place and Marloes became the main vocalist. Now it is 2009 and the band has came up with their new MCD 'Point of no return.' It consists of three new tracks and a re-recording of 'Angel of Demise.' This last track was originally available on the sold out album 'Guidelines for Genocide.' All right, let's focus on the new record shall we? The new material brings a lot of variety and subtle breaks in he best Izegrim tradition. The band has managed to find a good balance between their melodic aspect and well-known aggression. The vocals are really suiting the emotion of the songs as well. With this record Izegrim has given us a nice introduction to the new line-up. Hopefully this MCD is a foretaste of the next full length, but meanwhile we have 'Point of no return' to enjoy. O yeah, one other thing…Go check them out! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.izegrim.nl
Recordlabel: http://www.rustycagerecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/izegrim |
75/100 |
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| KRASS-T – Le Jour Du Saigneur (CD) | France | October 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Grind / MetalCore | Running time: 39:05 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| This KRASS T was born in December 2003 as a guitar/drum duo, but started playing regularly with a bassplayer and singer during 2004. Their main influences being Pantera, Slayer, Autopsy, 80's Metallica, Sepultura, Kreator, AC/DC and some bands from the hardcore scene like, Suicidal Tendencies, Deviate and also some punk and rock bands like, The Exploited, Berurier noir, Nirvana, etc…you get the idea. The band's name comes from hypocrisy and ugliness of social links within a capitalist, money making society in general searching for non stop and quick profit instead of respecting people. All this shit making KRASS T playing some nervous and explosive hardcore metal to thrash frustrations and negativity in a positive way. Krass-T have been playing live all over France in 2008 including some festivals, and now they have recorded their self-produced debut album "Le Jour Du Saigneur". This is a 100% DIY album from recording to distribution, considering this the band did a great job. Maybe the production could have been done a bit better, but I guess it sounds how it should sound for this kind of music. Hard, mean, fast and dirty sometimes even reminding me a bit of old Napalm Death, food for those who dig raw grinding hardcore stuff. After a funny intro, the bands start raging, songs like 'In Your Nose', 'Du Nerf', 'Hysteria' all grind to the bone, maybe not the most original band, but they do it convincingly well. It will only be a matter of time and experience before they get big in the grindcore scene, cause the quality is definitely there, great riffs and overall some good ideas , they really have proven to be a band to keep in mind for the future! | |||
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Visit their website: http://krasst.free.fr
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/krasst |
79 /100 |
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| LEAVES' EYES – Njord (CD) | Norway/Germany/USA | October 2009 | Frans Neelen |
| Style: Gothic Rock / Metal | Running time: 55.57 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| The Vikingship of Leaves' Eyes has definitely a stormy wind in his huge sail. With a hardworking band at the oars and the sympathetic Krull family wielding the rudder, the band sets sail to claim the crown of Gothic Rock. Again they exceed their former releases in professionalism. Just take a look at the wonderful artwork/package, the amazing clip they made for "My Destiny" and set you ears wide open for the magnificent, epic sound of the album. This time they hired in the Lingua Mortis Orchestra who helped them to create a more symphonic sound and that turns out to be an excellent choice. Now the band always were a guarantee for good solid work on their albums and artwork, but this massive sound fits them better than a glove. On the albums "Vinland Saga/Legend Land" the songs told the story of Leifr Eiríksson and his mates discovering America, this time the band extracted inspiration out of old Norse and mediaeval myths and legends. Now I can certainly deal with that, because it's the most interesting period in history. With the sound waves crushing the Norwegian shores, "Njord" opens bombastically and sets the tone for the rest of the album. Follower "My Destiny" is so damn catchy that it is almost impossible to get it out of your head, a logical single choice. The album further on offers good solid tracks like "Take the Devil in Me" and "Northbound" which are alternated by the beautiful "Irish Rain" and a superb cover version of "Scarborough Fair", in which the addition of uilleann pipes and whistles really works and Liv leaves us no doubt about her vocal talents. Speaking about the vocals, Liv sings more varied and impressive than ever and it's a real enjoyment listening to her. In all the parts she sounds confident, proving that no matter what, she is capable singing it. Also the other band members are delivering a fine demonstration of their skills. All this comes together in the most darkest song Leaves' Eyes ever put together listening to the name of "Ragnarok". Let in by an epic intro followed by brilliant massive drumming of Seven Antonopolous (man, I love those pounding drums, you can wake me up for this), Liv's shows her voice in all varieties while Thorsten Bauer and Mathias Röderer's are delivering fierce guitar attacks alternated by harsh solo work. Alexander Krull's brutal screams contrast beautifully, making it all sound more dramatically. Certainly my highlight of this album. Last but certainly not least the band has another strong iron in the fire calling "Froya's Theme"; a real epic of 8 minutes which has everything to become a certain classic. Spoken-word interludes, varied guitar work, tremendous vocals and double bass drums; you name it, this song has it. Good choice to put it on the end of the album because it invites you to give the album another swing around in your cd player. With all the nuances they put in the numbers and an excellent production by the big guy Alexander himself, this album sounds like the proverbial Swiss clock. A big plus is also that they have managed to catch the sphere of the old North and Medieval ages. Isn't there anything to nag about then ? Of course there is, if you want to. "Through our Veins" and "The Holy Bound" can be described as a bit on-going tracks, good, but not special, while Alexander's raging (almost Black Metal) screams in "Emerald Island" doesn't really fit in. Personally I miss some of his vocal contributions like in for example "The Crossing" and "A Vikings Word" from "Legend Land". What also made my eyebrows drag was the fact that Thorsten took care of the bass parts (terrific job by the way) instead of bass player Alla Fedynitch. A bit peculiar while she is in the band now for more than a year. Maybe an explanation is there if the parts had already been done some time a go, because the band took their time finishing the album. But as I said, that's just nagging, after all it was certainly worth the wait. With this splendid record on board, these Vikings are more than ready to conquer the world, spreading the Vikings Word. And Odin nodded satisfied ……………. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.leaveseyes.com
Recordlabel: http://www.napalmrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/leaveseyespage |
90/100 |
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| MEAN STREAK - Metal Slave (CD) | Sweden | October 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Melodic Power Metal | Running time: 43:37 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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MEAN STREAK is a Swedish Power Metal band who was formed in the spring of 2006 by bassist Peter Anderson. He wanted to write Metal which comes straight from the heart and make music he truly loves. The first song Anderson wrote was "Rock City". But of course, for forming a band, you need more band members. So, the first one he contacted was singer, guitarist Andy La Guerin. The next thing they did was writing songs for somewhat six months. Then a drummer was needed which became Jonas Kallsback. And the last person who completed the line-up of MEAN STREAK is second lead guitarist Yngve Frank. This debut album "Metal Slave" features ten melodic Power Metal songs, and has a very good production, which was done by Anderson and La Guerin themselves. All ten songs are fantastic compositions with great melodies, and that makes this a very accessible album. La Guerin is a very good melodic Metal singer, with a very high vocal range. And both Yngve as well as Andy are very skilled guitarists. Just listen to their killer solos in many songs. The band reminds me of bands/artists like HELLOWEEN, PRIMAL FEAR and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN. But sometimes I hear some influences of IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST as well. Anyway, some favourite songs of me are "Whom The Gods Love Die Young" (great opener of the album), "Battle Within", "The Seventh Sign", "Raise Your Hands" and "Carved In Stone". If you like old school 80's/90's melodic Power Metal with very good vocals, then I'm sure you will like "Metal Slave" of MEAN STREAK too. Fantastic debut album. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.blacklodge.se
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/meanstreaksweden |
86/100 |
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| METALUCIFER – Heavy Metal Bulldozer (CD) | Japan | October 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 44:00 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| The Japanese heavy metal troopers are back! It has been a while since their last studio album although they released a great number of live recordings and split records during the last 8 years. "Heavy Metal Bulldozer" is a classic Metalucifer album. Great cult retro metal straight from the 80s with all the great values of that time. This album has more N.W.O.B.H.M. in it than the previous ones and a slightly better sound. I have a slight objection though. The cult vocals with the Japanese accent are no more since Elizablumi (Blumi from Metal Inquisitor) handles that particular duty. I am aware of a Japanese version of the album with Gezolucifer on lead vocals but didn't have the chance to listen to it. This album will not change the heavy metal map as we know it but will fuel the passion of all the Metalucifer maniacs that follow every step of the band. Fortunately I am one of them! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.holycaust.com/metalucifer.htm
Recordlabel: http://www.iron-pegasus.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/metaluciferfansite |
80/100 |
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| OMAINEN - Routes to Nowhere (CDemo) | France | October 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Power Metal | Running time: 19:50 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| Omainen is a French heavy metal band that was formed in 2002. They have just released a new demo which contains 4 tracks and is downloadable on their website. Since it's a free download you might want to check them out for yourself but personally I don't think they're worth the trouble. All four songs are mediocre at best. You can obviously hear that this band has some good musicians but the songs itself aren't anything special at all. What also bothers me is the singing, I don't find the vocalist that talented and that is actually necessary when you're playing a genre that is heavily influenced by the singer's performance. Overall this isn't a bad band but I would go as far as calling it good either. But since the download is free, why not check them out for yourself? | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.omainen.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/omainen |
52/100 |
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| OZ KNOZZ – 10,000 Days and Nights (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: AOR Rock | Running time: 38:19 (Tracks: 8) | ||
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OZ KNOZZ (pronounced as Oz Ka-nozz) has been active in the music scene for many years. They originated in 1969 and during the seventies they toured with bands like Supertramp, Kansas and Judas Priest, but this is my first acquaintance with the band. The line-up has changed over the years but the brothers Duane (Keyboards and Lead Vocals) and Bill Massey (Bass) are still present. At this moment the band consists of 5 members, Robert Guinea (Guitars) Marty Naul (Drums) Milton de Coronado (Keyboards and Lead Vocals) make the band complete. OZ KNOZZ released their first album, Ruff Mix, in 1975 but 10,000 Days and Nights is in fact their second album. This latest project started out as a way to archive some of the music they had written and performed over the years, but as the band spent more time and effort with the project, it seemed to take on a life of its own, and this new CD is the end result. The title 10,000 Days and Nights comes from the amount of time that has passed between the first OZ KNOZZ album and the current release. "10,000 Days and Nights" is the culmination of three years of work. The album is produced by the band itself and mixed by former Diamond Recording Studios Engineer Gregg Gill. The album contains 8 songs with original keyboard sounds and powerful guitar parts. I'm also impressed by the vocal performance of Milton de Coronado and Duane Massey. Sometimes I think I hear Ronny James Dio, the other moment I seem to hear Bobby Kimball (Toto). The songs are quite different if you compare them. Graven Image sounds more progressive while Telephone and You Can`t Win sound more commercial. But it's clear that the performance of all band members is really good. The only disappointment of the CD is the short running time. I can recommend the album to every fan who likes good AOR. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.ozknozz.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ozknozz |
85/100 |
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| PORCUPINE TREE – The Incident (2CD) | United Kingdom | October 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Progressive Rock |
Running time: CD1: 55:49 (Tracks: 14) CD2: 20:36 (Tracks: 4) | ||
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My first acquaintance with Porcupine Tree was the album 'Stupid Dream' which was released in 1999. A few months later, Porcupine Tree played in The Maaspoort in Den Bosch as the supporting program of Dream Theater. They surprised me with a fantastic gig, since then it`s one of my favorite bands. Porcupine Tree was founded as a solo project by Steven Wilson (Lead Vocals and Guitar) and his first release was 'On the Sunday of Life...' in 1992, an album full with all kinds of studio experiments. In 1993, Wilsons solo project became a band when Colin Edwin (Bass), Chris Maitland (Drums) and Richard Barbieri (Keyboards) were recruited to enable Porcupine Tree to perform live. Barbieri had previously been a member of the 80's band Japan. The first real band album recorded was 'Signify' in 1996, which was followed by 'Stupid Dream' (1999), a breakthrough album which saw the band move into a more song-orientated direction. Chris Maitland departed in 2002 and was replaced by Gavin Harrison. Since then, three major label albums were released: 'In Absentia', 'Deadwing' and the Grammy-nominated 'Fear of a Blank Planet'. In 2006, Porcupine Tree moved to the independent rock label Roadrunner. 'The Incident' is Porcupine Tree's tenth studio album and it has become a double CD. The album is produced by all four group members. The idea that led to 'The Incident' (especially CD 1) came to Steven Wilson as he became caught up in a motorway traffic jam whilst driving past a road accident. Later on, when he thought back about the incident, all kinds of personal incidents filled his mind and they became also a theme on the album. The music on both CD`s is of a very high level. They contain beautiful compositions where atmospheric parts are alternated by heavy parts with very nice riffs. The album's epic song has become my favourite. It is an 11-minute masterpiece called 'Time Flies', incluenced by (in my opinion) the best band ever, Pink Floyd. The second CD contains 4, more experimental songs. According to the band, they are all on a separate CD to stress their independence from CD 1. Finally, it can be concluded that 'The Incident' has become a masterpiece, it`s a must for every of progressive rock fan! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.porcupinetree.com
Recordlabel: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.nl MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/porcupinetree |
95/100 |
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| PRAYING MANTIS – Sanctuary (CD) | United Kingdom | October 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Melodic Metal | Running time: 61:40 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| Hard Rock veterans Praying Mantis are back with a brand new studio album. The Troy brothers have recruited a new line up and present us the long anticipated "Sanctuary". Initially I was planning on writing a huge text but to be honest there are not many things one can write. The Mantis is back with yet another winner. "Sanctuary" is an instant classic, a shinning jewel upon the band's crown. Everything yells Mantis. The classic melodies, the addictive choruses, every single piece of music bears the Troy Bros seal. The new singer is absolutely fabulous (yet another brilliant choice) and does the songs justice with his heartfelt performances. Grab this one immediately. Finding albums like this in our days is almost impossible. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.praying-mantis.com
Recordlabel: http://www.frontiers.it MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/prayingmantisrock |
88/100 |
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| RONNY MUNROE – The Fire Within (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Power Metal | Running time: 54:43 (Tracks: 12) | ||
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Ronny Munroe was the last Metal Church vocalist. He participated in the last 3 albums of the band and also recorded an album with power metal act Rottweiler. Unfortunately Metal Church is no more and Ronny presents us his first solo album (he also recorded an EP in 2007). In this recording Ronny sounds a bit different on many songs. He reminded me of Graham Bonnet in Blackthorne. He sings like a rabid dog but also manages to incorporate melody and passion in his performances. The songs are good but nothing that will make you fall of your chair. Classic heavy metal with power metal touches and a Judas Priest sound; reminiscent of the last Metal Church works where Ronny participated but certainly better than the last one. It's an enjoyable album that will satisfy the Metal Church junkies (like myself) and won't disappoint the traditional heavy power metal fans. Ronny also covers "Man on the Silver Mountain" with success. Go Ronny! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.ronnymunroe.com
Recordlabel: http://www.metalheaven.net MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ronnymunroe |
81/100 |
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| SACRED OATH – Sacred Oath (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: US Power Metal | Running time: 72:49 (Tracks: 14) | ||
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Sacred Oath is a band that I discovered just a few years ago but since that time im a huge fan of these US metallers! Strange when you know that this band already exist since 1985!! I already reviewed their albums; "A Crystal Revision", "Darkness Visible" & "Till Death do us Part (Live in Germany)" and all of them are classics in the us-metal (underground) scene. So im not gonna bore you again with the bands biography and just start with the review of the new album simply named "Sacred Oath". The first song 'Paradise Lost" is already an evergreen and has totally nothing to do with the eponymous band. 'Blood Storm' is also a typical midtempo song in the bands style. Over all this album has more midtempo songs than his predecessors and to my opninion that's a pity. Songs like "Voodoo Dolls' & 'Counting Zeros' are not really my cup of tea and sound to standard to me. Pity because on the older albums they didn't have that much of this kind of songs. It also looks more and more that the band is changing style; in the beginning there where a band influenced by Mercyful Fate/King Diamond while these days they remind me more of a mix of Iron Maiden meets Queensryche/Lethal. Not a bad direction of course at all. 'Caught in the Arc' is a faster song with some nice breaks. The same goes for Mistress of the Setting Sun'. Title song 'Sacred Oath' is a classic one with the typical Rob Thorne high pitchers which I miss to much on this album. 'What the Dark Lord will undo' starts as a ballad but has a superb oldschool break which reminds me to some Dio songs. 'Scourge of Sin' is also an uptempo song which reminds me to the older Metal Church stuff. Over all I have a little complain about this album and that's, as said before, there are to much midtempo songs on this album and with a running time of nearly 73 minutes it would have been better to add only 10 or 11 songs instead of 14 because now I get the feeling that some of the songs are only used as space fillers…… Not a bad album at all, see my rate, but I was expecting more after the last few albums…… | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.sacredoath.net
Recordlabel: http://www.angelthorne.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sacredoath |
82/100 |
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| SAVAGE CIRCUS - Of Doom and Death (CD) | Germany | October 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Power Metal | Running time: 57:38 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Formed in 2004 as a side project of Blind Guardian's drummer Thomen Stauch, Savage Circus has finally released their second album. Because of personal problems they no longer have Thomen on drums but he is replaced by legend Mike Terrana. If you liked the previous records of this band you will also love this one as it's a logical follow up to 'Dreamland Manor'. A great variety of melodies and harmonies delivered by heavy guitars and awesome drums, all supported by amazing vocals. I'm not a big fan of the power metal genre because a lot of the bands are all the same. It's therefore always great to hear a band that stands out of the rest. This album sounds more aggressive then most power metal bands yet it sticks to the basic elements of the genre. I don't know if they like the comparison but this band is still a must for all fans of Blind Guardian. A great release for all fans of the more melodic styles of metal | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.savage-circus.com
Recordlabel: http://dockyard2.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/savagecircus |
82/100 |
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| SCYTHE OF ORION – X-Lives (MCD) | Finland | October 2009 | Frans Neelen |
| Style: Symphonic Metal | Running time: 22.21 (Tracks: 5) | ||
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Scythe of Orion, formed in 2006/2007, has his residence in Finland and their music can be categorised as the more complex side of Symphonic Metal. The awkward thing about the band is that the songs are composed between 1995-2008. Who is mainly responsible for the song writing, the short bio and some internet ploughing doesn't tell, but the main man/woman certainly is gifted with talent. The band members are Jani Lahnavik (drums), Antti Horttana (bass), Petri Lamminsaari (guitar), Kristian Wrang (keyboards). Maarit Koivisto (violin) and Anu Kaunisto (vocals). They are worth mentioning because the have delivered a very fine, original piece of metal.
I can be very short about my opinion of this self produced 5-track; just brilliant ! Why's that then ? The fact is, the band succeeds in interweaving violin and piano parts with heavy guitars and drums into complex but catchy songs that hold your attention. Capable of doing this they make an original contribution to this genre.
"The Open Space of Imagination" kicks off in a smooth, pretty fast way and listens away very easily, preformed by damn good musicianship. A good example of Symphonic metal. Anu's voice is the thing that grabs the attention because it is quite distinctive. Some people may not like it, but that is always a matter of opinion. For me she does a brilliant job, it's different en it really fits in their music. Follower "Shadowland'" slows down and gives Anu more space to show her talent. She has a bit of "musical" way of singing and man, I love it. Hear here biting of phrases like "Shadows commmme .." and I am sold. "Journey" shows the band from it's most experimental side. Opening fast with furious guitar work supported with massive drums, the violin provides this one the variation that makes it very enjoyable. Even a heavy slice of jazz is added and it works amazingly. Best track is yet to come and is called "Behind the Cloud". Gently opening you think this is the bands ballad, but then the guitars fall in heavy, turning it into a solid headbanger, yet alternated with again those brilliant violin parts that take care for some smooth balladesque interludes. Anu sings this one so dramatically that it really moves me. ("Someday I will see you again ………", she sings, and I certainly hope so, would be awesome to check them live)
"My X-Lives" is unfortunately the last track and also in this one they succeed in making it dark and mysterious by just adding some simple piano riddling which creates a creepy feeling. If you are looking for something refreshing in metal, you certainly must give this one a chance. Maybe it takes a few times listening, but it won't be a waste of time. This is by far the best and most promising mini album I have laid my hands on this year and I certainly hope they get a deal very soon. (Hello Napalm !) The mixture of melody, drama and suspense in combination with pure metal craftsmanship, colourful added with interesting interludes like violin, piano and even jazz, sung by a distinctive, characteristic voice makes this 5-track longing for more, yet also hard to describe. "Scythe-metal" maybe …… | |||
| Visit their website: http://www.scytheoforion.com |
90/100 |
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| SKYFIRE – Esoteric (CD) | Sweden | October 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Melodic Death Metal | Running time: 55:58 (Tracks: 12) | ||
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The Swedish band Skyfire has won the hearts of many metalheads with their albums 'Timeless Departure' in 2001, 'Mind Revolution' in 2003 and 'Spectral' in 2004. In that period of time, Skyfire had managed to profile themselves with their subtle combination of melody, epic arrangements and aggression. Especially the use of keyboards made Skyfire quite unique in the Swedish death metal scene at that moment. Logical, because at that time, keyboards weren't used that often with this kind of music. After the release of 'Spectral,' another successful tour followed and the band still gained popularity. Despite all the success, it became quiet around the band. Very quiet. In fact, it would take about five years for the band to come up with new material. Before this would happen, a couple of line-up changes took place as well as the signing with Privotal Rockordings. Earlier this year we got a little foretaste in the form of the 'Fractal E.P.' Now, finally the new album 'Esoteric' is released. Skyfire has never disappointed me up till now. With 'Esoteric,' this is not going to change. The band sounds fresh and you can really tell that they've worked hard on the new material. The spherical keyboard parts and orchestral influences are once again well represented and go hand in hand with the aggression of Skyfire. A good example is the epic 'Rise and Decay,' in which all hell breaks loose after the calm composition. That is Skyfire right there. From a musical point of view, I have little to none complains about this record. But if I have to name something it would be the lack of diversity. To me, the songs in the end sound very much alike. A little more diversity wouldn't hurt the band. After the regular new songs, we can find an interesting bonus track which is called 'Within reach.' This song dates from the period before the actual band name was chosen, which makes it's presence very special. Yes, those five years were definitely worth the wait and did the band a lot of good. 'Esoteric' is a logical follow up to their previous records. The fans should be very pleased with this record. I also can recommend this album to everyone who is into melodic death, thrash or even power metal. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.listen.to/skyfire
Recordlabel: http://label.pivotalalliance.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/skyfiremusic |
82/100 |
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| SPANK - Get Bent (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Melodic Rock / Hard Rock | Running time: 33:45 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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SPANK is a four piece rock band from Kernersville, North Carolina, U.S.A., which really surprised me with this album "Get Bent". I don't know exactly when the band was formed, but they already released a self titled six track EP in 2005 and a full length album "The Monkey" (which also includes the six tracks of the EP) in 2006. This second album "Get Bent" was released in January of 2008. And a 5 track EP, titled "Within' Without", was released in August of 2008. Anyway, the line-up of SPANK exists of Brian Boles (guitar, vocals), David Barker (guitar, vocals), Jody Blevins (bass, vocals) and Ben Barker (drums, vocals). Well, SPANK doesn't have a specific lead singer, because Brian, Ben and David are all doing lead vocals on this album. Songs of which the lead vocals are done by Brian are "Turkey Leg", "Breathing", "Space" and "Step Out Of Line". Ben is singing on "Gravity", "Terrified" and "Grounded". And David does the lead vocals on "Back To Me", "In Time" and "Hard To Understand". And believe it or not, they are all fantastic singers. Also the members of the band are fantastic songwriters, because all songs are great compositions, but most of all very talented musicians. "Get Bent" has a very good production (done by Mitch Easter) and features ten rock songs with a very high quality level. It's an album that listens easily away. That's because all songs on this album have such great melodies and choruses. The band which comes in mind first by listening to songs like "Gravity", "Terrified" and "Space" is KING'S X. "Breathing" and "Hard To Understand" are two beautiful ballads of the album. If you like high quality melodic rock music, then you have to check out SPANK. You won't regret it. SPANK really deserves some reputation in Europe. Superb album of a fantastic band. Some favourites are "Turkey Leg", "Gravity", "Terrified", "In Time" and "Space". | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.spankonline.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/spankonline |
86/100 |
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| ST. MADNESS – Vampires in the Church (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Shock Horror Metal | Running time: 63:57 (Tracks: 15) | ||
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I already reviewed a few albums from these Arizona Shock Rockers; lately they sended me their 7th release "Saintanic" (see Review here below) but I couldn't find the review of its predecessor "Vampires in the Church"? After searching my reviews Archive and my CD storage room I discovered this album between my collection….sealed in its original foil…… Forgotten to review by an unknown reason but better late than never is my opinion…. Their "We make Evil Fun" was already reviewed in 2004 by myself (at that time I was running MMM mostly al alone). I compared the bands music with bands like the US Halloween and also PileDriver and Exorcist. Well after listening this album I have to change that a bit; I hear a more modern sound and bands like Wargasm, Pantera ('Walk' is covered on this album), (old) Sepultura (listen to the song 'Missing Girl's Body Found') & Prong are coming in mind. I also hear a few stoner/country elements in a fewsongs. Still this a good album with a lot of variety, a superb production and im still looking out to see this band over here in Europe but im afraid I have to dream on because they have their own recordlabel and I suppose they are financially not able to come over…and IF they could; will there be more people like me that ever heard of this band before in Europe? My advice to the band is to contact a smaller German festival like HOA (Headbangers Open air) and try to reach a bigger audience that way. Favorite songs on this album: 'Carl The Clown', 'Head', 'Ever After' & 'I Cut Myself'. Good album! Check them out; they deserve your attention! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.stmadness.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/stmadness |
75/100 |
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| ST. MADNESS – Saintanic (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Shock Horror Metal | Running time: 69:31 (Tracks: 16) | ||
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Well here is the newest release (their 7th) of US rockers St. Madness. For a bio read their earlier reviews on MMM. I forgot to review the predecessor "Vampires in the Church" bit its added also this month finally (see above)…. The music of St. Madness is a logical continuation to their "Vampires in the Church" album; straight in your face modern metal with balls! The band has added 2 covers this time; J.J. Cale's 'Cocaine' & Ozzy Osbourne's 'Crazy Train". Smart to do because cover versions of Ozzy Osbourne songs do always have better vocal parts, hahahaha. The band delivers again a well produced album with a lot of variety, excellent artwork & some great songs! Favorite songs on this album are: 'The Art of Terror', 'The Anti-Superhero', 'Death drives a Buick', 'Show me how it's Done', 'They walk the Earth' & 'Saintanic'. Again this album is filled with a lot of Pantera & Prong influenced modern metal and it's unbelievable that this band don't get any more attention in the metal press! They have MY full attention! Check these guys out!!!!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.stmadness.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/stmadness |
78/100 |
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| STRYDEGOR – Back On Ancient Traces (CD) | Germany | October 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Viking Metal | Running time: 41:00 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| This Strydegor is a young band from the southwest of Mecklenburg/Western Pommerania in North Germany. In 2005 Florian Kunde (guitar, vocals), Sven Martinek (drums), Slava Giebel (guitar) and David Schenk (bass) founded the metal band The Alphes. This band played a mix of different styles of metal, but in autumn 2006 David decided to leave the band due to personal reasons and Clemens Thieke took over his place on the bass. At this point they changed their name into Strydegor in autumn 2007 and found their right musical direction, Viking Metal. March 2008 their first demo was released, titled "Legends of Midgard", followed by demo ep "Midwinter´s Eve" autumn 2008 which got positive reactions. The ep got them noticed by Austrian record label CCP Records who got to sign Strydegor. Now their debut album "Back On Ancient Traces" is released on this label. Like the title says Strydegor wants to send the listener on a trip on the traces of their ancestors. The lyrics primarily are about legends of the northern mythology, describing the lives of the Vikings and their affinity with nature. Fast double bass attacks and guitar runs alternate with nearly balladic guitar melodies. The atmosphere of the music is very epic and mystic, mixed with vocals full of pressure from deep growlings up to high screams, according to their biography. I must say that this description comes close, cause it really fits their music well. Listening to this album one band came to mind, Amon Amarth. Not that they are a clone of this band, but they have similarities, they both make great melodic death/Viking metal. The production of the album sounds real good, and there really is an atmosphere created here. The album starts off with a few slower songs, but when Wild Hunt Through Twelve Nights begins, hell breaks loose, this is Strydegor at their best. The album is very diverse with lots of tempo changes and melodies, with great growls for vocals. Real heavy songs like Ragnarok, faster songs like Baldur's Dreams, they all make this album a very enjoyable listening experience, another great band to keep in consideration if you are into great Viking metal. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.strydegor.com
Recordlabel: http://www.ccprecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/strydegor |
85/100 |
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| TOE TAG / WORLD OF LIES – (Split CD) | USA | October 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Hardcore / Thrash Metal | Running time: (Tracks: 14) | ||
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This is a split album of Seattle's Toe Tag and Portland's World of Lies, two great thrashcore bands combined on one album. Toe Tag is the continuation of The Accused after they split up. Although The Accused went on in a different line up, their original vocalist Blaine 'Lord Zippy' Cook decided to start a new band under the name Toe Tag, which also contains two other former Accused members. If you might wonder what they sound like…well more Accused then The Accused themselves because Blaine's unique voice was always a trademark for The Accused. The songs are still hard, fast and thrashy in the vein of the old Accused stuff, you either love it or hate it, I know I love it! Songs like Rotting in Sickness, Sackache, Looks Like Shit, Bat Pussy, Sawtopsy need I go on, it's all great thrashcore, fast and furious as ever before! Production wise it could have been better, but it suits the music, this is the real deal. World of Lies was formed in 2001 by Tony Avila (guitar, vocals) and released their first album Material God in 2002. A second album simply called World of Lies followed, and some line up changes took place. The band also contributed a song for the Nunslaughter tribute cd, and released some new recordings in the form of the Thorns EP in 2007. This release is their latest effort, recorded by Tony's mobile studio in Zippy's dungeon. The Accused had a major impact on World of Lies growing up influence wise, so you know what you are getting listening to this album! This is all great stuff in the vein of The Accused, but with a twist of their own, just great hardcore stuff. Song titles like Splattered, Your Shit Stinks Too, Crucifixion For An Addiction or Privacy Control say it all! Also the cover artwork needs to be mentioned, well done in the style of The Accused album covers, by KC Angel. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.thetoetag.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/toetagofficial MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/worldoflies |
87 /100 |
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| TRICK OR TREAT – Tin Soldiers (CD) | Italy | October 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 47:49 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| The Heavy Metal band Trick or Treat originates from Italy. They started out as a tribute band to Helloween before they've decided to write their own music. The first full length came out in 2006 and sounded a lot like…you've guessed it…Helloween. The follow up and current album 'Tin Soldiers' also, but when it's played this well, that doesn't matter at all! The album contains an intro and eleven songs in the best Helloween / Heavy Metal tradition. Michael Kiske is even included in the tracks 'Hello Moon' and 'Tears against your smile,' so the band has got the approval of the master himself. The good diversity and positive vibe makes you want to play this record over and over again. Man, what an energetic and enthusiastic Heavy Metal record. Take for example the songs 'Tin soldiers pt. 2,' 'Take your chance' or even the semi-ballad 'Tears against your smile.' All qualitatively good compositions. Of course it is far from original, but once again: Who cares? Definitely not me! If you dig Helloween or any other related band, you most certainly will like Trick or Treat. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.valeryrecords.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/trickortreatband |
85/100 |
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| VALKYRIE'S CRY – Valkyrie's Cry (CD) | Canada | October 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 42:12 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| Valkyrie's Cry was formed in Canada during the mid 00s. This is the band's debut album. These Canadians deliver raw, rough around the edges heavy metal with some epic elements and high pitched vocals. The sound is pretty rough, almost demo-like, and this might turn some heads away (the drums sound terrible). The band's assault has a lot of retro metal in it, tons of 80s feeling and lots of enthusiasm. I bet that this cd will have its share among the 80s metal maniacs who like it rough and mean. The songs are good but nothing really special though. This album is a good start but I expect more from this band in the near future. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.valkyriescry.com
Recordlabel: http://www.puresteel-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/officialvalkyriescry |
70/100 |
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| VARG – Proud To Be A Wanker (CD) | Norway | October 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Rock | Running time: 56.00 (Tracks: 15) | ||
| Varg is a Norwegian rock group, founded in 2008, containing members who where previously known from another Norwegian band called Luxus Leverpostei. This band plays a kind of punk rock with a twist of humour in their lyrics. Although they do have a website, and even a MySpace site, there is little info to be found, cause it´s all in Norwegian language, and my Norwegian isn´t that good at all. Although the band is called Varg, which means wolf in Norwegian, it´s not to be confused with Varg Vikerness (Burzum). The music on this album is mostly nice uptempo rock, with sometimes hilarious lyrics which concerns mostly about sex, fat ugly ladies, you get the picture. It all sounds nice, but not more than that, nothing new or original to be found here, but always good for a party I guess. With song titles as Vaginella, Kiss My Ass, Stupid Motherfucker, Cartoon Ladies and title track Proud To Be A Wanker they will surely get the party started, and get the laughers on their side. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.vargnorwegian.com
Recordlabel: http://www.normannrecords.no MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kvinesdal |
68/100 |
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| WILDESTARR – Arrival (CD) | USA | October 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Female Fronted US Power Metal | Running time: 54:32 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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WildeStarr was formed in 2003 by original Vicious Rumors bass player Dave Starr, and studio vocalist London Wilde. With Starr handling Guitars and Bass, and Wilde on vocals, As a Duo, the band released their first Demo single in 2007 called "Generation Next". Joined by drummer Jim Hawthorne in 2008, the band began recording their Debut full length album, "Arrival" on Furnace Maximus Records, released August 1, 2009. Well here it is! The band contacted me by MySpace and when I checked out the song on their MySpace I was blown away!! Is this a woman that is singing?? Never heard a women singing high-pichting vocals this way!! Unbelievable! After a short German-spoken intro the album starts with 'Rose in the Dark' which is an uptempo song and already shows that this is my kind of metal!! It suits me that this band is only a trio; Dave Starr is doing all guitars, bass & backing vocals; London Wilde is doing vocals & keyboards and as drummer they recruited Jim Hawthorne. The next song is the single of this album and the only song on their MySpace "Arrival"; it starts with an incredible heavy riff and reminds me to a band like Nevermore. 'Touching God" is a midtempo with again incredible vocals & musicianship! "Rise" is one of my favorite songs because of the extreme good high pitchers!! Wooww, this woman can scream; a lot of male colleagues can pack their bags and start with singing lessons! Incredible!! "Down of the Sun" is again a classic one with excellent vocals an London Wilde proves here that she can not only do the high pitching vocals superb; she has a very wide vocal range. "In this World" is also a good song in the vein of the other midtempo songs on this album. "Generation Next" opens again with an incredible scream and steals my metalheart again! One of my favorite songs! "Nevermore" starts as a ballad but soon changes into a semi-ballad. Good song and also good for the variation! "Voice in the Silence" & "The Chain" are the 2 last songs on this album and are both in the style of the other songs. This is the best album I heard in months and it will end up high in my 2009 poll; that's for sure! Check this marvellous album/band out!!!! I've warned you!!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.wildestarr.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wildestarr |
96/100 |
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| XENOBIA - Burn It Away (MCD) | The Netherlands | October 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Progressive / Symphonic Metal | Running time: 25:25 (Tracks: 5) | ||
| XENOBIA is a Dutch metal band existing of Rodney Blaze (vocals), Collin Hoeve (guitar), Ewout Rotteveel (bass) and Koen Herfst (drums). The band started in 2000 as an instrumental trio, and after five years they got in touch with Rodney Blaze. You may know Blaze of his contribution to the re-issue album "The Final Experiment - Special Edition" by AYREON. And drummer Herfst might be known of his session work for great Dutch names as EPICA and AFTER FOREVER. Anyway, this 5 track EP "Burn It Away" is the first release of the new XENOBIA. The first song "Eternity" is a mixture of METALLICA and ALICE IN CHAINS. On the songs "See Your Life" and "Pieces Of Us" guest appearances are done by AFTER FOREVER (R.I.P.) keyboardist Joost van den Broek, which gives both songs a symphonic sound. "Pieces Of Us" is the only instrumental song on the EP and is fantastic. XENOBIA exists of excellent musicians, especially guitarist Hoeve is great (listen to his solo's). Rodney Blaze is a good singer, though I think he still can grow more as a singer. Anyway, "Burn It Away" is a very interesting EP, which is for sale for 5 euro's through their website. I think it won't take long before a full length album will follow. I'm sure there must be a record label somewhere who would sign this band. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.xenobia.nl
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/xenobiatheband |
80/100 |
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| ANCIENT DOME – Human Key (CD) | Italy | September 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Melodic Thrash Metal | Running time: 43:49 (Tracks: 11) | ||
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Ancient Dome was formed in 2000 by Paolo Porro (Guitars), Gabriele Borghi (Guitars) and Matteo Cuzzolin (Bass Guitar). Salvatore Siragusano (Drums) joined the band the same year. At the beginning, the proposal was much more concentrated on classic metal, until it finally came to the construction of a new sound based on the Bay Area Thrash, but also debtor to the other influences of the members. They try to recreate the atmospheres of bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Heathen, Testament, Coroner, Forbidden, Slayer, Exodus, Overkill and so on, mixing the thrash sound with a little bit of melody. After a few line up changes the band started the recording sessions for the debut album, entitled "Human Key", out on the Italian independent label PUNISHMENT 18 RECORDS. Well, I received this album because the band wanted to play on the warm-up show of this years Mario's Metal Meeting. After listening to the album several times I decided to book the band because their Bay Area influenced thrashmetal would fit in perfectly in this year's edition of my own festival. Also the album is sounding very good and the musicians all sound very experienced! I indeed hear a lot of (old) Exodus, Heathen, Atrophy, Testament & Overkill elements back in their songs without getting a copy-cat. They have found their own direction and that's a big plus! Singer Paul has a good voice with a slightly Italian accent but proves in "Cold September" that he can also sing very melodic. Very good album guys, well done! See you on the 3rd of October in the Little Devil bar, Tilburg, The Netherlands. LATEST NEWS 1/9/2009: THE BAND CANCELLED AND WILL BE REPLACED SOON!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.ancientdome.com
Recordlabel: http://www.punishment18records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ancientdome |
80/100 |
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| ARTRACH – And in Fate we Rest (CD) | Belgium | September 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Progressive Heavy Metal | Running time: 27:55 (Tracks: 5) | ||
| This heavy metal band from Belgium is around for quite some time now. Artrach was founded in 2001 and nowadays the band consists of musicians that already earned their credits with their previous bands. Up till now they've released three demo's, entitled: 'Through Archways of Dark,' 'Faceless God' and their latest effort '…And in Fate we Rest.' This last title was released some time ago, but was sent to MMM recently. Artrach plays progressive heavy metal with hearable influences of Nevermore, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater and even Pantera. Their own style in combination with the above mentioned bands result in a somewhat more heavy approach than you would expect with the term 'Traditional Heavy Metal.' And I've got to say…I like this. Especially when you consider the fact that this is not even a full length album. The production could be a little clearer, but once again: this is not yet a full length album. Artrach offers a release with good diversity and qualitative metal. The diversity is best noticed in the title track and in the epic 'The path towards revenge.' The album closer 'The one' is a ballad but easily blends in with the rest of the material. This has a lot to do with the vocals, which is a strong aspect of the music. Especially the double vocal lines during the 'easy to remember' choruses. With '…And in fate we rest,' Artrach has delivered a very promising release which I could recommend to everyone that is into this style of music. I would also like to make my compliments for the great artwork. It looks really good. Check out their music on their MySpace page. | |||
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Website: http://www.artrach.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/artrach |
78/100 |
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| B.S.T. – Hamburg City Doom (CDemo) | Germany | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Doom Metal | Running time: 18:46 (Tracks: 3) | ||
| "Hamburg City Doom" is the first CDemo from German band B.S.T. (don't know where B.S.T. stands for) and features three tracks, which are "Das Ziel" (8:09), "Bastard" (4:28) and "Der Traum" (6:08). B.S.T. is hailing from Hamburg and exists of Heiko Wenck (vocals, guitar), Lutz Reimer (bass) and Jan Galinski (drums). As you can see on the titles of the songs, the band is singing in their own language. I must say those three songs are sounding pretty much depressive. Although the band says on their MySpace page, they sound like CROWBAR, UNDERTOW and GRIEF OF GOD, to me, musically they remind me of MY DYING BRIDE. By the way, on their MySpace page, you can listen to two other songs as well ("Faust" and "Wolf"). The production of this CDemo is okay. All with all it's not a bad demo. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.b-s-t.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/bstde |
67/100 |
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| CLUTCH – 50,000 Unstoppable Watts (MCD) | USA | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Rock / Metal / Blues | Running time: 18:29 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| "50,000 Unstoppable Watts" is the third track on the new CLUTCH album "Strange Cousins From The West" and it's the first single. The 4 songs on this promo EP are two versions of "50,000 Unstoppable Watts" (a radio edit version and CD version), "Abraham Lincoln", which is also a track of the new album and "Hale Bopp Blues". This last song is taken from the recently CLUTCH album "Slow Hole To China, Rare & Re-Released". Personally I don't like "Hale Bopp Blues", 'cause it's a bit weird. Anyway, "50,000 Unstoppable Watts" is a great song with a fantastic groove. See also my review of the new album. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.pro-rock.com
Recordlabel: http://weathermakermusic.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/clutchband |
73/100 |
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| CLUTCH – Strange Cousins From The West (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Rock / Stoner / Metal / Blues | Running time: 48:50 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| "Strange Cousins From The West" is the 9th studio album of American band CLUTCH. The band, who exists of Neil Fallon (vocals, guitar), Tim Sult (guitar), Dan Maines (bass) and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums), started in 1990. During their career, the music style of CLUTCH really has changed from Hardcore/Punk into more Rock, Stoner, Metal and Blues. Actually you can call it GROOVE ROCK, because all songs on this new album groove as hell. The first single of "SCFTW" is "50,000 Unstoppable Watts" (see also review above) and is a very good choice. Another good single candidate should be "Struck Down", which has an awesome groove. There are just no weak songs on "SCFTW", all songs are strong compositions, with fantastic riffs and most of all great grooves. To me, CLUTCH reminds me also very much of a band like RAGING SLAB. The title "Strange Cousins From The West" is a line of the song "Minotaur", which has a kind of HELMET riff. The band recorded one cover for this album, which is "Algo Ha Cambiado" of PAPPO'S BLUES BAND and is sung in Spanish. I can't find anything negative about "Strange Cousins From The West", it's simply a fantastic album. Just listen to some great songs like "Motherless Child", "Struck Down", "Whitchdoctor", "50,000 Unstoppable Watts", "Minotaur" or "Let A Poor Man Be" and let convince yourself of this superb band. By the way, the album has a very special and notable package. So if you like songs with fantastic grooves, then you'll have to check out this brand new album of CLUTCH. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.pro-rock.com
Recordlabel: http://weathermakermusic.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/clutchband |
89/100 |
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| CONCEPT OF TIME – A New State of Thought (MCD) | Scotland | September 2009 | Frans Neelen |
| Style: Progressive / Melodic Metal | Running time: 22.05 (Tracks: 5) | ||
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Concept of Time was formed in 2006 and has his residence in Glasgow, Scotland.
While living in a beautiful country that breathes the air and atmosphere for making superb metal, I am still wondering why there aren't a lot of great bands rising up from the misty swamps over there. But nevertheless, here is finally a band that is ready to emerge from the highlands and has the skills and potential to make it in the progressive metal scene.
After releasing the demo "Suffer in Silence" in 2007 the band managed to open for names like Kamelot, Korpiklaani, Serenity and even preformed at Bloodstock in 2008. While still searching for a fine label, this is their second release on their own.
According to their bio, Concept of Time gets their influences from bands like Pagan's Mind, Evergrey and Pink Floyd. They even remind me of the early Fates Warning with John Arch handling the microphone. This has to do with the voice of Tom Perret who is responsible for the vocals and takes care of the guitar parts as well. In both he succeeds very well, although the vocals need some attention in variation, but that's only a matter of time. Musically all the songs have lots of variation in them; they go from slow to fast and faster, from melodic to heavy and vice versa all supported by spheric keyboards (Scott McLean) that really ad something to the songs and Perret singing them full with emotion. Opener "Open You Eyes" is an instrumental that leads you into the first real track "A New State of Thought" which opens powerful and marks all the qualities of the band. A great opener which is followed by the easy listening "Nothing More of a Memory". Follow up "Eternal Sleep" is formerly based around the emotional and desperate sounding voice of Perret. The man really throws all his feelings into this one. But hey, we've got another one coming in form of "Embrace the Lie" (Apocalypse). Well, they certainly saved the best for last because this is a killer song that leads you to higher spheres. A perfect sounding intro (old Fates Warning) which comes back so now and then followed by fast guitar work supported by fine keyboards and a heavy rhythm section makes this one longing, no begging for more. Any more open minded rocker should check this one out. With an album cover that fits perfectly with the music this 5 track album makes me curious if they are able to succeed in delivering a full length album of this high standard. If they develop a little bit more "swing" into the numbers, I am sure they will deliver a fine classic next time. The potential is there, only one thing is left to say. Which record company is the first that gets out of his deep winter sleep and has the balls to contracts these guys ! Well done lads ! | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/conceptoftime |
82/100 |
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| CONQUEST OF STEEL – Storm Sword/Rise of the Dread Queen (CD) | United Kingdom | September 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 51:13 (Tracks: 14) | ||
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Conquest of Steel made its appearance in 2000 and has been releasing numerous EPs and full length albums ever since. The band comes from England, a place where traditional heavy metal is as good as dead and the band's tenacity is remarkable. These guys fight against all trends and organize concerts throughout the U.K. alongside the few other bands of the same likes. They have managed to establish a fan base across Europe that supports them constantly. "Storm Queen" is a concept album but I doubt if this element alone can persuade a metalhead to buy this album. The fans need good music and fortunately C.o.S. deliver charming epic heavy metal true to the N.W.O.B.H.M. values and the traditional British heavy metal sound in general. Bands like Solstice would be proud cause C.o.S. sounds like the offspring of this legendary band. Unfortunately the audience that supports bands like C.o.S. is shrinking but I don't think that the band really cares if it sells less cds. The passion will always be there driving these guys to yet another album. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.conquestofsteel.co.uk
Recordlabel: http://www.nofacerecords.co.uk MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/conquestofsteel |
77/100 |
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| CROWN THE LOST – Blind Faith Loyalty (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 54:38 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| Nearly four years ago the relatively young band 'Crown the Lost' released their debut album 'Reverence dies within.' I remember to be quite fond of this band from Pittsburgh at that time. Crown the Lost brought a mixture of technical and complex trash metal with clean vocals. Therefore I was really looking forward to their second album that now (finally) has seen the light of day and is entitled: 'Blind Faith Loyalty.' The new record is full of original song structures and is also much more complex than 'Reverence dies within.' You could say that Crown the Lost has grown in every aspect of their music. Especially the vocals of Chris Renaldi are great and really suiting the music. Let's hope that Crown the Lost will finally get the chance to play in Europe. With this album, I think that they will. Especially considering the fact that their label Cruz del Sur is located in Italy. I will save you the time to continue reading this review and I want to point you directly to their MySpace page for the actual songs. | |||
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MySpace: http://www.crownthelost.com Recordlabel: http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/crownthelostmetal |
80/100 |
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| DARK REMAINS - A Construct to Obliterate (CD) | The Netherlands | September 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Death Metal | Running time: 43:11 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| While I'm a big fan of the genre and try to follow the local underground a bit I hadn't heard of Dark Remains yet but when I read that this band consists of some members of Warmaster I was really excited to listen to this cd. "A Construct to Obliterate" is the band's 3rd album after about 10 years of line-up changes. If you're into old school death metal, this is a band for you. If you don't like that, don't even try this one cause this album is pure, raw mid-tempo death metal, nothing less but also nothing more. This cd contains 8 slow, pounding tracks and while the production could have been better it's all pretty nice to listen to allthough I've heard better in the genre. I must say that I would love to see what this band does to a live audience and I probably will go check them out somewhere. For fans of old school death metal only. | |||
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Visit Their website: http://www.darkremains.nl
Recordlabel: http://www.dutchmetalrecords.nl MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/darkremains |
70/100 |
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| DEVILDRIVER – Pray for Villains (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Melodic Death Metal | Running time: 56:15 (Tracks: 13) | ||
| 'Pray for Villains' is already the 4th studio album of DevilDriver. I think it's about time we can address creative motor and singer Dez Fafara as 'Dez from DevilDriver' instead of 'Dez from Coal Chamber.' With their albums and impressive touring schedules it is fair to say that the band has created their own identity and gained a lot of popularity over the years. The band creates a mix of melodic death metal/metalcore with pure aggression. They are also capable of bringing this energy to the stage. Truth of the matter is that I was never to fond of DevilDriver. Even when I saw them live on several occasions. Their up tempo death/metalcore somehow didn't get to me and it still doesn't. Personally I like diversity in a band and to me, DevilDriver is all about speed. But that's just me, because I know that the fans will like this album for sure. If you are one of them, you can buy this album with your eyes closed. 'Pray for Villains' is a nice album from a band who knows how to produce one. | |||
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Visit Their website: http://www.devildriver.com
Recordlabel: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/devildriver |
70/100 |
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| DIRTFEDD – The American Nightmare (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal | Running time: 47:19 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| DIRTFEDD is a Metal band from Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.A. who are formed in 2002 and are discovered by SLIPKNOT's M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan. The line-up of the band exists of Dustin Travels (vocals), Eric Marshall (guitar), Brian Luginbill (guitar), Scott Root (bass), Brock Wettstead (drums) and Travis Wagner (Keyboard and samples). Their debut album "The American Nightmare" features eleven songs and is also produced by the above mentioned M. Shawn Crahan. The vocals of Dustin Travels are very varied, brutal screams & grunts…but also clean vocals. And that makes that these songs have enough melodies as well. The album opens with "Salute", which is a nice song but not one of the best ones if you ask me. And a song which in my opinion really doesn't fit on this album is the bluesy "Cold Ficks & Hot Lix". Luckily it's just a short one (1:43 minutes). And "War Criminal" is also one of the less songs to me. But songs like "Trained To Kill", "…Said The Spider To The Fly", "The American Nightmare" (with spooky keyboards), "Here I Am" or "A Shotgun Romance" are all great. The last track of the album is called "Wasted!!!", which has a running time of 7:41. But the song actually takes 4:15 minutes and the rest of the time you get a lot of talking shit….well and that is really wasted time. I still don't understand why bands put such crap or long silences on their albums. Anyway, besides some negative points, "The American Nightmare" is a very nice debut album, which I can recommend to anyone who likes bands as SLIPKNOT, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, KORN, STONESOUR etc.. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.kochrecord.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dirtfedd |
80/100 |
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| DISSIMULATION - Atiduokit Mirusius (CD) | Lithuania | September 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Black / Thrash Metal | Running time: 39:03 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| Dissimulation is a lithuanian band that plays an atractive mix between black and thrash metal. On their latest album 'Atiduokit Mirusius' we can find another 8 tracks of blasting black metal all recorded in their native language. I prefer to call this cd more black metal then thrash metal cause the entire atmosphere and sound of the record just breathes the negativity of black metal but I must say that the songs contain great thrash riffs that would do well on any thrash metal band album when they have the proper tuning. As I'm not that into black metal, and definatly not into the vocals of your average black metal record the album required some adjusting for me but once I started to really listen to the music I must admit that this realy is a very strong album. I would advise black metal fans to check out this band. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.ledotakas.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dissimulationlt |
67/100 |
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| GAE BOLGA – Drink till Death (CDemo) | Belgium | September 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Old School Thrash Metal | Running time: 24:41 (Tracks: 6) | ||
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Somewhere in 1998/1999 Gae Bolga was founded. Through the years, Gae Bolga earned a reputation that was as mean as a pissed off Thrash Metal-alligator with a hangover; they are influenced by: Slayer meets (old) Grave Digger meets Atrophy meets Motorhead meets (old) Running Wild meets Sodom, only better and faster (according the band)! The band lately released this "Drink till Death" CDemo. I was alerted to this band by metal-colleague Stefan from Belgium's leading Underground metal webzine Metal To Infinity. After some contacts with the band they did send me their new CDemo and I also booked the band as opener for the Warm-up show of my own festival; Mario's Metal Meeting 3! The band indeed plays pure oldschool thrashmetal in the vein of bands like; Destruction, Sodom, Exumer but I also hear some influences from non-german bands like: Nuclear Assault, Exodus, Atrophy & Whiplash. Their love for Whiplash is confirmed with a cover of these US thrashers (Spit on your Grave). The CDemo contains 6 songs in total but without the intro and the Whiplash cover you have 4 songs left written by the band. Productionwise it also sounds old school and that's the main problem I have with most of the retro thrashbands these days: don't use cheap productions to stay underground but let your music talk (but than with a good production). Good band, good music, moderate production. If you like oldschool thrash than come over to the Little Devil bar, Tilburg on the 3th of October to be witness of these guys together with Methedras (Italy) & Decadence (Sweden); entrance free! | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/gaebolga |
75/100 |
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| HATCHERY – Birth of a Bomb (CD) | Germany | September 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 34:32 (Tracks: 9) | ||
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HATCHERY was originated in autumn 2003 by four guys; Nils Nortmeyer (g.), Erik Fillinger (g.), Ruben Andre (dr.) and Ronald Senft (b.). Ingo Schäfer (v.) completed the line-up as shouter and together they recorded the demos "Night Time Greys" (2004) and "Distorted Society" (2005). At the end of 2005 Ingo had to leave the band due to health reasons and Christian „Zottel" Müller (Ex-Unscared) joined them at the microphone in December 2005.
In spring 2007 Paul Grosser (g.) joined the band as a replacement for Erik Fillinger (who left the band a year before) on guitar and with him the album "Birth Of A Bomb" has been recorded in the "Kohlekeller" Darmstadt in August 2007. Paul left the band after the recordings but in December 2008 Matthias Ruoff (Orgasmodemon) closed the gap at the second guitar. Hatchery is one of these German oldschool thrashbands that have their influences from several 80's thrashbands. Hatchery plays old school Thrash Metal and render homage to the heroes of the 80s. The combination of 80s metal riffs and a modern sound (NO Nu Metal sounds) is a challenge for the band and the five metalheads manage it with passion and enthusiasm because for them Metal is much more than a hobby. Singer Christian "Zottel" Muller has a remarkable voice that you either love or hate. I like his vocals but I must admit he needs more variation is his vocal range; hope he can work on it for the next album. Musically its all okay(good guitarsolos) and the album is sounding good. Also the lay out looks very professional. The band will open this years edition of my own festival; Mario's Metal Meeting 3 so check them out if you're into German Oldschool thrash!! Very nice album! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.hatchery-band.de
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hatcherymetal |
77/100 |
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| IMPELLITTERI – Wicked Maiden (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Melodic Rock / Metal | Running time: 43:19 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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"Wicked Maiden" re-unites Chris Impellitteri with long time lead vocalist and writing collaborator Rob Rock. The lead guitarist and vocalist have already created 5 metal records to date. Impellitteri have built a strong fan base throughout the world selling over 1 million records. The group has released numerous records, performed amazing live shows, and worked with some of the greatest producers and industry people in metal. Chris Impellitteri is heralded as one of the world's greatest guitar shredders. Rob Rock is one of the most exciting and energetic singers in heavy metal. Rock can sing virtually any style of music. His vocal range has often been compared to legendary metal singers Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), and Rob Halford (Judas Priest). Rob Rock possesses a unique ability to scream in the stratosphere, all the while singing in a very melodic overtone. His Vibrato and use of Harmonies has created a signature vocal style. Lastly, Rock has an innate ability to write lyrics that have depth and meaning. He is definitely an original lyricist. Bassist James Pulli is known for his Driving Bass lines reminiscent of Black Sabbaths Geezer Butler. He creates a strong foundation for the band with his signature style. This all according the MySpace site of Impellitteri. This new album is very intense guitar driven (as always) but will also satisfy a lot of true metalheads around the globe. The album contains incredible guitar riffs, fast shredding guitar solos, amazing screaming vocals and a mean heavy rhythm section. The record was mastered by legendary engineer George Marino in New York City. This is food for every true metalhead that can appreciate melodic rock music with awesome vocals. Eventhough I have to admit that Rob Rock is one of my favourite rock singers; I also have to admit that every album he sings on sounds quit equal in a lot of ways. If its Rob Rock solo, Driver, Fires of Babylon, Joshua, Warrior; its his typical voice that overrules everything. No problem because he is one of the best rock singers on earth and the more he releases; the better! Chris Impellitteri is also an awesome shredder and even if im not really familiar with his earlier releases; im sure they all kick ass with such great musicians! Compliments! Only little complain is that not all the songs are the same high standard and just sound good because of the great musicianship of the members. Still hope to see this band in Europe one day!! Bookers watch out for it!!! | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.metalheaven.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/impellitteriofficialsite |
83/100 |
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| IN COLD BLOOD – Suicide King (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Hardcore | Running time: 23:52 (Tracks: 16) | ||
| IN COLD BLOOD is a Hardcore band from Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. and exists (or existed, because I'm not sure if the band is still active), according to the attached biography, of Bourbon Zeigler (vocals), Aaron Melnick (guitar, vocals), Blaze Tishko (guitar, vocals), Leon Melnick (bass) and Rich Ferjanic (drums). Aaron and Leon Melnick are two hardcore veterans from INTEGRITY. The bands debut album "Hell On Earth" was released on the famous Victory label. This album, released by Demons Run Amok, is just a compilation of the long time sold out 7" (which was released in 1995) and songs from various sessions in 1998. The last five songs are live tracks from a show they did in Leipzig, Germany (also in 1998). Personally, I just like a few songs on this album, which are "Fuck Your Opinion", "Bleak Existence", "Dead To This World". "Pain" and "Time To Die". I don't like the vocals of Zeigler all the time. And to tell the truth, IN COLD BLOOD is not really my type of Hardcore band. I wouldn't buy it myself anyway. But if you like bands like INTEGRITY, RINGWORM or RISE AND FALL, and you don't have the sold out 7" and you want some extra live tracks then check this out. I liked other albums, like "The Scars Remain" (BLEED INTO ONE) and the self titled album of LAST MILE on Demons Run Amok much more. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.victoryrecords.com/incoldblood
Recordlabel: http://www.demonsrunamok.de MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/incoldblood216 |
60/100 |
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| INTERROGATE – Scarred For Life (CD) | Northern Ireland | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metalcore | Running time: 32:53 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| Aaarghh, what a great debut album of this band INTERROGATE. I was completely blown away when I've listened to "Scarred For Life" for the first time. Anyway, this band from Northern Ireland was formed in the late 90's. In 2005 their debut EP "Unbroken" was released and with that EP the band got a huge fan base. And now I understand why they got a huge fan base, because this band is just fantastic. The line-up of INTERROGATE exists of Andy Campbell (vocals), Mark Johnston (guitar), Darren Brown (bass, backing vocals) and Stephen Brown (drums, backing vocals). There's no weak song, because all eight songs on "Scarred For Life" are fantastic compositions. The album has a very good production (done by Neal Calderwood & INTERROGATE) and the album cover is great as well. The band exists of skilled musicians and Andy Campbell is a very good singer with a varied voice (brutal & clean). Songs like "Victim", "Vermin", "Fall From Grace", Losing It All" or "This Bruise" are all great. It's just unbelievable that INTERROGATE isn't signed by any label yet. Hope they will come over to Holland someday to do some shows (in Little Devil or 013 in my hometown Tilburg??), because I really would love to see this promising band once. Anyway, "Scarred For Life" is a real recommendation for anyone who's into metalcore. Check them out. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.interrogate13.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/interrogate |
90/100 |
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| IOANNIS ANASTASSAKIS – Orbital Attempt (CD) | Greece | September 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Guitar Virtuoso | Running time: 73:52 (Tracks: 11) | ||
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Greek guitar virtuoso Ioannis Anastassakis is back with another album. 2 years ago he released the sensational "Suspension of Disbelief" album and this is his second attempt on the rock side of music (he has also recorded albums of flamenco music). Mr. Anastassakis in not anonther ordinary guitarist. He has concluded musical studies in English, American and Greek foundations and currently works as a guitar teacher. The first thing the listener notices is the crystal clear sound of the guitar. This is an essential element cause I have encountered guitarists with amazing technique and songwriting skills who lacked the professional sound who would elevate the level of their songs. The second thing is the undisputed skills of the shredder. Ioannis is a sensational player and throughout the 11 songs of the album he unfolds his various techniques. The album flows easily, the melodies are exceptional and the cross between heavy music and flamenco spices things up! All the guitar loving freaks must check out Ioannis Anastassakis. He will instantly become a favourite. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.ioannis.org
Recordlabel: http://www.wildroseangelproductions.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ioannisanastassakis |
85/100 |
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| IZAH - Finite Horizon / Crevice(CD) | The Netherlands | September 2009 | Corinne van den Brand |
| Style: Post Metal | Running time: 22:36 (Tracks: 2) | ||
| Izah hails from Tilburg and are Entius –vocals, van Oosterhout- guitar, Bastiaansen- guitar, van der Weerd-bass, van Wegberg-drums. After they recorded this cd van der Weerd left the band and was replaced by Terhorst and the band was completed with the addition of de Jong (synth/guitar).Two songs that lasts for 22 minutes. They take elements of metal, hardcore, noise and post rock and blend it to a mix with a sound somewhere between Cult of Luna, Converge, Mono and Shora. The first song starts as a typical death metal song complete with average riffing and grunts. They variate a lot with melodic parts with normal clean vocals and hardcore parts with more screaming vocals and then back again to the more death metal parts. The second song is more of the same. I think the 2 songs are a bit too long to keep it interesting because the music they play is not very high standard. They put a lot of styles in one song but that doesn`t mean that it`s automatically something special. They play pretty decent but that`s it. Something is missing. I like some of the vocals especially the screaming parts but his clean vocals start too bore me after a while.You have too like it. I don`t. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.izahmetal.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/izahband |
70/100 |
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| KNOCKTURN ALLEY – Medusa (CD) | Malta | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal / Metalcore / Melodic Death Metal | Running time: 45:29 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| KNOCKTURN ALLEY is a five-piece band from MALTA and exists of Clint Tabone (vocals), Thomas Wahlin (guitar), James Bartolo (guitar), Daniel Cardona (bass) and Dimitris Aggelidis (drums). The band was formed in 2004 and is named after an alley in the Harry Potter books/movies. In 2006 the band released a 3 track EP entitled "The Dream Is Dead". Now they have recently released their self-financed full length album "Medusa" in a well packaged digi-pack. These Maltese guys play a mixture of Metal, Thrash, Metalcore and some melodic Death Metal. There are only two quieter moments on "Medusa", namely "Contrasts…" and "…Contradictions", which are short instrumental ones. But the rest of the songs are tight, fast and brutal. My favourite songs are "Under A God-like Sun", "The Sinner, The Martyr", "Reverie", "This Silence Is A Threat" and the title track "Medusa". Okay, it's all not sounding very original but it's a good and brutal debut album. Strange that, just like INTERROGATE (see also reviews of this month), KNOCKTURN ALLEY hasn't been signed by a record label yet. Anyway if you are into bands like LAMB OF GOD, MORBID ANGEL, DARKEST HOUR, PESTILENCE, AS I LAY DYING etc. you'll have to check out KNOCKTURN ALLEY as well. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.knockturnalleyband.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/knockturnalley |
79/100 |
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| LABORATORIA CRISTALITOS - Narcoturismo (CD) | Italy | September 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Death Metal / Grindcore | Running time: (Tracks: 17) | ||
| Laboratorio Cristalitos is a new Italian band playing death metal in the vain of latin legends Brujeria and Asesino. They started out as a cover band of previously mentiond bands and with Narcoturismo they have now written a full album of their own songs that have the same sound as their idols. I've always liked Brujeria and so I was looking forward to this one but I'm feeling rather dissapointed about this album. While Brujeria sounded as if they actually had something to say (although I'm not realy sure since I don't understand spanish) this is more of random shouting of types of drugs and so forth. Musically this isn't half bad, as to be expected the songs are slow, very blunt and raw. As an extra the guys put all the songs in spanish on their cd as well, while the originals are in italian. If you're a big fan of Brujeria and the likes you will enjoy this but if you're not realy into their music don't bother this one either. | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/laboratoriocristalitos2 |
60/100 |
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| LITMUS - Aurora (CD) | United Kingdom | September 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Space Rock | Running time: 65:29 (Tracks: 8) | ||
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Litmus is a London based band which plays excellent adventurous space rock. Their debut album "You are Here" was released in 2004 by themselves and received some good reviews. This resulted in the fact that Litmus was asked to support Julian Cope during his tour in the UK. The band's second CD "Planetfall" was released on Rise Above Records in April 2007. This record company is owned and operated by the voice of Cathedral, Lee Dorrian. Aurora is their Litmus` third release. When you listen to this album, it becomes clear that Litmus is influenced by the 70`s psychedelic music. Characteristic is the use of keyboards played as how they sounded in this period. But the sound of the 70`s is very well combined with the sound of today. One of Litmus` inspirators is Hawkwind. The musical skills of the band members are excellent! The album Aurora contains 8 tracks and starts with the energetic Beyond the Sun. The songs sound energetic and dynamic, but if you listen for example to the second song, Litmus plays some very nice symphonic rock. But the album contains also more up tempo songs, like Miles Away. The production is good and every listening session gives new perceptions. 'Aurora' is an album that kept my attention till the end and it is really worth for fans of heavy, progressive and contemporary Psychedelic Space Rock Music. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.litmusmusic.co.uk
Recordlabel: http://www.riseaboverecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/litmusspacerock |
83/100 |
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| LOCH VOSTOK – Reveal no Secrets (CD) | Sweden | September 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Progressive Metal | Running time: 52:01 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| In April 2007 I already reviewed the debut album from these Swedish progmetallers. So for a bio I advice to read that review. Loch Vostok plays an original kind of progressive metal and combines different vocal styles as grunts, clean vocals & female vocals in their music. I've seen the band live a few years ago at the Headway Festival (R.I.P.) in Amstelveen, The Netherlands and live the band impressed me a lot! Their energy and musicianship is awesome. This new album is also full of great songs with a lot of variation; one time singer Teddy Moller is singing clean and melodic and a few seconds later he is grunting like a hoarse dog. This is no music for the mediocrity headbanger; you have to be open minded to respect this kind of metal; and YES I do!! Hope to see these guys again someday because I still regret their cancelled shows as support of Helstar earlier this year. Great album with a high quality level!! Check them out; even if you're not that open minded. They deserve it! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.lochvostok.com
Recordlabel: http://nightmarerecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/lochvostok |
83/100 |
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| LUCTUS – Jauciant Pabaiga Arti (CD) | Lithuania / Italy | September 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Black / Thrash Metal | Running time: 44:00 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| Eastern Europe has made a strong step forward over the last years. With interesting and original sounding bands popping out from every corner. Luctus is a one piece project from Kommander L. which we now may add to the list. The mix between black and thrash metal presented here is from a good quality and sounds damn fine. Nice riffs, riffs and again riffs, recognizable choruses, good instrumentation and a for this style more than o.k. production. Highlight for me is the song: "Paskutini Karta" which contributes all these elements and has some war samples in it that really complete the song. The title of this first full- length album from this Lithuanian band translates itself in: "Feeling The End Is Near". The songs all share the same subject. They all cover how this world will look like just few minutes before its very end. A few minutes before the apocalypse. The singing in their native language is something that fits this kind of music and makes them differ from their other foreign colleagues. Not much more to say here. Fans of Aura Noir, Destroyer 666 must give this quality album a chance. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.ledotakas.net MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/luctus |
79/100 |
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| MARTYR – Fear the Universe (2CD) | The Netherlands | September 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 28:11 (Tracks: 7) & 22:45 (Tracks: 5) | ||
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Martyr is one of the oldest Dutch bands and exist since 1982. After several releases but also after several line-up changes the band split up around 1987. Well, about 15 years later the band did a reunion show and the feeling they had in the past revived! Four years later the band also reunited for a gig at the Keep it True festival in Germany where they blew the audience away (I was a part of that audience) After many gigs the band is still running and more fanatic than ever (also read my live review this month about their gig with Flotsam & Jetsam in Kerkrade, The Netherlands). In 2009 MARTYR released a new album "Fear The Universe". A Re-issue of the old time classic "For The Universe" and a complete new mini album titled "Fear" in a double digipack. December 2008 the band toured Europe with US shock rockers Lizzy Borden. At the moment they are doing a small tour with Flotsam & Jetsam and later this year they will support my friends from Vicious Rumors for a small clubtour! Good work guys! Im not gonna review the re-issue of the "For the Universe" album because this album is already a classic one in his genre. Funny about this release is the fact that this is the first release with original singer Rop van Haren. They never released anything with him in the past. Rop is a good singer and a great entertainer! It's a pleasure to see this band on stage! The other guys are also all good musicians and it's a good thing to see/hear that this band is back n business! Rop also has a totally different voice than Gerard Vergouw who sung on the "For the Universe" album. Musically the band stayed true to their roots but don't sound jocular! They made a kind of mix of their older stuff/style with a more modern edge. This mini album is good but I have to admit that I prefer the older (more uptempo) stuff from the band; also ON stage! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.martyronline.nl
Recordlabel: http://www.rustycagerecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/martyronline |
75/100 |
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| MEGADETH – Endgame (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 45:05 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| Does anyone NOT know the history of Megadeth? No? Good, that saves you and me about three pages to read/write. Let's talk about the new album shall we? Line up changes or not, Dave Mustaine is and always will be the undisputed leader of this legendary metal combo. He is still going strong and this month Megadeth's 12th studio effort will be available for everyone to enjoy. Dave Mustaine is known for not being able to choose between full blown metalsongs or more pop orientated music. For quite some time he didn't have to. Since the release of 'Countdown do extinction,' the band offered a good balance of the above mentioned styles. However, 'The system has failed' was a turning point in the band's career. It marked the return of the somewhat more heavy approach in their music that continued with 'United abominations.' Personally, I thought that 'United Abominations' just might be the last step back to their thrash roots. These thoughts where confirmed when I saw the band live for numerous times. During these shows, they played a lot of material from their classic 'Rust in peace' album. A landmark in heavy metal history. On his website, Mustaine stated that this album was a big influence on the new record. So yeah, I was excited to hear their new material. Especially with new guitarist Chris Broderick on board. He made quite an impression on stage so I was curious what he was capable of on a record. Finally I got the chance to take a listen to 'Endgame.' Was it worth the wait? The album starts of with the instrumental 'Dialectic chaos.' A song which can be compared to the So far…so good…so what? Album opener 'Into the lungs of hell.' What comes next are ten songs in the best Megadeth tradition. No other band can bring this mix of killer riffs, explosive solo's and intelligent lyrics. Slow passages can be found sporadic and the 'Rust in peace' influences are obviously there. Especially the songs 'This day we fight,' '1,320' and 'Bite the hand that feeds' really take me back. And as expected, Chris Broderick did a great job and I hope he manages to stay in the band for a while. But it's Megadeth, so time will tell...Once again, the lyrics are a journal of the time we live in. Critical and well put. Yes, this is an album that is worthy of the name Megadeth and can be added to the already impressive list of great albums. Everybody knows that times are different now, and that most likely no other album will have the same impact as 'Peace Sells' or the mentioned 'Rust in Piece.' When you keep that in mind, you cannot be disappointed with 'Endgame.' As a longtime fan, I am very pleased with this album and as a thrash metal enthusiast in general, I am glad that one of the true pioneers has stepped up to the plate and did it again. Rattle your goddamn head! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.megadeth.com
Recordlabel: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/megadeth |
90/100 |
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| METHEDRAS – Katarsis (CD) | Italy | September 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Modern Thrash / Death Metal | Running time: 41:26 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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Methedras is a modern thrash death metal band formed in 1996 with the purpose to mix the style of thrash metal of the early 80's with the blind rage of a more actual technical death metal. During the first years, several demo & promo CD's were released. 2004 saw the release of the first full-length album, Recursive. The album summed up the experience the band reached during the first ten years of activity, directing into the songs featured a huge amount of energy and rage, fed by a substantial dose of bay-area thrash metal, rendered in a more cynical and grimmer way. In 2006, Methedras released the second chapter, named The Worst Within, an album much more technical, aggressive and death-oriented rather than the predecessor, full of multimedia content (live videos from 2004 Wacken performance plus a making-of video).
In the middle of 2008, Methedras signed with Punishment 18 Records, an Italian well-growing indie label with a good distribution abroad, under which the forthcoming third release, named with the Greek word "Katarsis", was released.
Methedras plays a nice blend of thrash & death metal which can be best described as a mix of bands like; MachineHead, Slayer, Morbid Angel, Fear Factory & Testament. On 2 songs the band uses guests: "On my Knees" with bassguitar of Simone Bertozzi (Empyrios) and on "Nightmare" with Lady Godyva of Godyva. The vocals sound more death metal than thrash but fit in perfect to this modern style of metal. Good album with a superb production, good musicians & a very nice designed booklet. This is an album for typical Dutch thrashers that don't want to look back to much in time…….I guess this band will be picked up by a bigger label someday! On the 3rd of October Methedras will co-headline the warm up show of Mario's Metal Meeting 3 with Decadence & Gae Bolga. Be there at the Little Devil, Tilburg, The Netherlands. Be there!! You won't regret it! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.methedras.com
Recordlabel: http://www.punishment18records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/methedrasthrash |
82/100 |
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| MOSS – Tombs Of The Blind Drugged (MCD) | United Kingdom | September 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Sludge Drone / Doom | Running time: 40:31 (Tracks: 4) | ||
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Last years full length "Sub Templum" was a difficult confinement. Clocking over an hour with obscure drone/doom sounds it was a pretty tall order. That's why this EP suits me better. Although EP, this release is still longer than a lot of full lengths coming out this time. But hey, its doom so therefore I mustn't talk like this is such a big surprise. The EP begins with the song "Skeletal Keys" A monotone drone monster clocking over 12 minutes. The riff only changes a bit at the end of the song but still it manages to keep my attention during the song. The title song walks the same path although there are more vocal parts that can be heard during the song. Half way through we hear a very odd sounding organ. Now this where the album peaks and where Moss' really outshine the rest of their collegues. It fits really well with the album cover which is reason enough to buy the vinyl version. After the "Eternal Return" which is called "Serpent" on my promo the last song "Maimed and Slaughtered" is a cover by Discharge. This song was meant to be on the split "7" with Thee Plague of Gentleman a few years ago but was cancelled for unknown reasons. The original song is like 1 minute long while Moss manages it to make a 6 minute drone/doom version of the song with good results. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.riseaboverecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cthonicrites |
82/100 |
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| MUNICIPAL WASTE – Massive Aggressive (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Thrash Metal / Crossover | Running time: 28:33 (Tracks: 13) | ||
| MUNICIPAL WASTE doesn't need any introduction anymore. Since their albums "Waste 'em All" (2003), "Hazardous Mutation" (2005) and "The Art Of Partying" (2007) and with their energetic live shows, they gain much popularity…..and that makes them the leaders of the Thrash revival. "Massive Aggressive" is the fourth album (and the third on Earache) of these immense popular Thrashers. Musically there hasn't been changed much, only "Massive Aggressive" is a bit more hardcore orientated like on their debut "Waste 'em All". The band of Tony Foresta (vocals), Ryan Waste (guitar), Philip Hall (bass) and Dave Witte (drums) simply have a very recognizable sound. Okay, you can't deny hearing influences of bands like D.R.I., NUCLEAR ASSAULT, M.O.D. and other great crossover bands of the eighties, however, when you hear songs like "Divine Blasphemer", "Wolves Of Chernobyl" or "Wrong Answer" for example, you immediately know that it's MUNICIPAL WASTE. It just doesn't matter, "Mech Cannibal", "Divine Blasphemer", "Relentless Threat", "Shredded Offering", "Media Skeptic" or "Wrong Answer" are all awesome songs. With their fourth effort, MUNICPAL WASTE again delivers a killer album, which in my opinion absolutely belongs to the better releases of 2009. By the way, I've got the Special Edition Fan Box. In this box there's also a woven logo wristband, a woven logo patch and a 3 pin badge set. Anyway, BUY OR DIE and go see them on their "Waste The World" tour!!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.facethewaste.com
Recordlabel: http://www.earache.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/municipalwaste |
93/100 |
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| NEBULA - Heavy Psych (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Corinne van den Brand |
| Style: Stoner / Psychedelic rock | Running time: 35:16 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| I never heard of Nebula from Los Angeles although they excist since 1997. The singer Eddy Glass I heard of before from the band Fu Manchu.This cd was origanally recorded with six songs but they added four more but it still only lasts 35 minutes. It`s a very diverse cd and after I listened to it for a few times it started to grow on me. Every song is very different. From a rock song like in the depths to a bit more of a country feel like "Little yellow pill". "Aphrodite" is a slow heavy song like old Black Sabbath ( Womaaan) while the other side is a spacey song with a lot of bleeps and strange sounds. My favorite is "Crown of Thorns" which is very uptempo rock song which reminds me of bands like Iron Maiden in the old days with weird bleeps in it.The cd has a very 70`s athmosphere which is very pleasant to listen to. Production is good too and the sounds varies in some songs from a straight forward rock sound to a very modest clean drumsound in other songs. Nice cd. Worth checking out. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.nebulamusic.com
Recordlabel: http://www.teepeerecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/nebulamusic |
75/100 |
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| NEUROTHING – Murder Book (CD) | Poland | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal | Running time: 35:20 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| NEUROTHING is a five-piece metal band from Poland existing of Mikolaj Fajfer (vocals), Jaroslaw Slomka (guitars), Ryszard Hazubski (guitars), Maciej Przybylski (bass) and Robert Roszczynski (drums). The band was formed in 2004 and in 2005 they had released their four track EP "Vanishing Celestial Bodies". During the writing process of this full length album, NEUROTHING had to deal with a line-up change. They had to change their singer. So former vocalist Bartek Chupasangre has been replaced by Mikolaj Fajfer. About this self financed album "Murder Book", well the music is very complex, weird and most of all very annoying. Most of the songs are sounding pretty much the same like "Kill It", "High Pain Threshold", "My Cell" and "More Than Time". Also Fajfer is mostly screaming the same kind vocal lines in every song. Only "Hands Of Death" is a kind of slow song. Anyway, you can get pretty neurotic by listening several times to this album. So be warned! "Murder Book" is only interesting for metalheads with ADHD. To me, this album is working on my nerves and really not fascinating. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.neurothing.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/neurothing |
63/100 |
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| OBTEST – Gyvybes Medis (CD) | Lithuania | September 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Pagan Metal | Running time: 43:12 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Another new signing on the prestigious Osmose label. However, this is not exactly a new band. The group was established in 1992 and at that point in time they were playing raw black metal. Throughout the years their sound naturally evolved in a more folk/pagan approach. Recently Obtest released their fourth album 'Gyvybes Medis.' Compared to their previous releases, this one is yet a bit more accessible. The album is full of catchy pagan music with special attention for the melodies and refrains. The music is really diverse and the quality remains the entire album. Especially the songs 'Tree of life,' 'Children of the hawk' and 'The light' are very addictive. I can strongly recommend this album to any enthusiast of the pagan genre. Great album! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.obtest.lt
Recordlabel: http://www.osmoseproductions.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/obtestofficial |
75/100 |
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| REECE – Universal Language (CD) | Germany | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Melodic Hard Rock | Running time: 49:34 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| Funny, but when I saw the picture of David Reece at the back of the promo CD I had to think of Ozzy Osbourne. On that picture he's really a look-a-like to Ozzy. Anyway, although he's been a former vocalist of bands like ACCEPT ("Eat The Heat" from 1989), BANGALORE CHOIR ("On Target" from 1992), SIRCLE OF SILENCE (self titled album from 1993 and "Suicide Candyman" from 1994), STREAM ("Take It Or Leave It" from 1995) and since 2007 being the current singer of GYPSY ROSE, I must admit that I never had heard of this American singer David Reece before. Now, David Reece is fulfilling his dream by releasing his first solo album titled "Universal Language" on Metal Heaven. For this solo album Reece started writing together with guitarist/producer Andy Susemihl (formerly of U.D.O.) in late 2008. The rhythm section of REECE exists of Jochen Fünders (bass; formerly of HOLY MOSES) and Stefan Schwarzmann (drums; formerly of ACCEPT, U.D.O., HELLOWEEN, KROKUS). "Universal Language" is a very well produced album and features twelve melodic rock songs, of which "Once In A Lifetime" and "Queen Of My Dreams" are ballads. So, this album is my first acquaintance with David Reece's voice and I must say that he's a good singer. David has gathered a fantastic band around him. Susemihl is a great guitarist and with Fünders and Schwarzmann he has a solid rhythm section. The album cover is very simple, but my conclusion is that "Universal Language" is not a spectacular but a reasonable melodic rock album. My favourite tracks are "Before I Die", "All The Way", "The River", "Flesh And Blood" and the acoustic ballad "Queen Of My Dreams". | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.reece-rocks.com
Recordlabel: http://www.metalheaven.net MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/david.reece |
78/100 |
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| REVOLUTION MOTHER – Rollin' With Tha Mutha (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Speedrock / Metal /Hardcore | Running time: 46:09 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| In December of 2007 I reviewed the debut album "Glory Bound" of REVOLUTION MOTHER, which I gave 86 points out of 100. And I still regularly listen to that album. So, I was really looking forward to this second album, which is titled "Rollin' With Tha Mutha". The sticker on the CD says "Revolution Mother is pissed off. Skateboarding legend Mike Vallely and cohorts destroy with 11 tracks that bring to mind the intensity of BLACK FLAG, the groove of CLUTCH and the danger of a bar fight". And indeed this album again KICKS ASS. The line-up still exists of skate-icon Mike Valleyly (vocals), Jason Hampton (guitar), Colin Buis (bass) and Brendan Murphy (drums). Also for this second album the band recorded eleven kick ass rock 'n roll songs. On "Glory Bound" the band recorded BLACK SABBATH's "Hole In The Sky", this time it's the MOUNTAIN cover "Crossroader" (from the "Flowers Of Evil" (1971) album) they recorded, which is just nice. Anyway, when you put this album in your CD-player it will say it has a running time of 46:09 minutes. That's the running time including the hidden track "The Rider" (14:37). But the actual running time of the eleven songs is 31:32 minutes. The first 6 minutes of "The Rider" is a silence, and to tell the truth, that hidden track is just a boring psychedelic/stoner song which just takes to long. I've said it many times before, I still don't understand why bands are putting hidden tracks (and silences) on their album. Most of the time it's crap or a weaker song. Anyway, the eleven songs on "Rollin' With Tha Mutha" are of the same kind of level as on "Glory Bound", fast, mid tempo and solid with fantastic grooves and simple but effective heavy riffs. Only the last two songs "Crossroader" and "The Rider" are slower. The production of "Rollin' With Tha Mutha" is fantastic, which was done by Fred Archambault. The best songs are in my opinion "Rollin' With Tha Mutha", "Mofo" (superb), "Killin' Machine", "Born To Rock N' Roll", "The Snake", "Night Ride", Ride The Sky" and "Time Machine". If you already liked "Glory Bound" then you will enjoy "Rollin' With Tha Mutha" as well. Fantastic album, only too bad of that boring hidden track. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.ferretstyle.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/revolutionmother |
88/100 |
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| SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL – Songs About Angels (CD) | USA | September 2009 | Frans Neelen |
| Style: Prog-Goth Metal | Running time: 72.48 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| Something Beautiful comes from Chicago and delivers us a very ambitious, epic concept album which handles about "a nameless wanderer coming into an agreement with an angel, that he commits murder in exchange for admittance into paradise. As he goes about fulfilling his part of the bargain, he is met by a priest, who, fascinated and disgusted by the killing, transforms into everything he has ever preached against, while the wanderer discovers the implications of what he has done." Well, that's enough interesting material for telling a story. The band consisting of two members, Dale Tippit Jr.( guitar & vocals) and Justin Smith (bass & vocals) play a doomy and modern kind of goth music. The vocals and guitar work sound okay, as well as the production, but the "computerized" stuff like the drums are beginning to irritate during the album. That is a pity, because album opener "A Voice in the Shadows" for instance is very good and breaths the atmosphere of a fine Candlemass song. Further on they succeed in putting variation and melody but always a bit in the same style. When a band produces a storytelling concept album, mostly all the tracks have that same sphere hanging around. Well, that's what strikes me the most. The first nine tracks I am feeling comfortable with this stuff but during "Dreams about your Skin", which unfortunately clocks 15 minutes, a highly irritation (especially caused by the constantly repeating computer drums) comes over me and the rest of the album doesn't seem to end. But hey, this album clocks almost 73 minutes and that wasn't even enough considering to their website where you can download one song that was left off due to the run-time restraints of cd's. To make an album that gets your attention for this long …., well there are only a little few who are able to manage that. So, to my opinion it would have been probably better if they recorded two separate cd's. Coming to a judgement of this product, I must say the band has succeeded in telling the story very adequate. If you like a doomy, bit dark variation of goth full with melancholy brought with clean, drama vocals this could be something for you. Despite of the good songs in the beginning, I am here to judge the whole album and because of the fact the album can't keep it's high starting level it doesn't reach much higher than this. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.denythepain.com
Recordlabel: http://www.last.fm/music/something+beautiful MySpace: http:// www.myspace.com/sobmusic |
67/100 |
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| SPIRITUS MORTIS – The God Behind the God (CD) | Finland | September 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Doom Metal | Running time: 49:02 (Tracks: 8) | ||
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After a series of split releases, Finnish doomsters Spiritus Mortis are back with their third full length album. I reviewed their 2006 release called "Fallen" and now its time to see what has changed and what remained the same. The opener "The Man of Steel" storms its way through the speakers! This is a heavy and fast track, more in the Grand Magus vein and less in the traditional Spiritus Mortis doom sound. A killer tune indeed. The second track is a classic S.M. song. Slow and heavy as hell. The album continues in a slow and dark manner and closes with another fast and heavy tune called "Perpatual Motion"! What a way to start and finish a doom metal album! The new singer is probably the best the band ever had. Melodic and heavy at the same time. Spiritus Mortis has done it again. This is another great traditional doom metal album. Candlemass would be proud. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.spiritusmortis.com
Recordlabel: http://www.firebox.fi MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/spiritusmortis |
81/100 |
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| SPOIL ENGINE – Antimatter (CD) | Belgium | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal / Thrash | Running time: 40:50 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| SPOIL ENGINE is a Belgian metal band with a Dutch vocalist. The band exists of Niek Tournois (vocals), Steven Sanders (guitar), Nick Vandenberghe (guitar), Kristof Taveirne (bass) and Steven Demey (drums) and was formed in late 2004. In 2007 their debut album "Skinnerbox v.07" was released on Apache Records, which I don't know so far. So, this second album "Antimatter", which is released on Roadrunner Records, is my first acquaintance with SPOIL ENGINE. And it's a great album with ten excellent catchy metal songs with lots of melodies. The third track, "Breathe", should even be a good first single of the album. Absolutely one of my favourite tracks. Musically SPOIL ENGINE reminds me the most of bands like SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR, but sometimes I hear also some influences of MACHINE HEAD and SLAYER ("The New Disease"). The band exists of very skilled musicians. All is played very tightly, and Niek Tournois is a perfect singer for the band. Anyway, "Antimatter" was recorded by Tournois in his own "Sweet & Sour" studio, produced by Ace Zec and mastered by Eu Nastasi and sounds awesome. The band already played on "Graspop Metal Meeting" in 2007 and opened for bands like ARCH ENEMY, PRONG, VOLBEAT, SEPULTURA etcetera. Well, with an impressive album like "Antimatter", the future of SPOIL ENGINE looks very bright. I'm sure the band will be on many festivals next year. Although all songs are really fantastic, my favourites are "Pressing On The Overload", "Breathe" (killer song), "Antimatter", "The New Disease", "Seamless" and "Fallout". A very good and enjoyable second album, which will visit my CD-player many times I think. Now I'll have to check out their first album "Skinnerbox v.07" too. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.spoilengine.com
Recordlabel: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.be MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/spoilengine |
88/100 |
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| STEEVI JAIMZ – My Private Hell (CD) | United Kingdom | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Glam / Melodic Rock | Running time: 36:56 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| STEEVI JAIMZ was the first singer of Glam Metal band TIGERTAILZ and recorded only one album with the TAILZ, namely the debut album "Young And Crazy" (1987). After that album Jaimz was fired from the TAILZ. And to tell the truth, I really don't know what he has done after the TAILZ. Anyway, this album "My Private Hell", which has been recorded during various sessions between November 2005 and June 2008, is written and performed by Steevi Jaimz, Chris Laney (RANDY PIPER'S ANIMAL, ZAN CLAN) and Anders Ringman. The album features ten melodic songs, but don't expect something innovative, because we've heard such kind of songs many times before. Don't misunderstand me, it's not that bad, just nice to listen to once in a while. If you listen to the songs on "My Private Hell" you will hear some influences of bands like DEF LEPPARD, OZZY OSBOURNE, DOKKEN, KISS etcetera. Anyway, some songs that I like are "Don't Say It's Over", "Something Good Something Bad", "Little Sistah", "My Private Hell" and "Dancin' With Danger". Well, if you like melodic rock and some of the above mentioned bands, then you sure can try this album out yourself. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.steevijaimz.com
Recordlabel: http://www.cargorecords.co.uk MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/steevijaimz |
76/100 |
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| TED NUGENT – Motor City Mayhem - The 6,000th Concert (DVD) | USA | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Hard Rock | Running time: 2:04:42 | ||
| Last year I reviewed the live DVD "Sweden Rocks" of one of my favourite guitar heroes TED NUGENT. Now there's again a new live DVD of the Nuge titled "Motor City Mayhem - The 6,000th Concert". And as the sub-title says, this was Uncle Ted's 6,000th concert in his long career. The show was filmed in Detroit on the fourth of July (independence day) of 2008. And what a brilliant DVD this is, fantastically filmed, great song selection with lots of classics and some covers. Although Ted's age (the Nuge was born on December 13th, 1948) he still ROCKS as hell. This time Ted's band exists of Greg Smith (bass, vocals) and Mick Brown (drums; DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB etc.). When the DVD starts, you see seven American soldiers standing on stage, and before Uncle Ted starts with his intro, a large "Happy 4th Of July" cake is driven on stage. When the band starts playing "Star Spangled Banner", a pretty blond girl in a bikini is coming out of the cake. After American's national anthem Nugent opens his show with the classic "Motor City Madhouse" of his self titled solo album of 1975. The set-list of this DVD is totally different than on the above mentioned "Sweden Rocks". Of course we'll get all time classics like "Wango Tango", "Free For All", "Stormtroopin'", "Dog Eat Dog", "Need You Bad" (sung by Greg Smith), "Weekend Warrior", "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang", "Cat Scratch Fever", the mighty "Stranglehold" and "Great White Buffalo". But also songs like "Love Grenade" and "Geronimo And Me" of his last studio album "Love Grenade" (2007) and "Fred Bear" of 1995's "Spirit Of The Wild". Because it's Ted's special party, there are some guest appearances as well. So is Ted's guitar teacher Joe Podorsek playing the bluesy instrumental "Honky Tonk" with the Motorcity Madmen, and with legendary Detroit drummer Johnny "Bee" Badanjek (ALICE COOPER, EDGAR WINTER, BOB SEGER etc.) Ted is playing "Jenny Take A Ride" (which is one of the hits of Badanjek's first band MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS). Also Derek St. Holmes, mainly the singer of Ted's band from 1975 until 1978, is doing some real classics with Uncle Ted, namely "Hey Baby", "Cat Scratch Fever" and "Stranglehold". St. Holmes is singing "Hey Baby" and together with The Nuge "Stranglehold", and he still is a great singer as well. So, this is again a fantastic live DVD by the Nuge, and is a real must-have for all die-hard NUGENT fans. By the way, on this DVD there are no extra's available. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.tednugent.com
Recordlabel: http://www.eagle-rock.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/tednugent |
92/100 |
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| THE DEAD MUSICIAN – Set Your World On Fire (Demo) | France | September 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Black Metal | Running time: 25:00 (Tracks: 5) | ||
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When it comes to underground black metal it is always difficult to explain why harsh records can still get a good score. I mean: the instrumentation is mostly poor and the production is unbearable for most people. My opinion is that within black metal the most important subject is: "atmosphere". How obstinate this may think but with bad instrumentation and a pis poor production you can really create a dark atmosphere. It is no different with The Dead Musician, although I must say that the instrumentation isn't that bad. This French one piece project which has a strong connection with the French speaking part of Canada sometimes can create that dark atmosphere. The production is very Spartan. It squeaks, crunches and beeps. The vocals are recorded with lots of echo and are in front of the mix, which is a plus. The riffs are tremolo picked and the music is mostly played at quite high speed. Within the last song "Diabolous Life" there are more mid paced parts which makes this for me the best song of the demo. Conclusion is that a lot of ideas within this demo are good others are maybe just too common. I still see this as a more than reasonable demo which I can only recommend to the real underground freaks! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.altsphere.com
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75/100 |
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| THE POODLES – Clash Of The Elements (CD) | Sweden | September 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Melodic Hard Rock | Running time: 56:52 (Tracks: 14) | ||
| Swedish melodic rock band THE POODLES was formed in the fall of 2005. In that same year they participated in the Swedish leg of the Eurovision Song Contest, which led to their breakthrough in Sweden. Their debut album "Metal Will Stand Tall" was released in Sweden in 2006 and in 2007 outside of Sweden. Early 2007 the band toured all over Europe with KROKUS and HAMMERFALL. They also played in 013, Tilburg, Holland on January 24th, 2007, but I had missed them that night. I only saw KROKUS and HAMMERFALL. Their second album "Sweet Trade" was released in late 2007, and now the third album "Clash Of The Elements" will be released on August 28th. So, you could say the star of THE POODLES is still rising. The band, who's existing of Jakob Samuel (vocals), Henrik Bergqvist (guitar), Pontus Egberg (bass) and Christian Lundqvist (drums), stands guarantee for some good melodic rock music. Sometimes I hear some influences of QUEEN, but they also remind me of bands like TNT, BON JOVI and EUROPE. On several songs orchestral/string arrangements are used, like on "Too Much Of Everything", semi-ballad "Sweet Enemy" and "Pilot Of The Storm". Anyway, with this album they can reach a wide audience. They have the looks, Samuel is a very good singer, Bergqvist is a skilled guitarist and most of all the songs are very catchy. The album is produced by legendary producer Mike Fraser (AC/DC, AEROSMITH, LED ZEPPELIN, WHITESNAKE etc.) and sounds fantastic. On this album you will find heavy melodic rockers as well as some ballads. Although my favourite songs are "Caroline", "Like No Tomorrow", "I Rule The Night", "Give Me A Sign", "7 Days & 7 Nights" and "Pilot Of The Storm", I like the ballads "One Out Of Ten", "Sweet Enemy" and "Can't Let You Go" as well. "Clash Of The Elements" is a fantastic melodic rock album, which will sell very well, and is a recommendation to anyone who's into good melodic rock in general. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.poodles.se
Recordlabel: http://www.blisteringrecords.se MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thepoodles |
85/100 |
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| V.A. (Various Artist) - Peace & Smile Carnival (DVD) | Japan | September 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Japanese Rock | Running time: 115 minutes (Tracks: 18) | ||
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This album is a DVD which was released because of the 10th anniversary of the Japanese record company PS Company. This record company represents mainly Japanese bands and that is also what you get when you have a look at this DVD. The bands which can be seen are Miyavi-, Kagrra,, Kra, the GazettE, alice nine., SuG and SCREW. The DVD is recorded on 3-1-2009 in the at Nippon Budokan (Tokyo) and is of a good quality. The production is good and what really surprises me, is the enthusiasm of the Japanese audience. The music on this DVD is quite good; it is rock with a Japanese touch. I was not familiar with most of the bands, but I liked most of the performances. Especially the performance of Kaggra, was good, but that was also one of the bands that I was familiar with. The band members of the different bands on this DVD look quite "extravagantly", with a lot of make up. That is something that you have to like. If you want to get this DVD, check first if your DVD player can play it, I could only play the DVD on my laptop. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.pscompany.co.jp
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73/100 |
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| WARPATH – Damnation (CD) | United Kingdom | September 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 39:23 (Tracks: 8) | ||
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I remember that I bought a Warpath album already in 1994 titled "Against Everyone". Well, we are not talking here about that German thrashband but about a new UK band with the same name. The German edition was more a kind of crossover metal while this new UK band is straight in your face oldschool thrashmetal!!! This band exist since 2003 but all the members are young dogs with a great taste of thrash. Throughout the past two years, this band's great presence has build up a strong fanbase and a significant, ever-growing reputation in the UK metal scene. The later half of 2007 saw the band working on the follow-up to 'Cataclysm'. With drummer James Davenport, lead guitarist Pete Hawthorne and bassist Joel Jordan having joined the band, Warpath are here with their heaviest and fastest material yet; the debut album "Damnation" -- mixed at Kevin Talley's studio USA (Chimaira, DAATH, Hate Eternal) and mastered by legendary metal guitarist James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary). This band plays real oldschool thrashmetal which reminds me most to, the once mighty, Nasty Savage! Musically it's trashier than Nasty Savage but especially the vocals do remind me to Nasty Ronnie's voice. Also a band as Vio-Lence comes in mind when im listening to this fabulous album! This is really great stuff; great songs, double bass drums, great riffs & a good singer. It's unbelievable that this band still didn't sign a contract; so labels wake- & hurry up!! Awesome thrashalbum; hope to see the band is The Netherlands soon because I cant hardly wait!! Otherwise I have to get them over by myself!! Check them out!!!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://warpath-online.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/warpathuk |
90/100 |
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| BLOODY SIX – In The Name Of Blood (CD) | Switzerland | July 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 37:34 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Blower Records is a label who's releasing old albums mostly from the eighties. So also this album "In The Name Of Blood" of BLOODY SIX, which was released in 1984 by Mausoleum Records, has been re-released in a limited edition of 300 copies (just like "Young Blood" of KILLER, see reviews). Anyway, BLOODY SIX was a Heavy Metal band from Switzerland and existed of Peter McTanner (vocals), Def Meier (guitar), Martin McTanner (guitar), Claudio Matteo (guitar), Fritz Hulliger (bass) and Freddie Meier (drums). There's not much information to find on the internet about BLOODY SIX. There's no MySpace page or official site of the band. Blower Records says in the booklet that, due to lack of interest of the band members on this re-release, they were not able of adding any extra audio stuff or notes about the band. Personally I guess that "In The Name Of Blood" is the only album that was ever released by BLOODY SIX. Anyway, the album features nine tracks of which a few songs are nice. Some vocal lines of second song "High-Class 'n Wild" sounds exactly like "It's the same old song. You've gotta be somewhere at sometime. They never let you fly" of DIO's "Stand Up And Shout". Well, I've listened several times to this album and every time I only really liked the first three songs, which are "Starchaser", "High-Class 'n Wild" and "Let It Burn" and "Black Eagle". "Cold Winds Blow" is a cliché semi-ballad, and songs like "Fuck The Nation", "Rough Stuff" and "The End Of The World" (another semi-ballad) are very cliché as well. Sometimes I had to think of TROUBLE, but that's because Peter McTanner's voice reminds me a bit of TROUBLE's Eric Wagner. Just a nice album to listen to once in awhile, but not an essential one. So I would advise, buy a REAL classic album or just a brand new release of another band instead of this re-release. By the way, I ask myself how many people are interested in an album of a totally unknown metal band, which is re-released after 25 years?? | |||
| Recordlabel: http://www.blower-records.com |
65/100 |
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| DAWN OF TEARS – Dark Chamber Litanies (MCD) | Spain | July 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Melodic Death Metal | Running time: 31:00 (Tracks: 5) | ||
| Dawn of Tears was formed almost a decade ago and just released their new E.P. which is their fourth release in total. Now this I like…bands that take their time to produce a qualitative good record. We can tell that this state of mind paid off because their 2007 first full length album 'Descene' did very well. It even earned the band a nomination in the Metal Storm awards as best melodic death record of the year. They were in the same category as Dark Tranquility and Arch Enemy so they were in good company! Supporting the release of 'Descene,' Dawn of Tears toured extensively with bands like Dimmu Borgir and Dew Scented. This autumn the band will most likely start working on their second full length. Meanwhile we can enjoy this E.P. which is called 'Dark Chamber Litanies.' Like I've said before: Now this I like…you can hear that the band put a lot of effort into these songs. The aspect I like the most are the spherical melody lines. This forms an excellent balance with the dark vocals and contents of the music. A catchy mix of melodic death and black/pagan metal. If the forthcoming release is as taken care of as this E.P. I most likely will reach for my wallet again. This release could be interesting for the enthusiast of the above mentioned styles of music. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.dawnoftears.com
Recordlabel: http://www.luggamusic.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dawnoftears |
80/100 |
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| DESCENDING DARKNESS – Blutrausch (MCD) | Austria | July 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Black Metal | Running time: 21:00 (Tracks: 6) | ||
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Finally after seven years of silence these filthy maniacs from Austria return with a mini-cd consisting of 6 songs that will wipe the shit out of you. Warning: this is for freaks only. I consider myself as one and I must say that Descending Darkness has made a giant leap forward comparing this to their demo's which were more of a Beherit worship. On "Blutraush" the bands sounds more mature although this music is of course as primitive as possible. This is their first offering where Arngrim doesn't play all the instruments. Since 2007 the band has called in some reinforcements in the name of Gevatter (vocals) and B. Terror (drums). These people are obviously guilty for this progression. Productionwise "Blutraush" sounds very spartan. I believe there will be people who hate this production. Not here! This is how this music must sound. Screeching and primeval. I surely hope this band will return with a full length soon in place of crawling under a rock for again seven years. You can order the cd through Ashen productions and it is limited to 500 copies. So act quickly! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.descending-darkness.net
Recordlabel: http://www.ashenproductions.net |
80/100 |
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| DEVILS WHOREHOUSE– Blood & Ashes (CD) | Sweden | July 2009 | Corinne van den Brand |
| Style: Horror Metal ? | Running time: 39:51 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| This band was formed in 2000 by Morgan of Marduk and two local musicians and at first they played Samhain and Misfits covers. After a short time they wrote some songs of their own. They released "Revelation Unorthodox" in 2003 but after that it was quiet for almost 5 years. They regrouped in the summer of 2008 and released the EP "Werewolf in October" with a new line up. And in 2009 they released this cd "Blood & Ashes". The band now is: Morgan-bass, Makko -guitar, Maelstrom-vocals and Hrafn-drums. They call it horror metal or punk but that's their opinion; I would call it Danzig metal. No, that's nonsense ofcourse but you can't deny the background of this band as a Samhain /Misfits cover band because you can hear it very clearly. And the last song is a Samhain cover ( Let the Day Begin ) and is not mentioned on my (promo) cd at all. But I don't mind that. Maelstrom is clearly imitating Glenn Danzig but I like the original better. But Maelstrom has a pleasant voice. And he varies enough with his voice to keep me interested. Sometimes punk ( Face the Master) and sometimes very singalong (Werewolf)and very Danzig (on Shadows never change). The music isn't very special. If you know the bands that influenced them you exactly know what music they make. But I kinda liked Danzig in the old days so I kinda like the Devils Whorehouse to. But I don't give them a high score because they completely lack originality. A good cd to put in my cd- player if I have guests who don't like my death metal collection. Hehehe!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.devilswhorehouse.com
Recordlabel: http:// www.regainrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/truedevils |
75/100 |
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| DREAM THEATER – Black Clouds & Silver Linings (CD) | USA | July 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Progressive Metal | Running time: 70:14 (Tracks: 6) | ||
| I remember just being fourteen years old when I bought my first Dream Theater album. The album was called " Images and Words" and I've been following the band ever since. So when Mario asked me if I was interested to review their latest effort 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings' I couldn't say no. In the late eighties and early nineties, Dream Theater built up a reputation as the 'kings' of progressive metal. They became bigger and bigger and the albums were filled with theatrical parts and conceptual songs. The album 'Train of Thought' was a turning point in the bands career. On one hand the band was blamed for the lack of progressive parts, but on the other hand the band was also hailed for the more heavy approach of the songs on this record. Later on, with the releases of 'Octavarium' and 'Systematic Chaos' they found an excellent balance between their highly acclaimed progressive style and the groovy metal influences in their music. Now the tenth (!) Dream Theater album has saw the light of day. And how does it sound? Amazing! The musicians are all trained professionals and as a band they know exactly how to create an album. I don't know how they keep pulling it off, but I can't discover a weak spot on this new record. Dream Theater is all about creating the right emotion in their music. Take for example the song 'The best of times,' a tribute to the recently deceased father of drummer Mike Portnoy. Pure emotion! And with nearly twenty minutes on the clock, the song 'The count of Tuscany' keeps fascinating. The breaks, the grooves and the typical Dream Theater melodies… The album still grows every time I listen to it. And although James LaBrie is often criticized as a singer, to me he is the right vocalist for this band. Like Bruce Dickinson is for Iron Maiden. If a band is still this relevant after ten albums, the title 'Kings' is more than justified. I can go on and on about this amazing album, but I won't. I'd rather listen to it again. And for the die hard Dream Theater fans: the album comes out in different packages. Also a CD version with bonus DVD and some new cover songs. And if you are slightly familiar with Dream Theater, you know that is going to be a beautiful product. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.dreamtheater.net
Recordlabel: http://www.roadrunner.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dreamtheater |
98/100 |
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| ENDSTILLE – Verfuhrer (CD) | Germany | July 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Black Metal | Running time: 46:47 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Endstille is slowly entering the premier league of black metal. With their previous album "Endstille's Reich" –the first in a multiple album deal with Regain records- the band played more shows outside of Germany and Endstille shirts at concerts were to numerous to count. Something the black metal police didn't like. On the internet I read some opinions from people that don't like it when a band chooses to release more merchandise. But hey, fuck that, it's the music that counts. With "Verfuhrer" the band releases their 6th album in 7 years (the split lp with Graupel not included). Endstille has always stood for mainly fast and aggressive black metal with not much fuss. On "Verfuhrer" it is no different. On some of the songs like for example "Depressive/Abstract/Banished/Despised the band increases on their speed level. It makes the songs more recognizable mutually. Something which was a problem on their previous album which in my opinion has to much blasting parts and not enough variation. Of course there's enough to enjoy for the blast freaks under us. Trademark of their drummer Mayhemic Destructor is that he absolutely despises trigger drums. So the blast beats sound always very natural on an Endstille album. Something I encourage. The cover art shows Wilhelm 2 (1859-1941) grandson of the former, King of Prussia and German Emperor in his working clothes and is somewhat refreshing after all their battlefront pictures on other releases . Needles to say that lyrical wise the subject "war" is standing central during the album. As always with Endstille. Many would say that we have heard this so many times and that Endstille is nothing new. They are right saying that this is nothing new but please don't forget that Endstille writes really good songs in their genre. This is what makes them for me better then most of their colleagues. Some bands don't need it to sound different on every album, Endtille is such a band. Conservative as fuck and loyal to their fan base. The people who liked their previous albums can easily add "Verfuhrer" to their collection. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.endstille.com
Recordlabel: http://www.regainrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/endstille |
81/100 |
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| ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW – Children of the Dark Waters (CD) | Finland | July 2009 | Frans Neelen |
| Style: Gothic Metal | Running time: 44.31 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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Well, the Finns, they just keep on doing it ! It's going to be a bit customary but again a band emerges from the drowsy Finnish woods to bring us a classic album filled with majestic, multilayered heavy stuff. Eternal Tears of Sorrow celebrated their comeback in 2006 with their fifth album "Before the Bleeding Sun" after breaking up the band in 2002. With this sixth album "Children of the Dark Waters" the making of the ultimate male fronted Gothic Metal album is near. Newcomer Jarmo adds new dimensions to the sound with his varied clean vocals and the grunts of Altti have even become more impressive. Opener "Angelheart, Ravenheart" immediately blows out of your speakers and is strewn with influences from black/death metal, supported with fine keyboards. These guys know how Gothic Metal existed. "Baptized by the Blood of Angels" is even heavier, darker and sometimes remembers at Dimmu Borgir. With "Tears of Autumn Rain" they have a single hit in Finland, and hey, what can I say, they do have a great taste over there, a real masterpiece this one is indeed. All songs are on a very high level and performed by class musicians who know what they are doing. Expect a fierce intro followed by a slight increasing, dark tension that grows further while forging songs that compare both beauty and darkness but maintain enough power and heaviness to keep your head banging. Despite the complexity of the songs, the band is capable of making them sound even catchy. It will just take you a few times listening and they are hammered in your head while even still discovering new things. A fine example is the beautiful ballad "Sea of Whispers" (on this version also as an acoustic bonus track). Additional female vocals make their appearance in some songs and are done very properly by Miriam Renvag (Ram-Zet) and Heidi Parviainen (Amberian Down). Provided with a superb production and sound you can mark this album as a blueprint of Gothic Metal. Mahtavat! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.eternaltears.info
Recordlabel: http://www.massacre-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/etos1 |
90/100 |
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| GUMOMANIACS – Pries of Lucifer (CD) | Germany | July 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 52:14 (Tracks: 13) | ||
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GumoManiacs has experienced quite the struggle before this first record would see the light of day. Starting out as a one man project in 2007, Singer/guitarist Daniel 'Gumo' Reiss released the first demo before recruiting other band members. After that, a few more demo's and line-up changes followed and nowadays GumoManiacs is full blown metalband with a stable line-up. With this line-up they recently released their debut album 'Priest of Lucifer.' The vinyl version of this album already was released in the end of 2008 through the German G.U.C. label. Now Blower Records has decided to put a CD version on the market. I am glad they did, because qualitative good thrash metal is always welcome on a silver disc. This is exactly the way old school thrash metal should sound. GumoManiacs uses every ingredient that made this genre so big in the eighties. Influences of Exodus, Megadeth and even the hooks of Mercyful Fate are represented on this album. Mean riffs, fast melodic solo's, the typical drum sound. You name it…and it's on there. GumoManiacs are, in my opinion, really capturing the spirit of these previous mentioned bands. Songs like 'Kill again Tonight' and 'Graveyard Fantasies' appear to come straight out of the eighties. There is so much more I can say about this album, but it all comes down to one message: If you dig real old school thrash metal, you are obligated to give this album a try. Off course the music is far from original, but when it's played well that doesn't matter at all. More of this please… | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.gumomaniacs.de
Recordlabel: http://www.blower-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/gumomaniacs |
82/100 |
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| HOT BUTTERED ANAL – Lies (CD) | USA | July 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Twisted, Angry Metal | Running time: 48:00 (Tracks: 21) | ||
| Hot Buttered Anal consists of 3 metal veterans who started listening to metal when Metallica was just putting out their 'No Life till Leather' demo, and more importantly they have all been friends for more then 15 years, according to their bio. Having played in a number of metal bands throughout the years, Bob (Cocks, guitar/vocals), Chris (Cornhole, drums/backing vocals) and Ziggy (Drynuts, bass/backing vocals) all decided to put together a band for fun and vent some anger. They were not concerned with fitting in a specific genre; doing the same thing other bands are doing these days, or rehashing the past. Hot Buttered Anal plays a mixture of thrash, death, punk and rock, or as they say it; Hot Buttered Anal plays what they want, plain and simple! Formed in 2005 and based out of Providence, RI this is their second album after 'Please Kill Me' released in April of 2007 (See Archive CD/DVD Reviews). As I've never heard of this band, and am not familiar with their first release, I'll stick to this one. I was really surprised when I listened to this album, to say the least it IS original and funny, with some serious subjects. When I put the album on it starts off with 'We're not retarded' , this reminded me of one of my favourite bands The Accused, especially the singer, strange and crazy, yet aggressive. In the following song 'Lies', also some Dead Kennedy's influences, and surely also some S.O.D./M.O.D. and D.R.I. crossover influences to be discovered. Next up, totally different, 'Just Try It' could well be done by a band called Rage Against The Machine, While following 'Choke The Bitch' is really funny, especially the phone call at the end, hilarious. Some aggressive songs, changed with some acoustic pieces, hilarious lyrics (which all are there in the nicely done cover) and songs like 'I want a Girl…' or 'Duct Tape And Sausages', a wonderful goofy acoustic rock song. What about 'The good ol'days', who comes up with this stuff, crazy! Bands to compare that come up listening to this album are besides fore mentioned bands, One Live Crew, Macabre (World Greatest Dad) or even Dropkick Murphy's (Once Upon a Time), they all put it together in an original crazy mix of styles, also production sounds real good, which makes this a great second release for Hot Buttered Anal, and me wanting to hear the first one too. Subject's like incest, rape, and just plain stupidity are all there in the right amount, 'Daddy's Little Girl', or 'Dear God', the evil chickens are the cause…This is a great album, and it's gonna be high up on my list of 2009, discover Hot Buttered Anal for yourself If you already haven't! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.hotbutteredanal.com
Recordlabel: http://www.sparechangerecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hotbutteredanal |
93/100 |
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| JACKAL – IV (CD) | Denmark | July 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 46:28 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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Band reunions are quite common in the last years, and Danish lot Jackal are no exception to the rule. Frontman Brian Rich recorded three albums with this band in the nineties so the title is totally fitting. Nowadays, Rich had one other bandmember, Carsten Falkenlind, who does all instruments (!!). But reunion albums are either wonderful or a sell out. During the third track, "Innocence" I thought "well they finally come close to their old quality", be it that the vocals are quite lame. A heavy accent prohibits me to really enjoy the song. "Angel" is loved by many, but it doesn't seem to win me over. It ends with a quite nice solo but why fade that out? It deserved at least the bigger part of one minute…. The rest of the songs make me believe that Jackal will not be able to follow in their successful footpaths of the nineties. Brian's voice is way over his strong years, so to speak, and the songmaterial is hardly convincing. A shame….another reunion gone to the dogs….maybe Carsten can find a band to show us all his talents. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.puresteel-records.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/brich |
65/100 |
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| KAGGRA, - Shu (CD) | Japan | July 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Rock | Running time: 41:21 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| It was not easy to write a review about this album from the band Kagrra,. The reason is that I only received a cd in a white paper cover with only the band name on it. When I tried to visit their website and select the English part of it, I was forwarded to their myspace site. Also the website of the record company didn`t offer me much information, I'm not so familiar with Japanese characters.... Kagrra, was founded in 2000 and has a stable line-up since that date. They have released 7 singles, 3 albums and 4 DVDs until now and they are one of the most popular bands in Japan. But they have also a considerable amount of fans in Europe. In August 2008, they visited Holland for the last time; they had a successful gig in Tivoli, Utrecht. Their new album 'Shu' contains 10 different songs. The style on this album is very diverse and is sometimes mysterious with typical Japanese sounds. One moment you listen to very sweet (pop)music, then it switches to rock music, and one moment later you listen to a typical Japanese song. It is quite complex and I'm not able to characterize their music in one single word, but that makes it interesting. Kagrra uses sometimes the Koto, an old Japanese traditional stringed instrument. The lyrics are Japanese so I was not able to find out what the themes are on this album. But I found in an article that the lyrics deal with old Japanese traditions. Most of the lyrics are written by Isshi (Vocals). Finally, I concluded that Shu is quite a nice album, but not for people who like metal. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.pscompany.co.jp/kagrra,
Recordlabel: http://www.kingrecords.co.jp MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kagrraofficial |
79/100 |
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| KILLER – Young Blood (CD) | Switzerland | July 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal | Running time: 37:04 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| First of all, this isn't an album of the Belgian KILLER, no it's the fourth album of Swiss rockers KILLER, re-released by Blower Records in a limited edition of 300 copies. Anyway, the band was formed way back in 1979, had several line-up changes and they released the following albums: "Lady Killer" (1981), "Thriller" (1982), "Stronger Than Ever" (1984) and this album "Young Blood" (1986). The line-up of KILLER on this album was Mark B. Lay (vocals), Jan van Crow (guitar), Martin Morelli (bass) and Ronny Woolf (drums). The band had the image of bands like RATT, MÖTLEY CRÜE, POISON etc. Musically KILLER existed of good musicians, and Lay is an acceptable singer. But to tell the truth, nowadays it all sounds very cliché and dated. So, the question is "who is waiting for such re-releases?". Some riffs in "She Wants More" and "Heavy Metal" are rip offs of MÖTLEY CRÜE. There are two, sorry guys, cliché ballads on the album, which are "Run For You" and the very short "The Show Is Over". In my opinion the best songs are "I Want It" and the double bass rockers "Young Blood" and "Wild Boys". Songs like "Heaven And Hell", "Top Secret" and "Heavy Metal" are all very cliché songs, not to mention cliché titles. Only interesting for those who had the album on vinyl. I've listened also to some tracks on their MySpace page as well, and I must say the three songs of their "Lady Killer" album, which are "Crazy Daisy" (sounds like AC/DC with Udo Dirkschneider on vocals), "Get Up Get Down" and "Come Along" are way much better. These tracks are more kick ass rock 'n roll songs. I think if I had to review the re-release of "Lady Killer", that album got a much higher rating than this one. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.killermetal.ch
Recordlabel: http://www.blower-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/killerswitzerland |
64/100 |
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| KRAKOW – Coronated King (MCD) | Norway | July 2008 | Corinne van den Brand |
| Style: Stoner Rock | Running time: 20:50 (Tracks: 3) | ||
| Krakow was founded in 2005 and their inspiration were bands like Mastodon, Iron Maiden and Queens of the Stone Age. Krakow is Rene Misje-guitar/vocals, Kjartan Gronhaug-guitar, Frode Kilvik-bass/vocals and Christopher Swahn Zibell-drums. In 2007 they released an Ep called "Dusty Roads". And this promo is recorded in 2008.They recorded a new album in February 2009 but until that one is released we will listen to this 3 song promo. First song is Drifter. The vocals are occasionally interesting but the song itself is very boring .It's to slow for my liking. Not a lot of variation and the guitar riff is very mediocre.The second song is Coronated King. This song is far more melodic and varied. It's more midtempo but with heavy riffing and more varied vocals. The best song is the last one Ghost Rider. It's the most varied of the three and it's very well structured with heavy riffs and very varied vocals. It's the song played with the most emotions and has a lot of character. But I think this is a band you better see live because this is music to experience in a small venue to have the biggest impact and not on a small cd player like I have at home. | |||
| MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/krakowband |
71/100 |
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| MAGNUM – Into the Valley of the Moonking (CD) | United Kingdom | July 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Progressive / AOR Rock | Running time: 58:07 (Tracks: 12) | ||
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More than thirty years since their debut 'Kingdom of Madness', Magnum releases 'Into the Valley of the Moonking'. The band surrounding vocalist Bob Catley and guitarist/songwriter/Producer Tony Clarkin have recorded a dozen new songs who were also written by Catley and Clarkin. The album 'Wings of Heaven, which was released in 1988, is Magnum's most successful album, a real masterpiece. Bob Catley has also a quite successful solo career, his album '' When Empires Burn' is quite a good album for example. The songs on the album sound in general melodic and rocking, but there are also some ballads on the album, like 'A face in the Crowd'. Characteristic elements of the music are the hoarse voice of Catley and the melodic guitar play of Clarkin. 'The Moon King', with bluesy influences, is one of the highlights of the album, together with the last song 'Blood On Your Barbed Wire Thorns'. I`ve listened to more Magnum albums and in my opinion, this albums contains no surprises. However, the songs are very well composed, with a prominent role for the guitar. "Into the Valley of Moonking" will be available in three different versions: as a regular jewel case cd, as a top-quality Digi pack consisting of a CD and a bonus DVD, and for collectors in a vinyl format featuring two LPs and a fold-out cover. Big tour through Germany is planned for September 2009, at this moment no Dutch tour dates are available. Finally, I want to compliment fantasy artist Rodney Matthews for creating the very nice artwork. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.magnumonline.co.uk
Recordlabel: http://www.spv.de MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/magnumuk |
79/100 |
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| NECROPHOBIC - Death To All (CD) | Sweden | July 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Black / Death Metal | Running time: 44:45 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| Necrophobic is a Swedish death metal band with black metal influences and last month they released their 6th full length release since they started in 1989. The new record is decent death metal album or at least it would have been if the vocals and guitar tuning would fit the music. What you get to listen to now is a more black metal record but with riffs that come straight out of a death metal record. Oddly enough this actually sounds great. The high tuned guitars suit the music and the voice is probably great for a black metal fan. Too bad I can't really get over the voice since I really can't stand black metal screams. Overall this cd isn't bad at all and the fans will probably enjoy it. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.necrophobic.net
Recordlabel: http://www.regainrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/necrophobic |
64/100 |
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| PIRANA – Piranaattack (MCD) | Mexico | July 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 15:00 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| Pirana is real old school thrash metal band from Mexico formed in 2003, unfortunately I got not much info with this 4 track MCD, and my Spanish isn't that good so…Not even the songtitles were mentioned, but I can tell you they sound great, really aggressive old school thrash metal. Although the production sounds a bit thin, it sounds really good, this really is a band you should check out, cause it won't get more old school than this. I can tell you that they have a full length out in 2008 called 'Destructive Animal Revolution', which is their latest effort as far as I know… | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.piranaattack.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/piranaattack |
78/100 |
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| RE ARMED - Stop This Evolution (MCD) | Finland | July 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Melodic Death Metal | Running time: 10:00 (Tracks: 3) | ||
| Re-Armed is a fairly new melodic death metal band who are searching for gigs and a record deal by making new demo's every year. This one is dated from 2008 and should open the doors for these guys. First of all, for a demo this has a very good sound and solid production. Second there's the music, which really isn't that bad at all if you're into melodic death metal. It's heavy and has some bay area thrash influences which is always good. The riffs are nice enough and overall the guys deliver 3 good songs. Problem of course is that it's only 3 songs so after about 10 minutes you're done while you actually want more. I find myself looking forward to a full length record of this band to see if they can keep me interested in their music for more than half an hour because I'm a bit afraid of that actually. Fans of the melodic stuff should check it out though. | |||
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visit their website: http://www.re-armed.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rearmed |
68/100 |
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| REBELS WITHOUT APPLAUSE – Low End Head Stomp (CD) | USA | July 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Crossover / Metal | Running time: 38:43 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| REBELS WITHOUT APPLAUSE is a band from Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. and consists of formerly ZNÖWHITE, CYCLONE TEMPLE member Greg Fulton (vocals, guitar), Mark Alano (guitar), Kevin Lindsey (bass) and Tonny Heath (drums; also formerly of ZNÖWHITE). "Low End Head Stomp" is a re-release (I don't know when the album officially was released for the first time) and has been released on April 21st on EMA/Polydisc. Way back in 1998 the band already had released an EP titled "Rip-Hop, Soulcore, Crush". The band reminds me musically very much of bands like SACRED REICH, STEREOMUD and STUCK MOJO, also because of the rap parts in several songs. And Fulton's voice sounds very much like SACRED REICH's Phil Rind. In my opinion the album counts just a few less songs, which are "Shallow Genius", "I Don't Wanna Know" and "Shout Outs", but the rest of the tracks are awesome and do have fantastic grooves. Also the production is very good. The best tracks of "Low End Head Stomp" are in my opinion "Rain Or Shine", "Weak", "Someday", "Paperthin" and "Chalkline". Hopefully R.W.A. will visit Europe someday for a tour, so that we can go see them live. Ooh yeah, REBELS WITHOUT APPLAUSE are currently writing songs for their third release which will be titled "Grand Funk Hell Hole". Release date of that third album is unknown so far, but check them out anyway. Very interesting band and good album. | |||
| MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rwachicago |
84/100 |
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| SANCTION X – The Last Day (CD) | Germany | July 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Melodic Metal | Running time: 50:08 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| A bunch of old German musicians, who have all played in the German metal scene, have joined forces and started this band . It was singer Ebby Paduch (Stonefield, Infinity's Call) and guitarist Robby Böbel (Talon, Frontline) who took the initiative to start creating music again in January 2008. I must say that I was surprised by the overall feel of the album, although there are still elements to be desired. For instance, the vocals could sound a bit more powerful, which would be more in line with the song structures, and a bit more originality wouldn't hurt either. The band succeeds in adding lots of melody in the heavy tracks they have laid down on this cd. Some hard-to-hear keyboards form the basis with a pounding rhythm section; both are held back in the mix, where vocals and guitar get most of the musical space. Still, it sounds good. Straight forward, powerful…these guys have made a fine album. Hopefully they will get stages to let them play live, I think they are very able to make an audience enthusiastic. I only hope that they didn't name the band after Symphony X… | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.sanction-x.com
Recordlabel: http://www.metalheaven.net MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sanctionxebbypaduch |
78/100 |
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| SHORTINO – Chasing My Dream (CD) | USA | July 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Hard Rock | Running time: 46:26 (Tracks: 11) | ||
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I know Paul Shortino only from his contribution to Dio's "Hear 'n Aid" project, after which he replaced the late Kevin Dubrow in Quiet Riot. Formerly Paul was vocalist in Rough Cutt, a band that never really break through. I found him to have a strong, raspy voice but replacing Dubrow in QR was a move I have never understood. He has more a voice for the harder, classic rock.
He crossed over to Bad Boyzz and after that he persued a solo career, followed by several "artist combinations" like with guitarist JK Northrup. Now Paul is back ! He teamed up with German producer Michael Voss, whom we know from his numerous projects as musician (it seems he is specialised in come backs) and producer. Havin met Voss, Paul regained the inspiration to write new music and he is ready to go on tour again with his new band. Listening to this album makes me wonder if he will not disappoint his older fans. Don't get me wrong, this cd is quite OK, but I miss the old edge a bit that I heard back in opening track "Remember You". He is also still able to write beautiful ballads like "Missing" (with excellent guitarwork from Voss) and real rockers like "Nocturnal". But it is hardly ever exciting. Take "Alone The Ride"; exciting intro, but what follows is just OK..nothing more. No, Shortino is back but the question is for how long…this dream will be over soon, I'm afraid. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.paulshortino.com
Recordlabel: http://www.metalheaven.net MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/paulshortino |
70/100 |
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| SHREDDING CONSEQUENCES – Against the Corporate World (CD) | Mexico/Denmark | July 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 39:43 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Picture this: three band members live in Mexico while the singer lives in Denmark. To me, that doesn't sound like an ideal combination. Apparently this is not a problem for Shredding Consequences since they've just released the album 'Against the Corporate World'. The album was recorded and mixed at the Hombre Lobo studios in Italy, so this band sure knows their way around the world. Shredding Consequences was born out of the urge to play heavy music. Since the band consists of experienced musicians, everything developed quite quickly and shortly after the formation they begun to write material for this record. Despite the logistic problems they've probably had while making this record, the album turned out to be a straight forward metal album. The style can best be described as old school thrash metal with melodic death elements and sick vocals. Shredding Consequences uses a lot of tempo breaks and aggressive elements in their music. In my opinion the travel to Italy was certainly worth the trip. The instruments are nicely balanced and the full and heavy guitar sound really suites the songs. Nowadays it is hard to get noticed when you play this kind of music, but with an album like this the release is more than justified. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.shreddingconsequences.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shreddingconsequences |
75/100 |
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| SIEGHETNAR - Erhabenheit (MCD) | Germany | July 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Black Metal / Ambient | Running time: 33:23 (Tracks: 1) | ||
| Sieghetnar is a German Ambient project who recently signed to Ashen Productions. The record company decided to re-release their "Erhabenheit" demo into a digi-pack. This cd contains only one track and that track has an over 30 minutes length. I must say I didn't really consider myself as a progressive music fan. I'm quite conservative about my music which doesn't mean I don't want to check out new stuff, I'll probably just don't like it. And yet again my first guess was correct, I really didn't like this one. Over 30 minutes of slow keyboard play which would have been quite nice as a one minute intro and every once and a while some slow guitar strikes to join the keyboard. Fans of ambient might like this but this is just nothing for me. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.ashenproductions.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ashenproductions |
50/100 |
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| SIX POINT SIX – Fallen Angel (CD) | Germany | July 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 39:12 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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Six Point Six was one of the countless German heavy metal bands that emerged during the early 80s, released an album (usually through Gama Records) and then vanished without a trace. Blower Records reissues this album 25 years after its original release in a very limited 300 copies run and hopes to introduce the band to those who never had the chance of knowing them. Six Point Six delivers the typical German Heavy Metal of that particular period. Heavily influenced by early Accept, the band has some good ideas but cannot rise above the average performance of the time. Nothing special here, just good old fashioned classic metal that will bring some smiles to the faces of the old school metal fans. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.blower-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/blowerrecordsanddistro |
67/100 |
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| SOUL STEALER – Soul Stealer (CD) | Lithuania | July 2009 | Frans Neelen |
| Style: Heavy Power Metal | Running time: 56.54 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| Soul Stealer (formerly known as Soul Brothers) brings us power metal from Vilnius, Lithuania. The band was formed in 2003 and this is their self titled debut album that saw the light in may 2008. Soul Stealer plays power metal with sometimes a prominent role for the keyboards. This works, but sometimes its pretty irritating because it all begins to sound to sweet. And be honest; power metal isn't supposed to be for sweethearts, isn't it ! Also the tracks are to similar to each other, they keep going on in the "galloping hard on the plains" maiden style who are definitely one of their heroes. There is, of course, nothing wrong with it, but it isn't done very properly. The drums for instance don't impress me and the guitars seem to be mixed to the background ensuring that it takes out the necessary variation. Most of the songs are sung in their own language except for three tracks which are in English. That takes a few times listening before you are used to it, but after that it is quite acceptable listening. Are there any highlights left ? I'm glad to tell you that they are in the possession of a very fine singer (Jeronimas Milius who won the national Eurovision and represented his country in 2008 at the European Song contest) who has enough qualities to become highly accepted in the metal scene. He has a powerful, clean voice and although he sounds young and likes to scream a bit to much he certainly lifts up the tracks to a higher level. "The Reaper" for example is a pretty good track in which he has the opportunity to show his talents. Also "Vampire Woman" and "Brolis uz Brolj" are very acceptable. Nevertheless that is not enough to make this a great album. The band has potential so I hope the next time I can be more generous with giving points. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.soulstealer.lt
Recordlabel: http://www.ledotakas.net MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/soulstealerband |
64/100 |
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| STRAIGHT HATRED – Straight Hatred (MCD) | Brazil | July 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Hardcore / Thrash Metal | Running time: 15:00 (Tracks: 5) | ||
| This is the debut EP from Straight Hatred from Sao Paolo, Brazil, originally founded somewhere in 2006. After some line up changes, and playing lots of live shows, they went into the studio in October 2008, with this EP as a result, released in February 2009. They did the EP as a four piece, but in March Arthur Carreira joined the band as a second guitarist. The music of Straight Hatred is very heavy hardcore metal, with crushing guitars and a heavy bass, while the vocals are in their native language, which is not disturbing at all, it sounds actually very angry. The production is also very well done, and suits their music well, so a very good debut from this band I can say, maybe the next Sepultura or R.D.P. who knows! Check this band out for yourself if you are into this kind of music, to give you a clue, in their influences they name bands like Hatebreed, Biohazard, Madball, Machine Head, Obituary, Agnostic Front, Fear Factory, just so you know what you are dealing with, they easily fit in between these bands! | |||
| MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/straighthatred |
82/100 |
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| THE BLUES JUNKIES – The Blues Junkies (CD) | The Netherlands | July 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Speedrock / Blues / Rock | Running time: 30:58 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| Although THE BLUES JUNKIES are from The Hague, Holland, I had never heard of them before. But what an awesome acquaintance this album was to me. I liked it immediately. And to tell the truth, I can't get enough of it, because all songs are fantastic. Anyway, THE BLUES JUNKIES are, if I'm right, formed in 2006 and exists of Sander (guitar, vocals), Franco (bass, vocals) and Karel (drums, vocals). Their debut album "Losin' The Blues", of which I'm very curious about now, was released in April of 2008 on cult label Motorwolf and this second self-titled album has been released recently in May. This album is produced by H. Pieters at the Excess Studio in Rotterdam, and sounds fantastic. The band won a HERMAN BROOD AWARD and they even played with THE WILD ROMANCE. On this very strong album you will find some fast and energetic kick ass rock 'n roll songs. Only the last track "Don't Wanna Do That At All" (6:04) is a slow instrumental one with fantastic guitar solos. Well, if you are into bands like ZEKE, PETER PAN SPEEDROCK, ADAM WEST and 69 CHARGER then I'm sure you like THE BLUES JUNKIES too. Although I like all songs, my favourite songs are "Don't Wanna Be Here At All", the SUPERB bluesy "B.B. Boogie", the fast "Sleeping Death", "Show Me Your Eyes" (ala ZEKE), the fast boogie rocker "100 Miles", "Ticket To Hell" and "Jesus Loves You". I hope they will play in Tilburg (Little Devil or the Batcave in 013) or Eindhoven (The Rambler) real soon, so that I can go see this fantastic band myself. THIS IS 100% KICK ASS ROCK 'N ROLL. Thanks guys for this awesome album. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.langweiligkeitrecords.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thebluesjunkies |
90/100 |
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| THE PROWLERS – Re-Evolution (CD) | Italy | July 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Power / Progressive Metal | Running time: 57:10 (Tracks: 13) | ||
| The last couple of months I have reviewed several Italian metal bands, and most of those bands, except CHAOSWAVE and EPOCHATE, were very moderate to me and did have an awful singer. Well, THE PROWLERS, a band which was formed in 1996, is at least another very interesting Italian metal band. The line-up of THE PROWLERS exists of Fabio Minchillo (vocals), Stefano D'Orazi (guitar), Fabio Schirato (guitar), Alessandro Vincis (bass), Massimiliano De Stefano (keyboards) and Claudio Cappabianca (drums). In 2003 the band released their debut album "Soul Thieves" (which is a summary of their first three demos) followed by "Devil's Bride" in 2005. This third album is titled "Re-Evolution" and features 13 tracks. The production (done by Tommy Hansen) is very good, the band exists of very skilled musicians and most of all Minchillo is a very good singer. Anyway, the album starts with the atmospheric intro "Parting Words", which features female guest vocals of Martina Pelosi, who's also singing on "Do You Feel The Same" and the last track "La Belle Ferronniere". So the first real track is "Red Smoke" and is a real power metal song. "Insomnia" is an instrumental intermezzo for "Your Conscience". The sweet ballad "Do You Feel The Same" is a duet between Minchillo and Pelosi and is a nice one. I hear absolutely influences of bands like DREAM THEATER, VANDEN PLAS and HELLOWEEN in their music. The last three or four tracks are some weaker songs of the album. So I would say that my favourite tracks of this album are "The Real Me", "Firefly", "Wonderful Creatures", "Your Conscience" and "The Profession Part 1 Home". I can recommend "Re-Evolution" to anyone who's into good quality progressive metal with fantastic vocals. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.theprowlers.com
Recordlabel: http://www.puresteel-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theprowlersitaly |
86/100 |
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| TIM RIPPER OWENS – Play My Game (CD) | USA | July 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Power Metal | Running time: 52:59 (Tracks: 12) | ||
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Tim Owens needs no introductions. He is the man who has sung with some of the most important bands of our times and has recorded albums that will remain immortal. This is actually his first solo work and for that cause he summoned an impressive cast of musicians such as Doug Aldrich, Chris Caffery, Rudy Sarzo, Steve Stevens, Jeff Loomis, Billy Sheehan, Michael Wilton, Dave Ellefson, Bobby Jarzombek, Vinnie Appice. When I saw this all star assembly I said to my self "this album better kick some ass!". The thing is that Owens wrote the vast majority of the songs so the burden is on him. The shining guests can only add some glamour and nothing more. The composition is what really matters. Play My Game is a traditional heavy metal album filtered through a contemporary perspective. Ripper has written songs according to his influences as a musician. Queensryche, Sabbath, Dio, Judas Priest etc. However the compositions seem to lack the directness required for albums like this one. Don't get me wrong, this is an enjoyable album with lots of groove. Ripper's voice shines bright, so do the guests. It just doesn't seem to have what it takes in order to rise above and become a memorable release or a reference for the music of our times. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.timripperowens.com
Recordlabel: http://www.spv.de MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/timtheripperowens |
77/100 |
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| TREATMENT – Slavery (MCD) | The Netherlands | July 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal / Metalcore | Running time: 19:19 (Tracks: 6) | ||
| TREATMENT is a four-piece band from Enschede, Holland, who was formed in the summer of 2006. The band exists of Stefan Herbers (vocals, guitar), Leon Sweys (guitar), Luuk ter Denge (bass) and Tiemen Claus (drums). In 2007 the band released their first demo "Sinner" and recently their 6-track EP "Slavery" has been released by the band themselves. In their biography the band calls their music style '80's Crossover-Metal-Core with a slight piece of Emo'. These young metalheads are influenced by bands like KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, LAMB OF GOD, PANTERA, IN FLAMES, TRIVIUM and METALLICA. Herbers is a very varied singer, he can sing clear as well as roar. This EP contains 6 tracks, which are actually 4 songs and 2 short interludes. The four tracks are titled "Down Again", "Slavery", "What I've Become" and "Kill" and are all really good compositions. The production of the EP is very good, the band exists of good musicians and like I said Stefan is a good and varied singer. My only complaint is, that the running time of this EP is to short. If the band had recorded 6 songs with those 2 interludes it would be more worth listening to. TREATMENT is an interesting band with potential. So, let's wait for a full length album. Anyway, good work guys. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.treatment-band.nl
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/needsometreatment |
80/100 |
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| UNANIMATED – In The Light Of Darkness (CD) | Sweden | July 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Black / Death Metal | Running time: 45:46 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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It's been 14 years since "Ancient God Of Evil" was released ladies and gentleman. A milestone back than in the death and black metal scene. I remember that a good friend of mine bought the album and that we really dug it. Years later I decided to track the album down. On a public sale site I finally won the album paying more then 30! Dollars for it. In 1998 the band quietly left the scene, mainly because of alcohol and drug abuse. As said in an interview with Ricard Cabeza: "We found it more interesting in getting stoned than writing new music"
But the blood is always thicker than water! In 2007 the band chooses to reunite again. First feat of arms are the re-releases of their two albums "In The Forest Of The Dreaming Death" and the above mentioned second album (there goes my 30 dollars!) by Regain Records in June 2008.
My expectations for the new album of course were very high. With the same line up as on "Ancient God Of Evil" (except for guitarist Jonas Mellberg) "In The Light Of Darkness was recorded at the Necromorbus studio with Tore Stjerna. The place to be for every Black/Death metal band this time. So on productional terms there's absolutely nothing wrong with the album. The band luckily chose to not change there style much from their last album. So still there's the perfect blend of Black and death metal: Blistering guitar riffs, acoustic parts the great recognizable voice of Micke Jansson which is still as strong as back in the day, and the beautiful melodic leads. It is all here. What was most obvious to me is that the album sounds more as a whole. The songs belong to each other and make this an album that maybe present no absolutely highlights but is possibly one big highlight! Other than on "AGOE" where the changes in between the songs were much bigger. Also because the band is a little less melodic but more darker here. So we can say that balance points more to black metal then death metal at the moment. Something you must decide for yourself if you like it or not. (I surely do!) Conclusion is that this is an more then mandatory comeback album by the uncrowned kings of black/ death metal! | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.regainrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/unanimated08 |
89/100 |
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| VINTERTHRON – Reign Ov Opposites (CD) | Brazil | July 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Black Metal | Running time: 38:19 (Tracks: 9) | ||
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True Norwegian black metal I thought when had my first listen to the album "Reign Ov Opposites" from Vinterthron. Later on I read in the info sheet that the band comes from Brazil! What a surprise! Everything on this album sounds typical "Norse" Imagine Gorgoroth "Pentagram" era with more melody alongside the cold black metal. The guitartone in the faster parts are also similar to the older albums of Kampfar. Not the worst bands you can be compared with. And although my collection is full of this sort of sounding bands in this time I find it rather o.k. because there's isn't such an overkill on this style of black metal as in the nineties. The thin guitarsound sound is something you either love or hate. With the tremolo picked riffs I find this production more then o.k. I you're a lover of modern heavy sounding productions then you can easily skip "Reign Ov Opposites" and buy the new Old mans Child for example. If you are into old school black metal mid- nineties and you don't have all the countless Gorgoroth/Darkthrone copy bands then this maybe is something for you. The instrumentation is o.k. There's enough variation in the songs and the overall sphere is dark. To me it's just enough to say that it's quality over quantity. Besides samba and some very chaotic sounding death metal Brazil now has it's own European sounding band. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.ashenproductions.net MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/vinterthron |
76/100 |
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| ZANDELLE – Flames of Rage (CD) | USA | July 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Power Metal | Running time: 70:20 (Tracks: 9) | ||
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Zandelle is back! The U.S. metal powerhouse led by the Greek-American George Tsalikis strikes hard 4 years after the release of the magnificent 'Vengeance Rising' album (reviewed by me in MMM, see Archive CD/DVD Reviews)). There have been some line-up changes (don't worry, the amazing guitarist Anthony Maglio is present!) plus the band is now under a new label (the young but rapidly growing Pure Steel label). The good thing is that nothing has affected the band's performance. Zandelle still pounds hard and delivers rabid U.S. power metal. 'Flames of Rage' has many common elements with its predecessor but the main difference is that the new songs have a more contemporary approach both in terms of playing and production. The band sounds more modern but still metal as hell. If you like Zandelle, this album will satisfy you 100%. If you are a power metal fan who is looking for traditional metal delivered with a fresh and inspired touch then check out Flames of Rage. You will be fascinated. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.zandelle.net
Recordlabel: http://www.puresteel-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/zandelle |
85/100 |
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| ZERO ZONIC – Dead On Arrival (CD) | Norway | July 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Metal | Running time: 54:36 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| This album "Dead On Arrival" of Norwegian band ZERO ZONIC is an album which has been released already in 2007. The album has been recorded between November 2006 and November 2007. The band was formed in 2004, had several line-up changes so far and the current line-up exists of Leo Moracchioli (vocals), Daniel Olaisen (guitar), Ole Vistnes (bass) and Tommy Jackson (drums). Musically the band reminds me the most of PANTERA with a little bit of METALLICA and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY ("We're All On Fire"). Even Moracchioli sounds a bit like Phil Anselmo (PANTERA). Not strange, because he's also singing in a PANTERA cover band called TRENDKILL. Anyway, "Dead On Arrival" isn't a very notable album, it's just a nice one. And that's because you hear a lot of PANTERA and METALLICA riffs, that you think by yourself "I've heard this already before". So it's not very original, but most of the songs are good enough to listen to this album now and then. The weaker songs on "Dead On Arrival" are in my opinion "Mr. Funny Man", the semi-ballad "Zero" and "Stripped". The last track of "Dead On Arrival" is a radio edit version of "Zero". The best songs are in my opinion "Disembodied", "Back To Me", "Temptations", "17 Mistakes" and "Explain The Terror". | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.zerozonic.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/zerozonic |
77/100 |
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| AFTER ALL – Cult of Sin (CD) | Belgium | June 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Speed / Thrash Metal | Running time: 48:43 (Tracks: 12) + bonus video | ||
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Again a new album from Belgium's most fanatic thrashband After All. I reviewed their latest album "This Violent Decline" in November 2006 (see Archive CD/DVD reviews) and I was very enthusiastic about that album. It was, compared with their earlier releases, a big step forward musically and especially vocally. Singer Piet Focroul has always been the weakest member of the line up but on "This Violent Decline" he was singing much better! Well this new album is a logical follow up to their latest releases and production wise the album sounds awesome! Superb production again by the band & Dee J who also produced the last album. Because of my good review from their latest album the band sended me this new one. Luckily because Dockyard1 Records is one of the labels that only send promo's as I-Pool downloads these days and we as MMM team don't like to cooperate with that kind of promotion (I can speak for most of my reviewers). After All has grown the last few years as a band; their music is very Bay Area orientated and the band doesn't use the lower gears….. It's all full speed ahead just like all the 80's thrash bands did in the past. This is again a very good album with some great songs like; 'Devastation Done', 'My own Sacrifice' & 'Embracing Eternity'. If you like their last 2 albums than you can buy this one blindly! Because this album is not much more spectacular than his predecessor my rate will be a little lower this time but I think the band will not complain about that J Special to this album is the fact that the band has some cult guest musicians on some of the songs; 'Land of Sin' (Andy LaRocque), 'Embracing Eternity' (James Rivera), 'Betrayed by the Gods' (Juan Garcia, Bernie Versailles, Joey Vera). As a kind of hidden track Dio's |'Holy Diver' is added as last song. Check it out!!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.afterall.be
Recordlabel: http://www.dockyard1.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/afterallmetal |
85/100 |
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| ALVERG – Elde (CD) | Norway | June 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Black Metal | Running time: 58:44 (Tracks: 9) | ||
| Beautiful Norway! A country one must at least see once in his lifetime. A country that gave us so much beautiful music. Music where you sometimes can feel the nature woven into it. It's no difference with Alverg a band that gives birth to their debut release "Elde". Signed by Karmageddon Media at the beginning of this decade but never released anything on that label because of the bankruptcy shortly after. As said the beautiful nature of Norway is one of the biggest influences in the sound of Alverg. A sound that is somewhat of laid back. As if peddling through the fjords alone on a beautiful autumn day the music ripples forth. Even the faster parts seem well balanced. Comparisons with the debut album of Kampfar can be made and even in times "For all Tid" from Dimmu Borgir comes in mind. This is said just to give you an impression of the somewhat calm sound Alverg produces although an overall melancholic feel took a hand of me listening to this album. Favourite song must be "Svarthammern" which has a great repetitive riff in it and some beautiful acoustic parts. Throughout the end a beautiful lead part sends me once again to a place I like to live in the near future. After this the grand piano melodies of "Towards the kingdom of Alverg" kick in. Final song of the album with clean sung parts in it. "Melancholy still my desire, sweep me away into the vale of thine" I thought. Still thinking if I must write that this is easy-listening black metal or heavy, dramatic stuff where you can dangerously get pulled in when listening to… | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.alverg.com
Recordlabel: http://www.soulsellerrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/alverg |
79/100 |
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| CAGE – Science of Annihilation (CD) | USA | June 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: US Power Metal | Running time: 55:33 (Tracks: 13) | ||
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Cage is a band from San Diego, California, USA and exist since 1992. It was in 1998 when CAGE released their first full-length cd appropriately called "UNVEILED". This album was more a kind of progressive metal album. They began writing for their follow up cd right before they played the 1999 DYNAMO Open Air festival. CAGE added powerhouse drummer Mikey Niel to the band to increase the power and speed of the group. This proved to be an excellent move, as his impact was a key factor to the success of their second release "ASTROLOGY". The band released their 3rd cd "DARKER THAN BLACK" in early 2003. This was my real first acquaintance with Cage and man I was blown away by their power!! US metal as it should sound!! High pitching vocals, double bass drums, screaming guitars combined with some rawer, deathmetal-a-like parts in Sean Peck's vocal range! Excellent album that could nearly reach the ultimate high score! "Darker Than Black" saw CAGE playing faster and more aggressive songs. For the 1st time ever, vocalist Sean Peck combined clean, power, black and death metal vocal parts on the songs WHITE MAGIC, CHUPACABRA and SECRETS OF FATIMA. The cd also included the road-tested classic metal anthem KILL THE DEVIL. Upon its release, Darker Than Black was hailed as an instant classic by many of the metal industry leading magazines and webzines worldwide by getting dozens of perfect reviews and scores and especially the metal hungry army of loyal CAGE fans. The more curious I was after there last album "Hell Destroyer" (2007) which I unfortunately never received from the band or their label L Luckily I had the opportunity to see the band live twice last month (see Live Reviews) and they blew me away with their power and musicianship! Drummer Mikey Niel was already replaced by ex-Psychotic Waltz drummer Norm Leggio. Singer Sean Peck gave me the new cd during one of the shows last month and after hearing a few of the songs already live my expectations where even higher for the complete album. Well finally here it is! From the first till the last note its US METAL how it should be! I already saw a lot of reviews of the album and most of them compare "Science of Annihilation" with the Judas Priest classic "PainKiller". Well forget that; "SoA" is much much better!! This album is full of great compositions (which I can't say from all the PainKiller songs)!! Sean Peck is doing a hell of a job and musically this is superb!! One of the best albums of 2009 till now and it will be difficult to find a better one I'm afraid!! Compliments guys!! US-metal rulessssss!!! Buy or DIE!!!!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.cageheavymetal.com
Recordlabel: http://www.musicbuymail.eu MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cageheavymetal |
98/100 |
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| CARBON 9 – The Bull (CD) | USA | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Modern Metal / Industrial | Running time: 54:29 (Tracks: 16) | ||
| Personally I never had heard of CARBON 9 before, but they really surprised me with this album "The Bull". The band exists of Stacey Quinealty (vocals, programming), Danny Cistone (backing vocals, performance art), Darwin Devitis (guitar, backing vocals), Omar D Brancato (bass, backing vocals) and Matty Milani (drums, backing vocals). CARBON 9 plays a mixture of Modern Metal with an Industrial twist. If I'm right the band released their debut album "COTM" in 2004, so "The Bull" must be their second album. These guys recorded 15 tracks for this album. One of those 15 songs is a cover, which is DANZIG's "Mother" of the self-titled debut album of DANZIG. And it's a very nice done industrial version of it. There are a few songs on this album which I totally don't like and those songs are "What Is It We're Made Of", "Crawling Over Me" and "Tongues". After "Tongues" you'll get a kind of hidden track, which isn't very interesting either. The album was produced by Quinealty himself and mixed by Frank Gryner (ROB ZOMBIE, A PERFECT CIRCLE, COAL CHAMBER, TOMMY LEE) and sounds marvellous. The best songs on "The Bull" are in my opinion "My Friend", "Somebody Like Me", "Mother" (of course), "Butterflies In My Head" (superb), "This Life", "I'm Not Broken", "Loving You" and the semi-ballad "Lonely In Love". Go check these songs, they are awesome. This is a very nice acquaintance for me. Very interesting band. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.carbon9.com
Recordlabel: http://www.worldsound.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/carbon9 |
84/100 |
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| DEMOLISHED - Defleshing the Innocent (CD) | Belgium | June 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Death Metal | Running time: 25:23 (Tracks: 6) | ||
| Demolished is a fairly new death metal band from Belgium. They formed in 2005 and are now releasing their first album "Defleshing The Innocent". This cd contains 6 songs that one can label as old school death metal with just that bit of extra brutality and I must admit that the concept realy works out great. The old school sound of guitar and vocals always sounds great to me and the musicians are technical enough to make it interesting but aren't playing to technical to make it boring for an old school fan like me. We get pounding drums without the constant blastbeats to support the great riffing and the old schoolish grunt accompanied with the occasional scream. If I have to say anything bad about this album is that it really just is a bit to short. Even though I rather have a short good album than a longer one with the same amount of good songs and some additional fillers 25 minutes just isn't long enough to me, but hey that's why they invented the repeat button right? To all the old school death metallers out there: support your underground and go buy this, you won't regret it ! | |||
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visit their website: http://www.demolished.be
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/demolishedbe |
87/100 |
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| EAR DANGER – Raw & Real (DVD) | The Netherlands | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 13:44 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| I got this 4 track disc of EAR DANGER from Mario with no biography, cover etc. And the next thing is, that I couldn't play it in my regular CD-player. So it had to be a DVD. Anyway, for some more info about the band I had to search on the internet. EAR DANGER is a Dutch band who was formed in the early eighties and has had many line-up changes in the three years of their existence. They've released two demo's at that time (in 1981 and 1982), which I don't know. The band has been re-formed since, I guess 2006 or 2007, and released the "Shock & Awe" demo. The current line-up of EAR DANGER exists of Leon Lohmann (vocals), Karina Wolf (lead guitar), Ivo Metz (rhythm guitar), Matt Verschoor (bass) and Dick Vijgen (drums). Original members are Matt and Dick. The four live songs on this DVD, which is titled "Raw & Real", are "Give 'em Hell", "Beelzebub's Friend", "Burn At The Stake" and "Shock & Awe". All those songs are filmed from just one point. With EAR DANGER you get back into the eighties again, because they play traditional Heavy Metal. It all sounds nice, but actually it's nothing really special. Lohmann is a reasonable singer and the musicians are okay too. I guess this DVD is just for promoting themselves for clubs, magazines etc. and I think it's not for sale. Just a nice band to see when they are playing at your local club. That's all. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.eardanger.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/eardangermetal |
68/100 |
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| EDGE OF SERENITY – The Chaos Theory (CD) | The Netherlands | June 2009 | Robin van Tilburg |
| Style: Melodic Death Metal | Running time: 47:18 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| Under the supervision of vocalist/guitarist Wietze Halma, a new Dutch band was formed in 2007. The band was called Edge of Anger at that time. Since then they've produced two demo's which were nicely reviewed by the press. In March 2009 the band decided to rename themselves into Edge of Serenity. Their demo's still stand fierce in my personal collection so I was really looking forward to their full length 'The Chaos Theory'. They recorded the album in the middle of 2008 at the German Spacelab studio's. Did the music evolve with the name change? Definitely YES! Edge of Serenity creates a subtle mixture of melodic death metal with a progressive twist. The songs are finished and well thought through. To be honest, I can't name a bad song on this record. The way Edge of Serenity works is really suiting the songs. The refrains with grunts and clean vocals are catchy and the biggest plus goes out to the harmonic instrumental parts. Very well written and extremely addictive. They have a good ear for the theatrical aspect. Special mentioning goes out to the guest vocalists on the record. Judith Stuber (Everon, Satyrian) took op the lead vocals on 'Born to fall apart.' And Tony J.J.'s (Icon in Me, ex-Mnemic) voice really suites the song 'Endless brutality.' Edge of Serenity already shared the stage with giants like Slayer, Aborted and Death Angel and I think that with this album they can tour a lot more. With 'The Chaos Theory', Edge of Serenity have proven to be a force to be reckoned with. All the hard labor of the past is finally paying off and resulted in an excellent album. Definitely the biggest surprise for me this month. If you are into melodic death, heavy or power metal, please give this album a try. You most certainly will like it. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.edgeofserenity.com
Recordlabel: http://www.romulusxrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/edgeofserenity |
88/100 |
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| EUREKA – Shackleton`s Voyage (CD) | Germany | June 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Progressive Rock | Running time: 51:14 (Tracks: 15) | ||
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The album Shackleton`s Voyage from Eureka tells us the story about Sir Ernest Shackleton`s expedition to Antarctica in the period between 1914 and 1916. A total of 28 adventurers wanted to be the first to cross Antarctica in 1914, but their ship Endurance sank just one day's sail from its extension. The crew had to face all kind of deprivations, but finally all 28 seamen survived. Sir Shackleton became a hero and is considered, along with Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott, the most important Antarctica pioneer. The story of Shackleton is told by 15 songs on the album. Musically, Shackleton`s Voyage operates at the interface of progressive / symphonic rock, but it has also some Celtic influences. The guitar work can be compared with Mike Oldfield. The most of the songs on this concept album are instrumental and mostly played by multi-instrumentalist Frank Bossert, who is also the founder of Eureka. He had been singer, guitarist and bassist in a couple of rock bands before he decided to built his own studio in Husum, Germany. Bossert has recorded this album together with 5 guest musicians of which Billy Sherwood (former Yes) is the most well-known. The songs are connected by a narrator, the voice of British actor Ian Dickinson. The photographs on the album`s cover are original from the expedition. Shakleton`s Voyage is the fourth album release of the Eureka project. The previously released albums were Eureka (1997), The Full Circle (2002) and The Compass Rose in 2005. It`s a well produced album, but for the fans who like heavy and more adventurous symphonic rock, it is maybe too calm. I expected also a more adventurous album, the story is spectacular enough for this, but finally, the album can fascinate me. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.eureka-music.de
Recordlabel: http://www.insideout.de MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/eurekashackletonsvoyage |
77/100 |
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| GRAVE CROSS – Let it be Darkness (CD) | Mexico | June 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 23:50 (Tracks: 5) | ||
| Grave Cross originates from Mexico and this is actually a self financed work distributed by Blower Records (only 500 copies available). The band tries to recreate the original N.W.O.B.H.M. feeling in its early and obscure form. The thing is that the guys do a good job. "Let it be Darkness" does not have an original sound but the band succeeds in what it wants to present. This demo could actually fool one if told that this was an old recording from 1982. "Staking the Vampire" is probably the best song among the 4 ones (the fifth is an outro). It's a fast paced tune with a great riff. If you are into the revival of the N.W.O.B.H.M. sound you should check Grave Cross out (and North Americans White Wizzard too). | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.blower-records.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/gravecross |
73/100 |
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| HADES – Bootlegged in Boston 1988 (DVD) | USA | June 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: US Power / Speed Metal | Running time: Documentary + (Tracks: 7) | ||
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Finally after several months I was able to review this DVD from one of my all time favourite US metal bands; HADES!! My DVD player was broken and on my laptop the sound wasn't working so I had to wait till I had a new DVD player….. Was it all worth the wait?? When you compare it with today's DVD recordings; NO! When you see it as youth sentiment; YES!! The DVD is called "Bootlegged in Boston 1988" and a bootleg it is! The recordings are very amateurish and the sound quality is also mediocre but who cares? I don't because to see & hear one of my all time favourite singers, Alan Tecchio, is always a party to me! Luckily I have seen the band also several times in the late 80's and the band will also do a reunion show at the next Keep it True festival in April 2010 (Germany). Hopefully they will play "Process of Assimilation" at KIT XIII. Im asking Alan Tecchio for more than 20 years now and hopefully this time he will listen to me, hahahaha. The DVD is nevertheless fun to see and to dig some old memories. And the setlist is of course great; "Opinionate!!'', "The Leaders", "Diplomatic Immunity", "In the Meantime", "Aftermath of Betrayal", "I too Eye" & "Nightstalker". Just for Hades fans!! The DVD also includes a nice documentary filmed during the recordings of their "The Downside" album. Now im still hoping that Alan Tecchio will also reunites with Watchtower and Power someday which where his best bands in my opinion (hint) | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.danlorenzo.net/hades
Recordlabel: http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hadesusa |
Production 45/100
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| ICON IN ME – Human Museum (CD) | Germany | June 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Modern Thrash Metal | Running time: 46:45 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| This is the debut album of this Swedish/Russian thrash metal band ICON IN ME which started out in August 2007. In November of that same year work started on their debut fullsize album recording under charge of well known producer Jacob Hansen (Destruction, Mercenary, Raunchy, etc.). Also a lot of guest musicians were invited to participate on the album, among them Steve Smith (ex-Nevermore, Testament), Flemming C. Lund (The Arcane Order, Invocator), Andy Solvestrom (Within Y, Evildoer, Cipher System). Eventually the album got mixed by Jacob Hansen. Early July 2008 ICON IN ME played their first show, opening the Moscow show for Machine Head. At the same time the video of the first single 'That day, That sorrow' was shot. The music of ICON IN ME is really hard and aggressive mostly, with a superb production, great songs that are mostly not to difficult and straight forward thrash metal in your face. From the intro of 'Dislocated' to the end of 'Avoiding The Pain' this album keeps thrashing, with some great riffing, and real heavy drums and the sometimes screaming and sometimes clean vocals by Tony JJ (Mnemic, C-187, MAN). Their musical style could be compared to that of bands like Hatesphere, Mnemic or The Arcane Order, not a bad debut at all, really a band to keep an ear on in the future! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.iconinme.com
Recordlabel: http://www.massacre-records.de MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/iconinme |
78/100 |
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| INSANITA – Crimson Messiah (CD) | United Kingdom | June 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Thrash Metal | Running time: 58:00 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| This is the second cd with their Scottish thrash metal of Insanita, featuring Allan Scott and Ciaran Wright, formerly of Agankast. The band started out in the summer of 2007, and released 2 albums so far, their debut 'Thrill of the Kill' and now the follow up 'Crimson Messiah'. Insanita plays pure old school thrash metal, and they are very good at it too, fast, aggressive and heavy! The band plays as tight as a ducks ass, great riffs with thunderous drums and flying guitar solo's (listen to 'Breaking Down The Walls), this is how thrash metal should be made. These guys really know how to handle their equipment, and write great thrash anthems, I really couldn't find any bad or even less songs on the album, it rules from beginning to end! This album rages from beginning with 'Abaddon', to end 'The Killing Time' and even extra track 'The Day We Died'. Only remark could be that a better production would be welcome for the next epos, although it sounds really oldschool this way. | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/insanitamusic |
76 /100 |
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| IQ - Frequency (CD) | United Kingdom | June 2009 | Jordy Brouwers |
| Style: Progressive Rock | Running time: 62:02 (Tracks: 7) | ||
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IQ is a progressive rock band that was founded in the early `80`s by guitarist Mike Holmes and keyboard player Martin Orford. They recruited bassist Tim Esau in 1981, followed by vocalist Peter Nicholls and drummer Paul Cook in 1982, when they released their first cassette album 'Seven Stories Into Eight'. Constant gigging throughout the UK led to them becoming a regular fixture at London's legendary Marquee Club. IQ belongs to a melodic progressive rock scene, together with bands like Marillion, Pallas and Pendragon. In 2000, I saw IQ live in 013 in Tilburg when they promoted their album 'The Seventh House' and this was one of the best concerts I ever visited. Their new album 'Frequency' is their tenth studio release. Since the release of their previous album 'Dark Matter' in 2004, some changes in the line-up have been taken place. Drummer Paul Cook has been replaced by Andy Edwards (ex-Robert Plant Band) and also keyboard player Martin Orford has left the band. He preferred a solo career and was finally replaced by Mark Westworth (Darwin`s Radio). The new album 'Frequency' sounds quite the same qua style as what IQ has released before. You can see this as a point of criticism, but it's not meant like that. The production of the album is great again and when the cd starts, you immediately know that you're listening to IQ. The arrangements of the songs are great again and the musicians reach a high level. The characteristic elements like Peter Nicholls's voice and Michael Holmes's guitar work are great again. Even the replacement of Orford by Westworth seems to be passed smoothly. All in all, this is a good album, in my opinion almost every fan of IQ will appreciate this album, I'm convinced of that. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.gep.co.uk/iq
Recordlabel: http://www.insideout.de MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/iquk |
85/100 |
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| IRON FIST – Kick Your Ass (MCD) | Norway | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Hard Rock / Glam | Running time: 15:07 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| With the band name IRON FIST I immediately had to think of course of MOTÖRHEAD, because of their album "Iron Fist" (1982) and the song itself, which is a real classic. But musically this band from Norway doesn't really sound exactly like MOTÖRHEAD. Only on the first song of this 4 track EP, "Kick Your Ass", which is a real kick ass rock 'n roll song, they sound a bit like MOTÖRHEAD, but it reminds me more of Dutch speedrockers PETER PAN SPEEDROCK. On the other three tracks, which are "Naked", "Holy Moses" and "Show Me", it's more a mixture of AC/DC and Glam Rock. I don't know when the band was formed, because there's not much information about the band on their website and MySpace page. And the short biography tells that the members of IRON FIST, which are Bobby (vocals), Bender Midiman (guitar), Kaw (guitar), Jonkis (bass) and Kniksen (drums), are well-known members of the bands LUXUS LEVERPOSTEI and NOBODIES (of which I reviewed their album in May of 2008). Productionwise this EP sounds good enough. Anyway, my conclusion is that IRON FIST is not a very spectacular band, but it all just sounds nice enough to be curious for the full length album which will be released in the summer of 2009. The best songs of this nice EP are "Kick Your Ass" and "Show Me". Truthfully I prefer NOBODIES more. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.ironfistband.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ironfistrock |
74/100 |
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| ISTHAR – Chaos Death Reincarnation (MCD) | The Netherlands / Germany | June 2008 | Corinne van den Brand |
| Style: Black Metal | Running time: 22:12 (Tracks: 3) | ||
| After releasing 'Isthar' in 1998, 'The weak will Perish' in 2000 and 'Among the Ruins' in 2006 the Dutch/German band Isthar went back to the Excess Studios in Rotterdam in 2008 to record this 3 song EP 'Chaos Death Reincarnation'.The title of this EP refers to the titles to the three songs on this blackmetal piece. The strange thing about this band is that they have 2 bass player (a five string and a ten string bass) and only one guitarist. But it doesn't add anything. The sound is good and they have a kick ass drummer but I soon got bored by the singer and the guitar riffs. The singer doesn't scream like a lot of black metal singers but grunts like a death metal singer but in a boring way. The songs are only interesting because the drummer plays very well and he's the only one who varies a lot. But the EP is a recorded as a sort of trilogy and that worked very well. The three songs are connected with spherical dark interludes, which work very well. The idea is good but the musicians just aren't good enough to make it interesting for me. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.isthar.info
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/istharmetal |
71/100 |
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| JADALLYS - Labyrinthes (CD) | France | June 2009 | Frans Neelen |
| Style: Alternative Metal | Running time: 53:52 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| Sometimes, just sometimes you'll catch up with something special that comes out of nowhere..... It reminds me of going to London for a Girlschool concert and been blown away by a support act called Die So Fluid. This time a beautiful digi pack of Jadallys reached me wanting to be reviewed. Jadallys.... never heard off ......bio in French .....o no, not really my second language ..... alright, put it on in my car ......hey great sound .... Well to make it short, I lik this stuff ! First let me introduce the band. Jadallys was formed in 2000 and is founded by singer Selene, guitarist Tino and bassist Ded. After some changes the fourth member nowadays is Tibo on drums. "Le Silence" in 2004 was their debut album. This one "Labyrinthes" is their second. Their music is very hard to categorise because it's a variety of many influences. (something they have in common with, for example, Die So Fluid) It is also the main reason for me to categorise them as "alternative". (hope the band don't mind) In their own words they say that they follow their own and original music path and I certainly can find myself in their opinion. The music combines spacy elements, sound effects and groovy guitar riffs all based on a heavy foundation with poetical lyrics and psychedelic spheres creating a strange kind of dark, mystic universe. Selene has a great voice with which she fully varies and she uses it in a theatrical intense way which fits perfectly in the songs. Some songs need some listening because they are experimental and complex but after that you know one thing .... this is original and good stuff ! Using the French language is something that works with what band brings, but could be a barrier for global success. Maybe that's the reason that they only perform in France and this album now finally reaches Holland (hey, it isn't that far ...) because it came out in 2007 ! Overall the album is filled with good, balanced heavy stuff alternated by "Enfant de Personne" which is a beautiful ballad. Personal favs are hard to mention but opener "Mer Aimante", follow up "La Complainte de Judas" "Nuit" and "K" are definitely worth to mention. Don't let the French language frighten you for listening to this album (I myself can't make any chocolate of it either, should have paid more attention at school ...) because it is a damn good one for people who like some experimental, theatrical heavy stuff. Essentiel ! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.jadallys.com
Recordlabel: http:// www.underclass-music.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jadallys |
90/100 |
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| JOSE DE CASTRO – Live (2CD) | Spain | June 2009 | Ronny Elst |
| Style: Instrumental Guitar Rock | Running time: 88:02 (Tracks: 16) | ||
| José De Castro, a Spanish guitarist from Madrid, has been playing the guitar since he has been 10. In 2002 José released his first instrumental album "Un Poco De Lo Mio", written, arranged and produced all by José himself. That cd contained 9 songs with a rock sound, but also with funk, pop and fusion elements. In 2004 José released his second solo album "Music Guitar Box". On this album he got the help from talented musicians like Simon Phillips and Melvin Davis. His second album had again influences from funk, fusion, blues, country and rock. His third album "Conversation" was released in 2006, with once again different styles. Recently his first live cd was released, which was recorded on the 21st and 22nd of November 2007 in Leganes, Madrid. This double live set recalls some of the best of De Castro's music from his three studio albums. Different music styles can be heard like rock, fusion, funk, country and blues, and all songs are always topped off by beautiful guitar solo's from José. His guitarstyle can be seen as a mixture of guitarists like Scott Henderson, Michael Landau, Jimi Hendrix, Tommy Denander and Richie Kotzen. Great songs, great guitarplaying!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.josedecastro.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/josedecastromusic |
82/100 |
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| KAZUTO – Greet With Delight / Double Edge (CD-Single) | Japan | June 2009 | Ronny Elst |
| Style: Instrumental Metal | Running time: 9:37 (Tracks: 2) | ||
| Kazuto Ishida is a very talented guitarist from Japan. He personally likes hardrock, metal, instrumental rock and especially neo-classical metal. He mainly composes instrumental guitar music for his solo project, although he recently formed a melodic metal band with a female vocalist. On his 2-track cd single are 2 fast and furious instrumental melodic shred metal songs. It are two happy sounding songs with a lot of melody, but played in a fast tempo also. A mix of neo-classical and melodic shred, reminding me of Jorge Salan (for the melodies) and Joe Stump/George Bellas (for the fast tempo). Kazuto is a very good, technical guitarist, who plays with a lot of melody and emotion. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.kazutoishida.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kazutoishida |
88/100 |
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| KINGDOM COME – Magnified (CD) | Germany | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Rock / Hard Rock | Running time: 46:20 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| KINGDOM COME was formed in 1987, and at that time the band existed of Lenny Wolf (vocals), Danny Stag (lead guitar), Rick Steier (guitar), Johnny B. Frank (bass) and James Kottak (drums). This line-up only lasted two albums, namely the debut "Kingdom Come" (1988) and "In Your Face" (1989). And these are the only two albums I had of KINGDOM COME before this new album was released, because I didn't follow them after these two albums. And especially their self-titled debut album is a real classic one, although "In Your Face" is a fantastic album too. On those two albums, with great songs like "Living Out Of Touch", "Pushin' Hard", the beautiful ballad "What Love Can Be", "Get It On", "Do You Like It", "The Wind", "Highway 6" and "Perfect 'O'", KINGDOM COME sounded just like LED ZEPPELIN. And at that time of the release of "Kingdom Come" the band were called "Kingdom Clone" by the press. Anyway, if I'm right, "Magnified" is the eleventh studio album of KINGDOM COME. All the songs are written and played by Lenny Wolf. Only the guitar solo's are done by Eric Foerster, except on the songs "Over You" and "Unwritten Language", on which Lenny is doing the solo's himself. I have to admit that I really had to get used to this album, because the songs on "Magnified" don't come near the level of the songs on the first two albums. But after several times listening to it, the album grows in a positive way. My favourite tracks are the solid rock songs "So Unreal" and "Hey Mama", which are great songs ala LED ZEPPELIN again. Other songs which are good too are "Living Dynamite", "No Murderer I Kiss", "Sweet Killing" and the last track "Feeding The Flame" which is a bluesy ballad. There are four ballads on this album of which I like "24 Hours", "Unwritten Language" and the just mentioned bluesy ballad "Feeding The Flame" the most. The other ballad "Over You" sounds dull in my opinion. But all those ballads can't compete with the superb ""What Love Can Be". The current line-up of KINGDOM COME exists of Lenny Wolf (vocals, guitar), Eric Foerster (lead guitar), Frank Binke (bass) and Hendrik Thiesbrummel (drums). Lenny Wolf still is a fantastic singer who still sounds like ZEPPELIN's Robert Plant. My end conclusion is that "Magnified" is a good KINGDOM COME album, but, although I don't know all the previous albums so far, I'm convinced that the first two albums are still their best ones. If the whole album "Magnified" had songs like "So Unreal" and "Hey Mama" it had a higher rating. Beautiful album cover by the way. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.kingdomcome.de
Recordlabel: http://www.planet.tt MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/lennywolf |
82/100 |
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| LOAD – Flames In Seconds (CD) | The Netherlands | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Rock | Running time: 47:04 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| LOAD is a four piece band from Steenwijk/Meppel, Holland consisting of Annalies Groen (vocals), Freek Gielen (guitar), Pieter Dingerdis (bass) and Wouter Bakker (drums). "Flames In Seconds" is the second full length album of LOAD released by the band themselves. Their debut album "Desirous" was released in 2004. Although the band is influenced by bands like METALLICA, PEARL JAM, ALTER BRIDGE, THE GATHERING and FOO FIGHTERS, to me LOAD reminds me the most of Holland's best female rock singer ANOUK. Not strange, because Annalies Groen also sounds very much like Anouk Teeuwe. The production of "Flames In Seconds" isn't that bad, but it could have been a little bit better. And that's my only complain about this album, because the songs are really good anyway. The album features most of all solid rock songs like "Goodbye", "Sin", "Runnin' Away", "Destruction" and "Control". But there are also some quieter songs on it as well like the semi-ballad "One Day", "What Comes Around", "Sometimes" and "Fallen" (with 7:49 minutes the longest track on the album). Although it's just like I'm listening to ANOUK it's a fantastic album. Very good rock band with lots of potential. ANOUK has a real competitor in LOAD. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.load-music.nl
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/loadspace |
80/100 |
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| LOSSFEA – Lightning In The Dark (CD) | Germany | June 2009 | Kees Schijven |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 47:00 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| LOSSFEA is a band from the region of east frisia in northern Germany. These 4 guys are influenced by hardrock and heavy metal from the '70s and '80s. LOSSFEA was founded in 2004 under the name "Drifter" by Guitarist Marco Harms and Drummer Benjamin Lemberger, who had already made music together before. Singer and Guitarist Henning Sievers came along soon. The line-up was then completed by Bassist Tilman Eilers, who was replaced by Arne Sievers in 2006. As "Drifter" they played many shows all over Germany with bands like Kaizers Orchestra, Goose, Turbostaat, Mob Rules, Lord Bishop Rocks, Ten Tonne Dozers and many more…As they recorded their first record, they decided to give the band a new name. The boys found out that there are a lot of bands with the name "Drifter", which also caused mistakes in the past. After lot of talking they followed the suggestion of Drummer Benjamin. At the Omas Teich Festival 2008 they announced then their new name LOSSFEA. Now this is their debut album 'Lightning in The Dark', with 8 rock/metal tunes in the vein of Y&T, Saxon and Maiden, only…not as good. Musically it sounds ok, but their singer is really not the best vocalist around, also their songs aren't all too strong, or original, some are even boring (nighttrain). Production could also be a lot better, although for a self produced it's ok I guess. Sometimes it all sounds a bit too familiar, as if…no I won't say it. Wait and see what their next effort will bring us, and give them the advantage of the doubt, cause there is potential in this band, it just didn't came out this time. | |||
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/lossfea |
68/100 |
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| MAIM - From the Womb to the Tomb (CD) | Sweden | June 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Death Metal | Running time: 35:27 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| In the death metal world things become more and more technical and only a few bands continue making old school death metal. Every once in a while one can stumble across a rare gem and this cd is one of those. Maim are a new band from Sweden who seem to agree with me that the old school Swedish death metal is about the best you can get. Starting with an intro from a cult horror movie we get pounding death metal that sounds like it's made 20 years ago: great riffs, pounding drum without blast beats all accompanied by the filthiest vocals I've heard in long while. Even the production sounds old school, whether this was meant to be or just done because of budget problems I'll probably never know but I don't care. All of this just makes for an ideal mix between Autopsy and Sepultura in their death metal era. I just hope these guys aren't just a one hit wonder or a gimmick because I definitely wan't to hear more of this. To all you old school death metal fans: go buy this! | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.soulsellerrecords.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/maimdeathmetal |
93/100 |
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| MILES BEYOND – Discovery (Promo CD) | USA | June 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Power / Heavy Metal | Running time: 20:17 (Tracks: 3) | ||
| In October 2005 I already reviewed the debut album of this band. I was very positive about them and compared their music with Iron Maiden, Dokken, Y&T and also Liege Lord. Well after this promo cd my opinion didn't change a bit; the band still plays highly influenced Maiden Metal which is of course a compliment because there are just a few bands that have the musicianship to 'imitate' Iron Maiden (Bruce Dickinson era). I even think that this promo is much more Maiden than their debut album because most of the other influences are gone. The band is still looking for a label so don't hesitate to contact them if you see possibilities for this awesome band! "Oh Well, wherever, Wherever you are, Miles Beyond is gonna get you, No matter how far"…….. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.milesbeyond.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/milesbeyond |
80/100 |
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| MOONSTONE PROJECT – Rebel On The Run (CD) | Italy | June 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Rock | Running time: 52:14 (Tracks: 10) | ||
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The second album that is released under this project name. In 2006, the album "Time To Make A Stand" was released and it achieved great comments in music press. Must say I haven't heard that cd. Listening to this one, all beautiful words on the bio lose their meaning and I am listening to a groovy rock album filled with all kinds of musical influences, not necessarily having anything to do with rock, let alone Classic Rock.
But seeing the list of guest musicians, one would be inclined to believe that this is a mindblowing rock disc : James Christian (House Of Lords) and his wife , the lovely Robin Beck, Glenn Hughes and Ian Paice (Deep Purple) Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep)…need I go on? There's a big "BUT". This music resembles the variety in styles that I heard in the seventies, listing to the likes of Santana, Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull. Add a bit of Lenny Kravitz, and there you are: this is Moonstone Project. I must say that James Christian is casted perfectly for his role on this cd; he sounds just great! "Rebel On The Run" is in my opinion the best track on this cd, together with "Shooting Star". Very bluesy tracks with a good feel of rock, with added ingredients. Overall, the album disappoints me a bit, carrying such big rock names in the line up but releasing a seventies-like album that does not use the talents of the musicians participating… | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.moonstone.it
Recordlabel: http://www.blisteringrecords.se MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/moonstoneproject |
68/100 |
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| MYSTIC PROPHECY – Fireangel (CD) | Germany | June 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Metal | Running time: 46:10 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| This is the 6th album of the German powermetal lot Mystic Prophecy. They had a couple of line up changes in between albums, and band leader/vocalist R.D. Liapakis had to find new musicians for this album after the same problem in 2006 when Firewind's Gus G. and drummer Dennis Ekdahl left the band. So, that leaves me with their latest album filled with power metal-to-the-bone. Power metal is OK to me when I can hear a distinct melody and when the vocals are real textlines that are sung. Mystic Prophecy have a good name in powermetal-land, and I must say they surprised me with "Demons Crown", although the shouting vocals may be left behind. Musically this is quite OK, counting that double bassdrums are almost the standard. As for the guitarwork, it's as heavy as it can get, certainly not a virtuoso but in this genre I haven't found any virtuosos yet. As the cd progresses, speed is getting faster and faster ("We Kill You Die") and I seem to lose track of what is happening. I hear no original things I haven't heard with other bands. Textwise, I am falling asleep with so much lack of interesting subjects. This cd will probably be popular with fans of the genre, but musicwise it cannot keep my attention. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.mysticprophecy.com
Recordlabel: http://www.massacre-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mysticprophecy |
60/100 |
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| OHMPHREY – Ohmphrey (CD) | USA | June 2009 | Mr. Globetrotter |
| Style: Jazz / Rock / Fusion | Running time: 64:06 (Tracks: 8) | ||
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What happens when five great musicians locked themselves in a studio for two days, fueled by nothing but pizza and their shared musical vision?
If you're the super jam band OHMphrey, the result is an electrifying fusion debut flush with so much creative currency that its vibrant music buzzes with musical surprises, intense improvisation and even instrumental virtuosity.
OHMphrey, the brainchild of three members of the Chicago-based jam-band Umphrey's McGee (keyboardist Joel Cummins, guitarist Jake Cinninger and drummer Kris Myers) and OHM guitarist Chris Poland, a legendary player who's perhaps best known for work with headbanging pioneers Megadeth, and bassist Robertino Pagliari (a.k.a. "Pag"), unleashes their improv-heavy self-titled debut – a record that assimilates not only disparate musical genres but the individual playing styles of everyone involved. The result is a jam session that breaths music. Although…..you must be a bit into the experimental fusion and jazzrock a bit to appreciate what is going on here. I think that musician readers will find this an appealing project to listen to. Jamsessions often bring surprising tunes, and recording these to release them on a cd must be a heavenly outcome, in this case for fans of both bands because they really are complimentary to each other. Not my cup of soup, but for the right crowd, this is a jewel. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.magnacarta.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ohmphrey |
75/100 |
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| PAIN OF SALVATION – Ending Themes on the two deaths of…. (2DVD) | Sweden | June 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Progressive Metal | Running time: more than 260 minutes!! | ||
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As far as I know this is the second DVD from these Swedish progmetallers! I only have their "The Perfect Element part 1" CD and never bought any of their latest album simply because this is to me a real LIVE band! I've seen the band a few times on stage and they are magnificent! When I heard about a new live DVD I asked the promoter in Holland (thanks Frank) to send me a copy of it and he did! It's a double DVD; on DVD 1 you find a documentary of the band on the road and also backstage. The band is followed during their 2005 European tour and you will find a lot of recordings/shots from my homeland The Netherlands. There are also a lot of other interesting parts on this DVD with a "making of", "sneak preview", " commentaries" and a lot of other interesting stuff! DVD 2 is much more interesting and contains a show that was filmed on 2 March 2007 at the Paradiso venue in Amsterdam. The band plays a mix of all their albums and also the regular covers of Frank Zappa (Dancing Fool) and Leonard Cohen (Disco Queen). It's all filmed very clean and not overproduced as you see a lot these days. The sound quality is great and that's also very important of course! This is a very nice compilation of PoS stuff and if you're not familiar with the bands music; check this out! If you only like the standard metal stuff than please don't check it out; Pain of Salvation is a very technical band with some real interesting & refreshing progmetal! Not for short-sighted metal fans. On DVD 2 you will also find a lot of extras like a quiz, deleted scenes, sneak previews, casting try outs, et al…… A great DVD which will be in my DVD player regularly!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.painofsalvation.com
Recordlabel: http://www.insideout.de MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/painofsalvation |
85/100 |
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| POINT BLANK - Execution (CDemo) | Finland | June 2009 | Sammy De Maere |
| Style: Thrash / Death Metal | Running time: 18:31 (Tracks: 4) | ||
| Point Blank is a fairly new death-thrash band from Finland. They were formed in 2005 and after some line-up changes they released their first demo in 2007 (see Archive CD/DVD Reviews). This demo contains 4 tracks and that is enough to give you a decent view of the band. I can't say this is bad but I don't find it that good either. To me the most important part of a metal song is the riffs, a good riff can make me go crazy and when supported by some good drumming and decent vocals you got yourself a good song. The band has the drumming and the vocals down. Unfortunately these songs are lacking the good riffs to make it good. In the 4 songs I heard 2 riffs that got my attention, one in the first and one in the last song. You can hear that these guys are good musicians but as many boring technical bands have shown us before: technique isn't everything. I wish the band the best of luck in their future song writing and I hope they prove me wrong when they release their first album. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.pointblank-band.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/pointblankmusic |
60/100 |
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| PRODIGAL EARTH – Zenith II Zero (CD) | Cyprus | June 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Power Metal | Running time: 53:45 (Tracks: 11) | ||
| Prodigal Earth is a relatively new Cypriot band formed by members of the well known Arryan Path (some of them can also be found in the Diphtheria line-up). For those familiar with the Arryan Path sound, Prodigal Earth is quite similar but with a less epic metal approach. For those who don't have a clue about these bands I would describe the music as melodic power metal loyal to the European sound. The impressive thing is that Prodigal Earth doesn't sound like any other band of the genre, presenting a unique blend. The songs vary from mid tempo like "Crossroads" to galloping ones like the anthemic "Broken World" with a couple of heartbreaking ballads in between. Vocalist Nicholas Leptos is fabulous as always, singing passionately and reaching the higher notes with his unique colour. To me "Zenith II Zero" sounds fresh and melodic, a musical proposal you shouldn't miss. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.prodigalearth.com
Recordlabel: http://www.pitchblackrecords.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/prodigalearth |
88/100 |
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| PROJECT A – Kiss and Confiscate (CD) | The Netherlands | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Rock | Running time: 37:11 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| PROJECT A is a Dutch Rock band who was formed in 2005. At the end of 2006 the band released their first demo album "Tender Light" followed by the single "Divine" in 2007. Last year (2008) PROJECT A decided that it was time to release a full length album, so "Kiss And Confiscate" is the debut album of the band. The line-up of PROJECT A exists of Ferry van der Woude (vocals), Mathijs Koudijs (guitar), Michiel Brankaert (guitar), Lars Geuskens (bass) and Michiel Korsten (drums). PROJECT A plays radio friendly Rock with sometimes funky influences ("Break My Fall"). All ten tracks on this debut album are listening very easily away and are really good songs. The band exists of fantastic musicians, especially the guitarists, and Van der Woude is a good singer. "Kiss And Confiscate" opens with the solid rock song "John Doe" followed by catchy songs "Tender Light" and "Case 69" (great guitar solo). Also "Summer Again" sounds very familiar in my ears. This is really a rock band who can reach a wide audience. In my opinion songs like "Tender Light", "Case 69" and "Summer Again" are songs which easily can get radio airplay. PROJECT A is a band for anyone who likes bands as RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, KANE, INCUBUS, RACOON, BON JOVI. Strange that a band with such good album has to release their album themselves. Isn't there any record label interested in this band?? | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.project-a.org
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/projectatheband |
79/100 |
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| RAIN – Bang Bus – Limited Edition (DVD) | Italy | June 2009 | Mario van Dooren |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 4:35 (Tracks: 1) | ||
| Last April I reviewed Rain's "Dad is Dead" album which the band gave me during their small tour with misfit Blaze Bailey. The band also gave me an exclusive, limited edition (10 copies) DVD with the video clip of one of the "Dad is Dead" songs named 'Bang Bus". Well after seeing the video I long for more…..not only musically but also naturally, hahahaha. Nice sluts are used in this video and I advice the band to print some DVD's and send them around to the TV stations that are willing to play metal these days. Next time I want to be part of that Bang Bus guys! You can c(o)unt me in!!! | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.raincrew.com
Recordlabel: http://www.auralmusic.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/raincrew1980 |
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| REPOMEN – Roadkill (CD) | The Netherlands | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Stoner Rock | Running time: 27:54 (Tracks: 8) | ||
| REPOMEN, from Eindhoven Rockcity, Holland, was formed after the demise of Stoner Rock band BOREHOLE in 2007. So, REPOMEN exists of former BOREHOLE members Roel Aben (guitar), Mo Truijens (guitar) and Miriam Bekkers (drums) with Peter van Elderen (vocals, bass) of PETER PAN SPEEDROCK. "Roadkill" is the debut album of REPOMAN and was released in 2008. After it was first released only on vinyl, now the CD-version is available as well. The band recorded eight great Stoner Rock songs for "Roadkill". "Black Hole" reminds very much of a band like KYUSS, it's a great song with a fantastic groove and catchy vocals. Of course Peter's voice is very recognizable. The music is very heavy, raw, dirty and loud. Especially the first three songs, "Orange County Raceway", "Black Hole" and "Jesus Chrysler Superbuick" are really strong. "Dia De Los Muertos" isn't bad, but it's my less favourite track of the album. "Roadkill" has a great sound and especially the bass sound is very HEAVY. "All Systems Go" and "Adrenaline" are some nice songs as well. But "Miranda Warning" (with some spacey guitars halfway the song) and the last track "Wrecking Ball" are two other strong songs. Anyway, REPOMEN delivers a fantastic debut album with "Roadkill", which tastes for more. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.the-repomen.com
Recordlabel: http://www.suburban.nl MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/repomenrocks |
88/100 |
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| RESURRECTURIS – Non Voglio Morire (CD & DVD) | Italy | June 2009 | Dennis van Dommelen |
| Style: Death Metal | Running time: 41:26 (Tracks: 13) | ||
| Such a strange country when it comes to metal: "Italy". I have never heard a "normal" sounding band coming from this country (except Necrodeath) Besides them and maybe a few other there also hasn't really came much quality from the "cerulean blues". I am afraid Resurrecturis won't change much about this. I really like it when a band tries to be different soundwise. Resurrecturis although sound completely odd throughout the most of their songs. For example: The first song starts with a blastbeat and some good grunts but later on we hear a woman singing, a bad Metallica imitation: "Calling our names" and some clean vocals with an Italian accent written all over it, some metalcore parts, etc. Why is it so difficult for Italian bands to stick to one sound and produce something normal sounding? It makes the record sound inconsistent. Sometimes great:"The Origin", sometimes bad: The Artist" Resurrecturis can celebrate their 20 year existence next month but to me it's like having a band for almost 20 years and still don't know which style you want to play. And that's a pity because the bandmembers know how to play their instruments and "Non Volglio Morire" is blessed with a good production. The label sent us the complete version of the cd with DVD. And this DVD has a professional video clip where most bands will be jealous of, a making of, gallery and some live stuff. Work done by professional people and a label that seems to fully believe in the band. I think this band has almost everything to become much bigger if they could just stick to one style. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.resurrecturis.com
Recordlabel: http://www.coprorecords.co.uk MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/resurrecturis |
65/100 |
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| SACRED DAWN – Gears Of The Machine: A New Beginning (CD) | USA | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: US Metal / Power Metal / Prog Metal | Running time: 57:07 (Tracks: 13) | ||
| SACRED DAWN is a four piece band from Chicago, Illinois, USA who was formed in 2005. On this debut album "Gears Of The Machine: A New Beginning", which originally has been released in 2006 (and in 2008 released on Nightmare Records), the line-up of SACRED DAWN exist of Lothar Keller (lead vocals, guitar), John Vitale (guitar, backing vocals), Joey Vega (bass) and Brad "Sabbath" Sabathine (drums). But according to their official site and MySpace page the line-up has been changed in the meantime, because Michael Carpenter is the new guitarist and Eddie Foltz is the new drummer of the band. With the first track of the album "(Worlds Apart) The Desire" I had to think of the early FATES WARNING and IRON MAIDEN, great song. The music of SACRED DAWN exists of different styles of metal. There's some Power Metal, US Metal and Prog Metal influences. The band has in Keller a very good and varied singer. Sometimes he sings low, but can also sing high. I don't know the reason why Vitale and Sabathine have been replaced, but Vitale is a great guitarist and Sabathine is a very technical drummer. So, the band recorded twelve self penned songs and one cover, which is the last track of the album and is a nice version of "Devil Went Down To Georgia" of the CHARLIE DANIELS BAND. In my opinion the best songs of this album are "(Worlds Apart) The Desire", "Master Of Thought", "I'm The One", "Walls Of Jericho", "Asmodeus" (great drums) and "Soldier's Plea". If you like bands as FATES WARNING, DREAM THEATER, IRON MAIDEN, NEVERMORE etcetera, then SACRED DAWN is absolutely a band worth checking out for you. The band started working on their second album in March of this year. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.sacreddawn.com
Recordlabel: http://www.nightmare-records.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sacreddawnmusic |
83/100 |
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| SAIDIAN – Evercircle (CD) | Germany | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Melodic Power Metal | Running time: 56:02 (Tracks: 10) | ||
| SAIDIAN is a German five piece band existing of Markus (Engel) Engelfried (vocals), Rodrigo Blattert (guitars), Stephan Lüddemann (bass), Bernd Heining (drums) and Markus Bohr (keyboards). The band was formed in 2004 by keyboardplayer Bohr. So far SAIDIAN has released two previous albums, which are "…For Those Who Walk The Path Forlorn" (2005) and "Phoenix" (2006). Now three years after "Phoenix" these Germans released their third album "Evercircle". For me, "Evercirlce" is my first acquaintance with the band, and I must say that when I heard the first song "Out Of The Shadows", I immediately had to think of HELLOWEEN. Also Engelfried sounds very much like Michael Kiske, although it sounds like he's not always singing in tune. But "Out Of The Shadows" is a fantastic melodic power metal song. Second track of the album is "Tokyo", and is in my opinion one of the less songs, because it sounds pretty much the same all the time. "Solomon's Dance" is a song which also reminds me a bit of DREAM THEATER. Musically the band exists of good musicians anyway. Best songs are "Out Of The Shadows", "Solomon's Dance", "Pale Moon Rider", "Stroke Of Genius" and "Sign In The Sky". If you're a fan of the period of HELLOWEEN with Michael Kiske and you like DREAM THEATER, then you will like this band too. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.saidian.de
Recordlabel: http://www.blisteringrecords.se MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/saidianband |
76/100 |
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| SCROTUM – Osculum Scrotum (MCD) | The Netherlands | June 2009 | Corinne van den Brand |
| Style: Death Metal | Running time: 21:18 (Tracks: 5) | ||
| I got this cd from Mario and thought; what the fuck is this! I listened to it and got the humour of songs like 'hard menstruating cuntcore', 'granny's pusscunt', 'fontanel fucking', 'beerhunter' and 'osculum scrotum'. Oldschool deathmetal with raw vocals and kick ass drums. But there was something missing. So I tried to figure out what. Then some friends called and then I knew. BEEER!!!! So I went to the Bockenrijder and had some trappist met (note Mario: Belgium beer with sirop). After a few beers I walked home which took me a while and listened to Scrotum again. Yes!!! This is the right time to write the review. This is the way to enjoy and appreciate Scrotum.These former members of Sinister and Judgement Day know how to play but they don't take themselves to seriously like so many bands do. And wait for the hidden track. Hilarious. Can't help it but I can't stop smiling now. Finally a band who gets it. And guys, that bbq looks good. (I'm not waiting for an invitation. Or am I !!!) | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.scrotum.tk
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73/100 or
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| SLOUGH FEG – Ape Uprising (CD) | USA | June 2009 | Kostas Kounadinis |
| Style: Heavy Metal | Running time: 37:33 (Tracks: 8) | ||
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Slough Feg has been around for many years. During its career the band has ventured across many different sounds and styles, always heavy but with a 70ies attitude. In my opinion the band reached its creative peak with the unsurpassable "Traveller" album. Right after this masterpiece the band diminished the power metal elements and went for a more psychedelic 70ies approach. The albums that followed, "Atavism" and "Hardworlder" (you can find a review written by me on this site) are great albums but clearly inferior to the perfect 10 which is "Traveller". "Ape Uprising" is a mix between "Atavism" and "Hardworlder" only a bit doomier the Sabbath way. Folk elements are once again present. The album has brought once again great controversy among the fans but I find it strangely attractive. I have been a Slough Feg fan for so many years and I believe that I will always find the band's works familiar sounding and endearing. This IS a classic Slough Feg album so I urge the fans to check it out. | |||
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Visit their website: http://www.sloughfeg.com
Recordlabel: http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sloughfeg |
80/100 |
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| STEADLÜR – Steadlür (CD) | USA | June 2009 | Ad van Osch |
| Style: Glam / Sleaze Rock / Punk | Running time: 36:29 (Tracks: 12) | ||
| The latest rock sensation from Atlanta, Georgia, USA is called STEADLÜR and released their self-titled debut album on Roadrunner Records. STEADLÜR was formed by the brothers Philip and Dallas Anthony. The line-up of STEADLÜR exists of Philip Anthony (lead vocals, guitar), Thomas Gonzalez (guitar, vocals), Daniel Bruce (bass, vocals) and Dallas Anthony (drums, vocals). STEADLÜR plays a mixture of Glam/Sleaze Rock and Punk. Think of bands like MÖTLEY CRÜE, SUM 41, KISS, BLINK 182, SLEEZE BEEZ, GUNS 'N ROSES, POISON, THE OFFSPRING etcetera. Believe me, there's really no weak song to find on this debut album. All songs are so fuckin' catchy. If you have heard this album for the first time, you wanna hear it over and over again. It's very addictive. The average running time of the songs is about 3 minutes. And because the songs are so catchy, I'm sure STEADLÜR will also win lots of young female punk- and glamsters as their fans with this album. "Bumpin'" (great video, see their MySpace page) is the first single of this fantastic debut album, but there are much more single candidates to find on this album. And that's why I think this is gonna be a very successful album. Can we talk about "the next hype"….I don't know, but what the fuck…..it just sounds GREAT. Philip Anthony is a good singer, Gonzalez is a very skilled guitarist and the band has a very fine rhythm section. Although it's very hard to pick some favourites, because all songs are brilliant, I would say my favourites are "Poison" (kicks ass), "Bumpin'", "Turn It Up", "Whiskey And Women", "Time", "Barely Breathing" (great riff) and "Livin' A Lie". SUPERB debut album guys. We're gonna hear more of this band in the future that's for sure. I don't know if they will get that BIG, but time will tell. | |||
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Recordlabel: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/steadlur |
85/100 |
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| STORMNATT – The Crimson Sacrament (CD) | Austria | June 2009 < |