Top 5 of 2024!!

This year as a tough one, as there were a lot of solid albums.  The top three were figured out fairly early on in the past month, but after that, it took some serious consideration to round out the rest.  Judas Priest's Invincible Shield had a decent shot of making it, as well as Nightbound by Find Me, which started to grow on me, despite the production.  I also really enjoyed Lovebites's EP II, but decided that I shouldn't really compare it to a full album.  In the end, I was able to whittle it down to these five albums of 2024 that stood out from the rest!

5. Paragon - Metalation

This was definitely the toughest spot to fill.  As I relistened to this year's albums, I started to wonder if I could pick one from the list at all.  However, I found Paragon's new slab of chunky riffs to be what helped it squeeze in.  It's not as good as Controlled Demolition was, as these songs are a little sillier, but it's a pretty consistent album across the board, and that counts for a lot.

4. Firewind - Stand United

I know there were some power metal albums I never got around to this past year, so it might be a bit cheeky to say Firewind's latest is the best one of 2024, especially as I wasn't expecting too much after their self-titled album from a few years ago.  However, once I recognized that they had slipped into more of a heavy/power blend, I found Stand United to be a solid album, and Herbie Langhans's vocals have really settled in well for the band.

3. Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks - True

It took more than a few listens, but I was finally able to really assess this album on its own.  While it's certainly aping the classic sound of my favorite band, and I do think the songs in the middle drag it down, it can't be denied that Jon has found something pretty magical with these Geeks.  "Once Upon a Dream" alone put this album in the Top Five!

2. DGM - Endless

This year's surprise!  When their last album felt lukewarm, a let down from my winner of 2020, I wasn't sure what to make of this band.  So when I was treated to a pleasant kick-in-the-head in the form of some very 70s prog that was played with energy, I knew this was going to be a contender for the Top 5 list.  "From Ashes" still puts a smile on my face!

1. Monkey3 - Welcome to the Machine

DGM might have taken the year if it weren't for this one.  While I do think that Sphere was a better album, I can't deny this groups infectious tone and energy.  Giving their psychedelic rock a slight mechanical feel helped to shake things up, but otherwise, it was business as usual, as this band continues to impress with their dynamic song-writing and dense atmosphere.  

New Releases - 2024 Wrap-up!

Alright, one last chunk of reviews to wrap things up.  After this, it's time to listen to everything again to figure out what my Top 5 of the year is, and there certainly are some contenders in this article!  I've focused on melodic metal much more for this one, but they're all from bands I've enjoyed before, and they're carrying on without too much to slow them down!  Here's what I've decided to check out for the rest of 2024!

Lovebites - Lovebites EP II

So I admit I'm kinda confused by this title, as this is technically their fourth EP (going by Metal Archives, anyway).  Based on the cover art, it might just be a sequel to their first EP, but what that means, I honestly don't know.  I decided to relisten to their entire discography before getting into this, and it really is amazing to hear just how consistent these girls are in the quality of their songs.  While Electric Pentagram remains my favorite of theirs, all of their albums have highlights, and this remains true for this EP.

Things start high with the opener "Unchained," which is some typical (and by that I mean good) power metal from them.  "Soul Defender" follows up well, leaning into some US power metal feeling with the chuggy riffs.  Then next comes "Where's Identity," which is straight up Bay Area Thrash, and probably the best song on the album, wildly enough.  However, the last two tracks aren't quite as good.  "The Bell in the Jail" has this strange groove going through it, and seems to have been inspired by The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and "Someone's Dream" sounds like their attempt at a Helloween style song.  It's not bad, just not as strong as the earlier tracks.  Overall, though, they maintain their high standard by providing another handful of high energy metal, and as a big fan of this band now, I don't think I could ask for anything more (except maybe a full album next time).

DGM - Endless

Well, this was certainly a pleasant surprise!  While I definitely liked Tragic Separation when I heard it, subsequent listens have shown that it might not be as strong as I first thought, and when Life turned out to be mostly fine, if underwhelming, I was concerned that this band was starting to slip in quality.  So I was pleasantly surprised when they decided to dive deeper into prog!

And when I mean prog, I mean full on hammond organs and flute solos from the 70s.  It's like they decided to go back to their roots and influences, making for a very surprising and satisfying album.  Sonically, the album finds itself close to the melodic side of Dream Theater, with some keys from IQ, and an uplifting tone like Neal Morse's solo work.  While the band's lineup remains the same, they clearly made some changes to their approach compared to their last few records (which largely felt like a fusion of modern prog metal with AOR-style choruses).  This time, it's like they decided to throw out their templates and just explore what they felt good about, filling the album with songs full of energy and excitement!  Seriously, I was smiling through most of this album as I was listening to it for the first time!

Things start of very proggy with "Promises," mostly being an instrumental jam, before going full-on prog with the dynamics on "The Great Unknown."  Even when they bring back their usual sound on "Final Call," it's broken up with a rather moody digression that builds quite well.  "The Wake" brings in some darkness to shake things up, and the 14 minute closer "...Of Endless Echoes" is all of this wrapped together in a wonderful musical journey.  However, the highlight for me was "From Ashes," with it's energetic start and cheerful lyrics.  I couldn't help but smile the entire time it was on!  Overall, this was a delightful surprise, as the band seems to find new life by bringing in some classic prog ideas to freshen up their sound.  Top 5 contender for sure!!

Dream Evil - Metal Gods

After reviewing a few of their albums, I've decided to skip ahead to their newest one, squeezing it in between these other new releases.  However, they haven't changed much, drifting into a style that's more traditional metal than power metal, much like how HammerFall have been for the last decade or more.  While listening to it, I thought of both the Saxon and Judas Priest albums I heard early last year.  Still, for those who don't mind a layer of cheese with their metal will find themselves headbanging through the album.

While the band is solid (and there are some interesting guest guitar solos), most of their strength comes from their vocalist Niklas Isfeldt, who belts out these campy lyrics with authority.  I think he's aging well, sounding a lot like Biff Byford in most of these songs, giving them the right amount of drama to be fun without sounding like a parody.  The lyrics are pretty typical "overcome the challenge" stuff, with equal focus on horror and fantasy.  It may feel like they're sticking to their formula, but they execute it well.

The album starts well with the title track, a tribute to the classic metal that inspires them.  "Chosen Force" is a solid follow up, and things get more power metal with songs like "The Tyrant Dies at Dawn" and "Born in Hell," the latter of which neat riffing that makes me think of classic HammerFall.  The rest of the album is solid, but it's easy to let each track slip by as the album goes on.  As much as I like this band and their brand of fun, this year has some tough competition, so I don't know if will stand out enough to get into my upcoming Top 5 article at the end of the month.

Paragon - Metalation

Good grief, has it really been five years since their last album?  Where does the time go?  Controlled Demolition ended up being a sleeper hit for me back in 2019, and while I doubt they've been resting on their laurels since then, I have had to be patient in waiting to see what Paragon would do to follow up that massive, crushing slab of heavy/power metal.  They've got a new drummer on board, but they've clearly picked up right where they left off.

Because I haven't been doing the Videos articles anymore, I haven't taken the chance to check out any singles, so I went into this pretty blind.  Happily, I found plenty that reminded me of their previous album, but I admit I was looking forward to that.  As usual, the band is full of chunky riffs and rhythms, the solos by Christian and Bertram range all over the place from melodic to shreddy (and include a few from Piet Sielck of Iron Savior, who I guess has been working with this band for a very long time), and vocalist Andreas Babuschkin brings his gritty charm to the songs.  They continue their unique blend of styles, taking the grit and energy from Accept and giving it a bit of a power metal boost in epicness.

The songs themselves are pretty consistent, though "MarioNET" goes by in a blink, and the later songs "My Asylum" and the title track drop the energy for the sake of more anthemic songs.  They're not bad, aren't as strong as where they began, starting with the high energy "Fighting the Fire," which carries on with "Batallions."  Meanwhile, "Beyond the Horizon" goes for more of an epic doom approach, making me think of Sorcerer's work.  Overall, it's another decent chunk of metal, and while I don't know how much this one will grow on me, I know I'll be giving it more listens to see if it lands on my Top 5.

Last Played - 2023 Roundup!

Here's the problem: there are too many albums I want to listen to, and not enough time to listen to them all.  Maybe if this were a full-time job, I could do it, but I'm definitely not to that level at all.  Still, I wanted to at least give some time to all things I listened to, even if it wasn't as much attention as the albums in my regular Last Played articles, so here are a bunch of mini-reviews.  To be honest, it's a lot of bands carrying on their sound, resulting in a lot of albums that were good, but not amazing.  Here's the rest of what I listened to for 2023!

Vega - Battlelines

Vega has been an interesting band to follow.  I started with Only Human, which I loved for it's cheesy 80s anthemic rocking.  Grit Your Teeth saw the band keep their style but loosen up in a good way.  However, Anarchy and Unity felt like a shift into more 90s or 2000s alternative rock.  It wasn't bad, but certainly different.  So how is Battlelines?  It's pretty similar to Grit Your Teeth, honestly.  The production isn't as thick as it was on Only Human, but otherwise, it's another solid set of melodic hard rock.  The opener "Heroes and Zeroes," and "Embrace the Grey" have some good energy in particular.

DGM - Life

This is one I wish I could have given more time, as their last album was my number one choice for 2020.  However, it's hard to deny that Life isn't more of the same as what was on Tragic Separation.  Of course, this means more chunky, syncopated riffing in the guitars, more catchy, AOR-style choruses, and more great soaring vocals from Mark Basile.  This is clear from the beginning as they start with their lead single, and the rest of the tracks carry on just like that.  Sure, they shake it up here and there with some clean piano or an a cappella section, and they throw on some appropriate synths for "Neuromancer," but otherwise, they remain pretty consistent.  Unfortunately, there wasn't much that stood out compared to what I've heard them do before.

Sorcerer - Reign of the Reaper

After Lamenting of the Innocence blew me away a few years ago, I knew I had to keep an eye out for what Sorcerer would do next.  Once again, we are back into the weird blend of big doomy riffs and melodic shredding solos.  This time, I feel like there's an increase in classic metal (which maybe isn't a surprise after doing an EP of covers during the lockdown).  I continually got vibes of Judas Priest, Saxon, and Rainbow, which were blended very well into their wall-of-sound approach to doom.  Anders Engberg soars over everything, and Kristian Niemann and Peter Hallgren bring another excellent set of heavy riffs and shreddy solos.  If there is a difference, I feel like the songs are more uplifting and heroic.  It's not something across the album, but I did pick up on it here and there, and I found it pretty refreshing, actually.  While I don't think it's quite as good as Lamenting, it's about on par with The Crowning of the Fire King and is another solid release from a band who clearly has their own stamp on the epic doom genre.

Final Strike - Finding Pieces

This is the new project by Christian Eriksson, formerly of NorthTale and Twilight Force.  Bringing along a few mates from NorthTale, this group sets out to do power metal in a very classic way.  I know I enjoyed two of their singles, and I'm hearing everything from Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Edguy to even bits of Hammerfall and Stratovarius.  Eriksson sounds solid, and the guitarwork by Martin Floberg is full of noodly shredding and uptempo riffing.  While they do change things up, occasionally having a mid-tempo stomper, it's mostly high speed, double-bass-kicking anthems.  "Finding Pieces" and "Freedom" remain as good songs, and I also enjoyed the closer "Turn of the Tide."  However, this year has had some excellent power metal, so I will have to give it a few more listens to decide how well it stacks with the competition.

Eclipse - Megalomanium

Eclipse makes no major changes, but why fix what isn't broken?  While Paradigm remains my favorite of theirs, this is another solid set of rock songs, though they have pushed more in an anthemic direction (if a song simply named "Anthem" wasn't a clue already!).  However, in an effort to sound big, I think they've lost some of the meat, especially since the opening tracks do feel a little lackluster.  They even lean into pop punk a little with songs like "Got It" and "The Broken."  However, things pick up with "Children of the Night," starting with a riff that could have come from Bark at the Moon, and the second half of the album gets back into some solid rocking.  Overall, they haven't fallen into a slump as they continue to provide good, energetic tunes.

Tanith - Voyage

After enjoying two of the singles, this album is certainly a solid follow-up to their debut, carrying on their Thin-Lizzy-meets-Blue-Oyster-Cult style of rock.  However, some of Russ Tippins' NWOBHM background has slipped in, as I sometimes thought of Iron Maiden's Killers, with some galloping guitar rhythms.  Still, their of 70s fantasy lyrics powered by cosmic descriptions still makes them feel like something from another time.  Tippins provides plenty of old-school fretwork on his guitar, and Cindy Maynard continues her role of vocal counter point, though this album has a lot more of them singing together.  While a few songs get into some proggy or atmospheric sections, most of the album has a lot of solid, straight-on rock, making for a pretty consistent listen.  I don't know if this is better or worse than their debut, as it's close, but this certainly confirms what they started, making them a pretty unique band in the current rock music landscape.

New Videos - September 2023!

I'm catching up on other things, but I think the rest of my year might be a little busy.  We'll see what I have time to get to.  Still, I found quite the collection of new videos, ranging from prog rock to power metal, and a few things in between.  I'm definitely excited for the albums these ones are teasing!

Well, if I thought the first single of Trevor Rabin's new solo album was unique last month, this knocks it further from the norm!  Definitely leaning into some proggy sections and songwriting, this feels like some of the noodlier parts of Talk turned left somewhere and found itself deep in some other dimension!  The while piano runs make me think of "Endless Dream," and the ending falls into this bouncy, symphonic arrangement, making for a song that I had no idea where it was going for its entire run time, and I loved it!

After their last album, Vega seems to be back in the 80s anthemic rock vein, providing a catchy chorus and some solid, crunchy riffs.  While the last album wasn't bad, it did feel like a letdown compared to what I had heard from them before, so here's hoping the new album sees a return to what they do best.

After Christian Eriksson left NorthTale, I guess he ended up fronting this new band.  Naturally, it's classic European power metal, very much in the vein of Freedom Call and Helloween, so I'm all for it.  It's certainly on the cheesy side, but I'm definitely curious how the rest of their debut album will sound.

I featured this band a few years ago and liked their style, and now they have a new album out!  Definitely falling into the more dramatic style of power metal like Kamelot and Blind Guardian, this track has some good dynamics to go with their crunchy riffs.

Yup, even more power metal!  While having Ralf Scheepers is enough to get me curious, the band's own singer Carlos Zema is very good in his own right!  While it's a very high speed blend of heavy and power styles, much like Brainstorm, I had never heard of this group until now.  Definitely on my list!

I know I've liked DGM in the past, but here it sounds like they've really fused their AOR sensibilities with their proggy chops to create something really dynamic and sentimental without losing any of their technical heft, with Mark Basile's vocals soaring over everything.  A good start for their new album!

Top 5 of 2020!

Finally!  I know I've said this before, but this top 5 has been quite a challenge to put together.  As I was relistening to stuff this year, some that I thought were strong started to fall short, while others rose up.  Even when I narrowed it down to these five, it was tough to put them in order.  However, it had to be done.

Before we get started, I do want to give an honorable mention to Judicator's Let There Be Nothing for being a very peculiar prog/power metal concept album.  It didn't quite make the Top 5, but cut it pretty close.  Now, let's check out the five that did make it.

#5: Metal Commando - Primal Fear

Even though it isn't as strong as Rulebreaker from 2016, they still have it where it counts.  It's crunchy, it's solid, and it's Ralf Scheepers bellowing out cheesy lines with authority, and that's good enough for me.

#4: Lamenting of the Innocent - Sorcerer

This album has a sound unlike any I've heard this year.  While it's technically doom metal, with the soaring vocals and dual guitar solos, you'd think it was power metal as a slower tempo.  In any case, it makes for an arresting listen, full of melodramatic tension and dark epicness.  

#3: Skycrest - Iron Savior

Iron Savior got third last year!  Like I said in my review, it's probably not as strong as last year's Kill or Be Killed, but it still has enough going for it to end up at this spot.  I'm just a sucker for German power metal, full of melodic leads and epic choruses!  I can't help it!

#2: Electric Pentagram - Lovebites

However, the champions of power metal this year are Japan's Lovebites.  I knew this band had potential, but this album just puts a big smile on my face.  There are a few weaker tracks, but the stronger ones make up for it in spades!  Tight, epic, melodic, and a ton of fun!

#1: Tragic Separation - DGM

It was either this or Lovebites, and I think DGM edge them out.  They're melodic-but-chaotic leads are just so cool and energetic, Mark Basile soars, and they have this rich layered sound behind it all.  It's also very consistent across the tracklist, and I think that's what seals the deal for me.  They may not necessarily be reinventing the prog metal wheel, but they know how to write an epic track, and this one has several.  

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Well, that's 2020 wrapped up.  Now it's time to start looking forward to what's coming this year, and it seems we've got some big ones!  Right from the gate, we've got Accept, Evergrey, Ordan Ogan, and Helloween right out of the gate.  Should be exciting stuff!  Until then, rock on! \m/

Last Played - November 2020!

Things are definitely getting cold now!  However, I'm still keeping on with new releases, as well as an old classic, for this article of Last Played.  Impressive stuff, to be sure.  Here's what I've listened to lately.

Arctic Rain - The One

I have to admit I should be thankful to Frontiers Records for finding these AOR bands across the world and bringing them to the world's attention.  I really do feel like they bring back a lot of the fun for rock music, and Arctic Rain is another solid entry in their catalog.

Hailing from Sweden, this band provides a mix of early 80s AOR with some of the shinier pop metal of the same decade.  Think Night Ranger or Def Leppard mixed with some synths you'd expect from Journey or Asia.  While the vocals do take center stage (Tobias Jonsson gets tons of space to shine), there really is some solid crunchy riffing from guitarist Magnus Berglund, which I wasn't expecting honestly.  Made the album rock a little harder than most of the AOR I've heard.

That being said, there aren't any real surprises, but the album holds together pretty well.  I quite liked the uptempo tracks, such as "Breakout," "Lift Me Up," and "Take Me To Your Heart," but there are also some great anthemic tracks, like "Lost," and "Madeleine."  Overall, it's a solid album that's consistent in keeping the energy high all the way through.

AC/DC - Let There Be Rock

While I am trying to catch up on 2020 releases, I still get the hankering for something classic.  This time, I threw on some more AC/DC, partially in anticipation of their new album, and partially because it's hard to go wrong with the boys from Australia.  

Of course, like I said in the past, reviewing AC/DC is probably pretty pointless.  We already know what to expect, so instead, I'll just focus on what I think stood out on what is my first listen of this record. Once again, I've listened to the international version, which has a slightly shorter version of "Problem Child" instead of "Crapsody in Blue."  (I'll have to dig up that track later somewhere.)

The big songs here are "Let There Be Rock," with Bon Scott evangelizing the origins of rock music and a bunch solid solos from Angus; and "Whole Lotta Rosie," a song that really speaks for itself, honestly.  Additionally, I felt "Dog Eat Dog" was pretty solid, and could probably fit right in on Back in Black. "Problem Child" is good again, though I don't know if it really helps this album.  The rest is pretty standard stuff.  I don't think this album is as strong as some of their others. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap was probably better overall, I think.  Still, it's got some classics and certainly doesn't hurt their catalog by any means.

DGM - Tragic Separation

After enjoying the three tracks they released in the past three months, I knew this album would have to be a priority for me this year.  I admit I've only listened The Passage from them before this one, but these Italian prog metalers really know how to balance technical chops with melodic epicness, centered around Mark Basile's emotional and dramatic vocals.

The talent this band has is on full display.  Basile is laying it all out there, sounding massive all the way through.  Simone Mularoni's guitar riffs are technical and chunky, as usual.  I don't know if they're the most memorable riffs, but they are amazing to listen to in the moment.  Of course, this being prog metal, there's also tons of layers: keyboards, strings, guitar harmonies, it's all here, and the production ensures that it sounds amazing.

If there are any problems, it's that the band pretty much sticks to one tone all the way through.  "Surrender" breaks things up a little by having more of a rock vibe, and "Curtain" is an instrumental closer that's nearly just cinematic ambience.  Still, if this kind of melodic prog metal is your thing, DGM has it in spades.  From the great opener "Flesh and Blood," this album has tons of great songs.  Other stand outs are the title track, "Stranded," and "Silence."  Just solid epicness from beginning to end, and highly recommendable.

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I think I'm going to try and get at least two more of these articles before the end of the year.  That should give me plenty to consider for my Top 5 article, though that DGM album is a strong contender already!  Of course, it will have to compete with what Lovebites and Rick Wakeman released earlier, and we still have AC/DC and Iron Savior coming up!  I don't know if I've heard a clear winner like Monkey3's Sphere from last year, but it should be an exciting list nonetheless.  Until then, rock on! \m/

New Videos - October 2020 Part Two!

I'm back with some more videos!  Definitely got a good mix of things this time, including prog, power, AOR, and even something dark to finish things off.  Let's get started!

I admit I hadn't heard of this band before, but I guess they've been around for 20 years already.  They seem to be a blend of prog rock and metal, going back and forth between solid crunching and nice atmospheric sections.

Frontiers Records seems to crank these kinda bands out like clockwork, but here's another AOR melodic rock group from them, and I can't deny that they've got this nailed down.  Solid rock with great synths backing it up, sounding like the early 80s never left.

Man, I need to sit down and listen to this album.  DGM always satisfies.  This one is more uplifting and has more of a rock vibe, but that doesn't make it any less of a melodic prog metal epic.  Great stuff, once again.

I can't believe Iron Savior is already putting out another album.  I really enjoyed their last one, and this looks to be more of the same: double-kicking, riff-laden, melody-driven, epic power metal.  I'm definitely excited!

Vanishing Point may be from Austrailia, but they fit right in that Italian Prog Metal style.  Chunky riffing, tight melodies, epic vocals, orchestral sweeps, it's got it all.  Looks like this is another band I'll have to dig into.

Let's finish with something spooky!  Blue Oyster Cult is back with a new album after nearly 20 years, and this cut features their darker side quite well.  Melodramatic, with a rather rocking bridge that shows some nice fingerwork from the guitarists, it makes for a moody tune that works well for this Halloween-themed month.

New Videos - September 2020!

So I started putting this article together last month, but when I ended up listening to a bunch of albums, this got pushed off, so it gets to start September.  This time, we've got a bit of everything: AOR, symphonic metal, heavy/doom, prog metal.  Let's go!

Starting off with more nostalgic AOR.  Again, like Arctic Rain last time, this has the warm-n-fuzzy 80s vibe.  Nothing particularly strong or spectacular, but great to have on while you're working on things or just want to rock out from the comfort of your armchair.

So this band is listed as doom metal wherever I look, but this is way too uptempo, based on what I know for the genre.  This is creeping into heavy/US power territory, with some pretty technical riffs.  Still, it's crunchy and epic in an old-school sort of way, which works for me!

Dark, brooding symphonic metal, very much in the vein of classic Nightwish.  Dramatic and huge, with some solid crunching guitars and massive choirs, all centered around Elina Siirala's operatic vocals, it all makes for a great piece of epic metal.
  

Yup, DGM again.  This album is sounding like it's going to be as good as the last one, and the last one was very good!  The Italians just seem to have the touch: anthemic, melodic, broad, epic, just really great prog metal, as far as I'm concerned.

I know Magnus Karlsson mostly for his work in Primal Fear, but he's also in over a dozen other projects, and I guess this is the one he puts his own name on.  This one is an interesting fusion of AOR and symphonic metal, with a dash of shred for good measure.

I don't know if this band could sound more like Iron Maiden if they tried!  The singer Artur Almeida is clearly imitating Bruce Dickinson's dramatic style of singing, but he does it qutie well, and the band has some pretty solid chops to back it up.

New Videos - August 2020!

I don't intend to talk much about my personal life, but my microwave broke last weekend, and it's been an interesting week putting together meals until I can afford a new one.  Using the stove and oven in the middle of August isn't exactly great, but you know what is?  Rock and metal music videos!  Here's what I got!

Yup, another Primal Fear track.  I wasn't sure about this one at first, with the quieter verses, but then the chorus comes in and Scheepers is back at full volume, and the song starts to click.  I suppose it's a heavy, crunchy ballad?  Solid work, regardless.

High Spirits is one of those bands who call back to the hard rock sounds of the early 80s: a bit Night Ranger, a bit old-school Judas Priest ("Heading On The Highway"), and a lot of upbeat rockin' feels.

DGM are a great Italian prog metal group who's last album, The Passage, was an incredible discovery for me.  Here, in anticipation of their next album, they do it all over again, with all kinds of technical chops buoyed by epic choruses and melodic splendor!

Landfall is a new bad from Brazil, and this track seems to have found the middle ground between soaring AOR and driven pop metal.  Huge vocals, chunky riffs, and a solid 80s rock attitude!  Definitely a promising sound from these guys!

Yup, more AOR.  This one really doesn't do anything particularly amazing, but just plain feels comfortable.  Lots of warm nostalgia for that early 80s, happy rock and roll.  Very much like Find Me or The Defiants.

We're gonna finish this one with something a little different.  Heathen are a classic Bay-Area thrash metal group and this definitely has the chops.  But this also has a melodic side often found in that particular style.  Very crunchy without getting too gritty.