New Videos - September 2022

Dang, September is over already!  This year is going quick, and there are still plenty of new albums coming up that I'm very excited for!  I've got a good chunk of riffy, heavy metal for you this time, with a few proggy groups for good measure.  Check these out!

After enjoying their last album Let There Be Nothing, I'm certainly interested in what power/prog band Judicator doing next.  This track is definitely out there, though, with some horns, some old hammond organs, and a strange reference to a mid-2000s romance film.  Still, it wasn't boring!  

While there are a few other metal bands with the name Whirlwind, this one is so new, it doesn't even have a page on Metal Archives yet!  US Power Metal is the style here, with its gritty riffing and epic vocals.  It's not doing anything new, but it's doing it well, with some interesting tempo shifts for good measure.  Given the artwork and the album title of "1714," I wonder if this will be a concept album.

Sword are back!  Note that this isn't The Sword, but a different Canadian band that played traditional metal back in the 80s.  I stumbled across them somehow about 10 years ago, and I loved their first album, but I never got to their second one.  However, now that they've got a third one coming out, I suppose it's time to catch up!  Anyways, this single feels like they haven't lost a step, continuing that classic metal sound that made them such a gem.

I wasn't sure if I would hear from this group again, as the first album was kind of a mess, but I guess they had some more ideas they wanted to work out.  At least, right off, the production seems much clearer, while still retaining Sherwood's iconic warmth.  I don't know if I love it, but I'm more optimistic about a follow up than I thought I would be.  It will be interesting to see how it shapes up.

As if his own project and Victory weren't enough, Herman Frank has started another project called Iron Allies.  Bringing over a few folks from Victory, he teams up with vocalist David Reese, who among other things was a singer for Accept for a little while (though not at the same time as Frank was in the band).  In any case, it's another straight-forward dose of mid-tempo metal, with some solid riffing.  Coming in just a few weeks, I know this album is high on my priority list.

After their last album was just okay, Disturbed has come right back to the heaviness for their new album.  Of course, there is no change in their style, but I like their anthemic groove metal sound, and this track shows there is still some gas in the tank for it.

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Last Played - October 2020 Part Two!

So I'm finally catching up on some 2020 stuff.  However, I know I've still got plenty I haven't even touched yet!  Hopefully, I'll get to some good stuff before the year is out, especially with AC/DC and Iron Savior coming up.  For now, though, here's what I've been listening to lately!

One Desire - Midnight Empire

One Desire was the band that blew me away back in 2017, which was about when I discovered Frontiers Records.  I really liked their approach to the pop metal 80s sound that made it seem lively and accessible.  It's been three years and they've finally followed up with their second album.  Once again, we get an album that's full of 80s energy, but with a slick, modern polish, which is why I loved the first one.

If there are any differences, there's more variety, I think.  Some songs are on the crunchier side, like "Shadowman" and "Battlefield of Love," while others make more use of acoustic guitar stuff, like "Rio" and "Only When I Breath."  Another track that's pretty solid is "Through the Fire," which starts off like an acoustic ballad, but then builds and builds into this rock epic.  I also think the production is slightly better than the last album (which is saying something!).  I also got a pretty big Europe vibe from some of the tracks.

However, it doesn't get too far away from the anthemic pop metal they established from their first album, so those looking for more of the same will not be disappointed.  One Desire maintains their standard for solid song-writing and rockin' tunes.  

Judicator - Let There Be Nothing

So while I've been checking out various videos, I came across one for this band's new record.  At the time, I wasn't too impressed by the song, but I was curious about a band who sounded a lot like Blind Guardian, but focused on European History.  After a while, I decided to give their latest album a shot, and I have to say I'm quite impressed.  

It tells the story of Belisarius, a great general of the Byzantine Empire, contrasting his military conquests with the his dilemma of dealing with an unfaithful wife.  The lyrics and music are more dedicated to telling a story, resulting in lyrics that can be a little clunky here and there.  However, it's all performed quite admirably, with John Yelland's vocals belting out all the melodrama the scenario provides.  It's definitely an album that demands attention, reading the lyrics as you listen, and maybe looking up a few names on Wikipedia just to understand the context.

While the Blind Guardian comparison is easy to make, especially with Yelland sounding a lot like Hansi Kursch, this band falls a little closer to the US power metal, with a heavy dose of progressive metal, as tempos and moods shift to match the needs of the story.  Still, I enjoyed a lot of it, with plenty of meaty riffs, noodly solos, and awesome vocal harmonies, though I do wonder if the production isn't a little on the muddy side.   As a consequence, the songs do kind of blend together, as there isn't much to differentiate them from each other. However, as an album, it's definitely a solid experience, telling an interesting story with a Shakespearean fervor.

Those Damn Crows - Point of No Return

Hey, remember when I was freaking out about this band a year ago?  I finally listened to their album!  Based out of the UK, these guys provide a very polished post-grunge sound, making me think of the likes of early Daughtry, or The Calling, with a few heavier riffs here and there.

Overall, it's a pretty fun rock album.  Shane Greenhall puts a lot of charm in his vocals, and band keeps songs riffy without really being bogged down with heaviness, making for a rather light listen for hard rock.  A lot of that has to do with the production, which keeps things tight and clear.  They won't be winning any heaviness awards, but they make up for that with some pretty catchy tunes to go along with their mid-level crunch.

However, there isn't in the way of variety.  There's a piano ballad on there, but otherwise, the songs are pretty straight-forward, mostly jamming at a mid-tempo level.  I will say that that band does get riffier as the album goes on, which is interesting.  Stand outs are songs I've showcased before, but also "Send the Reaper," "Long Time Dead," and "King of Second Chances."  Honestly, though, it's a consistent rock album from start to finish.

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I think I still have plenty of time to get a few more of these in before the end of the year.  Still, I can't believe October is over already!  This year has been crazy on multiple levels.  I hope everyone is staying safe and gets the chance to hear some good, uplifting music to deal with the chaos.  Until then, rock on! \m/

New Videos - July 2020 Part Three!

How about that?  I was able to pull together another article before the end of the month!  I wasn't sure if I was going to make it.  This time, expect a lot of metal!  \m/

So this is a pretty neat little song.  Blind Guardian is a decent reference point, with the epic scope and crunchy guitars, but staying grounded.  It's also a touch on the long side, but I think it works for what they're going for here.

More Primal Fear is always a good thing!  Their Judas Priest inspired style of power metal is such a thrill, and you get the impression they love playing it as well!  As expected, this is full of big, crunchy guitars and Ralf Scheepers huge voice!

Orden Ogan is a name I've seen around and heard many good things about, but never got to them until just now.  Power metal, with some proggy touches, is the nature of this one, with some great riffs and a neat solo (once you get to it).  Not sure if I like all the lens flares, though.

I know I usually don't do live videos for these articles, but I had never heard of this band before.  Redemption is very much prog metal, in the vein of Dream Theater or Symphony X.  In fact, that's Tom Englund from Evergrey on the vocals!  Technical, but not too dense, with some nice solos.

Well, this is a blast of metal if I've ever heard one!  Palace play a very classic style of 80s metal that would make their German countrymen proud, full of crunchy riffs and a driving tempo often heard in the likes of Accept and Rage, and the shout-along chorus is the cherry on top!

After all that metal, let's finish with something mellow.  Pattern-Seeking Animals already has their second album out (I don't think I ever got around to listening to their first one completely!).  Nice, melodic, mood-driven prog rock that's refreshing and pleasant.