Anniversary Series - 1999!

This article should be better than the last one, even if it means I gush about power metal most of the time, but it was great year for that genre.  After HammerFall had opened the gates, tons of new bands got signed, making it a ripe year for fans of the style.  However, I promise I'll talk a little bit about other genres, and we'll kick things off with some hard rock.

The big album of the year was definitely Creed's Human Clay.  Between the Matrix cameras in the music video and the anthemic post-grunge sound, this was when Creed cracked into the mainstream and became a big name.  I remember hearing "Higher" on the radio and thinking I needed more of this band.  I ended up loving them so much, they ended up being my first band retrospective article three years ago (the fact that they had such a small discography certainly helped as well.)

Other rock highlights include a few bands coming back in one form or another.  Def Leppard got back to their classic sound with Euphoria, Styx tried to make another concept album for Brave New World, and Santana teamed-up with Rob Thomas to give us "Smooth."  Classic rock might not have been the charting success it once was, but they still had plenty of good ideas and fun music.

I've delayed it long enough, though.  Power metal was really strong this year, with plenty of options to pick up.  Primal Fear came back with Jaws of Death, Gamma Ray and Iron Savior carried on their space crusade (which I reviewed earlier this month), Kamelot went into their Fourth Legacy now with epic vocalist Roy Khan helping with the songwriting, Edguy criticized the Theater of Salvation., and Helloween pulled out a Metal Jukebox for some interesting covers.

There were some solid debuts.  Freedom Call started their happy style of metal with Stairway to Fairyland, Metalium rang in the year with Millennium Metal, and Sonata Arctica blew everyone away with their debut Ecliptica.  With magnificent songs like "Kingdom for a Heart" and "Unopened," it was clear they were poised to become a champion of the second wave of power metal.

Of course, prog was making good stuff as well.  Dream Theater would reach a creative peak with their psychodrama Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory, Alan Parsons would check out The Time Machine, and Yes would blow my teenage mind away with The Ladder.  I've gushed about this album before.  Despite being 25 years old now, I still sing along to every word and note and beat whenever I put it on.  Honestly a modern prog rock masterpiece in my opinion.

So there's my thoughts on a pretty dang good year of rock and metal.  As always, check out the playlist below for more, recommend what I missed in the comments, and try to stay cool out there!  August is looking to be a hot and busy month for me, as I have a lot of album reviews planned, so keep an eye out for those.  Until then, rock on!  \m/

Last Played - October 2023!

So I'm finally catching up on some current year releases, some new, some older.  However, they are all certainly metal of the heavy or power variety (and sometimes both!).  While a lot of this is pretty dang solid, I can't deny that last one really blew my mind!  Check out what I've been jamming lately!

Primal Fear - Code Red

I admit I had some hesitation coming to this one, as the last one Metal Commando was pretty underwhelming.  I know I included it in my Top 5 for that year, but I admit it hasn't really stayed with me much since then.  Now for Code Red, I did like their first two singles, and in listening to the rest of the album, I do feel like they've got some oomph back, especially in the second half of the album.

I'm definitely splitting hairs here: the band is as reliable as ever, with plenty of melodic leads, chunky riffs, and Halford-like wails from Ralf.  Business as usual really.  If there is a difference, it's mostly an uptick in melodrama, adding symphonic swells here and there.  The songs are also longer, letting passages linger and going for a more epic, mid-tempo tone.  There's also some frustration boiling up in some of the lyrics as the past few years were an inspiration for some of the songs.  Of course, they also have their standard fantasy tales, cheers of triumph, and anthems for the sake of metal, so it's certainly not some kind of concept album.

Overall, I think it's slightly better than their last album.  "Another Hero" is a good mid-tempo opener and "Play a Song" is an appropriately catch song about using music to get through hard times.  "Steelmelter" and "Raged By Pain" show their continuing love for Painkiller as those are very Priest-like.  Basically another solid effort from a band that's generally pretty consistent.

Weapon (UK) - New Clear Power

Like I mentioned earlier this year, Weapon are a band that started in the middle of the NWOBHM scene, but never really got much notice.  However, all these years later, they've started pulling together a few albums, with this one being their third full-length.  Unsurprisingly, it's some pretty straight-forward heavy metal with a strong emphasis on melody.

Right off, they sound like their compatriots Saxon, with the good rockin' energy, but guitar tone and riffs are definitely on the chunky side, making me think of Grave Digger as well.  The solos played by Oscar Bromvall tend to favor melody over shredding, making me think of Oscar Dronjak's work in HammerFall.  Danny Hynes is a solid singer, and often has layers of overdubs on the choruses, giving the band a touch of epicness here and there.  The rhythm section of Andreas Westerlund and Tony Forsythe keep things moving, sometimes pushing into power metal territory with those double-kicking bass drums.  All of this comes together pretty well, musically speaking.

However, there are a few things that hold it back.  The production is a little muddy, with the guitars very far forward, which sometimes buries Danny's vocals.  The lyrics are a touch on the cliched side, especially on the ballad "Live For Today," but they aren't a deal breaker.  Finally, the album really doesn't move from its comfort zone, sticking pretty closely to it's NWOBHM sound.  Still, it's a decent sound, and I ended up liking the two openers "Drumbeats of War" and "Take It or Leave It," with "Hard Road" as a bright spot later for having some nice, crunchy riffs.  Overall, the album is pretty level in quality, feeling like a solid update of a classic sound.

Blood Star - First Sighting

Like I mentioned earlier on my blog, this is a side project of a few folks from Visigoth, featuring female vocalist Madeline Smith, and their debut album certainly has elements of US power metal, here and there, along side a very strong 70s hard rock feel.  There's also a sense of pulpy sci-fi, as teased by the album artwork, making me think of this stuff as a soundtrack to a system-spanning galactic thrill ride!

Right off, Madeline makes her presence known, her great alto voice blending in well with the mix without getting buried.  She really brings an epic tone to the songs with her excellent vibrato and long notes, enough so to make me wonder if she's classically trained or something.  Otherwise, the music is pretty spartan, not a lot of overdubs, but that gives them a distinct old-school style.  They do touch things up with a bit of synths, but only on a few tracks, with the instrumental "Dawn Phenomenon" being where they are most prominent.  The guitars have a very classic chug to them, making the songs meaty without losing the opportunity to rock out from time to time, usually in the form of some very 80s shreddy solos.  The last song "Wait to Die" even pulls out some double-kicking bass drums to really end on a high note!

Overall, it's a decent collection of songs that seem to sit somewhere between 70s Judas Priest and Blue Öyster Cult.  If there is a problem, its that the album is pretty short at just over 30 minutes long.  I probably could have liked getting a few more songs, but I suppose that's not a bad takeaway, as I did like what I heard.  I don't know what the future is for Blood Star, but these folks do have something pretty good here, especially with Madeline Smith in the band.

Iron Savior - Firestar

Okay, look: when I brought up two of the singles for this album, I mentioned how they hit all the right notes and tick all the right boxes.  But what do I do when I feel like the entire album does that?  I know this is just Iron Savior and they've been doing the same thing since the late 90s, but when it's this good, I just don't care!

Musically, it's pretty much business as usual for these guys.  Driven by precise rhythms and double-bass-drum kicking, the riffs are allowed grounded and gritty while letting the solos melodically soar.  And between it all is Piet Sielck's perfect vocal delivery, providing all kinds of triumph and heroism on nearly every track!  They also know how to shake it up from track to track, so listening to it never becomes tedious, but a delight.  After listening to a plethora of power metal bands, it's easy to hear the tropes and feel like it's all been done before, so it's amazing when I hear a band that still knows how to maintain that epic spirit and feel fresh at the same time!

This is album of the year territory.  I know I brought up Twilight Force, Lovebites, and Kamelot as being contenders, but now they're gonna have to compete for second place!  It's not a perfect album, as there are a few tracks in the back half that aren't quite a strong, but those are just nitpicks for an album that's going to have quite a few tracks on the Best of 2023 playlist!  Superlative power metal from a group that hasn't lost their way at all!

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I'm looking down the pipeline and I'm afraid I may have to repeat some things I did last year, binging several albums at the end, as there is still a lot of stuff I haven't gotten to!  I think I've got things slightly settled in my own life, so I'm hoping I'll have time to get to them all.  In any case, it's going to be a pretty busy last few months for me as I crank out these articles!  Until then, rock on!  \m/

Last Played - August 2023!

I'm not sure if it's just me getting older, but I felt this summer has been busier than others, taking up a lot of my time.  Nevertheless, I was able to squeeze in a few listens here and there.  It's a bit of an eclectic trio of albums, but there's pretty solid stuff to talk about.  Here's what I've been listening to lately!

Primal Fear - Primal Fear

(So this is a bit awkward.  I had originally written this to be part of the 1998 Anniversary Article.  However, when I took a closer look, I realized this album came out at the end of 1997!  So I've decided to move it to this article instead.)

In the mid 90s, singer Ralf Scheepers left Gamma Ray in hopes of being auditioned for vocalist position in Judas Priest after hearing that his name got onto a short list of potential candidates.  However, when Ralf heard nothing, and then saw that Tim "Ripper" Owens got the job, he was approached by Mat Sinner to start a new project, which turned into Primal Fear.  Since then, Ralf and company have been tearing up the power metal scene with their Painkiller inspired sound.  While I have enjoyed many of their recent releases, I recently decided to check out their debut, and unsurprisingly it's another slab of solid heavy/power metal.

If there is a difference between this and the newer albums, it's that this is much more typical power metal, which makes sense, as the scene was really growing at the time.  The band really did go right at the start for the nexus between Judas Priest and Helloween or Gamma Ray (and they even get Kai Hansen to come play on a few songs!).  While they do mix it up with the occasional anthemic stomper or power ballad, they really lean on the uptempo chugging and bass drum double-kicking for most of these tracks, not that I'm complaining.  There are a few moments where there could have been a bit more polish, either on the lyrics or the transitions, but otherwise, it's pretty standard, satisfying stuff.

Ralf Scheepers makes his presence known all over this album (which makes sense, as he was the main reason the band was made in the first place); he really soars here.  The rest of the band is tight as well, with Tom Naumann's guitars putting out riff after riff, with some great solos.  "Chainbreaker" is an excellent opening track, "Promised Land" has some interesting 6/8 riffing, and both "Battalions of Hate" and "Running in the Dust" have a lot of old-school charm.  While it's not a mind-blowing debut, it's pretty clear these guys had something special from the beginning and they've made it their core going forward, resulting in a lot of excellent music.

Rick Wakeman - A Gallery of the Imagination

I had been aware of keyboard legend Rick Wakeman had worked on and released a new album early in the year, but when the first few singles were lackluster, I didn't really pay attention to the album when it came out.  However, now that Yes themselves have put out a new album, I felt the need to give Rick his due.  I really did enjoy his last album with the English Rock Ensemble, so I hoped that this would be a decent follow-up.  While there are some interesting ideas across a diverse set of songs, the album doesn't feel quite as strong or cohesive as The Red Planet did.

Probably the first big difference is the inclusion of Hayley Sanderson as a vocalist.  She's not bad, but maybe a little high and light, and the mix makes her seem slightly shrill once in a while.  The lyrics mostly stay in figurative and flowery territory to help evoke the imagery that Rick and his band are trying to create.  However, the main problem, and it's kind of a big one, is that the album focuses on a kind of proggy sophisticated pop rather than any kind of rock.  Not that I can't enjoy other genres outside of the rock sphere, but when I think of Rick Wakeman, I don't think of chilled, pop-oriented, art pieces (though I suppose that better fits the cover art).  I wouldn't have been surprised if he had covered "Smooth Operator" by Sade.

For what it's worth, what it lacks in way of rock or adventurous spirit it makes up for with some decent variety, shifting between soft layers of synths to solo piano to latin jazz grooves, with the occasional synth or guitar solo here and there.  "Hidden Depths" brings in a bit of rock, "The Man in the Moon" made me think of the Alan Parsons Project, and "The Moonlight Dream" has some interesting, dreamy synth layers and solos that trade between guitar and keys.  He also has just some straight up solo piano pieces that are nice and atmospheric, but overall, there really isn't much to recommend outside of the occasional decent synthesizer solo.  Perhaps it's just a consequence of having bad expectations, but after his last effort was such a solid proggy tribute to the red planet, this is quite the let down.

Monkey3 - Monkey3

After having enjoyed their last album so much that it was my album of the year in 2019 (good heavens, has it really been 4 years?), I knew I needed to dig into the backlog of this band and hear more of what they've done.  With 2003 being the next target for my Anniversary Article series, I figured I could sneak their debut in here on this article.  It's a bit of a shift from what I heard on Sphere, but they remain excellent at maintaining a spacey, rockin' atmosphere.

The first thing I noticed was a lack of the Pink Floyd sense of emotion, instead leaning in harder towards a riff-filled stoner rock with massive riffs that dominate the space.  However, they remain experts at dynamics, letting their songs drift between high intense sections and softer, brooding moments, without ever feeling jarring or strange.  The songs just ease themselves between the sections with jammy rhythms all the way through.  I felt like they were aiming for a space between Tool and Seven Planets with maybe a dash of Pearl Jam: solid grooves and big riffs bound together with good atmosphere.  Sometimes, a section will feel repetitive without much going on, but for psychedelic rock, this is minor gripe, as setting an immersive tone is the priority, and sometimes that requires a bit of repetition for the trance-y vibes to settle in.

Because the songs have such good flow, it's hard to identify which tracks are the best, especially when they often transition seamlessly from one to the next.  "Last Gamuzao" is a solid opener, setting the tone for the album and having excellent moments on its own.  "Bimbo" gave me Blade Runner vibes, and "Darkman's Nose" has some nice heavy riffing.  Overall, it was a solid listen, though not as mind-blowing a Sphere was when I first heard it.  Still, it's a good start for the band, and it's easy to see how they could build on this.

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While things remain busy, I still plan on trucking along, with the next Anniversary Article coming up next.  I know there's a lot of new releases I've been neglecting, but I intend to get to them soon.  As always, it's overwhelming to see just how many new releases come out each year, but I'll get to as many as I can, eventually.  Until then, rock on! \m/

New Videos - July 2023!

Wow, this summer is going faster than I expected!  I know it's been dang hot for everyone, but hopefully we can endure for another month or so.  In the meantime, I've got another handful of excellent new songs for you to check out.  

Despite enjoying some of Noveria's singles in the past, I never did get around to that album, and now they have another one coming out!  They've still got that technical riffing and epic sound, this time with a bit more of a symphonic flair.  Italian melodic prog metal really is a distinct and fascinating sound!

Yup.  Another Anthem single.  This one definitely aims for more of a Painkiller vibe with that double-kicking bass drum and driving chugs.  Also, that guitar solo is pretty solid.  I'm starting to think I need to get into this band sooner rather than later, as their singles are surprisingly consistent.

Is it bad that the most I knew about this band is that they were the reason Herman Li & Co. changed their name to DragonForce?  Well, it turns out they've got a solid heavy/power metal sound, much like Grave Digger.  With a catchy chorus and some solid guitar work, this single might inspire me to give them a shot now that they've got a new album coming out.

Yup.  More Primal Fear.  This one is definitely a mid-tempo stomper, getting to their classic metal roots.  So far, Ralf and company seem to be keeping their consistent quality with this one.  While it's definitely much like what they've done before, I'm still looking forward to their new album. 

So I guess earlier in the year, some of the guys from Vanden Plas started this side-project that's more of a hard rock/heavy metal group.  Finally catching up on it, I think they have a solid sound, though I think I could hear Andy Kuntz sing over just about anything.  In any case, it's got some crunchy riffs and decent melodies, with some synth layers behind it for good measure.  Check it out!

New Videos - May 2023!

Wow, sorry for dropping the ball at the end of last month!  Life got rather busy and stressful in a real hurry, so this kinda took a back seat.  Still, I've been able to find a few things worth checking out, featuring some interesting throwback styled rockers as well as some regulars on this blog.

Stray Gods are another band that borrows heavily from Iron Maiden.  This means soaring vocals, upbeat energy, and plenty of noodly guitar riffs.  And yet, I can't deny that this is pretty fun!  The Maiden sound when done well can always put a smile on my face, so I'll have to keep an eye out for more from these fellows.

Wow, I don't know if I've heard a band try so hard to sound like Rush.  And it's not just one specific era, as they have the hard rock of the early era, the song-writing of the prog era, and the synths of the 80s all mixed together.  Of course, it isn't just a carbon copy, as this band takes you on a solid journey for 18 minutes.  Between all the catchy melodies and interesting transitions, it's quite the prog rock buffet!

Primal Fear may have gone into cruise control for the past few albums, but I can't deny that they remain pretty consistent in providing solid, crunchy heavy/power metal.  As long as Ralf has the pipes and the band has the riffs, I'm in.  This one is a pretty standard mid-tempo stomper, but it's a decent tease for their new album.  

So Jamison Palmer, guitarist of Visigoth, has this other project that has singer Madeline Smith as the main focal point.  She has an interesting, epic lower register that works well with the traditional metal style they've got going here.  I think this goes for more of a Tanith/70s metal vibe, focusing as much on narrative storytelling as the riffs.

I clearly need to jam more Anthem.  They take on heavy/power metal is just so catchy and epic, and this track is no different.  Big, noodly riffs, double-kicking bass drums, a hooky chorus; it's just one big pile of everything I like, and I know this is the first time I've felt this way about them.  Turn this up!

Man, it really does feel like Iron Savior can do no wrong.  Their epic style of power metal just hits all the right notes for me, and this lead single for their new album is just another example.  Tons of energy and melodies, with an epic chorus and a grand story to tell.  I look forward to hearing more!

Anniversary Series - 2016!

Finally, we reach 2016, and I've actually listened to a decent amount of stuff for this year, so I'll be doing a standard anniversary article for this one!  Most of what I have will be power metal and proggy stuff, but there are a few others mixed in for the playlist.

I'm going to start off with an absolutely amazing album: Rulebreaker by Primal Fear.  It was the first album of theirs I had ever listened to, and I was completely blown away.  Definitely leaning towards a Painkiller-style of power metal, it was still very epic, with tons of great riffs and energy.  With massive tracks like the title track, "The End Is Near," "Bullets & Tears," "In Metal We Trust," and "Constant Heart," it's an excellent album from top to bottom.  This was my favorite album of the year, by far!  Of course, there were other good power metal albums that came out this year.  Rhapsody of Fire, Serenity, and Avantasia provided plenty in the symphonic style, while Iron Savior and Mystic Prophecy kept things heavy.

Progressive rock and metal also had a few releases worth mentioning.  While Dream Theater stumbled with The Astonishing, DGM really knocked it out of the park with The Passage, Kansas put out their first album in 16 years with the decent The Prelude Implicit, and Jon Anderson teamed up with Roine Stolt for the dreamy, light-hearted Invention of Knowledge.  Supposedly, they had plans for a second album, but they haven't been able to find time to work it out.  I know I'd definitely be interested in what else they would create.

I know I generally don't cover thrash metal, but they had a decent year as well, with Metallica and Megadeth both putting out albums.  In a bit of a surprise for me, I actually preferred the Megadeth album.  Part of it was that Metallica had gotten back into bad habits with a double album that sounded a lot like Load and Reload, which I've never liked.  "Atlas Rise" was probably the only track I really liked from Hardwired...To Self-Destruct.  However, the other part is that Megadeth picked up Kiko Loureiro from Angra, making the guitar-work on Dystopia quite slick and powerful.  Oh, and Metal Church brought Mike Howe back for XI, including the excellent thrash anthem "Reset."

Finally, I just want to make mention of Airbourne's Breakin' Outta Hell.  While I was aware that Airbourne was a lot like AC/DC, this album was the first one of theirs I listened all the way through, and I found I kept coming back to it.  While they still have the classic blues-rock sound, they pump it up with a lot of energy and power.  With songs like the title track, "It's Never Too Loud For Me," and "It's All For Rock N' Roll," they really hit a stride with an album that flat-out rocks.

So that will do it for 2016 and for this year's worth of anniversary articles.  I really do enjoy makings these, as it gives me the opportunity to see rock and metal history in a different light, so I hope you're enjoying them as well.  As always, there's a playlist below with more, and if I've missed anything, let me know.  Until then, rock on! \m/

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 - September 2020!

The year is winding down and I'm finally catching up on some current releases.  While I didn't intend to, this article is pretty much staying in the symphonic and power metal spaces with a trio of albums I've been highly anticipating.  Let's get into what I've been listening to this month.

Allen/Olzon - Worlds Apart

After salivating over the singles for this album in my New Videos articles, I finally listened to it.  The result is pretty straight-forward symphonic metal, with the main gimmick being the two titular vocalists.

It's an interesting pair.  Allen's vocals are passionate, full of emotion and energy, while Olzon's vocals are more cool and ethereal, matching the album artwork very well.  While on some songs, only one is singing (Olzon's songs sound a lot like her work in Nightwish, naturally), but I think the album shines best on songs that have both of them singing together, as the contrast of their voices makes the song more dramatic and powerful.  As for the rest, Frontiers Records has brought in Magnus Karlsson for more riffing and shredding, and he's got some decent solos here.

Fans of symphonic metal will find nothing really new here, as it establishes it's bombastic tone from the beginning, and doesn't vary at all.  The lyrics are also kind of basic, full of vague and abstract lines about relationships and emotions.  However, what's here is still well-executed.  The singles "Never Die" and "Worlds Apart" are still great, and I really enjoyed "Lost Soul" with that massive riff.  If you enjoy the work of either singer, you'll find plenty to like here.

Lovebites - Electric Pentagram

Japan has always had a long history with rock and metal music, going back to the early 80s (if not earlier), so hearing great metal from Japan is not surprising.  Even with the band consisting of five women isn't that weird, as there have been plenty of examples of women playing and/or singing great metal before.  However, as for Lovebites, they really know how to get my head banging!

Right off the bat, this group is very talented.  The guitarists Midori and Miyako stand out the most, not only playing some great riffs and melodies, but their solos are incredible as well!  Lightning fast, but not too shred-heavy so that you get lost in all the notes.  The rhythm section of Haruna and Miho keep the pace fast and tight, with Haruna fiercely double-kicking her way through it all.  Asami's vocals do take some getting used to, though, as it's pretty clear English is not her first language.  She also lays the vibrato pretty thick, like Tobias Sammet of Edguy, and I know that kind of voice isn't for everyone.  Still, the lyrics aren't so complicated that you won't know what she's singing, and she delivers them with a lot of gusto, so her voice never feels out of place.

As for the songs, they're generally pretty solid.  Looking at the song lengths (every one of them is over five minutes), you might think the album would be a slog, but I felt like the time was used quite well, actually.  The highlights for me were "Holy War" and "When Destinies Align," which gave me some big Gamma ray vibes.  I was a bit afraid that the album was going to be kind of samey throughout, but they do mix it up a bit.  "A Frozen Serenade" and "Swam Song" have more of a symphonic metal style, while "Thunder Vengeance" and "Set the World on Fire" are more thrashy.  And "Raise Some Hell" sounds like it could fit on a Judas Priest album.  The only ones I felt weren't as strong were "Today Is the Day," which feels a bit phoned in; and "The Unbroken" which tries to do this swing-step thing with their power metal sound, and it doesn't really work.  You also might feel like some of these songs belong as the intro to some fantasy anime series, which doesn't bother me (I am a bit of an otaku), but might bother others who don't care for that kind of bombastic energy.

Still, I highly recommend this album.  I was impressed by this group back when I discovered them two years ago, and they haven't disappointed here.  Not a perfect album, but certainly a very good one!

Primal Fear - Metal Commando

Just to recap, I discovered this band through Rulebreaker, which ended up being the best thing I'd heard all of 2016.  Their follow up Apocalypse was more of the same, but I felt it wasn't quite as strong.  However, after hearing the singles for this new album, I admit I had some high expectations.  Unfortunately, the rest of the album is just kinda okay.

To be fair, this isn't anything really new: the band has been playing chest-pounding heavy/power metal since the 90s, but I feel like the songs just aren't as strong as they could be.  The band is clearly still talented, with same solid riffing, slick solos, and Scheepers's iconic Halford-like vocals.  "I Am Alive" remains a good opener, full of double-kicking fury, and "Hear Me Calling" is still an interesting ballad, with the chorus turned up to 11.  "My Name Is Fear" has some pretty nice Helloween-like leads, and "Raise Your Fists" has this fun 80s metal energy, like a Turbo-era Judas Priest track.  However, the rest don't really do much more that hasn't been done better on Rulebreaker.  Sure, it's full of solid, mid-tempo stompers and a few faster tracks, but none of it seems to get above average for me.  Even the 13-minute epic "Infinity" doesn't really feel like well thought out.  It's like they had half a ballad and half a decent power metal song, and just made segues back and forth between the two before adding a symphonic section at the end that doesn't really match everything before it.  There's also a version of this album with a second bonus disc with a few extra tracks, but it's not much different than the rest of the album (though "Crucify Me" does have some interesting energy).

I can't help but wonder if I didn't just set myself up for failure.  I keep hoping I'll get another Rulebreaker from this band, but I guess that album was a peak, and after two albums, they've slid into a kind of comfortable pace for themselves.  I think I liked Apocalypse more than this.  Perhaps I'll find more to like once I listen to it more, but for now, somewhat underwhelming.

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So, there's a few more down.  I intend to try and get through another handful of 2020 albums before the year is out so that I can have at least a solid top 5 for the year.  However, I have to admit I don't know if I've heard anything to really top Paragon's or Monkey3's work from last year.  Even Metal Commando isn't as strong as Iron Savior's Kill or Be Killed.  Well, I suppose there's still a few months left to be surprised by something.  Until then, rock on! \m/

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.

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.

Some quick videos

Sorry for not posting here.  Life has a funny way of messing with your priorities, and all my intentions for this blog were sidelined for a while.  Anyways, I just wanted to share some videos of new stuff out there that I wanted to recommend that people check out.

First of all, Apocalypse, the new Primal Fear album, is out!  While I don't think it was as good as the last one (Rulebreaker! \m/), it had some pretty good songs, including this one above.  Solid power metal for sure.

This is from a new band I had never heard of before.  It looks like they're a fusion of two bands from Texas.  The vocals seem a little low in the mix, but otherwise this is some very epic US prog/power metal!  They don't have a full-length album out, but you can find a few songs on their bandcamp page.

Meanwhile, Dee Snider decided to buck his glam past and go for a more modern sounding album with For The Love of Metal.  It's an interesting listen, but Snider acquits himself admirably to the new sound and makes it work.  Sounding somewhere between modern Disturbed and classic Testament/Metallica, it's a nice, heavy album with some satisfying crunches.

Getting into prog rock for a moment, this band In Continuum is actually the left overs from Sound of Contact (who's album Dimensionaut I loved!).  Basically, it's the same band without Simon Collins, so the vocals are different, but they remain very sci-fi focused.  I look forward to their first album when it comes out . . . . sometime.

Of course, my favorite band (or part of them) has been busy.  While Yes featuring ARW did release a live album earlier this year, this video was leaked as content for an upcoming album.  However, we haven't heard anything else, or even if it will be a full-length release!  Still, it's something to tide us over until we get more news.

Finally, let's do some 80s throwback stuff.  I decided to give Vega a chance and was blown away by just how anthemic they were.  If you miss the massive, wall-of-sound style of rock that dominated the end credits of epic 80s films, this is the band for you!

Anyways, that's it for me.  Sorry for not being more productive.  This is something I want to get more into again, but life has got me occupied elsewhere.  Still, I hope this wave of new material tides you over for now.

Until then, rock on!  \m/