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 - November 2023!

So I admit that things have been quiet lately (ironic, really), but I think I finally will have some time to catch up on some albums.  In the meantime, here is another handful of great videos to check out!  We got classic bands along with some newer ones, but it all rocks the same!

I still think it's crazy that Judas Priest is sharing these songs so early on, but I suppose they gotta ramp things up for their new tour with Sabaton somehow.  In any case, this is a solid 6/8 stomper and nice, catchy chorus.  While I think I liked "Panic Attack" a little more, it's by no means a bad metal song.

Firewind is also winding things up for an album coming out in March.  Gus G provides another track full of crunchy riffs and shreddy solos while Herbie Langhans sounds as good as ever for this band.  I remember liking their last album, so here's hoping this one will just as good.

It ain't flashy or sophisticated, but The Rods continue to do what they do best, and that is to play old-school metal like it's 1980 all over again.  While I have featured them in the past, this is another one of those bands that I should probably dig more into, as it seems like they have fun songs.

Scanner seems like a band that has sort of existed in the background of Germany's heavy/power metal scene without much recognition.  I think I had seen the name here and there, but never really took the time to check them out.  When this single came across my feed, I was delighted to hear a lot of energy and noodly riffs, not unlike Gamma Ray.  The lyrics are a little clunky in the delivery, but otherwise, it's a solid enough track to put them higher up on my radar!

Once again, Final Strike provide another slab of melodic, uplifting European-styled power metal.  It's not doing anything particularly new, but they seem to have the right pieces to fit right in with Freedom Call's particular camp of metal.  I need to get to this album!

Another song from an album I need to get to sooner rather than later.  This time we have Sorcerer going for an epic gallop, chugging along at a faster tempo than usual for these doomsters.  However, Anders Engberg's vocals soar just as before, and there are plenty of noodly guitars, which are a staple of the band, by now.

New Videos - October 2023!

Happy Halloween!  Once again, I've got another handful of new videos for you to rock out while you celebrate the spooky season.  Well, okay, not all of these are really Halloween-themed, but they're all pretty good songs, which are never out of season!  Check these out!

While this is a band I keep meaning to catch back up on, but it seems they're plowing ahead with a new single, which hopefully will lead to a new album!  As expected, it's a solid anthemic rocker with a good chorus, as it seems the band hasn't lost a step in all these years!  I'm definitely looking forward to what they do after this.

After they blew me away a few years ago, Sorcerer is back to bring another slab of epic doom metal, with the emphasis on "epic!"  Back are the thick guitars, intense noodly solos, and Anders Engberg's soaring vocals, channeling a bit of Rainbow-era Dio a little.  The hard tempo shift for the solo also got my attention, as this song is more than just another plodding doom rocker!  I need to get into more of this band!

Trying to find a vein of hope in the midst of all the negativity, Firewind sticks with their heavy/power metal sound, which is still pretty solid.  Herbie Langhans gives the song the energy it needs with his charismatic gritty vocals and Gus G provides his pyrotechnic fretwork, making for a crunchy-but-anthemic piece of uplifting music.

While I admit I haven't kept up with Sonata Arctica lately, a number of folks are calling this a return to form of their old school power metal days, and I hear it!  The uptempo harpsichord synths channel the likes of Ecliptica and Winterheart's Guild in a way I haven't heard from them in a while!

I can't believe it's been five years since Firepower.  That was a good album, and with a bit of a synthy start, these legends are intent on carrying on their classic metal assault with another album due next year.  While there are no surprises here, the band is still executing their sound at a high level.

Anniversary Series - 2017!

Time for another Anniversary Series article!  Much like 2012, I don't have much for 2017, but I do recommend checking out the playlist below, as it has tracks from Beast in Black's and One Desire's debut albums, as well as Antti Martikainen's Northern Steel, which is just incredible symphonic folk metal.  In the meantime, I've got some more reviews for you, which let me catch up on some big bands!

Lovebites - Awakening from Abyss

After enjoying Electric Pentagram two years ago so much that it ended up in my Top 5 for the year, I knew I had to make time to listen the rest of this band's discography.  However, other albums ended up taking priority, so I decided to include their debut album as part of this retrospective.  Unsurprisingly, it's another sonic blast of high speed melodic metal.

Right off, Midori and Miyako are absolutely shredding through this album.  Not only are the high speed riffs quite melodic and catchy, but their solos are generally quite solid, and often feature them trading off back and forth.  Just excellent guitar work.  Haruna and Miho keep the rhythm section right on time, ensuring there is plenty of thrust underneath the guitar work to really let it soar, and Asami's iconic voice soars over it all.  All the Lovebites staples are here.  However, I will say that the songwriting and lyrics don't have quite the same polish as their later work would have.  I'm sure it's no easy feat to be writing songs in another language, but I do think they've clearly improved from here.  Also the songs seems to veer more towards a shred-heavy speedy j-poppy metal rather than the epic power metal of their later material.  It's not a major shift, but I did notice a general difference across the album.

Still, in all honesty, these are nit picks, and there is plenty I enjoyed.  "The Hammer of Wrath" is a solid opener (after the intro track), "Bravehearted" gets pretty epic, and "Scream for Me" has a great high energy riff that gets the blood pumping.  However, the highlight for me has to be the bridge on "The Apocalypse."  The song has a thrashier vibe, but then they change the tempo on the bridge, busting out a Hammond organ and some heavy riffing, making for an incredible breakdown.  While the album might not be a complete winner, there is plenty for a new Lovebites fan like me to sink my teeth into.

The Dust Coda - The Dust Coda

When I discovered this band last year, and found their album to be an outright blast, I knew The Dust Coda were a band I would need to catch up as well.  They style of blues rock has this energized quality that I don't often find in many other retro rock bands.  Checking out their debut album for this anniversary article, I find that it's just as solid of a rocker as their follow up from 2021.

Once again, I enjoy their energetic songwriting and performances.  The guitars have a good balance of crunchy and catchiness, with plenty of rocking riffs and solos.  Tony Ho and Scott Miller provide all kinds of groove with their bass and drum rhythms, ensuring that your head will be banging to more than a few of these tracks.  And once again, John Drake sings his heart out, giving each song the energy it needs, whether it's anthemic, driven, somber, or soft.  His gritty wails are pure classic rock.  If there is a difference on this album from The Mojo Skyline, it's that it is definitely bluesier, giving the songs a stronger Zeppelin vibe, and a few of the riffs gave me 70s AC/DC vibes.  The album also has a lot of dynamics, willing to bring things down for a bit before building them back up, with many of the songs escalating to some nice jams at the end of them.

I don't know if this album is quite as good as The Mojo Skyline, but it certainly shares plenty of it's style and substance.  I quite liked the opener "The More It Fades," with the nice build into the solo.  I had a smile on my face by the end of that track!  "Down in the Valley" was another good rocker that builds well for it's big ending.  "Rock N Roll," "Save Me," "and "When the Tide Comes In," definitely have some of the juicier grooves.  And I even liked some of the ballads, particularly the melancholy "Sweet Love Is Gone," as it really digs into their somber, bluesier side.  Overall, another solid album of hard rock from these guys.  I'm certainly looking forward to a third one, whenever they get around to that!

Sorcerer - The Crowning of the Fire King

Just as with Lovebites, Sorcerer was a band I feel in love with when I finally took the time check them out two years ago, enjoying with their classic epic doom sound.  I knew I would need to check out their back catalog as well, and this anniversary article provided the opportunity to check out their second album.  While, much of what I loved is here, this album does have a distinctly different tone.

Of course, the album still sounds like Sorcerer, as the lineup is mostly the same.  Anders Engberg provides great, theatrical vocals, soaring over all the heavy, plodding riffs.  Hallgren and Niemann tear it up on their guitars as well, with their solos shredding all over the place.  However, I do think there is an overall difference in tone compared to Lamenting of the Innocent.  While that album had a thick sense of haunting and dread made possible by its lush production, this album feels more like a journey, following the story of a set of doomed voyagers (though I don't think it's a concept album).  It also feels like it has a few more elements of traditional metal, as there were times I was reminded of Grand Magus or some of Saxon's slower songs.  As a result, it feels more epic on a classic, narrative sense, like reading Homer or Beowulf.  Songs like "Sirens," "Ship of Doom," and "Crimson Cross" are good examples of this (and are good tracks in general).  "Unbearable Sorrow" was another stand-out track, as it has an interesting sense of melancholy, rather than dread.

I don't think this album is as strong as Lamenting, though I know that one took a while to grow on me, so maybe this one will as well.  I did feel like the album dragged a little at times, but not often.  In any case, these Swedes are still masters of the 80s doom metal style, while making a name for themselves with their incredible guitar work and great sense of epic songwriting and lyrics.

The Dark Element - The Dark Element

Yup, here's another debut album of a band I've been meaning to catch up on.  Featuring Anette Olzon (formerly of Nightwish) on vocals and Jani Liimatainen (formerly of Sonata Arctica) on guitars and keyboards, and Jani's bandmates from Cain's Offerings on bass and drums, they created a symphonic power metal project that feels like a decent fusion of the aforementioned bands with a few extras.

While much of the production is pretty much right in step with the Olzon era of Nightwish, the new element is a greater amount of trance-like synths on the songs, giving them more of an Amaranthe or Metalite feel, both of which were around by this time.  They show up pretty often, but I think they give the songs a bit more breadth, in a way.  "I Cannot Raise the Dead" almost has an EDM vibe.  I actually don't have a problem with this kind of stuff in metal (see my glowing reviews for Beast in Black, for example), but it can be hit and miss on this album.  On the other hand, songs like "Someone You Used to Know," "Heaven of Your Heart," and "Halo" throw in acoustic piano and guitar, so the album does try to broaden the soundscape of the songs.  However, despite all this variety, the songwriting is some pretty cookie-cutter symphonic metal.  While fans of the genre might find something to like, it probably won't be converting anyone new to the style.

There are a handful of good tracks, though.  "My Sweet Mystery" has some solid riffs and symphonic orchestration, and "Dead to Me" fuses all these elements pretty well with good, energetic riffs, both of the synth and guitar variety.  Overall, it's decent, but not amazing.  However, I know that, just from the singles I've heard, the second album really improves the songwriting.  When I get around to that one, we'll see if the band has places to go in the future.

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Well, that's the last anniversary article for the year!  As always, if there is anything you think I've missed, let me know in the comments below.  As for the rest of the year, I've got some albums to catch up on, plus a bit of a holiday surprise, so keep an eye out for that!  Until then, rock on! \m/

New Videos - November 2021!

Let's finish off the month with another set of videos!  Now that I'm planning on doing only one of these a month, it does make the article on the longer side, but I assure you, these are all great tracks.  It's mostly power metal this time, but I've got a few others in there to mix it up.

Yup, more German heavy/power metal.  However, I get a very strong Queensryche vibe, but that may be just because vocalist Denis Brosowski makes me think of Geoff Tate.  Still, it's got a decent 6/8 gallop that really carries the song, adding to the dark, epic tone.

So a pair of folks who used to work together in the band H.E.A.T. decided to come together for a power metal project, and they definitely have a mix of classic and modern influences.  It's a promising start, and a project I'll have to keep an eye out for in the future.

Once again, Crazy Lixx and their nostalgia-heavy pop metal sound find their way onto one of my articles.  This one has a lot of energy, and has some great gang vocals in the chorus.  This track, along with many of the other singles, is giving me a lot of high hopes for the new album.

So Sorcerer has been staying busy by doing some covers and releasing them as singles.  While the others have been interesting, this one stood out to me as really fitting their style.  Vocalist Anders Engberg really soars, just like he did on their last album.  Kinda slow and epic, their take on the Saxon classic is a little safe, but very solid.

NorthTale keeps coming with great, high-speed power metal, and they've definitely added some symphonic elements on this one.  Of course, it helps to get power metal legend Kai Hansen and his son involved, just to add that extra level of epicness.  It's a great track that makes me look forward to their new album, which I still need to get to.

I guess Lovebites is going on hiatus, after their bass player left.  So they're filling a gap with a compilation album that features this new song as a single.  Naturally, it's a high-speed power metal stomper with plenty of melodic leads and harmonies.  While the future of this band may be uncertain, this single is a fitting tribute to their career thus far.

Wolfmother kinda surprised everyone with a new album out of the blue, and I've been listening to pieces of it.  Unsurprisingly, they've still got that very 70s metal vibe, with noodly guitar solos straight off of a Rainbow record.  Expect a review of this from me soon!

So the founder of Nuclear Blast started a new label called Atomic Fire, and after bringing over a handful of artists, they've signed some new ones, including these guys.  This song is some solid power metal, somewhere between DragonForce and Stratovarius, with a bit of the Legend of Zelda in the solo, for good measure.  I'll definitely be keeping an eye on them next year.

I remember stumbling across Power Quest in 2011, when they released Blood Alliance, and I thought they were a pretty decent band, much in the vein of DragonForce.  I haven't kept up with them recently, but it seems they've carried on without a hitch, despite nearly a new lineup.  Uplifting power metal is always welcome around here.

After blessing us last Christmas with a power metal adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Majestica seems to have pulled together a few more tracks (including this one) for an Extended Version this year.  While the song follows the same formula of telling the story while using a classic Christmas song as a base, it's still a pretty solid tune, much like the rest of that 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 Part Two!

Now that we're coming down to the end of the year, I'm listening to all kinds of stuff.  This article is gonna keep it classic, for the most part, featuring some old school riffing and attitude.  Let's get into it!

Anvil - Hard 'n' Heavy

Anvil is another name I had seen around, but never really gotten to.  I know they sometimes get name-checked as a major influence on better known bands, like Metallica.  I also haven't seen that documentary that got made about their history, though I do know that kinda put them back on the map, in a way.  So I've started with their first album (originally released under the band name Lips before switching to Anvil and rereleasing it later), and I have to say, it's not quite what I expected.

First, I will say that I did expect the sound to be sort of between hard rock and heavy metal, and that's definitely the case here.  Listening to it made my think of those early glam and pop metal records from the likes of Motley Crue or Def Leppard.  When they decide to up the tempo, there's also a dash of Motorhead in there as well.  Sort of a Canadian NWOBHM band, if that makes.  And they sound pretty good, clean riffs, not exactly consistent with the tempo sometimes, but confident in how they want to sound.

However, the main problem is the lyrics and their delivery.  They tried to go for a bawdy, suggestive tone, as if trying to out-do AC/DC or Van Halen, but they don't have much charm or thought to them, often just talking about picking up girls and sleeping with them.  The result, along with Steve "Lips" Kudlow's cheesy delivery, is something a horny high school boy would think is boundary pushing for the early 80s, but just comes across as shallow, and honestly kinda ruins the music for me.

Still, there's some neat bits here and there.  "School Love," and "Oooh Baby" have some nice riffs, and "Bedroom Game" is an interesting attempt at a kind of speed metal.  However, the rest is kinda forgettable. Even the Rolling Stones cover really doesn't add much but some metal chugging to the iconic original.  Maybe there next albums provide a clearer picture of their influence, but for now, this just seems like a mere footnote in the history of rock and metal.

Sorcerer - Lamenting of the Innocent

I'm always down for some epic doom metal, and this was another band who's name I'd seen floating around that genre.  Then when I learned that they're fellow countrymen of Candlemass, I figured I had better sit down and give these guys a shot by listening to their latest album.  However, I was pretty thrown by what I'd heard.

You know when a power metal or prog metal band will record a really slow but heavy song to try and shake things up?  (Like "Eternity" by Stratovarius or "Paralyzed" by Dream Theater.)  Basically, that's Sorcerer's whole sound.  You might think that sounding slow and mean would be classic doom, but that's usually with an intentionally thick production and fuzzy guitar tones, like Candlemass or Saint Vitus.  However, here, we have a very polished production, and very clean tones.  Also, most doom vocalists have a kind of haunted and tormented delivery, but again, with this album, Anders Engberg is as clear as a bell, and throws in some vibrato like Roy Khan, or has a more emotional tone like Mark Basile of DGM or Tom Englund of Evergrey.  Basically, I went in expecting doom and got slow, melodic prog instead.  It's weird!  With me being new to the band, it could be that this is just how they sound, but it still threw me for a loop.

That being said, it is by no means bad.  Engberg is a great singer, bellowing out classic doom lyrics with ease (songs about hope and despair, God and Satan, good and evil, fire and brimstone, etc.).  And guitarists Kristian Niemann and Peter Hallgren have plenty of great, chunky riffs, but also have tons of melodic solos and guitar harmonies, like Helloween or Iron Maiden.  The songs often hit seven or eight minutes, but they never felt long.  I think I liked what I heard, but I'm probably going to have to listen to it some more in order to reconcile how I really feel about it.  It's the most un-doom I've heard a doom metal album sound!

AC/DC - PWR/UP

Well, this ended up being one of the surprises of the year.  AC/DC was in rough shape the past few years, with Brian Johnson losing his hearing, Phil Rudd getting in trouble with the law, and the death of Malcolm Young.  So when rumors started leaking about the band getting back together with a new album halfway through 2020, it was pretty sudden.  Featuring more riffs from Malcolm before he had passed on, the album was made in tribute to him.

As for the music, well, you get what you expect with AC/DC: blues rock so old school, it has tenure.  What I noticed on this one was the backing vocals doing some different things other than just singing along with the chorus.  There are Wooo's and Oh Yeah's and the interesting shift in the chorus on "Systems Down" that has the guys singing a different rhythm than Johnson.  I'd have to go back and listen to some of their other albums to hear if they've done this before or not.  It's not a game-changer by any means, but it does liven things up a little here and there.

Overall, this album is very much like Rock or Bust: straight-forward rock that's good while it's on.  While there are some stand out tracks like "Shot in the Dark" and "Demon Fire," the rest is pretty standard stuff from these guys.  I still think they have yet to top Black Ice, when considering their recent output, but certainly not a bad effort.  

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Well, this one came out a little quicker than I expected, but I kinda threw that Sorcerer album in on a whim.  Still plenty to listen to before the end of the year, though.  I hope everyone is staying safe and staying warm, and have a happy Thanksgiving, if you're in the states.  Until then, rock on! \m/