RECENT ALBUM REVIEWS
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NORDAGUST – In The Mist Of Morning
When a band is compared to great bands like Anekdoten, Landberk and Änglagård, people tend to take it quite easy, because mostof the time it turns out to be just a shadow of these prog legends. Norwegian Nordagust has been praised by press and fans since their first demo came out in 2007, which basically…
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SVARTAHRID – Ex Inferi
Five albums in and I had never heard of these guys before! Perhaps they have managed to stay beneath the radar because, in the incestuous Norwegian BM scene none of them have collaborated with a major name act (to my knowledge, anyway)? Perhaps it’s because their approach is a little too simple and unadventurous? Read…
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STRATOVARIUS – Darkest Hours (MCD)
A preview to the next Stratovarius album "Elysium" due out in early 2011, this 5 song mini-CD coincides with their impending European tour with Helloween. You’ll get two new songs in the title track and “Infernal Maze”, a demo take of “Darkest Hours” as well as two classic songs recorded live on their Polaris tour…
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ALTER BRIDGE – AB III
Regular rock radio in North America has moved from a format where disc jockeys could really break records and bands to one where money and tight play lists rule the land. There are a few bands though that emerge even during these current times who one doesn’t mind hearing often, especially if they display a…
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HALYCON WAY – Building The Towers
The follow up to 2008’s "A Manifesto For Domination" debut, "Building The Towers" gains major approval due to the upswing in vocalists as Steve Braun (ex-Ashent) brings a dynamic, forceful presence to this second full length. This Georgia act combines the progressive metal ethics of acts like Queensrÿche and King’s X along with the modern…
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MICHAEL BORMANN – Different
There’s no denying the vocal prowess of Michael Bormann. Best known for his years fronting the German melodic hard rock band Jaded Heart and Letter X among others, he has credits a mile long in the songwriting, production and vocal realm with other artists through the years. Different is his fourth solo effort in which…
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STIMGA – Concerto For The Undead
There are two kinds of horror fans: Those that genuinely like to feel frightened and those who like to pick apart the special effects and laugh it all off. Stigma seem to belong to the latter group, I belong to the former group. Which means I am not that impressed by the "horror inspired extreme…
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SHAMAN – Origins
Brazilian power metal band Shaman fire with all guns blazing on this third studio album "Origins". Forming in 2000 they’ve gained steady attention with consistent touring opportunities across Europe, Asia and their native Latin America. Even through name changes (adding an ‘A’, then taking it away), and member shuffling (losing three members after touring in…
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SALEM – Playing God and Other Short Stories
Have you every wondered what it would sound like it Soulfly played middle eastern melodies accompanied with screeching vocals? Because that is what Salem sounds like on their last release. In contrast to Soulfly however, it largely relies on hard staccato rhytms, not fit for headbanging but for marching. And well, there we are at…
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HELSTAR – Glory Of Chaos
One of the pioneers of the American power metal movement, Texas’ Helstar certainly catapulted a fervent movement of followers with their track record in the 80’s. Even back then they took their music to another level, spending countless hours crafting their music and lyrics, as" Remnants Of War" and "A Distant Thunder" gave musicians plenty…
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DEATHSPELL OMEGA – Paracletus
I should state right from the outset that I came to this review already believing Deathspell Omega to be the most interesting, innovative and important act currently putting out music under the banner of Black Metal. They have consistently released high quality material that challenges the boundaries of the genre and remains true to the…
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FACEBREAKER – Infected
Several countries have certain qualities you think off whenever you here their names, for me the name Sweden reminds me of metal. Hard, intense straight forward metal. The latest band to add their name to the mix of what is already an impressive country roster is Facebreaker with their new album "Infected". It starts off…
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BANGALORE CHOIR – Cadence
When singer David Reece left Accept in the early ‘90s, he joined forces with guitarists Curt Mitchell and John Kirk. Together with the rhythm section from Hericane Alice, they became Bangalore Choir. In 1992 they released the excellent “On Target” on “Giant Records”. Unfortunately the album mostly disappeared in the grunge jungle, and shortly after,…
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UNWRITTEN PAGES – Pt.1: Noah
It’s hard not comparing Unwritten Pages and their space metal opera to the various projects of Arjen Lucassen. Unfortunately for Unwritten Pages, this ambitious project is but a pale reflection in comparison to Ayreon or Star One. The band really tries to fit their music within the space metal opera genre perfected by Lucassen. “Noah”…
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POWERWORLD – Human Parasite
The second album from these German melodic metallers, who gain the strength of English singer Andrew “Mac” McDermott to the fold. Yes, he of Sargant Fury and Threshold vocal notoriety to those who follow progressive and traditional hard rock circles. Overall "Human Parasite" contains a much harder edge due to his presence, especially evident from…
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GENERAL CHAOS – Calamity Circus
Lock up your daughters and hide your sons, the calamity circus is coming to town and it leaves a trail of chaos and destruction in its path. General Chaos, a band consisting of 5 German metalheads, came together from several other bands to make metal, the end result was "Calamity Circus", a 32 minute long…
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BIGELF – Closer To Doom (reissue)
It may have taken a long time to spark, but the buzz about California’s Bigelf appears to be blasting off – especially across northern Europe. Enough so that last year Dream Theater took the band out on their Progressive Nation tour – exposing this psychedelic progressive hard rock outfit to their widest and biggest audiences…
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FAANEFJELL – Trollmarsj
It’s about time that Norway got a folk-metal band with some cohones. Since Einherjer went into hiatus, there hasn’t been much Norwegian folk metal to be proud of. Sure, we have had some valued efforts by band such as “Åsmegin”, “Sorgsvart”, “Glittertind” and “Lumsk”, but both the Swedish and Finnish folk scene have overshadowed Norway’s…
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NECRONOMICON – The Return of the Witch
“The Return of the Witch” is the third full length offering from Canada’s Necronomicon. Although the first track "Into the Fire" is a pretty brutal opener, what we have on offer is a slab of highly polished and quite accessible blackened death metal. The songs are generally mid-paced, aiming to draw the listener in with…
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HARDCORE SUPERSTAR – Split Your Lip
One of the leaders of the sleazy/ metal resurrection in Europe, Sweden’s Hardcore Superstar return with another 11 song record of fury. Multi-tracked background vocals and that raw drum/ guitar sound that makes you feel at home in a dark club just as much in front of tens of thousands during festival season – Hardcore…