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Review: Kamelot “Silverthorn” (2012)

Posted by Dylan Raine on April 1, 2013
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Reviewed by Loris Bergagnakamelotalbum

Artist: KAMELOT
Album: Silverthorn
Label: SPV/Steamhammer
Release Date: 29/10/2012

Tracklist:
1. Manus Dei
2. Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)
3. Ashes To Ashes
4. Torn
5. Song For Jolee
6. Veritas
7. My Confession
8. Silverthorn
9. Falling Like The Fahrenheit
10. Solitaire
11. Prodigal Son
- Part I: Funerale
- Part II: Burden Of Shame (The Branding)
- Part III: The Journey
12. Continuum

KAMELOT are a well-known American Symphonic/Power/Prog Metal band, from Tampa (Florida).
They have recorded nine successful studio albums (plus three live ones and a compilation) and this, “Silverthorn” is their tenth and the first one after the departure of their legendary front-man Roy Khan.
This is a concept album and the debut with KAMELOT for the new singer, Tommy
Karevik (Seventh Wonder).
“Manus Dei”, the opening track, is a sort of intro (good to be used to open their gigs) for the first single “Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife). “Sacrimony” is great song with good riffing, orchestrations, choirs, guitar and keys solos, plus the interesting contribution of Elize Ryd on female vocals.
In this platter – in fact – are Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) and Alissa White-Gluz (The Agonist) as female singers, a sort of alter ego(s) for Jolee, the main character of the concept.
The third track “Ashes To Ashes” is a good power piece with nice guitar and keys work. A catchy song with some good prog ideas and some Arabian flavours!
“Torn”, one of the jewels of this release, is a mix of speed, anger, melody and complex structure. Its secret weapon is the beautiful chorus that will conquer every single listener out there.
“Song For Jolee” is a wonderful ballad in which the intensity of Karevik‘s voice sends shivers down your spine. The wonderful work provided by the Seventh Wonder’s singer gives “Song For Jolee” the possibility to be considered the best composition present on this album.
“Veritas”- the sixth song- is another power track, with fantastic backing vocals, in the vein of the previous “Ashes To Ashes”.
“My Confession”, a catchy-but not so interesting song, leads us to the title track,
“Silverthorn”, a track in which the orchestra and the metal band are entwined to form a good wall of sound! Mr. Thomas Youngblood shows us his skills between convincing riffing and well-shaped solos.
“Falling Like The Fahrenheit” has a nice refrain and a great contribution supported by Eklipse, a really great string quartet (especially live. I saw them in Milan opening for Nightwish and they were such a nice surprise).
The tenth track, “Solitaire”, is a weak song with nothing interesting to date but it works well as a prelude to “Prodigal Son”, a complex piece divided into three parts: a mix of intensity, melancholy, heavy riffing and prog ideas. A good old epic track that could be greater with a more homogeneous type of song writing like they provided for their older “epic tracks”!
“Continuum” is the haunting finale of this great release.
“Silverthorn” is a great release, heavily recommended to the lovers of the genre. In conclusion, Tommy Karevik is a fantastic singer….you won’t miss Mister Roy Khan the Great!

RATING: 8.5/10

BAND MEMBERS:
Thomas Youngblood – guitars
Casey Grillo – drums
Oliver Palotai – keyboards
Sean Tibbetts – bass
Tommy Karevik – vocals

BAND LINKS:
Website: www.kamelot.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/kamelotofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kamelotofficial

kamelotband

Review: Ash The Sky “This Is Reality” (2013)

Posted by Dylan Raine on March 21, 2013
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Reviewed by Dylan Raineash the sky this is reality

Artist: Ash the Sky
Album: This is Reality
Label: Independent (Self Released)
Date of Release: February 13, 2013

Tracklist

1. Poverty Of The Mind
2. Another Chance To Kill
3. Close My Eyes
4. No Mercy
5. Conflikt
6. This Is Reality
7. Let Freedom Ring
8. I Scream Vengeance
9. Truth, Lies, Reality
10. Wake Up

Following on from the 3 track EP released in 2012, Michael Felder’s “Ash the Sky” are back with their more “In your face”, more technical and more rounded metal album. Combining the strengths from the EP, we are given more examples of well-placed Phrasing, Shredding, Technical Progressions, and the most ‘Off the wall’ examples of harmonies one person could simply handle.

Starting off with the high-octane “Poverty Of The Mind”, we are thrown head first into the pure unrelenting progressions of gruff-vocal expressions not too distant from the great “Byron Davis”. Adding the speed of the drums and tonalities of the guitars, this is a great introduction to the album.
Bringing in the heaviness with “Another Chance To Kill” and the technicalities of “Close My Eyes” you really are left wanting more. The interesting combination of guitar harmonies and pure heaviness is not to be missed nor misunderstood. Introducing the beautiful rich intense solos and very well abused Whammy pedals and you feel a little smile creep on over.
Straight into the craziness of “No Mercy” and apart from the obvious “Testament” feeling, this track really does give the listener everything from Epic drums and choruses, to pure driven riffs and beautifully created solos. Possibly the greatest track on the album so far!
The intro to “Conflikt” is fantastic, very close to the Gothic horrors of the 20th century. This track has the ‘edge’ element which really takes the listener on an interesting journey inside the music and mind of Felder. Again, with the blasts of the kick drums and the Dethklok feel, this track is simply brilliant.

So, we’re half way through the album now and it only gets better as we progress.

Into the album track “This is Reality”, and as far as death metal goes, this is about as well-crafted as it gets. The mix between the growls and the heaviness in the guitars is sublime. Add to this the interestingly placed solo which slows the track down very slightly, with the double delay and echoes are really quite haunting. This is a great example of how far death metal has come over the years and how much further music, as a whole, has progressed.
Into “Let Freedom Ring” with the progressions and combinations of heaviness meets more heaviness is a great way start any track, however as you progress further you start to fall into the madness behind the track. The solo didn’t appeal to me on this track as it felt misplaced, but as a whole, the track is interesting.

Track after track this album just gets better and better, with the most technical and heavy phrasing combinations anyone could expect to hear. Mix up the songs and solos with Wah’s, Delay, and Harmony driven sequences and you really do have an amazing listening experience.

If you like Children of Bodom, Lamb of God, In Flames, At The Gates, God Forbid, Arch Enemy, then you’ll enjoy this album with all its technicalities and impressions.

10/10

Band Members:

Michael j Felder – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Chris Morgan – Bass

http://www.reverbnation.com/ashthesky
http://www.myspace.com/ashthesky
https://www.facebook.com/AshTheSky

ash the sky big

Review: Nergard “The Beginning” (2011)

Posted by Dylan Raine on March 5, 2013
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Reviewed by Sagiv ShanivNergard

Artist: Nergard
Album: The Beginning
Label: Pug–Nose Records
Release Date: June 14th 2011

Tracklist:

1. The Haunted – featuring Ralf Scheepers (4:01)
2. All I Ever Wanted – featuring Tony Mills (5:16)
3. Hell On Earth – featuring Mike Vescera (5:11)

Once upon a time (May 2010) a Norwegian composer named Andreas Nergard decided to write material for a metal musical called Memorial for a Wish. He gathered an impressive line-up undoubtedly, that includes Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, ex-Gamma Ray), Tony Mills (TNT, Shy), Nils K. Rue (Pagan’s Mind) and many more talented metal musicians.

But how does it sound?
Well, one can easily identify classical power metal in this EP, not to say too classical. Beside the rather heavy and distorted guitar sound it would be tough to find anything new in this piece. The lead vocalists most definitely deliver, the guitars are tight and tuned, but… it’s just not it. The overall feeling is as if you’ve heard it already on a Kamelot, Edguy or Blind Guardian album. There is nothing new to hear around here unless you’re new to power metal, although I was surprised by some technical metal oriented bridges that reminded me of Mastodon or Devin Townsend.
Yet still, the EP is just what listed above; a fine piece of good old power metal, with some of the finest vocalists around and without too much “progressiveness” that some of the genre’s hardcore fans tend to dislike.
Some of the EP’s highs are its surprising bridges and probably the truly epic intro of the first track “The Haunted”. I believe it’s the best track on this short EP and the most powerful one (And for some reason, Ralf Scheepers reminds me in some parts of Jorn Lande).

Nonetheless I find the production a bit mediocre. The guitars are somewhat of dim sound, and the percussions are pushed aside for some reason, as for my humble opinion.

To conclude, I recommend this piece of pure, fun power metal. It will shake your senses for a few days and afterwards will probably appear on your playlist once in a while.

8/10

Band Members:
Åge Sten Nilsen (WIG WAM) – Vocals
Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR, ex-GAMMA RAY) – Vocals
Göran Edman (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) – Vocals
Mike Vescera (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, LOUDNESS) – Vocals
Nils K. Rue (PAGAN’S MIND) – Vocals
Michele Luppi (SECRET SPHERE) – Vocals
Andi Kravljaca (SILENT CALL, AEON ZEN) – Vocals
David Reece (POWERWORLD, ex-ACCEPT) – Vocals
Tony Mills (TNT, SHY) – Vocals
Helge Engelke (FAIR WARNING) – Guitar Solos
Stig Nergård (TELLUS REQUIEM) – Guitar Solos

Line up on “THE BEGINNING” (2011)
ANDREAS NERGÅRD (Rudhira) - composer/drums/bass/keyboards
RALF SCHEEPERS (Primal Fear, ex Gamma Ray) – vocals
TONY MILLS (TNT, ex Shy) – vocals
MIKE VESCERA (ex Yngwie Malmsteen) – vocals

http://www.facebook.com/nergardmusic 

Review: Arctic Flame “Shake The Earth” (2012)

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 26, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . 1 comment

Reviewed by David PearceArctic Flame Shake The Earth Cover

Artist: Arctic Flame
Album: Shake The Earth
Label: Skull Crown Records
Year: November 28, 2012

Track Listing

1. Man Made Man
2. Two Sides Of The Bullet
3. Last Chance
4. Call In The Priest
5. Ride Of The Headless Horseman
6. Hangman’s Prayer
7. Slaves to the Alchemist
8. Run to Beat the Devil
9. Rain
10. Seasons in the Cemetery (Garden of Stone)

Arctic Flame was formed in 2001by drummer Mike Paradine. After their first gig as support for Thin Lizzy in a small club in New York City, the band continued a relentless performing schedule through out the tri-state area. Soon after the band started opening for several national and international bands such as Motorhead, Overkill, Helloween, WASP. It was a one of these shows that guitarist/producer, Jack Frost (Savatage, Seven Witches) saw the band and showed interest in them. A deal was struck and the band found themselves in Gear Studios, owned and operated by DD Verni (Overkill) recording their début album, “Primeval Aggressor”. The album was released on April 8th 2006 by Battle Cry Records of Germany the same date the band played their first metal festival at Keep It True VII. To date, the album has sold out and is out of print. Once again finding themselves opening for national acts such as Gamma Ray and Helloween, the band entered the studio to record “Declaration”. The band was focused on a more raw straightforward metal sound than the first album. Pure Steel Records released the CD on December 8th, 2008. Word spread fast and Arctic Flame was invited to appear at festivals in Holland and Bavaria. Unexpected line-up changes caused a slight set back for the band in late 2010, but after a short search, Michael Clayton Moore was found on vocals and original bassist, Jeff Scott had returned. Along with Sebastian Garcia on guitar, and Mike Paradine behind the drums, the band is back on solid ground and is ready again to blaze a path for more metal. Though the band has seen various line up changes, the mission has always been the same…to continue the tradition of performing true metal. And with the sound of the new songs, the band is upholding that tradition. 3rd album “Guardian at the Gate” will be released in April 2011. The bands new album “Shake The Earth” in which Skull Crown Records released on November 28th 2012, which is the bands 4th album.

The album starts off with Man Made Man. This song has some absolute great heavy riffs and solos, the vocals are spot on and the heavy drumming keeps the beat to perfection a perfect start to the album. The Second song is Two Sides Of The Bullet, this starts off with a strong galloping riff that gets my head instantly nodding. It is a typical old style rock song. This is the type of sound that got me into metal in the first place – crisp guitars, sound good strong vocals and good hard drumming, a great song. The Third and Fourth songs on the album are Last Chance and Call In The Priest. Both of these sounds take me back to when I first heard the great sound of metal. Good solid drumming, quality crisp vocals, with the occasional metal scream to give it added power and high quality guitar work just makes me want to rock all day. The Fifth song on the album is Ride Of The Headless Horseman. Again, the galloping riff hits me together with some quality solos and the unique sounding vocals is something that sends shivers down my spine with delight. The Sixth and Seventh songs are Hangman’s Prayer and Slaves to the Alchemist. These songs just reinforce my belief about the band – the songs are technically perfectly done, as the solos are a joy to listen to and the vocals are mesmerising. As for the riffs and the beat of the drums, they really do get your head banging to the rhythm. The Eighth and Ninth songs on the album are Run To Beat the Devil and Rain. The song Run To Beat The Devil has again got so much to it, where do I begin? The vocals are fantastic, the riffs and solos are a joy to listen to, a quality song. Rain, wow! I have always said that metal bands do the best ballads in the world and when you hear this song you will see why. The lyrics gave me goose bumps just listening to them. These are the types of songs that I myself think shows how good a band is, when they can go from a classic heavy rock sound to an amazing ballad like this. It also fits on the album so well it is amazing. The final song on the album is Seasons in the Cemetery (Garden of Stone). The song starts off with church bells ringing in the distance, then the keyboards come in which the producer, Dave Manheimer played, which set the tone for the rest of the song. The song is slower than the other songs on the album, but it is still an absolute cracking song – it has a lot of passion in it, the way the lyrics are being sung. The guitars have a mesmerising sound to them it is something I could quite easily sit down and chill to with a nice cold beer. It is a quality song  which I could listen to all day. It also has some quality guitar solos, which makes it a perfect finish to the album.

Overall

This is how a metal album should sound! The band has got the classic sound and given it their own twist on how they want it. They blew me away with the absolute quality the album possesses. It takes me back when metal was metal, with galloping guitar riffs and superb solos and vocals that would send shivers down your spine with delight and drumming that pounds you into mercy. There were a couple of surprises in the album in the form of a couple of ballads. But they were that good and they went so well with the other songs, it made it even better than it already was. These are a band that I would definitely have in my collection and I will be going out to buy all their albums, because these guys really do rock and they do it well. I would love to see them in the UK on tour, their style would go down amazingly well with the metal community over here. It is one of my favourite albums that I have heard this year so far and it is one that I will highly recommend to any of my friends. Great Work!

10/10

Band Members

Mike Paradine – Drums
Jeff Scott – Bass
Michael Clayton Moore – Vocals
Sebastian Garcia – Guitars

Weblinks

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
LAST FM

Distributor:
Pure Steel Records
Hellion Records Underground Power Distro

Promotion Agency:
Pure Steel Promotion

Arctic Flame Band Pic 1

Review: Playgrounded “Athens Ep” (2012)

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 25, 2013
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Reviewed by David PearcePlaygrounded athens

Artist: Playgrounded
Album: Athens Ep
Label: Casket Music/Copro Records (UK)
Year: November 19th 2012

Track Listing

1. Athens
2. Seesaw Snap
3. Western Sun
4. Morning Smoke
5. For A Moment

Playgrounded is a rock/metal band formed in Chania in 2007, by Odisseas and Orestis Zafeiriou and Michael Kotsirakis. Their line-up was solidified in 2010 with the additions of Stavros Markonis (Enstro) and Vasilis Podaras (George? ontrafouris Baby Trio). They are currently based in both Athens and Crete. After a series of live gigs with such acts as Rotting Christ and Archive’s Craig Walker, Playgrounded was chosen by Anathema to open their headline show in Crete and soon focused on recording their first album, “Athens”. Produced by Playgrounded and George Alamaras “Athens” is a testimony of a country and its youth in crisis. It is sketches of a new balance between metal and electronica driven by endless talks on the dead ends of modern Greece. Inviting the listener into the deepest details of their soundscapes Playgrounded enlisted Grammy Award winning Ted Jensen (Muse, Dream Theater, Deftones) to master “Athens”, set to be released worldwide this on November 19 by Casket Music/Copro Records (UK).

The Ep starts with the title song Athens from the start I can hear how the music has been influenced by different bands. It is a really good strong song to start off the Ep it has a lot of technical aspects on the song from the keyboards right through the band it reminds me of Tool, Mastodon in the way the song sounds good song. The Second and Third song are Seesaw Snap and Western Sun both of these songs are technically very well done the vocals are have their own unique style which goes very well with the style of the music. The guitar work is really good and the keyboards give the songs a different dimension. The Fourth song is Morning Smoke starts off with a good guitar riff which starts off low then builds up gradually the lyrics come in low but with purpose. Again this song has been done really well it has some good technical pieces in it with different sounds from the keyboards which in turn compliments the guitars, drums and vocals. The final song on the Ep is For A Moment is again really hit the spot for me it has some sublime touches of brilliance in there with some perfectly blended sounds together with the vocals and guitars make this a cracking end to the album.

Overall

It is a real solid progressive rock début album if you like bands like Tool, Mastodon then you will like these. Their blend of music is technically spot on and the range of perfectly blended sounds is a real treat for the progressive rock fan out there you can tell they take pride in what they do. As this is there début album I think they have out done themselves it is a cracking album and I think if they can produce more of the same I am sure they will go far.

7 / 10

Members

Odisseas Zafeiriou – Bass
Orestis Zafeiriou – Keyboards
Michael Kotsirakis – Guitars
Stavros Markonis – Vocals
Vasilis Podaras – Drums

Contact info

Website

http://playgrounded.net/
http://www.myspace.com/playgroundedband
http://www.twitter.com/playgrounded
http://www.youtube.com/user/playgroundedtv
http://www.facebook.com/playgrounded

Press contact

contact@playgrounded.net

Playgrounded Promo Pic1

Review: Vivid Remorse “Down To The Wire” (2012)

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 25, 2013
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Reviewed by David PearceVivid-Remorse

Artist: Vivid Remorse
Album: Down To The Wire
Label: Art Gates Records
Year: 2012

Track Listing

1. Biopiracy (The Seed Of My Land)
2. Imaginary Actress
3. Theory Of Fear
4. Overdosed
5. Involution
6. Nobody Answers
7. Seize The Death
8. Seven Days Of Fire
9. L’Angoixa De L’Existencia
10. Stop On Time
11. The Never Falling Cries

Vivid Remorse is a four piece metal combo from Barcelona was born in 2006. They practice thrash metal in a very unconventional way based in a mix of the most classic thrash metal from the 80’s and the most modern thrash metal from the 90’s, adding hardcore groove, death and crossover influences and details. The final result consists in the original sound of Vivid Remorse a very personal proposal that is beyond the conventional parameters of the revival thrash that is practiced nowadays. Their new album “Down To The Wire” is with no doubt, the best opus of the band until the moment, mixing several styles of metal from thrash to death, crossover, speed, etc. High Class Thrash Metal!

The album starts off with Biopiracy (The Seed Of My Land) straight away you are hit with a wall of thrash power and the intensity is there for all to hear and it is a great start to the album. The Second song is Imaginary Actress again it is a powerful song the guitar work is great together with the vocals which is a mixture of clean and gruff but goes very well good stuff. The Third and Fourth songs are Theory Of Fear and Overdosed both of these song are full of high speed thrash riffs and solos with quality vocals thrown in for the extra meatiness they will get your head banging straight away. The Fifth song on the album is Involution has some real quality heavy riffs that would get your blood pumping even in the coldest weather. Vocals that would rip the flesh from your face also drum and bass lines that would blow the ears off a non metal listening being quality stuff. The Sixth and Seventh songs are Nobody Answers and Seize The Death both of these songs has some stunning quality on them from the vocals, guitars to the drums and bass lines. They are done at such a speed I just marvel at the quality that these guys work at impressive. The Eighth song is Seven Days Of Fire again when this song starts you are hit with a wall of powerful thrash with some quality vocals, riffs and solos in that would make an old person cowl in the corner begging for mercy. The Ninth and Tenth songs are L’Angoixa De L’Existencia and Stop On Time these songs are done to a real high standard as with all the other songs on the album so far. These have some real top nut cracking riffs and solos the vocals are superb it really is a top quality piece of musicianship. The Eleventh and final song on the album is The Never Falling Cries this song has surprised me at the start. It starts off with a clean slow guitar riff the vocals are clean and quite soft then the heavy riff comes in but still keeping that soft touch within it. The song is a remarkable piece of work it just shows that a Thrash metal band can do a quality piece like this. A truly great song to end the album on!

Overall

If you like old style thrash with a bit of crossover then these guys are right up your ally. It is full on power right from the start the power would rip the flesh from your face and have old people begging for mercy at the sheer quality that it possesses. It is an album that I am glad to have in my collection. These guys have a lot in their engine and if they can keep it up I can see them at a lot of festivals all over Europe. These are a band to keep your eyes on.

8/10

Members

Joel Repiso (Vocals)
Gustavo Revoredo (Guitar)
Gabriel Malavé (Bass Guitar)
Xavier F.Vidal (Drums)

Contact Info

Email
vividremorse@gmail.com

Website
http://www.myspace.com/vividremorse
http://www.vividremorse.com
http://vividremorse.bandcamp.com/

Vivid Remorse Band Pic 1

Review: Eden Lost “Breaking The Silence” (2012)

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 25, 2013
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Reviewed by David PearceBreaking The Silence Album Cover

Artist: Eden Lost
Album: Breaking The Silence
Label: Vaso Music
Year: 2012

Track Listing

1. Starting Again
2. Gotta Be Together
3. Breaking The Silence
4. Feel Free
5. Hard To Believe
6. Ready To Rock
7. March The 11th
8. Locked In Your Heart
9. Only Lies
10. No More Sorrows
11. Sun Keeps Shining
12. Times Are Changing

The Spanish Hard Rock band EDEN LOST was born in the year of 1999. Its early years meant a huge composing and rehearsing effort to get a place and a name within the rock scene of the Spanish Capital City, acquiring a huge experience on the stage and winning the “1st cover versions’ contest” organised by the reputed concert hall “Ritmo & Compás”, in Madrid.
In 2005, three years after the recording of an acclaimed self-produced four songs demo (“2002″), comes out their début album: “Road Of Desire“, edited by the prestigious German record label “AOR Heaven” and it collects some excellent reviews both inside and outside the Spanish borders. Ten “pure straight Hard Rock tunes”! And recently, seven years after their first release, the band returns by the hand of their second album: “Breaking the Silence” (Vaso Music) which went on sale on 29th. February 2012, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of that first demo: “2002″; The album, which includes twelve new brand songs with a sharper sound than the previous one according to the current paths for Hard/Melodic Rock music, was produced by Jesús Laso and Javier Nieto and mixed and mastered by sound engineer José del Pozo. For this album they recruited the great musical collaborations of Jorge Salán (own solo career, Mago de Öz and Jeff Scott Soto) for the guitar solo of “Starting again” and Jaime de la Aldea (PATRICIA TAPIA KHY) for the guitar solos of “Sun keeps shining“.

The album starts off with Starting Again in which starts off with a small intro before the song bursts into life with a cracking guitar riff the vocals on this song reminds me of a few bands but this makes me very happy cause I this sort of style. The melodic guitars & the vocals are made for each other on this song and It is a great start to the album. Tracks Two & Three are Gotta Be Together and Breaking The Silence both of these songs are very melodic with the way the guitars and vocals are set out. Gotta Be Together has got a real catchy chorus some great guitars riffs and solos Breaking The Silence is a real good technical song with some good riffs and solos in as well. The Fourth track on the album is Feel Free starts off with a good riff and the vocals and lyrics are very well done I like this track a lot it has some technically brilliant solos in. The Fifth and Sixth tracks are Hard To Believe and Ready To Rock in the first of these songs are both got some really good soft riffs and solos in them & you can hear the passion in the vocals quality song. The sixth song also has some really good strong riffs and solos in it the vocals are a bit more upbeat that the fifth song but it is right up therein the quality of how it has been delivered great song. The Seventh song is March The 11th starts of with the sound of sirens the drums come in with a cracking beat then the guitars come in with a cracking riff that gets my feet tapping and my head a rocking the vocals on this are again done perfectly. The guitar work is second to none just brilliant and it is being held altogether by a really strong drumbeat another cracking song. The Eight and Ninth songs are Locked In Your Heart and Only Lies the Eighth song Locked In Your Heart is a cracking what I would call a ballad the song is a soft song the vocals are sung quite low a soft compared to most of the album. But it has been done very well it is a song I could quite happily listen to all day and it also has some really good solos in. Only Lies starts off powerfully quite a difference to the last song but it goes so well after a ballad some quality riffs, solos and the vocals again really sell the song to me just absolutely brilliant. The Tenth song is No More Sorrows starts off with a cracking little rocking riff the vocals again are brilliant I love this guys voice it reminds of the classic eighties singer also the guitar work on the song is just pure headbanging brilliance it goes perfectly with the vocals. The Eleventh song is Sun Keeps Shining the starts off with another headbanging riff then it slows down a bit with the vocals after that the tempo rises a bit. But it is a song that will keep your head rocking and your feet tapping it is an infectious song that you will keep wanting to hear over and over again. The Twelfth and final song on the album is Times Are Changing the song starts off slow with some keyboards and the vocals are soft the tempo rise very slightly and that tempo stays for the rest of the song. After a seriously rocking album this song is perfect for the final song I must say this is one of my favourites on the album. I am a sucker for a good ballad and this for me is a really good song it has it all a good story behind it great guitar work and great vocals just a perfect song to end the album on.

Overall

I must say I am so happy that I reviewed this album for me it took me back in time as it has a real eighties feel to it. You have some real rocking songs then you have some soft songs a great mixture in which you can never get bored with. Since this arrived on my doorstep it has been played everyday I just cannot get enough of it. This band can go all the way in my eyes the songs are so infectious with how the songs have been written and performed on the album. It is a must have album and I am happy to say I have this in my collection keep it up guys and you will go far.

9/10

Members

Ignacio Prieto (Vocals/Guitars),
Jesus Laso (Guitars),
Santi Hernandez (Bass),
Jorge de la Cuerda (drums)
Javier Gallego (keyboards)

Contact info

Website

http://www.edenlostband.com/

Press contact

edenlost.management@gmail.com

Booking agent

edenlost.management@gmail.com

Eden Lost Band Pic

Review: Wildroads “Riding On A Flamin’ Road” (2012)

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 16, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . 1 comment

Reviewed by Dylan Rainewildroads cover

Artist: Wildroads
Album: Riding On A Flamin’ Road
Label: New Idols Records / Self Distribution
Date of Release: 20th March 2012

1. Look At Me Burning
2. Wildroads
3. Sick Soul
4. She Has Been Cheated
5. Relieve My Life
6. Your Last Day
7. Rider Of The Sunset
8. To Be King
9. Titty Twister Blues (Open dusk ‘til dawn)

WildRoads were formed in Tuscany in 2001 from guitarist Nik Capitini’s ideas, and after several line-up changes they released their first EP in March, 2010. The current line-up consists of Nik Capitini and Giulio Antonelli on guitars, Michael Cavallini on vocals, Enrico Calderani on bass and Stefano Morandini on drums. Entering Freddy Delirio’s (Death SS, HAREM) FP Recording Studio they recorded their first album which came out on March 20/2012 with New Idols Records / Self Distribution in Milan.

From the go we are given high octane good feeling riffs and up-tempo beats whilst the vocals really make you glad you’ve put this album on. Cavallini’s command of the vocals really shows how good this album is from the very start with the vocal ranges and expressions, add to this the solos and anyone who has ever enjoyed fun-loving blues/rock will really appreciate this take. Making the Wah-Wah scream and using technical tapping sequences is not something we often hear in this type of music but I’m glad it was here. Back into the enjoyable melodies and well-kept rhythms of Morandini and the drums before another tapping and tap-slide sequence kicks in. The first song is awesome, give me more!

Song by song it just gets better and better, from the super-expressive riffs and licks, to the absolute command of the Wahs and Tapping sequences, to the speed-picking and technicality of the guitars, drums and bases. What have I missed? Oh yeah, the vocals, Cavallini makes full use of everything at his disposal whilst maintaining an absolute fun-loving attitude which can be heard in his vocals throughout.

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So the last 4 tracks have given body-moving music to rock to so as we enter track 5 “Relieve My Life” we are gently slowed down to beautifully expressed tonalities and synths, which lay perfect grounding for Cavallini to come in once again and control the stage. Get those lighters out and start swaying to this great melodic anthem track which has all the great elements to keep it up there with the best of them. Into the solo sections and if you didn’t see this coming then I’d suggest taking a step back and listen to the last 4 songs again, this is just beautiful. For anybody that has heard “Warm Regards” by Steve Vai, this is very close in both tone and technicalities.

After two more exciting high-octane songs we are once again given the smooth riding song “To Be King” with the finger picked intros and verses is simply delightful and almost delicate to hear. Cavallini once again showing how versatile his vocal ranges are with the wonderful array of harmonies flying in from all directions.

For those of you that have seen From Dusk Til Dawn you’ll appreciate this last track “Titty Twister Blues (Open dusk ‘til dawn)” which is inspired from the Quentin Tarantino films. With the heavy blues type dry riffs common in ZZ Top and alike to the dirty drums and guitar licks, we really have a very great blues track at hand and all we’re missing is an extremely aggressive solo, but wait, what’s this… But of course, and boy is it something else!

I for one will be searching for guitar TABs to learn to play this stuff as I can see many others will be over time as well.

For fans of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, Van Halen, ACDC, ZZ Top, and many others. If you love Blues, Rock, Heavy Rock, Good fun-loving music, this is for you!

10/10

Line-Up:
Nik Capitini – Guitars
Giulio Antonelli – Guitars
Michael Cavallini – Vocals
Stefano Morandini – Drums
Enrico Calderani – Bass guitar

Links
www.wildroadsband.com
www.youtube.com/user/NikWildRoads
www.facebook.com/pages/WildRoads-Band/163552116993164
www.twitter.com/Wildroadsband

Wildroads_01

Review: Fogalord “A Legend To Believe In” (2012)

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 15, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a Comment

Reviewed by Dylan RaineFogalord cover

Artist: FOGALORD
Album: A Legend To Believe In
Label: Limb Music
Date of Release: 05 October 2012

Tracklisting:

01. Follow The Fog
02. At The Gates Of The Silent Storm
03. Black Era
04. The Fog Lord
05. The Scream Of The Thunder
06. A Legend To Believe In
07. The Dark Prophecy
08. A Day Of Fire
09. Our Last Nightfall
10. Strength Of The Hopeless
11. The March Of The Grey Army
12. Of War And Resurrection

Italian Symphonic/Epic Metal band Fogalord released their “A Legend To Believe In” which comes alive through its hymn-like, epic songs, gaining power and energy from bombastic melodies. The classical influence seeps through every track and serves to support the historical statement of the tracks. Dany All, ex-SYNTHPHONIA SUPREMA, with whom he released two albums, “The Future Ice-Age” (2010) and “Synthphony 001” (2006) is the driving force behind Fogalord, showing a talent for writing good, classical compositions, he has quickly gained a good reputation on the Italian music scene.

With the mixture of effects and choirs blasting in from everywhere you really are taken on an interesting journey. In terms of music, there’s nothing we haven’t heard many, many times before everywhere else. The solos are exceptionally good, but we’d kind of hoped they were.

So the first five tracks are very generic of this genre and being a big fan of Symphonic metal, Power Metal and Folk Metal I am rather disappointed thus far. The album has got some good elements in terms of interesting riffs and drumming, also those synths and choirs are quite special, but the album as a whole just lacks substance. I suppose if we look at this alongside Turisas, Eluveitie, Luca Turilli, then I’m not really feeling a difference. Nothing really jumps out and screams “Look at ME“.

“A legend to believe in” starts with the Neo-Classical arpeggio sweeps very common in this type of music and very common place in the world of Yngwie Malmsteen. The song itself isn’t too bad at all, sounds like the past 4 tracks, but has those sweeps which allows it to differ slightly.

The intro to “Our Last Nightfall” is just fantastically written, combing such a wide array of instruments and voices throughout. It is a nice step back from everything that has happened up to now. Into what I like to describe as a “Erotic” solo from those rich toned guitars joining the orchestras and wonderful vocals, this is a wonderful song throughout. With the last track standing in at an impressive 15 minutes 40 seconds everything is thrown in for one last shot at hitting your ears hard. The symphonies are wonderful, the vocals are expressive and the music is well created, problem is it’s taken an entire album to get here.

Overall

There’s no doubting these are talented musicians, and with Dany All on the vocals it is very powerful indeed. I’d put this alongside Dragonforce, Iced Earth, Edguy, Luca Turilli, etc… Add to this those beautiful orchestras like in “The Dark Prophecy” and you really do have something quite special. But if you’ve heard good Power Metal/Neo-Classical/Symphony Metal then this will just vanish in your expectations.

If you don’t end up skipping through the tracks to find something unique then you’re in for an “Interesting” journey. I listened to the entire album… Twice, and wasn’t overly impressed.

6.5/10

Line-up:
Stefano Paolini – Guitar
Dany All – Vocals + Keyboards
Lorenzo Costi – Bass
Francesco Zanarelli – Drums

http://www.fogalord.com
http://www.myspace.com/fogalord
http://www.youtube.com/fogalord
http://www.reverbnation.com/fogalord
https://twitter.com/fogalord

Label:
http://www.limb-music.de/

fogalord band

Review: Celtachor “Nine Waves From The Shore” (2012)

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 12, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a Comment

Reviewed by Dylan Raineceltachor albumcover2

Artist: Celtachor
Album: Nine Waves From The Shore
Label: Self-Released (Independent)
Date of Release: November 25th 2012

Tracklist

1. The Landing Of Amergin
2. The Battle Of Tailtin
3. The Kingship Of Bodb Dearg
4. Sorrow Of The Dagda
5. Tar éis an Sidhe
6. Conn Of The Hundred Battles
7. Anann: Ermne’s Daughter

Celtachor is a Blackened Folk Metal band from Dublin, Ireland. Born in 2007, it became a full working band in 2010, melding the influences of black/doom/folk metal together in one combined force. The band sees themselves as the narrators of Irish Mythology. The band’s main goal is to showcase their own vision of those stories, playing the music with passion and from the heart. The band just released their first album in November 2012. Celtachor has shared the stage with the likes of: Skyforger, Primordial, Heidevolk, Suidakra, Cruachan, Wolfchant, Alestorm, Mael Mordha, Waylander, Thurisaz, Nothgard, Darkest Era.

Technically speaking ‘Celtachor‘ have or rather “are” taking Celtic metal to the next step in interesting music with their second release to date “Nine Waves From The Shore“. Combining traditional whistles, Drums, chants, and black metal to make an interesting listening experience! With enthralling licks and riffs taking centre stage throughout the tracks there is never a dull moment. “The Landing Of Amergin” standing in at an impressive 10 minutes there really is no stopping this band, and based on this first track you wouldn’t want to. From the range of instruments coming in from everywhere you are given the best of the best throughout whilst Roche thickens the music with his intense vocal ranges.

Showing the true diversity of this band we are given “The Kingship Of Bodb Dearg” with the classic themes of Celtic traditions and whistles. But not for too long before we’re thrown back into the metal stronger and more intense than before. What really does make this band stand out is the clear-cut use of tribal drums mixed with the Agolloch feeling of expressions throughout. “The Kingship Of Bodb Dearg” is my favourite on this album as it encompasses everything that makes black metal great for me, from folk traditions to intense vocals and traditional instruments carrying their own roles in making the music a little more than one would expect.

As far as beautiful Celtic instrumentals come it doesn’t get much better than “Tar éis an Sidhe“. Within the gentle calm before the storm approach, lifting you off to a distant land far away from yourself and the mayhem laid before you. The whistles and the drums together are magnificent whereas the guitars themselves are just something else. A truly unique and spectacular track!

Back into the mayhem after the calm and we’re again thrown deep into the pits of hell with Roche holding all the controls. “Conn Of The Hundred Battles” takes the listener on an interesting journey within the minds of the creators. This is definitely one of those songs you will find your entire bodies moving along with, if not your souls too. Intense, dark, deep and brilliant!

Leaving the album with “Anann: Ermne’s Daughter” you are shown how much musical talent this band actually has. There really isn’t a dull moment throughout.

If you are a fan of heavy black folk metal then you’ll really enjoy this album!

This album is a listening experience!

10/10

Members

Stephen Roche – Vocals/Whistles
David Quinn – Guitar
Emile Quigley – Bass
Anaïs Chareyre – Drums
Fionn Staffort – Guitar/Whistle

http://www.celtachor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/celtachor
http://www.reverbnation.com/celtachor
http://www.myspace.com/celtachor
http://www.youtube.com/Celtachor

celtachor band