Today on the 24th May 2010 lost a very inspirational bass player of SlipknotPaul Gray as it is the 2nd Anniversary of his death. I took time out to remember the great man behind the mask. When the news broke that Paul had died it was total shock I could not believe that he had gone. I did wonder if that was the end of Slipknot but they vowed to carry on in Paul’s memory and I am glad that they did. I was there at Sonisphere 2011 when they Headlined on the Sunday of the Festival the organisers thought about giving a Two minute silence for the First Anniversary of his death and they did this on the Saturday. The Two-minute silence I must say it was done brilliantly it was a very emotional day for everyone involved. The band that was at the side of the stage looking over the crowd that gathered, to all the fans even the hardest of guys had a tear in the eye.
I asked a few fans what Paul meant to them here is what they said
Lauren Phillips from the UK
A legend and inspiration to everyone, not just musicians! Someone who will be missed for a long while yet. : (
Jane Mann from the UK
He is an inspiration to me, as is Slipknot on the whole. They’ve seen me through a very difficult childhood and Paul served as such a strong individual to me as did the others.
When I heard he had died, my heart dropped and i didn’t want to believe it, then when it was confirmed I felt as though one of my idols had been taken away. He was a legend, a true inspiration and is, and always will be very sadly missed. Not just by me, but by millions of people all over the world. Although he is gone, he will on forever in my heart.
John Dilligaf Paterson from the UK
I hope he is never forgotten and hope he was an inspiration to others in the short life that he had.
Here is a link to the Two-Minute silence for the Paul Gray Memorial at Sonisphere 2011
Former STRATOVARIUS, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE and SYMFONIA mainman Timo Tolkki recently launched a PledgeMusic.com campaign to support the release of his fourth solo album, “Classical Variations 2: Credo”. Tentatively due on October 29, 2012, the double album will include over two hours of music and will feature guest appearances by Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN), Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS), Derek Sherinian (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, DREAM THEATER), Tuomo Lassila (the founder of STRATOVARIUS) on drums, Michael Vescera (OBSESSSION, LOUDNESS, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) on vocals and Michele Luppi (THAUROROD, ex-VISION DIVINE) on vocals. In addition, Tolkki, Lassila and Antti Ikonen (original STRATOVARIUS keyboardist) will re-record 12 songs from the first three STRATOVARIUS albums for a separate CD called “Dreaming In Twilight”. A digipack version of the “Dreaming In Twilight” album will include a bonus DVD featuring footage of Tolkki, Lassila and Ikonen performing those songs live in the studio recorded with six cameras.
Re-recorded STRATOVARIUS songs to be included on the “Dreaming In Twilight” CD:
* Future Shock
* Witch Hunt
* Night Screamer
* The Hands Of Time
* The Hills Have Eyes
* Out Of The Shadows
* 4th Reich
* Abyss
* Dreamspace
* Eyes Of The World
* Wings Of Tomorrow
* Hold On To Your Dream
Tolkki drew up and signed an official waiver on May 20, 2008 giving up all rights to the STRATOVARIUS name. The remaining STRATOVARIUS members — Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards) and Lauri Porra (bass) — have since recorded and released two additional STRATOVARIUS albums with guitarist Matias Kupiainen.
By David Pearce
I caught with ZP Theart Former Dragonforce Vocalist to ask him about his influences, his new band I AM I and the new album “Event Horizon”, which will be relased on 26th May 2012, and here’s what he had to say.
1. Hello ZP, I’m David, Welcome To MSFinland!
Hello David, a pleasure to talk to you.
2. You have been away from the scene for two years, what have you been doing with yourself?
I took 1 year out of music completely, to figure out exactly what I wanted to do and what direction it was I wanted to head into musically. At the same time I was plotting to take over the world Pinky hahaha!
Artist – Mountain Grave Album – Rage and Ruin Label – Unsigned Year – 2011
Track Listing
1. Rage And Ruin
2. Fleshcravers
3. The First Edict
4. Holocaust God
5. The Jackal’s Mange
6. Cruithin Na Cruin
7. Horrid Gutrag
8. Morphin Time (Power Rangers Theme)
9. A Necromance
10. Face Of The Martyr
11. The Divide
12. The Moshing Of The Nuns
13. Return The World
14. Messengers
15. Ruin Of The Innocent
Mountain Grave is a metal collective started by Brian Rush in 2005. The first official Mountain Grave release, “Darkness, Bloodshed, Chaos, Satan” was recorded in 2009. It is a lyrically satirical, yet aurally suffocating onslaught of black and death metal. Unreleased material kept accumulating and diversifying, spanning powerviolence to power metal. It was simply too draining to start a new group every time a new album had been visualised, and would surely not be coherent with the previous release. Brian teamed up with George Penney of Todesfaust for the 2010 demo, “Ruins,” a much sweeter style of extreme metal than the debut. Due to constant moving and the interests and strengths of new social circles, 2011 saw the black/thrash release, “Rage and Ruin”, recorded in Indiana with members of Partiac Arrest, Narrow House, Theophagy, and Lorenguard. June, 2012 will bring “The Ancient Disease”, an EP that will be their first release to feature a different style and lineup in every track. Mountain Grave’s future holds more of what you love, and even more of what you would least expect. Don’t be surprised when a bombastic symphonic metal opera propels you into bliss, counter attacked by ugly sludgy doom.
The album starts with the title song of the album Rage And Ruin which starts off with a little clean guitar riff that explodes into life with some powerful guitar riffs, harsh vocals and pounding drumbeats. The whole song is really well put together it from really fast guitar work then is slows down a then goes quick again with some galloping riffs and some really good fast solos a good start to the album. The next Three songs are Fleshcravers, The First Edict and Holocaust God they have some real quality riffs, solos the drums are pounded out sometimes with a galloping beat and the vocals are well put over with powerful force. The Fifth song is The Jackal’s Mange is starts off with a classic style riff then bursts into action with the harsh vocals that make the album what it is. Again the guitar work is played at such pace it is really well done, it then slows down a bit in the middle then picks up pace again towards the end, but it is a well balanced song. The next Three songs are Cruithin Na Cruin, Horrid Gutrag and a quality cover of Morphin Time(Power Rangers Theme) these songs have again more of the powerful riffs, pounding drums and quality harsh vocals. But the Power Rangers Theme was done to perfection I played it for my children and they instantly recognised it that was how well it was done. The Ninth song on the album is A Necromance and it starts off with some spoken words then comes in a classic style riff, the vocals on this are harsh but done with purpose. It also has some clean vocals in it, which gives it another edge to it near the start. The song has some really good riffs and solos in that make me want to get the old air guitar out and start shredding along to. The pounding drums smash out the rhythm and near the end it has some what sounds like an organ playing which again gives the song a different feel but it has been well worked into the song. The next Three songs on the album are Face Of The Martyr, The Divide and The Moshing Of The Nuns on the song Face Of The Martyr the vocals have a similarity to Cradle Of Filth but done very well. The rest of the songs are done in the same vein as the others fast riffs, hard harsh vocals, pounding drums and stunning solos. The Thirteenth song on the album is Return The World starts off with a powerful riff and pounding drums then the vocals come in. The song continues to have some really heavy thrash riffs in it then slows down in the middle of the song with a clean riff then bursts into life again with a stunning solo accompanied with the pounding drums and harsh vocals another good strong song here. The next song is Messengers it has everything you need fast paced riffs heavy drumbeats and good quality harsh vocals. The last song on the album is Ruin Of The Innocent starts off with another good riff quickly followed by the vocals, The power of the guitar riffs is really good and the vocals and drums make it a really good end to the album.
Overall
This is a good quality heavy Thrash album that will get you rocking till the end. It is full of high-speed riffs accompanied by some quality harsh vocals, stunning solos and powerful pounding drumbeats. It has got some added bonus stuff in with some organs in one of the songs, which gives it an added dimension to the album but It has been well done.
8/10
Members
Brian Rush – Vocals
Kyle Cripe – Drums
Austin Smith – Bass
Aaron Whicker – Guitar
Ray Carlyle – Guitar
Artist – Mercury Tide feat Dirk Thurisch (Angel Dust) Album – Killing Saw Label – Limited Access Records Year – 25th May 2012
Track Listing
1. In The Shame Of Trust
2. Killing Saw
3. Home
4. Searching (Album Version)
5. World Of Pain
6. Lord Of Memories
7. Out Of The Darkness
8. Alone In My Room
9. Satan Sister
10. You Cannot Save Me
11. No More Pain
12. Have No Fear
After a break of ten years, former Angel Dust vocalist Dirk Thurisch finally returns with his Band Mercury Tide, which once started as a project and now grew to a full-fledged band. The new album “Killing Saw” is a natural progression from Dirk‘s last album “Why”. Eventually the time has come that one of the most important German Melodic Metal vocalists returns like a Phoenix, rising from the ashes! Dirk Thurisch has closed the chapter “Angel Dust” once and for all. Several failed attempts to revive Angel Dust only strengthened Dirk‘s wish to get started with Mercury Tide on a grand scale. The new record shows that Dirk Thurisch hasn‘t called it a day yet. Even though ten years have passed, he is more than ever before willing to proof his outstanding abilities as a performer in front of live audiences. Last year, he already celebrated his stage comeback with his new combo as a support act for Crimson Glory in Essen, Germany. Besides special release shows in May, more concerts are planned and will be announced on the band‘s official website.
The album starts off with In The Shame Of Trust which is a keyboard instrumental with some stringed instruments accompanying it which then blends into the title song of the album. Killing Saw then it bursts into life with a strong guitar riffs, the vocals are clean and well put over I like the keyboard in the song it gives it a different edge which goes really well with the style of the album. The guitar riffs and solos are a joy to behold. The next Three songs are Home, Searching (Album Version) and World Of Pain which have more of the same good guitar riffs, clean quality vocals and stunning solo work so far this has been a quality album. The Sixth song on the album is Lord Of Memories which starts off slow with a good guitar riff and clean vocals, this song some catchy lyrics in the chorus which I do end up singing along to. The guitar work on this really is good along with the solo. The next Three songs are Out Of The Darkness,Alone In My Room and Satan Sister are again full of absolute quality riffs, great vocals, stunning solos and a perfect drumbeat to keep the rhythm to hold it altogether just brilliant. The Tenth song on the album is You Cannot Save Me starts off again with a clean guitar riff then the clean vocals come in it has the same quality guitars and vocals in aswell as some really keyboards on it aswell. It then slows down in the middle of the song, which goes really well then it picks up pace again with some good riffs, keyboards and solos it then fades out to finish the song really well done. The next song on the album is No More Pain this has again been really well done with the same quality vocals, keyboards and guitar work. The song keeps slowing down then it picks up pace a bit it keeps you interested all the song and I think it is a really good song. The last song on the album is Have No Fear starts off with the keyboard with a soft intro the vocals on this are slow but sure this continues through the song. The keyboards gives this song a different feel it is so relaxing it is a perfect song to chill out to after a long day at work.
Overall
Even after Ten years away Mercury Tide brings you this album Killing Saw and it feels like they have never been away. It is an absolute brilliant album from the vocals right through to the drums it has been well produced and it is definitely an album that I will be purchasing when it is released.
9/10
Members
Dirk Thurisch: Vocals/ Guitar
Chris “Dagger” Pohlmann: Bass
Carsten Rehmann: Drums
Sim Reaper: Keyboard
Artist – Shturm Album – Karmaruna Label – Darknagar Records Year – 18th April 2012
Track Listing
1. Wounds In My Hands
2. Solitude Beside
3. My Life With Angel
4. Eagles Above Tibet
5. To Kapylavasta
6. Karmaruna
7. In Us
8. Down To The Waterfall
9. Remember Thy Name
10. Dreams Of Better Life
11. Metal Music Artefact
”Shturm” come from Krasnodar, Russia they started in 2003, and soon the band recorded their Demo “Shapes of Chaos”. After a few line up changes over the years and two albums they have got a new album out in April called Karmaruna
The album starts off with Wounds In My Hands which is some good guitar riffs with some sounds of children and a woman having an orgasm then it goes straight into track Solitude Beside without missing a beat. This song has some really harsh vocals good strong guitar riffs, pounding drums a good start to the album. The Fourth track on the album is Eagles Above Tibet starts of with a slow clean riff with a bird calling in the background then the slow but harsh vocals come in. The guitar work is fast but sure the drums never miss a beat and the guitar solos are really good. This is a good solid song it has everything you need to get rocking. The next Three songs To Kapylavasta, Karmaruna and In Us carry on the melodic powerful riffs, harsh vocals, pounding drumbeats and some really good solos. On the track Karmaruna starts off slowly but builds up through the song it has some good riffs and solos that makes it a perfect title track to the album. Track Eight is Down To The Waterfall which starts off with a powerful twin guitar riff then vocals come in with the pounding drums behind. This song has some really good drumbeats in that accompany the guitars really well, the vocals are again harsh but in keeping with the style that goes in this album, it also has some really good solos. The next Two songs are Remember Thy Name and Dreams Of Better Life starts off with a great twin guitar riff to get this song going this song has a different feel to it, it sounds more laid back than the others which is not a bad thing. The vocals are less harsh but the drums are still pounding away and the guitar work is really good it is more melodic than the others on the album and the solos are really a piece of work probably the best song on the album in my eyes. The last song on the album is Metal Music Artefact is a stunning instrumental which starts off with a slow clean guitar riff which carries on into a stunning solo. Which is then joined with the second guitar, which is really enjoyable it then fades out to finish the song and album beautifully.
Overall
This is a really good album full of the usual good powerful melodic guitar riffs, pounding drumbeats, Harsh vocals and some really good guitar solos. The album has been well produced and I like the intro and outro instrumentals they really worked well with the rest of the album.
8/10
Members
Adar – vocals & guitars
Omut – vocals & guitars
Petreno – drums
Kane – bass
Chief Shock Video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Former STRATOVARIUS, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE and SYMFONIA mainman Timo Tolkki recently launched a 
Artist – Mountain Grave
Artist – Mercury Tide feat Dirk Thurisch (Angel Dust)
Artist – Shturm
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 