REVERENCE – Watch below an important announcement from Bryan Holland (guitarist/founding member) of REVERENCE, regarding the band’s future European live presence.
REVERENCE – The debut studio album and critically acclaimed When Darkness Calls was released back on July 9th, 2012, via Razar Ice Records.
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* For more info on REVERENCE, click on the links below!
facebook: Reverence
http://www.razaricerecords.com
Stone.
Progressive Power Metal voyagers VISION DIVINE, the band founded by guitarist/songwriter Olaf Thorsen (Labyrinth) and singer Fabio Lione (known for his work in Rhapsody, Rhapsody Of Fire and most recently for having served as lead vocalist with Kamelot during their Poetry For The Poisoned tour) announce the release of their new studio album, Destination Set To Nowhere. Set to drop in North America on September 18, 2012 via Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records, the band’s seventh full-length offers up a melting pot of Epic Metal anthems with a futuristic twist.
Featuring 11 tracks, the saga follows a man’s journey through outer space. He, along with other like-minded individuals, fled the earth out of social-political frustration. Together they eventually locate a new planet to inhabit where they could truly live out their visions of peace. Slowly though, they revert to the same ideologies they meant to leave behind. The only escape is to set out again, one man leaving alone: destination set to nowhere.
Comments Olaf Thorsen of the offering: “We are sure this album will finally give us the chance to show all of our potential; we worked hard on it in order to give the best possible album. In the end, we went even beyond our expectations thanks to the excitement and the good vibes we got from starting this adventure.”
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1. S´io fosse foco
2. The Dream Maker
3. Beyond The Sun And Far Away
4. The Ark
5. Mermaids From Their Moons
6. The Lighthouse
7. Message To Home
8. The House Of The Angels
9. The Sin Is You
10. Here We Die
11. Destination Set To Nowhere
Fabio Lione – Vocals
Olaf Thorsen – Guitars
Federico Puleri – Guitars
Alessio Lucatti – Keyboards, Piano
Andrea “Tower” Torricini – Bass
Alessandro Bissa – Drums
________________________________________________________________
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on VISION DIVINE, click on the links below!
https://www.facebook.com/visiondivineofficial
https://www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt
LONG LIVE VISION DIVINE.
Stone.
IRON SAVIOR – If there is one grand lesson learned after listening to Iron Savior’s new studio album The Landing, it is proclaimed quite clearly on track #5: Heavy Metal Never Dies. This juggernaut of a German Power Metal band have once again provided as potent a punch of exhilarating Heavy Metal as ever, with The Landing. This new Iron Savior palette of Power Metal bliss will be released in North America on January 17, 2012, on AFM Records. Trust me, this album is a gemstone to seek out. So damn fine is The Landing that it’s brought tears of Heavy Metal joy to my eyes.
My Metal advice for when you are ready to sink your ears and senses into The Landing, is best summed up from these lyrics of Heavy Metal Never Dies: “Turn on the music, let it purify your mind”. In a vast world of Power Metal bands, Iron Savior has reinstated they are to be reckoned with whether you like it or not and The Landing is their Heavy Metal arsenal of 2012… one that cannot be contained nor denied.
Iron Savior fans may have waited four years for this new powerful offering of Heavy Metal thunder, only it was well worth the wait. This is a band that sounds pumped-up and ready for Power Metal battle, from start to finish on The Landing. This album is a total package of Power Metal on high, which features more impressive guitar leads, riffs and solos than I can count. Piet Sielck without any doubt in my Metal mind, belongs with the very best of Power/Heavy Metal vocalists, at commanding a song and bringing it to greater heights.
If there ever was to be a song from 2012 that I will turn to consistently for immediate psyche-you-out Metal gratification, then that song is Hall Of The Heroes. Metal be thy name. Hall Of The Heroes can now enjoy its deserved place on my list of All-Time Favorite Metal Songs. Ring that Metal bell and declare all posers to hell, cause Iron Savior has cast one unbelievable Metal spell with Hall Of The Heroes. Oh, the vocals of Piet Sielck, oh, that guitar solo… oh, that riveting rhythm section, oh, that chorus… simply an amazing song. Simply an amazing album.
If you consider yourself a Metal martyr and Defender Of The Faith… buy The Landing and play IRON SAVIOR very, very, LOUD… while your uncontrollable Heavy Metal pride explodes from your Metal soul, spilling upon all those around you. Metal be thy name… forever.
Piet Sielck – lead vocals, guitar
Yenz Leonhardt – backing vocals, bass
Joachim “Piesel” Küstner – backing vocals, guitar
Thomas Nack – drums and miscellaneous percussion
Descending
The Savior
Starlight
March Of Doom
Heavy Metal Never Dies
Moment In Time
Hall Of The Heroes
R.U. Ready
Faster Than All
Before The Pain
No Guts No Glory
IRON SAVIOR – THE LANDING Receives 5 out of 5 METAL FISTS.
* For more info on IRON SAVIOR, click on the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iron-Savior/32522033805
LONG LIVE IRON SAVIOR.
Stone.
GRAVE DIGGER – 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary of Grave Digger, further cementing their legendary Heavy, Speed and Power Metal status with the release of their 15th studio album – The Clans Will Rise Again. This new studio album from Grave Digger has a U.S. release date of October 12th, on Napalm Records. * The European release date was October 1st, 2010.
Germany is the birthplace for many important Heavy Metal Bands over the decades, (ACCEPT, Scorpions, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Kreator and Edguy to name a many few), with Grave Digger bestowing their very own identity, brand and sound as well. You cannot discount Grave Digger, when the topic of German Heavy Metal Bands of influence comes up.
Axel Ritt has taken over all guitar duties as the newest member of Grave Digger on The Clans Will Rise Again. Guitarists Thilo Hermann and Manni Schmidt left Grave Digger, due to personal and musical differences, before entering the studio to record The Clans Will Rise Again.
There is no better time of the year than October, to have a brand new studio album released from Grave Digger! With the days growing shorter with sunlight and Halloween only a few weeks away, this new Grave Digger album will be a welcomed listen to my Metal scorched ears!
GRAVE DIGGER:
Chris Boltendahl – vocals
Axel Ritt – guitars
Jens Becker – bass
Stefan Arnold – drums
Hans Peter Katzenburg – piano & keys
* For more info on GRAVE DIGGER, just click on the cool links below:
* Check out the music video for Highland Farewell below! This song is on The Clans Will Rise Again. A Potent and Power packed song that grabbed my Metal attention from the opening bagpipes!
Track Listing For The Clans Will Rise Again:
Days Of Revenge
Paid In Blood
Hammer Of The Scots
Highland Farewell
The Clans Will Rise Again
Rebels
Valley Of Tears
Execution
Whom The Gods Love
Spider
The Piper McLeod
Coming Home
When Rain Turns To Blood
Watch Me Die (Bonus Track)
LONG LIVE GRAVE DIGGER!
Stone.
HELLOWEEN – Power Metal pioneers and ultra iconic, HELLOWEEN will be releasing their 13th full-length studio album, 7 Sinners, via The End Records, on November 9th, 2010. (This is the U.S. release date). Originating from Germany, Helloween is an influential and important band in the history of Metal. Since their 1985 album release – Walls Of Jericho, Helloween has been an undisputed leader in the Power Metal genre. I’ll never forget buying Walls Of Jericho on cassette years ago… I thought I was the coolest dude on the block for stumbling onto Helloween. Even though I have Walls Of Jericho on CD, I never let go of the cassette version.
Kai Hansen was terrific as the lead vocalist and guitarist for Helloween. (Gamma Ray obviously gets my Metal endorsement to the fullest). Michael Kiske was formidable as the lead vocalist for Helloween, his vocals on Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I are legendary. I’d have to pick Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I as my favorite Helloween album of all time… alright, tied with Walls Of Jericho! It’s not that easy, in choosing my favorite Helloween album of all time. (Chameleon from 1993… is not my favorite).
Yes, I even liked Unarmed – Best Of 25th Anniversary, which was released on March 30, 2010. No, it was not the Power Metal force we have all come to expect from Helloween, only this album I found to be a very cool listen. Some of the greatest Helloween songs ever, were re-structured with string arrangements and a choir. Dr. Stein really gets a Rock ‘N’ Roll makeover that I find to be a fun listen. At the end of the Metal day though, I’m sure relieved and psyched that Helloween is back, with their potent Power Metal that I’m expecting on 7 Sinners.
Andi Deris is an incredible vocalist as well, he can sing Metal lights out. Whoa… can Andi carry a note and sing the roof off. I can honestly say that Gambling With The Devil from 2007 is so powerful, that having a “three way tie” for my #1 Helloween album is Metal justified. Gambling With The Devil is simply put… riveting. Plus… I’ll throw in the Metal fact that founding member and guitarist Michael “Weiki” Weikath is a super nice guy to interview, one of the “good guys” of Metal… hands down. Kai Hansen is also a super nice guy to talk to… a genuine class act.
So, yeah, I get all pumped up anytime Helloween is about to release a new album. This is a band that I could easily write 500,000 words about and still want to write more. Seriously though, how many bands have their been in Metal, or any Rock genre for that matter, that can boast having “3″ amazing lead vocalists in their bands history? Not too many I would imagine. I’m really looking forward to getting my copy of 7 Sinners… and on that day I’m going to be one psyched-out Metalhead. Those are my Metal thoughts for now about Helloween… I’m certain I’ll be reviewing 7 Sinners come November, you can bet your bottom Metal dollar on that one!
* For more info on HELLOWEEN, just click on the link below:
Track Listing For HELLOWEEN – 7 Sinners:
Where The Sinners Go
Are You Metal?
Who Is Mr. Madman?
Raise The Noise
World Of Fantasy
Long Live The King
The Smile Of The Sun
You Stupid Mankind
If A Mountain Could Talk
The Sage, The Fool, The Sinner
My Sacrifice
Not Yet Today
Far In The Future
* The premium version of 7 Sinners will include a deluxe digpak, extended booklet and an exclusive bonus track. (Source: Helloween Official Website)
LONG LIVE HELLOWEEN!
Stone.
HOLY MOTHER – This third studio album, Toxic Rain, released in 1998 by Holy Mother, is one hell of a solid chunk of Traditional Metal. Toxic Rain downpours with a sound and style of American Power Metal in the vein of DIO and Obsession, along with a thick influence from Judas Priest and the Old School/Traditional Metal essence that the NWOBHM is so remembered and revered for.
With Metal roots originating from Long Island, New York, Holy Mother is a Metal Band that should not be bypassed for any lack of commercial success, mainstream snubbing or mid-’90′s media ignorance towards Heavy Metal. Great and real Metal will always rise from the ashes or raise it’s victorious fist from any catacombs of dormancy.
Becoming aware of Holy Mother and Toxic Rain all started with my trip to Music Outlet in Enfield, Connecticut. Best Metal Buddy, Scott Coverdale took me to this very cool and independently owned record and CD store that he frequents consistently. That day, I observed Scott walking about Music Outlet with a sinister grin upon his face… “I got it”… is what he said to me. I looked down upon the CD he was holding and it was Toxic Rain. Man, Scott was psyched out of his mind to have landed this CD… and now I know why.
Now that I own my personal copy of Toxic Rain, I realize the reason why Scott was grinning from ear to ear at Music Outlet that day. This album = Metal. Damn, you could not find a better representation of Traditional Metal, built with speed, blazing guitar leads and victorious riffs, than this Holy Mother album. The drumming of Jim Harris is like a battle call to Metal arms, his ultra-potent fills and supercharged timing are the icing on the Metal cake for Toxic Rain.
Vocalist Mike Tirelli is not gonna be in the back of the line ever, not according to my Metal scorecard. Mike is also a former vocalist for Riot and Burning Starr, making for an impressive Metal resume. I can compare Mike’s vocals to that of Mark Boals (of Yngwie J. Malmsteen fame) and Michael Vescera (of Obsession and Loudness fame), only adding in a harder edge.
Rich Naso on guitar lays it down heavy and steady from start to finish on Toxic Rain, with shades of Speed Metal wizardry gelled together with many extremely relevant and Traditional Metal tones. Rich never runs out of ultra delectable guitar licks… he’s just a cool player to hear on this album. Randy Coven on bass, has played with Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Riot during his Metal career. Creating a Metal family tree is evident, with this Holy Mother lineup of 1998.
The decade of the 90′s is NOT the lost era of Metal. Many, many, Metal Bands were releasing albums and touring during the 90′s. (Thank you… Slayer, W.A.S.P., Pantera and Overkill, to name a few). Instead, it will always be remembered by me as the decade where the mainstream media did NOT cover Metal… or great Metal for that matter. If Holy Mother released Toxic Rain in the mid to late 1980′s, hell, it would have probably received a ton more promotion and circulation amongst the media. This is my Metal opinion… and I’m not budging from it.
If you want me to be “street” about summing up this Toxic Rain album in one sentence, well, here it goes: Holy shit is this Holy Mother band unreal great on Toxic Rain! For me to “refer” this album to fans of Metal is really absurd. I need to bellow: Buy this Toxic Rain album if you believe in your own damned Metal salvation! Seriously, if your looking to make that purchase of a classic Metal release… Toxic Rain can be as viable a choice as any. So let it be Metal written… so let it be Metal done.
Once you hear Wars kick in, this song’s speed and rugged crunch shall be the leading Metal indicators that Holy Mother is not screwing around on Toxic Rain. The title track – Toxic Rain is a deluge of Metal that forces it’s way upon my ears, all the while I’m taking it all in like a parched desert floor during a tropical downpour. Again, its the speed + power which = holy shit great Metal here. Again, that’s as “street” honest as I can get.
My favorite song on this now revered Metal album is – My Destination. I’ll tell you what my destination has always been… to discover and listen to great, quality laced Metal, just like Holy Mother. My Destination has a melodic power surge running wild and it’s riveting to say the Metal least. The River carries it’s melodic drive through the vocals of Mike Tirelli and the savory leads and solos of Rich Naso. This song is a heavyweight like all the others on Toxic Rain, it showcases no doubt’s that Mike Tirelli can hit the high notes. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ is the lone cover song on this album. This Judas Priest Metal classic is given it’s justified due from Holy Mother, it’s worth cranking it up on high, still there’s nothing like the original. A solid cover it is and very worthy of many obligatory headbanging moments.
Losing My Bet closes out Toxic Rain, a song that sustains the consistent quality, heaviness and unrelenting power of sound that Holy Mother plays from the very onset. No one song sounds alike on Toxic Rain and Losing My Bet is an exclamation point to this statement. The only similarities heard between all 11 songs are that of the astute allegiance to Metal that Holy Mother plays so damn well.
I must factor in that the vocals of Mike Tirelli and the guitar playing of Rich Naso are standout on each song, while Randy Coven on bass and Jim Harris on drums are fabulously tight together. Once Losing My Bet comes to a close, I have that Metal hunger to listen to this Holy Mother album again… and again. That is a benchmark of being a great Metal album for me, when I can state something like that.
I could say, without any hesitation, that Toxic Rain is one of the very best Metal albums from the 90′s decade. (Criminal Afterlife is another Holy Mother album I feel this same way about as well, only that is for another post). You are getting the entire Metal ball O’ wax with Holy Mother’s playing on Toxic Rain… no run of the mill, no “standard stuff” or copycat crap going on with this band. Hopefully Holy Mother can make a return down the Metal road and release some potent, new material. Holy Mother is yet another Metal reality check, as to there being great bands from the 90′s that flew under the Metal radar by me… and I’m thankful Scott Coverdale uttered those now infamous words toward my way, during one cool visit to Music Outlet… “I got it”.
* For more info on HOLY MOTHER, just click on the link below:
* HOLY MOTHER – Toxic Rain was released on A.B.S. Records
HOLY MOTHER as they appeared on Toxic Rain:
Mike Tirelli – vocals
Rich Naso – guitar
Randy Coven – bass
Jim Harris – drums
Track Listing For Toxic Rain:
Wars
Electric
Toxic Rain
The Rats Keep Runnin’
My Destination
Live To Die
The River
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ (Judas Priest cover)
Symptom Of Withdrawal
Melting Pot
Losing My Bet
LONG LIVE THE METAL OF HOLY MOTHER!
Stone.
JUDAS PRIEST & PRIMAL FEAR – What do Judas Priest and Primal Fear have in Metal common, besides both being Metal Bands? METAL GODS. As I and so many countless others will attest, “nothing beats an original”… only Primal Fear covers the Judas Priest original – Metal Gods like they were put on this Earth to do so. Originally heard on the 1980 studio album from Judas Priest – British Steel, Metal Gods has been a lifetime favorite Metal song for me.
Hell, this British Steel album is downright Metal sacred and easily one of the greatest Metal albums ever created. I remember the first time I heard Metal Gods off of this British Steel album… whoa… whoa again. The British Steel album in and of itself is a thoroughbred classic Metal album for the ages… and Metal Gods catapults this reasoning of mine fifty fold.
I can recall, with Metal ease, listening to this one track on British Steel, that is Metal Gods, continuously. I would pick up the turntable needle and drop it back down at the beginning of this incredible song, each time it ended. Metal be thy name. It is the obvious and sheer muscularity of Metal, that this Judas Priest original of Metal Gods bestowed upon thine ears, which made me stand at attention in Metal awe so many years ago. This Judas Priest original still has that same Metal affect on me… and I don’t see it waning anytime soon.
The repeated opening riff throughout Metal Gods is like my very own psyche-out Metal stimulant that makes me feel really, really, good. I vividly remember looking up at my Judas Priest poster, which hung on my bedroom wall when I was a teen, while any Judas Priest album was being cranked up by me. When Metal Gods was played at maximum volume, I would then proceed to play air guitar and bang thine head like an out of control Metal lovin’ maniac. Um, I guess I still do that when I listen to this song… so let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal done. (Only I don’t have a Judas Priest poster on my bedroom wall today… my Metal supporting wife won’t allow it and I do understand).
Being a futuristic look into the unravelling of mankind’s involvement into the “dabbling” and experimenting with the science of robotics, Metal Gods is a song about robotic creatures/machines known as… Metal Gods. These Metal Gods taking control of their surroundings and the very same people who created them, while mankind falls victim to their evil control, is the theme that this song gets across quite clearly. Not too far fetched in my Metal opinion. Who knows how advanced our technology will take us all eventually? Herculean robotic machines may very well be the norm some day in our future… and they could eventually get pissed off at us.
Yes, Rob Halford is the Metal God and I will never dispute that title he carries with Metal honor and pride. However, Ralf Scheepers is no cheap imitation of Rob Halford. Ralf can flat-out sing Metal. Ralf Scheepers… maybe a strong candidate for being the Power Metal God? Listening to the Primal Fear cover version of Metal Gods for the first time was like the second coming of when I first heard this prolifically immense song, so many years ago. Primal Fear could have “covered” Metal Gods or they could have covered it with F’n Metal Might. My Metal senses tell me… Primal Fear covered this Judas Priest classic with F’n Metal Might.
No one has to take my Metal word for it, that both the Metal Gods original and the Primal Fear cover verson are unreal Metal greatness. All you have to do is seek out these Metal songs for yourself and give ‘em a Metal try. You can give me a Metal thank you later… after you realize Metal Gods is probably one of the greatest Metal songs ever written. For lifetime/veteran Metalheads out there… hopefully you understand my Metal reasoning and agree with my Metal thoughts on… Metal Gods. I have a funny feeling that many of you fellow Metalheads do understand.
Primal Fear – Metal Is Forever/The Very Best Of Primal Fear was released back on April 3, 2007, on Nuclear Blast. This is a double CD, with CD 1 containing 16 greatest hits and CD 2 containing 9 Metal Classics. The cover of Metal Gods is heard on Metal Classics. This double CD showcases just how fabulous this German Power Metal Band known as… Primal Fear was, is and forever shall be.
* For more info on Judas Priest, click here: JUDAS PRIEST
* For more info on Primal Fear, click here: PRIMAL FEAR – Official Website
LONG LIVE JUDAS PRIEST AND PRIMAL FEAR!
Stone.
MAGIC/A TRIBUTE TO RONNIE JAMES DIO – This compilation of songs, paying tribute to the late and forever legendary Ronnie James Dio, was released on July 20, 2010, on Magic Circle Music. The executive producer for this album is Joey DeMaio, bass guitarist and founding member of Metal legends… MANOWAR. Joey is also the founder and man-in-charge of Magic Circle Music, starting this record label back in 2005. HolyHell, Feinstein and Jack Starr’s Burning Starr are just a few of the many bands under the Magic Circle Music label and appearing on this tribute album as well.
The assemblage of Metal Bands heard on this Ronnie James Dio Tribute album gives it more added appeal, these are bands that are not vying for position at any Hollywood plastic awards shows, which brings a huge sigh of relief to me. Sincerity in Metal is key, especially when it comes to a tribute album for such a legend as Ronnie James Dio. In other words, you won’t hear any “club mix” or “flavor of the month” band here. It’s all real, especially when “The Kings Of Metal” themselves, are included on this album – MANOWAR. Their presence alone solidifies and justifies all the more reason to buy, listen to and enjoy this Ronnie James Dio Tribute. This album contains cover songs from Ronnie James Dio’s career with Rainbow and Black Sabbath, songs in which Ronnie not only sung his heart out on but cowrote as well.
There are two songs that are the exception here and are not covers, they are – Far Beyond by Feinstein and Never More by Neoclassical guitarist Dean Cascione. Far Beyond is from the debut album by Feinstein – Third Wish. David “Rock” Feinstein, (original guitarist for Elf and later guitarist/vocalist for the influential Heavy Metal Band – The Rods), can play some lean & mean Metal guitar. He displays his guitar prowess on Far Beyond, making for a fabulous salute to his cousin and former Elf band mate, Ronnie James Dio. Whoa, is this song melodic and John West on vocals is an absolute Metal treat to thine ears.
Dean Cascione showcases his guitar skills in a moving and emotional instrumental that is Never More. If Dean’s guitar could speak, it would be saying… thank you Ronnie, you are so missed. That is exactly how I interpret this guitar instrumental, with having it’s rightful place amongst the other songs on this album. Straight Through The Heart covered by Harlet just flat out Rocks. Todd Michael Hall on vocals is excellent… as he gives this DIO classic it’s just revered due.
MANOWAR cuts loose with the first song, a cover of the revered – Heaven And Hell. MANOWAR unleashes their very own thunder strike of Metal into Heaven And Hell, all the while adhering to this song’s original tempo and mystically dark mood. The bass of Joey DeMaio is heavily prominent in this cover, just as Geezer Butler’s bass is in the original. What a tremendous way to get this Ronnie James Dio Tribute album moving!
HolyHell covers Holy Diver, it’s a live recording done somewhere in Norway. Maria Breon on vocals brings another listening dimension to this ultra classic DIO song. Maria’s eloquent vocal style combined with the Power Metal of HolyHell comes recommended by Stone. I really enjoy listening to this cover and to this band. MetalForce covers The Last In Line. This Power Metal version is a mighty listen with Tristan Visser on guitar leaving quite a Metal impression on me, he takes on the solo with fearless Metal fury. Tarek Maghary on vocals gives The Last In Line the Old School emotion it so deserves.
Now, let’s talk about Jack Starr’s Burning Starr… unreal is the cover version of Catch The Rainbow by this legendary guitarist and his band. Todd Michael Hall on vocals is brilliant. Catch The Rainbow is without question, the most soothing Hard Rock song I have ever listened to… both the Rainbow original and this cover version as well. I’d have to pick this song along with the Heaven And Hell cover from Manowar as the two best songs on this album.
For those who may not know, Jack Starr was the founder and guitarist for the highly influential and renowned 1980′s Power Metal Band from New York – Virgin Steele. After the Virgin Steele era, Jack Starr continued onward with Burning Starr, his solo career, revisiting his love for the blues and having a stake in a few other bands. I could continue on and on with the history of Jack Starr… we’ll just leave that for another post in the future. After Burning Starr’s two decade absence of an album, Defiance was released in 2009 on Magic Circle Music. Defiance marks the fifth studio album release from Jack Starr’s… Burning Starr.
Joey DeMaio and all of these bands mentioned, have delivered quite the Old School and well deserved tribute to the late/great Ronnie James Dio with this compilation album. The historical Heavy Metal linkage associated with this tribute album is a thrill in and of itself! Combine this history with a few younger Metal bands that appear here and Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio truly bridges the gap between generations of Metal Bands and fans. Even the liner notes seem to glisten with that “days of Metal yesteryear” image. The four pages of photo’s celebrating Ronnie James Dio, within the liner notes, show him as a member of The Electric Elves, Rainbow and Black Sabbath.
I guess my Metal enthusiasm has essentially spilled over on writing about this tribute album to Ronnie James Dio. What I walk away with, after listening to all of the songs on this album and realizing the history behind the music, is that the Heavy Metal genre is very much a diverse and well connected family tree. And this family tree I will continue to climb, love and explore for the rest of my Metal life.
* The very cool & Metal album cover illustration is by – Ken Kelly.
* For more info on the bands involved in this great tribute album to Ronnie James Dio, just click on the helpful links below:
Jack Starr’s Burning Starr – Official Website
Jack Starr’s Burning Starr – myspace music page
METALFORCE – myspace music page
DEAN CASCIONE – Official Website
Track Listing For MAGIC – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio:
Heaven And Hell – Manowar
Holy Diver (Live In Norway) – HolyHell
The Last In Line - Metalforce
Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll - Magic Circle All Star Band
I Speed At Night - Awaken
A Light In The Black - Crosswind
Never More - Dean Cascione
Far Beyond – Feinstein
Straight Through The Heart – Harlet
Catch The Rainbow – Jack Starr’s Burning Starr
* A Metal Roll Call To The Bands Heard On Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio:
MANOWAR:
Eric Adams – vocals
Donnie Hamzik – drums
Karl Logan – guitar
Joey DeMaio – bass
HOLYHELL:
Maria Breon - vocals
Joe Stump – guitar
Francisco Palomo – keyboards
Jay Rigney - bass
Rhino - drums
METALFORCE:
Tarek Maghary - vocals
Tristan Visser – guitar
Jan Raddaatz – drums
Magic Circle All Star Band:
Sammy “Shmoulik” Avigal – vocals
Joe Stump – guitar
Jack Starr – guitar
AWAKEN:
Glenn DaGrossa – vocals
Artie Dillon – guitar & vocals
Joe Todaro – guitar
Freddy Villano – bass
Nick D’Alessandro – drums
CROSSWIND:
Kyriakos Vasdokas – vocals & guitar
Leon Tsorbatzoglou – guitar
Vasilis Mitsaris – drums
Guest Musician: Yiannis Papadopoulos – backing vocals
DEAN CASCIONE - guitar
FEINSTEIN:
David “Rock” Feinstein – guitar
John West – vocals
Jeff Howell – bass
Nate Horton - drums
Bob Twining – keyboards
HARLET:
Todd Michael Hall - vocals
Tod Walraven – guitar
Jon Hall – bass
Doug Julian – drums
JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR:
Jack Starr - guitar
Todd Michael Hall - vocals
Ned Michael Meloni – bass
Guest Musician: Rhino – drums
LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF RONNIE JAMES DIO.
REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.
Stone.
GAMMA RAY – Have you ever had one of those moments, where you listen to a particular song and it hits you just right? Of course you have. If you say – “no, I don’t know what your trying to convey here”… then your just a turtle neck wearing grump, who feels it’s no longer necessary to use the turn signal on your car. For those of you that know what I mean, about a song hitting your psyche-out meter on the bulls-eye, this quick story is for you.
I was “free styling” with my Heavy Metal & Hard Rock songs today… in technical terminology, I was “shuffling” the song choices that were being played for my eardrums. It was late this afternoon and my itunes library was at the ready. Assorted songs from KROKUS, Slaughter, KOPEK and then… GAMMA RAY. Whoa. The song was… To The Metal. Whoa again. With my computer mouse, I clicked on that mighty “replay” button to hear To The Metal once again. Then again… and again. I could not stop replaying this Heavy Metal Anthem. Gamma Ray was pulling me in and making me feel like I was leading a Heavy Metal charge through some gilt edged, halls of glory.
Yes, make no mistake, the legendary Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray without doubt, sings To The Metal as if he is a fierce Heavy Metal warrior of the land. The beat and melodic flow of this song, coupled with it’s Old School heaviness, is as superior of a Heavy Metal Anthem as I’ve ever heard in my entire Metal lovin’ life. Yes, there have been near countless Heavy Metal Anthems that came before To The Metal… only today, Gamma Ray delivered their Metal anthem goods to my ears, mind and soul.
If there was to be that “one song” to send out into the outer reaches of the Universe, to let alien beings hear as a representation of Old School Heavy Metal from 2010… To The Metal is “that song”. Stone has spoken.
I lost count, after eight plays in a row of To The Metal today. So be it. It felt damn good. For during that Heavy Metal interval, that I experienced today, this was an all natural high. Um, I mean all natural Metal high. That’s my quick story of listening repeatedly to Gamma Ray’s – To The Metal. Oh, if you haven’t heard this song just yet… seek it out… it’s worth giving into and getting psyched out by. Metal be thy name.
* One last Metal thought… you might just want to buy this entire To The Metal album. This might very well be considered an extremely abbreviated album review, nonetheless, here it goes: To The Metal is worth your time and hard earned $$$. Old School Metalheads and Power Metal fans should take quite a liking to this GAMMA RAY album.
* Take a listen for yourself at just how powerful To The Metal sounds:
* For more info on GAMMA RAY, just click on the links below:
GAMMA RAY – MySpace Music Page
GAMMA RAY Are:
Kai Hansen – vocals, guitar
Henjo Richter - guitar, keyboards
Dirk Schlächter - bass
Dan Zimmermann - drums
* GAMMA RAY – To The Metal was released on March 16, 2010, on earMusic.
Track Listing For To The Metal:
Empathy
All You Need To Know
Time To Live
To The Metal
Rise
Mother Angel
Shine Forever
Deadlands
Chasing Shadows
No Need To Cry
LONG LIVE GAMMA RAY!
HAIL TO THE METAL!
Stone.
DREAM EVIL – Children Of The Night EP was released back in October of 2003 on Century Media Records. This EP contains four songs, three in which were previously unreleased tracks up until 2003, those three songs are: Dragonheart, Betrayed and an unplugged/acoustic version of Evilized. A music video is also on this EP – Children Of The Night, which was filmed on February 20th, 2003, in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Dream Evil’s Evilized European Tour while supporting Hammerfall. The lead guitarist of Dream Evil on this Children Of The Night EP, Gus G., is now the new guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and featured on the upcoming Ozzy album Scream, to be released on June 22, 2010.
This Dream Evil lineup was a solid one, delivering straight-up European Power Metal that did not go over the top with keyboards. Clearly, the focal point of this Dream Evil lineup is certainly Gus G. on lead guitar. As vibrant and melodic as he is fierce with his tone, Gus G. does not compromise his playing with unnecessary excessiveness on the need for speed. Gus G. can play fast with the best of them, only he makes the songs come alive with an almost boastful restraint on this Children Of The Night EP. There is a mammoth amount of bite and might in the guitar playing of Gus G. and the songs heard on this EP are a fitting Metal example.
Evilized is an unplugged/acoustic version that emanates an unrestrained dark hardness. Before you listen to this acoustic version of Evilized, please check your sappiness hat and coat at the front Metal door. The lyrics have not changed from the original Power Metal version… Evilized still gets it’s evil point across within this acoustic blanket of sound.
Children Of The Night, (see & hear video below), is a deliciously heavy and melodic Dream Evil song. Gus G. really displays his guitar muscularity on this song, with flashes of Old School licks. Niklas Isfeldt on vocals doesn’t over extend his range, while giving all the emotion that is necessary to Children Of The Night. A fine singer is Niklas, not exuding any annoying or notorious Metal swagger… he just got the Metal job done with Dream Evil.
Dragonheart begins with Gus G. leading the speed attack on guitar. The tempo never subsides throughout this song, it only picks up more steam with Gus G. unleashing a blazing guitar solo. Snowy Shaw is just dead on perfect on drums… what more can be said about him, besides he is as quality driven as they come in Metal. Dragonheart is a surefire song to get any Old School or new fan to bang thy head.
Betrayed just gets my adrenaline all pumped up, from the opening guitar riff this song just kicks out relentless flashes of Power Metal goodness. While some songs in Metal history are not so well known, Betrayed is a Dream Evil song that just has to be known and heard by Heavy Metal fans… Metal be thy name.
This Dream Evil EP, Children Of The Night, makes for a mandatory must own for all Dream Evil fans. With the collectible factor thrown in, this is a CD that could become quite rare down the Metal road. I have seen it for sale online still… a new copy can fetch over $20 (U.S.), so maybe there are used copies out there floating around that are more inexpensive.
* Using the “new” Metal Odyssey album review rating system… Dream Evil – Children Of The Night EP gets 4.5 out of 5 Metal Fists!
* Check out the 2003 music video for Children Of The Night below… and turn it up LOUD!
DREAM EVIL as they appear on Children Of The Night:
Gus G. – guitars
Niklas Isfeldt – vocals
Fredrik Nordstrom - guitars & keyboards
Peter Stalfors – bass
Snowy Shaw – drums
Track Listing For Children Of The Night:
Children Of The Night
Dragonheart
Betrayed
Evilized (Unplugged Version)
Children Of The Night (Video Clip Enhancement)
Japanese Track Listing:
Metal Odyssey Note: I do not own this Japanese version, I will someday though!
Children of the Night
Take the World
The Prophecy (demo)
Heavy Metal in the Night (demo)
Evilized (acoustic version)
Children Of The Night (Video Enhancement)
Here are the first two Dream Evil albums, (with Gus. G. on lead guitar), released before the Children Of The Night EP:
Dragonslayer - released on June 25, 2002:
Evilized – released on March 25, 2003:
* Here are some Gus G. related websites you might find of Metal interest:
Gus G. Official MySpace Music Page
FIREWIND – Official MySpace Music Page
DREAM EVIL – Official MySpace Music Page
Ozzy Osbourne – Official MySpace Music Page
KAMELOT – Official MySpace Music Page
HERE ARE SOME GUS G. METAL FACTS YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW! ENJOY!
* Gus G. was born in Thessaloniki, Greece.
* At age 18, Gus G. attended the famed – Berklee College of Music, in Boston, Massachusetts.
* Famed Gothenburg producer and Dream Evil guitarist Fredrik Nordstrom and Gus G. united to form Dream Evil, beginning their idea for the band in 1999.
* Gus G. first played live with Ozzy Osbourne at the BlizzCon annual convention. This was during the closing ceremony on August 22, 2009. Blizzard Entertainment celebrates their major franchise games such as Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo at these conventions. This BlizzCon convention was held at the Anaheim Convention Center, in Anaheim, California… wish I was there to see that historical moment in Heavy Metal history!
* Gus G. also played with Melodic Death Metal icon – Arch Enemy as a touring guitarist in 2005. Gus G. played the solo on the song Taking Back My Soul, on the Arch Enemy album Doomsday Machine, released in 2005.
* Gus G. is founder and lead guitarist of the fantastic Power Metal Band – Firewind, releasing five studio albums between 2002 – 2008.
* Gus G. has also played guitar for German Power Metal Band – Mystic Prophecy, from 2001-2005.
* Gus G. also played on demos for and helped out Greek/Swedish Melodic Death Metal Band – Nightrage.
* Gus G. adds his talent/solo on a song for the upcoming/new – Kamelot album.
* Original Dream Evil drummer Snowy Shaw also played for the ultra legendary - King Diamond and Mercyful Fate.
HERE ARE SOME GEOGRAPHICAL FACTS CONNECTED TO GUS G.! ENJOY!
* Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and the capital of Macedonia.
* Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden. The largest city in Sweden is Stockholm.
* Disneyland opened on July 18, 1955, in Anaheim California.
Gus G. has quietly built quite an impressive and credible Heavy Metal career for himself. As you have seen and read above, NO, Gus G. did not just come out of “nowhere” to become the featured guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. Gus G. is a talent, has paid his Metal dues, and is a unique guitarist that Ozzy knew about… as well as countless other Metal fans have worldwide, for quite some time. Ozzy has chosen well… in my Metal opinion.
Stone.
EDGUY – Released their CD single Lavatory Love Machine back on June 21st, 2004, on Nuclear Blast Records. I purchased this cool EDGUY CD single about two years ago, on the Century Media Records website… CM Distro. Now, Lavatory Love Machine is out of print, still I have currently seen it for sale both new and used through Amazon.com.
For anyone unfamiliar with EDGUY, they are a Power Metal/Heavy Metal band from Germany. EDGUY could have easily fit right into the mid to late 80′s Heavy Metal mix – for their sound has all the trappings of Old School flavor… in my Metal opinion. From 1997 thru 2009, EDGUY has released eight studio albums, two live albums, three CD singles, two EP’s and two compilation/greatest hits albums.
I do like to collect the rare and out of print albums, cassettes and CD’s of my favorite bands. Many times, I have no Metal clue that a particular title is even out of print… until I stumble on an article or online music retail store that expresses those magic words: product discontinued by manufacturer.
The single Lavatory Love Machine is from the 2004 EDGUY studio album – Hellfire Club. This song has all the power driven, Arena style Heavy Metal that the late 80′s was famous for. An acoustic version of Lavatory Love Machine is on this single as well, of course it is much more mellow and toned down. I’ll Cry For You is an acoustic ballad as well, it showcases the open approach that lead vocalist Tobias Sammet has taken musically, throughout his entire career, with EDGUY. This is a band that can slam it down unreal heavy and still sound great (and cool) doing the soft stuff.
Reach Out is another… ballad. More on the “power” ballad side, Reach Out I gravitate towards courtesy of Tobias Sammet… I really like the believable emotion his vocals radiate on this song. There is no guitar, bass or drums on Reach Out, just some inspiring keyboards and piano. The “power” of this song is derived from Tobias Sammet’s vocals, in my Metal opinion.
I sound like a broken record when stating that I’m not the big ballad dude, only there are those times where I do listen to them, they fall into my lap so to speak. Keeping an open Metal mind is what I try to do and if the ballad works for my ears, then Metal be thy name.
* The music video for Lavatory Love Machine is also on this CD single, I’d swear it was a late 80′s music video due to it’s Old School approach. A fun video to watch!
* I’ll Cry For You is a cover song originally found on the Europe album from 1991 – Prisoners in Paradise.
* Tracks 1 thru 3 can also be found on the 2008 EDGUY album – The Singles.
* Reach Out can be found on the Japanese import version of EDGUY – Rocket Ride, released in 2006. Lavatory Love Machine (Acoustic Version) is found on this same Japanese version of Rocket Ride too. It gets very confusing, when tracking down when specific songs were released and on what album!
Track Listing For Lavatory Love Machine:
1. Lavatory Love Machine
2. Lavatory Love Machine (Acoustic Version)
3. I’ll Cry For You – (Europe Cover Song)
4. Reach Out
Lavatory Love Machine – (video clip) – complete music video
EDGUY, as they appeared on the Lavatory Love Machine CD Single:
Tobias Sammet - vocals
Jens Ludwig – guitar & backing vocals
Dirk Sauer – guitar & backing vocals
Tobias “Eggi” Exxel - bass & backing vocals
Felix Bohnke – drums, percussion
* Frank Tischer - plays piano on Reach Out. It is my best Metal guess, that Tobias Sammet plays keyboards on Reach Out, no documentation can be found in the liner notes to support this Metal guess however.
Stone.
Charred Walls of the Damned released their self titled, debut album on February 2, 2010 on Metal Blade Records. Cutting to the Metal chase here, my ears are telling me Charred Walls of the Damned are not just a supergroup, they are an excellent Metal Band… period. There are many shades of Power Metal found within this debut album from Charred Walls of the Damned. How many dozens of American bred Power Metal Bands can you name? Europe outnumbers America in the Power Metal category, thus anytime a North American band even sounds remotely close to Power Metal, it peeks my Metal interest. That is why I am rather excited that founding member and drummer, Richard Christy, decided to embark on an Old School Speed Metal meets Power Metal adventure like this band. Shaking loose from the confines of The Howard Stern Show to create a legit and convincing Metal album is what Richard Christy has done. After listening to Charred Walls of the Damned several times, I’ve come to the Metal conclusion that Richard Christy could probably quit his day job. Then again, it’s not too shabby a gig, to be part of The Howard Stern Show either.
Richard Christy and Tim “Ripper” Owens played together as members of Iced Earth, from 2003 to 2004. Bass guitarist Steve Digiorgio has built his Metal legacy as a founding member of Sadus, while also playing for Death, Testament, Iced Earth and Autopsy… there are a few more, yet the Metal point is made here. Throw in the fact that Richard Christy was also the drummer for Death, from 1996 to 2001 and you have Metal credibility oozing from the Metal seams here. Legendary Metal producer Jason Suecof takes the helm on guitar and of course, producing Charred Walls of the Damned. It is in my sincerest Metal opinion, that Tim “Ripper” Owens does not have to look upon himself as ever being that other lead singer for Judas Priest… never again. Charred Walls of the Damned spotlights the Ripper’s vocals, while he clearly magnifies the power and emotion of each song with Metal conviction.
Truly, an album that has no dog for a song is rare during any era of Metal Music. Charred Walls of the Damned is just that album… from Ghost Town to Fear In The Sky, the unrelenting Metal assault that is unmistakably power charged, comes at you like an out of control heat seeking missile. Jason Suecof demonstrates his guitar appreciation with unreal great confidence and clarity. The Metal leads, riffs and solos rage throughout Charred Walls of the Damned, Jason Suecof can play. If I sound over zealous about this debut album, it’s that I’m only extremely psyched that these four Metal players have combined their skills and minds to deliver a quality Metal product.
Overall, these songs are built on speed, blended with the Power Metal vocals of Ripper and thunder struck by Steve Digiorgio on bass and Christy on drums. Charred Walls of the Damned teamed up to tinker with the traditional brilliance’s of Metal. Oh, did they tinker… the end result is the Metal parts are just as great as the Metal sum with their debut album. I really hope this is just the beginning of a long line of albums, from this “new” Metal Band they call – Charred Walls of the Damned.
For more about Charred Walls of the Damned, click here: Charred Walls of the Damned – myspace music page
CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED – Track Listing:
1. Ghost Town
2. From The Abyss
3. Creating Our Machine
4. Blood on Wood
5. In a World So Cruel
6. Manifestations
7. Voices Within the Walls
8. The Darkest Eyes
9. Fear in the Sky
Masterplan released the MK ll album back on February 23, 2007. I have never regretted with catching onto Masterplan. Half the fun of being into Heavy Metal, is knowing there are so many bands from so many genres to sink your ears into… ah, the world of Metal is a good thing. For those not familiar, Masterplan is a Power Metal Band, 100% through and through with no gimmicks. Melodic Metal and Symphonic Metal are two other labels that are just as fitting for Masterplan, the three genres I attribute to this band are adequately interlocking. Masterplan is led by former Helloween guitarist, Roland Grapow, he takes on the roles of guitarist, composer and producer. I gravitate very often to the Power Metal genre, finding this form of Metal Music to be inspiring and ultra credible. I find the Power Metal songs from Masterplan MK ll to be like a Metal soundtrack for my mind… uplifting and scenic thoughts appear for me, reflective thoughts too. Getting revved up is not difficult while listening to Masterplan either, there are plenty of psyche out moments in their songs. Masterplan goes full throttle with their Power Metal, there never seems to be a dull moment, for me.
MK ll has been a CD of choice for me, going back to last weekend. Every so often, I need to expand my Metal horizons and listen to another genre that isn’t extremely fast, hard and heavy. Masterplan are a heavy band in their own Melodic Power Metal right, only it is the symphonic side of this band that really keeps me grounded… and I like that. Diversity in the Heavy Metal universe is what makes this music so worthwhile. The longer I stop to look, listen and read, the better acquainted I get with the vastness of the Heavy Metal family tree. Discovering Masterplan on the Heavy Metal family tree is like finding and picking that almost perfect pear, you just know it’s good and juicy.
As for the songs on MK ll, there are no loafers to be found. This album has a cool, consistent flow about it, making MK ll one of those albums I can listen to from start to finish, no leap frogging is necessary! My two favorite songs on MK ll are: I’m Gonna Win and Watching The World. These two songs are #6 and #7, respectively on the track list. Both of these songs project this majestic high that just wraps around my senses and psyches me out. Mike DiMeo is everything you could expect from a Power Metal vocalist, he surely can hit the high notes and harmonizes effortlessly throughout MK ll. Mike Terrana on drums is darn great to listen to, there are moments when his playing is the focal point. Jan S. Eckert keeps the rhythm solid with Terrana, a very tight unit. The keyboards are a major musical ingredient with this Power Metal outfit, Axel Mackenrott makes his presence known by providing the atmospheric and symphonic environment within the songs. I look forward to a brand new Masterplan album in 2010, Roland Grapow has some Power Metal momentum going for him, with Masterplan.
The momentum of Masterplan will be getting even stronger, now that news has been broken, of Jorn Lande returning as lead vocalist. (You can read the official news of Jorn Lande returning by going on the official Masterplan website at http://www.master-plan.net). I will always appreciate the vocals that Mike DiMeo brought to Masterplan, honestly, he is very good, in my Metal opinion. Jorn Lande is a premier Heavy Metal vocalist period. Jorn’s solo career and vocal contribution to Avantasia, coupled with his past Masterplan albums is proof positive he is at the top of the Power Metal pyramid. Welcome back to Masterplan Jorn!
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