Secret Sphere - A Time Never Come (2001)

Secret Sphere's second album, another concept piece featuring a Sphere (which I assume is secret), a Queen, something called "The Shadow", and a few other characters interacting with one another, is another impressive piece, although it didn't grab me quite as much as their debut did. Or maybe it was just the mood I was in at the time, and another listen would appeal to me more.

***

Falconer - Falconer (2001)

Swedish band Falconer play power metal with a touch of folk, and this debut is impressive.  One thing of immediate note are the gorgeous baritone vocals of Mathias Blad, and accompanying him are very heavy guitars, and consistent speed, although not monotonously so; there're enough changes in time signatures to keep things interesting thoughout.  They sing of kings and queens and history, more than fantasy, and such songs as "Wings Of Serenity", "Mindtraveller" (especially) and "Royal Galley" shine.  Overall, while it's no instant classic, there's plenty to like here, and is recommended for power metal fans.

****

At Vance - Dragonchaser (2001)

At Vance's third album in as many years should please those who like their first two, and in particularly follows the pattern of their debut, NO ESCAPE.  The first few songs, and last few (apart from the ending instrumental) are in the typical power metal vain, with such highlights as "Ages Of Glory", "Two Kings" and "Too Late" having choruses that characteristically go gradually down the octaves.  In the middle of these two sections are a couple of slower songs, and also their third ABBA cover, this one "The Winner Takes It All", and an adaption of Beethoven's 5th.  It's not a little dabble either, but a full-blown, eight minute rendition which can't help but be a bit repetitive and limited, but I'm a sucker for such extravagances.
Overall, this is another spotty effort from At Vance.  One certainly can't accuse them of doing the same song all the time, even if their individual albums repeat some of the same tricks, and while the results are inevitably inconsistent, they do remain one of the more interesting and diverse of their genre.

***

Dragonland - The Battle Of The Ivory Plains (2001)

I'm not saying all power metal albums (or any albums) have to have breathtakingly floating melodies throughout to be good, although it's great when they do. But I still think there should be a bit more than some bands produce, like this debut from Swedish group Dragonland (a couple of years before DragonForce were to storm the stage).
All members are undeniably skilful in their playing, which comes through best when they have their lightning fast moments, and they have a very impressive vocalist (unusually, it's the drummer, Jonas Heidgert) as they start their "Dragonland Chronicles". But what they play just isn't very interesting. However, points must be added for the amusing playing of a brief Bach piece, with keyboardist Elias Holmlid taking the breath away as he runs up and down the ivories (or whatever is used for such instruments these days).
This is the kind of record that frustrates me, one that has a lot of the elements of first rate power metal, but misses out because of ordinary material.

**1/2

Manticora - Darkness With Tales To Tell (2001)

Manticora's second album is about on par with their first, which means there are some good moments, but nothing great overall.  Lars Larsen's Robert Smith-like vocals are, again, like no-one else's that I know in metal, which brings something notable to proceedings but, overall, Manticora aren't really winning me over at present.

**1/2

Balance Of Power - Perfect Balance (2001)

Balance Of Power's fourth album is more melodic heavy metal, not really power metal in the "traditional" sense, but it is a worthwhile effort from a band who I find undemanding, but usually pleasant and enjoyable enough. The best song here is "One Voice" and, for a while, I was thinking Perfect Balance was sounding quite exceptional. But it started to lose me on the plodding "The Pleasure Room", and I wasn't quite able to rekindle my enthusiasm. But it's a worthwhile effort all the same.
It was the last to feaure Lance King as vocalist.

***

Zonata - Reality (2001)

Upon listening to Zonata's debut TUNES OF STEEL, I saw them as a pretty run-of-the-mill power metal band who did what they did well enough, without breaking any new barriers. And that's about what I think of this follow-up.  It's nothing extra special, but enjoyable enough. I could do with some more hooks, but "Forever" grabs, as does the finishing section to "Life?", while the piano, played by keyboardist/vocalist/chief songwriter Johannes Nyberg, is unusually prominent for any metal act, and that makes for a pleasing change.

***

Edenbridge - Arcana (2001)

There are some acts (from any genre) which jump out at one straight away.  You could just have them on in the background, or while you're walking (talking from experience here), and the songs just leap out. There are others that sound samey and 'difficult' to get into for a while, and it's not until you sit down and really take the album in that it comes alive. Such is the case with Edenbridge.
Arcana is this Austrian group's second album, and it's another worthy collection of symphonic power metal, with more lilting tunes by Lanvall, while Sabine Edelsbacher, I think, sounds more lovely than she did on the band's debut, SUNRISE IN EDEN.
However, I'm not rating this one quite as highly, as I think the second half is just a bit weak. I will listen to it again soon, and I might change my mind on that, which I hope I do because, at their best, Edenbridge are lovely to listen to, offering music which is captivating and engrossing with their rich symphonics, graceful melodies and beautiful vocalist.

***1/2

Insania - Sunrise In Riverland (2001)

Insania's second album has all the right power metal ingredients - except memorable material.  "The Land Of Wintersun" shows promise early, but what follows is not just a lot of recycling of that song, but others from other genres as well.  Why does "Beware Of The Dragons" contain the riff from "Hotel California"?  And it's hard not to listen to the ballad "Angel In The Sky" without expecting Styx to suddenly start belting out "Come Sail Away". 
All this is quite a shame because, as I said, the band has pretty much got the power metal sound down pat.  Most of the songs were written by drummer Mikko Korsbäck. and maybe he needs some help in that department.  Certainly, inspiration needs to come from somewhere.

**1/2

Iron Fire - On The Edge (2001)

Iron Fire's second album is something of a disappointment, after the impressive THUNDERSTORM. Featuring a contrast of topics (which, I'm guessing, is the reason for the contrasting cover), as they focus on such things as Satan and his minions ("Prince Of Agony", "Forever Evil"), while also lamenting evil in the world ("Into The Abyss", "Miracle"), the music is reasonable, but nothing great, and there's a bit too much Aerosmith-copying this time around. Also, Martin Steene's voice still sounds like he's wearing an overly-tight bow tie.
It was five years before these Danes were to bring out their next work, with all but Steene gone, to be replaced by the next array of ferocious instrumentalists.

**1/2

Iron Savior - Dark Assault (2001)

Iron Savior's third album has an entity called "SHADOW" coming to threaten Earth, so the now-friendly Iron Savior decides to help them out.
This band's saga is one of the easier ones for me to follow, and the music is similar to the first two, with fast and furious metal and Piet Sielck's roaring vocals to the fore. Kai Hansen sings a bit as well.  As in the past, there's not enough variety for me to really fall in love with it all, but there's still much to like here for this German band.

***

Tobias Sammet's Avantasia - The Metal Opera (2001)

Well, here is what is meant to be the crowning glory of power metal (isn't it?), the brainchild of Edguy's Tobis Sammet, who decided to bring together a who's who of the genre and produce a story that somehow manages to combine Roman Catholicism and gnosticism with elves and dwarves!
There are just a few names I recognise here, those being Sammet himself, Kai Hansen, David DeFeis, Rob Rock (although I only really know him by name) and Timo Tolkki, although also here is former Helloween singer Michael Kiske who, for some reason, is credited as "Ernie" here.
Fancy that... all the names I know are vocalists. It shows where my focus often lies when I listen to music. :-|
This is undoubtedly an impressive undertaking, and indeed remarkable considering Sammet was just twenty-three years old at the time. He wrote the whole thing, as well as produced it, and it indeed does sound gorgeous. He also takes the leading roll of Gabriel Laymann, and I admit I have never been a big fan of his voice, but he does a pretty good job here. He also plays keyboards.
As for its opera leanings... yes, we have different people playing different parts, and the story is written out in careful detail, but it could just as easily be seen as a standard power metal record if one was just to listen to it casually.  No grandiose orchestration or choirs.  Just some good riffs, catchy melodies (like the rousing "Farewell" and "Avantasia") and plenty of fast playing.
I don't think it's good enough to be the very best of what was now becoming a very large bunch of power metal releases, but it does remain most enjoyable, and really is a must for fans of this wonderful genre.

****

Adagio - Sanctus Ignis (2001)

The baby of guitarist/keyboardist Stephen Forte, this French (another first for me, I think) band plays a progressive style of power metal, with a sound that has obvious links to Symphony X, from the haunting keyboard sounds to the complex arrangements and song compositions.  Complete with impressive vocalist David Readman, this is a worthy debut, with its pleasing classical influences and baroque style, even if it takes some work to get into.  Featuring two instrumentals (including an adaption of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song"), Sanctus Ignis has highlights which include "Second Sight", "In Nomine..." and "Panem et Circences".

***1/2

Narnia - Desert Land (2001)

As they are a Christian band, I wish I liked Narnia more than I do. Their first album bored me, while the second was a definite improvement, without being anything wonderful. This next effort is about the same; steady rock, with some good guitar riffs and occasional speed (like with probably the best song, "Walking The Wire"), and lyrics that have Christian flavour, without any avert preaching (Jesus' name is never mentioned).
Other highlights include "The Witch & The Lion", and the almost ten minute conclusion, the dramatic "Trapped In This Age". Seeing Aslan on the front of each release is pretty impressive too - there's certainly something about him.
I'll stick with Narnia, as I do want some more Christian music in my collection, but I wish they could do something... I don't know... more dynamic.

***

Rage - Welcome To The Other Side (2001)

Rage's second album of Peavy Wagner's "new" line-up, this focuses on the beliefs of the afterlife within Greek mythology, so we have natural bits about death and all that.  There's much to like here, and guitarist/keyboardist Victor Smolski shows impressive skills throughout, including adding touches of sitar, which I think is a new sound for the band. Not for the first time in Rage's catalogue, I think the record, at over an hour, is a bit too long, but they usually manage to give me something to enjoy, and Welcome To The Other Side is no exception.

***1/2

Arachnes - Parallel Worlds (2001)

Arachnes' second album (their first, or at least the copy I have, was a mixture of stuff from early and then later work) starts off well with the piano tinkling of "Prelude" by vocalist/keyboardist Enzo Caruso, followed by the first 'proper' song "Arachne", but from there it all gets a bit ordinary, with not a lot of memorable material. What's more, Caruso's diction is average, making the rather odd lyrics even harder to follow, despite the lyrics being printed.
Overall, not a bad effort from this Italian group, but not much to get me excited.

**1/2

Freedom Call - Crystal Empire (2001)

See, this is how my tastes work. This morning, I listened to Primal Fear, and liked it, without having any passion. Tonight, I listened to fellow Germans Freedom Call, who brought out one of the most wonderful power metal albums STAIRWAY TO FAIRYLAND,  as their debut. And I'm in love again with this follow-up, being taken away by the melodies, but also the drama and yes, at times, invention of the music as they continue their tale of battle over Taragon. It's a bit darker this time around, and maybe a bit harder to get into, but there's also impressive complexity with the likes of "The Quest" and "Palace Of Fantasy", while such songs as "Farewell", "Call Of Fame" and "Ocean" (particularly the latter) are winners.
This is why I got into power metal in the first place. This kind of music. I can still go to Primal Fear and their ilk, no problem. But nothing can top the kind of joyous compositions Freedom Call brings out. May they never die.

*****

Primal Fear - Nuclear Fire (2001)

I have finished my Outside School Hours Care job of the last four years, and it was pretty difficult to say goodbye to the kids. :-/ Two of them were crying (I've had endless goodbyes before, and usually the only tears have been mine), and I'm now here looking to opening my Ebay shop and wondering what the future holds.
But this is a blog about power metal, not my professional life, so let's get to 2001, and start with German band Primal Fear.
This, their third album, is more speedy metal in the vain of Judas Priest (especially in regards to vocalist Ralph Scheepers) and, presumably, covering the topic of nuclear war, going by the title, cover and grim(ish) lyrics. The band's style I don't think will ever win me over completely, but it's quite enjoyable in its own way.  Best songs include "Angel In Black", "Eye Of An Eagle" and "Nuclear Fire".

***

The end of my job

I'm still around. :-)
I'm "getting ready" for 2001 in power metal, and am also finishing up my Outside School Hours Care job. I won't go into detail, but I have resigned after over three and a half years at that particular school (just over four years under my actual employers), due to a number of things but, in short, I'm so tired of it.
I will be doing what I did last time I was unemployed, running an eBay shop, Doc's CDs. It's not open yet, but I'm getting it ready, and I hope to have it running soon after I leave work (that leaving date being Thursday, 18 October).
I don't expect it to be enough to have me surviving forever, but I'll see how it goes. And, at least, I will have more time to listen to stuff, and enter my power metal enjoyment in this blog.
See you in a couple of weeks. :-)