Celesty - Reign Of Elements (2002)

We come to the end of 2002, and to complete it is one of the better power metal albums of the year, Finnish band Celesty's debut Reign Of Elements.
Featuring a story of some evil being fighting the Elemental Gods who banished him somewhere (a rough sypnosis), this benefits from being consistently speedy (apart from the unfortunately inevitable ballad at the end) and the tinklings of keyboardist Juha Mäenpää (including the piano), whose work rescues most of the songs from their rather rudimentary melodies.
With highlights including "Revenge" and "The Sword And The Shield" (vocalist Kimmo Perämäki doesn't pronounce the W in sword! Unfortunately, he does pronounce it nearly everytime he says the word 'I'), this is not especially fantastic, but it's pretty enjoyable, typical power metal all the same.

***1/2

And so I come to the end of another year, 2002. Off the top of my head, Rhapsody, Freedom Call and Iron Savior stood out for me, while I should also give boquets to others, like Axenstar, Arwen, Falconer and Power Quest. There was some ordinary stuff there, but good as well.
Now it's time for another break here, while I get ready for 2003.  Over the last couple of weeks, I've booked a trip to the UK in May, where I will be for about five weeks. I'll certainly should be able to cover 2003 in that time, and would like to try for 2004 before I go as well.
We'll see. But the good thing is, I started this blog over a year ago, really not sure whether I would get tired of all this power metal stuff, not to mention writing about it. But, through the positives and negatives, I haven't. There's plenty more to come, and I'm looking forward to it. :)

Iron Mask - Revenge Is My Name (2002)

Iron Butterfly... Iron Maiden... Iron Savior... Iron Fire... now here's Iron Mask.
This band is otherwise known as Dushan Petrossi's Iron Mask, due to Belgium guitar hero Dushan Petrossi being the driving force.
But, whoever is driving it, this debut is not all that great.  In fact, the only song that really flies is "Hold The Light", which comes near the end.  "You Are My Blood" is a ballad dedicated to (and about) Petrossi's young son, and it would be mean to bag a song with such a topic. But I will - it's boring.
Vocalist Phil Letawe is also another singer who pronounces the "W" in "sword". I know these people don't have English as their first language, but you'd think, since they sing about the things often enough, they could learn how to say the word properly.
Revenge Is My Name (the record's name, as well as some of the songs, are taken from Alexander Dumas' "Man In The Iron Mask") is an alright listen, but nothing really special.

**1/2

Dionysus - Sign Of Truth (2002)

Swedish power metal band Dionysus had the advantage of having metal illuminaries like Tobias Sammet and HammerFall's Joacim Cans working with them on this debut, not to mention the vocals of Olaf Hayer, whom Luca Turilli uses on his "solo" albums, but the result still isn't all that much.  The lyrics are very positive, showing a consistent lament for evil and a desire to overcome it.  Children figure prominently in "Sign Of Truth" and what seems to be the child abuse-themed "Anthem For The Children", while "Holy War" states "So we will fight the sins, killing the tyrant and shedding his blood/To show the world that the evil is dead for eternity".
Unfortunately, the music is rather generic. Only the opening "Time Will Tell" and "Holy War" really catch hold, and even these are very much 'typical' power metal tunes, without offering much that's new.
It's not a bad listen at all, but here's hoping Dionysus can do better with their following releases.

**1/2

Symphorce - Phorceful Ahead (2002)

I've liked Symphorce's work so far, and this, their third album, is another good one, although maybe not quite up to the standards of the first two.  Andy Franck's vocals are strong again (although he almost parodies Dave Mustaine a couple of times), and there are some fine guitar riffs, but there's not a lot that stands out - one song is generally like another.  They're not speedy; more driving and, well, phorceful.
But it's good.

***

Artension - Sacred Pathways (2002)

Through my power metal trip, there are going to be certain artists I just don't like, and there have been a few I've decided to just leave for the time being. One is ShadowKeep, while I've also pretty much given up on Manticora, even though some seem to hold them in high regard. They're just too tough for me.
Artension is another band I've been "eehh" about, not helped by them not really being a power metal band anyway, being more in the "progressive/neo-classical" group. But I've got their stuff, and there are only a couple more albums to go (this is their fifth), so I might as well see them out. And, like their previous MACHINE, I do quite like this. I keep mentioning keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij, which is fair enough, since he's the driving force, and my love of keyboards means his regular flourishes do tend to keep me entertained, and can even be soothing at times.
The songs themselves are reasonable, highlights including "Sacred Pathways" and "Nightmare".  Artension is probably a band I'll soon forget when I'm finished with them, but they've not been a dead loss, showing professionalism throughout.

***

Symphony X - The Odyssey (2002)

I've been finding this one tough to get into. Symphony X has become steadily more progressive as their career has gone on, which makes it necessary to have more and more concerted listens to really take in what they're doing. Maybe I haven't done that enough with The Odyssey yet, so I'll say there's a lot of good stuff here I'm yet to discover.
The length doesn't help, of course. At almost seventy minutes, it's quite the long haul, made to seem all the longer by the twenty-four minute, seven-part title track that finishes the record. I like the orchestral parts in this, and maybe it could have been easier to enjoy if there hadn't been so much that had gone on before it. I love Jethro Tull's THICK AS A BRICK, but it's just one forty minute song, nothing else.
I don't like saying I'm not a fan of progressive rock/metal, and just prefer 'simplistic' music. I'd like to think I can appreciate complex works like this, but maybe I don't put enough work into them. Maybe I cast the net too wide and try to listen to too much.
Or maybe I am simplistic in my musical tastes. :-|

***1/2

Platitude - Secrets Of Life (2002)

Swedish band Platitude are a seven-piece who have not done a lot of work, but this debut, while nothing remarkable, is a pretty good listen.  They're more into philosophy and love songs than dragons and elves, which is fine, and they have a strong vocalist in Erik "EZ" Blomkvist. Highlights include "Amena" and the concluding "Evil Sky".

***

Luca Turilli - Prophet Of The Last Eclipse (2002)

Luca Turilli's second 'solo' album (I still don't get that term in this context) shows the man really can't fail with whatever he touches. As with KING OF THE NORDIC TWILIGHT, it can't match Rhapsody's best work, but it's still a top listen, with unusual electronic flourishes that reflect its futuristic theme, and help show that, while Turilli has a sound that's distinctively his, he knows how not to repeat himself. 
There are choirs here, but they're not in abundance, and there's no narration at all, while vocalist Olaf Hayer makes an appearance once more and he is, quite frankly, preferable to Fabio.  There is ferocious speed throughout, flying choruses and, of course, a lengthy epic, this one being the thundering title song. Other highlights include "Rider Of The Astral Fire" and "The Age Of Mystic Ice".
I think Turilli could probably make The Teletubbies sound epic if he really tried. He's a natural at this kind of thing and, so far, I'm yet to hear anyone who can come near to matching him.

****

Time Requiem - Time Requiem (2002)

Swedish band Time Requiem is the creation of master keyboardist (and I do mean master) Richard Andersson, and this debut is an hour long piece of power/progressive/neoclassical music, something that I could well struggle with, and it's true it's unlikely to ever become one of my favourites, but there's still worthy stuff on offer and it helps, of course, that I'm a big keyboard fan, and said instrument dominates.
 This is nowhere better demonstrated than the terrific instrumental "Brutal Mentor", which is not just instantly grabbing, but shows Andersson's remarkable playing.  It must be the name... Richard (Rick) Wakeman, Richard Clayderman... this fellow matches them all.
The highlight of the actual songs (meaning, tracks with lyrics) is "Grand Opus", but there are other parts that show a grace and deftness that is beguilling.
I don't think progressive metal will ever win me over completely, but I can be reasonably satisfied if it's done like this.

***

Rage - Unity (2002)

Rage continue to deliever the goods with this, their fourteenth studio album, and it's up there with their best.  It's heavy, feisty and full of fire, with best songs including "Insanity", "Set this World On Fire" and the fantastic "Dies Irae".  There's not a lot to say, except that Rage have become a remarkably consistent band, and this line-up (Peavy's been the only constant throughout the band's career) is as good as any other.  Their long discography really is worth seeking out - they've rarely had a misfire.

****

Mob Rules - Hollowed Be Thy Name (2002)

Mob Rules' third album is another quite pleasing listen, without being anything remarkable.  Three songs stand out for me - the title track, "All Above The Atmosphere" (especially) and the concluding "Way Of The World". When they're at their most melodious, these Germans are great, but they do struggle for consistent hooks. However, when they succeed at what they do, they're well worth the listen.

***

Kaledon - Legend Of The Forgotten Reign, Chapter 1: The Destruction (2002)

Another Italian band who bring forth fantasy tales (this of the city of Kaledon which is invaded by the undead), started their saga with this debut, and what an agonising listen it is.
The songs are tuneless, the playing lifeless, and the hysterical vocals don't sound so much like the common description of its type as air raid sirens, but the victims of the air raids.  Even the cover is pathetic.
I'll give this half a star over one because maybe, just maybe, it has its moments.
On the other hand, I could have just imagined it.

*1/2

Arwen - Memories Of A Dream (2002)

Spanish eight-piece Arwen (another "A" name) only released two albums, but this debut is an enchanting one.  Sounding someone like Angra at times, this is fairly complex music that doesn't grab the listener immediately, but there are some lilting tunes here in the shape of the anti-war "Time's Gate", "So High" (about dreaming to fly) and the concluding "New Life", with song structures that keep one interested throughout.
Overall, I really like Memories Of A Dream. It doesn't take the breath away, but it remains quite captivating, and becomes more and more rewarding with each listen.

****

HammerFall - Crimson Thunder (2002)

So far, I've liked and respected HammerFall, rather than adored them, and that's pretty much still how I feel after listening to this, the Swedes' fourth album.  Again, it's kind of inconsistent, with some excellent tunes like the instantly grabbing "Hearts On Fire", "Crimson Thunder", "The Unforgiving Blade" and the concluding "Hero's Return", but also containing a few songs that are a bit weak, including an instrumental guitar-whinefest in the shape of "In Memoriam". I'm sorry, but those kind of pieces just do nothing for me.
See? I'm more of a pop fan than a metal fan. :) Oh well, who cares what the labels are? I like HammerFall quite a bit, and they're certainly in the top half of my power metal favourites, but not near the actual top of that half.

***1/2

Visions Of Atlantis - Eternal Endless Infinity (2002)

Austrian band Visions Of Atlantis' albums were amongst the first I started buying and listening to when I was getting into power metal, and now I can sit down and have a proper listen and decide what I really think of them.
With strong, pleasant symphonic elements, this debut is quite reasonable, with the unusual (though not unique) aspect of having a lead male (Christian Stan) and female (Nicole Bogner) singer trading vocals - and that is 'normal' vocals, not death growls from Stan, and operatic ones from Bogner.  The problem is neither of them are terribly good. It's not that they can't make the notes, but that their voices are both quite weak, and Bogner's style certainly can't compare with some of her contemporaries. 
But neither are they bad enough to ruin the record, and I did enjoy such songs as "Lords Of The Sea", "Eclipse" (love the keyboards on that one especially) and "Chasing The Light".
There's certainly room for improvement here, but this is a pretty good commencement to Visions Of Atlantis' career.

***

Zonata - Buried Alive (2002)

Zonata's third and final album is probably their best, with such songs as "Buried Alive", "Blade Of The Reaper" (death is a favourite topic here, if that isn't obvious) and "A Dark Chapter" shining.  These Swedes never really found major success, which is a shame because, even if they didn't do enough to stand out from the crowd, they still brought out some good power metal which is worth discovering.

***1/2

Iced Earth - Tribute To The Gods (2002)

A cover album is never something I get overly excited about, since I prefer listening to original material from the artist and, more often than not, I hardly know any of the songs anyway, so it's hard for me to really appreciate what they're trying to do.
Here, Iced Earth is paying tribute to their strongest influences. Or, more accurately, guitarist Jon Schaffer's influences. There are eleven songs here, and just seven bands represented, those being Kiss, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, AC/DC and Judas Priest. And what's more, I know all the songs! Although I'm a bit hazy on the BOC ones.
Of course, that doesn't mean I like all the songs. I'm not much of a fan of AC/DC or Kiss (although "God Of Thunder", which Schaffer himself sings, is covered here, which is from my favourite Kiss album, DESTROYER), while the others are mostly songs I think are at least pretty good.
However, one exception is Black Sabbath's "Black Sabbath" (the only song from that band found here).
Being brought up as a Christian, heavy metal was seen as the ultimate in evil music (amongst a lot of evil music), and I read about it for years before I actually started 'daring' to buy it, and Black Sabbath was one of the first metal bands I got into (I'd been collecting Led Zeppelin for a while, but they just never seemed to count somehow). I'll always remember when I bought their debut, put the disc in, and first listened to the rumbles of thunder, the bell and those three notes that have sent chills through so many listeners' spines.  I understand the song is a warning against evil, inspired by an experience Geezer Butler had once.  It remains one of the most memorable musical experiences in my life and, ironically, it happened while I was in the middle of doing my Bachelor of Ministries at the Bible College of Queensland from 2001 - 2003.  It led me to become a big fan of Black Sabbath (the Ozzy years, anyway - I'm still not sure what to make of what happened afterwards).
Alright, that's a bit of personal stuff.  But isn't that what these cover albums are usually about?  Schaffer's enlightening liner notes that come with the CD (actually taken from a radio interview, I think) enrich the experience of listening to it, and helps make it quite a rewarding way to spend fifty-two minutes or so, even if, in the end, it still comes across as something that's more for the artist's enjoyment than anyone else's.
Oh, and I know none of this is power metal.  Zero.  But Iced Earth are on this blog already, so I can't very well skip it. :-)

***1/2

Thy Majestie - Hastings 1066 (2002)

I was very disappointed with Thy Majestie's debut THE LASTING POWER, and the impression I had was that this follow-up was something of an improvement. And it is - but not by much.
Based on the Battle of Hastings between the Norman-French army and the English, we again have fast metal, and choirs and orchestration galore... but once again, what is missing is rivetting material.
The music just goes nowhere.  Again, all the ingrediants are present, but I'm sitting here now and I can hardly remember a thing from it all. And it's not like I've just had one listen; I've gone through it about half a dozen times, and it still does nothing for me.
I'm rating this a bit higher than the band's previous release because I do actually like the style, and maybe that comes through a bit better. But when it comes to cohesive and flowing music, Thy Majestie just isn't doing it for me.

**1/2

White Skull - The Dark Age (2002)

Rock bands change their personel all the time, and heavy metal bands tend to do it with a passion, forever playing musical chairs. Sometimes, these changes involve the vocalist, but it's very rare for the vocalist to be of a different gender, but that's what White Skull has done with their fifth album, replacing Federica De Boni with Gustavo Gabarrò, who's got a voice that's not dissimilar, although still one of his own.
But regardless of who's singing, the content of the record certainly can't match anything found on the classic TALES FROM THE NORTH.
The topic is pretty much focusing on the dark history of the Roman Catholic church, particularly inquisitions, witch burnings and suchlike.  I'm not going to get into a big rant about it now; as a Christian, I don't deny these terrible things happened, although I will deny it is any reflection on true Christianity. It is not.  These were fools who got it all horribly wrong.
So I have little problem with the topic, and White Skull cover it well enough. The music is still good, but not all that good.  Gabarrò's voice aquits itself well enough, and the album holds interest throughout, but it's just nothing overly special.
Hopefully, White Skull, whatever topics they decide to cover (I think I can guarantee it won't be something like the good an organisation like the Salvation Army has done in history), and whoever they have singing, can soon return to their best in regards to the actual music.

***

Freternia - A Nightmare Story (2002)

Freternia's second and final album is more in a progressive rock mode than their debut, but it's still an impressive effort, although Pasi Humppi's shouting/singing style is not the best around.  Hightlights include "The Dark Side" and "Shadowdancer". It's a pity these Swedes didn't last very longer as a band, but they did bring out a couple of albums well worth seeking out for power metal fans.

***1/2

Avantasia - The Metal Opera Pt II (2002)

Tobias Sammet returns with his power metal friends for the second part of Gabriel fighting all sorts of evil, and saving Anna, and such stuff. Look, alright, I don't follow these stories as well as I should, but that's partly because I'm trying to concentrate on the actual songs, rather than spend my time reading all their backgrounds.
And there are more special songs here. There's one fourteen minute epic, "The Seven Angels" which, unusually, starts things off, rather than finish them, and there's plenty to like in it, and what follows is more straight power metal with plenty of catchy choruses with the likes of "No Return", "The Final Sacrifice", and "Chalice Of Agony", all performing with the glittering array of names such as Sammet himself, Michael Kiske, David DeFeis, Kai Hansen, Bob Rock and Timo Tolki (those are some of the names I recognise - I'm still no fountain of knowledge in this genre). The slow parts are a bit of a drag, and maybe this isn't quite as good as Part 1, but it's still highly enjoyable, rousing stuff, and again I have to say that, while I still don't think Tobias has the greatest voice in the world, there's no denying his skills when it comes to song writing. He knows how to deliver.

****

Vision Divine - Send Me An Angel (2002)

Vision Divine's second album is even more uninspiring than their modest, self-titled debut. The only songs of note are "Away From You" and the concluding cover of a-ha's "Take On Me". This is where Fabio Lione's vocals really are lamentable. I can accept his wobbly voice with Rhapsody, since everything around him is so good, but on this album it's just annoying, and at the end, one can't help but wish for Morton Harket to come in.
Then again, even Morton couldn't lift the rest of the material up to anything special.

**

Cryonic Temple - Chapter 1 (2002)

Cryonic Temple are another Swedish power metal band, who've only released four albums in a decade, as of writing, but this debut is top stuff.  We have another one of those stand-for-metal anthems opening,  the excellent "Heavy Metal Never Dies", which is followed by various stories of armies battling, as well as what seems to be a lament on the evils of the world, with what is probably the best song here, "Rivers Of Pain", while the concluding "Over And Over" is also good.
It's consistently speedy, with no ballads, and it's not too long.  Maybe what Cryonic Temple are doing here is nothing particularly new, but it is quite a bit of fun.

***1/2

Dream Evil - Dragonslayer (2002)

What an eeeeevviiilll name.  But what heroes these Swedes are, really.  Dream Evil originally wanted to be called Dragonslayer, but it was not seen as original enough, so they borrowed the title of a Dio album.
And with that name, they slay dragons to save their king and conquer evil that, I'm guessing, they dream about. This debut has two outstanding songs in "The Chosen Ones" (you've got to have Chosen Ones) and "Heaven Metal In The Night", and a forgettable ballad, "Losing You", while the rest is pretty standard, making the album as a whole... well... pretty standard. It's tightly played, with no waste of space, which is a positive, helping to make it all a good, without being groundbreaking, listen.

***

Nocturnal Rites - Shadowland (2002)

Nocturnal Rites' fifth album, at first, sounds like it's going to be an improvement on their previous AFTERLIFE, thanks to the catchy opening song "Eyes Of The Dead", but there's little of note afterwards as they again sing of battles of gods versus evil, or something like that. Nocturnal Rites has never been a outstanding band, but at the moment, they are stuck in a rut of mediocrity.

**

Dragonland - Holy War (2002)

Sorry, Dragonland just aren't doing it for me.
Their debut, THE BATTLE OF THE IVORY PLAINS, was reasonable at best, and this second release again has all the elements of good power metal - the band's name, fantasy topics (how can you go wrong with titles like "Majesty Of The Mithril Mountains" and "Through Elven Woods And Dwarven Mines"?), plenty of speed and vigorous playing - but the material is just so forgettable. The title song is reasonable, but the rest comes and goes as if it was never there in the first place.
A pity, because I really want to like this group more.

Tad Morose - Matters Of The Dark (2002)

I haven't become a particlar fan of Tad Morose, and I did wonder whether to stick with them, but they haven't actually recorded much more, so I thought I might as well, and this one has surprised me by being somewhat brighter (which is odd, considering the title) and catchier than normal for them, with songs like "Ethereal Soul" proving to be most worthwhile. 

***

At Vance - Only Human (2002)

At Vance's fourth album in four years (just like the good old days, before artists took forever to release each new work) is one of their best, and also their longest, at an uncharacteristic length of about an hour.  The opening three songs, "The Time Has Come", "Only Human" and "Take My Pain" start things really well, and even if it's a bit spotty after that (and we could've done without the dreary, closing ballad "Wings To Fly"), there's still much to like. There's no ABBA cover this time, but two classical interludes, Vivaldi and Bach, and they do their bit in this worthwhile slab of rock.

***1/2

Paragon - Law Of The Blade (2002)

I haven't been able to find Paragon's fourth album, STEELBOUND, which is the kind of thing that usually annoys me, even if the artist is not one of my favourites. In regards to these Germans, their work has been getting better after an indifferent start and, by now, for release number five, they've got their fast and furious metal down pat, so it's a good listen, but it's still hard to really pick out any particular songs. None are bad, none are great.
Something that I did notice was that the vocals sometimes sound a bit like Iron Savior, and I've now discovered that Piet Sielck has started lending them a hand, which I think includes some back up vocals, so that would explain that.
Certainly, Law Of The Blade is no Condition Red, but the record has enough to be a pleasing listen.

***

Magica - The Scroll Of Stone (2002)

The first Romanian group for me, I think.
Magica are, in essence, a trio, with a female vocalist, Ann Mladinovici, who is not in the operatic vain of... you know, those others I can't be bothered trying to type out at the moment, but is pleasant enough, while the story, about a Princess who unwittingly loses her soul to a demon, and has to go on a quest to get it back, is a decent, if unoriginal, one.
The music varies, and I do wonder if a lot of this is actually power metal, but at its best, it's excellent, with such songs as "Mountains Of Ice" and the concluding "Redemption" shining.
I haven't included a picture of the cover here because I can't actually find one that's the same as the copy I've got, and I'm a stickler for such things.
This debut is not a classic, but there's much going for it, and is worth seeking out.

***1/2