Thursday, 28 February 2013

Tierra Santa - Indomable (2003)

Tierra Santa continue with their steady brand of metal, bringing out an album that's not as good as their previous SANGRE DE REYES, but again the excellent guitar work is to the fore, helping make such songs as "Alas de fuego" and "Las Walkirias" work, although the highlight is really the concluding "Las puertas del infierno", having one wondering why they can't bring out more songs at that standard of excellence.  As usual, I don't really know what they're singing about, although battles seem to be a topic, and one song is called "Hamlet".
I'd like to say that there's more to listening to Tierra Santa than just the novelty of them singing everything in Spanish, and there is a bit, but I wish there was that extra something that could really draw me in with extra enthusiasm.

***

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Labyrinth - Labyrinth (2003)

I was going to start this entry by writing "four albums in, and Labyrinth is still doing nothing for me", as I thought that was the case when I started listening to this one. I haven't been particularly excited by the band's work up to now, including their much-acclaimed RETURN TO HEAVEN DENIED, but I have eventually found myself somewhat impressed by this self-titled record (self-titled releases seem to be very rare in power metal).
It's not that there's much in the way of interesting melodies, but it's the good guitar riffs and effective keyboard work that help make this an interesting and appealling listen, even if the progressive side of it means I can't get hugely excited. But it's a good listen all the same, and Labyrinth's best to date.

***

Paragon - The Dark Legacy (2003)

Paragon's sixth album, and they pretty much continue on their fast, heavy way, ripping apart the airwaves with roaring rock as they sing about... well, Hell, really, or the afterlife in general. Maybe it's a metaphor for war or something (the last two songs in particular, "Green Hell" and "Back From Hell" got me to thinking that).
In any event, I put Paragon in about the same catagory as fellow Germans Brainstorm in their style, although there again is obvious Iron Savior influences in the vocals. To me, they seem to be doing the same stuff over and over, but it doesn't go on too long, and the songs manage to be catchy enough to keep me interested.

***

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Pharaoh - After The Fire (2003)

I don't like to automatically dismiss American power metal bands.  I really like Virgin Steele, don't mind Iced Earth, and I'd have Savatage on this blog if it wasn't for the fact they were really mainly progressive. Then again there's their offshoot Circle II Circle, whose debut album I think is really good.
But the debut of Pharaoh (shouldn't they be Egyptian?) isn't really anything special. It's pretty fast, and has reasonable vocals, but the only song to really grab me is the concluding "Slaves" and, to a lesser extent, "Flash Of The Dark". The rest has already left my mind, only minutes after listening to them, and I have no desire to try them out once more any time soon.

**

Altaria - Invitation (2003)

Altaria is a Finnish band which contains guitarists from both Nightwish and Sonata Arctica, and this debut is a mid-tempo, unadventrous album that has songs that are pretty much all similar, except the rather nice, slower closing piece "Emerald Eye", but it's a pleasant and likeable enough listen,  highlights including "History Of Times To Come", "Wrath Of A Warchild" and "House Of My Soul".  Vocalist Tapio "Taage" Laiho is a bit melodramatic, and a bit weak, but actually does rather suit the material and, while Invitation might seem to be nothing remarkable, there are times when it's nice to listen to records which are quite straightforward (as well as not too long), arrive, do their bit, and go.

***

Monday, 25 February 2013

Winterlong - The Second Coming (2003)

I'm not feeling very well today, so I'll make this short and not so sweet. Winterlong's second album is pretty dull and tuneless stuff. I thought their debut was pretty good, helped by soft, background keyboards. They make an appearance again here, and help to make "Wild Winter Nights" the best song, but everything else is forgettable.

*1/2

Grave Digger - Rheingold (2003)

Here, Grave Digger record an album 'inspired' by Wagner's "Ring Of The Nibelung", something I'm not familiar with, but it's more to do with the story than the music, I think.
In any event, what you get is typical Grave Digger, albeit a bit shorter and snappier than usual, but they always manage to deliver the goods in some way, and such songs as "Valhalla" (is it me, or does that word appear a lot in metal?), "Giants" and "Dragon" are catchy, even if they don't sound very imaginative at first. Okay, I suppose they're not very imaginative, but they work anyway.  This album isn't Grave Digger's best, but if one just sits back and expects some typical fun from these crazy Germans, Rheingold does not disappoint.

***1/2

Sunday, 24 February 2013

Kaledon - Legend Of The Forgotten Reign - Chapter Two: The King's Rescue (2003)


Kaledon's second album is a signficant improvement over their rather atrocious debut from just a year before. While still quite raw and rough around the edges,  the songwriting has gone up several notches, and Claudio Cont's vocals retain their passion, without the agonising assault on the ear drums.  'The King's Rescue' does go on a bit too long, but, overall, the record is quite enjoyable, and shows a lot of promise for the future.


***1/2

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Fairyland - Of Wars In Osyrhia (2003)

I've made no secret of how much I love Freedom Call, but it's hard to deny that calling their debut album STAIRWAY TO FAIRYLAND sounded a bit lame. So when a band comes along called Fairyland, it certainly gives ammunition to those power metal detractors who label it "gay metal" and suchlike.
But who cares? :)
Fairyland is a French band created by keyboardist Philippe Giorda, and this debut is overwhelmingly symphonic. Has their ever been a metal album that has less prominent guitars? They're there, but are certainly secondary to everything else on offer. Even the six-minute instrumental, "The Army Of The White Mountains", is completely symphonic - no guitars.
Accompanying this landscape of instrumental wonderland is a choir of sonuous male vocals throughout, and to complete the musical picture is the leading voice of Dark Moor's Elisa Martin.
*sigh* I like Dark Moor, but there's no denying Martin is not the greatest vocalist on the planet. I'm not saying Giorda had to go with one of the operatic ones (although Sabine Edelsbacher would have been nice), but couldn't he have found someone a bit better?
I won't let that view get in the way though. In truth, this is quite a breathtaking listen at times, with obvious nods to Rhapsody, although with less variety, the haunting vocals singing graceful tunes to consistently fast rhythms, with lyrics of the expected fantasy variety.
"Ride With The Sun" was actually one of the first power metal songs I ever heard (thank you, YouTube), so it gets part of the credit for my passion for the genre now, and it's certainly enchanting, but so are such pieces as "Rebirth", "The Fellowship" and the concluding, eleven-minute title song.
In some ways, it seems like Fairyland are doing little that is new here (even in 2003), but they still manage a sound that is just theirs and, even with a singer I find hard to adore, they have produced a record that is endlessly captivating.

****1/2


Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Brainstorm - Soul Temptation (2003)

Out of all the 'untypical' power metal bands out there (meaning, ones that don't tend to have flowing, hymn-like choruses or sing about fantasy and/or historical wars), Brainstorm would be one of my favourites.  Soul Temptation, their fifth album, again has them with their usual passion and strength, along with roaring tunes that still manage to be catchy in their own way. To be honest, I don't think there's a lot to pick between their releases, either in style or quality, but they've never done a weak piece of work yet, and this is another worthy listen.

***1/2

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Royal Hunt - Eyewitness (2003)

Royal Hunt's seventh studio album is neither their best or their worst.  Following a theme of laments of the world today (not that that's an unusual thread for a metal band), with a few cries to God here and there ("The Prayer", "Wicked Lounge", "Help Us God") it has the familiar sounds of steady, chugging guitars and shimmering keyboards, although there are a couple of left turns, like with "The Prayer", which only features John West's multi-layered vocals, and a church organ, and the jazz-flavoured "Wicked Lounge", but the best track is probably the instrumental "5th Element".
These Danes have done better, but Eyewitness is certainly still a listenable release.

***


Monday, 18 February 2013

Helloween - Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003)

After the excellent THE DARK RIDE, which was suitably dark, Helloween lightened up a bit for Rabbit Don't Come Easy, which, with its title and cover, could have scared a few people into thinking they were doing a PINK BUBBLES all over again (they explain the title referred to them having recent problems with their line-up, and the saying that things can be as easy as 'pulling a rabbit out of a hat' but, in their case, 'rabbit don't come easy').
But such is not the case (although Bubbles really wasn't all that bad anyway).  The breezy, winning opener "Just A Little Sign" starts things off with a bang, and other early songs like "The Tune" suggest this is going to be a classic record. Then it tails off a tad. The songs are still reasonable, but only really reach outstanding status again with tracks like "Hell Was Made In Heaven" and ""Listen To The Flies".
All the same, Helloween have produced another very worthy album here. In truth, they never have brought out an ordinary one, let alone bad (no, not even 'those' two), and continue to show why they are one of the leaders of power metal.
Alright, historically speaking at least, the leaders.

****

At Vance - The Evil In You (2003)

At Vance's fifth album in as many years at times sounds like they're going through the motions, while at others they hit bullseye. In the latter catagory include such songs as "Stronger Than You Think" and "Right Or Wrong", but the ballad "Shining Star" is forgettable, and hey, there's no cover song! No ABBA or... or ABBA!  How can an At Vance album not have a cover song??
In any event, these Germans continue to offer the goods, without quite being able to reach the greats.

***1/2

Sunday, 17 February 2013

Narnia - The Great Fall (2003)

Narnia's fourth album is their best to date, and restores my faith somewhat in what Christian bands are capable of.  Focusing (to my understanding) on a man's lament of a war he's involved in and his search for salvation, this is largely steady heavy metal, with moments of speed, showing passionate playing and some skilful writing.  "The Countdown Has Begun" and, in particular, "Innocent Blood" are highlights, while the concluding, fourteen-minute "The Fall Of Man" might be a bit tough to get into, but is well done really, and rewarding.
I can't see The Great Fall ever getting on a Favourites Of All Time list, but there's still much to like here.

***1/2

Friday, 15 February 2013

Crystal Eyes - Vengeance Descending (2003)

Maybe I'm losing patience with Crystal Eyes a bit.
I've thought both of their first two albums have been good, but short of what they could have been. The band has shown they have a touch for melody, but production has hampered them (particularly on their debut), and they can have moments where they just sound uninspired.
This third release again shows they can offer worthwhile tunes, particularly on the first half, but it's all sounding a bit predictable by now, and almost lifeless.  The topics cover such things as the the historical battles between Scotland and England ("Highland Revenge"),  and no less than three songs about the glory of metal ("Child Of Rock", "Mr Failure", where they trash the press which trashes metal, and "Metal Crusade").
I just don't know how to view Crystal Eyes. They're still almost there, but not quite, and it's getting a bit annoying.

**1/2

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Rebellion - Born A Rebel (2003)

After debuting by giving us the story of MacBeth, Rebellion suddenly shift into more traditional heavy metal with this follow-up, with rebellious (of course) attitudes of bikers and stuff, shunning religion for a life that's "free and wild" ("Devil's Child"), objecting to war ("Word Is War") and other things that I couldn't be bothered following all that closely, because the music just isn't much cop.  Vocalist Michael Seifert roars fittingly, the guitars chug, and everything just rumbles along with little inspiration.  All in all, this is a pretty tiresome listen.

**

Twilightning - Delirium Veil (2003)

Finnish band Twilightning (there's another good name) started with this album, and... well, what can I say? It's nothing special - competently played, with moments of interest, like "At The Forge" and the title song, but there's really nothing new or particularly memorable here.
Sometimes, I have a lot to say about an album, while at others, I'm just stuck. This is one of the latter times.

**1/2

Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Harmony - Dreaming Awake (2003)

Why can't I like Christian bands more?
It's been a question I've asked myself for many, many years, and there is, admittedly, one consistent answer I've supplied, that being I simply don't like their music very often.
Harmony is one from Sweden, who has only put out two albums at the time of writing, this being the debut.  They lay their Christian cards on the table with the opening (after the intro) song "Eternity", which speaks of salvation through Christ, while the rest of the lyrics are a bit more vague, but the music just doesn't do much for me. The title song is the best one here, while "Maze Of The Past" has a nice instrumental passage, but too much of it just bores me. If we could put these lyrics to Stratovarius' music, we'd have something great, but as it is, Harmony just goes in the "meh" file for me, which is frustrating and a shame.

**1/2

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Burning Point - Feeding The Flames (2003)

Burning Point's second album is about on par with their first (from memory), featuring well-played, but not particularly memorable metal at a fast to steady tempo.  Such songs as "Quicker Than The Eye" and "All The Madness" are reasonable, but there's not a lot to get excited about here.

**1/2

Monday, 11 February 2013

Steel Attack - Predator Of The Empire (2003)

So far, 2003 has been great, with some really top albums in the power metal name. I wasn't sure Steel Attack could carry that on, though, since I can't say I particularly fell for their first two releases. But, even though it's no classic, Predator Of The Empire is a definite improvement!
With new vocalist Dick Johnson (doesn't have quite the same ring as "Steve Steel", does it?) proving to be quite impressive, this is a pretty catchy collection of songs, of particular note being the opening title song, and "One Way To Heaven, One Way To Hell", which is almost Christian in its lyrics.
These Swedes still can't match my favourite bands of the genre, but they offer a pretty enjoyable listen here.

NOTE: I originally gave this three stars, but I've just listened to it again, and I really do like it. :-) Catchy stuff throughout, so it's going up to four, and I should mention the opening title song as another highlight.

****

Nostradameus - The Third Prophecy (2003)

I can't work this record out.
Nostradameus' first album, WORDS OF NOSTRADAMEUS, was modest, while their follow-up, THE PROPHET OF EVIL, was really good. To start with, this third one just repelled me, although I'm not sure why. I just found the first few songs hard to warm to - there seemed to be little structure to them.  Then it just takes off, such tracks as "The Future Will Show", "If We Believe (In Our Dreams)", "1986" and "In Harmony" ranking amongst their best work.  The lyrics are a mixture of anger, lamenting the corruption of the world's rulers and encouragement for a better life - it's almost hateful love.
In the end, I liked The Third Prophecy much more than I thought I was going to, and who knows? Maybe those first few songs will eventually win me over.  If not, there's plenty of good stuff afterwards.

***1/2

Sunday, 10 February 2013

Power Quest - Neverworld (2003)

Power Quest beat fellow Brits DragonForce (they're British, aren't they? There seems to be a bit of debate about that) with a debut album in 2002, and they had to compete with that band's large fame in 2003, but they've done a fine job with Neverworld.
It's not as consistenly fenetic at DragonForce which, of course, some would find relieving, but it is still very melodious, with regular, warm keyboards that are rather reminiscent of 1984-era Van Halen. Such songs as the title track, "Sacred Land", "For Evermore" and "Wall Of Souls" are good, while the concluding "Lost Without You" (featuring Edenbridge's Sabine Edelsbacher on vocals) is an impressive shot at progressive rock. It's an almost 11-minute piece that doesn't have a moment of boredom.
Maybe it could be lamented that Power Quest aren't all that powerful, but they are very pleasing to the ear, and should certainly be seeked out by fans of their genre.

***1/2

Friday, 8 February 2013

Insania - Fantasy: A New Dimension (2003)

Insania's first two albums had plenty of the right power metal ingredients, but mediocre material brought them down. This effort, with new vocalist Ola Halén, is a vast improvement.  Drummer Mikko Korsbäck's writing is much more melodious and consistent this time, and the others (including Halén himself) get to put pen to paper as well a bit, and the result is an excellent album that is, admittedly, a bit too long, and maybe a touch repetitive, but such songs as "Life After Life", "Master Of My Mind", "Universe" and "Fantasy" are first rate, while the lyrics are full of positive messages, lamenting the evils of mankind and making the world a better place, etc.  Despite the cover and title, there isn't much about magic and dragons and things, but that's not a problem. This remains a fine listen, and Insania's best moment.

****

Lost Horizon - A Flame To The Ground Beneath (2003)

Lost Horizon's second and last album is another impressive combination of power and progressive metal, which manages to keep holding the interest with their unusual song structures and impressive playing. Their image is over the top, of course, with ridiculous get-ups and names like Etherreal Magnanimus and  Equillbrian Epicurius (somehow, "Hansi Kursch" just seems to roll off the tongue much easier), but it's the music that counts most of all, and there's much to like here.

***1/2

Thursday, 7 February 2013

Karelia - Usual Tragedy (2003)

I'm not sure if the debut of French band Karelia was released in 2003 or 2004 (going through things chronologically, I'm fussy about such stuff), as I've found various information that suggests one year or the other, but as I started listening to this and liking it, I decided not to wait too long. :-)
Karelia offer a very symphonic style of power/symphonic metal, with haunting keyboards throughout, choirs and, rather unusually, two different male leads, one of whom (I can't work out which is which) is a deep baritone, sounding rather like Brad Roberts from Crash Test Dummies, though with terrible diction - you really need to follow the lyrics in the booklet closely to try and understand what either of them are singing.
However, it all works quite well, such songs as "Letter For An Angel", "Deserter" and "Daddy's Grave" drawing the listener in with their very ethereal sound and rather low key dramatics.  It's certainly rough around the edges, and somewhat raw in its way but, for me at least, it is, at times, an enthralling listen, and continues what has been, so far, a very good start to 2003 - whether this was released then or not.

***1/2

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Galloglass - Legends From Now And Nevermore (2003)

German band Galloglass only ever released two albums and, judging by this debut, that's a shame, because there is some terrific stuff on here.
It has the power metal elements of speed, melodiousness and fantasy topics, best illustrated in songs like "Dragon's Revenge", the classic "Legends From Now And Nevermore", "Eye To Eye", the enchanting, folk-tinged "The Quest" and "The Last Stand", helped by haunting choral vocals at times, but also here is a lone violin (not a full string section) which is quite effective, and is rather reflective of Kansas (early Kansas, anyway).
In considering what power metal artists I should buy and listen to, I try to cast the net as widely as possible, but if a band is pretty short lived, I wonder if it's worth it. Well, I'm certainly glad I've given Galloglass a try, because they know what they're doing with this outstanding record.

****

Edenbridge - Aphelion (2003)

Edenbridge's third album is possibly a bit heavier than their first two, but it's pretty much what one would come to expect from them by now - graceful, dignified metal, with Sabine Edelsbacher's lovely voice once again flying in all the right places. What's more, in the concluding "Red Ball In Blue Sky", she's joined by one of the best male vocalists in metal, D.C. Cooper. Now that's a great match.
Edenbridge songs (usually written by main man Lanvall) are not the kind that are instantly catchy, or jump out at the listener; you don't find any three-word choruses in them.  They glide along, changing keys, diving gently and then rising to the sky, so much of it being rewarding for the listener who really concentrates and takes in what they're doing. This does mean that it can be hard to pick particular songs out from the pack; I'll mention "Farpoint Anywhere" and "As Far As Eyes Can See" (Edenbridge is also one of the few metal bands which is naturally deft at ballads), but there's so much to like here, as usual. They really are an enchanting band.

****

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild (2003)

Sonata Arctica's third album moves back to the more straight forward, power metal style of their debut, ECLIPTICA, and it's a fine listen.  Such songs as "Abandoned, Pleased, Brainwashed, Exploited", "The Cage" (especially), "Silver Tongue" and "Champagne Bath" are good examples of the genre and, even if the second half is a bit weak, there's still much to like here.

***1/2

Stratovarius - Elements Pt 1 (2003)

After a break of three years, Stratovarius returned with what was originally meant to be a double album, before they decided to break it up into two, releasing one at the beginning of 2003, and one at the end. And, since this release is around an hour, it's probably just as well.
I don't often get into a moral/religious rants about lyrics in power metal; outside the Christian bands, there are always going to be spiritual differences between me and those who sing about such things. In the past, Timo Tolkki has shown glimpses of a "look inside yourself" view in his songs, but here it permeates throughout the record. I can respect others views, even if I don't agree with them, but it's hard to truly enjoy a song which talks about "forgetting God, turn to you" when God is one's best friend.
All this is a shame, because musically, this is Stratovarius' greatest album to date. It alternates between super fast songs and more steady rock, both of which they've done plenty of in the past, and it carries a heavily symphonic style (alright, bombastic), with choirs and orchestration producing a sometimes monumental sound, no better demonstrated than the twelve-minute, second-to-last song "Elements", with its gradual rise in mighty chanting from the choir (going on about the different elements in the world - wind, water, etc), while Timo Kotipelto cries out in passionate anguish.
And boy, does he cry out a lot here. One of the fast songs, "Learning To Fly", is just a ferocious number, with drummer Jörg Michael pounding his kit into oblivion, while Kotipelto gets higher and higher until it sounds like he's going to explode.  But it's such fun!
Another track of note is the beautiful "Papillon", with the highly unusual (in any rock) of a counter tenor starting the dreamlike tune. It doesn't hurt that I used to have a pet papillon some years ago now, but it does hurt a bit that this again includes a rejection of God.
I hate to get into these kind of things and, as I said, I wouldn't normally, but since it does seem to be the theme of the whole album, it's rather hard to ignore.
I imagine ELEMENTS PT 2 will be more of the same, topically, but if it's more of the same musically as well, it will still remain quite something to listen to.  Like Part 1 is.

****

Monday, 4 February 2013

Masterplan - Masterplan (2003)

Masterplan was created by former Helloween guitarist and drummer (respectively), Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch. They also asked original Helloween vocalist Michaek Kiske to be a part of it, but he wasn't keen, although he does appear here on one track.
This debut is good, solid rock, with positive themes throughout, highlights including the opening "Spirit Never Die" (which sounds a bit AOR-like), "Kind Hearted Light", "Sail On" and "Into The Light". There are some haunting keyboards, and a strong vocalist in Jorn Lande.  I don't think it deserves all the high praise it's received over the years (and it has received a lot); it doesn't stand out all that much from many other groups of similar style, but it's certainly worth a listen.

***

DragonForce - Valley Of The Damned (2003)



 When I started getting into power metal, there were a few bands that stood out for me initially. One was, of course, Rhapsody, but another was that group of chaps that has become loved by many, and reviled by many others, the one, the only, DragonForce!
There’s a co-incidence here. I was working at an Outside School Hours Care job when my interest in this sub-genre started to grow, and one young Canadian lady who came to work with us was not just a big power metal fan, but a huge one of DragonForce, and they are actually a reason why she came to Australia, although I can’t remember exactly what that reason was.  I think her Australian boyfriend, whom she got to know online, has some connection to them, and she fell in love with him and moved here. Or something along those lines.  Anyway, that certainly helped she and I have some kind of connection when we started to work together, and we even tried introducing the children to such music, until one of our bosses objected to me using Helloween’s “Perfect Gentleman” as a clean-up song (its catchy and repetitive refrain made it a very successful attention-getter), saying it was “inappropriate”, which meant it was metal, and you just don’t play that stuff for kids. Later on in the year, they were dancing to “Gangnam Style”, singing about a “sexy laaaddy”, and everything was fine again.
Anyway…
I am aware that being a fan of this band opens one up for much ridicule, and I have noticed that there seem to be two main things that work against them. 1) A lot of people think they do the same song over and over, and 2) They commit one of the gravest sins any heavy metal band can commit – they’re popular. Actually, I don't think I've heard anyone say that's a reason why they don't like them, but I bet it's a factor.
The first critism has a certain degree of merit, but is a bit unfair, while the second is obviously ludicrous. Yes, they’re popular, but so what? If the music is good, it’s good.
And it is good! After a very brief opening entitled “Invocation Of Apocalyptic Evil” (has there ever been a more bombastic title to something so little?), we get speed. Lots of speed. Fast speed. And I love speedy metal. It’s like an exciting car chase in an action film. Only on the eeehhh ballad “Starfire” to things really slow down. And with the speed come rousing tunes in the likes of “Valley Of The Damned”, “Black Winter Night”, “Revelations”, “Evening Star” and the rousing closer “Heart Of A Dragon”. There are numerous guitar (and keyboard) solos, something I’m not normally a fan of, and I see a lot of people bag them too. This must really expose me as a metal tryhard, since I like some of them.
But, as well as “Starfire”, there are moments that shift in style, like the acoustic passage during “Disciples Of Babylon”, and the quiet opening to “Evening Star”. Alright, these mightn’t be huge factors, but there are endless albums that vary little in variety, but get praised by many.
Alright, offhand I can’t think of one, but they must be out there.
Valley Of The Damned is not faultless by any means, but it contains so much of what I like in metal – consistently fast tempos, anthemic melodies and all those cliched lyrics about fighting and using swords and dragons and victory, oh sweet victory.

I don't work at that particular childcare job anymore, but I will always remember that the Canadian girl and I connected with our love of power metal, and the joy we get from DragonForce.
Oh, and I only ever met her boyfriend once. Briefly. I think he likes them too, but I couldn't really care less.



****1/2

Sunday, 3 February 2013

Dream Evil - Evilized (2003)

Dream Evil's second album has them suffering tortured nightmares and opression which, of course, they will overcome in the end, because goodness always triumphs when we stick together.
Like their debut, this is pretty standard metal, highlights including the opening "Break The Chains", "Fight 'Til The End", "Children Of The Night" and  "Made Of Metal", which is one of many we-stand-for-heavy-metal songs, and features the delightfully funny moment where Niklas Isfeldt sings "I am so fucking metal and so is my wife", and then comes a female voice adding "I am his wiiiiifee".  That voice is credited to Sarah Sheena Shaw, so I assume she's the wife of drummer Snowy Shaw.
In any event, Evilized, which could have done without the ballads, is good enough without being anything exciting.

***

Friday, 1 February 2013

Kamelot - Epica (2003)

Alright, time to get going again. It's now 2003, and let's kick off with Kamelot.
I've made no secret that American power metal bands are not my favourites in general (although progressive metal is a bit different - I love Savatage), but Kamelot is as good as any of them, and probably better than them too.
This album, their sixth, is based on Johann Goethe's "Faust", with Mephisto making a deal with God, and trying to claim the soul of Ariel, so he can return to Heaven. Or something like that.
There's a gracefulness about this record that is appealling, with such songs as "Center Of The Universe", "Descent Of The Archangel" and "The Mourning After" deft in their tunefulness, while there's no denying that Roy Khan is a very impessive vocalist. Maybe another listen would have me rating it higher but, for now, I'll say that this is one of Kamelot's best releases, without being breathtakingly brilliant, and well worth a listen.

***1/2