Persuader - Evolution Purgatory (2004)

I sometimes have to look back at this blog to remind myself of what I thought of earlier work of some artists.  Swedish band Persuader debuted in 2000 with THE HUNTER, which I noticed I rated two and a half stars, and commented on how vocalist Jens Carlsson sounds like a lot like Hansi Kursch, helping to give them a sound similar to early Blind Guardian.  It took them four years before the quartet recorded their follow-up, Evolution Purgatory, and there's certainly no more I can say about the vocal comparison than yep, he sounds like he grew out of Kursch's side.
The material is fast and furious throughout, something along the lines of Brainstorm or Paragon, and while it isn't my favourite style of power metal (although I do like those two bands), it's quite grabbing all the same; if I was in a more fussy mood, I might rate this lower (maybe I was fussy when listening to their debut), but I'll just say there's enough to like here to make it worthwhile.

***

Iced Earth - The Glorious Burden (2004)

After the release of TRIBUTE TO THE GODS, Matt Barlow left Iced Earth, and Ripper Owens came in as vocalist, having recently finished his stint with Judas Priest (talk about a professional reserve grade player), to scream out the lyrics of this extensive album, one that reflects the passion main man Jon Schaffer has for historical wars, as it concentrates on various battles of the past. 
 The first eight songs are, perhaps surprisingly, quite straight forward, though still good, even if the lyrics are a bit clunky at times (included is "When The Eagle Cries", which is about the 2001 terrorist attacks), but then comes the three-part "Gettysburg (1863)", which covers the three fatal days of the American Civil War. This is an exceptional segment, and what's even more impressive is that, despite the fact it comes after a pretty much full-length album already, this half-hour piece doesn't drag in the slightest.
The whole record was obviously a labor of love for Schaffer, which is made even more clear in the  liner notes which, relievingly, are actually easy to read. My eyes give a shout of thanks. 
I've come to respect Iced Earth over time, more than love them, but this album is as good as anything they've done, and stands as one of the more impressive musical-projects-about-all -things-warlike releases in the annals of heavy metal.

****

Thunderstone - The Burning (2004)

Mmmm... it's getting a bit pedestrian at the moment. Thunderstone's second album is alright, but nothing really special, and again they have me thinking they're almost alternative power metal, including Pasi Rantanen's vocals.  There are some good fast moments, and nice keyboards but, like I've just said with Symphorce, it's not particularly memorable or noteworthy.

**1/2

Symphorce - Twice Second (2004)

I'm sure I must be missing the significance of the sea horses, which aren't exactly the most ferocious of God's creatures.
"Ferocious" is an adjective that could sometimes be applied to Symphorce, both with their playing and Andy B. Frank's powerful singing. Not that they've ever been very fast, but they still manage to rip out their stuff with gusto. However, this fourth album is beneath their best, with a collection of songs that just aren't particularly memorable; certainly, they're first two releases, TRUTH TO PROMISES and SINCTUARY, remain their best work.

**1/2

Dionysus - Anima Mundi (2004)

The second album by Swedish band Dionysus is a bit better than their debut, even though it's still little more than perfunctionary power metal.  After some references to various mythical gods early (the opening "Divine" is a highlight there), there are again plenty of goodwill lyrics with the likes of "March For Freedom", "Eyes Of The World" and "Paradise Land", and even the ballad "Forever More", with quite excruciating words, is a bit above average for the style, thanks to the shimmering keyboards and gentle melody.
Sounding a bit like At Vance at times, Dionysus here don't do anything particularly new, and Anima Mundi is sure to remain lost amongst the plethora of other records of its type, but it's not a bad one to snap up if you have the chance.

***

Axxis - Time Machine (2004)

Still feeling like death warmed up (whatever that actually means), but anyway...
This is Axxis' first album in three years, and it's the usual mixture of some good stuff ("Angel Of Death", Lost In The Darkness", "Alive"), and some nauseating stuff which is not the ideal thing to listen to when one is trying to recover from a sick stomach ("Dance In The Starlight").

***

Wuthering Heights - Far From The Madding Crowd (2004)

I always knew that, upon returning from a journey to the other side of the world, that it was going to take me a while to get over the jetlag. But together with that, I've been hit with a stomach bug, which has seen me tossing my innards into the toilet. I think the worst is over now, but I still feel very washed out and drained, and I spent most of today in bed.
Therefore, forgive me if I don't write as much about this splendid album as I should. I haven't really warmed to Wuthering Heights so far, but this release, their third, is a winner. Being a mixture of power, progressive and folk, and with a mighty new vocalist in Nils Patrik Johansson, Far From The Madding Crowd is a catchy, rivetting listen. "The Road Goes Ever On" is a terrific opener (after the brief bagpipes introduction), and we also have the three part "Longing For The Woods", which is dispersed throughout the record, and features the same chorus in each part, but without any grave problems of repitition. Also of note is "Highland Winds" and the amusingly titled instrumental "Bad Hobbits Die Hard".
Wuthering Heights have made it here, with this winning release.
Now I have to stagger off to bed.

****

Heavenly - Dust To Dust (2004)

I'm back!
I've just had the most wonderful time in the UK for the last four and a half weeks, and I already wish I was back in England. I was born there, and have lived most of my life in Australia, but the older I get, the bigger is the desire to move to England permanently.
Anyway, my listening of power metal is under way again, as I commence 2004, and we begin with French band Heavenly, whose first two albums I rated highly, and this one I will too.
The length of seventy minutes is a bit daunting but, as usual, the group is full of vigour and melody as they seek a somewhat progressive style in the tale of a man who is changed into a vampire, and plots vengeance for the curse. It's hard to pick out specific songs, as they do tend to blend into each other, which is not a critism. I suppose another way to put it is that they all have something to offer, although I do give special praise for "Keepers Of The Earth" as a way to do power metal properly. Ben Sotto's voice isn't as hysterical as it has been, and the regular choral vocals help the symphonic feel. 
Heavenly is an entertaining and grabbing band, and they do both very well here.

****