Rage - End Of All Days (1996)

Rage continues to power along with another collection of sometimes good songs but, although it's a bit slower than normal, overall they seem to be treading water, with not much that is new.  Such tracks as "End Of All Days", "Visions", "Frozen Fire" and "Face Behind The Mask" are good, but there's a bit too much of it here, and there's not enough variety to really make it an enthralling listen.

***

Artension - Into The Eye Of The Storm (1996)

Artension is the baby of classicaly-trained keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij (also principle songwriter), and his background really shows through this debut album.  It's an adequate more than rivetting listen, but it's Kuprij's work that really shines, especially on the instrumental "Red's Recovery" although, at seven minutes, it's a bit too long.
It's not really all that power metalish, or progressive either (in which they are also grouped), as well as not terribly memorable, but we'll see how they go from here.

**1/2

Iced Earth - The Dark Saga (1996)

Iced Earth's fourth album focuses on the comic book character "Spawn", in a battle against evil, and is somewhat more musically straightforward than previous efforts; there aren't any excessively long songs here (the concluding "A Question Of Heaven" is the longest, clocking in at just over seven minutes - it's also the best), and there's not a lot of speed either.
Iced Earth hasn't thrilled me so far, and this record doesn't either, but it's still quite good, and the dark lyrics are reasonable and add to the experience.

***

Grave Digger - Tunes Of War (1996)

Grave Digger fire again with this very enjoyable album, as they go through the history of Scottish rebellion against England, from the 11th Century to the 18th and the Jacobite struggle.  Opening with a rendition of "Scotland The Brave" (led by bagpipes, of course), this is a lot of fun, despite its grim subject matter, with such songs as "Scotland United", "The Dark Of The Sun", "The Bruce", "The Truth" and "Killing Time" amongst their best and most catchy work.  I can never let a Digger review go by without a reference to Chris Boltendahl's vocals - I suppose I'm quite used to him by now, although he'll never rate anywhere near my favourites, but it's the fenetic playing and grabbing music that makes Tunes Of War a top listen.

****

Manowar - Louder Than Hell (1996)

So what's Manowar up to now? Well, they've decided on a somewhat more straightforward metal attack than their last couple of efforts, but they haven't changed their statements on being tough biker dudes (the opening, profanity-laden "Return Of The Warlord") and, of course, on the greatness of heavy metal (the following two songs, "Brothers Of Metal Pt 1" and "The Gods Made Heavy Metal")... and so it goes on.
The nine minute instrumental near the end, "Today Is A Good Time To Die", is long and dull, while the concluding "The Power" just becomes stupidly obnoxious, but there's much to like here for unashamed metal fans.

***

Stratovarius - Episode (1996)

Stratovarius' fifth album was the first with keyboardist Jens Johansson and drummer Jorg Michael, and this line-up would stay together for a number of years afterwards. Unfortunately, despite many saying this is when the 'real' Stratovarius arrived, I find Episode a bit disappointing.
It starts off great with "Father Time", a true, flying, power metal classic, but it becomes a bit cumbersome in places afterwards - only "Tomorrow" shows a similar, freewheeling spirit. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying every song has to be super fast with soaring choruses - it would get boring if that was the case. But the different styles they do try here just don't work all that well.  Songs like "Babylon" are interesting, but not good enough for me to enthuse over.
A shame, but I certainly hope for better still to come from this Finnish group.

***

Angra - Holy Land (1996)

Three years after their very impressive debut ANGELS CRY, Angra returned with this even more impressive release.  A concept album based on the discovery of Brazil in the 16th Century, this is a complex, rich and very rewarding piece of work; metal to be sure, but not always, as they incorporate various Brazillian rhythms into the music.  "Nothing To Say" is close to straight power metal, while the ten-minute track "Carolina IV" leans more to the progressive side, but it all comes together beautifully.  There is much to be discovered here on this release from a very talented, skillful and dignified band.

****1/2