MANIMAL - The Darkest Room

It all started back in 2001, in Gothenburg. After some demos and enough good reviews, the band decided at 2008 to record their first full length album. Being prepared for a debut album with it's pros and cons, a very pleasant surprise was expecting me. The band is very talented, and knows not only how to play, but also how to compose excellent music. Power Metal, aggressive, melodic, with touches of progressive, and stunning vocals is what struck me from the fist song. The vocals are exactly in the way Power Metal albums should be, harsh yet high pitched, with a wide vocal range. The rhythm section is also killer, and sounds like a well oiled machine, while the guitar melodies and riffs are sometimes close to perfection. The variety of the songs, and the way the band has incorporated some Progressive elements into their music, is making the album highly enjoyable from the first to the last minute. There are no indifferent moments here, or things give you the feeling that could have been done better. So, with an album as solid and well polished as this one, no wonders why the band managed to get to the 36 position of the Swedish charts. Not band for a debut huh? So, if you are into Power Metal, or if you like good Heavy Metal in general, don't miss this one.

10/10

FOREST STREAM - The Crown Of Winter

Not often enough, we have the chance to review albums from Russian bands, although Russia is a country with a huge tradition in music. Nevertheless, this band here exists since the mid 90's, but this is their second album so far, with their debut being released back in 2003. The band is playing a very interesting mixture of Doom, Death, and Black, with tons of nice and well worked melodies, and an ominous atmosphere that is one the album's stronger points. With music well performed and equally well arranged, the band manages to create exactly the atmosphere they want. Misery, agony, despair, and melancholy, are what comes to mind while listening to the album. The combination of clear and Death growl vocals and the excellent melodies, work very well for the music. The songs are big in duration, but never boring, and are all on the same quality level. Definitely not the album that one might listen while drinking at a bar, but an album that needs serious and cautious listening, cause the various influences of the band make it even more diverse than a quick listening might reveal. A very good effort from an obviously talented band. Definitely give them a hearing.

9/10

NIGHTRAGE - Wearing A Martyr's Crown

I have always been a fan of the Swedish Death Metal sound, and I was quite excited with the release of this band, since their previous two are occasionally find their way to my stereo. Swedish Death Metal at it's finest, with aggressive, yet catchy, arrangements, with excellent guitar melodies and fast riffing from Marios Iliopoulos, are what the listener should expect from this album. With a bit more aggressive vocals, and memorable guitar melodies, the band manages to create an album that will please all of the band's fan base. A few clean guitar parts here and there simply come to enrich the whole result, and make the album even catchier. The songs are well arranged, and equally well produced at the Fredman Studios, and this completes the album in the best possible way. Although the spotlights on the album go to the guitarist, a very good job has also been done by the vocalist, but from the rhythm section as well. With their new release, the band shows that they are in a very creative period in their career, and that there's more nice things to expect in the future.

8/10

PRIMAL FEAR - 166 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead)

There's not much more to add to a band that has written it's history for quite some time, with releases so carefully worked, and albums that show quality and talent. It was almost 12 years ago, a little before the beginning of the new millennium, when Mat Sinner and Ralf Scheepers joined forces, releasing what was going to be the first of a series of good albums, Primal Fear. The new album could only but follow the quality and trademark of the band. Well worked arrangements, dominated by the charismatic vocals of Ralf, with an excellent rhythm section, and tons of nice melodies, are a few of what the listener will discover on the new album. Although you know what to expect from such an album, the band still holds a few aces up on their sleeves, pleasantly surprising. Amongst them, there's song, which could be a ballad, but a powerful one, showing the range of the vocalist, and not just a mellow filler. Of course, all the elements of their music, are still to be found here as well, with songs catchy, melodic and easy to sing along. Power Metal at it's best, performed and produced in a very shiny and professional way. With no weak points, no fillers or less good moments, this album is highly enjoyable and recommended to all.

10/10

JORN - Spirit Black

The new album of a singer as talented as Jorn Lande is, is an event of it's own. For those of you know familiar who Jorn Lande is, a quick remind of Ark, Millennium and Masterplan, to all which Lande has been a frontman, is enough. The new album, continues musically the fine career of this man, delivering another good album full of good music. Hard Rock at it's finest moments, enriched by the warm vocals of the singer, sometimes slow and melodic, sometimes harder and more catchy, but always well performed and always moving to the highest quality. Diving deep into the 80's, making his music even more interesting, and once again working with Tommy Hansen as a producer, manage to create an album that smells like a Classic 80's Heavy Metal but also sound as fresh as it could be. Besides the excellent vocals, that somehow dominate the album, the rest of the band, manages to create an equally good job as well. A strong rhythm section, and the very good guitar work, are completing the work of the vocalist in the best possible way. If you are a fan of the band, or the work that Lande has done so far, then this album will not disappoint you. But also, if you are a younger fan, then this is a good album to start.

9/10

OBITUARY - Darkest Day

When it comes to Death Metal, few bands have connected their name so close with the genre as Obituary. After two years from their previous release, they are back, and they are back with a bang. Right from the first minute, the band is doing what they know what to do best, to play music, loud, aggressive, brutal, and catchy. Killer riffs, brutal growls and a very strong rhythm section, were the trademarks of the band, and are the key points of the new album as well. The music is very heavy, well performed, with nice and interesting ideas, and what I enjoyed most, are the various Slayer, Celtic Frost and Possessed influences here and there, that made the songs even more groovy. The songs are all moving at the same high quality level, with the band showing that they are in a very productive and inspirational period in their career. With no weak points, or songs that might sound boring, or repetitive, the album makes you participate, bang your head, and try to follow the rhythm, from the first, to the very last minute. Usually I don't point out specific songs, but listen to "Payback", which became a favorite, and you will understand. Well, what to say, this is an album that can proudly bear the name of the band. Don't miss it.

10/10

SWASHBUCKLE - Back To The Noose

Ok, here's a band that really makes the difference, both with their music, their attitude and the feeling of their music. The story starts about a year ago, when they managed to win the price in a Nuclear Blast international contest. They are from New Jersey, and they are playing a Thrash Metal with themes influenced from the piracy era, and a style that reminds enough of old school Thrash, and SOD, blended all together. Now, add some Hard Core influences, a few Latin melodic moments here and there, some theatrical dialogues, and you get the whole picture. An album that is as groovy as can be, with a few twists and turns, with melodies and brutal vocals, everything fit into it's place though. The musicianship is very good, either in the aggressive parts, or in the melodic ones, and the production is also moving to the same high quality. What is the most amazing thing is that the band managed to fit all those extraordinary influences into an album, and give the feeling that everything is needed and at it's place. Definitely a band to check out.

8/10

HYSTERICA - Metal War

I was rather skeptical about this album, since the name of the band brings Metallica influences in mind. But my surprise was rather big, and started from the first minute. The band is an all female band, and their music, is old fashioned Heavy Metal, with a strong rhythm section, and a very catchy feeling from the first to the last minute. Existing for only four years, and creating a debut as strong and solid as this one, is definitely a thing to comment. The singer is only 19 years old, but manages to put a personal trademark to the songs, the rhythm section is excellent and the guitar melodies are well worked. Songs that might not be the definition of innovation, but are all moving to the same high level, with excellent musicianship and interesting ideas. So, with a debut as impressive as this one, I can only tell that more good things will come from them in the future. If you like your Metal the Classic way, fast and groovy, the kind to bang your head along, then this one is recommended.

9/10

ACCEPT - Restless And Wild (1982)

Let's go with another old hidden grenade! The teutonic metal attack found its leaders in 1983 when the mythic band made this masterpiece. Udo in gurgling vox, Hoffman and Fisher on the double axe attack, Baltes and Kauffman on the bombastic rhythm section. Judas Priest and AC/DC were their main influences the same time some classical music elements were more than obvious. This album is a classic! More than a classic it is something like the Old Testament of Power Metal nowadays. Accept could remain in Metal history just for this.