WARFARE - The New Age For Total Warfare

Warfare is a band that existed back in the early 80's, and this is a best of consisting on tracks mostly from their first two albums. The band is playing a very speedy Punkish style of music, aggressive, groovy and very catchy. The melodies are simple, sometimes even slightly repetitive, but that's exactly what the band wanted to sound like. The majority of the songs are in your face music, plain and simple. Don't expect virtuoso moments here, or complexity to the songs. To some, this might sound weird, specially fans not familiar with the sound of this era, might find it primitive, raw, or even complete out of talent. But with a more cautious listening, you will hear enough elements that would later be heard on many bands. It was not a coincidence that their first three albums were produced by Lemmy and Cronos of Venom, and had guest appearances of Wurzel, Mantas and Algy Ward. For a new fan, this is a good place to start, if you want to have a crash course of the music of the band. But if you like what you hear, check out their regular releases as well.

7/10

HAMMERFALL - Infected

To be honest with you, I listened to this album at least five times, very carefully, before I made up my opinion to write down these words. Hammerfall are for sure, one of the best Power Metal bands all over the world. When a new release of the band is coming out you are absolutely sure of the result. Wrong! From the first look at the cover, you understand that something different has come out. No knights, swords and battles. Just a desperate hand behind a broken window. So what is going on? The whole effort has two parts. The first part has the well known sound of the band with power riffs and beautiful solos and the other present us an experimental side of the band. Before you doom them, listen to their work. Maybe you’ll find difficulties to get used to this but it worth to pay attention. Hammerfall prove that they have innovative ideas and they can make more complex songs without loosing their power metal character. The only objection that I have is that rotation from Power to experiment confused me a little bit. Thank God the voice of Can is still in very high level. Strange album, I have to say, but beautiful.

8/10

MAYAN - Quarterpast

I started listening to this album with high expectations, mostly because the band consists on well known and respected musicians. Mayan is the brainchild of Mark Jansen of Epica along with Jack Driessen and Frank Schiphorst, and the purpose was to play a mixture of Death Metal with Symphonic influences. But the music here is much more than just a Death Metal album, enriched with female vocals, and orchestral parts. The compositions are very complex, giving a Progressive feeling to the whole music, there are plenty of brutal vocals, enough Black Metal moments here and there, Thrash parts and Power Metal moments. All these blended wisely, and completed perfectly with the vocals, either the brutal, or the female ones. The most important thing is that this album aims for an open-minded audience. There's no way to tag the music, or to suggest it to fans of a specific style. And this, because the songs progress from the one style to another in such a natural way, that classic music can turn into Black Metal and then back to a slower part with female vocals, that leaves all fans with something to like. Of course such an attempt needs also musicians of high caliber to fulfill, and this is obvious from the first to the last minute of this masterpiece. So, open your mind, and prepare to be amazed, cause nothing can prepare you for what's on this album.

10/10

LUCID DREAM - Visions from Cosmos II

A band from Italy that plays a happy sounding NWOBHM / Progressive hybrid with interesting guitar work and vocals. The term "happy sounding" is what makes the difference here because it makes this album sound fresh and innovative although it's not exactly so! All their infuences (and they are many) can be heard everywhere but who cares! The whole blend is totally successful and LUCID DREAM sound to really enjoy what they play which is transfered to the listener.
Find them www.luciddream.it

8/10

WOLVERINE - Communication Lost

This is the fourth album of the Swedish band, and I can definitely say that is one of those albums that fans of their music will like. They are playing a style that could be tagged as Progressive Rock, but they don't afraid to experiment with the addition of some electronics, or to harden their sound when necessary, which they often do. The songs are very good, and what's the most important, there's a natural flow in the music, from the first to the last minute. There are no fillers, no tracks that one might want to skip, or moments that feel out of place. Another good point of the band is that every instrument, including the singer, work together as a part of a bigger picture, with no meaningless and tiring solo performances. The music is melodic, catchy, complex at times, and has a rather moody feeling. The production is very good, clear and crisp enough, and helps the music very much. One of the albums that just a couple of spins won't do. It might take some time to get into the music, and to reveal all it's little secrets, but it will pay back every minute you invested in it.

8/10

While Heaven Wept - Fear Of Infinity

This is the 4^th full length release for the American band and they seem to know very well the recipe of success. They are still performing high standard, epic-doom metal as they did at their previous albums, with all the necessary ingredients. The whole assay includes low tempo songs mostly, with characteristic heavy guitars but outbreaks during the tracks are not missing. Vocals are clear and beautiful and the rhythm section frames the compositions by giving them stiffness and volume. You will not get disappointed, try it with no fear.

9/10

TAROT - The Spell Of Iron MMXI

This is the latest release of the Finnish band, although it's not a new album but a re-record of their classic "The Spell Of Iron" which was released back in the mid 80's, plus the MMXI which means 2011 in the Roman way of counting, as a quick searching revealed to me. The band is playing Heavy Metal along with some Power Metal influences. The songs are very catchy, heavy and groovy enough, and full of nice melodies which are equally important here. Despite some influences here and there, to the already established names of the 80's, this album has a lot of good ideas. It's full of nice music, there are no fillers, well maybe except one instrumental song, and all have a personality lots of bands searching but never manage to achieve. The production is very good, clear, powerful, and as heavy as it should be. Although sometimes there is an old fashioned feeling to the whole album, the majority sounds fresh and up to date. With music full of energy and groove, with arrangements that stick into your mind, excellent vocals, crunchy guitars and a solid rhythm section, it's more than just a release of a debut album. It's, as the title says, what the band played back in the 1986, given through a 21st century perspective. Check them out.

9/10

U.D.O. - Rev-Raptor

The vocals of this gifted German singer are so distinguished that are a trademark even to those not into Heavy Metal. Everybody is aware of the history of UDO, and like it or not, his works are acceptable by the majority of fans, despite the genre they are into. The first thing that we noticed here is that this album progresses fluently, with in-your-face Metal, catchy choruses, a tight German rhythm section, and plenty of killer melodies. The music is catchy, made for head-banging, and is moving one step ahead from where Dominator stopped. There are no weak moments here, not things that the listener would wish to be left out. Every song has it's own energy and feeling, and even the slower moments feel like the calm before the storm. The production is excellent and the recordings were done in the ROXX studios. What is important here, is that the music is honest, there are no tricks or things to deceive the listener. Although it might sound like an album that is predictable, the case here is exactly what the listener expects from an artist of the caliber of Udo. And above all shows that energy of creating good music is a talent. So, grab some friends, some frozen six pack lager beers, and enjoy.

10/10

NERVECELL - Psychogenocide

I was always fascinated by bands that come from places with strong musical cultures. This is the case here, since the band comes from Middle East, Dubai to be more exact. The band is playing an mixture of Death and Thrash, very technical and complex, but also catchy enough so the album doesn't get boring from the constant changes. What amazes here is the drummer, and the rhythm section in general. It sounds like a machine, absolute perfect from the first to last minute, despite all those changes and complexity. The vocals are very good also, brutal enough, but fitting perfectly with the music, so are the guitar melodies. Another strong point of the album is the groove of the music, and fans will find themselves moving their heads along from the first moment. The production is exceptional, clear enough, yet preserving the power and the atmosphere of the album. If I may express one small wish though, is that I would like to see, some more experimenting with oriental stuff, since the opening of the album sounded very promising. In any case, the album is very good, strong and solid all the way, and will please any fan of the genre. Check them out .

9/10

SUIDAKRA - The Book Of Dowth

The story of the German band starts back in the mid 90's, and this is their latest release, their first with AFM Records. It has been two years since their successful Crogacht, and the they continue on the same path, delivering another album full of the band's trademarks. The band is playing Swedish Death Metal, with catchy melodies, a rhythm section that is close to perfection, and a groove that all fans of the genre will like. But along with that, there is a very strong Folk influence, on the lyrics concept, and on the music as well. The album has a few surprises to make things even more interesting, such a haunting song with female vocals, full of atmosphere, or some more melodic parts here and there, along with clear vocals. All these serve well the concept of the album, which is based on a dark version of a Celtic myth. The production is also very good, clear and crisp enough, and completes the music in the best possible way. One of the first bands to combine Melodic Death with Folk elements into a very catchy outfit, is back with a release that will please both old and new fans. It's heavy, it's groovy, well performed, and dark. How not to like it?

9/10

CHROME DIVISION - 3rd Round Knockout

Chrome Division is the perfect example of how good music knows no time borders, or never sounds outdated. The band consists on members from other bands, mostly of the aggressive territory, but performs an mixture of old school Heavy Metal, with a modern finish. Heavily influenced by the Motorhead music and their whole attitude in general, the band performs a kind of music that could easily be Motorhead on a truck with no breaks on a downhill. It's Heavy, it's melodic, with excellent vocals, killer guitar solos and riffs, and a very infectious groove. There are times where the band has a more aggressive approach to the music, but always sticks to the same pattern. But above all, it has the dirty Rock 'n' Roll feeling that everyone expect from such a release, and we all love to listen to. Ideal for drinking with friends, for listening while driving, and specially for being performed live. No less good songs here, nor things that could be done in a better way. No matter what style of Metal you are into, you will find things to like on this album. There's also a very interesting version of Johnny Cash's Ghostriders In The Sky, to spice things up a bit. Check them out, and listen to the album carefully.

10/10

Warrant - Rockaholic

After Jani Lane had left the band, I was very curious to listen to the new album of Warrant. The departure of Jani, brought Robert Mason behind the microphone, best known for his work with Lynch Mob. This change has made a new sound for the band. We have to do with a pure hard rock album. Forget the Glam Metal style of the early years. Instead of this the guitars spiting the dirtiest riffs you have ever listen of them. The rhythm section sounds tough and steady and the whole project fits perfect with Mason’s voice. One of the best albums of the band. I have stacked with this. I’m a rockaholic!

10/10

Black n' BLUE - Hell yeah!

Do you remember this hit single from the self titled album of Black n'Blue? That's what they come back to say. Maybe they became a litlle bit bigger,fater or grey haired. who cares!the soul of the rocker is still the same.they didn't forget the art of making hard rock music. they still have their teenage energy. Good retro hard rock!riffs that stick in your mind,the guitars t cut like a knife and refrains that makes to sing on concert.get your beers and enjoy it!

9/10