ELIAS VILJANEN - Taking The Lead

Shredding is a style of music that most people might find repetitive or boring, and can easily be so. Unless you are a guitar player, or a guitar wannabe player of course. Thankfully this is not the case here. This is not a new release, but a re-issue of Sonata Arctica's guitarist debut solo album which was released back in 2002. What makes this album interesting is that the listener will hear actual songs, and not just a constant solo of a talented guitarist. The songs are dominated by the excellent work of Elias Viljanen or course, but there's also room for the other instruments to evolve, and the result in working on both ways. The guitarist can express himself, but also the rest of the band is a vital part of the album. There are slow and faster parts, and there are enough things to like on this one. Melodies, either guitar driver, or from keyboards, are plenty and perfectly worked with absolute no indifferent moments. You don't have to be a guitar player, or a student to appreciate the music here, and this is the beauty of this album. If you haven't heard it all those years, then it's your chance to get it again enriched with a DVD as well.

9/10

SENCELLED - Senselled

I've always a good opinion for music that has a positive vibe, and this Swedish band is a perfect example of such a melody driven band. Their music gives you a happy feeling, that works very well, from the first to the last minute of the album. The band is playing a very radio friendly kind of Rock, melodic and catchy, with the elements of 90's rock and AOR, being the most obvious ones. The music is well written, with enough interesting parts, and what's the most important is that it's catchy and has a way to sneak into your mind. So, there's no surprise that after a few moments, you will find yourself singing along, and moving your head along with the groove. But don't get fooled, cause these guys not only know how to play, and also know how to compose. There are moments like the ballad "Oh Sarah" where the melodies strongly remind the kind of ballads Hard Rock bands used to create back in the late 80's, but given in a more modern perspective. The album has no weak points, and if you are a fan of Melodic music, this one will please you enough. If you like to sing along, tap you steering wheel while driving, and seeking for a band to give you a good mood while going to work, seek no more. Senselled are great for the job, and tested for a while from our crew.

9/10

Voodoo Highway - Running Around

The Italian hard rock band "Voodoo Highway" is glad to announce their new videoclip for the song "Running Around", from the debut album "Broken Uncle's Inn".

HELL - Summer Breeze Festival 2011

HELL ...conquer the German "Summer Breeze Festival" 2011

PRO-PAIN - 20 Years Of Hardcore

To celebrate their 20 year of existence, the band is creating a release that will please their devoted fans, and give a good sample of their music to those unfamiliar with it. It contains 4 new tracks, 4 classic songs re-recorded, 14 live songs that were recorded at Brno Cz, and a DVD, which was not contained in the promo-pack but contains footage of live performances, fan-filmed material, videos and more. What's amazing with this band is their skill to create songs that are so catchy and groovy that even the most negative and narrow-minded metal-heads can't help but moving with the rhythm. The vocals are aggressive and powerful enough, there are enough melodies here and there, and along with the solid rhythm section creates a style that is ideal for watching live. On this release, we also have a chance to witness the energy and the feeling of their live shows, and the reaction of the Czech audience in every given chance. Maybe not as valuable as a regular release, but if you are a fan of the band, or were on one of their live performances and want to live back the feeling, then check it out. Either way, their music is so fun to listen, that will keep you good company for quite some time.

8/10

LOCKUP - Necropolis Transparent

This is the third album of the Grindcore super band, about nine years after their latest release. The band has suffered the loss of Jesse Pintado, but seems to be back as strong and as brutal as ever. The album starts like a punch in the teeth and doesn't stop until it leaves you bleeding on the floor. It consists on 40 minutes of pure energy and aggression, but also skilled musicianship and performance. The drum works done by Nickolas Barker are amazing, the vocals of Tomas Lindberg are as excellent as they were on their previous work, the guitars and the rhythm section are also very good, and the guest appearances of Peter Tagtgren, and Jeff Walker can only spice things even more. The mixing of Andy Sneap gives an extra perspective to the whole music, and is another strong point of the album. Unlike many of the releases of this style, there are no weak points here, or moments that the music sounds indifferent or repetitive. The music is intense, brutal and aggressive, but also catchy and groovy enough, to stick to your mind. If Grindcore is your favorite style of music, and you liked their previous works, then get ready for a blast. Cause this time, Lock Up are back and they are back for good. Not for the weak.

9/10

WOLFPAKK - Reptile´s Kiss

WOLFPAKK debüt album will be released on August 26, 2011....

FORBIDDEN - Omega Wave

From the album, Omega Wave (2010). Directed by: Jon Schnepp (of Metalocalypse fame).

VOODOO HIGHWAY - Broken Uncle's Inn

This is the first release of the Italian quintet, that exists as a band since 2010. According to the newsletter, the band is playing Hard Rock, and they are quite good at it. Their music is a mixture of Hard Rock, with enough 70's elements, nice melodies, catchy moments, parts to sing along, and move your head with the rhythm. The band is talented enough and their songs are catchy, with some nice ideas, that they explored as much as possible. The production is clear enough, giving a modern perspective to their somehow old fashioned music mix, and is another plus for the album. The most important thing though, besides good musicianship is the vibe of the music on this album. Everyone knows that this kind of Rock has to be fun, and this is also the case here. This album is fun, uplifting, and makes you have a great time. It's one of those albums that is an ideal companion when driving, or having some beers with friends at a bar. No matter if this is their first full length, the band has managed to create an album that serves it's purpose, and for that it can be described as a successful one. Judging from the nature of the music though, a live performance would also be interesting. If Hard Rock is your game, you might consider checking Voodoo Highway's view.

8/10

HACKNEYED - Carnival Cadavre

The release of these German band is their third so far, and their first in their new label Lifeforce Records. They started back in 2006 being a band of young metalheads, but don't get fooled by the young of their age. They are good at what they do, and this album is fun to listen to from the first to the last minute. The band is playing Death Metal, enriched with tons of Thrash guitar works, and as you can imagine, this can only make things better. Starting from the first song, what catches the attention is the groove they have into their music. The band is quite talented, and this is obvious not only on their performing but also in their songwriting skills. They created songs that are catchy, with nice basic melodies here and there, enough energy, and a good production. The rhythm section is very good, specially the drummer, but a very nice job has also been done by the female bassist. They might be young, but have the talent, the ideas, and the will, to create music that will torture your necks for quite some time. If you like Death Metal and you fancy the Teutonic rhythm section that bands from Germany have, then this is an album that you should check. They are not inventing the wheel, but their version works exactly as it's supposed to.

8/10

DECAPITATED - Carnival Is Forever

Poland has a long history in Death Metal, and this band is a big part of it. Their story started when they assaulted the ears of an unsuspecting audience back in the late 90's and could be the dream of every young Metal fan. But the band proved that their success was not a favor of luck, but the result of hard work, musical studies and inspiration. The band is playing Death Metal, with a lot of changes into each song, something that makes each tune a very interesting surprise. The band is technical enough, something that helps the music very much, and prevents it from becoming repetitive. The songs are quite good, and there are equal amounts of brutality, Thrash riffs, melodies, and aggression, all blended wisely into a powerful mixture. The music is catchy enough, and has a groove that makes you move you head along with it, in no time. The production is perfect, as heavy as should be, polished enough, but not destroying the energy of their music. Maybe there was a strong line up change, due to the car accident that stopped the life of Vogg's brother, and put the band in a hiatus, but now it seems that the band is back, as strong as ever, with enough nice ideas, and some of the most innovative Death Metal. If you are a fan of Death Metal, check these guys out. Their credits are good, and this new release is just another proof of it.

9/10