Kai and Co. are back with another euro-feast drenched in uplifting metal juice.

Meaning, after last two dark releases (which I really liked), Gamma ray is back writing an ol’ happy metal record.

There is no denying quality of musicianship here. Gamma Ray are truly one of the premier metal musicians around. I just wish guys would write more serious lyrics and dig deep into the dungeons of their early works. You know, Ralph Scheeper (Primal Fear) days.

Let’s do track by track analysis on this one. Read the rest of this entry »

Ten of the greatest hard vocalists working today in my opinion. Vocals being the only organic instrument in metal (unless you count drum skins) is probably the most important factor (along with a good riff) in making a bone-crushing or if you like heart-tearing metal song. Choices are endless, but I had to come up with just a ten. I took everything in account. Vocal range, body of work, impact on metal, passion, color of the voice, how vocals fit into the band and originality. You might not agree with the list, but hey, if you did where is fun in that?

Ok, here is the list: Read the rest of this entry »

Man is still kicking and screaming despite abuse his body endured during 70′ and 80’s. Prince of darkness is back with what is unfortunately just deja vu from previous “want to be dark and goth-ish” records. It’s just so hard to give Ozzy any grief or bad rating considering his body of work and importance this man had on metal community as a whole.

“Not Going Away” is your typical Ozzy/Wylde track with that doomy, evil techno feel.

Second track (probably best track on the album) quickly turns into mid tempo thunder of a groove. Zakk experimenting with Nu-Metal sound effects (possibly better then any of the todays hoodlums), but his killer vibrato is still there emerging from the depths of hell to terrorize your ear. He just cannot do a one song without it (not really a bad thing). Read the rest of this entry »

I know it is going to be hard to name top ten axe attackers, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Not only guitarists have to be really good technically, but they had to be influential and had to make their mark on metal in general. Originality counts more then anything.

Remember: This is not just about solos (sorry Yngwie). We are talking a complete guitarist. Riffs, solos, influence on the genre itself and originality. Basically they have to be Guitar Gods. No more. No less. Here we go. Read the rest of this entry »

New front man (or front woman in this case) Anette Olzon is in critical spotlight here. Ten tons of steel pressure upon this band. Lot of expectations for Anette. Can they deliver (without Tarja) or will they be lost like post-Bruce era of Maiden and go total basket case?

Upon listening this album for the first time one would have a feeling that Anette lacks vocal power Tarja had, but after giving this album few whirls I am not so sure anymore. Her voice is little thinner and popier then Tarja’s for sure, but boy can she sing. Even though Anette is not your gallant opera singer, I have a feeling that she can belt it out Sarah Brightman style if needed (see first track at 4:50).

Since there was awful lot expectation here, lets do track by track inspection. Read the rest of this entry »

Wolf comes with their most manic and most masterfully crafted release so far. Boy, I really dig this one. This is just pure sonic madness. Maelstrom of riffs, dual leads, steroid induced drumming and wrathful but high and clean vocals. This record is pure speed power done with such a precision and technicality that would make any German engineer question meaning of life, and yet it does not feel too tight. Band leaves lot of relaxed room for complexity. It is one of those records where at 2am you wish it was noon already so you can wake up and hear it again. Production is top notch. Not only there is no wasted track on here, but it looks as if every note is superbly thought out and crafted to perfection. Read the rest of this entry »

And mighty Dave is back with album mostly about… what? Middle East conflict and war (well boo hoo!). Looks like you’re four years late Dave. I should’ve seen a red flag when Dave named O’Reilly Factor and Fox News one of his favorite channels (see their official site).

Dunno what to tell you here. This release is definitely less than I’ve expected. Dave Mustaine is the only original member left (I think he needs a writing partner now more then never). Band sounded really good and tight on that Argentina DVD.

“Sleepwalker” being the only great, truly face melting track on the album, and even here Shawn Drover sounds like he cannot keep up on drums (dude you were great on that DVD from Argentina). Manically crushing riffing here is not followed by equally good drumming, but nonetheless song truly rocks. Read the rest of this entry »

Believe it or not this was my first introduction to the vocal god Jorn Lande, and what an introduction. Walhalla of a record. True rock masterpiece. Huge artistic gap left between its predecessor (simply called Ark) debut and this one.

Progressive rock/metal at its best. It is really hard to find words to describe this record, but if I had to I would say that this is a “brave sonic masterpiece”. Brave because you will not see many musicians out there (especially in metal) trying different things like these guys do.

First, all of them are seasoned and top notch musicians. Bass virtuoso Randy Coven (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Riot) is all over the place but does it so gracefully and tastefully as a true professional. I literary had to rewind the record few times just to make sure it is the bass I am hearing (I mean that in a good way).

Mats Olausson (ex-Yngwie, Kamelot, Silver Mountain) on keyboards does not overdo it as many metal acts do (see most of symphonic black metal acts). He plays just the right amount of notes coloring the song and adding that mystic/nostalgic vibe to it. Read the rest of this entry »

I really like this one. Helloween comes out with close to an hour hammer of a record what is to this date one of their heaviest releases. Intro (Crack the Riddle) will make you feel like you’re at State Fair or carnival, but things change very quickly when “Kill It” hits you over the head.
Boy, Andy Deris really belts it out on this one. I really did not think he had it in him. There are even some Black Metal vocal passages. Chorus sounds very Manowar-ish in a good way. Great solos all over the place.
German boys are back to their old Helloween melodies with speedy and melodic “The Saints”.
“As Long As I fall” is brave single that I really did not much care for (even though lot of metalers did)

My favorite track is “Paint The New World”. Invoking something from their 00′ Dark Ride.
Speedy and angry riffs and solid vocals on this one. (Just listen to the guitar at 2:38) Read the rest of this entry »