olderalbums
-
CAGE – SCIENCE OF ANNIHILATION (MUSIC BUY MAIL 2009)
The first impression is almost scary. 2007’s “Hell Destroyer” was one of the highlights of that particular year but this album if possible even surpasses that and goes to become one of the strongest metal albums so far released in 2009. Hailing from San Diego, metallers Cage offer nothing earth shaking or new but once…
-
SKYCLAD – IN THE… ALL TOGETHER (SCARLET RECORDS 2009)
The quintessential folk metal band Skyclad haven’t gotten their engines rolling on full throttle since the departure of vocalist/lyricist Martin Walkyier after 2000’s ‘Folkémon’ album. The remake album ‘No Daylights… Nor Heeltaps’ (2002) offered interestingly arranged, but lame remakes of the band’s old tunes and first proper studio album with new singer Kevin Ridley, ‘A…
-
MSG – IN THE MIDST OF BEAUTY (INAK 2008)
When 2008 ended I wasn’t too impressed with its overall run of metal and rock releases. Priest of course rolled out their long awaited “Nostradamus” project and Def Leppard returned to form with their best album since “Adrenalize” but other than that, those records I bought that year and those released in 2008 that I’ve…
-
SAVAGE MESSIAH – INSURRECTION RISING (CANDLELIGHT 2009)
Hailing from London, England, Savage Messiah have just unleashed their second album “Insurrection Rising.” Their debut “Spitting Venom” was released roughly two years ago, and it was an enjoyable enough product. However, even for the band themselves their full potential wasn’t yet realised with that disc. A lot has changed then, establishing a new line-up,…
-
NAZARETH – THE NEWZ (EDEL 2008)
With a forty year career under their belt, Nazareth can be deservedly labeled under the classic hard rock folder. And based on the huge discography of albums containing loads of good material, expecting solid quality from the scots’ new releases is just as deserved. After ten years since the band’s previous release (Boogaloo 1998), Nazareth…
-
SPARZANZA – IN VOODOO VERITAS (KABUKI RECORDS 2009)
There’s a sinister smile upon the face of the voodoo doll sitting on the cover of Sparzanza’s new album. And sinister is also ‘In Voodoo Veritas’ beginning – catchy, thick riff of ‘The Blind Will Lead The Blind’ cuts the air while singer Fredrik Weileby sneers menacing lyrics with a menacing voice; ‘One by one…
-
VENDETTA – HERETIC NATION (LION MUSIC 2009)
From the speakers a grand old-school heavy metal riff blasts forth, twists around the heavily driving rhythm and gets joined by a powerful delivery of strong lyrics. Classic style drum fills shift the gears and as the riff comes back at just the right times, the song eventually breaks into a thrash-like guitar chops and…
-
IMPULSIA – EXPRESSIONS (IMPULSIA MUSIC 2009)
Impulsia is a new studio project from Sweden, built around the core of ex-Candlemass vocalist Johan Langquist and guitarists Marcus Jidell (Royal Hunt, Pain) and lesser known Uno Sjöström who has a long career playing covers under his belt. Added to this bunch Impulsia brings together a rather unlikely combination of guest musicians ranging from…
-
BURNING BLACK – MECHANICHELL (LIMB MUSIC 2009)
At first glance one could be mistaken to believe these power metal warriors hailed from America, as the accompanying story states they are playing US Power Metal and the names of the key players certainly point to that direction. However, these guys are from Italy, where of course power metal is alive and well –…
-
CRASHDIET – GENERATION WILD (GAIN PRODUCT 2010)
Sweden’s Crashdiet are the glam/hard rock offsprings who have swung punk/hard rock meltdown so popular in the mid 1980’s right back to headlines. Admittedly they are not alone on this, as several other hopefuls remain on the scene. Crashdiet have over the years built a steady following both in mainland Europe, and Japan where their…