Ville Krannila
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CORNERSTONE – ARRIVAL (MASSACRE 2000)
Another new ”supergroup” formed by great vocalist Doogie White (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen etc.) and bassist/keyboardist Steen Mogensen from Royal Hunt who also handles the songwriting. RH leader Andre Andersen guests on the album and does all the keyboard solos.
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BRAZEN ABBOT – GUILTY AS SIN (SPV 2003)
Another BA album from Bulgarian guitarist Nikolo Kotzev, who is famous for recruiting high profile names for his projects, last one being Nostradamus opera couple of years back . He’s worked with plenty of talented vocalists before and on ”Guilty As Sin,” he’s again hooked up with Jorn Lande, Göran Edman and Joe Lynn Turner…
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CANS – BEYOND THE GATES (SANCTUARY 2004)
Time has come for Hammerfall vocalist Joacim Cans to release his first solo album. At first glance the guest-list looks impressive enough: Cans’ bandmate Stefan Elmgren on guitar, Metal Mike Chlasciak on guitar, Mat Sinner on bass and former Fates Warning drummer Mark Zonder. Gus G (Dream Evil, Firewind) also makes an appearance. Big names…
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UFO – THE MONKEY PUZZLE (SPV 2006)
It’s amazing to think the first UFO-album was released 35 years ago. Yet here they are again over 10 years since their last of many come backs. The beginning of it saw the band triumph with 1995’s “Walk On Water” which was a brilliant return to form and in this writer’s opinion, rivalled everything UFO…
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SAXON – THE INNER SANCTUM (SPV 2007)
The British legends Saxon release their new album, which must be their 22nd (or something like that) effort during a nearly 30-year career. Unlike Iron Maiden and Def Leppard among others, Saxon never reaped the true benefits from the NWOBHM upsurge. By mid-1980’s disastrous attempt to go commercial in order to crack the US market,…
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MAGNUM – PRINCESS ALICE AND THE BROKEN ARROW (SPV 2007)
What can you say about Magnum? They are essentially one of the cornerstones in British hard rock. During the last 30 years, they have created plenty of unforgettable tracks on such genre defining albums as “Vigilante” and “Wings Of Heaven.” Also their reputation as a great live band remains intact. Like many of their contemporaries,…
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BLACK SABBATH – THE DIO YEARS (RHINO 2007)
One of the most exciting reunions of the new millennium took place when Ronnie James Dio announced his return to Black Sabbath last year. Although to calm the angered Ozzy-fans the group named themselves Heaven & Hell (very appropriate) this new compilation and the new songs still naturally come under the legendary Sabbath-title – as…
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TAROT – CROWS FLY BLACK (KING FOO 2006)
The Finnish heavy metal pioneers Tarot have been around for two decades now and right from their debut displayed a sense of melodic quality totally unheard in Finland’s metal scene at the time. Steel Mill’s Kassu will cover this early era in his Klassik album review, while yours truly will take a look at their…
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SCORPIONS – HUMANITY – HOUR 1 (BMG 2007)
So the masters of German “moustache metal” return again, the moustache may be long gone along with the spandex but somehow the attitude still remains. This is their 16th studio album during 35 years of existence and some things never change. Bass players and drummers have come and gone but the unmistakeable voice of Klaus…
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MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP – MSG (IMPACT 1991)
It is time to take a trip of 16 years back to the past when McAuley Schenker Group’s last self-titled album was unleashed to the world. After somewhat disappointing “Rock Will Never Die” album in 1984 Michael Schenker hooked up with former Grand Prix singer Robin McAuley. Their first two ventures “Perfect Timing” and “Save…