Album review: CIRCUS MAXIMUS – Havok
Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 18.03.16]
Circus Maximus have been around since 2000 and this is album number four from them. Previously they have been more into straight ahead prog metal recalling bands like Kamelot and Symphony X, this time though they have expanded their musical boundaries quite a bit…
It all starts off in typical Circus Maximus fashion on ‘The Weight’ and ‘Higher Bitter’ – prog metal with lots of guitars and keys interplay, with the latter sounding like Enchant, especially in the vocals. Things take a twist on the title track, a modern metal beast that rips out of your speakers. It works really well and vocalist Michael Eriksen keeps things melodic as he is no metal screamer.
‘Loved Ones’ is one of the songs of the year, with the keys riff and production reminding me a little of Shinedown. One glorious chorus on this one and an uplifting lyric, this is melodic rock at its finest. Lovely instrumental break midway through with the guitar solos of Mats Haugen soaring over the keys off Lasse Finbraten. ‘Remember’ is the other song with a more modern rock slant and the band have really spread their musical wings on this album.
They have been showing promise of an album of this magnitude since they started and it is safe to say this is their best album to date. It is a wonderful prog/melodic metal album and just right for your collection. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections