Tag Archives: melodic metal

Album review: SONS OF APOLLO – MMXX

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 17.01.20] Second studio outing from the prog metal supergroup Sons Of Apollo who consist of vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, bassist Billy Sheenan, guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, drummer Mike Portnoy and on keyboards Derek Sherinian. Sons Of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Billy Sheenan, Bumblefoot, Derek Sherinian, Dream Theater, Guns 'N' Roses, Jeff Scott Soto, Journey, melodic metal, metal, Mike Portnoy, MMXX, prog metal, progressive, review, Sons Of Apollo | Leave a comment

Single reviews: SOLD, FALSE HEARTS, HELLZ

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

SOLD ‘Empty Words’ Seemingly making quantum leaps with each new release, Estonia band Sold have really hit things out of the ballpark with ‘Empty Words’. A snarling wildcat of a song, its mix of growling male and clean female vocals … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged False Hearts, Halestorm, Hellz, melodic metal, metal, new bands, review, singles, Sold | Leave a comment

Album review: SERENITY – The Last Knight

Posted on January 13, 2020 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 31.01.20] Austrian symphonic metal band Serenity are back and I seemed to have missed 2017′s ‘Lionheart’, having enjoyed the previous year’s ‘Codex Atlanticus’. That’s the trouble sometimes with so many bands around it is hard to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, melodic metal, Napalm Records, power metal, review, Serenity, symphonic metal, the Last Knight | Leave a comment

Album review: KOBURG – Position Of Power

Posted on January 10, 2020 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 01.01.20] It sounds like a fairy tale but, at the stroke of midnight, as the old year passed into the next decade, a new Queen was crowned. Now, America has Amy Lee, Holland has Floor Jansen, Sweden … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Evanescence, Koburg, melodic metal, metal, Nightwish, Position Of Power, review, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: KEEL – Keel & The Final Frontier

Posted on January 2, 2020 by jason

Rock Candy Records [Release date 29.11.19] ‘The Final Frontier’ – Discovered, mentored and produced by Gene (Kiss) Simmons, Ron Keel’s hard rock band were of and for their times. On “The Final Frontier” the band’s 3rd album (1985), they make … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 80's metal, album, classic rock, Gene Simmons, hair metal, Keel, Marc Ferrari, melodic metal, review, Rock Candy, Ron Keel, The Final Frontier | Leave a comment

Album review: MOB RULES – Beast Over Europe

Posted on December 30, 2019 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 13.09.19] Germany has long been a hotbed for rock and metal, with the Scorpions, Accept, Doro and Bonfire leading the way and the huge Waken Open Air festival bringing Teutonic thunder to the world. Celebrating their 25th … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Beast Over Europe, live, melodic metal, metal, Mob Rules, power metal, review | Leave a comment

Album review: A NEW TOMORROW – Universe

Posted on December 16, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 06.12.19] Formed during 2009 by vocalist/guitarist Alessio Garavello (ex-Power Quest, Arthemis) and bassist Andrea Lonardi, the two were later joined by Tim Hall (drums) and Michael Kew (guitars). Another band marking Frontiers move into signing newer bands … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A New Tomorrow, album, Alessio Garavello, ALTER BRIDGE, Arthemis, Frontiers, melodic metal, modern metal, Power Quest, review | Leave a comment

Album review: EDGE OF PARADISE – Universe

Posted on December 10, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 08.11.19] Currently on a major European tour, Edge Of Paradise came up the hard way, slogging their away around the LA circuit, creating fans, making a name. It got them minor label recording contracts and two consequent … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, David Ruiz, Edge Of Paradise, Frontiers, Kamelot, Margaret Monet, melodic metal, review, symphonic metal, Universe | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DARK ELEMENT – Songs The Night Sings

Posted on December 5, 2019 by jason

Frontiers Music [Release date 08.11.19] Dark Element is the second coming together of Symphonic Rock’s golden couple, Jani Liimatainen and Anette Olzon. One recorded 8 albums with genre giants Sonata Artica and Stratovarius, the other 3 albums with the genre’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anette Olzon, Frontiers, Jani Liimatainen, melodic metal, Nightwish, review, Songs The Night Sings, Stratovarius, symphonic metal, The Dark Element | Leave a comment

Album review: PRETTY MAIDS – Undress Your Madness

Posted on November 18, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 08.11.19] This new album by the Pretty Maids (number 16 from a band who have been around for nearly 40 years now), has been overshadowed by the sad news that vocalist Ronnie Atkins has been diagnosed with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, hard rock, melodic metal, Pretty Maids, review, rock, Ronnie Atkins, Undress Your Madness | Leave a comment

Album review: THE FERRYMEN – A New Evil

Posted on October 29, 2019 by jason

Frontiers Music [Release date 11.10.19] Although the name may conjure up images of a Gerry & The Pacemakers tribute act playing package tours to provincial theatres, The Ferrymen are actually a European metal outfit fronted by Ronnie Romero on vocals … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic metal, Dio, Magnus Karlsson, melodic metal, Mike Terrana, Primal Fear, Rainbow, review, Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie Romero, the Ferrymen | 1 Comment

Album review: SASCHA PAETH’S MASTERS OF CEREMONY – Signs of Wings

Posted on October 15, 2019 by jason

Frontiers Music [Release date 13.09.19] UK audiences may not be too familiar with German-born Sascha Paeth but the multi-instrumentalist and producer has had a hand in many, many dozens of albums for an extensive roster of bands over the past … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AVANTASIA, Edguy, Epica, Frontiers, Master's of Ceremony, melodic metal, review, Sacha Paeth, Signs of Wings, symphonic metal | 1 Comment

Album review: EDENBRIDGE – Dynamind

Posted on September 29, 2019 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 25.10.19] Classic melodic symphonic metal from Austria, Edenbridge have up there with the best of them since their formation in 1998. Still going strong, this is their 10th studio album. Formed by vocalist Sabine Edeisbcher and guitarist, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Arne Lanvall Stockhammer, Dynamind, EDENBRIDGE, melodic metal, prog metal, review, Sabine Edeisbcher, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: MOB RULES – Beast Over Europe

Posted on August 17, 2019 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 13.09.19] Germany. Spiritual home of power metal. Influenced by British classic rock of early to mid 80s (think Saxon, Iron Maiden et al), the scene started in mid 80s mid Europe and it’s come a long way … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Beast Over Europe, Klaus Dirks, live, melodic metal, metal, Mob Rules, power metal, review, SPV | Leave a comment

Album review: FREEDOM CALL – M.E.T.A.L.

Posted on July 28, 2019 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 23.08.19] Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Chris Bay, Freedom Call have been going since 1998, several line-up changes under their belt, and Bay has overseen a few changes. And this album is as great as ever. I have championed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Bay, Freedom Call, happy metal, M.E.T.A.L., melodic metal, metal, power metal, review | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JIMI ANDERSON GROUP, HOLLOW HAZE, HUMBLE PIE

Posted on July 23, 2019 by jason

JIMI ANDERSON GROUP I Belong AOR Heaven [Release date 30.08.19] Second album from the Jimi Anderson Group, which sees singer Jimi Anderson working again with producers/musicians Sandy Jones and Greame Duffin, plus guitarist David Cuthbert. There is nothing on here … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, classic rock, Frontiers, Hollow Haze, Humble Pie, Jimi Anderson Group, melodic metal, melodic rock, power metal, Quick Play, review, Steve Marriott | Leave a comment

Album review: JORN – Live On Death Road

Posted on July 10, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 14.06.19] Jorn Lande continues his fiftieth birthday celebrations, started off last December with a lavish box set, with a live double CD and DVD. Joining Jorn in his live band are guitarist Tore Moren, keyboards player Alessandro … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, classic rock, Dio, Frontiers, Jorn, Jorn Lande, melodic metal, metal, reviews, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JAILBIRDS, TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON, CHAOS MAGIC

Posted on July 4, 2019 by jason

JAILBIRDS The Great Escape Golden Robot Records [Released date 05.07.19] Jailbirds are an Australian/Irish hard rock band based in Dublin, Ireland and ‘The Great Escape’ is their debut album. The band is composed of Axel McDonald (vocals, lead guitar), Jay … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Caterina Nix, Chaos Magic, classic rock, Evergrey, Frontiers, hard rock, Jailbirds, melodic metal, metal, prog metal, reviews, Stratovarius, Timo Tolkki | Leave a comment

Album review: MYRATH – Shehili

Posted on June 8, 2019 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 03.05.19] Tunisian metallers Myrath have been around since 2001, gaining more rave reviews and fans after 2016’s ‘Legacy’ album, one which saw them embrace their Arabic sounds more and ditch some of the Eurometal clichés. On ‘Shehili’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, melodic metal, metal, Myrath, power metal, prog metal, review, Shehili, traditional music, Tunisian | Leave a comment

Album review: SOTO – Origami

Posted on May 16, 2019 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 24.05.19] Jeff Scott Soto is a busy man with his solo albums, Sons Of Apollo, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, W.E.T. and of course the band SOTO (I am thinking the use of capitals is to differentiate from the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Jeff Scott Soto, Journey, melodic metal, metal, Michael Jackson, review, rock, Sons Of Apollo, Soto, Talisman, W.E.T. | Leave a comment

Album review: BATTLE BEAST – No More Hollywood Endings

Posted on April 4, 2019 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 22.03.19] Battle Beast are back with their second album since founding member, guitarist and chief songwriter Anton Kabanen left in 2016 to form Beast In Black (who released their latest album earlier this year on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Battle Beast, melodic, melodic metal, No More Hollywood Endings, Nuclear Blast, pop metal, power metal, review | Leave a comment

Quick plays: STARBREAKER, WEST BOUND

Posted on March 6, 2019 by jason

STARBREAKER Dysphoria Frontiers [Release date 25.01.19] Third album from the Starbreaker project featuring Primal Fear guitarist Magnus Karlsson and former TNT vocalist Tony Harnell. It has been awhile as their second album was released back in 2008. With Tony Harnell’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, blues rock, Bonham, Chas West, hard rock, Judas Priest, Magnus Karlsson, melodic metal, metal, Primal Fear, review, rock, Roy Z, TNT, Tony Harnell, West Bound | Leave a comment

Album review: SPIRITS OF FIRE

Posted on March 2, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 22.2.19] Spirits Of Fire is the new outfit fronted by ex-Judas Priest singer Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens. A supergroup of sorts the project brings together Owens (ex-Judas Priest, Iced Earth), guitarist Chris Caffery (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), bassist Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Chris Caffery, classic metal, debut album, Judas Priest, melodic metal, metal, review, Roy Z, Savatage, Spirits Of Fire, Tim 'Ripper' Owens, Trans Siberian Orchestra | Leave a comment

Album review: AVANTASIA – Moonglow

Posted on February 17, 2019 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 15.02.19] ‘Moonglow’ is the eighth full-length album by Tobias Sammet’s metal opera project Avantasia. As with previous Avantasia’s albums he calls upon an impressive list of guest vocalists including returns for Magnum’s Bob Catley, former Queensryche and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, AVANTASIA, Bob Catley, Candice Night, Edguy, GEOFF TATE, Jorn Lande, melodic metal, Moonglow, Nuclear Blast, pomp, power metal, review, symphonic metal, Tobias Sammet | Leave a comment

Album review: BEAST IN BLACK – From Hell With Love

Posted on January 27, 2019 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 08.02.19] Beast In Black hail from Finland and were formed in 2015 when guitarist and songwriter Anton Kabanen left his previous band Battle Beast. They released their debut album ‘Berserker’ in 2017 and now they are … Continue reading →