Tag Archives: symphonic metal

Album review: MAJESTICA – A Christmas Carol

Posted on November 26, 2020 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 04.12.20] ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens is one of my all-time favourite books and has been adapted for TV and film many times. Now we have Swedish symphonic metal band Majestica giving their take on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged A Christmas Carol, album, Charles Dickens, concept album, Majestica, melodic metal, Nuclear Blast, review, Sabatton, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: MARK BOALS & RING OF FIRE – All The Best!

Posted on October 18, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 09.10.20] Yngwie Malmsteen has introduced many fine vocalists to rock and metal fans including Jeff Scott Soto and Mark Boals, who sang on the classic ‘Trilogy’ album. Since then he has worked with many bands and artists … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, best of, Mark Boals, melodic, neoclassical metal, prog metal, review, Ring of Fire, symphonic metal, Tony Macalpine, Yngwie Malmsteen | Leave a comment

Album review: LEAVES’ EYES – The Last Viking

Posted on September 27, 2020 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 23.10.20] Leaves’ Eyes are nothing if prolific, with eight albums, eight EPs and a live album since they formed back in 2003. ‘The Last Viking’ marks the final part of the band’s Viking trilogy, telling the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, album, Elina Siirala, Leaves' Eyes, melodic metal, metal, review, symphonic metal, The Last Viking, Viking metal, Visions Of Atlantis | Leave a comment

Album review: MAGNUS KARLSSON’S FREE FALL – We Are The Night

Posted on July 4, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 12.06.20] Album number three from the Free Fall project fronted by Primal Fear guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who has been busy of late having had a hand in the recent Allen/Olzen album also released by Frontiers. Karlsson handles … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Freefall, guitarist, Magnus Karlsson, melodic metal, Primal Fear, pwoer metal, review, symphonic metal, Tony Martin, We Are The Night | Leave a comment

Album review: SMACKBOUND – 20/20

Posted on June 24, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 12.06.20] Finland’s Smackbound paid their dues playing clubs as a covers’ band. Their debut album, “20/20” is a distillation of all the styles and stuff they performed on stage…with added songwriting. And the songwriting shines brightly. It … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 20/20, album, debut, Frontiers, melodic metal, metal, review, Smackbound, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: SOLITUDE WITHIN – Disappear

Posted on June 23, 2020 by jason

The European metal scene has never been healthier, as each week reveals more and more bands to fall in love with. Belgium Symphonic rockers Solitude Within can rightly stake their claim as part of the leading pack with their 2017 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged album, Disappear, epic metal, melodic, melodic metal, metal, review, Solitude Within, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

EP review: CHAOS MAGIC – Desert Rose

Posted on May 22, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 08.05.20] A meeting of minds and talent, Chilean outfit Chaos Magic are an exciting prospect who have managed to blaze their way into many a Symphonic Rock fans heart. With two albums under their belt (the self-titled … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Chaos Magic, Covers, Desert Rose, EP, Faith No More, Frontiers, melodic, review, Sting, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: ESOTERICA – In Dreams

Posted on May 11, 2020 by jason

Esoterica [Release date 20.04.20] The dictionary definition of Esoterica is ‘things understood by or meant for a select few’. No one could ever accuse the London based sextet of either as their open-hearted take on modern rock is growing legions … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Esoterica, gothic, In Dreams, melodic metal, metal, New Order, review, rock, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Quick plays: DELAIN, JESSICA WOLFF, BEFORE SUNDAY

Posted on May 7, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

DELAIN Apocalypse & Chill (Napalm Records) [Release date 07.02.20] There was a time – around 10 years ago – when I was rather taken with Delain, and for that matter, Within Temptation. Both brought a slightly more commercial edge to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Anticipation, Apocalypse & Chill, Before Sunday, Delain, Jessica Wolff, Para Dice, pop rock, review, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: DYNAZTY – The Dark Delight

Posted on March 29, 2020 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 03.04.20] Dynazty’s first three albums culminated in the stirring melodic rock of “Sultans Of Sin” in 2012. By 2014, they had radically recalibrated their sound, trudging through the bland power metal of “Renatus” (2014) and “Titanic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, album, Dynazty, melodic metal, metal, review, symphonic metal, The Dark Delight | Leave a comment

Album review: SEVEN SPIRES – Emerald Seas

Posted on March 4, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 28.02.20] If only all concept albums were like this one…bittersweet melodic metal anthems liberally laced with apocalyptic metal tragedy. It’s such an accomplished piece of music that it belies the fact it is only the US band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Emerald Seas, Frontiers, metal, prog metal, review, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, Sascha Paeth, Seven Spires, symphonic metal | 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: 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: 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

Quick plays: VISIONATICA, ARDOURS

Posted on August 21, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

VISIONATICA Enigma Fire (Frontiers) [Release date 12.07.19] You have to ask yourself, on occasions, where has originality gone? Visionatica, a[nother] female fronted symphonic metal band, this time, from Nuremberg, failed to make much of a global ‘splash’ with their 2016 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Ardours, Enigma Fire, goth, hard rock, Last Place On Earth, Mariangela Demurtas, review, symphonic metal, Tristania, Visionatica | 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

Quick plays: ARION, JEAN BEAUVOIR

Posted on October 11, 2018 by jason

ARION Life Is Beautiful AFM Records [Release date 19.10.18] Second album by symphonic metal band Arion (their first for AFM Records) and it is typical fare for this sort of music. That’s not to say it is bad, in fact Arion are more keyboards led than … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Arion, Crown Of Thorns, Jean Beauvoir, Life Is Beautiful, melodic, melodic metal, melodic rock, review, Rock Masterpieces Vol.2, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

EP review: EPICA – Epica vs Attack On Titan

Posted on August 14, 2018 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 20.07.18] This EP features Epica covering songs based on the Japanese anime ‘Attack On Titan’. It features four songs (along with an instrumental version of each song) originally written and composed by Revo of Linked Horizon (who is a fan of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Single and EP reviews | Tagged anime, EP, Epica, Epica vs Attack On Titan, melodic, metal, review, Revo, Simone Simons, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MOB RULES, MIKE VASS

Posted on July 19, 2018 by jason

MOB RULES Beast Reborn SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 24.08.18] Mob Rules have been around for awhile now and although never reaching the heights of popularity of some fellow power metal bands, they have built a large and loyal following. Their latest album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, Beast Reborn, folk, melodic, metal, Mike Vass, Mob Rules, Notes From The Boat, power metal, review, rock, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AMANDA SOMERVILLE’S TRILLIUM, FLIGHT OF ICARUS

Posted on July 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

AMANDA SOMERVILLE’S TRILLIUM Tectonic Frontiers [Release date 08.06.18] The sophomore release by American-born, Dutch-based singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville’s symphonic metal project Trillium, is packed with melodies, riffs, solos and soaring vocals. The project’s well-received debut Alloy (2011) lead to support slots … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Amanda Somerville's Trillium, Flight Of Icarus, review, symphonic metal, Tectonic | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL ROMEO – War Of The Worlds, Pt. One

Posted on July 4, 2018 by petefeenstra

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 27.07.18] Former Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo’s ‘War of the Worlds’ has very little to do with the enduring Jeff Wayne adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic sci-fi book. However, the title does give the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Deep Purple, electro, Frank Zappa, guitar, H.G. Wells, Jeff Wayne, John Anderson, John Macaluso, John “JD” DeServio, Jon Anderson, metal, Michael Romeo, orchestral, Pearl And Dean, review, Rick Castellano, symphonic metal, Symphony X, War Of The Worlds Pt.1, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: AYREON UNIVERSE – The Best of Ayreon Live

Posted on March 26, 2018 by jason

Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group [30.03.18] Ayreon are masterminded by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, who prefers to create music in the studio rather than appear live and the announcement that Ayreon would play two shows in September 2017 (their first official … Continue reading →