Small Pond Recordings [Released 25.05.15]
This is the second album by Danish band Town Portal. They are a three piece instrumental band, with guitarist Christian Henrik Ankerstjerne also handling production.
Instrumental albums are sadly a niche market in many cases, which is a real shame as band like Town Portal have top draw musicianship and have produced a series of interesting soundscapes. They like the heavier end of rock, check out the throbbing bass and deep guitar riffs on ‘Yes Golem’. There is a touch of Mastodon in the music. ‘Deep Error’ has the listener wonderin when the vocals will kick in, the most instant tune on the album.
If you like bands like the excellent the Fierce & the Dead, do try this band, sure to appeal to prog rock fans. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
CIVIL WAR – Gods And Generals
Napalm Records [Released 11.05.15]
Civil War release their second album, one with a theme of battles as you can gather from the album cover artwork and title. The band features former Sabaton members who hooked up with vocalist Nils Patrik Johansson (Astral Doors/Lion’s Share). They have undergone a line-up change with founding guitarist Oskar Montelius retiring and the band parted ways with bassist Stefan Eriksson. The band’s new guitarist is longtime collaborator Petrus Granar.
‘Schindler’s Ark’ is one of the highlights, with the quiet vocals sounding like David Coverdale and then the choral harmonies add that epic touch to the songs. There is some rousing metal on ‘Braveheart’, again the band cleverly mix quiet musical passages with the more out and out metal bombast. ‘Bay Of Pigs’ recalls Dio, not only with Johansson’s vocals but the guitar riffs and solos. Another album stand out.
It all goes a little ‘Les Miserables’ on ‘Tears From The North’ with the orchestral backing and military drumbeat. It does have that big musical feel about it.
The band Civil War may have gone under a few people’s musical radars which should change with this album. This is metal with strong lyrics and epic music, along with those vocals from Nils Patrik Johansson, what a voice! ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025
SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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