Tag Archives: melodic metal

Album review: SONS OF APOLLO – MMXX

SONS OF APOLLO - MMXX

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

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Single reviews: SOLD, FALSE HEARTS, HELLZ

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

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Album review: SERENITY – The Last Knight

SERENITY - The Last Knight

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

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Album review: KOBURG – Position Of Power

KOBURG - Position Of Power

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

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Album review: KEEL – Keel & The Final Frontier

KEEL - The Final Frontier

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

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Album review: MOB RULES – Beast Over Europe

MOB RULES - Beast Over Europe

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

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Album review: A NEW TOMORROW – Universe

A NEW TOMORROW - Universe

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

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Album review: EDGE OF PARADISE – Universe

EDGE OF PARADISE - Universe

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

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Album review: THE DARK ELEMENT – Songs The Night Sings

THE DARK ELEMENT - Songs The Night Sings

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

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Album review: PRETTY MAIDS – Undress Your Madness

PRETTY MAIDS – Undress Your Madness

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

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Album review: THE FERRYMEN – A New Evil

THE FERRYMEN – A New Evil

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

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

SASCHA PAETH

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

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Album review: EDENBRIDGE – Dynamind

EDENBRIDGE - Dynamind

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

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Album review: MOB RULES – Beast Over Europe

MOB RULES - Beast Over Europe

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

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

FREEDOM CALL - M.E.T.A.L.

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

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

JIMI ANDERSON GROUP - I Belong

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

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Album review: JORN – Live On Death Road

JORN - Live On Death Road

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

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

JAILBIRDS - The Great Escape

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

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Album review: MYRATH – Shehili

MYRATH - Shehili

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

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Album review: SOTO – Origami

SOTO - Origami

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

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Album review: BATTLE BEAST – No More Hollywood Endings

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

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Quick plays: STARBREAKER, WEST BOUND

STARBREAKER Dysphoria

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

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Album review: SPIRITS OF FIRE

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

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Album review: AVANTASIA – Moonglow

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

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Album review: BEAST IN BLACK – From Hell With Love

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

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