Tag Archives: power metal

Album review: HUMAN FORTRESS – Thieves Of The Night

HUMAN FORTRESS – Thieves Of The Night

AFM Records [Release date 18.03.16] “Thieves of the Night” is German melodic metal band Human Fortress’s follow up to the well-received “Raided Land”. The band deal in a genre populated by bands such as Kamelot, Avantasia and Virgin Steele according … Continue reading

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Quick plays: ALMANAC, MOULETTES, BREAK THE SENSES

ALMANAC - Tsar

ALMANAC Tsar Nuclear Blast [Release date 18.03.16] Rage had a major line-up change last year, one of which saw guitarist Victor Smolski leave the band and he wasted little time in assembling Almanac. This album is a concept piece based … Continue reading

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Album review: SINBREED – Master Creator

SINBREED – Master Creator

German power metal band Sinbreed return with their new opus “Master Creator” which follows on from 2014’s “Shadows”. The band line-up has remained unchanged with vocalist Herbie Langhans (recently to be heard singing the part of “Eclipse” on the latest … Continue reading

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Quick plays: TREETOP FLYERS, SERENITY

TREETOP FLYERS - Palomino

TREETOP FLYERS – Palomino [Release date 11.03.16] This is the second album from this London five piece and listening to the album you would think you were back in the 1970′s and the West Coast sound of artists like Crosby, … Continue reading

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Album Review: RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Into The Legend

RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Into The Legend

AFM Records [Release date 15.01.16] Rhapsody of Fire return with their 11th studio album “Into The Legend”…this is of course classing Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody as a totally separate band which I suppose it is anyway… The press release points out … Continue reading

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Gig review: GAMMA RAY – Islington Academy, London, 8 December 2015

Neonfly - The Tivoli, Buckley, 20 April 2014

I missed the opening couple of numbers by Neonfly, however I did catch ‘The Revenant’ the third song in their set. They were very lively as ever on stage with vocalist Willy Norton a livewire singing, jumping around and getting … Continue reading

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Album review: CIRCLE II CIRCLE – Reign Of Darkness

CIRCLE II CIRCLE - Reign Of Darkness

earMUSIC [Release date 16.10.15] Circle II Circle are back with their latest album, which vocalist Zak Stevens says represents a musical reinvention for the band. Mmm, not too sure about that as the album is a typical Circle II Circle … Continue reading

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Album reviews: GAMMA RAY – Sigh No More/Heading For The East

GAMMA RAY - Sigh No More/Heading For The East

earMUSIC [Release date 25.09.15] Another anniversary edition, Gamma Ray’s second album Sigh No More was originally released back in 1991. It came out just as grunge was starting, although metal bands were never hit as much as the hair metal … Continue reading

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Album review: GLORYHAMMER – SPACE 1992: Rise Of The Chaos Wizards

        Napalm Records [release date 25.09.15 ] Angus McFife and his merry band are back in another tale of daring do. This time taking on the galactic hordes in the defence of the mighty galaxy of Fife … Continue reading

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Gig review: POWERWOLF – Islington Academy, London, 9 September 2015

A triple metal bill in midweek, what a nice treat. Did feel sorry for openers Xandria as they were on stage at seven not long after the doors had opened. They are not really my cup of tea with the … Continue reading

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Album review: W ANGEL’S CONQUEST – Taste Of Life

W ANGEL’S CONQUEST – Taste Of Life

Ferrum [Release date 08.06.15] This is the 5th album release from W Angel’s Conquest, Ukraine’s oldest power metal outfit apparently, I will take their word for that. Formed back in 1996 by guitarist W Angel this album is being hailed … Continue reading

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Album review: POWERWOLF – Blessed & Possessed

POWERWOLF - Blessed & Possessed

Napalm Records [Release date 17.07.15] Powerwolf are back with album number six and the second one I have heard by them having been mightily impressed by their last albums ‘Preachers Of The Night’. As their name suggests they play power … Continue reading

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Album review: SAVATAGE – Return To Wacken

SAVATAGE – Return To Wacken

EarMusic – Out Now For a band whose career never quite reached the commercial heights of giants like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, US Progressive Power Metalers Savatage have managed to achieve many great things since their inception … Continue reading

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Album review: EMERALD SUN – Metal Dome

EMERALD SUN – Metal Dome

Fastball Music [Release date 22.05.15] Emerald Sun hail from Thessaloniki in Greece and I can’t help but think that if the Greek economy was as healthy as their metal scene then the Eurozone might be getting handouts from Athens! Melodic … Continue reading

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Quick plays: AXEL RUDI PELL, FREEDOM CALL, DANIELZ

AXEL RUDI PELL & FRIENDS – Magic Moments 25th Anniversary Special Show SPV www.spv.de (3CD/3DVD/Blu-Ray) [Released 27.04.15] This was a special one-off concert filmed and recorded back in July 11th 2014 at the ‘Bang Your Head’ festival to celebrate German … Continue reading

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Album review: KISKE SOMERVILLE – City of Heroes

KISKE SOMERVILLE- City of Heroes

Frontiers Records [Release Date 17.04.15] Despite the rather unimaginative name, some of rock’s most respected names are behind this project. The singers are former Helloween and more recently Place Vendome singer Michael Kiske and Trillium singer and vocal coach Amanda … Continue reading

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Gig review: LORDI – Manchester Club Academy, 26 March 2015

LORDI - Manchester Club Academy, 26 March 2015

When I heard that the mighty Lordi were to play Manchester Academy I was expecting it to be in room 1 or 2 due to their extravagant stage show of theatrical props and pyrotechnics and not in the Club Academy … Continue reading

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Quick plays: CHITRAL SOMAPALA, MARK SLAUGHTER

CHITRAL SOMAPALA – Sinhabumi [Release date 23.01.15] Chitral Somapala is a big name in his home nation of Sri Lanka and on this album he sings in his native language. Rock fans will know him from his time in Power … Continue reading

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Gig review: KAMELOT – O2 Islington Academy, London, 14 March 2015

KAMELOT – O2 Academy Islington, London, 14 March 2015

Support Acts: Gus G, Skarlett Riot. Four years ago, Progressive/Symphonic Power Metallers Kamelot witnessed the departure from their ranks of Roy Khan – their charismatic and imposing frontman who, during his fourteen year tenure with the band, helped bring to … Continue reading

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Album review – ASTRALION – Astralion

          Limb Music (Release date 14.11.14) I do like a bit of melodic power metal, all stirring melodies and glorious harmonies set to a furious backbeat, played well there is little better. Astralion hail from Finland … Continue reading

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Album review: LEVEL 10 – Chapter 1

Level 10 - Chapter 1

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Released 27.01.14] Level 10 is another Frontiers project hooking-up vocalist Russell Allen (Symphony X/Adrenaline Mob) and bassist/producer/writer Mat Sinner (Primal Fear/Sinner). They are joined by Primal Fear band members Randy Black (drums) and Alex Beyrodt (guitar), along with … Continue reading

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Album review: HARMONY – Theatre Of Redemption

Harmony - Theatre Of Redemption

Ulterium Records [Release date 28.11.14] It’s probably not a good idea to release albums a month or so before Christmas: they tend to get lost in the festivities and almost certainly miss out in best of year selections.  Which is … Continue reading

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Album review: POWERWOLF – The History Of Heresy I (2004-2008)

POWERWOLF – The History Of Heresy I (2004-2008)

Metal Blade – Out Now. It’s been eleven years since my career as a music journalist began and, to this day, there are times that I still find myself baffled by some of the decisions made by even of the … Continue reading

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Album review: NEONFLY – Strangers In Paradise plus interview with Frederick Thunder

NEONFLY – Strangers In Paradise

Inner Wound Recordings [Release date 01.12.14] Neonfly I discovered thanks to a tip-off from Charlie Farrell, a man who knows his way around the metal scene and recommended I got along early to see them supporting the mighty Power Quest. … Continue reading

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Album review: UNISONIC – Light Of Dawn

UNISONIC – Light Of Dawn

  earMUSIC [Release date 04.08.14] Arguably, 2014 has already been a good year for the power metal genre: Gamma Ray, Edguy and Freedom Call, amongst others have spun out very worthy platters. German supergroup Unisonic have easily augmented that roster … Continue reading

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