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| POWER OF METAL - SYMPHONIES OF STEEL (NOISE) |
| Here is a very cool and cheap compilation Power Metal CD to add to your collection. Noise Records puts together some classic metal on this disc. Bands like Virgin Steele, Helloween, Gamma Ray and Stratovarius bring you the best Power Metal has to offer. If you like your Metal with a Symphonic sound (does that make sense?) then buy this soon! |
| Power Of Metal has a wide variety of Power Melodies, for example check out Gamma Ray's "Valley Of The Kings" a true Metal classic from these German Metal Veterans. Running Wild's "Under Jolly Roger" reminds me of Iron Maiden or Raven with its galloping rhythm section. Virgin Steele and lead off track "A symphony of Steele" is self explanitory and fits in very nicely along with the other 12 tracks. The disc ends with Celtic Frost and Kreator, no they are not Power Metal but what the heck for $7.99 (or whatever it was that I paid) this CD is a Steel so the addition of these two bands does not hurt it just helps when you finally decide to buy this. The only minor flaw with this is that 4/9 bands on this Disc have 2 songs each, even though it's not a big deal I am happy with the overall product. So what are you waiting for? why read any longer, this disc is for your ears only. Metal Mike................................................................................7.5/10 |
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| OZZY OSBOURNE - DOWN TO EARTH (SONY) |
| Every year Ozzy tells the world that he is going to retire, he has done this so many times that we all say "yeah yeah sure Ozzy" no one believe's him anyway. And while these rumours are floating around each year about the Oz man, he still continues to put out Quality Heavy Metal. Down to Earth is a good way to keep the dream alive. |
| With the return of Zakk Wylde on Guitar, Ozzy is able to make something fresh with cool riffs in typical Ozzy fashion. once you hear lead off single "Gets me through" you know right away that Ozzy with the help of Zakk have put together a True Metal disc and at a good time, with todays Pop music phase maybe they will finally listen and come to their senses, anyway Down To Earth shows you that Ozzy after all these years still has what it takes, even though Zakk Wylde's Signature guitar sound is probably the most interesting thing about this album, along with Ozzy they have truly made thier best music together since Ozzy's 1991 release "No More Tears" just listen to "Black Illusion" or "Can you hear them?" as these tracks bring out the best in Zakk and Ozzy. Down to Earth along with every other Ozzy release will as always sell a ton of copy's as the Ozz man has been one of the world's most popular Icon's in Heavy Metal History. Ozzy continues to impress even if we still hear the rumours of his retirement, lets be thankfull that he is still making good Metal and enjoy it for the rest of his long career. Metal Mike............................................................................9/10 |
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| MARTYR - EXTRACTING THE CORE - LIVE 2001 (SKYSCRAPER) |
| Live CD's have not been my favourite when ever a band releases something new. Just like a Greatest Hits CD if you know the bands songs really well then there is not much point to purchase it. Martyr is a band from Quebec, one of many Canadian bands on |
| Canuck Label Skyscraper Music. This "Live" Disc by Martyr is fantastic in every way as the band plays their asses off on this one in front of a few of thier fans. Martyr has a Progresive/Thrash sound just like recent stuff by Florida's Death (who may no longer be together) Extracting The Core with its moshable tracks continues to keep you interested through out the night as Lead Guitar/Vocalist Daniel Mongrain puts on an Impresive show even though he speaks French to the crowd at one point he really gets them excited with the track "Virtual Emotions". Like I said dont let the fact that this is a "Live" CD scare you away, if its a Mosh Pit you want then Martyr does deliver the goods as "War Zone" leads the way through 9 tracks and over 41 minutes of music. So if this is the kind of stuff your Heavy Metal heart Desires then go for it. A product proudly Made in Canada. Metal Mike....................................................................8.5/10 |
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| SOUL OF DARKNESS - CRY OF THE INNER PAIN (SKYSCRAPER) |
| Just another one of those underground Black Metal CD's to add to my show's playlist. Soul Of Darkness who sound a lot like Cradle Of Filth in more ways than one, blast your ears off with this 6 song release. Like I said before I enjoy listening to many Black/Death Metal bands |
| like Cradle Of Filth, Emporer, Dark Funeral etc.. not all will interest me, some I do enjoy, some I just dont mind S.O.D is one of those bands that I really need to get used to first but even though they will still be nothing I truly have a huge interest in. Cry the Inner pain will interest most Die hard Death/Black Metal fans more than it will me. If you like your Metal fast, furious and very Extreme then this is for you. S.O.D a Canadian Black Metal band with a tight and fast sound to it, makes me proud to see that the underground Metal scene has its share of diverse Heavy Metal bands what ever it may be such as Thrash, Speed, Death/ Black , Power, etc... these bands know they may have to start from the bottom to work their way to the top. Sometimes its the hard work that these bands go through which is the most interesting part of being in the scene, that way they know in the end they have earned it. Metal Mike..................................................................6.5/10 |
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| QUO VADIS - PASSAGE IN TIME (SKYSCRAPER) |
| Quo Vadis yet another cool band on Skyscrapers label, bring you a CD with a couple "Live" tracks, some Previously unreleased material and some old but now new Demo tracks from their 1995 S/T Demo CD. This is a very interesting package |
| of rare and "Live" tracks. Quo Vadis fans will love this as much as I do. "As One" which is previously unlreleased, shows the bands unique sound not heard before by many other Canadian bands on Skyscraper's Label or anywhere else for that matter. The Two "Live" tracks "Dysgenics" and "Point of no Return" lets you capture the bands on stage performance even though you are not there in person you can still feel the image from your speakers at home. The final four tracks which are taken from the 1995 S/T demo CD sound very good with "Sons of greed" and "Vital Signs" being a couple of my favourites that stand out. The band has even added the video for the track "Dysgenics" on Enhanced CD-ROM which bands should do more often in the future. Quo Vadis has all the bases covered on this Disc for its true fans. So even if your somewhat of a new fan this Disc will impress you, while you search for other Quo Vadis Releases for your collection. Metal Mike...............................................................8/10 |
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| BALANCE OF POWER - PERFECT BALANCE ( NIGHTMARE) |
| When ever I have a good feeling about a band just from its name alone, I am usually right in more ways than one. Here is Balance Of Power a truly amazing Power Metal band born in England in 1995 they have received fantastic reviews worldwide |
| for this and their first two CD's as well. I knew I was about to find out what the rest of the World already new about BOP and am I glad I did! Perfect Balance is the best Melodic Progressive/Power Metal I have ever heard since Dream Theater's Images and Words. And if you love Dream Theater then Balance Of Power is exactly what your life has been missing since then. Lance King BOP Lead Vocalist is awesome as his Powerfull yet Melodic voice helps this album flourish on tracks "Shelter Me" and "Fire Dance". Guitarists Pete Southern and Bill Yates solo's are exceptional and as good as any Progressive Metal Guitarists around. I just cant believe that an album like this will be totally ignored by the North American Music Industry, its unfortunate that great Talent like this will take longer to notice because they are not following a "Trend" like what we see and hear on Radio and T.V. on this side of the world. One things for sure Balance Of Power has my Respect for being one of the Brightest most powerfull and somewhat new Metal bands to grace this earth. Keep up the good work guys and cheer's from the Underground Metal Scene, we are all in this together. Metal Mike................................................................9/10 |
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| ANTITHESIS - DYING FOR LIFE (NIGHTMARE) |
| Here's another band from label Nightmare records Antithesis, and what a band they are. Progressive Power Metal is the game once again and this Album does not let up. Right from the start on lead off track "Soul Of Ice" you know you are in |
| for a Heavy Metal ride of pure Metal riffs. Antithesis with its Killer sound fast and furious through out most of the album is just one of the many creative bands on Nightmare records. Dying for life gives you reason to live as tracks like "Consequence" Deceiver Within" and Massive riff monster "Mad Poet" Thrash with speed and Power. the band which was formed in 1997 in Cleveland , Ohio play like they've been together for over ten years. A tight Progressive Metal sound with Death, Dream Theater and Queensryche being obvious major Influences by these 5 masterminds. Antithesis also have a positive attitude through their music for all from teens to adults without the need to promote hate, Prejudice or violence. And the results are amazing as you can tell. These guys are living proof that hard work and a Positive attitude will do wonders for you especially in the Music Business and the 30 year old monster that refuses to die, Heavy Metal. Metal Mike..........................................................9.5/10 |
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| GAMMA RAY - NO WORLD ORDER (SANCTUARY) |
| Kai Hansen and Gamma Ray do exactly what we expected with this release. They deliver us the goods in typical Power Metal fashion. No World Order (Not to be confused with the N.W.O. of Pro Wrestling) is easily one of their most |
| interesting yet creative records to date. Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and other Infuences are easily recognized on this CD as the band shows fans their roots and where it all came from. "Heaven or Hell" "No world order" "Solid" and "Fire below" are favourites, but you will notice a little change in sound as compared to the previous album Powerplant. It may not be as fast in some areas as Powerplant but it is truly a Gamma Ray record. Kai Hansen (who was almost picked up by Judas Preist instead of Tim "Ripper" Owens) doesnt miss a note on No world order. All Gamma Ray and Power Metal fans will be pleased with the bands effort to not only interest the Die hard Gamma Ray fans but bring in some new ones along the way. Lets hope a North American Tour for 2002 is on the way by the summer and if so you wont want to miss it so keep your eyes open for Gamma Ray coming soon to a town/city near you. My fingers will be crossed. Metal Mike..............................................................8/10 |
| YYRKOON - DYING SUN (ANVIL CORP) |
| Yyrkoon a band from France with a powerfull yet progressive sound delivers the goods as they will please all Metal fans with this very impressive CD. Dying Sun is a Heavy album from these Thrash experts |
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| who mean business. Its always good to see bands like this who put music first ahead of image, since the most common image in metal is long haired and leather clad, Yyrkoon is just that. Galloping rhythm sections exist all over this CD as lead vocalist Stephane Souteyrand (who also plays guitar) shows how both harmony and Death growl is done. This gives the Disc an interesting feel to it just check out track #3 "Flight of the titan" which has an outstanding chorus. Many tracks on this disc like lead Pounder "Idols are burning" and "The Clans" breath fire from start to Thrashing finish. Its bands like this whose sound is quite remarkable which deserve all the credit in the world for staying true to thier roots and playing just Thrash/Progressive type tunes that bring a big smile to your face as this Disc will find a hard time leaving your CD Player or Car Stereo even for a minute. Yyrkoon is a Heavy Metal band you will want in your collection but most of all let it be part your way of life just like Heavy Metal is mine. Metal Mike..........................................................9/10 |
| DIO - KILLING THE DRAGON (SPITFIRE) |
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| Ronnie James Dio is back with his best album in years. Just by looking at the cover of the CD you will know what I mean as Dio the legend himself takes us back to the good old days of Holy Diver and the Last in line. And how does Killing |
| The Dragon compare to the Magica Man's classics from the past? its exactly what we had all hoped for, Dio to go back to his roots and make another Alchemy type record. And Killing the Dragon is fantastic with its Demons and Wizards type concept. Just listen to the Title track and right away you can tell the difference between this CD and his last disc Magica, which had a much slower pace to its songs than past Dio Albums. Killing the Dragon is thankfully up beat and to the point, Dio style as heard on other songs like "Along comes a Spider" "Scream" and "Rock And Roll". Dio has truly come back to give us a taste of his old days with RJD himself sounding as good as he's always been, the guy's still got it even after stints with Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow, Black Sabbath and his band ELF from the 70's. Ronnie James Dio is best suited like this, the solo Master of Metal. And all his fans would not want it any other way. I should know I'm one of them. Metal Mike.............................................................8.5/10 |
| SWEET SILENCE - FALLEN ANGEL (ANVIL CORP) |
| I dont know much about much at all about Sweet Silence but after listening to these guys who are marketed by ANVIL Corp. I must say it is a Riff filled album that will keep you coming back for more. Agressive, Full Speed ahead Metal, with hearty vocals is one way to describe it. If this label which is located in France has more to offer like this kind of talent, I hope I hear from them soon. it takes a second listen to this album to realise that there are some songs which are in French (if not all!) not that there's anything wrong with that... Sweet Silence will hush any critics who are skeptical of bands from unknown labels over on this side of the Atlantic ocean. So go ahead take advantage of the situation if you like real Heavy Metal, play it as high as 20 if you can, Because thats where Sweet Silence should be played. After all, its not just another metal disc for your ears right? Metal Mike.......................................................8/10 |