| ODYSSEA - TEARS IN FLOODS (Scarlet Records) |
| Here's another Power Metal band courtesy of Scarlet Records. Scarlet is an excellent label out of Italy which has many bands on it's roster that cater to the european power/melodic metal genre. Odyssea is one of those bands with an interesting sound and album cover. The highs and lows on this CD are present track to track with the band trying different things here and there musically. They sound like what you'd get if you crossed Angra with Therion and a little Blind Guardian just for spice. One thing I enjoy very much about the disc is it's Guitar solo's as they stand out on the recording, maybe a little too much because the rest of Tears In Floods isn't as interesting. Vocals and rhythm section just didn't sit well together, seems very out of place or maybe it's the production itself. Overall I like the 80's style solo's which have great feel to it, but nothing else stood out too much. This is a concept that doesn't work after all. But an interesting listen which may or may not be your thing. Metal Mike................................................................4/10 |
| REVOLVER - TURBULENCE (Sextant Records) |
| This could be the most important release in hard rock/ Heavy Metal the past 15 years. Since grunge came along in the early 90's to steal the spotlight away from hard rock/metal bands that dominated the early to late 80's, not one band comes to mind that was able to recover from that or even try to bring up something new and fresh with that early hard rock edge/groove that also went missing when grunge made an appearance. Revolver is that band to take control of this industry which is hurting for a serious change. Nick Walsh who many will remember for his years in Slik Toxik is the man behind the mic once again after he went on hiatus for a while (But unlike Axl Rose) came back with a serious plan in mind that is bound to break open the hard rock/metal gates to get people to wake up and pay attention to something that truly rocks. The album kicks off with a couple of hard nosed tracks "Turbulence" and "Juggernaut" pure energy builds on this album as it chugs along like nothing anyone would expect. Anyone who thought Nick's career was over is sadly mistaken, he's only getting started. With the addition of Sean Kelly (Crash Kelly) on guitar and Laurie-Ann Green ( Ex-Jane Doe) on Bass this is a well experienced group of musicians who know what it takes to get make this happen. Strong lyrics by Nick Walsh with the help of long time friends Dave Mercel and Sean Baillie. The final three tracks on Turbulence are the most powerful on the album with it's real rock edge (Skid Row comes to mind) as Nick has never sounded better, he's learned a lot and it's helped him produce a top 5 release of 2005. The track "Atomic Arcade" goes like this... "What ever happend to the days when music spoke for you? Those days will come again, I swear, I swear. We're here to bring it back, good times and moments to be had, it's been absent all this time." This is a band on a mission. Metal Mike...........................................................9.5/10 |
| SKULGRINDER - ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (KM Records) |
| If you like heavy metal that really keeps you thinking from track to track then read on. From the state of New York comes a band known as Skulgrinder who expand your mind and keep things very interesting with the countless number of bands that they have been influenced by. Skulgrinder offer a very melodic/hamonic yet interesting hard rock/metal sound. Whether it calls for a pounding riff like on the track "Jack City Jesus" or a bombastic rhythm section on "Tattooed City" you know this band can deliver the goods. And why not? with influences ranging from 80's Metallica, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and more, the bands sincere sound comes out. Vocalist Brian Andersen has a very good range and adds a very noticable set of pipes to Island Of Lost Souls giving you an 80's feel beyond the new millennium. "Virtual Insanity" and "Between The Lies" are two of the heavier tracks on the album as they give you the Heavy Metal rush this band preaches. Skulgrinder does indeed do what they want and this gives them their own identity. Would they benefit by adding another guitar player and making this a heavier grind? Possibly, but then again, why change a tire when it's not flat? Know what I mean? Skulgrinder is a welcome addition to this world of heavy metal music and will continue to impress, more so in the longrun. Metal Mike....................................................................7/10 |
| KREATOR - ENEMY OF GOD (SPV) |
| Kreator is truly one of the most evil, Old School thrash bands ever to come out of Germany. While never releasing a below average album, Kreator has stayed true to form for more than 20 years. Enemy Of God, just like Violent Revolution is one of the greatest Thrash albums ever made. Mille Petrozza who has led this band through 2 decades worth of Thrash, has taken Kreator to another level of chaos and brutallity. From top to bottom this CD displays some of the greatest thrash riffs ever heard. Many bands in the past (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer etc..) have also released some serious classic albums we will never forget. But as the 90's ended and the new millennium began, the term "Classic" was never really used in the same sentence when a band releases something that blows you away. Kreator has done just that. This is a CD that will take many years of spinning before you even consider pulling it out of your player. I cannot stress enough how Important the past two Kreator releases have been for Heavy Metal and the band as they have put themselves in the Heavy Metal hall of fame along the same wall as Black Sabbath, Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, and Megadeth. Kreator is and always will be the most consistant Heavy Metal band of all time. Just like Overkill, Slayer and Testament, you know you will be pleased with tradition and staying true to Heavy Metal. Enemy Of God is the #1 album of 2005! Metal Mike...................................................................10/10 |
| HEAVEN & EARTH - HEAVEN & EARTH ( Black Star Records) |
| I'm not sure how many people have heard of this band known as Heaven & Earth, but I know for sure you will keep them in mind after you've listened to this release. Heaven & Earth who are true veteran's in the Hard Rock/Blues metal world have produced a very impressive self titled album. With the help of at least half a dozen musicians from the Hard Rock world such as Glen Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) and Steve Priest (Sweet), Heaven & Earth show us that 80's rock & roll is not to be forgotten with incredible vocal performances by Kelly Hansen and Glen Hughes as well as pure guitar soul and groove by Stuart Smith who leads the way throughout this excellent produced CD. Lead off Track "Don't keep me waiting" is nothing short of brilliant as it displays some of the best hard rock riffs I've heard in quite sometime especially it's searing chorus and really nice touch with the keyboards by Ray Rodriguez. Kelly Hansen blows away anyone who ever tries to cover this track in the future. Glen Hughes knocks you right out with his blues/soul voice that echo's at the right time. Ritchie Sambora makes a nice appearance on a few tracks including Guitar/vocals on "When a blind man cries" (Deep Purple cover). The unique thing about this 16 track CD is that not one musician on this CD or any member of Heaven & Earth takes center stage or stands out among the rest which truly shows the cohesiveness of Heaven & Earth as a unit or along with the other guest musicians overall. You wont find a better produced Hard Rock/Blues Metal release in 2005. Let's hope there is more to come in the near future. Metal Mike.....................................................................8/10 |
| SOLACE OF REQUIEM - SOLACE OF REQUIEM (Indie) |
| The Underground Death Metal scene has brought many bands to the surface and into the spotlight along with the genre's most elite groups known today, such as Deicide, Morbid Angel and many more. Solace Of Requiem which is a three piece hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia release this ten track self titled CD full of dark progressive Death Metal riffs. Tons of Influences are worth mentioning here as the band attacks with full ammunition on this very impressive debut. It's been a while since I've heard such a tight sounding Death Metal band from the underground. The riffs gallop along in such a unique fashion track by track which truly leaves room for your imagination. Jeff Sumrell who plays bass as well as being the vocalist sounds a little like Max Cavalera and Steve Tucker at times as Jeff's deep growls echo throughout this CD. But this band is not a one man show, these three guys really sound like there is a forth member involved, that's the amazing thing about the band Solace Of Requiem as they bring out some seriouisly technical riffs on tracks "Stir no echo" and "On to unreal". I don't think they will have a hard time finding label interest in the future with possible phone calls from Century Media and Relapse in Solace Of Requiem's future. It's very good to hear that bands in the Death Metal genre can get more creative with their work. Not everyone must follow the idea's of Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under. Solace Of Requiem take their own idea's and direction and turn it into their own world of success. Metal Mike.......................................................................9/10 |
| TOTAL METAL ATTACK - A NWOBHM COMPILATION (Old School Records) |
| I'm sure that many people thought that the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal died over 20 years ago when glam and other types of Hard Rock/Hair metal took over during the early 80's. Let's face it, the toughest thing to do today is to try selling any kind of classic rock to adults ages 18-25. This kind of Compilation CD brings life to a scene that helped kick start the career's of bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Exciter and others who made it big in the early 80's. This Compilation CD does not have bands such as Diamond Head, Angel Witch, Gaskin or Praying Mantis on it. Instead we get bands such as Agony Bag, Ground Attack, Atomkraft, and Blood Money. Yeah even though they aren't as popular as those others mentioned before them, they offer more of a late 70's sound with a splatter of the 80's thrown in to help make this a very diverse CD indeed. The word "Classic" or "Traditional" was truly born when this Compilation CD was released. When you think of heart and soul and love for real Heavy Metal you think of this CD as it relates to the most Influential era of our time, the early 1980's. The artists on this CD are true Metalheads from the best era ever known. Chances are, you wont dig all the tracks on this CD, but some if it, though very different in the styles of the bands, will really make you appreciate the early days of Heavy Metal when it was nothing short of electric. A Total Metal Attack indeed and a must have for fans of old school heavy metal. Metal Mike.................................................................8.5/10 |