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Diamond Head - Borrowed Time
Re-issue (Metal Mind)
Review by Metal Mark |
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Has there been anything written about Diamond Head in the
last 19 years that didn't mention Metallica? Possibly not
because they are likely always going to be associated with the
band that chose to cover "Am I Evil?". Diamond Head were of
course part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement
that spawned so many acts in the early 1980's and changed the
whole metal scene worldwide. Surprisingly Diamond Head are far
more melodic than you might imagine given their impact on
Metallica. Although fairly involved, the music leans as much
towards hard rock as it does towards metal and this album in
particular shows some definite shades of progressive music as
well. Where I think they |
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shine is in how they take their time developing a number of
their songs. I think they pull the listener in a bit more and
cause you to really take notice of all that's going on.
Certainly this is an album that's more about the playing style
than it is about the tones being used. Don't expect to
instantly clobbered, but instead sit back and let the whole
song play out and then I think that you will appreciate it a
little more. It's perhaps a little more low key than I would
have liked, but certainly an important album for the time due
to the playing and the way they assemble the song as a unit.
This version from Metal Mind includes six bonus tracks, two of
which are live plus an interview with Sean Harris and Colin
Kimberley. Another fine re-issue and an album worth checking
out, but set your expectations at good rather than great. |
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Diamond Head - Canterbury
Re-issue (Metal Mind)
Review by Metal Mark |
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Canterbury is a rather diverse album compared to the band's
previous efforts. It's fairly well removed from the hard
rock/metal style they had come to be known for. Instead they
opted for epics with quite a bit of pageantry and build-up
plus some very blatant pop leanings as well. Obviously they
were reaching out with this album and going in different
directions, but it's also very easy to see why fans didn't
really embrace it. The epics are generally more appealing than
the pop songs here, but even they are a bit too dull and
tedious to really be that intriguing. Canterbury is one of
those albums where try as I might I could not get into it.
Ultimately like Celtic Frost's Cold Lake or Helloween's
Chameleon it's an example of an |
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established band trying very hard to go way into another
direction and failing because the direction is too different
and the material just isn't that good. If Diamond Head had
taken a few elements here and mixed them more with their
existing style then maybe it would have been easier to take,
but that's not the case. This re-issue includes to bonus
tracks that are both live plus an interview with Andy Peebles.
The packaging and bonus tracks are up to the usual high Metal
Mind standards. |
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Emir Hot - Sevdah Metal
(Lion Music) By: Joe Florez |
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Emir Hot is pretty much new to the scene. Despite releasing
two records a long while back, it’s only now that he will get
more exposure thanks to the progressive label Lion Music. It’s
not everyday that you hear of a Bosnian artist, but Emir is a
guitarist that is looking to carve a name for himself. This
individual handles all guitar and bass duties while he has
gone out of his way to hire Mike ‘The Animal’ Terrana on skins
and John West (Ex-Royal Hunt, Artension) on mic. Oh goodie,
plenty of talent is on board here, but will it deserve a
repeat listen after this? Let’s delve in further, shall we?
God damn! Emir’s fingers are white hot as he blazes up and
down his guitar neck dishing |
out some furious riffs. John’s vocals soar beyond orbit and
Mike’s bashing is just as hard and heavy as ever. It’s a blend
of neo-classical metal and speed. “World Set On Fire” is a
change of pace which I wanted because I want to hear a
different side of his style and what you get is a treat. Yes,
there is a shredding solo on here, but this more melodic and
groovy number has a nice pacing that has a riff that will
remain tattooed in your brain and there is an inclusion of
traditional Bosnian music which is their brand of blues. It
makes for an interesting listen. Something bizarre happens in
the middle of the twelve minute epic ’Sevdah Metal Rhapsody.”
There is a drum solo that comes out of nowhere. It’s pretty
odd, but the good thing that keeps this song from putting you
to sleep is the fact that there are plenty of change ups here
and a lot of ethnic influence inserted. It’s surprising that
there is only one instrumental on here and not more, but when
you have John on board, why risk it?
It’s very easy to clump Emir with all of the countless
shredders out there, but it’s the inclusion of his Bosnian
sounds that’s brought to the table that saves him ultimately
from pushing this to the side forever more. There is some
wankery that goes on here, but for the most part, the songs
pretty much get right to the point. It’s definitely worth a
listen especially for the contributors on here. I am sure we
will begin to hear and read more about this individual with
the likes of Guitar World magazine. Check it out.
www.lionmusic.com |
www.emirhot.com |
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Jaded Sun - Gypsy Trip (SiAn Records) Review by Steve Green |
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This one is a toughie to review. I've had this album in my possession for
about 6 or 7 weeks, but it feels like it's been one of my favourite albums
for the past twenty years.
About this time last year I raved about Cornerstone's Two Tales Of One
Tomorrow being the best classic rock album since the 80s, well I'm going
to stick my neck out once again. Jaded Sun's Gypsy Trip is the best Hard
Rock album I've heard in at least the last 20 years.
Jaded Sun, seem to have come from nowhere, as I'd never heard of them
before this album arrived, but they've honed their skills on the Irish gig
circuit and even supported Bon Jovi at Croke Park in May 2006. And that
hard road work has obviously paid off as this album is |
as mature as it gets. You'd never guess this was a debut album
as they seamlessly blend
together the best of Southern greats Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet with
the fire of the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Guns N Roses and this is
topped off with the lilting beauty of the Black Crowes at their very best
and the feel good factor of Thunder. And while I've just name checked some
of the greatest rock bands on the planet, Jaded Sun are right up there
with them and this isn't a plagiaristic album, I'm just trying to
highlight how damn good this band is and how good the music is.
An obvious focal point for Jaded Sun is frontman John Maher. This man has
a fabulous set of lungs and just breathes good old fashioned rock n roll.
If pushed, I'd say he's a mixture of Thunders Danny Bowes and The Black
Crowes Chris Robinson. And while I can sit back and marvel at his voice,
it's the slide guitars that totally win me over here. Pure Southern
goodness, although this time, from the Southern states of Ireland. Opener
Breaking Through is so good, I'm almost tempted to make this my album of
the year on this song alone. But then the kick ass Crazyman comes firing
out, all guns blazing and you just know that Jaded Sun are
destined for mega stardom. And that is the single fact that
makes this album hard to be judgemental about. I feel that
I've known every song for years. They feel both familiar & new
and exciting at the same time. Every time I hear Neil
Young's Rocking In The Free Wold, I'm pumped up and I shout along with the
lyrics (There's one more kid that will never go to school - Never get to
fall in love, never get to be cool) even though I've heard it 100's of
times before. And I believe Jaded Sun have the same quality in their song
writing and performance. And trying to choose a favourite song is near on
impossible. Best of the Southern influenced numbers though, is probably
Can't Stop, which is pure Lynyrd Skynyrd, albeit with Rod Stewart, circa
The Faces fronting them. Sweetness shows another side to the band
repertoire and reminds me of Aerosmith's Dream On and is definitely a
number for the arenas, once the band reaches those lofty heights of
course.
You know the music business is such a bastard of a place to succeed in, I
really hope that Jaded Sun get the success they deserve as its bands like
this that keep the music industry alive. I don't normally promote large
online establishments for free, but HMV are doing this, pre-order, for
£6.99 post paid in the UK. Do yourself a favour and order this right now
and support this band. Album of the year... quite possibly.
www.myspace.com/jadedsun |
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Masterstroke - Sleep
(Dynamic Arts) Review by James Young |
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Not having heard 2006’s Apocalypse, Finland’s Masterstroke has
been a band I’ve only heard of in passing, and so I didn‘t
quite know what to expect from this bunch. After the 39 second
instrumental opener ‘Transition’, we have a clean passage at
the start of ‘Killing Creatures’, after which we find exactly
what this album is about - large crunchy riffs, a melodic
keyboard undercurrent, big solos and bold vocals. This isn’t
technical enough to be progressive, not sweeping enough to be
symphonic, but just balls-to-the-wall heavy metal. Some may
call it power metal, but its lack of power chords and cheese
separate it from its weaker, more generic brethren. Think the
power of Iced Earth meeting with the melodic |
sensibilities of Masterplan, all with a Finnish finish, and
you may have some idea of what to expect. The problem here is
the lack of variation in the sound - whilst the music is good,
as well as the production, there’s not quite enough to keep
you fully entertained for the forty minute duration of this
album.
What the band do, they do well - these Finns excel at
providing melodic heavy metal which grabs you and makes you
want to nod your head. The likes of ‘Turn Away’ and ‘Circle’
feature ballsy vocal lines, and huge choruses from vocalist
Niko Rauhala. The guitar passages and solos are well-arranged
and have a definite Scandinavian feel to them, and ‘Under Our
Command’ contains the speed of Iced Earth and Children of
Bodom at their most intense. Adding to the anvil-like
heaviness at times is the combination of the guitar riffs of
Niko Rauhala and Markus Kekoni and double bass drums of Janne
Juutinen. The use of such a tight sound in tracks like ‘Being
Me’ and ’Silent’ provides a feel akin to Nevermore, which
certainly increases the impact of the music. What this album
could have done with however is a ballad, or change in tempo
somewhere in the album, because the majority of Sleep seems to
fall into the same ‘heavy metal’ category that can get a
little tedious after a while. Not even some keyboard tinkling
over the verses in the closer ‘Final Journey’ and female
vocals towards the end of the song could significantly mellow
out the band’s style.
This is an enjoyable album, but the magnitude of the sound is
lost after hearing nine fairly similar songs. Hopefully in the
next release we will hear some variation which will release
the full potential of this excellent band. Even still, when
you hear this release, Sleep will be the last thing on your
mind.
www.myspace.com/masterstrokefinland |
www.masterstroke.info |
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Methedras - The Worst Within (Self Release)
Review by Steve Green |
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This MCD is getting a UK release to coincide
with Methedras opening for Dismember. The material is a couple of years
old, so I'm sure the band have moved on a bit since they recorded this,
but it serves its purpose as a nice little introduction to any potential
new fans.
Production wise, this is pretty basic and raw, but once your ears settle
into the sound, then you begin to realise how good this disc is. Ok,
Methedras aren't going to win any prizes for re-inventing the wheel, but
that doesn't stop you being able to enjoy the music. Methedras started off
covering the likes of Slayer, Testament, Megadeth and Metallica and these
80s influences shines through, although I wouldn't say they
particularly sound like any of the |
bands, but the structures are pure 80s Thrash, with a hint of
Death thrown in for good measure.
With a new album in the pipeline for later this year, Methedras could be
one's to watch. I for one, look forward to hearing the new material. Check
'em out via www.myspace.com/methedrasthrash and supporting Dismember in the UK and
next month, with Onslaught and Carnal Forge in their native Italy. |
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Shatter Messiah - God
Burns Like Flesh (Dockyard 1) Review by Robert
Beeton |
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2006 saw Shatter Messiah awake in the metal scene with Curran
Murphy (guitar) as its founder (ex Nevermore and Annihilator).
In that year they released their debut album “Never to play
the Servant” with Greg “Wags” (vocals), Robert Falzano (drums)
, Jason Chamberlain (bass) and Dusty Holt (guitar) making up
the components that made Shatter Messiah. Combining a fusion
of sounds such as Hardcore, classic Thrash, Power Metal and
Goth, Shatter Messiah deliver a hard, powerful and aggressive
sound with a good array of variety.
Listening to “God burns Like Flesh” I wasn’t overly impressed
and unlike many albums this |
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didn’t catch my attention at all. It’s hard and heavy but
doesn’t say to me that it is different from the rest. It feels
like every other average metal record. It has the
technicality, the crunch and sharpness that Curran Murphy
delivers on guitar but other then that, it made me feel bored.
At times I felt the guitars were a bit blurred together and
the sound was a bit messy. However, there were a few good
tracks to mention, but other then that I felt that there
wasn’t much else to say. “Stripped Of Faith” I felt was worthy
of a mention. This brutal explosion of ferocious beats and
dramatic riffs combined with slowed down sections and great
solos makes it a great track to bang your head to. The next
track I felt was creditable was “This is the day.” If you like
heaviness and sheer gloom then look no further. A dark
blastbeat gem with gruesome tone and itching fretfulness which
was fruitful in tearing guitar and emotional acoustics. “This
is the day” I would say is the best track they did for “God
burns Like Flesh.” Looking back at Shatter Messiahs new
instalment I had mixed thoughts and among them I had many
questions like “where does this stand” and “what is good and
bad about it”. Well it’s definitely an album I wouldn’t buy
but there are tracks that I would download so if you’re a fan
of bands such as Nevermore or Annihilator then you might
consider buying this otherwise I wouldn’t really bother. A
good average album but Shatter Messiah really needs more spice
and flavour. “God Burns like Flesh” Is out now released by
Dockyard 1.
www.dockyard1.com |
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War for War - Kovy
Odjinud (Naga Productions) Review by Crin
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A strange post Black Metal meets progressive style of Samael
like synthetic sounds from the Czech Republic, a land that has
given us the raw ramblings of Maniac Butcher, Root, Unclean,
etc. The whole musical soundscape emanates from the talents of
Lord Morbivod [also in Trollech, Umbrrtka, and the even more
illusive, Stiny Plamenu} The lyrical concept is in Czech [and
for the most part any barking vocal style could be in a lost
Aztec language for all we would know!] The legendary Czech
act, Masters Hammer are also a prominent part of this albums
muse, with one song namedropping the band, and another being a
cover. With the progressive feel to the melodic and modern
sound, the production is emphatically |
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clear. This blunts any raw edges and allows a more fluent flow
of ideas come to life. This is still however a rugged album,
gruff vocals, strident riffs, and at times fast drum work all
fuse to remind you this is not the Arcturus meets Kovenant album it could have become.
To grasp the bands style necessitates the second mention of
the great Swiss band Samael, as the music here throws up
numerous references in tone and style throughout the albums
duration. The post Black Metal sound of Rotting Christ is also
present in both the vocal and guitar presentation. Now these
references are not designed to hinder the music’s originality,
rather they serve to compliment the pulsating aural dynamics.
The Masters Hammer cover, is a faithful, and very likeable
rendition of Vykoupeni, originally found on the 1991 album,
The Ritual.
www.naga-productions.com |
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