(8/10) Usually I'm not that much thrilled by renewed bands that surf on a successful history, especially when it's about the continuation of a heritage that's out of reach. Fortunately there are exceptions and Last In Line is one of them. As the moniker indicates the band is inspired by Dio's masterpiece from 1984. Actually... Continue Reading →
CD review SANHEDRIN ‘The Poisoner’
(8/10) Cruz Del Sur Music showed already more than once their great sense for bands, being located in the fields of traditional and epic metal. US-based Sanhedrin is one of the examples that shows how much good metal is out there, besides the well-trodden trails of mainstream. Sanhedrin is hailing from Brooklyn and their debut... Continue Reading →
Classics: DREAM THEATER ‘When Dream and Day Unite’
One of the most influential albums in progressive metal has its 30th anniversary. It was in March 1989 when Dream Theater released a milestone album that certainly belongs to the classics in metal. Shortly before releasing 'When Dream and Day Unite' the quintet from NYC gave up the band name Majesty and became Dream Theater.... Continue Reading →
CD review CHILDREN OF BODOM ‘Hexed’
(9/10) Is it Death Metal? Is it Power Metal? Does it matter? Children Of Bodom can’t be put in a certain labelled box. The five Finns create metal that bridges many metal styles. The only thing that counts is that their music is relevant and this can be clearly answered with a ‘Yes’. The fact... Continue Reading →
CD review IRON SAVIOR ‘Kill or Get Killed’
(8/10) Fans of Teutonic metal can positively look forward to March, the month when German metal veterans Iron Savior will release their newest album. It’s entitled ‘Kill or Get Killed’ and it’s the bands 11th full-length studio record. Band leader Piet Sielck started the band in 1996 together with no less than Kai Hansen and... Continue Reading →
CD review WHILE SHE SLEEPS ‘So What?’
(8/10) The first time I could listen to While She Sleeps was when the guys opened for In Flames many moons ago. Already at that time the music was fascinating, combining many different aspects – from metalcore screams to melodic choruses. It’s this width that adds excitement to the new album also. ‘So What?’ is... Continue Reading →
CD review TWISTED TOWER DIRE ‘Wars in the Unkown’
(8/10) The early ‘90s were for sure not the best moment to start a band. The heyday of the previous decades cooled down and other rock and metal styles gained momentum. Twisted Tower Dire started in this period and tried to conquer the world with their NWoBHM-inspired heavy metal. The fact that the band’s still... Continue Reading →
CD review BACKYARD BABIES ‘Sliver & Gold’
(9/10) Backyard Babies was never a band that was known for quick deliveries. The quartet from Stockholm instead is known for excellent records that see the light of day in an unsteady pattern. The common denominator of each of the seven albums up to date is the terrific interpretation of hard rocking music, which the... Continue Reading →
CD review TESLA ‘Shock’
(9/10) US rock giants Tesla will ‘shock the world’ on March 8th. It’s the release date of their newest delivery ‘Shock', which is actually less of a shock and more of a pleasure. The longplayer delivers to high expectations and showcases again why the band drives on the road of success since they premiered with... Continue Reading →
CD review TORA TORA “Bastards of Beale’
(7/10) US-based hard rockers Tora Tora is another ‘80s rock outfit that’s back in business and signed by Frontiers Records. The discography of the band, hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, is overseeable with the debut ‘Surprise! Attack!’ being the most successful one out of two. The sophomore record was entitled ‘Wild America’ and a third album... Continue Reading →
CD review MARK MORTON ‘Anesthetic’
(9/10) ‘Anesthetic’ isn’t an album that was done overnight with Lamb Of God guitarist Mark Morton gathering ideas and creative thoughts for many moons. Being inspired by many different styles and genres, Morton‘s debut is a kaleidoscope of music and genres. The record features thrash metal as well as it includes alternative sounds and typical... Continue Reading →
CD review USURPER ‘Lords of the Permafrost’
(9/10) One of the underground highlights of the early 2019 is hailing from Chicago. Thrash pioneers Usurper return with a new album, a frosty one. ‘Lords of the Permafrost’ is the title of the band’s sixth full-length album and it’s the first one in 14 years. Usurper’s founding date is way back in time. It... Continue Reading →
CD review DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT ‘Live in Berlin’
(*/10) Black metallers Der Weg Einer Freiheit played a show at Lido in Berlin, Germany on October 14th, 2017. The concert, in front of an enthusiastic crowd, was captured and will be now released as a live album. Simply entitled ‘Live in Berlin’ the record features a ten songs setlist that represents the entire discography... Continue Reading →
CD review THE RAVEN AGE ‘Conspiracy’
(8/10) It’s not easy to talk about The Raven Age without mentioning Steve Harris, the father of founding member George Harris. The young guitarist is gifted with a great sense for music and shouldn’t be reduced to ‘being the son of’ only. Steve Harris and Iron Maiden might have helped the guys to get off... Continue Reading →
CD review TIM BOWNESS ‘Flowers at the Scene’
(8/10) Sound architect Tim Bowness’ newest album includes eleven songs for which he also could win over some guest musicians, supporting him in making a really good rock album. ‘Flowers at the Scene’, that’s the title of this longplayer, isn’t a hard rocking album. As with the earlier records it’s the combination of rock music,... Continue Reading →









