It was in 2019 when Twilight Force released their third album to date and three and a half years later the Swedes return with 'At the Heart of Wintervale'. The band has not changed anything in their basic musical concept and continues to build on fast and very catchy power metal which they themselves describe... Continue Reading →
Review INDUCTION ‘Born from Fire’
Even though Induction's history is not too long, the band has already experienced quite a bit. Formed in 2014 in the Czech Republic as Martin Beck's Induction, the group delivered its self-titled debut album in 2019. For a band that was just taking off, the emerging pandemic was anything but beneficial. The year 2022 became... Continue Reading →
Live report BEYOND THE BLACK, AMARANTHE, BUTCHER BABIES & AD INFINITUM, Zeltphilharmonie, Hamburg – November 5th, 2022
Once you get through the Elbtunnel in Hamburg without a traffic jam and then you wait in line in front of the parking lot of the Zeltphilharmonie. The latter is a new location in Hamburg, located in the middle of the harbor area. It is the Cruise Center Steinwerder, on whose large site a tent... Continue Reading →
Review STRATOVARIUS ‘Survive’
'Firefly', 'Survive' and 'World on Fire', these were songs Stratovarius fans already got to hear live at the Wacken Open Air 2022 and the entire album is now available. Seven years after their last album 'Eternal' the Finns have recorded eleven new songs and continue the series of high quality releases. Not only musically Stratovarius... Continue Reading →
STRATOVARIUS – new album and new single
Stratovarius announce with 'Survive' their next studio album. The record will be released on September 23 via earMUSIC and with 'World on Fire' a next single has already been launched. You can listen to it here: https://stratovarius.lnk.to/WorldOnFire
Review MICHAEL ROMEO ‘War of the Worlds, Pt. 2’
Michael Romeo, guitarist from New Jersey, is known as the founder of the progressive metal band Symphony X and releases some solo albums as well. With ‘The Dark Chapter’, the axe wizard released a first solo effort in 1994 and while having a focus on Symphony X, it took a few years until the sophomore... Continue Reading →
Review SABATON ‘The War to End All Wars’
Well, Sabaton is certainly a band that polarizes. There are true fans that appreciate every release and live show from the Swedish power metal outfit. At the same time the group of metalheads that can’t relate to band, sound, and music. What is undisputed, however, is the success story of the Swedes who have been... Continue Reading →
Review SERIOUS BLACK ‘Vengeance is Mine’
Serious Black is the brainchild of bassist Mario Lochert and the early days of the band included well-sounding names like Thomen Strauch, Roland Grapow and Urban Breed, to mention just some. That was in 2014 and there have been some line-up changes along the time with the good news, that the quality never suffered. Two... Continue Reading →
Review SONATA ARCTICA ‘Acoustic Adventures – Vol. 1’
When Sonata Arctica started shortly before the new millennium, the signs were on melodic power metal, mostly also presented with higher pace. The Finns from Kemi remained true to this successful formula, which led to ten albums with which the band could establish itself in the scene. Of course, Sonata Arctica have always remained true... Continue Reading →
Review ASHES OF ARES ‘Emperors and Fools’
Ashes Of Ares stands for well-made power metal and what certainly helped the awareness level of the band is the fact that ex-Iced Earth frontman Matt Barlow is the voice of Ashes Of Ares. But Barlow is not the only familiar name. Drummer Van Williams was already giving the beat in Nevermore and if we... Continue Reading →
Review POWER PALADIN ‘With the Magic of Windfyre Steel’
It is the mountains, the mist-shrouded peaks, the waterfalls and the rugged landscape that have influenced and continue to influence Iceland's heavy metal. Dark and gloomy, that is what characterizes the sound of many bands from the far north. A style that was not really present, that is power metal, especially if it is also... Continue Reading →
Review RHAPSODY OF FIRE ‘Glory of Salvation’
Ok, let’s face it. There is not that much new to explore when it comes to symphonic metal. The principles are the same, the expression is similar and in the end it’s the creativity level that together with experience will be the decisive factor for dividing good from very good. A band, that belongs to... Continue Reading →
Review THE UNITY ‘The Devil You Know – Live’
German/Italian melodic metal band The Unity has a starting point that dates back to 2016. The sextet consists of Gianbattista Manenti (vocals) Michael Ehre (drums), Henjo Richter (guitars), Stef E (guitar), Jogi Sweers (bass) and Sascha Onnen (keyboards), all being part of the band from the beginning and known from other musical engagements. After having... Continue Reading →
Review NORTHTALE ‘Eternal Flame’
NorthTale is the brainchild of Brazilian/American guitarist Bill Hudson. Some of you might be familiar with the name of Hudson from his work with U.D.O., Jon Oliva’s Pain and others. Next to the collaboration with these well-known bands the guitarist always had a passion for melodic power metal, and it was in 2017, when he... Continue Reading →
Review LORDS OF BLACK ‘Alchemy of Souls, Pt.2’
Almost to date a year ago, Spanish power metal enthusiasts Lords Of Black released 'Alchemy of Souls, Pt.1' and it shouldn't be a too big of a surprise that a part 2 is waiting in line to continue the success story of the quartet. 'Alchemy of Souls, Pt.2' is album number five the guys add to the... Continue Reading →