A full moon hangs in the blackened sky, wisps of cloud partially obscuring the glowing orb for a brief moment as lupine howls drift across the empty, shadowy streets below. Glowing eyes stare out from gloomy alleyways, the sound of heavy breathing and scraping of claws on concrete getting increasingly louder as they slowly emerge from the darkness…Continue reading
Tag Archives: Power Metal
ALBUM REVIEW: Portrait – The Host
For their sixth full-length studio release, Swedish metallers Portrait journey to the land of the concept album in order to conjure up a tale of sword and sorcery set in the seventeenth century. Their first full-blown conceptual release, The Host (Metal Blade) is not an entirely fictional piece but also inspired partly by historic events, with the band imparting the tale of an unnamed protagonist seeking strength after encountering injustice and hypocrisy.
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CONCERT REVIEW: Blind Guardian – Live at the Palladium Times Square
Sunday night in Times Square, N.Y.C.- the city that never sleeps comes out in full force on a school night! One of the strongest Sunday night show crowds I’ve seen in a while too… And boy did we get what we wanted. Continue reading
CONCERT REVIEW: Judas Priest – Sabaton Live at MVP Arena Albany
Albany, New York may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of live music and specifically, Heavy Metal. If you take a look at the history of the MVP Arena which was opened in 1990 as the Knickerbocker Arena, you’ll find a gem of a venue in the New York capital. It opened with a concert by Frank Sinatra and has also played host to The Grateful Dead, Phish, The Rolling Stones, and even Metallica on multiple occasions. Most recently it was visited by a Metal God in the form of Rob Halford with Judas Priest. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Rhapsody of Fire – Challenge The Wind
If the quickest way to get from Point A to Point B is a straight line then clearly nobody thought to mention that to Italian Power Metal kings Rhapsody of Fire who to get where they are today obviously took the Enchanted Lands scenic route. This current incarnation of Rhapsody of Fire (version 666.0) might look very different to how it all began but as the fourteenth full-length studio release Challenge The Wind (AFM Records) proves in no uncertain terms, the music and the subject matter remain very much the same. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Witherfall – Sounds of the Forgotten
All too often bands falling under the “Power Metal” banner, lack power, diminishing many of the key elements, such as aggression, that are necessary for metal. On Sounds of the Forgotten (DeathWave Records) Witherfall take a heavier route, drawing from the mid-1980s. This tie to Thrash even led to singer Joseph Micheal taking the mantle from the late Warrel Dane to front Sanctuary for a reunion tour. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Unleash The Archers – Phantoma
Unleash the Archers is a band that reliably produces songs that are unconventional and wildly exciting. This Canadian Power Metal act has broken barriers in the genre by their dauntless divergences, hearty songwriting, and overall efficacious passion. The quintet is preparing to release their sixth full-length album, Phantoma (Napalm Records), which elevates their innovative skills and strengths to new heights.
DragonForce – Warp Speed Warriors
Before we start, go back and take another look at the cover art.
Go on, I’ll wait.
See, while some bands go for a subtle or even abstract “don’t judge a book by its cover” approach, other bands are Dragonforce. Everything emblazoned on the cover to ninth full length studio release Warp Speed Warriors (Napalm Records) is represented here through the medium of eardrum destroying sound. No room for understatement, metaphor or artifice – just a bold, blinding explosion of light, colour and comic book action.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Sonata Arctica – Clear Cold Beyond
Finland is reported to be one of the happiest countries in the world. Even though it can produce some fantastically grim Metal acts, this Nordic nation has some jubilant bands as well. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Ryujin – Ryujin
The new year is off to a good start because Ryujin’s shining new self-titled album Ryujin (Napalm Records) is about to be released. Continue reading