Reviews
\r\nThe change of a frontman is rarely a good thing. The only quick example of a change that stood the test of time is Bruce Dickinson over Paul Di Anno. But that‘s another story in different times. The Dutch Goth-atmospheric-prog-rockers (Lets face it, they’ve distanced themselves from metal) are making their first move since the departure of frontwoman Anneke van Giersbergen in 2007.
Chasing Hazel’s new album is the living proof to the quotation “Never judge a book by its cover”. What do I mean? I will get it straight.
\r\nI was about to listen to the album and by seeing the excellent cover artwork depicting an AWESOME BABE posing in a bikini, lipstick traces, the album titled “It’s all about the Style and the Glamour” and the Band’s logo similar with that of Crashdiet at first I thought it was another decent sleaze – glam release. Well I couldn’t be more wrong…
\r\nThis is the first attempt of this Russian-Swedish project, that began\r\nas an idea of the guitarist D.Frans to launch a longed for\r\ninternational project. Along with him came the ex-MAN, Mnemic,\r\nTransport League vocalist Tony JJ, and Morten on drums (The Arcane\r\nOrder, Submission , Soilwork, and others). Through many postponements\r\nand many studios around Europe that the recordings have roamed the\r\nproject has not thrived until now.
\r\nThere are not many things that someone could write about such bands\r\nlike these Finnish heavy-power metallers. This is the second effort of\r\nthe band, and it seems quite impressing like its predecessor Cold\r\nReality debut. After a few line-up changes and an European tour\r\nsupporting Doro the sextet returns with this new record.
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\r\nThis is their first album via Blistering Records and I hope that this time their work will be more appreciated from metalheads round the globe. Sadly I realize that they still haven’t become widely known.
\r\n“No Sacrifice, No Victory” is Hammerfall’s seventh album, leaving out the singles and DVDs which have been released in between. It came out in April and it is their first work with Pontus Norgren in guitars, since he replaced Stefan Elmgren who decided to pursuit the career of a pilot.
\r\nSo, while I was wondering if Daniel Heiman has released an album with Balance of Power or if he joined Symphorce, it only took a quick look on the net to find out what’s going on. Nope, it’s not Balance of Power, nor Heed, nor Symphorce with Heiman on vocals, but a fresh new band which may remind you a lot of the previously mentioned names. The Swedish band, MANIMAL, will attract you at once with their so powerful compositions and will make you wanna blow your speakers during the listening of the album.
The Ducth outfit Officium Triste is a band that for about the last 15 years moves into the Doom metal sound heavily inspired by the old Anathema and My Dying Bride sounds. Having already four albums through all these years they decided to release a compilation to celebrate their 15 years of existence with their loyal fans and to offer them some surprises.
Just yesterday I got the re-release of the 4th album by the Hungarian outfit, Sear Bliss trough VIC records. Sear Bliss is a band that I am glad I “discover” in their early stages, back in the mid – 90’s, for the fact that they own something really special about their sound. They manage to gather the old school black metal with death parts, many keyboards, many melodies and of course the trademark of the band, the Trombone!!!
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\r\nNORTH CAROLINA’S DIRTY BLUES \r\n \r\n
\r\n-Seneca- were formed in 2002 in North Carolina , U.S. and they have already released one full length album.They are now ready with their second full length work that will guide you through many styles of music. \r\n