Reviews
This is the first release by the Swedish outfit Optimystical under the title “Distant Encounters”. I need to make clear that I am not the biggest fan of the AOR scene, but when it comes to Swedish and in general Scandinavian AOR then, I must confess that I really enjoy the characteristic Scandinavian sound, in the vain of Pretty Maids, Europe even the Y. J. Maslmsteen’s Aor – ish side of music
The improved Epic metal outfit from Thessalonica, after their first great (on demo standards) “Up The Hammers” demo have returned with their first “proper released” EP, “Winds Of War”.
\r\nMy relationship with Paradise Lost’s music has always been like any other human relationship, with its ups and downs. During the last few years my relationship seems reestablished. Besides like any relationship it went through hard times, occasionally experimented on different situations and after turning a full circle it eventually returned to where it came from, to where always belonged. In the darkness.
\r\nAfter numerous of gigs, Ep’s and bootlegs and thirteen years after their original formation, Ravage release their first full-length album with the aim of bringing old-school heavy metal back to prominence. However, they manage to make a tribute album to Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Helloween, Testament and Kreator.
Originally formed in 1999, ten years later, the Greek-Polish band, Sorrowful Angels release their debut album “Ship In Your Trip” rooted in the glooming territories of human expression as they like to say. After a very long period of up’s and down’s, Sorrowful Angels crack their way into our world with an album melancholic in mood which, strangely how, can bring enthusiasm to the followers of this specific heavy metal genre.
\r\nJust on time when I needed to hear anything but high pitched vocals again! This is the second album of the band, after “Trance State” and it is a very interesting proposal for the prog metal fans. “Homeland” gathers many elements from bands such as Symphony X, Elegy and Tad Morose, and it could also appeal fans of Angel Dust, Vanden Plus and Symphorce as well.
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\r\nDEFIANCE ARE BACK\r\n \r\n
\r\nAmerican Veteran Thrashers - Defiance - are finally ready with their fourth album , released through Candlelight Records. The band announced their reunion in 2005 and now after 4 years they are finally ready with their new full length album,called - The Prophecy - and its a great Thrash experience with many great songs.\r\n
\r\nI remember, as if it was just yesterday, when I first watched the video for the song “Siren” and I was mesmerized. I was listening to this song every day. It was this very special thing about Theatre of Tragedy compared to the other bands back then. It was something charming.
It is historically proven (and history never lies) that excessive\r\nprogress destroys any former state of being. From a point on we’re not\r\ntalking about evolution but mutation. Unfortunately this is a universal\r\ntruth and affects music as well. I usually am very cautious when it\r\ncomes to bands that characterize their music “progressive”.
I am delighted that Thessaloniki "turns" bands. I am even more delighted, cause those bands compose and produce greak music. Until Rain belong to that category and I am about to review their first album The reign of dreams. The band is progressive, capable to charm the fans of Savatage, Shadow Gallery, Dream Theater and Fates Warning.