Chris Caffery - W.A.R.P.E.D.
Some of the ideas work, others clearly don't. Still an interesting album where I love his raw voice and the hard edged style.
Freak Kitchen - Move
Guitar wizardry of the most innovative kind. A refreshing blend of Hard Rock and Metal, humorous and with meaningful points. A memorable album with a kick ass sound.
King Diamond - "Them"
Just a great Heavy Metal album, unforgettable vocal lines and stunning musicianship. As on most King Diamond albums there are aspects that don't really enhance the flow. A few below standard and quite anonymous songs in the middle keep it from scoring higher, the story is just cool, period.
Machine Men - Elegies
Iron Maiden revisited. and so what, this band also has its own charm and rocks very hard indeed. Harmonious vocals and varied approaches help create a tight classic Heavy Metal album.
Nocturnal Rites - Grand Illusion
Another highly successful Power Metal release from the Swedes, hard-hitting, melodic and refreshing.
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Once again they present a hypnotic, dark and challenging journey, a comprehensive musical landscape that takes time to decrypt.
Pantera - Cowboys From Hell
This one rips, plenty of monster riffs and raw structures.
Pink Cream 69 - Electrified
Solid Heavy Rock containing some very cool melodic rockers.
Presto Ballet - Peace Among The Ruins
From the first spin I was into this one, the music seems to flow so naturally from these guys. Progressive Rock oozing with experimental touches and jamming vibes.
Riverside - Out Of Myself
Never heard of the band before but this is a great album and a positive progressive surprise all around. I'm a sucker for these large scale and dreaming scenarios.
Running Wild - Rogues En Vogue
More than one thing went wrong here, but basically the cool ideas and entertaining melodies have seemed to almost vanish, very disappointing.
Savage Circus - Dreamland Manor
Good old traditional Power Metal with splendid intense vocals, if you missed the old days of Blind Guardian this is definitely for you. The lyrics don't really give me that much but the music is well put together.
Savatage - Gutter Ballet
Beautiful, heart-rending and captivating. An ingenious collection of music that speaks to the mind as well as the soul.
Starbreaker - Starbreaker
Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal in an immensely dynamic fashion; catchy and powerful goes hand in hand here.
Stratovarius - Stratovarius
There is definitely quality to this release, but also a bunch of unexciting elements. Anyway I love this band and welcome them back with an overall good album.
Stream Of Passion - Embrace The Storm
Arjen's new exciting project, featuring talented vocalist Marcela Bovio. A very atmospheric and emotional disc, still managing to contain a rough edge.
Vanishing Point - Embrace The Silence
I heard some sound clips from it at the excellent
Melodic Rock soundbytes page, and decided to order it.
Fact is that this album is among the best discoveries I have made in a long time, a band with a unique and profound approach to creating music.
They manage to mix both Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Power Metal into a progressive web that keeps you hooked all they way.
