1. HammerFall: Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken
What a great release! Ok, so a lot of this is heard many times before, but when melodic Metal is carried out with such conviction, charm and energy, it is hard not to be swept off your feet!
2. Gamma Ray: Majestic
Though I miss just that little extra bit of inventiveness, that would have made the difference, the new offering from the Power Metal heroes is a satisfying experience!
3. Blind Guardian: Somewhere Far Beyond
A record you can never spin too often, offering creative and imaginative song structures, magic melodies and raw Power!
4. Black Abyss: Angels Wear Black
Hard-but-melodic Power Metal with a dark feel to it, and with many capturing details.
5. The Storyteller: Underworld
Once again, Sweden's The Storyteller deliver medieval and folkish tunes, mixed up with melodic Metal. This album is slightly harder and focused on heaviness than when they started out, still keeping the enchanting melodies intact.
6. Skullview: 2004 (demo songs, available here)
I have been a fan of this wonderful, traditional Metal band for years. They play old-fashioned Heavy Metal in the 80's vain, really great stuff. When singer "Earthquake" Quimby Lewis left the band a while ago, I feared for their future, as their signature sound highly depend on a singer with the right, powerful sound. Enter: Eric "The Power" Flowers.wow! What a voice, a perfect match for Skullview! The three demo songs sound highly promising!
7. 7thorns: Artificial Night (demo)
Promising melodic Power Metal from Denmark, with great guitar harmonies and a solid vocal performance. It will be interesting to see what this act develops into.
8. Highland Glory: Forever Endeavour
I have just started spinning this disc, so I can't provide you with a final verdict yet. What I can tell is that this is an interesting mix of modern melodic Metal and 80's influences and even a small hint of prog, all sounding surprisingly fresh and compelling. Singer Jan Thore Grefstad delivers a wicked and highly intense performance!
9. Notre Dame: Coming Soon To A Theatre Near You
Hmm, a band very hard to put a label on or describe in a few words. Theatrical, humoristic and original Black Metal styled music, with influences from old cabarets, black and white horror movies, cartoons and the bizarre in general. Vampirella's soft, mesmerizing and sensual voice provides the perfect counterweight to Snowy Shaw's harsh, aggressive growls. Notre Dame manages to create a grotesque and fascinating universe, rich in atmosphere and drama!
10. Accept: Almost everything.
Well, can't seem to snap out of this Accept fever that has been dominating my summer. And why even try? You can't go wrong with well-crafted, old school Heavy Metal as solid as steel!
