The light is slowly coming back as we reach the end of an exciting year with plenty of music to discover.
Christmas vacation is more welcomed than ever, that also gives time to listen to a bunch of new purchases.
I have started a most difficult "Highlights Of 2006" list and experience has thought me that the work process for that assignment is both frustrating and time consuming. but eventually it will be finalized.
May you have a joyful holiday and a rocking new year.
Andersen/Laine/Readman. III
Right in your face Hard Rock with the distinct Andersen key twists, great vocals and tight song writing, short but definitely worth checking out.
Angra. Aurora Consurgens
Credit to the band for taking yet another experimental turn in their career. Anyway this is still melodic and slightly progressive music with fantastic guitar playing that somehow misses the completeness of their last album.
Bob Catley. Spirit Of Man
Cool album filled with pompous Hard Rock with a metallic edge.
Last Snow Of Winter is downright phenomenal.a ballad that blows you away with pure emotion and raw sensitive power.and what a voice.
Circle II Circle. Burden of Truth
The first Circle CD was very good, the next one quite good but something is missing in this third offering, the songs don't really leave much of an impression and flow together into a rather monotone mass. The delivery is fine and I find cool moments but I was expecting so much more.
Eternity X. Mind Games
Intelligent creations and an overall stunning delivery, the album keeps spinning and turning and when Eulogy wraps things up I have to surrender. perhaps the most emotional and greatest song ever written.
Hartmann. Home
Slowly growing into a highly enjoyable album. Melodic Rock with catchy melodies and hymn-like backing choirs. His warm voice has this amazing ability to fill you with a most positive feeling.
Khymera. A New Promise
Positive vibrations to catch with this Melodic Hard Rock effort, some songs are quite anonymous, some very good indeed.
Last Tribe. The Uncrowned
Memorable choruses and vivid guitar playing from Magnus Karlsson makes a up a tight and groovy effort.
Manowar. The Sons Of Odin
Different, orchestral and still forceful Manowar Metal. Looking very much forward to the whole thing.
Mob Rules. Ethnolution A.D.
Sadly this doesn't reach the Among The Gods album. Yes it's firm and neatly played Power Metal but I miss stand out moments and real thrills along the way.
Nelson. Because They Can
Quality Rock. Catchy, quite soft and very melodic.
Pretty Maids. Wake Up To The Real World
The heavy sound and strong structures are positive aspects; unfortunately the really harmonious and melodic talent only shines sporadically.
Richie Kotzen. Into The Black
Not being familiar with Richie Kotzen receiving this album proved to be a very positive encounter, a feeling that only kept growing.
Fact is that Into The Black is a unique, soulful, honest, mid-tempo, stirring, atmospheric, therapeutic and immensely melodic piece of guitar driven Rock with rasp and yet sensitive vocals.
Threshold. Clone
When you talk Progressive Metal Threshold takes up a prominent role, a fact that becomes clearer the more I dig into their back catalogue. Intelligent and dynamic like hell.
Threshold. Hypothetical
A great, powerful and clever musical journey. They have a special ability of putting together passages in the coolest ways.
Toto. Falling In Between
An album with depth, soul and innovativeness. Not amazing but a fine piece of work.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The Christmas Attic
Christmas equals relaxation, family and lots of cosiness.Trans-Siberian is an essential part in making this picture perfect.
Wuthering Heights. The Shadow Cabinet
I love it when a band sounds so different than everything else and Wuthering Heights still manages to do that. Anyway this is far from as brilliant as Far From The Madding Crowd, a more distinct and focused approach is missed, still an intense album though.
| |
