Another month, another assortment of albums both old and new - strange and delicious. Come wade through my playlist with me and maybe discover something wonderful or not... this is my ten spot. Eagerly still awaiting MANY discs, but right now am at a fever pitch for the new Bob Catley (with KARLSSON for gods sakes!), Jorn Lande, Whitesnake and Brother Firetribe... oh and half a dozen or more others.


TARJA TURUNEN - MY WINTER STORM
Tarja has only been unleashed on Finland so far, and her album is typical gothy operatic rock. It is quite entertaining though in small doses and her main "single", "I Walk Alone" is a perfect showcase for her voice and the freezing soul trappings. The song is so cold, there are icicles hanging from every verse. Those that longed for her after Nightwish's "Dark Passion Play" will be rewarded with this solo effort.

ROUGH SILK - ROOTS OF HATE
A rediscovery of mine. Originally ran across it in the mid 90s and loved it. Lost it, then bought it again at a small import shop in the chilly cold New England north called Phoenix Records. Then I ripped that to my XBox and lost the disc. Then my XBox was "retired" when the new consoles came out so it was "lost" to me again and just recently the original disc I owned was re-found. So hooray, I have my "Sentimental Dawn" back.

SONATA ARCTICA - UNIA
The more I hear this album, the more I fall deeper in love with it. There is just so much depth here. New emotional layers come forth on repeat listenings. "Paid In Full", "In Black and White", the conclusions of "It Won't Fade" and the sorrowful tread of "Under Your Tree". Just a great album all around.

GARY HUGHES - VERITAS
This album is boring. Although I am still listening to it, trying to figure out *why* its so boring, because for all practical purposes, it should be fan-tab-u-lous. Instead its just "ho.....hum".....  And the more I try to force myself to like it, the more I seem to get irritated by it and keep wishing it would turn into Ten's debut or "Spellbound" or just anything else with Gary on vocals.  It's a shame that this is the same Gary that gave us all those great Ten albums and "I Won't Break Your Heart".

THE CAGE II - MOLLO & MARTIN
The year of its release, this was *the* album for me. Number one, and holds up to this day. The lyrics and sentiments of "Overloaded" and "Life, Love and Everything" are superb, stacked against great heavy grooves and guitar craftmanship to live and die for. Bite, melody and a heaviness that can't be denied, this is a showcase piece for both Dario's guitars and Tony's lovely voice.

BENEDICTUM - SEASONS OF TRAGEDY
Veronica Freeman has one of the most awesome metal voices I have ever heard. She is the female equivelant of Bruce Dickinson or Rob Halford or Ronnie James Dio... all mixed together.... the songs are pretty nice too but matched with her voice... AH! its jagged slice of metal heaven.

BLACK SABBATH - HEAVEN AND HELL
"Children of the Sea" and the title track never go out of style. Dio and Iommi were at the peak of their talents here and it shows all over this disc. Dio is fresh out of Rainbow and still painting those medieval skies with tragic darkness and unshakeable mystery while Iommi channels the blacker side of Blackmore for some memorable solos and infernally catchy riffs.

LANA LANE - RED PLANET BOULEVARD
I reviewed this not too long ago and am still giving it plenty of visitation time. Its just one of those cds that keeps growing on you (like the aforementioned "Unia"). "Angels and Magicians" is a whirlwind rocker and "Lazy Summer Days" is so spacey and quaint, it's like walking hand in hand with some very early Heart, like those wispy, dreamy pieces off of "Dog and Butterfly" and "Dreamboat Annie".

MAGNUM - ON A STORYTELLER'S NIGHT
"Endless Love", "Just Like an Arrow", the majestical title track - this is definitely Catley's finest hour. His voice was so strong and perfect for these tunes that are melodic bliss.  There is a reason this one is so highly regarded that some claim its "overrated" (like it ever could be that!).  It's a superb album.  Period. 

Written by Alanna
Thursday, March 13, 2008