Here's what I've been listening to lately while planning an expansion of the site. Soon it will be possible for members to add their own ratings and possibly reviews to those that already exist in a different way than through a comment.
If you have any ideas or suggestions for features you miss on the site be sure to send me a
mail or write a comment below to let me know.
EyeFear - The Unseen (Progressive Power Metal)Solid followup to
A world full of grey. If you liked that one be sure to check this out. Great mix of melodic, power and progressive metal.
Bob Catley - Immortal (Melodic Hard Rock)Superb album. Alanna's
review covers it completely.
Hello Madness - Light and life after dusk (Rock)A very nice surprise from Alejandro Milan, the former keyboard player from Stream of Passion. A full review is on the way.
Marillion - Script for a jester's tear (Progressive Rock)A sonic experience beyond most of what I have discovered recently. The feeling of something special is in the air when I put this album on and I can't wait to give it more time to sink in.
Kreator - Pleasure to Kill (Thrash/Speed Metal)
Raw, aggressive and not too impressive was my first impression. That was quickly blown away by the second listen as I got on this intense, brutal and insanely fast ride, held on and started noticing the detail I missed first time around. I got the feeling of a younger, wilder sibling of Slayer's Reign in Blood. One word: Extreme!!! (The essential quote from "Harold and Kumar go to white castle")
Unitopia (Progressive Rock)Very good progressive Rock from Australia. Full review is coming soon.
The Gathering - Home (Atmospheric rock)I lost track of The Gathering after Nighttime Birds. Decided to check them out again when I found this one very cheap. Home is just wonderful in its relaxed ambient atmosphere when I am in the right mood. One to fall asleep to, but in a good way.
Loreena McKennitt - Book of Secrets A beautiful album with a completely relaxing atmosphere. I don't know how to categorize it except say that it is not exactly metal, just fantastic music. Dante's Prayer is a favorite at the moment, amazing song.
Magnum - II (AOR)I found some of the old Magnum albums very cheap and had to check them out. A few songs make an impression and the album is nice and comfortable but lacks some consistency to make it really memorable. It seems unsure of what path to take.
Great Adventure opens the door in a most promising way but already by the second song
Changes the album is led astray down a less interesting road. There are some great moments along the way, especially in songs like
If I could live forever,
Firebird and
All of my life and they point towards some great potential.
HAUK - To hear the trumpets call EPReview is coming.
Sacred Dawn (Heavy Metal)Promising band.
Read review.
Metallica - Death Magnetic (Heavy Metal)Metallica returns to a thrashier direction with mixed results. It is the best Metallica album in a long while but it comes off as too cold, lacking the spirit found in their early works. Some riffs and passages sound way too inspired by what they have done before and I miss some really memorable moments. Broken, Beat & Scarred is a clear favorite.
Sadly the album suffers terribly by being mastered way too loud and it ruins much of my listening pleasure. There is no feeling of dynamics in the sound which clips and distorts beyond belief, especially in the fastest and supposedly most powerful sections which as a result end up feeling flat.
OK album but I tire of it way too quickly.
Kamelot - DominionRead review Neal Morse - LifelineStill a fantastic listen.
Read the review.
Enuff Z'nuff - DissonanceThe perfect warmup for the Enuff Z'nuff gathering which took place a few days ago. Joni Lynn, Altered States and Roll Away are perfect examples of the unique blend that is Enuff Z'nuff.
Read review CD purchases of the monthAt Vance - The Evil In You
Bob Catley - Immortal
Enchant - Blink Of An Eye
Green Carnation - The Acoustic Verses
Kreator - Pleasure to kill
Lana Lane - Curious Goods
Lana Lane - Love Is An Illusion
Lana Lane - Queen Of The Ocean
Magnum - Chasing the Dragon
Magnum - Magnum II
Magnum - The Eleventh Hour!
Marillion - Script for a Jester's Tear
Marillion - This Strange Engine
Metallica - Death Magnetic
Motörhead - Iron Fist
Motörhead - Overkill
Scorpions - Humanity Hour I
Tad Morose - Leaving the Past Behind
The Gathering - Home
