Accept. Russian Roulette
Each time I listen to Aiming High it gets better and better, it's completely out of this world and one of the most intense things you'll come around, the backing vocals here and on the entire record are phenomenal. A Classic Heavy Metal must have.
 
Anubis Gate. The Detached
Fourth album from the Danish Progressive Metal unit with Jacob Hansen as lead vocalist doing a decent job without impressing. It takes time but in the end it adds up to a really strong album with lots of intriguing and interesting elements.
 
Balance. Equilibrium
It gets off to a good catchy start but then the quality drops. Still a decent disc with a rather thin production.
 
Cage. Science Of Annihilation
A worthy follow up to the metallic monster that was Hell Destroyer, too bad that the sound comes off quite muddy and noisy.
Personal favourite include:
Black River Falls (demonic possession, King Diamond and a most haunting slow passage infused with a lead melody alla Dave Murray, ohh yes)
Spirit Of Vengeance (I listen in amazement as the unbound mid-section sets my speakers on fire with drumming coming from the centre of hell)
Die Glocke (the vocals are just as extreme as the music...a devastating metal assault)
 
Cain's Offering. Gather The Faithful
It's been a while since I heard Power Metal sounding this energetic and supercharged with great melodies, catchy choruses and pure intensity. The mix of former Sonata Arctica guitarist Jani Liimatainen and Timo Kotipelto works splendidly. Fantastic album.
 
Crash The System. The Crowning
The sound gets too clinical but the pompous use of keys and effects gives it a quite unique and very symphonic touch. Even though it has mediocre elements I simply can't deny a bunch of really memorable choruses performed by brilliant vocalist as Göran Edman resulting in this one coming off as a winner in the end.
 
Dream Theater. Black Clouds And Silver Linings (3 CD)
Simply a great album, crisp, diverse and memorable.
When listening to the album in the instrumental mix new aspects unfolds and it's even clearer just how grand some of these compositions are.
The cover version disc is another fantastic display of the bands abilities, unfortunately LaBrie is struggling with some of the vocals in To Tame A Land (and why do they sound distorted in a weird low toned way?), but the musical take on this old classic is amazing.
 
Green Day. 21st Century Breakdown
Ambitious and for the most part a successful piece of Punk Rock. The band has stuffed a bit too much material on to it but the title track, 21 Guns and See The Light stand out as memorable highlights.
 
Johnny Lima. Livin' Out Loud
Classic Hard Rock with hints of Bon Jovi, Danger Danger, Mötley Crüe and Marcello-Vestry. A very good album with top-notch production and I'm On Fire as the irresistible party rocker.
 
Jorn. Spirit Black
Hard pounding Rock with a metallic swirl and Jorn's impressive pipes leading the way. Another cool disc but only eight songs and a cover is simply not enough value for your money...and it isn't the first time either.
 
Journey. Raised On Radio
The first four songs are superb Melodic Hard Rock with the start of Be Good To Yourself standing out as completely out of this world. Amazing disc.
 
Magnum. Into The Valley Of The Moonking (CD+DVD)
The veterans' strike back with a consistent album hiding more finesse and melody than the first 5 spins might lead you to think, Bob Catley's full-bodied delivery is always a gift in itself.
 
Outloud. Outloud
Outloud's debut is a fresh and yet classic sounding Hard Rock disc having two members of Firewind onboard. The first part of the album stand as the strongest with catchy tunes as We Run and Tonight.
 
Psychotic Waltz. Into The Everflow
Hypnotizing and down right strange. Unique doesn't quite cover this.
 
Psychotic Waltz. Bleeding
Different and a bit more incoherent but with some really strong songs too.
 
Stratovarius. Polaris
It's more Stratovarius than the latest self-titled album but it's not the blast I was hoping for. Higher We Go is a melodic treat but the more epic stuff lacks some of Tolkki's dramatic touch.
 
Vindictiv. Ground Zero
Guitarist Stefan Lindholm has written the music for this compact Progressive journey, along the way Göran Edman, Oliver Hartmann and Mark Boals (one track) enlightens the path with some truly awesome vocal performances. The title track is amazing, the production powerful and the technical level inspiring. Worth checking out.
 
Waysted. Save Your Prayers (Re-release) 
Strong 1986 effort with Danny Vaughn in the fold, a blend of soft melodies and groovy kicks make up a nice tasty dish.

Written by Tommy
Monday, July 20, 2009