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MOONLIGHT FEAR - PRUEBA DE FUEGO(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2006) ESPANA
Perhaps I´ve written here a review for one of the best spanish metal releases in the last time. This south spain based six musicans published back in 2003 their debut album GEMINIS for the now defunkt label RED DRAGON REDORDS. There we could found good song material. But in my eyes was this disc not more then another typic midclass Heavy Metal release. Now more than four years later the band present us a real high class recording. I don´t know how they manage it to do such a big step forward... !!! After a short intronicing the opening track
EN TU ESPEJO (IN YOUR REFLECTION) acts in the best traditional Heavy Metal style through your PA. The following track TEMPESTADES (STORMS) doing the same. Famous spanish bands like SARATOGA could not better introduce this kind of melodic power metal. The follower ALMA DE LLUVIA (RAINSOUL) handles with great emotions a litt le bit more moderate. Normal I am rapid nerved by the use of a keyboard. But you should listen once a song as CORAZON DE EBANO (HEART OF EBONY). The keyboard (JAVI ESPOSITO) is full integrate there and acts with a lot of skill. Needless to write that MOONLIGHT FEAR features with JOSE A. DIAZ like so many spanish bands an excellent frontman as well killer guitarists (VICTOR DE LA CHICA and JUAN RAMIREZ) too. I can´t find inside this powerfull produced album a mistake. In other words this is a fantastic release. Take a look at their website and ask em for merchandise and cd´s. www.moonlightfear.net . Luckly they are also present inside the famous website www.myspace.com/moonlightfear too. A third album is meanwhile in the process and should be out soon. Wouldn´t surprised if this one will be publish on a bigger label. So let´s wait and hope for this next surprise and of course for a further review at this site too. article by Gerald Mittinger
MESSIAH´S KISS - DRAGONHEART(SPV/STEAMHAMMER CD´2007) GERMANY
An unwritten law in the music industry is that the third album must be the breakin point for a band. I am not sure if this tradition will work for this great german Heavy Metal act also there? Some of you know this long time running act from the late 80ies where they released two albums under the band name REPRESSION. Somewhere at the beginning of the millenium the north german band celebrated their reunion. Still the style was the same but with the difference that MIKE TIRELLI (LAST LIX , BURNING STAR, HOLY MOTHER) joined the group. I remember an early live performance at the W.O.A back in 2002 when the debut PRAYER FOR THE DYING was
publi shed. From the beginning traditional german Heavy Metal in the vain of MP, ACCEPT,BULLET, BRAINFEVER or for example GLADIATORS was the trademark for MESSIAH´S KISS ! Believe me I didn´t list this com parsion of acts if this band would not be of the same class. Of course together with Mr. MIKE TIRELLI as vocalist they reached from the start the top. But to come back to the first shoot. Altough this recording featured some fantastic metal tracks like REIGN OF FIRE, the ACCEPT / KING DIAMOND influenced DREAM EVIL, or the JUDAS PRIEST alike running titletrack. But that doesn´t helped them the success was insigni fant.With the same concept the quintett entered two years later again the studio (the album was pro duced by NIKOLO KOTZEV of BRAZEN ABBOT). Again convinced this 2nd studio album with strong cuts as the opener UNCAGING REBELLION, the ultimate hymn METAL´ TIL WE DIE and the teutonic metalbuster HOLY WATERS. It seems that the band had done everything wright. Normal that this album with the encounting title METAL would be an essential buy for every real metalhead. But again nothing happened . Maybe one of the reasons was also the missing of a support tour for a well known act. In the last de cade of the past 
year was then the publishing of the present release DRAGONHEART. Without a doubt is this the best and most outstanding release of the band untill now. Direct with the straight opener THE ANCIENT CRIES turns this fine produced recording in a more variable and recomendable style. The band finds there the thin line which close perfect the attitudes between german and US metal ! The following (BURNING GATES OF) BABYLON continue in this direction. WHERE THE FALONS CRY rules with an epic arrangement. General acting on this release more or less all songs on his high level. So it´s hard for me to find a difference between all this great tunes.It´s really worth to conqueur every single composition on this disc. Maybe some of the most outstanding tracks are WHERE THE FALCONS CRY(strong reminable chorus lines together with a great melody line) , the driven THUNDERS IN THE NIGHT (ab solute classic metal) or the up tempo banger STEEL RIDER. Another fave of mine is CITY OF ANGE LS which reminds me a little bit on the old SAVATAGE. www.messiahskiss.com or take a look at the website of their record company STEAMHAMMER RECORDS. article by Gerald Mittinger
MORPHEUS - III(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) HUNGARY
Similar well know old veterans of the hungarian traditional Heavy Metal scene is the group MORPHEUS. The first release of this Budapest based act was a couple of years back a tape / cassette album with the title LATOMAS .With this fine 4 track EP could the group earn first success in their native metal scene. Two years later followed finally the self titled debut disc. Parallel to my other hungarian favorites from OBSTRUCTION which celebrates the same clas sic arranged Heavy Metal style was this release more or less a private production. Only the distribution was by NAIL / HAMMER RECORDS.Again two years later in 2005 came the follow up ELET ES HALAL
in to the hungarian record shops. I prefered this on and on classic styled Heavy Metal album with an slight IRON MAIDEN / PRIEST influence a lot. By the way I dont know if this disc was a success and if this was again only a licen ce deal. But tracks like the OSSIAN alike ELJ A´MANAK, an IRON MAIDEN inspired tune as KEZOLD UJRAL or classic up tempo metal numbers ala LATOMAS (yes, the titletrack from the debut cassette EP in a rearrang ed version) and the epic edged tune VAN KIUT are without a doubt timeless and lis ten able. So I wonder, why is happen again a time out of three years after this strong release s . Now by the end of the year the band strikes finally with a new effort under the simple working title "III". Even much more surpirse me the fact that the band publish this album without the 
support of a financial record com pany. This third album is a total private pub lished work, but I will go so far to write that this release is one of the best in the present hungarian metal scene. In contuary to their former publishings is here a open and wide arrangement in the acceptance of the new compo sitions. During the opener NINCS IGAZSAG with a fine intoduction like in a dream world starts and after this short sequenze in a classic typic hungarian metal track in the tradition of OSSIAN / STRESS turns is the following MIERT VAILT OZUAL parted in heroic metal parts and power metal attacks. Fantastic it´s un believeable what a big progress leads MORPHEUS on this third album to the top. More agressive into the NEVERMORE corner tendence then ORÖKSEG. Back to the roots of classic aranged metal made in Hungary leads us 
FELELEM. A mix of traditional and more modern arranged metalriffs mades the following MORPHEUS SZARNYAD together with the variable metal voice of TAM AS KENYER to an remind able adventure.With a lovely styled powerballad under the title AZ SZERELEM MINDENT LEGYOZ in contri bution with the suberb female guest vocalist KLARA KENYER enters the group the old famous WARLOCK / DORO venue. This contrast is a good idea to the metalic followup stumper GYÖTRE LEM before the heavy and doomy metalbolt INKVIZICIO (an epos about this dark epoche with female and male vocalparts) everthing strikes down. Behind this strong and energetic tune follows with VIGZET another traditional metal basher. Powerfull and at the same time melancoly end this perfect release with AZ ATKOZOTT. I am full of interest what will show the future this great band and I hope too that they don´t give up in the follow to publish such great music. www.myspace.com/morpheusmetal or visit their official website under: www.morpheus-band.hu . article by Gerald Mittinger
MALACARA - MI REBELION(ANCESTRAL RECORDS / CD´2006) ARGENTINA
Not fresh but still a raunchy Heavy Metal release presents us MALACARA with their debut album MI REBELION. With the opening track ANSIAS DE LIBERTAD enters the Buenos Aires based quartett the reign in good timeless hard and heavy style. Perhaps a good discribtion for their corner could be a mix of old (good) BARON ROJO and HERMETICA.By the way we can hear there are also too technical US metal influences inside the compositions.The following EL ESCORPION acts in the same 80ies styled metal habit.Fine melodic guitar solis by JORGE CHIOSSINI lead the song on a high level.Like an old relict (in positive opinion)from the typical MAUSOLEUM days in the 80ies creeps the titletrack in our veins. Again I feel there strong remembered on the old BARON ROJO. Fast starts then FUERA DE LA LEY, FUERA DE CONTROL in contribution to the lyrics.MANO NEGRA (BLACK HAND) is a slow acting semi ballad. During LA ISLA returns to the real Heavy Metal with a slight JUDAS PRIEST flavour. Like a homage to the heroes of the spanish latin metal scene PANZER and ANGELES DEL INFIERNO sounds for me the great runner AGUANTANDO. Sinister with a spocken intro starts DERRETIDOS a fine raw orientaded banger,before with the high flyer PRINCESA this album ends with high class. A remindable Power Metal alike guitar effort in combination with good balanced vocals by Senor CLAUDIO BARROS let me not forget so fast this song. To find out more about this promising new act check out the website of their recordcompany under www.ancestralrecords.com.ar or the bandsite www.malacarametal.com.ar . I´m sure if the band follows this style that they can jump in the next time to the top heavy acts of their country article by Gerald Mittinger
MAMUT - MAMUT(NAIL RECORDS / NAILCD 089) HUNGARY
At the moment is MAMUT still an absolute insidertip for all the followers of traditional arranged 80ies Power Metal.
The Budapest based allstar band whirl up a lot of dust before this debut album arrived the stores.Already during the preproduction for the album was the rumour big as falls a lot of ilustre names about the who is who in the group. So we find on the vocals MOLICS ZSOLT which was in the past in such famous groups as SAMAN, CLASSICA and for SENECA the vocalist. Also the position on the guitar is hold by the well known SAMAN guitarist ANGYAN TAMAS. So it´s easy to advise that the listener awaits on this release well done traditional magyar Heavy Metal.Close to the big names of the past and present metal scene in this lovely country opens this self titled debut with VER ES KÖN NY in this beloved style. From the first tact you will be infect in the mood of classic Heavy stuff ala POKOLGEP and OSSIAN or the before named SAMAN. Behind this fast and impressive opener follows the riff laden hyper banger TULELEÖ which could stand also on the setlist one of the latest KALAPACS albums.Untill now convince this fantas tic release with unbelieveable highclass east europe 80ies metal. No matter A MAGNUS holds easy this high stan dart. With a moderate and harmonic feeling slides the bombastic heavy rocker CSONTOK HIDJAN in our soul. This great atmosphere guarantes the acoustic arranged short instrumental UTOLSO SZIVE too, before with A FÖLD SZI VE a rolling heavy rocker in the style of the old DOKKEN reigns. This tune is a real surprize...!!! Heavy but still melo dic acts then ELLENMEREC. Like in every of the former compositions convince me there the highclass guitarwork of TAMAS. He plays his axe with lots of feeling and skill. Another midranged traditional but not old fashioned remindable track is ADJ ERÖT. My favorite runner dinamize then under the title SAMANOK TANCA. Without a doubt is this metal hymns one of the best numbers in the Hungarian hard and heavy scene forever. FAKLYAK returns to the fast arranged metal style. Last but not least ends this debut with another 80ies inspired metal diamand MENNY ES FÖLD. Be sure this album will get so many more spins on my HiFi. A fool will be those which will be not buy this timeless masterpiece. Catch it if you can! This album works ... www.MAMUTWEB.EXTRA.HU . Hopefully will be there in the near future a follow up for this fine album. article by Gerald Mittinger
MAGNOS - GRITOS(BLACKSTAR PRODUCTIONS / CD´2008) ARGENTINA
This is the kind of Heavy Metal which we all need, will buy and hear everytime....again and again! Ha,ha maybe so me of you will now think is he now total mad. But serious now, MAGNOS is really a very good new traditional oriantated Heavy Metal act without any disturbing ballast. Straight to the point starts the album with FUGITIVO DE MI SUERTE. In the same punching metal style follows RESISTE. By the way the frontmen behind MAGNOS is the well known vocalist and founding member of LÖRIHEN. I don´t now if MAGNOS is now his second band, a side project or simple his new group. It doesn´t matter, fact is that the songmaterial on this GRITOS (SCREAMS) titled album convince us all most of the time. CONTRA EL REINO (AGAINST THE KING) is a moderate melodic heavy tune maybe close to the hard edged RATA BLANCA classics. With lots of pathic starts VUELA MAS ALTO which is as best to describe as a latin power ballad. Asolute my cup of tea is then the speed influenced heavy piece BESTIAS. With more up to date arrangements sounds ENSUENO (INSIDE A DREAM) similar to many melodic power metal bands of today. Straighter and outstanding works the riff orientated classic metal cut UNA DENTRO DE MI SER. A crying lovestory with changing female and male vocalparts delivers us UNA HISTORIA DE AMOR. Without a doubt must stand behind a songtitle as FURIA the real metal. By the way exact is that FURIA is a combination of classical guitarparts in the dress of a melodicmetal composition. With ALMAS PRESENTES close the album finally again with a over the top high edged melodic metal tune. Personal I would prefer more tracks in this style on this album. So the facit for GRITOS is a bit different. As I wrote above convince the recording but a little bit more straightness and varibility would lead the album to an absolute top production. Perhaps the next release will bring us the solution from this small problems. www.magnosweb.com.ar or contact their mangement via magnosmanagement@gmail.com . article by Gerald Mittinger
MIDGARD - MALO JE VREMENA(ONE RECORDS 143 / CD´2008) SERBIA
Huh, once again a good pattern how fast things can change. Of course not always into the negative situation. Still I remember me well on the debut album SLIKE PROTEKLIH GODINA from this serbian band. This disc was publis hed back in 2004 and was no more as just another hard and heavy release on the market. Two years after the pu blishing of this album I didn´t gave more a dime for the future of the quartett. But like so many times lifes dead spo ken acts longer and return with a strong follow up. MALO JE VREMENA is also the second effort of this Sabac (a little town near the capitol Belgrade) based band. For me is this twelve tracker a big surprise.Free from all the dis
turbing pomb presents us this new album timeless traditional Heavy Metal with a melodic edge.The short introduction (STAZE BLEDIH TYAGOVA) leads us direct in to the strong titletrack. Fine powerful 80ies eurometal is also the devision of the following banger ZAUVEK SI MOI QUEH. MILOS KUSMANOVIC is one of this many high class vocalists from easteurope and the guitarpower by VLADAN MUDIC and DAYKO STETANOVIC is also not of bad parents. Straight in line surprise the harsh Power Metal tune VECNA SU POLIA SUNCA. Yeäh the driven mighty power behind this outstanding composition is incredible. But not enough also in the great tradit ion of the famous eighties metal acts speeds ZLEKA MIR POBEDI through the night. Different with a strong heavy riff is the oriantation of GRLE SI SAD a mixture somewhere between old STRATOVARIOUS and DIVILJE JAGODE. Well done sirs. With the seventh powertune VYACAM SE shows the group again their skill to combinate melody with straight metalriffs at high level. Guitar rumour leads in the smashing up to date NOC DUGIH NOZEVA. Time for some more hard and heavy melodic sound delivers us the misty arranged TEBI PRIPADAM. Incre dible tight works also constant the ryhtmus section by DEJAN GAVYILOVIC (bass) and IVAN YOKIC (drums). For timeless heavy rock stands NEMA VISE HEROJA . Traditionalbalkan folk arts starts the incredible Power Metal bombast tune NEKA POZURE/ZVONA. This one is my personal favorite runner on this work. The good fusion of slight balkan melodyparts and fast mighty Power Metal is a good combination. After eleven more or less fast runnin numbers gives us the band then with OD TEBE DALENKO a moment of quite and beautiful moments untill the track turns into a power ballad. No matter I switch again the repeatkey and give this disc another turn. Try to grab a copy of this impulsive Power Metal release through www.midgard-serbia.com and use also the personal contact under midgardband@gromnet.net too. Of course the boys runs a www.myspace.com/midgardsabac website too. article by Gerald Mittinger 
MENACE - QUAKE METAL(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2006) ITALY
Power Metal !!!! Yeäh that´s it !!! Power metal like in the ancient days of our beloved music is the tag behind this lovely styled private release. This north italian quartett follows from the beginning to the end the footsteps of the godfathers of this style JUDAS PRIEST.I am sure the boys of MENACE listen a thousand times their favorite album PAINKILLER ! Without any compromise opens METAL AVALANCHE the reign in an absolute powerfull
style. Of cou rse if you listen this disc under the aspect of orginality you will come fast to the opinion that we heard this all before for ex ample on the PAINKILLER album. But who want´s this really...? Fact is this recor ding is in first degree a metalbash in first degree. The 2nd strike fol lows then with the strong HITTIN´ IN HEAD and for our all surprise I can attest this track also slight NWOBHM influen ces. So what else will we more.Yes I kow more metal! EVILNESS is then the next over dose in the heavy loaded hard PRIEST style. If once ROB HALFORD quit his job, his italian brother ROBERTO will be an excellent heir apparent. The fourth rumbler firms then under MESSENGER FROM HELL and stands for a more uni que style. Behind this strong metal number´s cranks REDEEMER then more outstanding through our marshall amps. If there someone awaits for the last pin a ballad he stands on the wrong side of the table. Or in other words the table doesn´t turns in the wrong dirrection. Once more is Power Metal to the max the doctrine of such an ilustrate named track as BLOODSTAINED RAZOR. Even what else...!!! Hopefully will be this not a one shoot and a fullength release follows soon. www.menace.rules.it . article by Gerald Mittinger
MORAVIUS - KING´S GRAVE(LEVIATHAN RECORDS 48 / CD´2007) CZECH REPUBLIC
This is the first full length release from this Ostrava based melodic speed metal band. Before the band relea sed a minialbum with the title BACK AGAIN but moe or less all the tracks could we find again at the KING´S GRAVE album in rerecorded versions. But step by step. The album starts with the titlettsck from their first mini album in a good epic arranged metal style. The good guitarwork by PETR STRAUCH and DMITRIJ LAZARENKO makes mood to listen forward this interesant release. With a lot of speed acts the impressive following cut DROP THE CROWN Especially DALIBOR "PANTHER" HALAMICEK is a very good vocalist. His english perfor med vocallines are well worth to listen. A real highlight is the fantastic KING´S GRAVE PT1-THE CURSE which is nothing else as classic Heavy Metal! Performed perfect by the above named musicans in contribution with the tight rhytmus section by JARDA DUFEK (bass) and MARCEL PERSKY (drums).Sometimes we also can hear in the background of some compositions the smart opera voice of HANKA SLACHTOVA (you know her as the keyboarder and also part time female vocalist of SALAMANDRA) and decent keyboard melodies from LUKAS LIPINA too. This wonderfull epic feeling continues in the next chapter WITHOUT YOU again. Baroque metal / neo classical guitarwork is the body of the well performed instrumental ON THE RUN. During CALLING FOR HELP returns back into the melodic speed vain.A short orcestral moment until like in the old HELLOWEEN and banished BLIND GUARDIAN style chances KINGS GRAVE PT2 - THE FIGHT several times his face. Another impressive strong emotional melodic metal hymn firms then under STRAYED SHEEP. Of course the third part of the fantasy trilogy the KING´S GRAVE PT3 - THE DEAL starts hyperfast and holds this uptempo the whole track. Of course some skill breaks are set. But over all thrones again the fantastic melodic vocal lines by DALIBOR "PANTHER" HLAMICEK. Fast eurometal with all his pomp and bombast hides behind BLESS YOU. Not with the same level runs then the cheesy simple called THE END titled track...! With the opera introduced and handled short outro ALEA IACTA EST with a theme like performance by HANKA SLACHTOVA ends then this album. All in all maybe except of the last three tracks is it worth to check this album out. www.moravius.com . article by Gerald Mittinger
MILIMETRICA - MILIMETRICA(DEL IMAGINARIO DISCOS 020 / CD´2005) ARGENTINA
Still I feel absolute impressed from this strong debut album. MILIMETRICA is another Cordoba based quartett which hold up high the flag of traditional Heavy Metal. Without any bombast and pomp agitated the group a firework of brilliant arranged heavy tracks. OCUPACION DESCUPADO is a typic brisk heavy tune with intele gent lyrics. At high level follows AESINA DE ASESINOS (if I am correct did this means THE MURDER OF THE KILLERS) with filigran played early eighties metal. Harsh faced metal with melodic vocal lines is a perfext mixture as it works in CARNICEROS MATRICULADOS. Slight BLACK SABBATH influences and a
tight played sologuitar is then the trademark of LA BUSQUEDA. Something is really speci al in the sound of this unique argentinians. But don´t ask me for the reason. I only can attest MILIMETRICA that they are an original outstanding band. The seventies heavyrock influenced epic tune MILIMETRICA an ode to their coun try Argentina acts in the same magic style. Far away from any trends but with edgy guitars and a mystical middlepart creeps LATRAICON SIGUE SIENDO LA MISMA like lava. But don´t categorize the band into the stoner club. No way, MILIMETRICA is an on and on traditional Heavy Metal band ! EL INTERI OR DEL INTERIOR is a heavy slow banger with some incredible good arrang ed RHANDY RHOADS alike guitarlicks. Ano ther fave of mine hides under th the title FIERROCARRIL. Maybe I like this hard melancoly rocker so much cause he re minds ne a bit on their country legend RIFF...! Back to the real eighties heavy rock guides us then EN EL LIMBO With melancoly and pain in his voice celebrates their singer FOL this song untill this epos awakes with lots of charme through the impressive guitar work of CHIKIMAN. Of course I know MILIMETRICA will be not the wright cup of tea for Power Metalists. But every body who has a vibe for imprssive styled timeless heavy metal album should risc an ear. By the way the album contains as bonus an interactive video track for LA BUSQUEDA. Watch out for milimetrica_group@hotmail.com . Hopefully this will be not the only release of this band. A second strong release would be highly recommend from me. www.milimetricaweb.com.ar . article by Gerald Mittinger
MONASTERIO - TIERRA INFIERNO(DEL IMAGINARIO DISCOS DI 031 / CD´2006) ARGENTINA
It will be always a secret for me why this lovely south american country has such a rich and powerfull metal scene. Unbelieveable how many great bands came out of this country. Also MONASTERIO is one of the many great traditional Heavy Metal acts from the Buenos Aires area. Without the waste of important seconds starts the album with the straight eighties influenced metal track ENFERMA AMBICION. The following EMIGRANTES (a story about the many emigrantes which start to Argentina full of hopes...) starts unusal for seconds with a slight seventies touch. But in comparsion to the straight opener opens this majestic pure steel running track his own aura. The voice of MAURO CASTILLO is a warm medium voice which fits perfect for this style. Yeäh a track as GUERREROS (WARRIORS) must be a special one. And of course this track spreads a lot of great vibes. Similar like a cross of old fast NWOBHM acts and traditional argentinian HM-heroes as BUNKER , V8 and THOR acts this magnifiy tune high above the metal clouds. Raw running Heavy Power Metal delivers us also the incredible PO TUS SUENOS (FOR THEIR DREAMS). It seems that the story behind the marching track HERMANOS CAIDOS (FALLIN BROTHRS) is based on the poem of icarus. Again strikes then another composi tion (SOMBRAS DE LA LEY / SHADOWS OF THE LAW) with the charm of the old fast running NWOHM heroes in contribution of eighties latin metal. Mother this quartett is another **** good act. Like on a battlefield creeps and smashes then the mighty SUCIO PODER. In the typic southamerican latinmetal style follows then TRAICI ON (TREASON). Crying guitars (CHRISTIAN VIDELA and MAURO CASTILO) are the overhelming background of the classic metal composition AMIGO BARRIO. Logic that the album ends with another great Heavy Metal piece in this style. By the way the track firms under VISIONES DE TEMOR (VISIONS OF FEAR). This is abslute a great start for MONASTERIO. Today it´s rare to find an album free of any weak composi tions. Be sure that TIERRA INFIERNO will stand the test of time. www.monasterio-web.com.ar or mail em monasterio@monasterio-web.com.ar . I heard that this record firm is only a distributor. The bands pay for their releases and jus release than their product on this label. So TIERRA INFIERNO is more or less another collectable private press. article by Gerald Mittinger
MARAUDER - FACE THE MIRROR(HEART OF STEEL RECORDS 0805 / CD´2008) GREECE
For our all pleasure signs the greek metal warriors a contract with the reborn italian based HEART OF STEEL REC ORDS label (by the way the label agitate in the past under the label STEELHEART RECORDS). So far hope fully this firm will be the wright platform to push this great band to a bigger audience. This Athen based group needs without a doubt more interest and publicity in the international metal biz. I don´t know what ´s till now
is the real reason...?Maybe the permanent search for a new recordfirm is one of them. We remember back in 1997 started the quintett from zero to hundred with their incredible debut SENSE OF METAL on the little greek underground label LIFE RECORDS. With their direct strai ght classic Power Metal won MARAUDER spontan the sympathy of the metal heads in their home country. If you the lucky owner of this album grab this one out from your collection and give such classics as FASTER THAN THUNDER, FOR US THE METAL (yeäh, what a good frame...!!!) or the titletrack a spin. The sec ond strike follows at hand two years later through the (now dis funct?) brazilian based label MEGAHARD RECORDS. The concept album 1821 (an epos around the heroes ot the greek revolution) overflow us again with a bunch of great timeless classics. This heroic and bombastic arranged epos ear ned the boys a first international success. By the way the album hadn´t a bad distribution and was in most of the 
impor tant metal countries available. If you don´t got this one in your collection don´t hesitate to grab one be fore it is to late. Beside the heroic story through the greek warriors to free their land convince this recording in first degree with catchy powerfull arranged Hea vy Metal (somtimes remind me the material to the old MANOWAR too). Epic tunes as FACES IN THE SKY or runn ing power metal classics as FREE LIKE AN EAGLE will statiesfy everybody with the sense for the real metal...!!! But nothing happened after this suberb recording. For a long time, perhaps to long time wasn´t a new contract for the Hellas based metallists in sight. Finally in 2003 GREG VERSAMIS from the unbreakable enthusiastic greek in die label EAT METAL RECORDS had the balls to sign em up. In short time follo wed the release date one year later under the
working title LIFE? at a timepoint nobody outside of Greece had the band on their bill. Unbelieveable five long years after their last disc returnd this legandary band with another strong release. And of course nothing chan ged. Of luck..!!! Still dominates there the upgrade Power Metal hammer. Fili gran US-metal influenced guitars by the axemans ANDREAS TSAOUSSIS and GIORGOS SOFRONAS and the impressive rhyhtmussecction by KOSTAS VAGI OTIS (bass) and MANOS MATSOS (drums) guarant us another hellbent metal adventure. On this recording firmed with MICHALIS SMEROS a new singer. No question without a doubt again a strong shouter.But their past vocalist MICHALIS PAGONIS was for my opinion the real metal acrobat with his unique voice for MARAUDER. But also this constallation should be not of long time. Again turned the bandwagon and the singer as well the rhytmus secction leaf the group. Normal this would be the dead of an am bition group as our heroes. But MAURAUDER is in first degree the founding members and guitarrists ANDREAS TSAOUSSIS and GIORGOS SOFRONAS. Last but not least joined with ALEXANDROS KOSTARAKOS again an ultimati ve metal shouter the group.Together with a new rhythmn section (THODORIS PARALIS on the bass and behind the drums GRIGORIUS VLACHOS) was the metalship ready again to sail hard in the metalwind. Strong new material close to the first two album brought em then the final deal with HEART OF STEEL RECORDS. No matter untill now is for me this present release an absolute highflyer in the gem of the classic Power metal.Stronger than ever with out any dis turbing keyboards or other metal untypic bombast celebrates the group there another reincarnation of the true unbendable Heavy Metal...! Believe it or not but fast and heavy edged tracks as FACE THE MIRROR, HEARTS MADE OF STEEL, NAYA or DARK RIDERS (to name only a few...) will drive every real metal maniac to the insane. Of course the basic of MARAUDER is strong foundatet by the old heroes as IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST plus an incre dible fine brand of NWOBHM and even also slight MANOWAR influences. In other words the perfect mixture for a timeless metal classic. So it´s up to you if this metal bastion will have a bright future. www.marauder.gr or marauder@marauder.gr . article by Gerald Mittinger
MONTREAL - POST-CRUCIFIXION(METAL SIN RECORDS 01 / CD´2007) ARGENTINA
It´isn´t easy to write an absolute objektive review about this latest release of this Buenos Aires based veterans. Maybe a look back in the history will help me to find the wright words. At 1999 when the first MONTREAL disc came out their style was somewhere between hard and heavy bands. No matter I like their songs from the old days but never this release was one of my big favorites. Anything changed then with their second highflyer ENTRE EL BIEN Y EL MAL.This incredible **** good piece of classic Heavy Metal brought em fast a big crowd of believers including myself. Alone this majestic and epic opener
ANIMAS ERRANTES skip this album to one of the best of their country! Meanwhile are gone more than three years since this last pub lishing and the new release POST CRUCIFIXION hits into the shops. With a strong 70ies retro influence and tendencies in the direction to the old DEEP PURPLE starts this disc with the titletrack. Of course that´s no of bad parents but absolute not what I awaited after the strong former relea se. A little bit more energetic acts then CON BOTAS SUCIAS. No won der this is a cool cover of the legendary BARON ROJO tune. By the way this cover contains also the ARGENTINIAN TRIBUTO A BARON ROJO compi lation too. Uff, finally with the next tune TIEMPO DE CAMBIOS (TIME OF CHANGES) returns the quartet around the great vocalist CLAU DIO VATTINO to their native terain. But MALDITA ESTACION SURENA holds on again with a slight 70ies feeling. PARAISO INFERNAL is a greepy BLACK SAB BATH a like metal monster with a remisance to the old great RATA BLANCA.That´s the kind of composition which I await from this legendary band. Behind the long intro NADIR cracks the band a wall of emotions with the pounding BLACK SABBATH cover THE MOB RULES. I really appreciate that the band didn´t copy the 
original. Especially CLAUDIO VATTINO imitate not a single second RONNIE JAMES DIO. Superb how he did awake with his own performance this classic tune to new life. The regular playtime of this album end then with a further cover version FAST TAKER (of course original by MANOWAR). Also this tune convine with a great vocal performance and the bril liance of senor GUSTAVO RUBEN at the guitar. By the way the tight rhythm section with MATIAS PENA on the drums and GUSTAVO ACOSTA at the bass and key boards let no desires open too. So far, maybe you all can me now un derstand if I write in the beginning that my opinion is a bit twisted about this present release. I didn´t like so much the 70 ies direction in some songs. Prsonal I appreciate more this mystic and powerfull songwriting which holds of luck the cross of the compositions on POST CRUCIFIXION. The second part of the album crowns then as bonus four live tracks !!! And as I didn´t await it other starts the performance with a grandious performance of ENTRE EL BIEN Y EL MAL (HEAVEN AND HELL). Impressive and full of energy lights this monstertune like a flame in the dark. Around over seven minutes acts this monumental and epic tune before M 20/10 starts with a fine guitarsolo by GUSTAVO RUBEN untill the band turns on with imense power into the cut ROCKER. Finally ends this cool and perfect engineed set with another strong heavy tune NO SE BANCA. Without a doubt is POST CRUCIFION also another must have disc for all the die hard fans (by the way I mean me there too) of this institution, but two more typic MONTREAL styled cuts instead of the old fashioned crab would be the top of the things. So far face em up under the following files www.montreal-metal.com.ar or through their second page www.montreal.8m.net . I f you want you can drop em also some refreshing arts via monterock@hotmail.com too. article by Gerald Mittinger
MALA MEDICINA - MALA MEDICINA(ICARUS / WITCH OF THE EAST LTD. DIGIPACK CD´2004) ARGENTINA
It isn´t a secret that this Buenos Aires based Hard Rock / A.O.R. supergrroup around some ex RATA BLANCA members is one of the big things in the latin melo dic circle. By the way it tooks some time untill I get their debut, but we all now good music is a timeless affair. So let´s start to talk about the ten compositions of this fine styled digipack. SIN TI NO SE VIVIR (WIHOUT YOU IS NO LIFE) opens straight and powerful this effort. In the second round rules then in the same style but in my eyes a tick more effective the great composition TIROS 2 MUERTES Y 1 DESTINO (SHOOT`S 2 KILLINGS AND 1 DESTINY ) . I don´t know if there anybody could imagine a musically mixture between the melodic RATA BLANCA and HEROES DE SILENCIO. Maybe this describtion is exact how did sound the group at this tune. More relaxed with alot of airplay character swings PUEDE SER AMOR (MIGHTY OF THEIR LOVE). Not really exciting follows a real candlelight ballad under the title QUERER ES PODER (LOVE THE MIGHT). Good time A.O.R. with an edge of Hard Rock promise as next ESTE NOCHE ES MI NOCHE (THIS NIGHT IS MY NIGHT). Back to the roots in the style of the two opening tracks convince us the rocker AGUA Y ACEITE (WATER AND OIL). Perso nal I would be glad if there would follow then again a track in this style instead another boring quite ballad with the title VUELVEME A CREER. Of course the voice of senor GABRIEL MARIAN is sensationel and let me also accept the many quite tunes. But a bit more bites would alight the album more. Enough of critic, just give a listen the spectacular guitar harmonies of FERNANDO CONZENSA and SANTIAGO BERNASCONI. I am sure there a still a lot of fans of the mideighties stuff from argentinias le gendary Hard Rock pioniers RIFF on the prowl. If they will once hear the most outstanding heavy rock tune (with a remindable melody) EL REY DE LOS VAGOS (THE KING OF THE LAZY) they will be infect forever from MALA MEDICINA too. Nothing else more as a good time rockin´ cut stands in line with CON EL CORAZON (WITH THE HEART). More power to ya, or in other words another breathless heavy rocker LA VIDA ES ASI (THE LIFE IS EASY) close with a great attitude this album. Meanwhile hits in the argentinian shos the second album A PURA SANGRE the Hard Rock comunity under tension. Till I will get this for a review check out this website: www.malamedicina.com.ar . article by Gerald Mittinger
METALMORPHOSE - MALDICAO(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) BRAZIL
One of the comeback´s in 2009 is without a doubt this album. Founded back in 1983 was the first lifesign of this brazil Heavy Metal pioneers a split album with the legend DORSAL ATLANTICA. one year later followed an ultrarare maxi single untill the band shared the destiny of so many hopefull newcomers. Of course the band published in the follow some demotapes but didn´t returned with another offical vinyl release. Now so many years after the great first metal period in their homecountry METALMORPHOSE returns with this album. Natural that this disc contains the tracks from their incre dible rare maxi single as well a whole bunch of forgotten demotracks. Unique is the use of portuguese lyrics too. The first six tracks which opens this recording are from the 1986 recording. The Rio de Janeiro base quartett convince the listener total at this phase. MALDICAO starts the reign in the typic athmosphere of this time. Powerfull, hectic classic metal with a heroic touch. Fantastic.... especially the great voice of TRAVINO GODOY in combination with the stron hooks and leads by CELSO SUCKOW and MARCELO FERREIRA lead this tune to the top. By the way the production isn´t bad and every moment listenable. The following REBELDIA offers us his charme after some relaxed seconds untill this piece turns into a timeless slight NWOBHM influenced masterpiece. If you´re heart beats by the legendary countrymates STRESS high your blood will rush at this recording too. Classic metal without a compromise like a heroic fanfare is the slogan for A EPERANCA NUNC MORRE too. Incredible goosebumber emotions hunts me down when CELSO SUCKOW pitch the level with high sreams to another level. A little bit more commercial but still at the medal of honour strikes ELA TEM SEMPRE UMA DESCULPA. Like a forgotten treasure in the style of deep secrets from the portuguese scense as VASCO DE GAMA winds us up the bombastic and energetic arranged eighties masterpiece MINHA DROGA E O METAL to the olymp. But not enough. CORRENTES is another restored classic metal tune from 1988 in suberb sound quality. Anothher old recording a bit in the style of the old BARATOS AFINS styled bands is the 1984 based ROCK ANND ROLL NO INNFIERNO. From a radioshow at the same year follows the raw sounding live rehearsals LUTA and CAVALEIRO NEGRO. Of course the sound quality is there not better as a cheap soundboard recording but it let´s imagine how raw and uncut the band acts in this early days of the brazilian metal. A live recording of MINHA DROGA E O METAL from the TEATRO DO PLANETARIO at Rio de Janeiro offers us the same great feeling but the sound quality is there much better. Another Rock´n Roll laden hard rocker in pure soundquality with the name INPS ends as bonus track finally this cool retrospective of this timeless metal veterans. So far but the sad is that this release contains absolute no contact or website direction. Try your luck via www.metalleros.de or www.hellbentformetal.de . article Gerald Mittinger
PRELLUDE - MAQUINA DO TEMPO(RIVATE RELEASE/DISTRO AMARDILLO RECORDS CD´2008) BRAZIL
After a decade follows up finally the second album by this long living Sao Paulo based trio. Against all the many other bands from their homecountry prefer this metallist the use of portuguese lyrics. This made em in my eyes unique and interessant. Far away from any trends and tendicions celebrate PRELLUDE their very own mid 80ies influended classic Heavy Metal style. Sure they never will be successful. Only a handful of fans will follow their way. But is this not the direcction which we all prefer too. VIUVA NEGRA (BLACK WIDOW) starts the album like a mixture of old brazilian heroes and some NWOBHM influences. Their talented guitarist CHRISTIAN S. LIMA which handles also the vocals is maybe not the best singer in the metal circuit. But he spreads a lot of charizma. The title track MAQUINA DO TEMPO (TIME MACHINE) follows as next with a dosis of high speed pitched metal. In the same circle agitates also METAL DE PATRIA. More heavy rock in the midtempo sugerates us than SANGUESSUGA DE SONHOS. Classic Heavy Metal to the bone is the message of FURIA CALADA (BURNING WITCH). A step more relaxed sounds the melancoly and mystic arranged FUTURO CEGO. I don´t know why the band includes again A ESTRADO DO ROCK from their 1998 released debut again. But it doesn´t matter. This track still sounds timeless and I´m sure not to much of you owe this old disc. LASAO CEREBRAL is then again a new composition which convince us with straight Heavy hooks. Culty reigns BATALHU UNDERGROUND untill the superb cut SENTENCA MOTRIZ honor able ends this impressive work. If you heart still beats for good old Heavy Metal don´t hesitate to put this item in your collection. www.prellude.com.br . Hopefully the next album tooks not again such a long waiting time. I´m sure there must exist tons of more listenable by PRELLUDE. Maybe enough for a double album...!!! Ya know the hope dies at last. article by Gerald Mittinger
MITIKA - MITIKA PRIVATE RELEASE / DISTRIBUTION OGHMI CD´2007) MEXICO
We write the year 2009 and this superb metal release is since two years in Mexico published. More or less didn´t anybody notice untill now anything of this fantastic quartett outside of their home country. I couldn´t understand that. So I will don´t hesitate more time to praise this release in the detail. TIERRA MITIKA is a fine introduction with influences form the aztec history and guides you like in a sinister scene to the powerfull opener HAMBRE DE PODER. Powerfull is a good describtion for this complex arranged Power Metal striker. NOE GARZA is a vocalist whith a wide volumen and able to agitate with medium style untill high pitched vocal bolts. NEO HUMBERTO MEDINA and VICTOR CORTES are rutinate and skillful guitarists which knows to do their job well too. The energy level rises on with the mad and fast follower FORMATEEANDO. It seems that FALSEDAD circles more in the traditioal classic Heavy Metal circuit. By the way this tune rides in the style of the good old typic 80ies metal icons. But the next uprising speeder follows at hand under the promisinng title RATAS. Like a clash in your face acts the rapid and high speed performed SABIO LEGADO. A mighty semi (power)ballad follows with the mystic MIRAME A LOS OJOS. Razor sharp hectic arranged metal delivers us SIMPLE MORTAL. One of this typic midtempo stumpin classic Heavy / Poower Metal cuts hides behind the emootional LA PARABOLA. Just a favorite style metal without an A or an O is the banner of SALVAME. Absolute top strikes TRAIDOR any doubts against the wall. Melodic guitars in duell with a double bass attack is the final strike inside VIENTOS NUEVOS. Do yrself a favour and catch this finde disc ... www.myspace.com/mitika . article by Gerald Mittinger
MELQART - ESCLAVO DEL DESTINO(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) ESPANA
This spanish classic Heavy Metal band is since a long time active...!!! Based in Valladolid an old town in the middle of Spain published this sympathic band their first self titled album back in 2001. Of course at this time didn´t sound anything so perfect as today. Later in 2002 followed a demo CDR under the title
RIDE. First five years later returned the quartett with their new release ESCLAVO DEL DESTINO. But I think the long waiting time was the wright decision. Now the group sounds nearly perfect and full of enthusiasm...!!! MELQART aclaims with this recording the forgotten throne of the former legendary metallic citymates CROM and HALLEY... (or did there remember anybody ENROCKE too) ! Yet so far, let´s start with the present recording. YOUR DESTINY opens the album in a powerful style with some slight MAIDEN influences. CARLOS is a good vocalist. Without a doubt is it him posible to reach with his voice high and low standarts. The following tune RIDE is the only old song from their demo CDR. This new version in a powerfull sound convince me completly. The superb guitarwork by JAIME and CHUCHI give this tune the necessary acceptance. With the following TU NUEVA VIDA (YOUR NEW LIFE) change the band into their natural language. Oh, my metal heart beats stronger. I like this spanish vocallines so much. Personal I would prefer it to hear the whole album with spanish lyrics. Untill now is this one of my biggest faves. As next convince us with a lot magic down the melodic classic Heavy Metal hymn SUENOS SIN ALCANZAR (UNREACHABLE DREAMS). Again it´s a pleasure to listen the fine guitar leads and harmonies Hard edged close to the vain of Power Metal strikes down ARE YOU READY? But to write the reality. For my opinion isn´t this one the best on the disc. This tune couldn´t hod the high class of TU NUEVA VIDA and the catchy SUENOS SIN ALCANZAR. Back to the fine basic strikes then EL PUNAL DEL OLVIDO. I would describe this runnin tune as a cross between MAIDEN / PRIEST and SARATOGA. By the way MELQART find their own direction. I give you this comparsion only for a better understanding how could sound circa the band. With FEEL THE FIRE is then another classic Heavy Metal number on the start. Fast melodic classic Heavy Metal with strong hooklines is the clear message of the smasher CORAZON ENCADENADO (MAGIC HEART). Yep, before I forget it, all the way works the rhythmsection by INAKI behind the drums and DAVID on the bass perfect. I´m impressed a lot by their tight and precious feeling. Finally MELQART aclaims with the epic tune WARRIORS ON THE STORM a last great chapter on this fine recording. Check out for some snipnets and informations (merchandise) their both websites www.melqart.es and www.myspace.com/heavymelqart . For the personal contact and desires don´t hesitate to write the band immediate under contacto@melqart.es . So far, but not enough. The band is also on a local tribute compilation by some local Valladolid based heavy acts for the famous ANGELES DEL INFIERNO with two tracks (EL PRINCIPIO DEL FIN and SOMBRAS EN LA OSCURIDAD) present. articel by Gerald Mittinger
MELQART - LIBRE(CREATIVE COMMONS / CD´2009) ESPANA
Another honorable work offers us MELQART with their latest release LIBRE. Never lost this great and unbendable group their faith to life the real metal dream. The fine cover artwork catch again your eyes like the ones of their past releases. Packed in a solid production convince this album from the first outtake. SIN PATRIA (WITHOUT A HOMELAND) is the title of this opener. Beside timeless classic Heavy Metal contains this song the impressive story about the peoples all around the world whihch lost through war and terror their native country. In direct line follows the slight JUDAS PRIEST influenced great rocker LIVING ALONE. CARLOS SANZ style to perform this tune in the english language works great. NOCHE DE ROCK (ROCK NIGHT) enjoys us with a good combination of melodic metal and catchy riffs. Fast to the point running metal is the message of NADA (NOTHING). The next round offers us then the continue of SUENOS SIN ALCANZAR PT. II (remem ber the first part was on the former album ESCLAVO DEL DESTINO). The actual 2009 version of part II of the UNREACHABLE DREAMS which tells us more about the conceptional saga is an emotional semiballad. During we can hear in the first acoustic part in first line beside the wonderful mix of guitars and flutes only CARLOS SANZ joins with the contribution of CHRISTINA´S female voice a perfect harmony. The second chapter rises then more and more in a good powerballad. In the connection follows direct part III. This epic edged melodic metal epos of the trilogy ends untill know this superb story. MASTERS OF FIRE is then another one of the three including english tracks on LIBRE. Beside the impressive guitarwork by JAIME PELICCO and ROBERTO PARRADO convince CARLOS voice and english pronouncing too. By the way MASTERS OF FIRE is a catchy traditionell stumper in the PRIEST / MAIDEN style. Maybe the most powerful cut follows then with SOBRE EL ASFALTO (OVER THE ASPHALT). This great metal hymn let beat the heart´s of all the many headbangers faster. But that´s not all because with IN CAMINO A SEGUIR (SAFE AT THE WAY) contains this productionanother classic Heavy Metal tune. Finally could we hear as bonus track THE LAST DAY. Performed in english warms up this emotional powerballad my soul. So I could do nothing else more as to ancourage to drop the band some lines under the following conexion contato@melqart.es . By the way you can check as always some snipnets inside www.myspace.com/heavymelqart or find out more about the activity of the group at their regular website www.melqart.es too. articel by Gerald Mittinger
MEGAHERA - LETHAL NOISE OF VIOLENCE(private release / professional CDR / ltd. EP´2009) ITALY
With LETHAL NOISE OF VIOLENCE presents us the the sardinian (Sassari) based quartett a fine piece of eighties influenced Power / Thrash Metal. LET IT LOOSE opens ultra tight this well produced and great styled mini album. Yes of course LET IT LOOSE is a superb cover version from one of our alltime faves SAVAGE. Believe it or not but MEGAHERA celebrates there really a great homage to the NWOBHM kings. If you think it´s easy to catch new followers with a cover you´re on the wrong lane. First it isn´t easy to do a SAVAGE cover and second the group powers this tune with allot of energy and esprit. Well done but the following hymn WELCOME BACK (HEAVY METAL) strikes down every doubt. With the praise I CAME TO PUT A FLOWER ON YOUR GRAVESTONE. SEEING THAT YOU WEREN´T THERE ANYMORE, CAUSE YOU HAD RISEN. WELCOME BACK HEAVY METAL ... touches this sentences exact the vibes of every real metalhead. It´s a real banging pleasure to listen and shout this track. Their frontmen and lead guitarist MARIO MARRAS does his job with brilliance. Didn´t heard since a long time such a good combination of typical eighties Power Metal and up to date classic Thrash Metal . This concept works and I wouldn´t wonder if there will be signed this tight group soon by a promising metal label as MY GRAVEYARD PRODUCTIONS. The next round is reserved for the gambling runner BEFORE THE NIGHT. Powerful classic metal with a sleazy rhythm delivers us finally the culty tune NASTY SAVAGE. I like this different arranged cut which reminds me to some of the long forgotten eighties italian metal icons a lot. This catchy appetizer makes us hungry for more stuff from MEGAHERA. Hopefully they didn´t let us wait to long and present´s us soon an original pressed fullength release. Would be great to watch this promising group at one of their live performances too. Untill this dream would come true support them as much as you can. The limited LETHAL NOISE OF VIOLENCE EP is still for a fan friendly priece by the band available. Try out more about em inside www.myspace.com/megahera or find em too under www.facebook.com/megahera . If you want drop a line to megabangers@live.it . articel by Gerald Mittinger
MIDNIGHT PRIEST - RAINHA DA MAGIA NEGRA(STORMSPELL RECORDS SSR-DL37 / MCD´2009) PORTUGAL
It´s unusal that an US label signed up a Portugal based traditional classic Heavy Metal band. Seems that there must be something special on this Lisabon based quintett. Of course it is... !!! Close in the tradition to such old heroes of the portuguese scene as V12, TARANTULA, CASABLANCA and REBELLION offers us their debut a fine branch of traditional classic Heavy Metal. The titletrack RAINHA DA MAGIA NEGRA (KING OF THE BLACK MAGIC) opens the reign with a raw edged IRON MAIDEN type running number. Beside the really good instrumental work impress me there also the good vocalist. By the way all their tracks are in their native language portuguese. No matter this language sounds good. In some moments remembers me the band also on such cult brazilian legends as as PRELLUDE or SPARTACUS too. JUIZO FINAL (THE LAST GAME) follows in a similar impressive tradition. More outstanding classic Heavy Metal delivers us then the great LENDA VIVA (LEGEND OF LIFE). Another running number with a fantastic lead guitar is NUMA CAMPA DE CRISTAL. Yep, I´ve see a future in my crystal ball for this original metal followers. Marching and grinding midtempo metal is the best describition for ARMADA DE NOITE (ARMADA OF THE NIGHT). But in his follow chance the speed and this cut surprise beside some JUDAS PRIEST alike riffs with any uptemp parts too. A long instrumental part in the style of the good old NWOBHM is the first part of the epos O CONDE (THE LORD). Together with the swearing voice of their singer works this brilliant metal tune perfect. My only critic on this good debut is the short playtime of not nearly thirty minutes. Hopefully isn´t this mini album the only release of MIDNIGHT PRIEST. We all would appreciate a further fullength release in the future. Take a look at www.myspace.com/midnightpriest and of course at the website of their recordcompany www.stormspell.com where you can order this on thousand hand numbered units limited album. articel by Gerald Mittinger
MYSTERY BLUE - HELL & FURY(PERVADE PRODUCTION / BERNETT RECORDS 881909 / CD´2009) FRANCE
Sometimes couldn´t believe it how fast the time goes by. Nearly four year are gone since this sympathic french true metallist´s published their last disc CLAWS OF STEEL on the legendary MAUSOLEUM RECORDS label. But better to wait a long time as to miss another great band on the bill. Again mixed and mastered by their long time conextion ACHIM KÖHLER at the Indiscreet Audio studios promise this fifth release of the Strasbourg based quartett another high dosis of great traditional female fronted Heavy Metal. Of luck changed the lineup never. Since years works now constant this constalation. The short introduction THE NIGHT BEFORE leads us direct into the opener and titletrack HELL & FURY. The deja vu effect is perfect. NATHALIE GEYER and her unchangeable recomendable voice let me jump on the bandwagon. Together with the typic galloping guitarwork of FRENZY PHILIPPON works there anything. Behind this superb opener strikes at next the fast arranged but epic edged ENDAGERING SPECIES. Well structured and melodic sounds against the song title WELCOME TO CHAOS. Absolute that what we await from a song under the banner METAL ATTACK delivers us then this striker. NO WAY OUT is a good running tune but not my favorite on this production. Think a lot of the old fans miss untill today the belgian cult metallist´s ACID. But what is the association between MYSTERY BLUE and ACID ??? It´s easy to answer this riddle. MYSTERY BLUE acting with the great track FATE exact in the same fantastic style as ACID in their haydays. Of course this isn´t a critic. Everybody should honour this as a big compliment. The following PIECE OF ETERNITY is a good marching comercial edged midtempo cut. Back to the galloping and firy classic eighties Heavy Metal brings us NUCLEAR SKIES. The story of a female JACK THE RIPPER stands behind the famous metal runner THE DEADLY NIGHTSHADE. Last but not least catch my heart the magic of the midtempo epic work WHEN THE TIME IS PAIN. I like this mixture of classic ACCEPT alike running rhythmn and some quite bombastic arranged moments there a lot. NATHALIE´S voice attracts there a lot of attraction. HELL & FURY is another great release by this long time running band and also a perfect follow up to their famous CLAWS OF STEEL album. Don´t miss this so suberb or so called "must have record" inside your collection. Try it out under www.myspace.com/mysterybluefr and find out more at their website www.mysteryblue.com . article by Gerald Mittinger
MERIDIAN - ELEMENTS(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2006) GERMANY
Sometimes strange things happens. Those who knows me know about me that I hunt all over the world for great new bands of our beloved style. So I wondered a lot as I found a couple of days back this local release in an outtake box. Don´t know how long waits this treasure there to reach the needful attention. Even in the store where I couldn´t listen their style I wasn´t sure about their style. Also the interesting styled booklet gave me some informations. Strange if there isn´t an information about the involved musicans. But my inner feeling didn´t disappoint me. Of luck contains the back cover a minimum of infos and the link to their lovely styled website too. More or less is MERIDIAN the meanproject of MICHAEL HENNING beside the work at his own studio. By the way this disc is of course produced at his NEXUS STUDIO. Together with the other well talented musicans (some of them could look back on a long experience inside the rock circus) convince me the bavarian band a lot. TRAIL OF FANTASY opens the reign with a fine brand of melodic rock and slight progressive rock elements. Sometimes reminds me the group there on the good old DOMAIN. With JÜRGEN EINZINGER contains the quartett a superb vocalist. The following melodic metal pearl IT´S OVER is then a class of it´s own. Each and every month bombards us the leading melodic metal labels with lot´s of more or less good new releases. But today it´s rare to hear such a good track as IT´S OVER on one of this publishings. Personal I wish one of their talentscouts would listen to MERIDIAN. But continue with the monumental epos SPREAD YOUR WINGS. For the first part I feel there remembered on such great bands as JOURNEY and TOTO. During this melodic hymn wins in the follow more and more on intensity impress me there too the emotional guitarwork by MICHAEL HENNING and TOBIAS RAUSCHER a lot. DESTINATION NOWHERE didn´t hold the high class of those former brilliant composi tions. The solution for this problem is easy. DESTINATION NOWHERE acts for my opinion in a more simple styled biker / boogie edged direction. This kind of style didn´t represant the class of the band. But I think we could life with this little disturbing aspect because with the final number TIME IS UP returns MERIDIAN to their real destina tion fine melodic slight seventies influenced Hard and Heavy Rock with razorsharp guitar arrangements. Followers of this style shouldn´t hesitate to grab immeditaley a copy of this collectable great looking mini album. For more in and outputs take a look at www.meridian-rock.de or check out some great snipnets of their songs inside www.myspace.com/meridianrockband too. So hurry up ... !!! It seems that the group works meanwhile with full force on their next fullength release. Hopefully the next cover crowns again such a fantastic artwork www.chrike.de but this time together with a bandphoto and the lyrics too. articel by Gerald Mittinger
