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HELLENIC METAL ATTACK

ruler13 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:09:41 CST

From the start till present of our beloved music style delivers us the greek scene so many great bands. Some of them are forgotten or underrated. Also the many and even too fanatic fans from this famous country supports with endless enthusiasm the european and worldwide Heavy Metal scene. I´ve written until now some reviews in the normal alphabethic sections but from now on will be the reviews for all this great Hellenic releases at this page.

CLAIRVOYANT - TIME´S CRIME
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2010) GREECE
No one else as CLAIVOYANT could be a better start for this new section. Founded back in 1989 could we talk there about veterans of the metal scene. Around the millenium was published their highly aclaimed debut FIGHTER´S SOUL. No matter this one is an alltime fave of mine and spins also today from time to time in my discplayer. At this time was the sixtett strong influenced by their heroes MAIDEN and PRIEST. Everything should work perfect for the band but who could know that the band needs ten long years to publish their follow up. But I think this long time in collecting experience couldn´t destroy an unbreak able band as CLAIRVOYANT. Maybe it mades the group stronger. Many other acts would give up after such a long time but not this central Chaldiki based band. I didn´t think that the reason is they couldn´t find a record company or if they won´t again the control about their musically liberty. Fact is that TIME´S CRIME is a fantastic packaged private release which has a distro by the greek ROCK HARD magazine. But to bad that the album isn´t available outside of their country. Until today I didn´t read a review in one of the other foreign metal magazines. That´s pity cause the material on the album musn´t hide behind other well known acts. Of course the band didn´t stands still at their level around the millenium time. But they don´t give up their ideals. More or less sounds the sixtett now up to date but still in the roots of classic metal. The little ode ANTHEM OF GOD guides as powerful and harmonic into the heroic arranged opener ESCAPE (FROM DESPAIR). It´s especially the fine structered guitarwork by their virtuose mastermind VAGGELIS KERAMIDAS and KYRIAKOS KATSIADRAMIS which will convince there the listener. Still we can find discret influences from the good old MAIDEN school. But with every listen wins this clasic metal number on dynamic. It hurt´s but I´m the opinion that the following TOTAL ECLIPSE couldn´t hold the class of the opener. Of course I´m not sure if this cut is maybe a rearranged cover. Perhaps the reason is also the lack of power in the production. but don´t hesitate cause with the fireing STAND AND RESIST is again the right answer for the followers of classic Heavy Metal on the start. Now it´s the powerful voice of BILL "COLIN" KONTOS which gives this composition his character a garant for the extraordinary outstanding feeling. Everything works there at high level. Even metal at it´s best. Absolute unspec tacular sounds the the title ROCKING HARD. But sometimes mislead the banale title cause ROCKING HARD is nothing else more as a great old school fast running Heavy Metal tune. LORD OF THE TWILIGHT is one of the typic cryptic timeless underground metal hymns. The band celebrates there exact this kind of stuff which made it so worth to live the rules of an outsider. Yeäh outsiders of metal unite ! Serious it´s amazing to listen this US-Metal influenced catchy tune. A little bit more melodic and epic strikes then ACHILLES WRATH. With the instrumental ANTHEM OF GOD II ends this spectacel so furious as it starts and made you hungry for more adventures with CLAIRVOYANT. But the album contains with the bonus track FUTURE WARNING finally another diamond of greek classic Heavy Metal. Join the army under www.myspace.com/clairvoyantgr . Check out also in the the YOU TUBE secction the different videos they made for MTV and their fans. articel by Gerald Mittinger

POWERSTORM - ACT I
PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2010) GREECE
Unbelieveable what a shock. Time´s going on so fast. As I took a look at the forgotten but still amazing demo THE COMING we ascertain that this one was published back in 1997. All this long time I hoped that the band will publish a follow up. But nothing happened. I couldn´t understand this cause the material on the named demo was strong and ownstanding Power Metal. But sometimes nothing change. KOSTAS FALIEROS is still the leading force behind POWERSTORM and delivers us finally the awaited debut.

METAL NEWS

ruler13 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:55:59 CST

*ANTOLOGIA serbian based melodic metal band will publish a new yet untitled album somewhere in 2012. www.antologija.co.yu . Latest rumors says the band start the recording for a first three track pre demorecording....

*The legendary czech Hard and Heavy act DOGA celebrates around the christmas days an original unplugged tour through their whole country. The culty quartett will promote their latest release KARIKATURY. Those who knows the band can imagine how funny could it be at a concert of them. So don´t miss it to check one of their sets www.dogamusic.cz . Meanwhile published the band a DVD of this sessions too ... but the real surprise is their new 2011 studiowork HOD SI TO which combinates perfect their old and new trademarks ..

*NWOBHM veterans CHARIOT are still alive. After the rerelease of their both classic eighties albums and an impressive Best Of Anthology under the title WHAT GOES AROUND returns the group with a new album. We will see what the boys delivers with their new disc BEHIND THE WIRE. www.chariot-rocks.com ... their latest release will be out on vinyl too. Check out the news around this output under www.high-roller-records.de ...

*Hopefully in october´2010 will be out the comeback release of spanish finest TIERRA SANTA. The working title of the album firms under CAMINOS DEL FUEGO (WAYS OF FIRE). It seems that this highly recomended reunion album will be out on MALDITO RECORDS. Meanwhile published the band their biography. By the way this impressive book contains the whole story illustrated with more then twohundred pictures. Take a look at their new website www.tierra-santa.es ...

*Hollywood / L.A. based RHINO BUCKET returns for an EURO TOUR´2010. At January 24th you can check em in Prague together with the local support MERLIN in the EXIT CHMELNICE... www.myspace.com/rhinobucketmusic . By the way this only one date of a large list of sets...

*XIII BIS RECORDS released a wonderfull lovely styled 2 CD / 2 DVD box by the one and only TRUST. The first DVD contains a set at the AL´OLYMPIA in Paris with 24 tracks recorded at December 4th´2007 during the second DVD contains the legendary (17 tracks) live recording at the ROCKPALAST in Cologne from the June 05th 1982 filmed by the WDR FERNSEHEN. I was totally ipressed as I opened the foldout digibook edition which contains a fullcoulor printed tourbook with dozens of great live pics too. Don´t miss this superb document in your collection. www.trust.tm.fr

*STEEL ASSASSIN returns with a new private release onthe scene. IN HELLFIRE FORGED contains old classics which are rerecorded with their actual vocalist JOHN FALZONE. The band put on the disc also as bonus the new song BREAKOUT AT ST. LO from the forthcoming album METAL OF HONOUR. If you´re a collector of vinyl watch out for the HIGH ROLLER edition of IN HELLFIRE FORGED (coloured vinyl). www.steelassassin.com or www.myspace.com/steelassassin ...

*North Carolina´s DIVEBOMB / TRIBUNAL RECORDS rereleased the two demotapes by DOMINANCE under the title RESURRECTED. Fans of the old EXODUS, METALLICA and bay area thrash shouldn´t miss to check out this disc. Maybe some of you remember the group from their track on the METAL MASSACRE XI compilation. Sadly this North Carolina Thrashers were never signed. Together with the ten tracks contains this disc also an enhanced video. Live at THE NEW TELFORD INN features this video eight tracks...

*HYSTERIA from Prague published a couple of days back their first recording PRODAVAC STINU... Check out the review at this site and be from now on a follower of this superb classic Heavy Metal act. www.hysteria-metal.cz .

* TIME FOR LEGENDS will be again the keyword for the XIII. HEADBANGERS OPEN AIR at JULY 26th - 28th July 2012 at Brande by Elmshorn (HAMBURG) in the north of Germany. Beside some well known Heavy Metal icons as RIOT, SINNER, TANKARD and ARTILLERY will be there also the chance to watch such great forgotten legends as POWERMAD (US), EDEN / AUGUST REDMOON (US), BLACKSMITH (US), LORD (AUSTRALIA), HADES (US), ADX (FRA) and KIM LA CHANCE (MALISHA / MALIBU BARBIE) . Of course this festival offers NWOBHM fans too the chance to see such ilustrated acts as FIST, JAGUAR or PAGAN ALTAR... !!! By the way there will be there also an hopefully fantastic audience by IN SOLITUDE, BLACK ROSE and PORTRAIT too. Together with SILVER MOUNTAIN is there so again a swedish bloc for all the scandic metal lovers too. Be sure that there could be also a amzing live set by the italians MEGA HERA..!!! If there will be an official WARM UP SHOW at the night before in Itzehoe isn´ t clear untill know. For more and up date infos watch the web under : www.headbangers-open-air.de or take a look at www.hellionrecords.de . I think the mail adrress for the ticket service is order@hellionrecords.de . Last but not least you can watch there also the new thrash hopes WARBRINGER as well the german traditionalist THE GATE (RUNNING WILD) too ...

*Brasil´s white metal institution DYNASTY publish at those days there second album WARRIORS OF THE KING. For more infos check out their website www.dynasty.com.br or check out there current company www.rockitup.org also seen in www.myspace.com/rockituprecords too ...

*SKYRION is another new promising melodic metal act from Brasil too. Meanwhile is their first album BEYOND CREATION in the shops www.myspace.com/skyrion

*Aprobo Brasil...the relativ successful act DARK AVENGER split up. But several musicans from the band members joined new groups... so we find MARIO LINHARES the vocalist from the first DARK AVENGER album together with KAYO JOHN and JULIO CESAR inside the new melodic Power Metal group HARLLEQUIN. Their new album firms under the promising title ARCANGEL . www.myspace.com/harllequin .

*At the end of our news from this great south american metal country stands the great news that the fem ale fronted SEVENTH SEAL published their 3rd album DAYS OF INSANITY. www.seventhseal.metal.net .

*Not unknow is ENFORCER. This relative new swedish traditional Heavy / Power Metal quartett impressed me a lot with their fresh attitude at the SWORD BROTHERS festival two years ago. Meanwhile the band published their debut INTO THE NIGHT through HEAVY ARTILLERY RECORDS. A review for the album will follow soon. www.heavyartillery.us or www.myspace.com/enforcerswe .

*Soon on friday the 14th november´2008 will be a METAL NIGHT at the ROCK CITY music club in Karlsfeld by Munich. The local band NATOR will publish at this concert their second release (www.natoronline.de) during the second local act PRIVATE SECRET(www.privatesecret.de) features some ex-musicans of the well known local heroes SOPHISTICATION (remember their one and only MENTAL PROGRESS album from 1993).Further will be at this event present the mexican traditional heavy metal acts TANTRA (www.myspace.com/tantramx ) and RAVIA (www.raviarock.com ). Seems this could be a special metal night....!!! Read at best before the reviews for TANTRA´s and RAVIA´s releases in the CD sec tion. Both mexican acts will be give also a concert in Milano/Italy too. Hopefully TANTRA will present there also their brandnew third album...

*On October ´1st will be the release date for a full recording by the Texas metalgods MILITIA. The CD will contain the legendary 12" EP as well anything from the unreleased studiorecordings from the 80ies.

*The same label will rerelease at this date the 3rd DEVASTACION album too. Of course the album is rerecorded and will have a new very good looking coverartwork too.

*After the split from his former band NOT FRAGILE started their former guitarist RAICO EBEL at the beginning of the 90ies another hopefull band under the name MAD ALIEN. But the very good private released and limited mini cd is since years sold out. A second album for the brocken INLINE MUSIC company saw never the light. Meanwhile Raico started his own website where you have the chance to download some old MAD ALIEN tracks. Check out his lovely styled site and read there more infos about all the projects in which he was involved www.raico-ebel.de .

*THOMSEN is a promising international classic arranged Heavy Metal project with such famous guest musicans from SAXON (NIBBS CARTER) , ACCEPT / U.D.O. (HERMAN FRANK and STEFAN SCHWARZMANN) , MOON DOC (JÜRGEN WULFES which is the vocalist on all featured tracks...) On the drums we can find ROBBY JARZOMBEK (HALFORD / RIOT) and on the bass NEIL MURRAY from WHITESNAKE / BLACK SABBATH ... A lot of illustrate names around the guitarist RENE THOMSEN. Untill I have written the review for this impressive release you can join the actual website under www.RENE-THOMSEN.DE .

*BLOWER RECORDS a Mexico City based Metal label brought us in the latest past some fopefull new bands. Now they offers us their new release . VOLTAX is the name of this heavy weights. Take a look at the promo flyer here they describe em in the mud of classic metal of the 80ies from Mexico. Read more in the CD section were i have written a review for the promo cd.www.blower-records.com or contact the label under blowerdist@otmail.com .

*ESTAMPIDA is a new promising THRASH/POWER METAL band from Bilbao. By the moment is their first album SIN RENCOR in the record stores. Read more about this great band soon. By the way some of the involved muicans are from Argentina. Maybe rise here the next big THRASH / POWER METAL gods. Just prelistening some of their fine tunes inside www.myspace.com/santaherejia .

*BETO VAZQUEZ the ex-guitarist of the legendary argentinian band NEPAL has released with his follow up band INFINITY a new album called FLYING TOWARDS THE SUN. Beside the regular fe male vocalist VERO AIUDI could find BETO VAZQUEZ such ilustrated international muscicans as guest like ALDO LNOBILE (guitarist of SECRET SPHERE), QUINN WENG (vocalist ot taiwans very own SERAPHIM), SONIA PINEAULT (vocalist of the canadians FORGOTTEN TALES) and ANTTI RAILIO (from finlands CELESTY). But not enough,of course he also get the support of several well known argentinian guest musicans as J.P. KILBERG (MAGICA), DIEGO VALDEZ (EYDILION) or the guitar wizard ADRIAN SUBOTOVSKY.... to name a few. Also once again a hightech recording...!!! More infos can you find under www.betovazquezinfinity.com.ar or as always inside the one and only: www.myspace.com/betovazquezmusic

*Last summer I meet in Bukarest Alex the basser from THUNDERSTORM. Read in the reviews something about the great debut VISE DIGITALE. The latest rumour is that the recordings for the 2nd release begun: www.thunderstorm.ro

*VOICE OF SILENCE enter in march the studio for the recording of a new album under the working title THE HUMAN SAGA. The album will be available soon as download at the band website www.voicesofsilence.ro .

*CRUZ DEL SUR is the label with the lucky hand for good traditional heavy bands. Now they sign up the greek epic metal goods BATTLEROAR. Soon will be published their 3rd album TO DEATH AND BEYOND. A release date is planed for april´2008. Meanwhile another well known CRUZ DEL SUR artist PHARAOH is also back in the studios. They work on their 3rd release with the title BE GONE. Release date willbe perhaps end of march. www.cruzdelsurmusic.com or www.solarflight.net .

*KREYSON the czech power metal legend returns after years of silence. After a successful reunion tour across the czech republic together with WASP and DORO they also were for 3 gigs present here in germany. I saw em live as opening act for WASP in augsburg. Great show ! Mean while should be out in their home country a DVD called LIVE IN TRINEC. Also the song writting for a new studio cd is in the work But a release date will be not before the end of 2008. www.ladakrizek.com

*LADA KRIZEK the legendary vocalist of KREYSON and CITRON published also an acoustik album. avios@ladakrizek.com

*The legendarian croation heavy band DIVILJE JAGODE is back in the studio to finish the work for a new album. www.diviljejagode.com

*ASTRUM ET ABYSSUM is the new band of BEATE "BEATY" SCHERER (vocals), JACK STEPHAN (drums), and GUNTHER SCHROTH (guitars). This musicans tart the Mannheim based group back in 1992 under the name HEAVAN AND HELL. At the millenium released the group their great traditional Heavy Metal private released debut album. But in lack of confussion with the same named Hard Rock dinosaurs around RONNIE JAMES DIO they changed in september´2008 the bandname into ASTRUM ET ABYSSUM. Together with the change of the bandname the group started to create also a new image. General is the musical direction still female fronted Heavy Metal. But the difference is that the band write and perform from now on all their lyrics in their native german language. Soon will be out the new album RITUALwhich will be without a doubt an interesant project . Hear some snipnets of the twelve tracker inside www.myspace.com/heavenandhellinfo . The live performance wil be at a big benefiz concert for the german red cross at the 05.01.2009 in their hometown Mannheim inside the Capitol club. More infos under www.astrum-et-abyssum.com .

*Legendary german power metalists WOLFSMOON finish the work on their new album. So far this will be the sixth cd from this long time runnin band. By the moment the band is in the mix process for eleven new songs. The album firms under the working title UNHOLY DARKNESS. Hopefully we can enjoy soon new tracks like KILLING KAYNE, the title track, NECROCITY OF THE DAMNED, SOULTAKER, UNDERWORLD WARRIOR, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL ... and some more !! Ten of the new songs will be continue the concept story of their last release KEEP METAL ALIVE. During the bonus track HELL HEADBANGER is becoming the band hymn. Check out their website under www.wolfsmoon.de were you can order also some of the albums like ELYSIUM DREAMS, BLACK KNIGHTS LEGACY or KEEP METAL ALIVE.

*Croation´s based STIMULANS finally published last summer ´2010 their debut under the title DUST. Check out their recordfirm via www.onerecords.rs ot take a look on the homepage of the Split based metalists under www.myspace.com/stimulans ...

*NEW IRON AGE RECORDS (www.myspace.com/newironage)published ) a 7" single of the hope fulls PORTRAIT - INTO THE ABYSS as well the ATLANTEAN KODEX-THE PNAKOTIC CD EP. Both releases are distributed together with the latest CD´s by WOLFSMOON, CROM and IGNITOR (ROAD OF BONES vinyl edition) through www.puresteel-records.com . The label distribute also the latest releases from french metal warriors RESISTANCE as well the private release of chilenian metallists TRABUCO. Read in the review section the critic for their album LA MEMORIA DE LA SANGRE too (www.trabuco.cl).

*Serbians Thrash masters SPACE EATER are in the preproduction for their second release. Read the review for their first suberb release MERCIFUL ANGEL. www.space-eater.com . METALIZER RECORDS published a limited vinyl edition ...

*Between August 21th untill 23rd is at Puerto de Mazeron / Murcia in Spain again the fantastic LEYENDAS DEL ROCK festival. Just take a look at the official concert flyer.

*Apropo SCARAB. The NWOBHM legend publish a new 10" vinyl with the title A SOUL FOR A SOUL over MISKATONIC RECORDS. www.myspace.com/isentorr ... The 10inch vinyl features the brandnew 2009 track A SOUL FOR A SOUL as well THE PLAGUE and FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS... Be quick to get your copy or pay later high prices... cause like always are the publishings of MISKTONIC strictly limited items....

*Also Madrid´s premier HEAVY / POWER METAL act GAUNTLET enters the studio for their 2nd full length release which should be out by the end of this year. Check out for more infos www.gauntletmetal.com . The working title for the nwe album is WHAT DOESN´T KILL US.... Yep, it´s true the band signed a deal with MOLUSCO DISCOS. www.moluscodiscos.com ...

*Barcelona´s fine traditional metal band SARGON is meanwhile also in the studio to finish the work for their 2nd release. It seems that the album is recorded in the United States. Soon we will know more... www.myspace.com/sargon . Latest news is the publishing title VIDA and the group produce the album in the United States.

*The basque metal legend LATZEN is still alive. By the way a couple of month back is rereleased their legendary demotape from 1995 in a limited edition as CD. But not enough! Under the freaky workingtitle HELLMUGA is published a 215 minutes long running DVD which contain a full live concert and a documentation about the years from 1993 untill 1999. As isn´t this enough contains this cool item also a CD with 15 tracks. www.latzen.info or www.myspace.com/latzen .

*After five studio albums and a very sucessfull Live CD enters another basque metal legend IDI BIHOTZ also the studios to record a new studio album. www.idibihotz.com .

*Hungarian´s number 1 in the doom metal circle NEVERGREEN returns with a new studio work on the international scene. Those who watch the progress of the group from the beginning know that the band opened their minds with every new release also more into the gothic metal direction. The new album firms under the title ERÖS MINT A HALAL and is published as a deluxe double album which contains as 2nd disc the english version STRONG AS DEATH. Friends of epic tunes with an attitude to CANDLEMASS and SOLITUDE AETURNUS should check out the whole back catalogue of this successfull Budapest based act. Check their regular website under : www.nevergreen.hu and watch out for their albums on HAMMER RECORDS hungaria. The band gave some impressive gigs at the legendary SZIGET FESTIVAL too...

*UK´s premier NWOBHM / DOOM legend WITCHFINDER GENERAL returns 24 years after their last offical release with a brandnew killeralbum under the title RESURRECTED. The california based recordlabel BURNED BY TIME AND DUST RECORDS (P.O.BOX 345, DIABLO, CA, 94528, USA) is the publisher of this must have item. www.witchfindergeneral.net

*AFM RECORDS (WWW.AFM-RECORDS.DE) is the new home of the texas based metal legend HELSTAR.
I am sure some of yu bought meanwhile the special packaged Best-Of "SINS OF THE PAST" which contains twelve rerecorded classics and two new tracks of this incredible band together with one hour of video material. Meanwhile is also the brandnew album KING OF HELL through this company published. Watch out the first limited edition of the CD will contain three bonus tracks. As well there will be out too a collectors edition on vinyl.....!!!! Check out the website of the group too: www.HELSTAR.com or look at www.myspace.com/helstar .

*Le Label du Heavy Melodique Francais.... www.brennus-music.com . Yes, without a doubt is this for me one of the most respectable recordcompanies of the last years in France. Beside the acribic work in rereleasing such diamonds of the french metal scene as ATTENTAT ROCK, KILLERS, ADX. SATAN JOKERS, HIGH POWER BLASPHEME or JUMPER LACE is doing ALAIN RICARD also a great job in distributing such hopefulls as SHOEILANGER, STYLE TRIP, BLACK HORIZON or the unforgotten DYSLESIA from Lyon. But not enough... !!!! The label gives also new french talented groups like SPIRIT, BLOWBACK, DISILLUSION, STEREOXYDE or DEMONTOOL a real chance and sign em up. Chek out "La Boutique du Hard & Heavy Melodique".... !!!

*Valencias Heavy Metal institution CRISIS DE FE publish in a few days a new recor ding NUNCA LLUEVE ETERNAMENTE is the working title of this latest release which will be finished at the Rockstudios in Bilbao. Untill this item will reach the market you can hear the first single through www.myspace.com/crisisdefe or take a look at the bandsite www.crisisdefe.com where you can check out the whole discographie too.

*ATLAS is another new spanish allstar melodic metal band. Their debut album will be published in distribution those days through SANTO GRIAL DISCOS. The band features the former BARON ROJO /GOLIATH/ NIAGARA/ TRITON guitarist ANGEL ARIAS. Further is a part of the group MANOLO ARIAS which performed before with BELLA BESTIA / NU and MOTORES.Also the other two bandmates are not unknown musicans. With JOSE MARTOS is another ex BARON ROJO/TRITON member on the start and IGNACIO PRIETO was inside EDEN LOST. We will see and hear what will publish this latin metal super group. The selftitled debut album will be out on november 25th in and out of Spain....
www.santogrialproducciones.es .

*More than 70 minutes of physical ear damage would like offer us a free compilation under the the title ULTRA - SAMPLER. The on 5000 units limited sampler from PERVADE PRODUCTIONS is done in cooperation with the french companies BERNETT RECORDS, MANITOU MUSIC and GOFANNON RECORDS. So the slipcase album features a wide spectrum from the French Metal scene. Beside the well known ADX and KRAGENS con tains this compilation tracks from E FORCE, VIRUS IV, XTRUNK, BLACKNESS, AUSPEX, NEDRA, CIGUE, BROKEN EDGE, CARNAL LUST, INSANE LOKURAH, LANDS OF PAST, KERION, DUST BOWL and ENIGMATIK.... !!! www.pervade-productions.com . For new listeners of this scene could be this sampler a good information pool...

*BLACK LISTED RECORDS is the home of the japanese metalheads HELLHOUND. As you know will the band perform the first time live in Europe at the K.I.T. at november´2008 in Würzburg. Meanwhile published their label the second disc METAL FIRE FROM HELL. www.myspace.com/hellhoundjapanofficial .

*More metal news from the rising sun. ARGUMENT SOUL is another great power metal act from Japan. Their second album CONFLICT OF CRISIS will be out at november´26th. www.myspace.com/argumentsoul .

*The Italy based cult label MY GRAVEYARD PRODUCTIONS will rerelease the legendary BEHIND ENEMY LINES and HOKA HEY albums from SABOTAGE finally on CD. www.mygraveyardproductions.com . Some past members of STRAN OFICINA and SABOTAGE start meanwhile a new successful act with the BUD TRIBE. The second full release is out on MY GRAVEYARD PRODUCTIONS too...

*Last but not least published HEART OF STEEL RECORDS the second album by SCALA MERCALI. For those who didn´t know this italy based group... dont waste more time and check this fantastic Power Metalists with a tecnical edge.... www.scalamercali.com !!! Maybe woth a look is also the back catalogue of their record company too which features such famaous names as AXTON, DARK LORD, X-HERO or LYIN RAMPANT.... www.myspace.com/heartofsteelrecords ...

*The living legend from Hungary MOBY DICK surprise by the end of the year the metal community with the rerelease of their classic
debut album UGASS KUTYA. The rerelease contains a new cover artwork and as bonus DVD. Of course the album is remastered too. By the way at com
ing February the 2nd will be another concert in remember to the 25 jubileum of the band. www.moby-dick.hu .

*Also hungarians Heavy Metal legend POKOLGEP is celebrates their 25th year in the scene. At december 30th you can party to gether with the group at a live gig in Budapest´s renomite WIG WAM club too. www.pokolgep.hu . By the way check the album review for their current masterpiece here at RULER13.... but to continue....inside the club fits not to much people. So hurry up and crab your ticket if you want a part of the crowd...

*There are also good news from hungarian symphonic / gothic metal masters IDEAS. Brandnew out is their new double-cd. Like their former release contains this the new album with the title PHOENIX also an english version as a limited edition. We find there beside the musicans of IDEAS a lot of renomite guest musicans too. Check out the news or the website of the band www.myspace.com/ideasband . I think the female fronted act is also inside www.youtube.com/ideasmusic present... take a look on their past releases too ...

*MY GRAVEYARD PRODUCTIONS published the second fullength recording by italian based metalists BUD TRIBE. We all know that the band features es musicans of SABOTAGE and STRANA OFICINA... www.mygraveyardproductions.com ....

* LANFEAR published their new album X TO THE POWER OF TEN in the awaited high class on their new record company LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS. www.lanfear.eu . Check out also their obligatory www.myspace.com/thelanfear website too. An album review will follow soon...

*CRIPTOFONIA from the province of Buenos Aires present us their first CD EP in the coming days. Under the working title SINFONIA DE LA CRIPTA con tains this disc for promising compositions in the Heavy/Thrash Metal direction. www.criptofonia.com.ar or www.myspace.com/criptofonia .

*Also the long time runnin metal heroes of TREN LOCO published a new studioalbum with the title VENAS DE ACERO.check out www.trenloco.net .

*The argentinian metal legend EL DRAGON released also a new album under the title LA RESISTENCIA. Read the back ground infos inside the CD reviews and take also a look at their website www.eldragon.arg.net.ar ...

*Without a doubt is and was BARON ROJO one of the most influencial bands for the whole latin metal scene. No matter after a first tribute album from spain followed now also the argentinians with a fine compi lation. Check out the review inside RULER 13. Of course this disc is distributed and pu blished through the HURLING METAL RECORDS company. www.hurlingmetal.com.ar or www.metalicazine.com.ar .

*Brandnew out on this label is the work of argentinias mega legend LOGOS. Hopefully I am able to give you soon more informations about the seventeen songs on A TRAVES DE LOS TIEMPOS. At the moment I know only some new songtitles as ...LA GRAN RAMERA, VEN A LA ETERNIDAD, CIEGA AMBICION, CONFUSION MENTAL, NO TE RINDAS, MIEDO A LA LIBERTAD ... www.logosmetal.sion.com .

*AVISPA RECORDS published a new four track maxi CD from QUATRO GATOS at the beginning of this year. A new album (the third) will follow soon. The full recording will be published under the title EL SUENO DE LA RAZON. There will be a limited edition available together with a DVD. www.cuatrogatos.info or www.myspace.com/gatosrock ...

*Who didn´t reminds this fantastic dutch metallists and their several great recordings. After their triumph return at the BANG YOUR HEAD FESTIVAL is now via www.rockoffice.nl a fantastic limited offical live cd under the simple title LIVE 2008 published. Packed with such classics as HEAVY METAL EARS, LIVE BY THE SWORD or DIAMOND DREAMER... to name only a few is this album a must buy item for every metal head. Latest rumours screams that the group will play at the KEEP IT TRUE in coming april too. So don´t hesitate to check out their homepage www.myspac.com/pictureholland .

*At the KAMINWERK in Memmingen (Southgermany) will be at saturday march 8th `2009 a perfect Power Metal event with the bands BRAINSTORM, PAGANS MIND and our favorites POWERWOLF .... !!! The gig is presented by ROCK HARD. More infos under www.rockabend-concerts.de . But not enough one month later at saturday april 19th will be a promising gig at the same audience with the following acts ASPECT, EDENBRIDGE and of course RAGE. Did you all watch their great live performance at the Bundesvision Song Contest... where they came on a respectable position under the first three !!! For our foreign guest´s just a little explanation. RAGE was at this contest the only metal act !!! www.rage-on.de/ - 3k ...

*ASKA celebrate a famous and remindable gig at the last KEEP IT TRUE.... Hopefully the band licks some blood and returns soon for more audien ces in the old world. More informations www.askaband.com or www.myspace.com/askaband ...

* After years of silence, speculatings and rumours is finally out the second album from SCREAMER. Maybe some of you remember their impressive TARGET EARTH release on NEW RENAISSANCE RECORDS at the end of the 80ies. This alltime classic US-METAL release is still a perfect timeless album. I remember to read an interview with some bandmembers where the promised to publish the lost never published second follow up. But after a while I didn´t believed more in this hope because this statement is a couple of years old. For our all surprise a dream comes true at the end of the last year with the publishing of WHAT EXCITES YOU. Read more in the reviews about this long awaited comeback.... www.myspace.com/screamertargetearth ...

*At the beginning of this year was in PARIS a great metal festival. On two days the visitors had the chance to see some legendary french metal icons. At the LA LOCOMOTIVE a well known location in PARIS played at saturday the 3rd January NIGHTMARE, ADX, SQUEALER, DER KAISER, BLACKSTONE, SHANNON, INMOST and TRIPLE FX. After this unbelieveable setlist followed at sunday SHAKIN´ STREET, ATTENTAT ROCK, MR JACK, MANIGANCE, KRAGENS, DARKNATION, PLEASURE ADDICTION and the new sensation HÜRLEMENT. www.METAL-LIVE.COM or HTTP://ROCKFORTSHOW:FREE:FR . Of course check out too the website of our favorite new french metal gods HTTP://HURLEMENT.METAL.FREE.FR too...

*If you visit in the next time the wonderful city of BARCELONA in SPAIN / CATALONIA make sure to check out at midnight in the centrum the Heavy Metal club VALHALLA. At this cool location you can relax and hear some of your favorite music. Beside some cool activities like the happy hour in the early moments of the evening presents the rockclub also dozens of other actions too. Of course the direction is Calle Tallers 68, Barcelona or take a look at their www.myspace.com/valhallaclubderock link... cheers !!!

*Not long ago was the rerelease of the legendary DORSAL ATLANTICA / METALMORFOSE split album in form of a cd. It seems that this the members of METALMORFOSE encourage to publish now a full cd with old studio outtakes and rare live stuff.... The album will be out under the working title MALDICAO. metallirecords@gmail.com

*Legendary hungarian metal gods OSSIAN starts from June untill the mid of September´2009 all over their home country. Simultan publish their company an exciting Best of under the title 1998 - 2008. This release will be available as double CD and limited double vinyl too. So colllectors watch out for this soon to be rarity...!!! Meanwhile should be out the next studio album too... www.ossian.hu .

*It seems nothing is impossible. The portuguese label espacial musica republished at the end of the last year the two albums by IBERIA in wonderful digipacks. For more informations and international orders visit their website under www.espacialnet.com ...

*Madrid based hopeful Powermetallists ALIOTH publish in those days there second album 30° NORTE... via SANTO GRIAL RECORDS. www.alioth-rock.com ...

*Finally out and available again for everyone is the incredible debut by COMMANDMENT - ENGRAVED IN STONE. For those who didn´t crabed the rare vinyl edition on OPM records is it the chance to listen one of the finest late 80ies US-Metal releases. In the meantime published PURE STEEL RECORDS never released second album too. www.arkeynsteel.com .

*SPV RECORDS is the home for the latest release LEGACY by the alltime favorite female metal pioneers GIRLSCHOOL ... take a look at their bandsite under www.girlschool.co.uk or watch too www.wackenrecords.com ...

*GRAVIS RECORDS published an ultra interessant tribute sampler for the southamerican metalgods KRAKEN. This double CD features and contains songs from such illustrated names as BARILARI, VENDEVAL, SIX MAGICS, AGORA, GILLMAN, JASON, THRASHNOS, CHAOS AVATAR, RENACER, CREPAR, SAGA (MX), TRACK (BOL), LORIHEN (ARG), JEZABEL (ARG), TREN LOCO (ARG), TIERRA DEL DRAGON (VEN), CRONOS (VEN), FALK (EQA), VIUDA NEGRA (EQA), TALESIEN, ANGKOR, M.A.S.S.A.C.R.E. (PERU), ALMAS MILITARES (MX) , METEMPSICOSIS (VEN), TEARS OF GLORY (COL), KATARSIS (COL) ... to name just a few of them and even a new track by the masters self KRAKEN. If all this promising and sometimes also well known names awakes your interests check out www.myspace.com/gravisrecords or even find out more facts about this superb collectable compilation also too inside the same website www.myspace.com/tributokraken . Of course those of you who are not familar with the history of KRAKEN from Medellin / Columbia should be take a look at www.krakencolombia.net too...

*TRIBUTE compilations without ends... Under the title MIRADA ELECTRICA published DISCOS DENVER in MEXICO a tribute from the famous LUZBEL for the alltime metal gods JUDAS PRIEST. It´s great to listen such classics as ELECTRIC EYE, PAIN KILLER, RAM IT DOWN, BURN IN HELL, FREEWHEEL BURNING, LIVING AFTER MIDNIGHT, MACHINE MAN, BREAKING THE LAW or DIAMONDS AND RUST in spanish language. By the way this tribute covers to the metal gods are very good done by LUZBEL.Ya all know that ARTURO HUIZAR is an extraordinary vocalist too. Worth to try it out luzbel@yahoo.com

*Finally out is the latest release by ausies finest hard and heavy act ILIUM. Their new album is published via ESCAPE and features under the promising working title AGELESS DECAY twelve great compositions By the way the quartett follows the tradition of their great former disc VESPERTILLION. Againhelped LORD TIM on the whole product too. Read more about their current releases inside the CD secction. Or check out the latest news under www.myspace.com/iliummetal and of course www.escape.music.com .

*French Hard Rock veterans and instittuion TRUST published in 2008 also a new studioalbum under the title 13 A TABLE. The band around "BERNIE" BONVOISIN and "NONO" KRIEF still rocks at high level. But not enough. This current release is packed with a major distribution deal through MERCURY UNIVERSIAL RECORDS France. contact@trust.tm.fr / www.trust.tm.fr

*Legendary spanish Heavy Rockers BEETHOVEN R returns after years of silence again with a strong new album. For our taste surprise MAS VALE TARDE... QUE NUNCA with good ideas, strong hooks and a timeless flair. Published on a new label contains the isc eleven listenable tracks. Unusal heavy for their style starts the album with a real opulent heavy hymn "NO SOMOS NADA" www.beethovenr.com and www.myspace.com/beethovenr .

*Sevilian rockers KATIE KING returns too with a new recording. EX NOVO features a bunch of moody hard rockin tunes and is out on LEYENDA REC. This Madrid based label earned in the past our attention with the rerelease of the legendary MARSHALL MONROE (LUJO Y PASION) too. Let´s see if there will be happen the same success with the new KATIE KING... www.leyenda-records.com and www.myspace.com/katiekingmetal ...

*Did there anybody remember the germans CENTAUR ??? If not check out their old recordins now. A reunion and a superb new recording under the title THE ORIGIN OF SIN will statisfy all the lovers of unique bombast arranged dramatical metal. Uh that´s sounds great and of course it isn´t a bad joke... This group knows to rock your cradle ... www.centaur-music.com ...

'ARKEYN STEEL RECORDS let beat the metal hearts stronger.... with the rerelease of the classic timeless US METAL monster ENGRAVED IN STONE from COMMANDMENT. Of course O.P.M. RECORDS published this album a couple of year back as a fine limited vinyl release. If I remember wrright was there a boot out for a while too. But this fantastic rerelease is the absolute non plus ultra for every serious collector of this style. Hurry up the CD is limited to 1000 copies. Beside a different cover artwort amaze the album with a fine CD booklet which contains some rare photos a bandbiography and of course the lyrics. www.arkeynsteel.com . Meanwhile published PURE STEEL RECORDS the second unreleased album too.

*The fourthcoming album by IRELAND´S best keept secret HALLOWED will form under the working title SEED OF NEPHILEM. A fine prerelease promo-EP with the tracks HEAR YOU SCREAM, AIR OF PARANOIA, THE BOOK OF MAN and WHAT LIES WITHIN mades meanwhile the round. I couldn´t understand why there no label offer this great traditional orientated Heavy quartett a deal. So give them your support www.hallowedireland.com !!! For additional pre- listenings switch to www.myspace.com/hallowedmetal ...

*Maybe one of the biggest hopes in the french metal underground is HÜRLEMENT. Out is now their debut DE SANG ET D`ACIER via EMANES METAL RECORDS. If you´re still a follower of such great acts as KILLERS, BLASPHEME or SORTILEGE this band will be your cup of coffee. Check out the specialized mailorders or contact the group under www.hurlement.metal.free.fr or order the album direct through EMANES METAL RECORDS....

*With a thunderbolt returns Barcelona´s Heavy trio HAPAX on the scene. Their second effort runs under the tile MENTES EN BLANCO. We´ve got this fine piece of metal in our collection. Be sure to read soon a detailed review about this one... www.myspace.com/hapaxmetal ....

*IRON KODEX RECORDS puplished the promising debut by the canandians STRIKER. Their five track mini-CD will statisfy any fan of good powerfull old styled metal. Check out on this label also too the latest release by Great Britains very own DARK FOREST... www.ironkodex.de ...

*GUILLERMO PRADO the guitarist of the well known spanish classic Heavy Metal act DRACONIAN returns on the scene with his new band WILDAN. Since a few days out is their first album KEEP ON METAL...!!! A review will follow soon at our site. www.wildan.es ...

*After a long timeout returns Valencia´s female fronted QUELONIO with a fine 12 track album under the title VICIO Y VIRTUD. This brandnew disc enters this days the recordshops in Spain. Published through RED RIVET RECORDS earns the group by the moment also the attraction of the japanese market. www.myspace.com/queloniometal . As special guest could we hear also Isauro from the well known DRAGONFLY in the tune SUSURRANDO AL VIENTO. Of course, read the review also here at RULER13....

*British back to the NWOBHM icons BATTLEWITCH published finally their ltd. album (100 printed copies) WESSEX STEEL. www.myspace.com/battlewitch

*SANTO GRIAL RECORDS from the north of Spain start to distribute these a couple of great bands like the new ALIOTH, AL OTRA LADO, IN VAIN, the new ARKANIA and even one of my personal faves the new album by ZARNAKAND - MAS ALLA. The Grenada based quartett published in 2006 with LA BATALLA FINAL a respectable demo production but there new album is the absolute highflyer. For more infos and pre-listenings check em under www.myspace.com/zanarkandmetal ...

*French Metal legend SATAN JOKERS publish under the monicker FETISH X their second album in the new line-up XIII RECORDS. At the moment is the band on tour. So if you stay or will be in France check out the following dates: Oct.24th Montereu-Fault-Yonne, Nov.8th Paris, Nov.9th Bordeaux, Nov.10th Lyon, Nov.11th Verviers, Nov.13th Tours, January 09th and 10th Cergy at the Satan´s Fest at the Pacific Rock... www.myspace.com/satanjokers

*Another great forgotten french metal legend starts their reunion with a new private release too. ROZZ published at the mid of the eighties a mini´album on the legendary DEVIL RECORDS label. Of course I´m one of the pride owners of this classic raw metal tune with the title UNE AUTRE VIE...!!!! Now 23 years later returns the band again witha five track mini´cd under the simple title 2009. From the original line up is Jean Pierre Mauro (vocals) MARCEL XIMENES and PHILIPPE LAGNEAUX (guitars) and I think BENOIT LAGNEAUX (on the drums) which firms back in 1986 under the synonym JACKY VILLA...!!! The only new member on board is JEROME MORELLE which replaced the original basser YVON LE QUERREC.Check em out under the one and only www.myspace.com/rozz ... ot take a look at www.brennus-music.com ...

*For so many years was a simple tape recording the only lifesign of the greek legend SPITFIRE. Exact at the moment I didn´t believe longer in the illusion that I will hold one day a new product of this fine melodic metal act happens this little wonder...!!! DIE FIGHTING is the title of the comeback on the Athen based label EMOTION ART MUSIC. But not enough... this great packaged digipack release contains in a limited edition a DVD wich runs under the promising title ROCKUMENTARY / Till hell freezes over ... 1984 - 20009 !!! It seems there will be again a lot of rumour about this old heroes... www.spitfire.gr ...

*British Power Metalllers DISARM GOLIATH which knows some of you from their vinyl on HIGH ROLLER RECORDS published without any publicity a new mini album on CASKET / COPRO PRODUCTIONS. For more informations about the 6 tracker with the title MAN, MACHINE AND MURDER look inside the review section. The recording with the typic flair from the island contains such great tunes as FEED MY EGO, NO PRAYER TO SAVE ME, DELIVER or the culty titletrack. If this awakes your interest go into the web and take a look at www.coprorecords.co.uk ... or try your luck via the one and only site www.myspace.com/disarmgoliath ...

*Bulgarians premium metal proggies PANTOMMIND published their second effort LUNASENSE. It´s a shame that this high class product is only available as a private release Once more I can´t understand why didn´t sign a label this talented band. www.myspace.com/pantommind ...

*MANUEL SEOANE published with his band BURNING KINGDOM his second studio album DOWN THE ROAD. This fine disc around the ex ARS AMANDI guitarist contains nine compositions. Yeäh and on six of them we can hear a good singer too. www.manuelseoane.net . Take also a look at the site of his recordcompany too on which firms a couple of other good artists too... www.myspace.com/dfxrecords ....

*In Spain is rising by the moment another great band with some famous musicans.... !!! RAMONCIN the ex SARATOGA / NU / SANTA guitarist starts together with MANUEL ESCUDERO former an background vocalist of MEDINA AZAHARA and LUISMA HERNANDEZ from ARWEN on the bass, plus JAIME OLIVAES the ex-drummer of ANKHARA a new supergroup. The band firms under the name SANTELMO...!!! By the moment have the group some tracks as REY GIGANTO, JUNI DEL 44, SI AMANECIERA and the ballad DARIA LE QUE FUERA on the start. The first album should be out in 2010.....

*Madrid´s STEEL HORSE released these days their second album INTO THE STORM. At the same time will be out a limited 7 inch vinyl too which features LAND OF THE WOLVES and the the exclusive single track UNDER THE CHAINS. Collector´s should hunt forthis future rarie at the bandside under ... www.myspace.com/steelhorsemetal ....

*MY GRAVEYARD PODUCTIONS will publish in January´2010 the third album by the traditional italian metalists RENEGADE. Yet so far firms this release under the title W.A.R. In the same month will be out on this label too the first DARK QUATERER - UNDER THE SPELL DVD. But not enough.... for February plan the label the release of SPITFIRE - TIME AND ETERNITY. Hopefully the band is close in their style to their legendary 80ies recordings... !!! Brand new and hot is the second album of TACHRON FIST .... www.myspace.com/mygraveyardproductions

*TRIDENT published finally their official debut ELRIC EL ALBINO. After three promising demo CDR´s contains this eighties influenced classic Heavy Metal such great tunes as MESIAS DEL METAL, DETRAS DE LA LINEA or the unique 2 HORAS EN LA 105. The Buenos Aires based sixtett released the album on their own label LA PIEZA RECORDS. But I think that the well known argentinian METALICA ZINE ( www.metalicazine.com.ar ) distribute this album too. www.tridentsite.com.ar ...

*Las Vegas / NV based melodic Heavy Veterans UNBLESSED published their 1993 unreleased album on CD. There will be out in greece a vinyl edition too. Meanwhile exists plans to release also their second unpublished album too ...

*The second DARK MIRROR album is out and firms under the title PORTRAIT OF THE EVIL. Similar as the rereleased debut VISIONS OF PAIN is this release published on JENS HÄFNER´S new label KILLER METAL RECORDS. For more infos check out www.darkmirroronline.com or www.myspace.com/darkmirror . If you want to check out their label use www.killermetalrecords.de

*Canada´s latest hope in traditional Power Metal STRIKER is confirmed together with such legends as SAVAGE GRACE, HADES, ADX, ANACRUCIS, KALAPACS, OBSESSION, SATAN´S HOST, RAM, WATCHTOWER, SIREN, DEMON.... for the upcoming KEEP IT TRUE XIII in April 23rd + 24th ´2010 at the the Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda / Königshofen. www.keep-it-true.de ..

*Also the next HEADBANGERS OPEN AIR is an event with legendary heroes. Yet so far is confirmed ICON, CIRITH UNGOL, CULPRIT, OMEN, JAG PANZER, VIRGIN STEELE, BATTLEAXE (UK), AMULANCE, ANVIL CHORUS, RAVEN, ASKA, DER KAISER (FR) and a lot of more promising acts. The festival runs from July 29. till 31th ´2010 at 25364 BRANDE by ELMSHORN / HAMBURG. An official warm up show is planed with FALCON at July 28th ´2010 . For presale, camping and tickets look under www.headbangers-open-air.de ...

*Neoclassical guitar virtuose DUSHAN PETROSSI returns with his meanact IRON MASK. The fourth album is out now on AFM RECORDS and firms under the title BLACK AS DEATH. For the vocallines he could wind nobody else as MARK BOALS (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) . For more infos take a look at his homepage www.dushanpetrossi.com or surf direct to the website of his label www.afm-records.de ... The limited vinyl edition (gatefolf cover) contains a bonustrack

*STEEL LEGACY RECORDS published the debut of Cyprus based classic metalists SOLITARY SABRED. Watch out this fine mix of classic Heavy Metal with an epic touch is limited to 1000 units. So use your chance to get THE HERO THE MONSTER THE MYTH. Untill I will finish a review for this webzine collect more infos or hear snipnets under www.myspace.com/solitarysabred or check their labelsite www.steel-legacy.com ...

*Female fronted based symphonic / metal quintett SOLISIA signed a deal with UNDERGROUND SYMPHONY. Their debut album ORDINARY FATE should be out since a while. But untill now nothing happen. Meanwhile the band put with VORTEX OF INDIFFER ENCE a new song on their myspace website. Help em and listen this one by click to their account under www.myspace.com/solisia

*The new band of RONNIE STIXX (ex VICIOUS RUMOURS) firms under BLOOD REDSKIES. Beside him acts on the guitars DAVE HARVEY (ex PHANTOM X) and JAMIE SUMMERSELL (WICKED WALTZ). But not enough also the position on the bass does a well known musican ANTOINE VAN DER LINDEN (yeäh, we all know him from MARTYR) during the drummer CRAIG FARMER is still the same. It seems that this all star band have a bright future. Take a look inside their website under www.myspace.com/divineruinsmetal ...

*OLD SEASON published a great fullength digipack release under the title ARCHAIC CREATION. If you didn´t know untill now this doom metal kings from Ireland don´t waste your time anymore and check out this fine work. If you´re a follower of such majestic acts as CANDLEMASS or SOLITUDE AETURNUS this album is a must have in your collection. Order their album by paypal order via www.myspace.com/oldseason ...

*Legendary US-metalists SHOK PARIS working on new songs... !!! The band is also confirmed for the upcoming HEADBANGERS OEPN AIR...

*First release on the new record company ASTRAL RECORDS are the greek progressive masters BLACK FATE. Their new album DELIVERANCE OF SOUL is out since a couple of days. www.nyspace.om/blackfateband ...

*Another hopefully greek act ORION´S REIGN will be puplish their official debut album soon too. By the way their demo cdr BEYOND ETERNITY made em popular in and out of their country. www.myspace.com/orionsreign ... It seems that the band signs a deal wit ROCK IT UP RECORDS.

*Untill now was the only well known (international too) band from Constanta / Romania MYSTICA. This could be chance soon because with the melodic edged FORTUNETELLER. Their debut SECRET OF MY LIFE is out. The band was also part of a talent contest from the MAXIMUM ROCK magazine inside their country. As result published PROMUSIC the best groups on a compilation. No matter FORTUNETELLER is featured with the titletrack of their album. www.fortuneteller.ro and www.myspace.com/fortunetellerro ...

*DRAGON´S LIAR start the work for their debut album which will be out in spring´2012. After the success of their DRAGONHEART EP is the Serres / Greece based power / epic metal ready to record the songs for their fullength release THRIAMVOS. www.myspace.com/dragon39slair ...

*What a big surprise !!! NO INNER LIMITS without a doubt one of the best german progressive metal acts returns with a great new mini album on the venue. THE PHOENIS IS RISING features three impressive high level arranged tunes. If you miss in your collection their outstanding classic THE PLANET´S PULSE is this the chance to complete your collection with two great releases. www.noinnerlimits.com ...

*At Saturday 3rd April´2010 is at the MUSIK- UND KONGRESSHALLE & TREIBSAND in LÜBECK / Germany THE EASTER METAL FESTIVAL. For the festival are confirmed by the moment *FINNTROLL *EQUILIBRIUM *KALMAH *BLITZKRIEG *THUNDERBOLT *RAVEN *ENDSTILLE *POWERWOLF *ENTOMBED *RAM *CURSED ANGUISH *VAN CANTO *OMEN *THE DEVIL´S BLOOD *NASTRANDIR *THE RODS *ASMODIS *ROXXCALIBUR... www.rocktower.de . It seems this could be a good chance to such great acts as RAVEN or THE RODS...

*Go ahead in the third round of the HELLENIC FORCES compilation. This time are featured BATTLEROAR, WISHDOM, NEMESIS, INNER AXIS, EVERDOME, THE SILENT RAGE, HEART ATTACK, HAND OF GOD, LOST CHANCE, STORMBRINGER, ATRIA MORTIS, BRAIN FADE, POWER CRUE, WITCHCURSE and SHADOW VEIL. Meanwhile should be out the new DEMO EP of the featured SILENT RAGE... Also STORMBRINGER published their debut via EAT METAL RECORDS. The price for this lovely styled underground sampler is only 5 € (postage expences included)... HELLENIC FORCES, P.O.BOX 6470, GR 136 02 KOKKINOS MIKRI, ATHENS, GREECE . For more informations visit www.myspace.com/hellenicforces... Think that the first two innovative compilation are still available too...

*To order the SILENT RAGE recording contact the band at their website under thesilentrage@gmail.com . The price for the DEMO EP´2009 is 3 € plus shipping costs...

*HEAVY MELODY MUSIC rereleased australians ZEN VENOM - FROM ANOTHER PLANET finally on CD. This rerelease contains also some bonustracks too. So if you miss the high price original vinyl this is your chance to restock your collection with a fine item. www.heavymeolodymusic.au ...

*BEDLAM from Budapest / Hungary published back in 1994 an interessant cassette album with the title INSIDE ASH on 3T / MAGYAR POLYGRAM. Don´t know if this one was available as CD too (personel I´ve own only the tape version)... By the way this album convinced us with some Bay Area inspired tecnical Thrash Metal. It seems that the band is reunite and again on the start ... www.thebedlam.hu or www.unmagumma.hu/bedlam ...

*STORMSPELL RECORDS will publish in these days a compilation with the old SENTINEL BEAST demo recordings under the title UP FROM THE ASHES ... There will be out too soon the albums by MILITIA (FIEND OF MISERY) a progressive Power / Thrash metal band from the Bay Area (not to be changed with the Texas PMetal godz) , LICH KING (WORLD GONE DEAD) and MORBID SIN (SINS OF THE FLESH)... There are preorders for this releases posible www.stormspell.com .

*April 24th´20010 will be the release date for LUCIFER´S FATE the second release by A TORTURED SOUL. The band signed a deal with PURE STEEL RECORDS. For more news take a look at www.myspace.com/torturedsoulmusic or visit the fine website of www.puresteel-records.com ...

*At April 10th will be the next BUILDING A FORCE festival at Bad Rappenau in the Mühltalhalle. This second round of the festival starts at 14.00 and beside the headliners BRAINSTORM joins the club such renomite acts as ROUGH SILK, LANFEAR, SERENETY, DESTINATION´S CALLING, FLESHCRAWL, THY BLEEDING SKIES and a couple more. www.buildingaforce.com ...

*Progressive metal artists FADING CIRCLES published their debut SOULBURN. In the past released the band two high aclaimed demos but this new effort shot em to a higher level. First reactions from the international press attest them a bright future. www.myspace.com/fadingcircles ... meanwhile signed the band a deal with a hungarian company and work on new material ...

*Since February 26th `2010 is finally out on double vinyl the latest album by CAGE. SCIENCE OF ANNIHILATION crowns a double gatefold cover and is limited on 525 pieces . 100 of them are pressed in coloured vinyl. So don´t hesitate to grab your copy... www.puresteel-records.com ...

*It seems that our heroes of CROSSWIND signed up from STORMSPELL RECORDS too. Would be great to hold soon a real pressed CD from this band in our hands. www.myspace.com/crosswindmetal ... It seems that the album will be out under the working title OPPOSING FORCES /BEYOND. In other words the disc contains both demo cd´s . www.stormspell.com

*ARMORED SAINTS is back with a new release. The album firms under the title LA RAZA and is out since a couple of days. www.armoredsaint.com ...

*Also Guatemala City rocks. Since 2003 published ANDROMEDA three albums (EL REINANDO DEL SOL´2006 and RESURGIENDO DEL ABISMO´2007). Their latest effort MELODIAS DEL OCASO PERDIDO from 2008 is gratis for download at their website www.androguate.com ...

*Active since several years returns also IMAGIKA this days with a new output. Their new album PORTRAIT OF A HANGED MAN is published via METALVILLE. This relative new company put out also the latest albums of ASTRAL DOORS and DAWNLESS as well AGE OF EVIL. www.metalville.de or find out more about our US Power Metal heroes under www.myspace.com/imagikametal ...

*SHADOW KINGDOM RECORDS present´s us with SINISTER REALM at the end of the last year a great doomy US Metal album. Now the label offers us the next hidden treasure. Mr. WARREL DANE well known from his present act NEVERMORE and the unforgotten US Metal kings SANCTUARY was at the beginning of his career a member of SERPENT`S KNIGHT. By the way the band followed at the early until the middle of the eighties the pure US Metal style. The recorded like so many other great acts some demos. Now this recordings are published under the title SILENT KNIGHT... OF MYTH AND DESTINY. Yep, this package contains a CD as well a DVD with some live material too. Find out more under www.shadowkingdomrecords.com ...

*In the same vain agitates DAGGERS EDGE. Original founded in the early eighties in southern california featured this US Metal band for a while also JAMES RIVERA as their frontman. No matter, natural it was clear that there sooner or later followed a rerelease. STEEL LEGACY RECORDS from greece won the competion for this goodie. A limited disc and vinly of 1000 units is out. The CD version contains as bonus some video tracks too. Orders and questions could be send to www.steel-legacy.com ...

*Spanish legendary SUTAGAR published also a new album under the working title AMETSAK PILATZEN. The basque band is meanwhile a trio. Seems that the band find their way back to their roots after some modern edged albums. The great packaged digipack features eleven new studiotracks. www.sutagar.com ...

*MASSACRE RECORDS signed up one of the greates german Speed / Thrash legends from the past. We talk about the one and only VENDETTA. Their comeback FEED THE EXTERMINATION will be out late 2011. Produced is the album which is also available as limited gatefold vinyl by DAN SWANÖ. Try out more infos under www.massacre-records.com ...

*after the incredible long time in search for a record company signed last but not least PURE STEEL RECORDS Portugals best keept secret ATTIC DEMONS. The band wins for for a guest guitar solo ROSS THE BOSS as well too PAUL DI ANNO. Check out their album ATLANTIS under www.attickdemons.com or visit the innovative website of their label www.puresteel-records.com ...

*SCREAMER a newcomer from sweden stands under contract by HIGH ROLLER RECORDS. Their debut ADRENALINE DISTRACTIONS follows the tradition fo the famous eighties scandic metal acts. Available as vinyl and CD by www.hrrecords.de ...

*Long time existing brazilian based label ROCK MACHINE RECORDS rereleased another good hidden Power / Thrash Metal treasure of the late eighties. ANTHARES published back in 1989 NO LIMITE DA FORCA only on vinyl. Yet so far this was their only release. Meanwhile it was difficult to grab a copy in good condition. The rerelease is available through the HELLBENT FOR RECORDS distribution www.hbfr.de ...

*The festival season starts again. The third HEAVY METAL NIGHT which firms under the banner THE RETURN OF ITALIAN METAL WARRIORS will be without a doubt one of the top events. Legends like SABOTAGE, VANEXA, DARK QUARTERER, THE RAFF, FINGERNAILS will warm up our metal souls. But not enough cause new heroes like SIGN OF THE JACKAL, WITCHUNTER and BAPHOMET´S BLOOD as wll the unforgotten DANGER ZONE will be there too ... The festival in (PRO LOCO) VILLA ROSA DI MARTINSICURO (TE / ITALY) will be at the 18th september´2010 and starts at 16:00 pm. By the way there´s a colaboration with one of italy´s finest underground metal label MY GRAVEYARD PRODUCTIONS. Don´t miss this event ... !!! www.italiadimetallo.altervista.com and of course natural www.mygraveyardproductions.com ...

*apropo MY GRAVEYARD PRODUCTIONS... there are a bunch of new releases on the label. Out now is the new STRANA OFFICINA - RISING TO THE CALL (digipack), ANTHENORA - THE GHOST OF IWO JIMA, DARKING - SONS OF STEEL, NO REMORSE - SONS OF ROCK and a DVD by TARCHON FIST - WE ARE LEGION as well a couple of more great collectable goodies ... www.myspace.com/mygraveyardproductions ... check out also the future projects as FIREINE, STRIKE, AXEVYPER, PRODIGAL SONS, RED WARLOCK, BALROG and the new albums by ETRUSGRAVE, WOTAN, FELINE MELINDA, AXEVYPER, WITCHUNTER, WALPURGIS NIGHT .... seems this year will deliver us a lot of great stuff .... For a complete catalogue and orders write to mail@ygraveyardproductions.com

*After the successful releases AGAINST EVERYONE´S ADVICE (2004) and BREAKDOWN TO BREAKTHROUGH returns the german melodic metal act PUMP with their third release. SONIC EXTASY contains twelve great new numbers. By the way one of them is their little hit LOW LIFE IN THE FAST LANE. If you´re still a follower of such hair metal acts as DOKKEN, SKID ROW or TESLA jump straight to PUMP. There forer albums willbe rereleased with some bonustracks too. www.pump-rocks.net . Snipnets and and more infos under www.myspace.com/pumprocks ...

*Also LEVERAGE from Finland have their third hot iron on the start. CIRCUS COLOSSUS is an album in the tradition of RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE, DEF LEPPARD with a fine undertone by guitarheroes as YNGWIE MALMSTEEN. In their homecountry is the band successful and it seems soon all around europe too. Don´t be a fool and give em your attention too www.leverageband.com ...

*Five long years wait we now for a new lifesign of germans finest ETERNAL REIGN. Back in 2005 released the group with FORBIDDEN PATH their second album on LMP RECORDS. Meanwhile finished the group eleven new impressive tracks. No matter their style is still US Metal influen ced classic metal. Don´t miss their soon to be released new output THE DAWN OF RECKONING. With a new strong company (PURE STEEL RECORDS) in their back will be hopefully this release the break even for this hard working band. Check out their informative website www.eternal-reign.de or keep listen some snipnets inside www.myspace.com/eternalreignband

*But not enough with great news from this german cult label ... !!! For our all pleasure signed www.puresteel-records.com finally the legendary US-Metal icons SKULLVIEW. Their new album METALKILL THE WORLD is out know. Don´t hesitate to conquer such great new tracks as BEHIND THE CELL, REMANTS OF THE STORM. PRIVEILEGE OF SUFFERING, the titletrack, and a couple of more hymns ...

*Twentyfive years exists now the greece edition of the METAL HAMMER magazine. Issue 300 December´2009 contains an extra reprinted redition of the No.1 from 1988. But the real killer of this special edition is an extraordinary BEST OF CD by FATES WARNING. This great styled soon to be collectors item firms under the title A HANDFUL OF FATE and contains twelve timeless compositions from all periods of the US-PROG-METAL-MASTERS... !!! So don´t miss this issue or take your luck under www.hammer.gr ...

*After thirteen long years returns another US-BAY AREA-THRASH legend with a new output. Those of you which watched FORBIDDEN at the BANG YOUR HEAD festival will confirm that the band performs there a perfect show. It seem that their new release OMEGA WAVE catapults the quartett back in the hearts of the crowd. More or less will be the album in the tradition of such classic releases as FORBIDDEN EVIL(1988) and TWISTED INTO FORM (1990).Their new member STEVE SMYTH (former also inside TESTAMENT and NEVERMORE) is an extraordinary guitar player with lots of impressive influences. Also MARK HERNANDEZ the man behind the drums (ex-VIO-LENCE and HEATHEN) joins the group. Together with their carismatic frontmen RUSS ANDERSON and CRAIG LOCICERO (guitar) as well MATT CAMACHO on the bass is the band ready to strike back. The new album will be out as CD and 2LP edition on NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. www.myspace.com/forbiddenofficial and of course www.nuclearblast.de ...

*Yeäh, the waiting time for the new MAIDEN album is over. On August´13th will be out worldwide the next classic THE FINAL FRONTIER of our heroes. Of course there will be a limited double picture vinyl edition as well a special mission edition too. So hurry up collectors and enter your local record dealer before it´s to late. www.IRONMAIDEN.com or www.IRONMAIDEN.de ...

*After years of silence returns PERPETUAL FIRE with their second album INVISIBLE. The album will be out on www.rockitup.org records. Just take a look at www.myspace.com/icewarriorrecords too ...

*FORGOTTEN LEGACY surprise with their first mini album THE ORACLE. Finest traditionell US-Power Metal is the secret for their upcoming success. Don´t hesitate to catch this diamond. I´m sure this one will be soon a collector item. www.myspace.com/forgottenlgcy ...

*Also canadian metalists SUDDEN FLAMES publish their second effort DEATH MIGHT BE LATE now. www.suddenflames.com ...

*Legendary US-METAL act AMULANCE came along with a limited mini album under the monicker DEUTSCHLAND. The band publish and promote this great release during their german audience at the HEADBANGERS OPEN. Be quick and catch your copy before it´s to late. www.stormspell.com/label ...

*One of my absolute current faves is the debut by BLACKSWORD. Published on the culty US-label ECHOES OF CROM RECORDS features the album with the promising title THE SWORD ACCURST from the first til the last second catchy classic US influenced Power Metal. By the way the band hails from Sibiria. www.echoesofcromrecords.com ...

*HIGHLIGHT KENOSIS is a new female fronted act from Bucarest. Their debut GLOWING is a stunnin work of complex modern arranged progressive edged metal. Meanwhile thequartett is back in the studios to release in those days their follow up ... www.highlightkenosis.com or also inside www.myspace.com/highlightrockband ...

*Also the well known MIRADA DE ANGEL published 2010 a new album under the title A VIDA O MUERTE. Untill now is the fine packaged digipack only in their homecountry Spain available. www.miradadeangel.com and www.myspace.com/miradadeangel

*Hungarian´s Hard Rock legend DINAMIT returns finally after more then twenty years of silence with their comeback JATSZD, AHOGY AKOROD. 2010 / 2011 could be a real successful period for this great old rockers. Just keep listen some of the tmeless compositions like HÜVÖSEK AZ EJSZAKAK or for exampel MIRE JO and you´ll be enlight too.Keep an eye for more infos at their website www.dinamitegyuttes.hu ..

The metal giants POKOLGEP publish at the end of the last year with UJRATÖLTVE also a new livesign ... !!! Yet so far the 14 perfect recorded tunes were recorded in June´2006 during the ROCKMARATON festival in Hungary. By the way UJRATÖLVTE means translated more or less RELOADED. This recording reflects the actual lineup of the hungarian metal flagship with their new vocalist ATTILA TOTH. So the title of the album is program. As bonus contains this recording with NE KÖSS BELEM also a first new studio track. Hurry up and watch out for this fine packaged and collectable CD cause it´s only available together with the culty Hungarian ROCKINFORM magazine. Printed only in 5200 copies will be this one soon a big rarity. It seems that this issue is meanwhile sold out ... www.pokolgep.hu ...

*Of course the former POKOLGEP longtime vocalist RUDAN JOE joined as fulltime performer by MOBILMANIA. Meanwhile is their second album AZ ÜT LEGYEN VELED on ALEXANDRA RECORDS published. www.mobilmania.rockband.hu ... The debut album EZ A MANIA was published by EMI RECORDS HUNGARY ...

*In a few days exact at March 7th´2011 will be out also the new studio recording by Hungaries finest OSSIAN. The album firms under the working title AZ LESZ A GYÖZTESS. The limited first double digipack edition will contain a live dvd recoring as bonus too .. www.ossian.hu

*March 4th will be a special day for all vinyl collectors. The latest great studio album by TANK - WARMACHINE will be out at this day as a ltd. edition of 1000 copies in a gatefold cover. Hurry up there will be also a estra ltd. charge in red vinyl too ... www.TANKOFFICIAL.com ...

*ORANGE STEEL publish in March´2011 their debut ALMODOZO. This CD features eight classic styled Hard Rock tunes during the titletrack ALMODOZO is a coverversion of OZZY OZBOURNES ~ DREAMER in hungarian language. www.steelorange.hu ...

*ARKNGTHAND is a fine epic edged melodic metal act from the Netherlands. Check out their second album SONGS OF ICE AND FIRE. Maybe it isn´t easy to catch this one cause the band split up. www.arkngthand.com

*In April´2011 will be out the long awaited new album by WISDOM. Think since their last recording are gone more then three years. The new album firms under the promising title JUDAS. www.wisdom.hu ..

*Well known greek based WOLFCRY released without any promotion their best album till know back in 2010 on the dutch based PAINKILLER RECORDS. The album firms under the title GLORIOUS ... www.apollonrecords.nl

*Polonian based HEAVY / POWER METAL act SACRIFER will release soon their first official recording VALHALLA IS FOR ME. First snipnets inside www.myspace.com/sacriferband sounding very promising. Seems tat the album will be out as a digipack ...

*Their countrymates PATHFINDER published at the same time their debut BEYOND THE SPACE, BEYOND THE TIME. By the way this album is released as a a nice digipack with an expensive gatefold. Musically is this outfit more symphonic metal oriantated... !!! But it seems that the sixtett performs this style with class !!! Find more informations under www.PATHFINDERBAND.com or also at their offical www.myspace.con/PATHFINDERBAND website account too ...

*Four years after their splitoup reforms their vocalist and guitarist MICHAEL SCHINKEL his old group ETERNAL FLAME again. The reason is in first degree the unbrocken fan loyality and of course the hunger to strike back. The work on a new album starts meanwhile. Untill the first results will be published check out their past albums DESIRE and KING OF THE KING. www.eternal-flame.de ...

*Czech HARDROCK / BIGBEAT legend KEKS released by the end of the last year a new album under the title JAK DEKUJE SE ANDELUM. No matter the lovely styled digipack is another great chapter in the long history of this band. www.keksrock.cz ...

*After their great single release strikes the italian female fronted traditional oriantated Heavy Metal quartett SIGN OF THE JACKAL with a limited six track mini album back. Titled THE BEYOND features four demotracks and a homeage to two unforgotten eighties metal legends too. The first one is a cover by MEHAN (yeäh, from the cool private released album by the metal queen in 1986). Be sure HEAD OVER HEELS is an alltime classic and also the version by SIGN OF THE JACKAL strikes at high level. Also the cover of WARLORD´S WRATH by canadians one and only BLACK KNIGHT will have a lot of attention. Seems that the band will have a bright future. www.myspace.com/signofthejackalmetal or contact their fantastic label under www.heavyartillery.us ...

*Yet if we talk again about this fine label ... have you check out their latest iron fire VOLTURE ? Yep, this hot underground secret could be one of the next topsellers. Formed by ex TWISTED TOWER DIRE and IMMORTAL AVENGER members convince their six tracker SHOCK ITS PREY every follower of classic US-METAL. Don´t hesitate to check out the limited vinyl which is also available as MCD too. Join the motto of the group IF IT´S NOT LOUD, IT´S NOT ALLOWED ! www.volture.us ...

*Italian long living true metallists SKANNERS are back with a new album. FACTORY OF STEEL so the title holds his promise. Well worth to check it out www.SKANNERS.it and natural too under www.myspace.com/skanners ... there is a limited vinyl edition out too ...

*After a long timeout returns hungaries very own DEMONLORD with classic oriantated HEAVY / POWER METAL album. Believe me this effort with the title ONLY THE DEAD ARE SAFE (IF IT DOESN´T MAKE YOU SCREAM, YOU´RE ALREADY DEAD!) is hot, hotter than hell. Forget anything of the grab which released the band in the past. This recording is definatly a new start. Check it out today under www.DEMONLORD.hu or as always usally inside www.myspace.com/THETRUEDEMONLORD too ...

*HELLAS is the title of the latest release by FEARNOR. By the way their record company SECRET PORT RECORDS is based in greece. If this is the reason for the albumtitle. I don´t know ... ? Fact is that FEARNOR is an Argentinan / Buenos Aires based quartett. Find out more about this on and on traditionell oriantated Heavy Metal act under www..myspace.com/fearnortruemetalband ...

*2011 could be the year of swedish metal merchants PORTRAIT. After PER KARLSSON which we all know from his performance with OVERDRIVE joined the sympathic quintett the success grows up. Their new studio album firms under CRIMEN LAESAE MAJESTATIS DIVINAE. Wit a great etablished record company as METAL BLADE in their back will they reach the hordes of MERCYFUL FATE / K.DIAMOND fans ... www.METALBLADE.de or www.PORTRAITBAND.se ...

*Long living czech Hard´n ´Heavy Masters ANNABEL published a fine compilation album under the simple title 2002 - 2009. By the way this BEST OF which is produced by MILOS DODO DOLEZAL is a perfect view over the creative work of the Rrague based quintett. For more infos check out their website www.annabel.cz or contact the band direct under husnik@annabel.cz ...

*Nearly at the same time published another famous czech Hard ´n´ Heavy act SEVEN also their brandnew BEST OF compiltation. This fine piece firms under the promising title THE SEVEN YEARS OF SEVEN ... !!!Exact esist´s the group around the multi guitarist mastermind HONZA KIRK BEHUNEK since fourteen years and published till now even seven recordings. During this long time toured the band along with such well known bands as URIAH HEEP, PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER, U.D.O. No matter this hot compilation features thirteen runnin tunes. At one of them you can listen a guest apperance by DORO PESCH too. Latest rumors says that the quartett works meanwhile also on their first retrospective DVD. Find out more inside www.sevencz.com or contact their recordfirm and mangement www.alfedusmusic.cz ... It seems the infos about SEVEN does not ends cause lastbut not least published the group their brandnew album via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS ...

*Fans of POWERWOLF knows that the fine company CYCLONE EMPIRE released nowadays a lovely stylded colctersbox of their first three albums. Of course this rereleases are vinyls !!! Another desire for record collectors comes true. But not enough meanwhile is out the publishing term for their brandnew studioeffort BLOOD OF SAINTS. So keep the fingers crossed that we hold in our hands at July 29th this new Power Metal piece. www.myspace.com/cycloneempire or take a look at their promising webshop where you can pick up also the SOLITUDE AETURNUS vinyls under www.metal-recycler.de . Natural the webaddress for our heroes is also available under www.POWERWOLF.net . By the way their next studio release BLOOD OF THE SAINTS will be out as usual again on METAL BLADE RECORDS ...

*Valencia based spanish/argentinian melodic metal merchants DRAGONFLY have published their third album NON REQUIEM. Check out their webstore under www.webdragonfly.com ...

*also same location based traditional oriantated heavy / powermetal act PROMETHEUS start the work for their third effort. www.webs.ono.com/prometheus ...

*Immortal dutch urmetalists VORTEX published back in 2010 their latest studio album DRINK BAT BLOOD on the fine little label MIGHTY MONSTER RECORDS. For early 2012 is now planed finally an vinyl reedition on METALIZZER RECORDS. Ya know that´s the one how brought us too the phenomenal CLOVEN HOOF and SACRED OATH vinyls. www.myspace.com/vortexest1979 ... Ups, before I forget, don´t sell your CD cause the vinyl release will be published with a complete different artwork ...

*LAKE OF MIND is an interessant newcomer from Hungary. Their debut A CONDEMNED SOUL was out in their homecountry at september ´2011. By the way the quintett follows the footsprints of progressive metal ... www.lakeofmind.hu or as usual www.myspace.com/lakeofmind

*US progressive edged metallists EUMERIA published thei first fullength album REBEL MIND. By the way after their promising demo isn´t it a wonder that the group create a fine album. Find out more about this great work under www.EUMERIA.com

*It takes no end ... also the US hopefulls PREDATOR surprise us those days with their second album BORN IN BLOOD. Of course the style didn´t chance just classic US METAL ... don´t hesitate to grab this strong ear attack ... www.PREDATORTHEBAND.com . By the way twelve tracks are produced by their axeman DAMIEN LEE THOR . www.myspace.com/predatorheavymetal ...

*another great german longtime esisting underground jewel returns after years of silence finally with their first fullength work DARK BROKEN LAND. Of course we speak about the teutonic steeler´s JAVELIN who released back in 1997 their great SEASONS OF GREY titled mini album. Don´t hesitate to check out their latest news under www.javelin-metal.de or risc an ear inside www.myspace.com/javelinmetal ..

*also the same fits for Chile based traditional metalists INQUISITION too. After a long time out returns the band on the international metal landscape again with their fourth studio album OPUS DEI. For more infos try out their web under www.exhumeddistro.com ...

*With continian files the Budapest based AVATAR since a couple of years on their career. After the good debut returns the hungarians now with their second strike SZIVÜNK BEZARVA (CLOSE TO THE HEART). Again convince the quintett there with a fine blend of classic Hard Rock. www.avatarzenekar.com ...

*SUPREMACY OF STEEL is the title of the brandnew masterpiece by CAGE. During the european CD release is available through www.musicbuymail.eu will be out soon again a limited vinyl edition via PURE STEEL RECORDS ...

*Finally out on vinyl is the great debut by AGINCOURT. Remember this UK based hopefulls features some former SCARAB musicans. By the way their fantastic NWOBHM influenced debut ANGEL OF MONS is available since a couple of month as CD. But no matter this one works first really as a vinyl release. No one else as the fantasic HIGH ROLLER company made this dream true. So hurry up to catch one of the limited vinyls ... www.agincourtmusic.com ...

*LORD VULTURE is a fantastic Power Metal act from the Netherlands. Check out their two fullength digi pack CDs NEVER CRY WOLF and BEAST OF THUNDER. Especially their latest one will statisfy followers of the great JAG PANZER too . www.lordvolture.com ...

*BLIND GUARDIAN publish to their twentyfifth bandjubilläum an ultimative Best Of compilation. The collection contains material from 1987 untill 2011. It will be available as double-CD or 3CD deluxe set incl. the legendary LUCIFER´S HERITAGE demos ... !!!Release date will be January 20th´2012 . By the way the BEST OF on their company VIRGIN / EMI runs under the title MEMORIES OF A TIME TO COME. www.blind-guardian.com ....

*Back in business are germans IVORY TOWER. Their latest studio outake firms under the simple title IV. But simple is nothing on this release. The great packaged digipack will surprise lovers of SYMPHONY X as well fans of DREAM THEATER too. www.ivorytower.de ...

yet out is the fourth entry in the popular WAX MANIAC VINYL DEMO SERIES by HEAVY ARTILLERY RECORDS. Remember how fast was soldout the SPELLCASTER vinyl (as well the CD version too). Round number four features the canadian hopefulls METALION with their superb ROCK SOLID titled six track mini album. Hurry up for this future rarie. Even for the vinyl cause it´s limited to 200 copies during the MCH is available in 500 units. Check out the typic eBay sellers or order your copy direct by the label under www.heavyartillery.com ... and don´t forget MOLTEN WAX FOR METAL MANIAX ... Now I´m full of interest what will be happen after this first official release. Ya know the band published in the past two self financed CDs. Hopefully this great MLP will be a success like the SPELLCASTER and VOLTURE releases too ... Meanwhile on the start published by the same company is also the first real release from MIDNIGHT CHASER ...

*METALIZER RECORDS published those days the vinyl edition of german hopefulls ALPHA TIGER. Now at hte beginning of 2012 will be out soon too the black gold releases of the latest albums by OZ and CRESCENT SHIELD ...

*During the last decade of 2011 publish czech metal masters ROXOR their second album CESTA DO PEKEL. By the way the group is since the early ninetes on the road. Check out their real good releases and contact them via their website www.roxor-heavy.cz ...

*JOLLY ROGER RECORDS published the forgotten recordings from T.I.R. By the way this initials stands for TEMPLE INFERNALE ROCK. This italian band was during the mideighties well known in their country. But the couldn´t find a reord company. Know twentyfive years later we can enjoy their material on the simple HEAVY METAL titled recording. Of course this one is out on vinyl and CD. Check out also the other fine releases of this ROME based label like FIABA, SABOTAGE, CAPPANERA, SCREAMING SHADOWS or HOLY MARTYR (vinyl) ... www.JOLLYROGERSTORE.com ...

DEMO CD PRODUCTIONS

ruler13 — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:38:51 CST

GRANULOM - UTOPIA
(DEMO CDR´2007) BULGARIA
This band from bulgarias capital sofia is since 1994 in different line up´s active. In the june of 2007 the band played in kavarna / bulgaria at the black sea untill now their biggest show as opener for MOTÖRHEAD. Also in the same year they published an eight song demo to reach a brighter regonizement. GRANULOM is fronted by the female singer Nadja Valentinova. Her voice ranks some where between LEATHER and SABRINA CLAASEN. Personal I like it more if she sings clear and harmonic, cause so her voice sounds much better. The two guitarrists Dancho Yosif and Kiril Petrov are good craftsmans on their instruments. Also the basser Yordan Slavov and drummer Dido are solid workers. The album starts with a good midranged heavy metal tune. A following heavy ballad with the title ZIVOTA (LIFE) let you feel the power in Nadja´s voice. Track number three is than again a mid tempo metal track, a real great tune. The punky and hectic JUNKIE enters anot her extrem. My opinion about this track is of twisted feelings. But the IRON MAIDEN / ZED YAGO inspired next cut shows again great potencial. Next runner hails in the ACCEPT corner and Nadja´s honours this song with raw vocals als U.D.O. The penulimate track continues into the power metal direction. Last but not least GRANULOM set a homage to one of their idols ACCEPT woth a great live recording of SON OF A *****. Well done, a good solution to end this promising demo. Hopefully GRANULOM will return soon with a real pressed debut cd. Untill this date they find in me and maybe in you all too new true believers. So stand up and support em: www.granulom.com or use the obligatory homepage of today www.myspace.com/granulomband . article by Gerald Mittinger

KROSSFIRE - TOUCH OF DESTINY
(PROMO SINGLE / CD-EP´2008) BULGARIA
What a surprise! This by the moment for promotion only published single contains two tracks from an upcoming full studio release. If there will be everything of such high class on this album awaits us a killer release. The guitar player GEORGI KOUSHEV is one of this extraor dinary virtuose on his instrument. It´s a pleasure to hear his fantastic playing. But he always handles his emotions in servive for the compositions. Never we have the feeling a solo artist dominates the tracks. Beside him acts a great vocalist. DIMO PETKOV is as best to describe somewhere between GEOFF TATE and Mr. ROY S.KHAN (CONCEPTION/KAMELOT). He performs his vocallines with lots of intensity and feeling. Of course the rest of the involved musi cans (PETER BOSHNA KOV keyboards, GEORGI DRIEV bass and SPAS MARKOV on the dru ms) are of high class too.The fantastic title track reigns than in the first rank of european mel odic metal. Of the same class rules the emotional and clever arranged ANGELS CRY. I am sure a lot of the etablished labels here would be happy to sign this hopeful band for their company. Latest rumours said that the group signed a deal with the bulgarian company DOUBLE D MUSIC. But also international record firms watch the rise of the band too. The signs of time stands for KROSSFIRE. So don´t waste your time and watch the upcoming news and infos under www.krossfirebg.com or take look at www.myspace.com/krossfirebg . For the personal contact use this e-mail address: krossfire@krossfirebg . article by Gerald Mittinger

RAGE N HEART - IN THE NAME OF GOD
((DEMO CDR´2006) GREECE
I can´t stop listen this five tracker. on and on this grandiose and well packaged demo mini-cd blokades my player. Not often it happens to hear a band with such class in the demostadium.All the lovers of timeless metal icons like RECON, CRIMSON GLORY, the old QUEENSRYCHE as well LETHAL should keep an eye on RAGE N HEART. Their singer handles complexand difficult harmonic lines without any problem. He is a big talent. The musically with cleverness arranged songs running through the recording like a red line. I ´ve heard the band recorded mean while a full album, but they still searching for a record deal. I don´t think that this will be a problem for RAGE N HEART. If the new material is so strong as the five tracks there, nothing can happen wrong. Order this proffesional packaged cdr under www.ragenheart.com or prelistening some of the material inside www.myspace.com/ragennheart. article by Gerald Mittinger

ROSEBAD - ROMPER EL CRISTAL
(DEMO <4 TRACK> CDR´ 2006) ESPANA
Behind this unspectular cover hiddens some great tunes from this yet outside of Spain unknown Valencianos. During the publishing of this review the band is inside the studio for an upcoming official release at the beginning of the next year. With MARCHA ATRAS starts this demo in a great art. Based on a foundation of fine 80ies timeless melodic Hard and Heavy Metal surprise this track a lot. In first line convince me the good arrangements of their guitarrist Ruben.Sad ly the vocalist which brought in too some interesant violin parts lost the group. But Ruben told me that tey replaced him with another talented vocalist. The following tune NO OLVIDO is in my opinion the secret winner. Somewhere between the classic spanish metal heroes with a slight IRON MAIDEN touch fits everthing well in this track. VENUS BUTTERFLY is then an okay melancoly composition. To speak true in my eyes nothing special. During the closing titletrack ROMPER EL CRISTAL leads the quartett back to a remindable memory. All in all is this a more as acceptable demoproduction. Of course the package is lovely styled with bandphotos and contains also the lyrics. Think the upcoming official studioal bum will top this demo a lot. For a prelistening of ROMPER DE CRISTAL take a look inside the well known website www.myspace.com/rosebadmetal or www.rosebad.iespana.es . article by Gerald Mittinger

SIBILA - SIN ALMA
(DEMO <12 TRACK> CDR´2006) ESPANA
This toledo based 80ies orientated female fron ted band is a big surprise. I wonder why there no label untill now signed this musically unique styled quartett. Begona Sanchez is a singer with a fantastic voice.So many times she reminds me on the honorable vocals of Leonor Marchesi from the famous spanish metal band SANTA. The twelve track packed cdr which could be im mediately pressed as a real cd is filled continious with stron songs.Jose Martin Carlos is a good guitarist. Unrequivoval his roots are based in the haytime of the 80ies latin metal scene of his country. Clear you can hear reminisences to the glorious spanish metal gods like PANZER, OBUS, EVO, ANGELES DEL INFIERNO and even SANTA ...! Isn´t this enough of good vibes? In the title track Begona tells a story about a person without a soul and dreams. but for this killer band with the great melodies, cele brated with lot´s of soul, every dream could be true.They only need some one who signs them and is able to promote and handle their destiny well ! Just click today at their page www.sibilarock.com or read more under www.myspace.com/sibilasibila . Gerald Mittinger

OBIDIL - PROMOTION DEMO
(PROMOTION 2 TRACK CDR´2007) SLOVENIJA
With this great preproduction of two tracks for the upcoming new OBIDIL album the female fronted band from slovenija shows great potencial. The first song ELECTRIC SOUL offers a fine brand of modern arranged heavy metal. Katarinas voice is beautifull, strong and powerfull too. She really performes fantastic, cause she acts without a doubt also difficult song passages. Equal if it is fast or low stuff, her voice is so variable and never so limited as by so many of this opera a like singers. The only explanation which comes in my mind to describe Katarinas voice as best is perhaps "The Liza Minelli of Heavy Metal ...! " Inside the infotext is written that the lyrics handle about life and human feelings. Meanwhile both guitarists of the band METAL STEEL joined this since 1990 active band. A new album is recor ded and waits to be published from a label which is able enough to sup port OBIDIL on their way to the top. www.myspace.com/obidil . As contact exists further two mailing addresses: obidil.bend@gmail.com and markeljklemen@yahoo.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

REOS - REOS
(DEMO CDR´2006) ESPANA
This four metallists are based in the north of spain. Exact in Vigo a town where 90% of the people life´s from the fish industry. No to many power metal act´s coming from this area. REOS five track demo is inspired by the mid period of METALLICA and the early works of XUDEF KLAS a well known galician thrash metal act from La Coruna). By the way their song structures are most of the time ok. So far, but what I miss is a higher acceptance of their compositions. Today so many bands sounds similar in the same style. Perhaps a more unique and interesant style will help REOS to become a more original act in their genre. Adolfo Fernandez the guitarist handles also the vocals. I could imagine that this is not easy, but a little bit more emotion in his voice would lead him to a higher level. Time will show where will be the band which is active since 2001 in the near future. By the way check em under www.reosweb.es.vg . article by Gerald Mittinger

DREYELANDS - CAN´T HIDE AWAY
(DEMO CDR´2007) HUNGARY
This three track Demo CDR from a budapest based progressive metal band is a big surprise for me. Of course like many bands in this kind of music also DRYELANDS handles in the circle of SYMPHONY X and DREAM THEATHER. All three tracks are done with a good musical production or in other words the working with a fine sound. Musically I like the catchy and still heavy play ed material of this quartett a lot. It´s time to sign this good band soon. untill the debut will be done you can ordr this nice promotiotional recording from their guitarist andras.horvath@dreyelands.com or take a look at www.dreyelands.com . Latest news joined the group an serbian vocalist and record by the moment their first studio album. Maybe this one will be out at the end of this year. article by Gerald Mittinger.

CARRONA - METALEROS DEL LEY
(DEMO CDR´2004) ARGENTINA
Not brandnew but still a breaker is this ten track album from another unknown argentinian underground heavy metal band.in the style of the beloved 80ies metal. A clear and powerfull productions reigns the songs. The vocalist senor Fabian Armand pilon reminds us to the haytimes of the latin metal scene in pain and southamerica in the past. Yes, without a doubt, METAL EROS DEL LEY is a cool title, but I think to rule today the market it needs more as solid heavy metal. Too many bands fight in this style for their success. At the other hand, this is a fine packaged profes sional demo-cd. Maybe the result will be than more as respectable. I hope this will be soon. canchi2@hotmail.com or order this little diamond by the one and only Rainer Kruken berg. www.metaleros.de article by Gerald Mittinger

VAL SANS - DAWN OF METAL
(4 TRACK DEMO CDR´2004/) AUSTRIA
Based in the little country austria enters this fantasy inspired act with the name VAL SANS the metal scene. First of all a big bonus point should be given for the cool cover art work. This demo is perfect and lovely pack aged. Principal the songs runnin in the traditional metal gem. But light and shadows are close on this demo. During the first song BORN TO SEE THE LIGHT is normal crafted heavy metal starts the second DRAGON´S BLOOD in a more respectable direction. A mix between RUNNING WILD and BLIND GUARDIAN with an edge of IRON MAIDEN is perhaps the wright describtion. The ability of the band members (Thomas Schmid and Thomas Stubics guitars, Wolfgang Köppeldrums and Christian Grill bass) is good. But the weakest member is vocalist Andi B. Barna. I wish his voice would be stronger and be able also to reach in the wright moment high pitched screams. Actual on this demo his performance is very limited. But we should not forget this is a demo production. Meanwhile the quartett started the recording for their first full length player. Watch the progress under their website www.valsans.com or www.myspace.com/valsans . VAL SANS is also present with a track on an austrian tribute sampler for RAGE. article by Gerald Mittinger

ALLIANCE - WINDS OF FIRE
(4 TRACK DEMO CDR´2006) FINLAND
Scandinavia is still a guarant for great melodic metal bands. One of the best keept secrets from Helsinki is the quartett ALLIANCE. A couple of years ago I bought during a trip to this great cou ntry their debut mini cd IN CONTROL which was released in the millenium year. Meanwhile we write the year 2008 and the band is still alive but also too without a record deal...??? I can´t be lieve this, because from the beginning the group offers fine structured melodic metal. Songs like WINDS OF FIRE or TRACES IN THE SAND are high class compositi ons in z veign of such famous acts like 220 VOLT the unforgotten STEELWINGS or Finlands own melodic metal heroes from the past STORMWING. If you still into this kind of melodic metal ALLANCE is another fantastic contri bution to your collection. Maybe this little re view helps the band to sign soon a record deal.Untill this don´t hesitate to support em and ask for their latest re leases. Of course I forget to wrote that the mini cd is well package and of course produ ced too. At their website is also their older two track demo cd SLEEP WITH ONE EYE OPEN for a low price available. www.alliancefinland.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

VERTHEBRA - NO EXISTE OTRA DIRECCION
(CRAWING / DEMO CDR´2007) CHILE
This proffesional demo leaves from the first listening a strong impression. The powerful and clear production promote the strong compositions. Energetic timeless Heavy Metal is the course for this Santiago de Chile bassed rockers. During the opener of this nine tracker starts proportional quite galloping a little bit in the BLACK SABBATH style explodes the following RESISTE EL INFIERNO in the best tradition of the 80ies Heavy Metal. Their singer and guitarist Tomas Browne proofs here his strong voice. Additional his companions (Juan Carlos Vargason on the bass and senor Sergio Carlini on drums) doing a great job too. From now on the songs running constant in this classy style.Suberb! Equal if we keep listen tracks like HONOR, the emotional EN LA MITAD DEL MAR the fine titletrack or the melodic edged AMOR INVISIBLE, every moment the group handles the material perfect. In my eyes exists on the album no fillers. Normal could be pressed this more or less real album immedetially as a real disc. Hopefully there will be publish this year a company another cd fom VERTHEBRA. www.sellocraving.cl . article by Gerald Mittinger

STIMULANS - NO WORDS
(4 TRACK DEMO CDR´2005) CROATIA
It doesn´t matter wherever you will be at this planet. In 99% you will find anywhere a good local metal release. I found this professional made demo cdr in the sunny and lovely town of Split in Croatia. Direct with the opening cut SACRIFICE (with a running time of more than 7 minutes) you will be under the spell of this quartett. The songs is a marching melodious metal track in the style of the old SAVATAGE. DUST THE ROAD acts also in this direction, but now without of influnces. This track shows the real class of the band. Culjo is a good singer with a remorable voice. A transparent production for this professional packaged demo is done by the guitarist Darko Grubisic. Everybody else in the band handles his instruments good too (Dabro bass and Dole the drums). In best old US metal style reigns track number three during the titletrack lacks a little bit of identity. But general is this 4 tracker a more than re spectable debut.Hopefully the band is working continue on such strong material for an official release. Maybe with your help they can realise this soon. Talent scouts should be an open ear for this act too! Meanwhile STIMULANS played at the METAL CAMP festival in Slovenija and had a first apperiance at MTV in their home country. Check out stimulans@global.net.hr and find out there the progres of the work for their first cd. As well read their website www.truemetal.org/stimulans . I think you can find em also inside myspace too. Article by Gerald Mittinger

HALLOWED - AIR OF PARANOIA
(2 track limited CD-single´2008) IRELAND
I am sure a lot of you remember the debut CD FORGOTTEN PEOPLE of this Ireland based traditional Heavy Metal group on the SHARK RECORDS label in 2003. At this time parts of the group members had their domain here in Germa ny. But of different reasons the founders of the band (lead guitar) IAN O´SUL LIVAN and CAMILLUS CROKE returned to their home country.Fortunately the band is still alive. Together with the new bandmates CATHAL MURPHY (drums) and a second guitar player MIKE DALY is the new single AIR OF PARANOIA a mighty return back in the european metal scene. Beside Mr. O´SULLIVANS strong hooks and breaks in the best tradition of british metal acts like SATAN / CHATEAUX or AVENGER convice me too the remindable vocalist CAMILLUS CROKE with his voice. If your cup of tea is fast and furious NWOBHM influenced METAL/ POWER METAL order this limited prerelease for an soon upcoming full album with the working title SEED OF NEPHILIM. So far the second strike on the disc is the impressing instrumental A CALL TO ARMS. See into www.myspace.com/hallowedmetal or www.hallowedireland.com to order one of this to 300 units limited single. article by Gerald Mittinger

FIRELAND - FIRELAND
(private released 12track original CD´2008) NORTHERN IRELAND
Another promising act from the green island is FIRELAND which present us now after a demotape their first proffesional recording. The Glengormley based quintett offers us 12 well produced up to date melodic power metal tunes. The original pressed CD (no CDR) is packed with a proffessional coverartwork but have no backside cover. From the first tune SERVANTS OF THE DARK the album reigns in the traditional metal style. No matter that the quintett thanx such illustred names like BLITZKRIEG or the newer DRAGONFORCE. A tick more energetic pounds than the strong mid tempo banger STAR CROSSED. Also GODS OF LOVE offers this strong guitar driven sound. Soon we arrive the fourth effort and still all the time highclass metal rules. By the way Mr. ANDREW BAXTER is a remindable vocalist and the two guitarists STEVE MOORE and JAMMIE JOHNSTON blends too with lot´s of great riffs and hooks. MY ETERNAL is a real heavy stumper, untill I AM INVISIBLE returns to melodic power metal. One of my personal faves on this disc is the tight cut IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN. Maybe the best discribtion is a mix of famous british acts like MAIDEN, SAXON and even BLITZKRIEG. Yeäh, do you think now, hell´s ready for me than keep listen to the amazing FALLEN. After this power (metal) ballad is rising than like a scream in the battle BETRAYED TO THE NIGHT. My second favorite firms under the title IN HER STRONG ARMS, before the Power Metal monger LITTLE PIECES anything seals with incredible energy . The final chapter ends with anothter on and on tradtinal britmetal killertune WIDOW BY MORNING. It a shame that this brilliant group is untill now unsigned. Together with HALLOWED and CELTIC LEGACY is FIRELAND for me the the biggest hope from the Irish scene. www..fireland.tv or e-mail info@fireland.tv . If you wish you can reach em too under the following address: 28 Ballyhenry Avenue, Glengormley, BT36 5AZ, NORTHERN IRELAND. article by Gerald Mittinger

BLACK DIAMOND - DEMO
(3 track demo CDR´2008) ROMANIA
This impressive demo was free given away together with a motorbike magazine (CHOP MAGAZINE). But no way, no single moment sounds this quintett like a ordinary biker act. Rather the transilvanian based group is oriantated on classic Heavy Metal in the vein of old IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST. Exact in this style opening then BLACK TEARS OF SADNESS. Especially the markant voice of NAGY JANOS KANYA rental the band a remindable status. Rather MY LIFE recompen se the listener absolute too. The demo close with the efficent banger STRANGE GIRL in the same habit as the other compositions. In other words the band reach with this 3 tracker a high level. I wish and hope someone give this demo the necessary attention and signs this great Romanian metal act. Reach the group over the www.myspace.com/chopmagazine were you can listen all three songs from this demo. Meanwhile managed ENDRE SCHERVENKA the band too. By the way he is the guiding person for FADING CIRCLE too. So it wouldn´t me wonder if the band strikes back in the near future with a new professional recording. During the whole year the band played on several festival and gigs in transilvania and earned so a lot of attention too. arcticle Gerald Mittinger

TRAIDOR - AL GRAN PUEBLO ARGENTINO.. SALU!
(11 track full length album / DEMO CDR´2007) ARGENTINA
TRAIDOR is another Buenos Aires based traditional heavy / power metal band with their roots in the 80ies. TO THE GREAT ARGENTINIAN PEOP LE... A TOAST is their third full length demo cd. Similar as their former cd relea ses contains this production energetic compostions in the style of well known argentinian heavy metal pioneers as V8, EL DRAGON and HERMETICA. The driving power behind this trio is the bassist and vocalist Antonio Ardizon. Toge ther with the help of his companions guitarist Diego Medina and drummer Pablo Sanginetto wrotes he a couple of good remin dable songs. NO ME VERAN CAER is a great up tempo styled metal track. Followed by the raw edged guitar dominate runner CANDILLO DE EXCUSADO.Rather continues with DEL TRABA JADOR (FROM THE WORKS)an intenive slow but ultra heavy oriantated metal cut. Another bite back to the traditional metal basic is then POR LA CAUSA Y EL CAMBIO.Time for a typic midtempo metal compo sition in the style of the le gendary HERMETICA offers us then PROFETA EN MI TIERRA. A driven fast run ning track is ARI ENDO EL LLAMAS fol lowed by the fine instrumental track RAPSODIA No 1 EN RE MINOR.Again a riffladen mid tempo rocker is NUESTRO BERECHOS before with MESTIZA SANGRE one of the best fast Power Metal songs on this production any doubt destroys. SU TRAICION ME HIZO TRAID OR starts with an insane guitarwizard arranged introduction untill the cut change into another riff attacker. In the same spee dy direction turns also the final track NO ME PREGUNTO CUAL ES ... ? Pity that there exist till now no regular cd release of this great traditional Power Metal merchant´s. Maybe help your contributions to ancourage the band or perha ps a record firm to publish soon an official al bum with some of the best compositions of this three releases. Contact traidor@uol.com.ar or find out more news under www.traidormetal.com.ar . article by Gerald Mittinger

ELIGOR - PROMOTIONAL DEMO
(5 TRACK DEMO CDR´2008) ARGENTINA
During the first listening I underate this fine demo cdr. Meanwhile I gave this 5 tracker a lot of spins. The opener LA VERDAD (THE TRUTH) starts the mini album unusual. It tooks some seconds untill I feel confirm with the tradi tional 80ies Heavy Metal of this Buenos Aires based quartett. Maybe that´s the secret I like this recording so much. Each of the compositions spreads it own charme. You need more spins untill they open their full character. But if you find the dirrection into a cut as CABALGA HACIA LA GLORIA (INTO THE GLORY RIDE) you will be fascina te and fast a follower of ELIGOR. So far, this demo is good produced but lacks on informations.On the backside of the frontcover are printed the songs and the info who is who inside the band.During there is included only a blank cdr (without a print). But what elese, let´s talk about the important things only the music. More infos and contact sebaeligor@hotmail.com or www.myspace.com/eligor666 .Before I forget there exist also an seperate recording with the same tracks as english version too. Personal I prefer the original spanish vocal edition more. But for those of you which feel more confirm with english vocals exists this option too. Of course NAHUEL GERVASONI is a tight singer and solute this duty with bravour too. Would be great to hold in my hands someone in the future a real recording from this promising artists. article by Gerald Mittinger

TOVABBI MAGYAR HONGOK - BOMBAK, KÖRTEK, TÖRPEK
(4 TRACK DEMO´CDR´2002) HUNGARY
Always if I keep listen the two demo cdr´s from this sympathic magyar puzta rockers I am of happy mood. Automa
tical you will find a smile in my face if a track POTTYANJON reminds me to forgotten hugarian rock / hard rock le gends as the TOPO BAND or GENERAL. Based on slight 70ies influences is this tune for me the winning track on this demo. Also not of bad parents acts the hard rockin CINIZMUS. Some bluesy elements (BERGENDY) helps to top this composition on a remindable level too. A bit more different in the rock corner tendence then the closing track RAIZOLI NEKEM EGY ROKAT. But I didn´t could conform with the opening cut EZ A PERC IS VEGET ERT...! Terrible starts this song with ska elements in the style of the well known MADNESS. Hopefully this track will be not on a forthcoming debutalbum of this band. By the way I prefer the other three tracks a lot. In the same year the band published there forth demorecording ZENEBEN EZ UGYSE JÖN KI (IT WON´T COME OUT IN THE MUSIC) too. Again is the image behind the seven regular recordings very funny. With VAIAMINEK ITT LENNIE KENE starts this regording in an absolute unconven tional style. A weird mix of distorted guitarriffs in combination with some old hungarian rock influences and a big doze of hard rock let me prefer a lot this song. Com plete different acts the second track VOLT ITT EGY ALLAT. To speak true, I hope this will be not a winning track for the first official recording. Unbelieve able the following RETTEGES (DREAD) wins back my rocker heart. This fine hardrockin tune with quite but well arranged moments sounds really tight. Retro alike Hard Rock with the magyar feeling for good rockmelodies contains the good ESÖ ELÖTT (BEFORE THE RAIN). STAHL JUDIT is the name of a famous Hungarian TV-star, but this punky track didn´t please me much. A fast zap to the impressive melancoly poesie for the russian town SMOLENSZK let me dream in nostalgic. The guitarpower returns with the powerful FELNOTA (A HALF SONG). Yep, this one is the kind of stuff I really prefer. As bonus holds this disc the melancoly SMOLENSZK with another vocalstyle by ANDRAS HRAHOVINA. I don´t know which version sounds better. I like the song in both variants a lot...!!! I am really interesting how will sound the finished new official studioalbum. Hopefully this one will be out soon. Untill this will be so far support the band: www.mymusic.hu/tovabbimagyarhangok or tmh@freemail.hu .
article by Gerald Mittinger

MUTACION - JUSTICIA Y MEMORIA
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CDR-EP´2006) ARGENTINA
I think MUTACION published a couple of years ago an album. The Buenos Aires trio is since a long time active. It´s a shame that there no label shows engagement to sign up this great metal veterans. General is the best de scribe for their music classic 80ies Heavy and Power Metal somewhere close to the old V8 and HERMETICA. Isn´t that reason enough to jump on hectic in the next local shop to catch this EP? Yeäh, why not if it would be so easy. But this is exact one of the mean problems. You can´t get this CD-EP regular in the shops. Even on the disc exists as info an e-mail contact: kristian_guns@hotmail.com . But let us clear this later. Let´s talk first tabout the music of the four featured tracks .INJUSTICIA is an incredible heavy pounding track crowned with the uni que voice from the bassist Maximiliano. Yeäh and he is not just an ordinary singer. His voice is full of epic mo ments. In other words he is the perfect man for this kind of Heavy Metal. The following FUERTE GUERRERO is an absolute winning track too. Metal, Metal real great Metal is there the message. A moment to rethink delivers a fine short accoustic part untill with MUTACION the next fast running metal tunes our hearts entflame. Ahhhh, MEMORIAS DE SIGLO.... the fourth in the reign is a great coverversion of one of the best argentinian metal hymns ever. Eh, did you made your metal lessons well... of course the original is from the one and only legend HERMETICA !!! This EP is worth every penny and every second listenable. I really hope so much that the band will be signed soon. Perhaps you can reach the band also through this mail contact nostrosmutacion@hotmail.com . The postal address must be Amancio Alcorta 1384 (1849) Claypole, Bs.As, Argentina. So send em your contribution and support em as much as you can. article by Gerald Mittinger

ABEYDON - LAS SOMBRAS ACECHAN
(5 TRACK / DEMO-CDR ´ 2007) ARGENTINA
By the moment release a lot of argentinian underground icons (for examle ARKADA, DESSIDENTES INMORTALES, PACHAMAMA, LA HUGERA... or my favorites MATHRAS to name from the underground legions) their debuts. But I didn´t understand why this famous Buenos Aires based quartett isn´t under contract too. A TRAVES DEL CRISTAL opens the album furious in the best authentic eighties inspired latin Power Metal vain. DARIO ACHAR is this kind of frontmen who hypnotize your ears with his charismatic style. Together with the superb guitar attacks of DIEGO SANCHEZ is a new dream team on the start. Behind this smasher follows with HOMBRES GRISES at hand the next fast running traditional Power Metal hymn. Beside the heavy arrangement and the top rhythmn secction of GUILLERMO BLANCO (drums) and ROBERTO PEFRAZA (bass) brilliance there again the hyper vocal performance by DARIO ACHAR. If you gasp for fresh air after this neckbreakin tune strikes ABEYDON back with the incredible titletrack LAS SOMBRAS ACECHAN. Every fan of such great bands as PATAN, RAZONES CONCIENTES, JERIKO or even V8 / LOGOS will be after the first listen a follower of this great group. With a slight MAIDEN undertone reigns then the midtempo arranged EL ULTIMO VIAJE. Finally close this great demo production MIL CAMINOS (THOUSAND WAYS) which starts with a combinate drum / guitarsolo. This overhelming fast Power Metal cut stands in one line with the other four great compositions too. Hopefully will be there soon a full album on the start. Labels and lovers of this style shouldn´t hesitate to write as soon as posible to info@yahoo.com.ar . Bombard the band with your demo orders and ask for for material. www.abeydon.com.ar . But don´t forget to tell em where you read about them first. article by Gerald Mittinger

CROSSWIND - OPPOSING FORCES
(6 TRACK / DEMO-CDR´2009) GREECE
If I´m informed wright is this the second professional demo release of this quartett...!!! The well packaged demo recording contains beside a really great looking printed coverartwork also the lyrics and a bandphoto. It seems that the CDR is an industrial pressed pro-printed product too. I read in the past a lot of famous words about CROSSWIND in different publications. Natural that I start to listen with lot´s of hope as finally reached me this EP. So we aclaim the most important factor the music. NEPHILIM RISING is the opening tune. An evil short introduction with church bells and a rising storm atmosphere let rise the emotions untill the song cracks down like a whiplash in my ears. No matter I go confirm with all the positive reactions about this release too. If this group didn´t reach the taste of thousands of metalheads I don´t know what else should awake them. Imagine a mixture of old BLIND GUARDIAN, a touch of IRON MAIDEN and the power of the mighty JAG PANZER and you will have an idea how tight sounds this metal warriors. KYRIAKOS VASDOKAS is this kind of metal shouter which leads the band to a top performance. I don´t know how he did manage it to get such a perfect sound on this demo. Believe it, his recording convince with a better sound then many independent releases. Of course he is the one who is together with LEON T. also for all the guitarlicks and riffs responsible. WEAVERS NIGHTMARES follows wiithout a remorse in the same high class. Powerfull guitars, epic vocallines and a tight rhythmussecction (VASILIS KYRKOS on the bass and VASILIS MITSARIS behind the sticks) is the secret for the absolute success. Against the opener enters the band with this strong title clearly the US Power Metal domain. Bands as JAG PANZER and VICIOUS RUMOURS are for example the best synonym for this style. In the third round convince me then the melodic Power Metal epos AWAKENING too. But we should not forget the fourth runner WALK IN THE SHADOWS. Again combinates the band there a slight MAIDEN / BLIND GUARDIAN feeling with up to date melodic Power Metal. Oh yes, another surprising and welcome aspect is that the quartett celebrates anything without any keyboard bombast. Sorry, I don´t know the title of the next figthing metal cut cause there are written no informa tionns about them...!!! Perhaps firms this one under the promising title THUNDERGODS. It doesn´t matter how is the real song title. Fact is that this one is nothing more as another brilliant composition in this style. A fool would be those one who thougt that the last one could be a weaker one. Damn, this old JUDAS PRIEST alike basher under the banner WALK IN THE SHADOWS strikes as hell too. Rarely I awaited so much the official debut of a band as by CROSSWIND. Hopefully the so called talentscouts didn´t overlook this next super band. www.myspace.com/crosswindmetal or Crosswind.K@Gmail.com . So hurry up and send your orders today...!!! article by Gerald Mittinger

EDHELLEN - CAMINO A LA LUZ
(5 Track /DEMO-CDR´2009) ESPANA
I bought this demo this summer in Alicante in a local record shop. It wasn´t posible to listen there inside this production and I was not sure about the style of EDHELLEN too. A bombastic introduction opens the following five tracks. ETERNA LA NOCHE is then an ultra melodic arranged sympho nic edged number. By the way this tune is packed under a monumental keyboard sound but I can hear there a lot of talent too. Really their vocalist DAVID SIMARRO does his job very good. Also the guitarwork by EDU GUERRERO and VICTOR MENDEZ isn´t bad. Maybe not innovative but on a stunin´ solid basic. The next tune CUENTO NOIDADO manifest this first positive impres sion. An interesant adaption is then POR TI. During the first moments starts with a little bit boring keyboard elements manifest the song in his ful length his whole intensity. Imagine some arabic melody lines like we can find them in a typical MEDINA AZAHARA composition and mix them with an energetic pounding melodic metal rhythmn. Even exact the keyboard work (FERRAIN RIESGO) harmonies here perfect with the superb guitar leads. Unbelieveable how tight is the acceptance of this strong number. A little bit too epic and bombastic is for my taste the instrumenta EL UMBRAL. Of course the quite piano parts and the smooth melody line is full of magic moments. More or less could we explain this composition as the introduction to the closing titletrack CAMINO A LA LUZ (THE WAY TO THE LIGHT). A this symphonic epos shows us the sixtett ANDRES PASTOR on the bass and MIGUEL DE SEGURA on the drums) that they made their lessons in this music style well. Perhaps somewhere between RHAPSODY, old WARCRY and other typical present represants of this musically direction acts there EDHELLEN. For the beginning is CAMINO A LA LUZ the wright step. But for the future should we await more ownstanding and original material in the style of POR TI. For more informations take a look at www.myspace.com/edhellenband or try to order the simpel but effectiv styled demo through the personal contact under edhellen@otmail.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

SABBATH - DIRECTO DESDE EL INFIERNO
(10 TRACK LIVE RECORDING / DEMO CDR´2009) ESPANA
AAARGHHHH.... this live recording from the 15th August´2009 at the SALA DURANGO DE MELIANA in Valencia is a harsh demo in soundboard quality. By the first listening I wasn´t to much amazed by the group. Meanwhile I changed my opinion about this enthusiastic quartett. But let´s start at first with the package of this demo. A real eye catcher is the culty artwork of the factory printed cover. Of course this one contains band photos and some interesant linernotes too. The next plus earns the group for the working title DIRECTO DESDE EL INFIERNO (LIVE FROM THE HELL). A real strange unharmonic intro opens then the reign untill the scuril SOLDADOS DE PLOMO bends down your nervs.! Beside the fast and furious runnin raw eighties Heavy Metal / Power Metal which sounds interesting is their harsh and raspy vocalist BRUNO an attack on your ears. By the way his kind to run the guitar convince me. But in my eyes isn´t his voice really everytime compatible. MANO NEGRA (BLACK HAND) follows in a material and destructive MOTÖRHEAD style. Maybe one of the best tracks on this recording is the surprising metal basher LA GUERRA DEL MAL (THE EVIL WARRIOR). By the way the structure of this harsh metal building is simple but effective. Sometimes reminds me this tune on the old HERMETICA too. During the follow of this gig the band wins on self confidence. Anything sounds a little bit rounder. So CONDENADO is another raw pounding mid tempo slasher. My heart beats in tact to the impressive Power Metal ladden instrumental SABATHSOUL. I could imagine how tight could sound this band if they would engage a good singer. Everything could be able for them...!!! LA CIUDAD DE LOS MUERTOS (THE CITY OF THE DEAD) stands in the tradition of the former tracks too. Again rise there the skill and the otencial of the composition toa higher level. Of course the live recording drops down a lot of energy. But still transports the two guitarists a lot of power to the listener. Even raw and still unbound rips down ABISMO (ABYSS) untill the group celebrates with a cover version of BABILONIA LA RAMERA a homage to one of the leading and most impressive alltime Heavy Metal heroes of spain ZARPA. No matter this granite cover of this tune works and the vocals are in the acceptable terretorium too. I´m sure this will be not the last recording of the band. This first recording place and manifest them on the landscape of Heavy Metal. Try to get your personal copy of this well packaged demo fromo bruno_sabbath_2006@hotmail.com or take a look at their website under www.sabbath.es . article by Gerald Mittinger

GRAVE CROSS - LET IT BE DARKNESS (DEMO 1)
(4 TRACK / DEMO CDR´2009) MEXICO
BLOWER RECORDS distribute this demotape in a quantity of 500 units. The concept behind the middleamerica bassed trio handles about metal genre typical themes as vampires, witches and other nice creatures of the darkside. Based in Mexico City celebrates the band with the ominous synonyms as DEMON HUNTER (guitars), THUNDER HOLDER (bass) and RAVEN SHADE (drums and vocals) the full program of typical 80ies metal. I will go so far to attest them also an influence of such old glam icons as SWEET too. All together works this musically mixture of terrible played early eighties typic european sounding metal and seventies glam not spectacular. The opener GRAVE CROSS didn´t amaze. Sorry, I´m not this kind of writer which will track a band down but this tune is really boring. Last but not least sounding the vocallines more than weak. Uh, let´s skip fast to the second effort THE LONDON´S MIST. Musically acts this tune a little now a little bit better. But the singer isn´t one percent better. It´s pure stress to listen him. I´m glad as this tune finally ends. The short intoduction part to STAKE THE VAMPIRE is promising also too the first guitar riffs. If I close one eye, crank up the volume to the maximum and run during the playtime in the kitchen I can listen this track. But this means nothing... Still sounds anything on low level. Again leads in a good introduction the next cut CURSE OF THE WIND. For around 30 seconds I keep listen the first simple guitar riffs until the pain starts againn. Nervy and disappoint await I the end of this catastrophal celebrated radioplay. Especially the terrible vocalist tracks down any hope. I really can´t find on this demo recording anything what could be good except the into and outros. Those which didn´t will believe in my words should contact the troup via grave_cross@hotmail.com . Maybe the better decision would be to check out at first the www.myspace.com/gravecross site. Also a look at www.blower-records.com could be interesant too. articel by Gerald Mittinger

PROPHESIA - LA PROFECIA
(3 TRACK / PROMOTION CDR´2009) JAPAN
The legendary japanese label MANDRAKE ROOT RECORDS published a couple of years ago the first mini album of those japan based melodic metalists. I think the publishing of this mini album was the first price of a competion. Later... exact in 2007 released the band their official debut via BLACK-LISTED RECORDS under the title EYE OF THE STORM. Beside the recordings from the former mini album contains this fine album a bunch of neoclassical and symphonic edged compositions. More or less is the whole musically concept build around the high skill of their guitarist. His style reminds me from time to time in first line on YNGWIE / VINNIE MORE and of course also on some up to date neo classical guitar heroes too. IIf you into this kind of style it will be a pleasure for you to keep listen such great tunes as the titletrack, DESTINY, DISASTER IN THE GREY WORLD or LIVING FOR THE NIGHT. I don´t have an idea if this recording was a success in their country. Now the band returns agan with this new promotional 3 track demo on the market. The titletrack LA PROFECIA opens then in a imprssive style this recording. Packed in a clear and catchy sound convince in first line their guitarhero MICHAEL which was in the past the lead guitarist of the melodic metal act XANADU. At the other hand catch my ears permanent their origi nal andoutstanding vocalist AKIRA. We know him from his performance of japan´s AZRAEL too. By the way the keyboarder is also not an unknown. His mean act is GALNERYUS and ARK STORM. The following cut GOING FOR GOLD contains then again all the necessary attributes which needs a great composition like a guitarwork high over the top and a guiding a catchy vocal refrain. It´s unbelieveable for me that this band looks for a new contract. But was not is could be !!! Finally ends this impressive demonstration with an acoustic version of the well know track LIONHEART from the EYE OF THE STORM album. Without a doubt brilliance on this only by a piano escorted version the perfect and smooth voice of AKIRA. Interessentes should risc an eye at www.myspace.com/prophesia or at the original bandsite under www.prophesia.net. Of course there exists also an e-mail contact too: info@prophesia.net . articel by Gerald Mittinger

GRYAL - APOCALYPSIS
(5 TRACK PROFESSIONAL DEMO CDR´2009) SPAIN
The metalworld is full of great newcomers. A big surprise is for us this professional demo recording of Valencias GRYAL. A short promising prolog (yeäh no intro...) opens this fine work untill seconds later impress us the superb voice of their female vocalist ELI...!!! Musically is this tune of this number with the title GUERRA (WARRIOR) a fine mix of classic Heavy Metal in the style of TIERRA SANTA and PROMETHEUS. By the way the quartett use some keyboards too and is also open minded against some symphonic influences. But more or less is the real basic classic Heavy Metal. The production of this recording is of high class and present the compositions in a clear and transparent sound. Full of hopes couldn´t I await it to listen the next tune HAMBRE (HUNGER). Would they band hold the high standart of the opening tune there too? No matter, this real metaallic slasher tops the first one. More guitars by CARLOS and less keyboards (now more in the background) lift up this tune to a higher level. PESTE (PLAGUE) is a fast arranged metal tune. Somewhere reminds me this fine composition a little bit on the songs on the first HUMA album...!!! Continue in this style follows with MUERTE (DEATH) another track in which convince us on and on the great voice of ELI in combination with their bandmates (SENTO drums and VICENTE on the bass). The closing chapter OLVIDO (FORGET) starts full of emotions quit around the voice of their vocalist but explodes soon with a heavy galloping part. Slight symphonic influences guide this short middle part untill the song tendence in his follow again in the direction of the legendary TIERRA SANTA. With a bolt are this newcomers etablish on the landscape of classicc Heavy Metal... !!! We´re really hope that this talented group don´t give up and return in the near future with an official fullength production. Untill this will be reality support the band with your contributions... www.gryal.com or drop em your ideas and desires via metal_gryal@otmail.com . articel by Gerald Mitinger

NICTE - LAS PUERTAS DE LA NOCHE
(9 TRACK PROFFESSIONAL DEMO CDR´2009) SPAIN
If I´m right informed contains NICTE some former ROSEBAD musicans which ideologize there their musically dreams and hopes. Like so many recordings start this recording with an typical introduction. EL GUARDIAN DEL SOL (THE GUARDIANS OF THE SUN) is then the first tune and presents the group close in their style to bands as VAHLADIAN and LEITHIAN. Speedy guitars and a earcandy alike melody should open the hearts of the listeners. So is the background of EL GUARDIAN DEL SOL not better or worser as by thousand´s of bands around this globe which prefer this kind of symphonic edged metal. HELLOWEEN and RHAPSODY and parts of the old IRON MAIDEN are the natural influences for this style... But with the follow up BOLA DE CRISTAL (CRYSTAL BALL) shows the band a lot of more skill and variation. NESTOR CATALA performs there which much more emotions and power in his voice. The guitarists (VICTOR BARBERA and JORGE MORA) acting there much more intense and play in distance to the boring symphonic circle. NO HAY CADENAS surprise me with a slight MAGO DE OZ tendence. Great guitar harmonies / leads and the use of the violin by NESTOR CATALA give this song an outstanding character. The next title offers the direction of LA BALADA DEL JOVEN MAINERO. In direct connection to this emotional ballad follows with GMORK perhaps the best composition on this album. A good guitarsolo opens the first part untill this fantasy ladden epos convince with a mix of faster sections and epic parts. NESTOR´S voice is there more variable and packed with power and strong emotions. GMORK is clearly a real HEAVY METAL tune. Up the irons... the titletrack PUERTAS DE LA NOCHE (THE GATES OF THE NIGHT) is a little bit more melodic edged but holds the niveau of the former composition. A short drumsolo (LUIS CEBRIAN behind the sticks and CARLOS MARTINEZ on the bass) leads in the last chapter on this premier work. Together with GMORK is then VENGANZA for me the best track. Dualising guitarparts and a good timbre navigate this runner to an impressive classic latin Heavy Metal number. So far, the listener will find out that not everything is perfect and round inside this recording. But without a doubt is NICTE a band with potencial and I´m sure that they will surprise with their next release (...hopefully a real pressed CD, again with an unique fantasy cover...) a lot of metal fans in and outside of their country. Take a look at www.nicte.es or do as always the same procedre www.myspace.com/gruponicte . article by Gerald Mittinger

ERASE - HEAVY METAL MANIACS
(2 TRACK DEMO CDR´2011) GREECE
Untill know it seems that this new greek based traditinel oriantated quintett is total unknown. But with a little bit luck and the continue constant work in this style could it be that they change their status in short time. The lovely styled single opens the fresh arranged EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT. By the way the sound could be better. But at the other hand it´s good enough engineered to imagine how could sound the Athen based group with a better bigger production. But let´s talk the music. EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT is a fine arranged classic Heavy Metal tune with a slight NWOBHM influence ... !!! Of course beside the faultless guitarwork by GEORGE APOSTOPOULIS and his companion ILIAS BEKAS convince me their vocalist GEORGE "INNER VOICE" STAVROPOULOS with his well balanced and harmonic voice too. No matter behind ERASE stands a lot of potencial. So let´s check out if the second assault METAL FORCE holds this high level too. Yes, of course everybody who didn´t believe in the talent of this upcoming artist would be a fool. What else as a real smasher in their favorised style could be hide behind a title as METAL FORCE. Perhaps my enthusiasm knows no frontier cuase this tune spreads the energetic spirit of the typical eighties Eurometal. METAL FORCE sounds at one hand traditional but fresh at the other one too. Imagine such topgroups as TOKYO BLADE and OSTROGOTH at the top of their career and you have an idea about the future of this group. Now I can understand the rumour in the underground around this recording. It would be a shame if this demo couldn´t awake the interest of a good company. Let´s cross the fingers to keep listen in the near future a fullength of them. I´ve find out that the band is present meanwhile also with their track EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT at the underground compilation GREEKREBELS / CARVING METAL TUNES VOLUME TWO. Support em by using and listen more under www.myspace.com/erasegreece or via www.youtube.com/erasegreece. For a personal copy of the demo drop em a line under erasegreece@gmail.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

R.U.S.T - METAL CHILD
(2 TRACK PROMOTION DEMO CDR´2011) CYPRUS
METAL FROM CYPRUS is written on this collectable promotion EP. That this island features an agile and living Heavy Metal scene demonstrates us such famous groups as ARMAGEDDON, ARRYAN PATH, DIPHTHERIA, LETHAL SAINT and PRODIGAL EARTH. Since a long time active is also R.U.S.T. a NICOSIA based traditional classic Heavy Metal band. Together with LETHAL SAINT and the young hopefulls HARDRAW could we talk perhaps about this trio as THE NEW WAVE OF CYPRUS HEAVY METAL . Founded back in 2004 published the quintett three years later their first selftitled four track Demo-EP. By the way this actual promotional demo features with SANITY OF MADNESS one track from this release. No matter this tune works. As I wrote above celebrates the band around the guitarists ADAMOS ADAMOU and PANAGIOTIS XANTHOU fine traditional classic Heavy Metal. If you´re still in the mood to follow the old heroes like MAIDEN / PRIEST and MANOWAR (and who isn´t that ... ?) you will find in R.U.S.T. a more as perfect replenisment. Even too I appreciate a lot the performance of their good vocalist TASOS KARONIAS. With the titletrack presents us the quintett then a new track from their upcoming debut FORGED IN THE FIRE OF METAL. Against the old demotracks optimize the group there their skill to write catchy and straight compositions. Of course we can hear still innfluences from their heroes. But it doesn´t matter cause together with their enthusiasm to create timeless classic Heavy Metal is this act on the right way to their aim. It´s a pleasure to listen there the great guitarwork. I wouldn´t believe it if there will be not out a fantastic album in the near future. Especially this hard working group earns your attention and support. Reach em under www.rust-official.com or start a prelistening inside www.myspace.com/rustcyprus . Think the debut album will be distributed by PITCH BLACK RECORDS too. So let´s them melt the iron in the fire of metal ... articel by Gerald Mittinger

THE SILENT WEDDING - THE SILENT WEDDING
(PROFESSIONAL 5 TRACK DEMO CDR´2009) GREECE
Once more arrives us another unknown demo. It seems that this sixtett is based in the greek capital Athen cause the recordings were done at the UNDERGROUND MUSIC STUDIO in Peristeri. Think the productioncost´s aren´t cheap for this great looking and sounding demo. The album starts with GENERAL AUTOPSY which was also a part of a ROCK HARD compilation CD. By the way I´m not the lucky owner of this compilation but this track speaks his own language. No matter that the members of THE SILENT WEDDING publish this one once again on their demo. Fine arranged US-Metal inflluenced melodic Power Metal is the original background of this tune. My full attention earns from the first moment their vocalist MARIOS K. cause his unique voice and art of performing reminds me a little bit on the young GEOFF TATE. Phenomenal is also the highclass guitarwork by TONY NAKOS and JIM UNDERGROUND. Under nervosity I´ve keep listen the first tacts of the following I AM YOU. And yes, the band holds this high level. I know many times I´ve written this band or that group must be signed. But believe me the scene would be again a little bit more rich with this act. More people should hear this talented group and their catchy compositions. HALEY´S EVE is the title of the third chapter. Even in this round demonstrates the metalists their big talent. Silent melodylines opens A CRY FROM WITHIN a fine emotional number which reminds me a also on the old FATES WARNING. Ya feel that this act didn´t hide with emotions. Deeper, dark and impressive touch than the grandious composition SHATTERED DREAMS with his metallic anthem your soul. I really appreciate the arrangements in this tune. Be sure if you´re in this kind of stuff you will be an addicted follower of THE SILENT WEDDING. I´ve heard that the group is meanwhile in the preproduction for their first official release in early 2012. Can´t wait it to hold this one in my hands. www.myspace.com/thesilentwedding or drop em a personal message under thesilentwedding@hotmail.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

REVIEWS -C-

ruler13 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:13:24 CST

CUSTOM 71 - HONORABLE BRUTALIDAD
(DEL IMAGINARIO DISC/CD´2006) ARGENTINA
Real heavy, heavy metal from argentina. On and on again enthusiast´s me the strong vocalist from this south american country. The opening track VITALIZA DOR is pure energy. METALERO, CHRISTIANO Y PERONISTA is perhaps besides a tick more energetic. The endorse is the following RESTAURANDO AL RESTARANDO in the best V8 HERMETICA style. Yeäh, la raza ... continue GUERREROS ELEGIDOS is stumpin with a harsh JUDAS PRIEST riff in combination with summoning vocal celebrations of JULIO CARRICONDO. This man not only looks like metal, he lifes metal ! The harsh, wooden production set this with 16 tracks (!) packed compact disc in the wright direction.A doomy riff monster like NO HAY NADA COMO EL AMOR works so much stronger .Strike after strike running the songs in high standards. Unusal handles OSCU RA TENTA CION in the beginning with PANTERA riffs to restore in the vain of V8 / HERMETICA.In compar sion acts the follow up TIGRE DE LOS LLANOS in typical 80ies latin metal. Another dimension shows CUSTOM 71 with the epic acting MUJER DE BABILONIA. Also a grandios semiballad named FUEGO ETERNO fullfile this top album perfect. More infos under: www.custom71.com.ar . As so many great groups around this metal globe is also CUSTOM 71 meanwhile back in the studio and work permanent on their second album. Be sure to read a review soon at your favorite website too. review by Gerald Mittinger

CRYING STEEL - THE STEEL IS BACK
(MY GRAVEYARD PROD./CD´2007) ITALY
It´s quite a little bit time since the last release ON THE PROWL (released on LM RECORDS) was published from this great classic Heavy Metal band. To remember you, this famous album was released back in 1987. Now, exact ten years later the Bologna based quartett returns again with a strong release. From the first seconds of THE STEEL IS BACK handled comeback, you´re under the banish of CRYING STEEL. As stands the time still the band rocks through this ten songs with out any second to rest. Oh yeäh, this is metal how we need it all !!! LUCA BONZAGNI is a souvereign vocalist. With his pure metal voice, somewhere between the raspy organ of DIRKSCHNEIDER and the mighty legend ROB HALFORD dominates he every song. Absolute raging bangers like RAPTOR or NEXT TIME DON´T LIE let you run crazy banging through your room...! The wild running guitar section by FRANCO NIPOTI and the virtuos ALBERTO SIMONNI (he publish not long ago a solo album on his old company LM RECORDS. Read the review other where here too) is absolute tight. Heavy Metal to the maximum with both foots in the glorious eighties! Hopefully it will be posible to see em live here in 2008. There sounds all over the whole planet one call the THUNDERGODS are back.So let em know your support and call em out of their country back to the european venues. www.myspace.com/cryingsteel and www.mygraveyardproductions.com the home fro my great metal artists from Italy . article by Gerald Mittinger

CODA - NAJEMNIK
(PRIVATE PRESS / MCD´2006) POLAND
Yet another great private released classic Heavy Metal release from this east european country. The title track is an epic edged epos which runs from Heavy Rock to Power Metal. WOJCIECH MACOTA is this kind of metal singer which catch you with the first words. His reportoire contains whispering, epic singing up to HALFORD a like metal vocals. Too bad that the second track TRAIN TO HELL is not so strong as the opener. More or less also the third track is a mixture of seventies inspired Heavy Rock tunes which edged then the classic eighties Heavy Metal sound. The following chapter PRIVATE SCORE is then again of luck heavier arranged and reminds me a little bit on the older KAT songs. The fifth cut WHAT THE GAME is a solid but not spectacular heavy rocker. A surprise is the melancoly with a violine starting WIECZNY SEN. This emotional ballad celebrated with lots of feelings and emotions. So ends this good mini cd with ups and downs. Ask for the price of this first effort and more informations direct under www.coda.metal.rg.pl . I´m sure CODA could surprise in the future with a good fullength production. review by Gerald Mittinger

CONQUEST OF STEEL - HAMMER & FIST
(NO FACE REC / CD´2007) UNITED KINGDOM
In 2004 I heard the first time from this UK based power meta lists. From the beginning I loved their kind of typic british metal influen ced style a lot. By the beginning there was a lot of critic against the sympatic band from great britain. I don´t know why. For me is every of their known recordings a real adventure in raw and true eurometal.The second re lease a selftitled album after a self released mini disc called THE PRIESTS OF METAL from 1998 shows us well the class of the band. If you listen constant during the 80ies english metal bands like AVENGER , TYSON DOG, PREYER or the good old BLOOD MONEY or the forgotten PROWLER. Is there anybody of you remember their kulty single from the mid of the 80ies...? You can easy imagine where are the roots of CONQUEST OF STEEL. Of course they do not clone this bands. I only name a few of them to give you an idea. The best of all is that I can find nearly nothing of influ ences of well known HM acts from their country. Always the material is own standing and pack ed with amazing riffs. Dan Durrant is the proto type of a frontman for this kind of pounding metal. The most represent ing track on this album is perhaps METAL WITCH.If you need a gua rantee for timeless heavy metal you will find this one here. Two years later the band raised again high the banner of original metal. MAY YOUR BLADE NEVER DULL is a mini album which starts with the title track. In my ears this one sounds like a real battle hymn.This track you can find also on their latest release. Beside this appetizer for the new cd you will reward with rerecor dings of PRIESTS OF METAL the epic arrang ed little epos RIGHTOUS VICTORY (of War) and STEEL IS THE LAW from the first album.I don´t know from which recording is lost the track HALF WAY TO HELL but that one is from the same class as the other ones. The past year brought us then rather again a strong and proud album under the monicker HAMMER & FIST. Direct with the opening cut I AM LEGEND you will catapult into an other well produ ced album. Still the same style rules and ranks our her oes to the top of the british metal scene. The only difference to the relea ses before is that every thing is just a little bit more to the point. Songs like A MILLION STRONG or the detail ladden LAMENTATIONS OF WAR sounding dramatic and epic toge ther.A song like TASTE THE METAL speaks a clear language. I am sure some of the well known acts would be proud to write an outstanding epos like WARRIORS GUIDE.An extra bonuspoint should be given for the continue great cover artworks. Please do yourself a favour and order their albums by the band or one of the few distributor like the metal specialist www.hellionrecords.de or even direct through www.conquestofsteel.co.uk . PS: It seems that the boys will be ready to conquer the rest of europe in the next time with some live gigs too. Use your chance to see em...!!! article by Gerald Mittinger

CROWNING GLORY - PATH TO GLORY
(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2007) UNITED KINGDOM
It seems that starts again also on the british island a little renaissance of the classic Heavy Metal. By the way this scene is small and direct I can tell you only a hand full of bands like INTENSE, SHADOW KEEP, CONQUEST OF STEEL and even CROWNING GLORY. This five song mini cd surprise us with great NwoBHM inspired Heavy Metal. Without any trendy attitudes the five songs represent an actual and basic reflextion of true handled classic Metal. SEA OF THE DREAMS is a catchy Heavy Metal cut in the best tradition of english metal acts like SAXON and SAVAGE. After the mode rate THE OTHER SIDE follows the mid tempo arranged SANDS OF TIME. The last two tracks are live recordings. So far it´s written on the backside cover. The first one of them IN MY HEAD is a real great tune which spreads a feeling as we heard it on old DIAMOND HEAD cuts. The other one which is reorded live at the Peel in Kingston lacks a little bit of originality. But the other four songs show the high class of this band. I am sure they will have a bright futute in the metal scene untill the upcoming stuff is in the same style. www.crowninggloryuk.com or contact the management: glory@rethinkmanagement.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

CYPHER SEER - AWAKENING DAY
(SENTINEL STEEL/CD´2007) UNITED STATES
Maybe you read in the past about an under ground band from the east coast with the name MALAKIS REIGN. Somewhere at the beginning of this year they canged their name into CYPHER SEER. The basic of their compostion is typical US-Metal. We all know the vocalist Michael Grant from the famous NEW EDEN. He is also the current singer inside CRESCENT SHIELD. No matter his voice is incredible !!! But a good band is not only the singer. The guitarwork by Rob Mariani and Sergio Ribeiro is also of high standard. The problem is the nervy keyboard with it´s terrible euro symphonic bombast parts. Nearly every song is destroyed so by this instrument. Why? CYPHER SEER could be a real fantastic band. So the reality is that you will be stressed after the halftime of listening. Personal I am disappoint from this release and I can´t give you the tip to take this one in your collection. But what not is could be in the future. Watch out for more infos under www.cypherseer.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

CETI - PERFECTO MUNDO
(OSKAR PRODUCTIONS/CD´2007) POLAND
Stone for stone, album by album works this legendary band on their success. This latest studio cd also explains fast the secrets behind their suc cess. The current songwriter team inside CETI is Gregorz Kupczyk (vocals and 12string guitar) and the female keyboard virtuose Marihuana. I don´t know how far this recording is arranged as a concept work. But if you read in line the songtitles this could be so. No matter, Gegorz is an unbelieveale good and emotional vocalist. His flexible voice leads the volumous arranged compositions to a high stan dart. In contri bution with his lead guitarist Barti Sadura and the outstanding melodies by Marihuana transports all the majestic songs a very unique style. She celebrates on this instru ment so many different sounds. Really I won´t miss her sou nd and talent on any of the songs here.Equal if you keep listen the bombastic GARDENS OF LIFE or the barock arranged RIDE TO LIGHT which is also inclu ded as a bonus radio edition on the cd. You will hear by any listening lots of new intere sant details. The clear and powerful arranged production helps too to conquer with every new spin the beauty harmonies of compostions like the mystic PARA DISE LOST.On the other side consi ders the album with traditional metal in STOLEN WIND or the fast FLIGHT TO THE OTHER SIDE too.There are a few points to check out this various but still interesant cd. Of course be side the opulent styled cd booklet is included also a nice foldout miniposter and an extra slip case carton. So don´t hesitate more time and check out the whole rich discographie from this fan tastic band. www.ceti.muzyka.pl . Also worth is a look at the website of their current record company www.oskar-cd.com.pl where it is posible to order lots of the past releases as well some other aetists too. article by Gerald Mittinger

CORAZON GUERRERO-SONANDO BAJO
EL SOL (PRIV.RELEASE CD´2007)ARGENTINA
Yet another unknown traditional heavy metal quartett from Buenos Aires.This good produ ced twelve tracker from Warrior Heart offers in first line timeless latin metal in the style of the heroes of the 80ies.The first two tracks DONDE ME LLEVE MI SUERTE (Why did leave me the luck) and NO PUEDO CELLAR LA VER DAD running compatible in the sound of IRON MAIDEN in our ears. Track number three MI CONVICCION is a emotional semiballad with listen able lyrics about their home country Argentina. DOS MILENIOS is a timeless heavy tune free of influences like MARCADO A FUEGO too. Yeäh JINETES DEL OESTE is the definate metal hymn on this disc. Followed by another semi ballad with the title LA MISMA ILUSION. Yep AL GAUCHO returns to the basic metal style. Connecting ELLA ES ROCK is a hard and heavy roller. SONANDO BAJO L SOL the title track is a balladesc starting song which turns into midtempo heavy rocker. Near to the end stumping ARMA TE DE VALOR and TIERRA DE LAMENTOS once again in classic old styled heavy metal to the top ... !!! Fazit, this is another (untill now) overlocked gem by a great band. Of course well worth to conquer. Support em www.corazonguerreroweb.com.ar or write //groups.msn/CorazonGuerrero . Maybe you have a chance to get this disc also through METALLEROS too. article by Gerald Mittinger

ZÖLD CSILLAG - SZÖKESBEN...
(PEEK RECORDS / CD´2007) HUNGARY
First of all, this cover is the winner for the freakiest one since decades. Of course I like this funny cover but it leads the customer into the wrong direction. ZÖLD CSILLAG isn´t a biker rock band...! Rather the bands roots are in the old hard and heavy mania of hungari an bands.Often the sound reminds me on the heroes of the past like the famous P MOBIL, DINAMIT or PANDORAS BOX. But sometimes they also act a bit harder. So the opening track convince us in the best tradition of old OSSIAN compositions. Another little master piece is A PILLANGO ALMA a majestic and melancoly cut in the tradition of the east euro pean sounding melo dies. During the 13 track long yourney through this recording we feel again and again the vibes of the late 70ies hard rock and the spirit of the early 80ies heavy scene. But believe me the band didn´t sounds a single minute like a retroact. After the primal 9 recordings the album contains 4 aditional bonus tracks. There is also hidden one of my favorite tracks A MEGAT KOZOTT EMBER which sounds in the same strong art as the bombast evergreen OMEN from PANDORAS BOX. During the rest of this bonus recordings addict in an improved live bluesy hardrock and boogie style. If I did make you now curious check out the following homepage: www.zoldcsillag.hu . article by Gerald Mittinger

CRIMSON FIRE - METAL IS BACK
(IRON ON IRON RECORDS / CD´2010) GREECE
After many years in the underground and a great demo recording is finally the fantastic debut METAL IS BACK ready. By the way the working title holds his promise. After a short heroic marching theme starts the timeless easy NWOBHM influenced cut BURN THE GROUND phenomenal this fine album. From the beginning convince the strong production. We all know that this kind of classic metal needs in first line a powerfull and transparent production. Even all this criterics delivers this work. Last but not least stand or falls a band with their frontmen. But no fear the crystal clear voice of their shouter (JOHNNY B. "V.O.T." ex-STRIKELIGHT) fits perfect. The following fast melodic basher VIOLENT GAME stands again in tradition with some forgotten famous eighties eurometal acts. During the powerful and mighty THE PROPHET´S GAZE per forms in a more epic edged direction. No matter this tune combinates perfect fast guitars and epic arrangements. On and on spreads the Athen based quintett a lot of enthusiasm. BORN 4 METAL is the title of the next hymn. No comment ! This words reflect exact the feeling behind this great runner. But that´s isn´t all. There´s no time to loose cause the highclass steeler CRIMSON FIRE (think it´s one of their older compositions) acts grandious. Again brilliance there the tight and highclass guitarwork by STELIOS ST. TURIN (ex-STRIKELIGHT) and FILARETUS "FIL" BUBBLES. Last but not least follow at hand the titletrack METAL IS BACK. No matter alone for this title wins the band the hearts of the metalists allover the world. but serious. This midtempo track with a slight commercial Power Metal touch would be able to become a future classic of the quintett. Mayestic and heroic stalks as next WE GO down the line. A real amazing timeless Heavy Metal basher is then the famous arranged MIDNIGHT STRIKE. Over the top is also the fast running ending tune LE THERE BE WAR. Be sure to not miss this strong debut in your collection. Just look to find there a good place for METAL IS BACK. To order today your copy contact the online shop at their www.myspace.com/crimsonfiregr site. article by Gerald Mittinger

CELTIC LEGACY - GUARDIAN OF ETERNITY
(ETERNAL LEGACY RECORDS / CD´2007) IRELAND
Meanwhile is this the third release from the sympathic irish band. By the way some of you have perhaps their for mer releases RESURRECTION and the self titled debut album in their collection.But this albums were published back in 1998 and 2003. After the rumour about the split up of the Dublin based group they return now after for long years with the follow up GUARDIAN OF ETERNITY. The both founding members DAVID MORRISSEY and DAVID BOYLAN start the writing process somewhere in the middle of 2006.But through several line up problems with the coming and going of musicans delay the studio termin on and on. By the recruit of fresh new musican (CONOR GILEN on the drums and KEITH HENDLEY second guitar) the breaking point was the put in of the suberb vocalist CIARAN ENNIS. So finally the recording start at the end of 2007. Of course the musi cal direction did´t change. Still are the trade marks melodic metal tunes sometimes close to the un forgotten THIN LIZZY. Sometimes the quartett reminds me too on mid eighty compositions from SAMSON. But so far this are all only slight influences...!!!Rather this kind of british melodic metal without any disturbing pomp is rarely heard today. A melodic tune as AFTER WORLD is uni que. Another fine composition is the NWOBHM inspi red FOR EVERMORE or the mind blowing melodic runner KING OF THIEVES. Don´t know if it´s a typic irish specific if dualising the guitar melodies by DAVE and KEITH in perfect THIN LIZZY a like harmonies. Maybe this guitarists have this feeling from their birth in the blood. It´s a pleasure to listen the emotio nal guitar sounds inside ERINMOR.If there would be a promo clip for Ireland in the TV I could imagine me some composit ions from CELTIC LEGACY as back ground. It´s easy to order this perfect album through the german distribution. So hurry up and drop their german distributor Vladimi Hrubik an e-mail vladimir.hrubik@basler.de . In the internet you have the opportunity to find out more via www.myspace.com/celticlegacy or also too at the intern bandsite through www.celtic-legacy.com . Support this group and encourage em to publish in the near future again such an album...!!! article by Gerald Mittinger

CENTINELA - CLAUSTROFOBIA
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) ESPANA
In the long progress of this spanish power metal instituition happen in the last month a lot. This is the first private released album after their contract with GOI MUSIC. So what is different to the great in 2006 released PANICO album. Personal I think there are a lot of changes in this latest studiowork.During the former four releases (inclu ding the private released debut EMISARIO DE FE)based on traditional heavy/power metal goes CLAUSTROFOBIA unequi vocal in a new direction...! Of course they didn´t change any thing of the trademarks which made them famous in the past. But definate is the direction now more agres sive oriantated power metal.One of the major in fluences is maybe the newer NEVERMORE material.Inside the opening track ESCRIBIRE can we feel and hear clear this influence. Track number two signs under the theme VOZ. Oh my god,I love this track a lot. During JOSE CANO screams and acts here like a reincar nation of the young ROB HALFORD combi nates this tune the best of the old CENTINELA with the mentioned new influences.NUEVA VIDA is another composition which is dominated from an agressive power metal rhythm.A step back to the well known sound of this Albacete based quintett is the pounding VUELVO A CREAR. One of my favo rites follows then with the tradi tional oriantate Power Metal hymn TIEMPO DE CONQUISTAR. After this first five powerbolts offers us HABLAME time to find new ant hem. SOLO UN SUSPIRO is then perhaps the most powerfull track on this album.Balladesc starts SIN LEGAR A DUDAR untill this fine number reigns in the best 80ies metal style. With out mercy runs the compromise less doublebanger LIAMAN TEMPESTAD then through our brains. GIRALO follows in the same style during CERCA DE MI leads us back to the poun ding metal art. TU PARAISO is a great powerful smasher which close this surprising album perfect. Like always www.myspace.com/centinelaband or for more infos www.centinelametal.net . By the way the album is a lovely and grandious styled digi pack. Don´t miss this one and the back catalogue in your collec tion. article by Gerald Mittinger

CARDINAL - SIN MACHINE
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) ESPANA
Back in the 80ies was Madrid the mecca in the spanish metal scene. Nearly every famous Heavy Metal act came in this time from the lovely capital of Spain. We remember such great names as OBUS, PANZER, TRITON or even MURO to name only a few of this legends. But during the mid of the ninetees also the Madrid metal scene lacks of fresh blood. Of course we still have there SILVERFIST around some ex MURO members. First in the beginning of the millenium refresh this scene with some promising new groups. ALIOTH, GAUNTLET and HOLD PERSON are some of this bands. Untill know I didn´t heard about CARDINAL another big hope from this town. There twelve track debut album exicit me a lot. Unboundable eighties metal influenced by the mighty JUDAS PRIEST is written on the banner of this quartett. DIEGO BALLESTERO is great shouter even with an organ like the metalicon ROB HALFORD. Everbody will jump up from his chair if he will listen an opener as LEATHER VIPER. Similar fast running in this style with slight american 80ies metal influences is DIRTY GIRL. Heavy, heavy runs down the night WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN. Also my cup of tea is READY TO LOVE and especially FULL METAL SAVIOR. More commercial pack ed with harmonies convice WITHOUT LOVE. Grinding time is then again with the crying INSIDE MY EVIL WORLD. YOUR´RE ACTION is another call to the metal gods. Yeäh, may never rust our metal heart or better keep listen STAINLESS HEART. Different arranged starts sinister MADAME VOODOO. Of course also here flash the metal blade down any doubts. WE ARE HEAVY METAL is the synonym for W.A.H.M. I think this title doesn´t need any explanation... ha,ha !!! As bonus contains the album a cover version of one of my late 70ies pop/rock tunes from DONNA SUMMER. i know that there some of you made their homelessons well. So the solution of this original by HAOLD FALTERMEYER composed track is HOT STUFF. Those who knows the energetic original will love this metalized cover too. Now it´s up to you to support CARDIBNAL as much as possible on their hard way. Un abrazo mi amigos! Por siempre Heavy Metal !!! www.myspace.com/cardinalrocks and www.cardinalrock.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

CRYSTAL TEARS - GENERATION X
(7HARD RECORDS / CD´2010) GREECE
A couple of years back served us this greece their first album CHOIRS OF IMMORTAL (PURE STEEL RECORDS ´ 2006). At this point the quartet fronted the female vocalist NATASA PANDREIA. I don´t know what was the reason that the band parted. But since a while spreads the news that the Thessaloniki based group recruit another fantastic voice. The legendary IAN PARRY which we all know from his time as frontmen of the unforgetten dutch melodic metal act ELEGY / VENGEACE joins. What else as a phenomenal new output could be the result with such a joker in the back ... Together with the highclass guitarist DIMITRIS GOUTZIAMANIS surprise me this latest work of CRYSTAL TEARS really a lot. With the thundering opener INNER SPIRIT starts this album furious. More melodic but with an impressive hookline in combination with the extraordinary voice of Mr. IAN PARRY strikes also the following HEROES at high level. Straight timeless arranged classic Power Metal delivers us the strong banger NIGHTMARE SERENADE. I wish all compositions on GENERATION X would reach this high standart. EMPTY PARADISE follows. Without a doubt is this this tune better as ninety percent of many of the grab which third class bands publish in this days but all in all I can´t hide this emotion that there could be more... Silent with a goosebumber effect starts CRYSTAL TEARS. With the following number THE BEGINNING offers us the group a real powerful classic Heavy Metal number. Without a doubt is this track one of the big highlights on GENERATION X. Like the next title promise is ROCK UNTIL WE FALL a composition close to the style of the old ELEGY. Mr. IAN PARRY demon strates there once more his great volumous voice. Even a little bit faster but still in the melodic genre bases the magic of PREDATORS. A galloping mid tempo rhythm and a remindable hookline is the backgoround of the RAINBOW / IMPELITTERI arranged number FLESH´N´BONES. Furious at high speed attacks the grandious composition THE X GENERATION the soul of every metal follower. Again reminds me there the guitarwork on MALMSTEEN / IMPELITTERI. Of course this isn´t a critic. On the contrary this influence is great a guides the band to the next chapter. Last but not least contains this perfect styled album an extra videoclip which features one of the best tunes of the album NIGHTMARE SERENDE. f course the production and engineering of the album is done in by R. D. LIAPAKIS (yeäh and his clear and powerful production gives this work the awaited sound). Give the group your attention and support em as much as you can. www.myspace.com/crystaltearsgr as well www.myspace.com/ianparryartist too. article by Gerald Mittinger

CASTILLOS DE CRISTAL - VENCERE
(MOON RECORDS 035 / CD´2008) MEXICO
Sometimes I am with my opinion about a band after the first impression about the look of an album cover total wrong. So happen for this release.During the opening titletrack sounds for me a bit to much in the sty le of up to date symphonic metal productions awakes the second track LABERINTOS a much better feel ing. With a clear ambition into the fast melodic metal scedule points the young Mexican group. GERARDO ARCOS is a good typi cal latin metal singer with a midranged melodic voice.Maybe his style let miss some times a bit of the neces sary agressivity. The answer for the guitarwork is his brother ISRAEL ARCOS together with senor BENJAMIN PALACIOS . They doing their job well, but nothing more. What I would explain is that there could be much more happen. More contrasts and even more colours in the songwriting would be the secret for tight compositions. GALAXIS follows and is without a doubt one of the best arranged tracks on this album. But with the boring tune SOMBRA LUNAR falls the band back to their natural habits. DAME is a kind of emotinal latin power ballad. ERIKA ESCOBAR is the senorita for the teclados. Sure what would be symphonic arranged metal without key boards. But to write fair, the use of this instrument is in this produc tion acceptable and not like in some other similar arranged releases over the limit. So the instrumental PRELUDIO is a good example for a listenable sym photrack. Other averaged tunes like LLEGASTE A MI or DESEO following in the typic genre a like style.The final cut ranks under the title THE KING OF THE UNIVER SE. Luckly celebrates GERARDO ARCOS the rest in his na tive language. All in all is VENCERE an okay album for this kind of style, but nothing special. If this is enough to stay alive in the hard fighting metalbiz? Find it out under www.myspace.com/CASTILLOSDECRISTAL or check their website www.CASTILLOSDECRISTAL.com . Perhaps it could be of interest to take a look at www.jmoonrecords.com too. article by Gerald Mittinger

CRIPTAL - EL AMANECER DE LA ESPERANZA
(PACHEO RECORDS / CD´2008) ARGENTINA
Bah, what a strong bolt of timeless Power Metal ... !!! This Buenos Aires based traditionalist delivers us exact the material for metal pleasures without limits. Hymn after metalhymn is the home of the album in the line by such leading acts as the old JUDAS PRIEST, V8 and newer argentinian metal gods like DHAK and PATAN. Isn´t that enough of references for a glorious start? No matter that the upcoming recordfirm PACHEO RECORDS has signed the group together with the rerelease of DHAK´S premier album. Fronted by the fantastic metal shouter JULIAN MANARTI starts the album on incredible high level with EL JUEGO DE LA GUERRA (THE TOY OF THE WARRIOR). A short acoustic introduction leads us then in the midtempo epic styled metal hymn EL AMANECER DE LA ESPERANZA.. My metallic heart beats then fasten when I read the title of the third strike CLAUDILLOS DE NUESTRO METAL (LEADERS OF OUR METAL). Puro Metal.what a great Power Metal num ber !!! Mind blowing fast metal over the top delivers us also NAVEGANTE DE LOS CIELOS (NAVIGATOR OF THE SKY). A short moderate moment of fine ac coustic guitars by IVAN FERNANDEZ let us dream away untill the song TRACA SO acts in the typic style of a great metal hymn. My one of the strongest cuts on this suberb album follows then with NO VALORAR. Fantastic arrangements packed in a great storyboard is the concept behind the epic acting MI BANDERA. Just imagine this impressive chorus line "HEAVY METAL MI BANDERA"... !!! GOLPE TRAS GOLPE could be a leading task cause it means nothing else as STRIKE FOR STRIKE. With an extra goosepimles effect creeps the long bonus version of MI BANDERA finally in our souls. Maybe CRIPTAL is one of the best newcomer of the many great bands from Argentina. Stand up and support em immediatiely www.criptal-heavymetal.blogspot.com . Send them your contributions under criptal_metal@hotmail.com or also criptal@hotmail.com . By the way even in the moment I checked that there exist natural also a www.myspace.com/criptalmibandera website too. article by Gerald Mittinger

CONQUEST - END OF DAYS
(DARK STAR RECORDS / CD´2008) U.S.A.
It seems like yesterday for me as the first CONQUEST release WICKED WAYS earns my interest. Ups but this was back in 1993. Where is the time gone? But the good things never changed by this ST. LOUIS/MO. based quartett never. Still reigns more or less timelöess US-Power Metal the happening inside their sound. Originally is this current release not really new but still good. Back in 2006 was the album as a special lime ted edition published. Now collectors awake the tracklist as well the coverartwork is different and the new release con tains one song more. In other words happy hunting for the special edition. Of course, before I forget one year before the special edition was also the release of another Mini CD with the title FIRST BLOOD and ...again too limited...!!! But enough of rarity and collector talks, last but not least counts the music. FEEL MY PAIN is the opener and for my opinion not the best idea to start this album. Don´t understand me at this point wrong. Fact is that the disc contains a couple more songs which strikes at a higher level. Basic is this tune typic US-Power Metal with an slight PANTERA feeling. In first degree comes this influence through the in your face shouting vocals by DERICK BRUMLEY. The fol lowing superb SECRETS OF LIFE combinates then this trademarks. Rumbling guitar attacks and a powerfull rhythm section let rise the heartbeat of every metal maniac. I could now imagine why this album is rereleased. Of luck is it know possible for the whole fan audience to listen such great killertunes as WALK ALONE. Uhhh, with full force tracks down KILLER MACHINE. With an well known LED ZEPPELIN riff starts my favorite tune IT´S ALL OVER the next chapter. Powerfull guitarwork (DERRICK BRUMLEY and MIKE CROOK) in the midtempo reign let me spin this track on and on. Absolut US-Power Metal compatible sounds also the fast banger ANNIHILATION COMPLETE. Overhelming guitar stumping is the princip of STONED ME. Shaking and whirling acts REVALITIONS (SOUL KEEPER at my manifest. Followed in the same style by the promising title FOREVER FREE. Full of emotions works the powerballad EMPTY., before it´s time again to bang our heads for the last chapter with the topclass smashing titletrack END OF DAYS. Grab your own disc by contact www.conquestmetal.com or prelisten at first under www.myspace.com/conquestmetal . article by Gerald Mittinger

CUSTOM 71 - ...Y CAIGA QUIEN CAIGA!
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) ARGENTINA
Some seconds of the argentinian national hymn... sirens, screams like before an airstrike... and we find us straight in the opening metal basher ALAS DE GLORIA. Incredible with how much energy and expression JULIO CARRICONDO celebrates again his job to made every composition of CUSTOM 71 unforgettable. Like a whiplash bangs the second tune DE MENDOZA HASTA NEUQUEN in my beating metal heart...!!! Ah, ah more maximum power to the top delivers us A FEMINADA MODERNIDAD..... !!! Behind the story standing such controverse slogans as IDEOLO GIAS, GLOBALIZACION, REBELLION or even MODERNIDAD to name only a few. Citations inside the CD booklet from diverse famous personalities of the history as for example JESUS CHRIST, CHE GUEVARA, JEAN PAUL SATRE, FIDEL CASTRO or JOHN WILLIAM COOKE handles about themes like war or even the past and present history of Argentina and South America. Each of the lyrics behind the songs is so far full of impressions, emotions and accusa tions. Read em if you understand the spanish language. Only the following track T.C. handles about car races and the feelings on a autodrom. Steady impress me too this maniac guitarwork by the senores LUCAS RODRIGUEZ and BETO DE FILIPPIS in combination with the very strong ryhthm section by GENARO SANDOVAL (bass) and on the drums ALEJANDRO FEKETE. Everything is on curse and it seems that the future shines bright for our heroes. During the production on the debut album was sometimes harsh sounds now everything transparent but still with the wright heavieness. By the way the disc is produced and mastered by the master JULIO CARRICADO. DESPERTEMOS continues then the combination of classic Heavy Metal in the style of V8 and JUDAS PRIEST. Patriotic acts the mighty and full of emotions crying hymn PATAGONIA REBELDE NUESTRA. The orientation of NUESTRA AUTHENICA HISTORIA is clear and builds again a fundament on powerfull riffs. It´s not long away as Argentina was in a deep depression. About this bad situation handles the emotional epic edged banger MENTIRA DEMOCRATICA. The 70ies was one of the darkest chapters in the history of this south american country. ABRE TUS OJOS (UNDER THEIR EYES) handles from this hard times. YA BASTA DE MENTIR is then another great Heavy Metal bastard straight from the heart of this metalists. If I close my eyes I can imanigenary see how celebrates the argentin ian headbangers a big party during the celebrations of the following NUNCA MAS DOR MIRAS EN PAZ. What else should I write about a tune as EL RITUAL DEL METAL....yeäh, that´s exact what we all need. The regular playtime of this disc ends again as on the debut album with an epic styled metal masterpiece POR LAS BUENAS O PAR LAS MALOS (FOR THE GOOD OR FOR THE EVIL). But not enough of goodies. In a kind of remicence for the goodfathers of the argentinian metal celebrates th band a homage to the most influencial bands of this area in form of two cover versions. The first one is HEROES DEL ASFALTO from RIFF. No matter CUSTOM 71 play this timeless heavy rock tune in their very own grandious style. No comments, just listen to this one and fly away. The 2nd homage is dedicated to the one and only V8. Who didn´t know SI PUEDES VENCER AL TEMOR from this Heavy Metal pioneers? RICARDO IORIO from V8 would be proud if he could hear this powerfull version from CUSTOM 71. If you can check this more as listenable and absolute collectable disc. www.custom71oficial.com.ar . articel by Gerald "Customizer" Mittinger

CRYSTAL VIPER - METAL NATION
(KARTHAGO RECORDS KR 044 / SPIRITUAL BEAST 16052/ CD´2009) POLAND
Third round and still the same procedure... of luck nothing changed. METAL NATION is a fine ballanced production around the great voice of MARTA GABRIEL. Maybe some of you are not familar yet so far with the style of this female fronted classic orientaded Heavy Metal quartett. MARTA´S voice is powerful and original. If you search for a comparsion imagine perhaps a mixture of JUTTA WEINHOLD of ZED YAGO, the good old DORO in their WARLOCK days and a piece of LEATHER/ MALTEZE... !!! So all the lovers of timeless female fronted classic Heavy Metal should keep their attention to this upcoming group. An obligatory introduction leads the listener in the good but not spectacular arranged titletrack. For my opinion is the musically direction of this tune to simple structured and to close to some well known singalong interpretes in the happy arranged metal culture of today. By the way MARTA´S voice is the rescue for this number. Total different with class and tightness agitates the following superb hymn BRINGER OF THE LIGHT. Bombastic with the best trademarks of this style rules as next the epos 1428. I don´t know if it was necessary to let do MANNI SCHMIDT of GRAVE DIGGER the guitar solo there. Cause their own guitarist ANDY WAVE is doing his job very good too. But why not, of course we all know name dropping is the magic word and helps maybe to sell more copies. After this great two tunes comes with THE ANVIL OF HATE as next again a more midclass orientated number with a lot of boring shouts. ZOMBIE LUST (FLESH EATERS) will statiesfy the legions of new metalheads which prefer a remindable melodyline with some HELLOWEEN alike guitarparts. More or less nothing special. Yeäh I can imagine that some of the readers will not confirm with my opinion. But I´m on the point of view that every month the record companies publish dozens of new releases. But the most of them are lower budget releases and didn´t come over a midclass level. Natural CRYTAL VIPER is better than most of this genre typic acts, but at the other hand should we await catchy compositions too. Only a good voice isn´t anything. Ideas and originality should stand side by side behind every track too. HER CRIMSON TEARS is then the awaited tune. Wonderful vocal parts by MARTA in combination with this majestic song let me forget all the sins in the former tracks. Last but not least we can hear too a guest apperance by FRANK KNIGHT of X-WILD. I wish the band could hold this standart from now on. LEGIONS OF THE TRUTH is also an ok uptempo metal basher. The vocal duett with LARS RAMEKE of STORMWARRIOR works there well. GLADIATOR, DIE BY THE BLADE is this kind of classic metal epos which llet beat my metalheart stronger. As I heard the first time the cover of AGENTS OF STEEL I gasped stunnin for air. This homage to AGENT STEEL is brilliant and earns our all honour. Ok, if we see parts of this album critical and watch the other good songs we came to the fazit that METAL NATION is still an over the top release. Hopefully their next publishing will deliver us a constant level on the whole product. During you will read this review will be out a new single THE WOLF AND THE WITCH as a collectors vinyl. It seems that the sympatic group signs a deal with AFM RECORDS. www.crystalviper.com and www.myspace.com/crystalviperofficial . For the collectors of Japan editions I give last but not least the information that the SPIRITUAL BEAST licence press contains with SLEEPING SWORDS an extra bonus track. articel by Gerald Mittinger

CRIPTOFONIA - SINFONIA DE LA CRIPTA
(PRIVATE RELEASE / EP´2008) ARGENTINA
Ladies and gentlemen it´s a pleasure to present you this newcomer from Buenos Aires with their first mini album. A first look at the backside cover of this lovely styled private released product let my sympathy enormous rise. I can´t believe it...!!! This newcomers covers CRY WOLF from my alltime NWOBHM heroes SAVAGE. But step by step. This five track EP opens FACTOR DE LA DESTRUCCION. Raw and uncut with a fine blend of classic Heavy / Power Metal with slight Thrash influences steal this quartett your soul. With a tecnical sound somewhere between V8, HERMETICA and older HORCAS is this more then seven minutes long powertune more as a surprise for me. By the way the production isn´t bad at all. I prefer the raw in contribution to the powerful material standing sound a lot. Hell yes..., the songs are mastered at the well known "LA NAVE DE OSEBERG" studios. Absolute at the pulse of time agitates as next the riffmonster OSCUROS RECUERDOS. Beside the great guitarwork by EMILIANO PEREZ impress me too the agressive but never to extrem arranged vocals by FABO which handels also the second guitar. The drumparts by GONZALO GAYOSO convince me too. I could imagine well the sound of CRIPTOFONIA with a real good production for the rhythmsection (on the bass LEONARDO MAGALLANES). But back to our riff monster OSCUROS RECUERDOS which strikes us down with a playtime from over 10 minutes. Abstract, to call this recording so an EP because the total runtime of this recording is around fourty minutes. LEYES (LAWS) is another interesant great well structured little classic metal hymn. During this cut acts in the normal playtime reach the following ARQUITECTO DE LAS PESADILLAS (ARCHITECS OF THE NIGHTMARE) the limit of ten minutes. Against the former cuts starts this tecnical masterstroke with a short acoustic part until the guitar section delivers us a fine blend of MEGADETH/METALLICA influenced part. In the next few minutes awaits us then the full program of different speed and rhythmnparts. Never sounds this perfect arrranged composition a second boring. I´m absolute amazed about the skill and perfect harmony in this tune. So we are finally again at the beginning of our review and the more as sympathic homage to SAVAGE. CRY WOLF from the legendary LOOSE N` LETHAL album sounds into this cover version by CRIPTOFONIA damned good too. With feeling and the sense and respect to handle this mega classic is this one an absolut success too. I´m sure that this band will be not long an underground secret. CRIPTOFONIA awaits a bright future if they hold on to their roots. www.criptofonia.com.ar or www.myspace.com/criptofonia . For the personal contact and CD orders use criptofonia@hotmail.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

CATCH 22 - SOULREAPER VOL. 1
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) UNITED STATES
Do you know this feeling when you put a new buyed disc in your player and you´re confirm from the first second with the style, music and the whole conception of the band? Such an idiom is for me CATCH 22. Often I keep listen in the last time their past releases. So I´m full of interest in their new effort. No doubt the message is clear. Constant in the line of their former publishings surprise also this new work. Natural that I can´t stand still from now on one single moment during the listening of their typical US-Metal sound. Similar in the tradition like such great US Metal godz as GRIFFIN, PHANTOM, HERETIC, TENSION ... or Detroit´s own HALLOWEEN celebrates the trio (T.J.BERRY vocals and all guitars, ANDY BROOKHEART drums and MIKE ALLEN bass) also this beloved style. Sometime I feel remembered also too a little bit on such culty acts as for example BROCAS HELM becuase CATCH 22 use similar a lot of epic edged influences in their compositions. Yet so far let´s spend some more moments in their actual work. Behind SOULREAPER VOL. 1 stands a concept story. Of course perhaps it would be to long to write here about the whole story behind the concept. Better we concentrate the focus direct on the musically stream. The first part of this concept story beginns with the classic US-Metal runner SOULREAPER. Beside the typical signs for an US-Metal band can we find there tecnical and complex guitar parts too. Of course this elements lift up the level to a higher ground. In the same liga acts the following CYBERCHRIST. It´s greatg to listen this genre typic sawing guitarparts in contribution with the strong vocallines. A short accoustic set starts then the first melancoly part of ATLANTIS RISING untill this composition shows his real metallic face afterf some seconds. Behind this epic hymn stands the energetic and outstanding riff monster SWIMMING WITH SHARKS. No matter this tune is one of the real big runners on this disc. The heavy grinding DIS CON NEC TED ends then this first part of the first chapter EVILUTION RISING. ACT 1. Molting metal could be a describtion for the first tune CRAWLING of the second part DEVILUTION DESCENDING ACT 1. Like a grinding stone walts then NEVER over our heads. A short drum sequence and we are in the middle of the heavy and aggressive arranged banger KILLING FLOOR. A wonderfull arranged guitar sonate with the title SUMMERS REIGN opens the reign for one of the best monumental epic US Metal tracks on this album. SEASONS OF THE WITCH is the title of this timeless epic monster. Last but not least amaze me another superb arranged mighty epic touched number. My soul is set on fire by this tune which firms under WINTER´S CALL. Even at the moment as I thought inzane that no label picked up this group reached me the news that ROCK IT UP records does the deal. The album will be rereleased as a double disc which contains also their former album. That´s a real good news. I´m sure it will be easy to catch so without any problems your copy of this great disc. By the way CATCH 22 is an OHIO based act and since 1992 on the hunt for your soul. Check out their former releases AWAKEN and TIME REVEALS IT ALL to and take a look at www.myspace.com/catch22metal . article by Gerald Mittinger

CARONTE - BUENAS NOCHES POR VENIR
(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2007) ESPANA

CONQUEST OF STEEL - STORM SWORD/RISE OF THE DREAD QUEEN
(NO FACE RECORDS / PLASTICHEAD DISTRIBUTION PHD/NFR010 CD´2009) UNITED KINGDOM

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GERMAN METAL WARRIORS

ruler13 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:10:00 CST

WOLFS MOON - KEEP METAL ALIVE
(MDD / MAUSOLEUM RECORDS / CD´2004) GERMANY
Together with a handful other acts like UNREST,CHINCHILLA or the underrated LANFEAR holds this band since a long time the banner of german metal high .But lets start this review with a short retrospect to the history of WOLFS MOON Anything started back in 1992 in Helmstedt a town near Braunschweig in the middle of Germany. From the start with their debut album SOLITARY LUNACY in 1995 the musically direction leads them now straight to the upper class of this teutonic power metal circle...!!! Personal problems and in lack of a distribution deal the second album ETERNAL FLAME arrived the fans in 1997. In using the experience from the first album in con tribution with more perfection to the detail helped them to aclaime a higher resonance in and outside of the country. From now on melodic Power Metal was the trademark of the quartett. Many strong compositions like (CURSE OF THE) SHADOWHAWK, the pounding TO HELL AND BACK or the ultimative powerhymn CROSS OF THE CRYPT opened new doors for the group. After this first glance and success the album was rereleased with anot her cover artwork by the little company Metal Bastard. Today it´s nearly impossible to find this albums any where. Again a rerelase wou ld be great ! By the way with the publishing of the third effort ELYSIUM DREAMS starts the next chapter in the story of WOLFS MOON.It was the first time tor them with a good distributi on. But the luck wasn´t of long time because the distributor finished the work.Back to the basic the band handled the self distribution. Of course to continue to the red line. ELYSIUM DREAMS is a great packaged album with an impressive fantasy artwork by Claude Klein.The coverstory based on a fantasy story concep ted by the guitarist Gerd Simson. For the next three albums the mystic "DUKE OF DAMNATION" dominates the sureal stories from Sammy. Musically any thing acts and sound luckly still in the traditional Power Metal venue. Perhaps the only differ ence was the more powerfull expression in the voice of Maxe.General his vocal lines rising with every release more Some of the best tracks on this fine release are the rolling with a little MAIDEN influence acting ALLEY OF THE GUT TER KINGS, the epic starting hymn LOUD AND PROUD (this must be a real live killer) or a glorious part ballade sc riff breaker ETERNAL SLEEP.Especially the fast tracked NEMESIS / ANGEL OF REVENGE is an essential Power Metal steamer...!!! The final part of the album reigns TRILOGY OF AGONY. Further contains the disc as bonus two old tracks from the past (FRIENDS and FIGHT). If you didn´t get this fine album in your collection hurry up and catch this still avail able item by the band. The next release was published on the local based label Gutter Records. Again shows the fan tastic cover artwork a scene of the "DUKE OF DAMNATI ON". Ha,ha if you look into a mirror and reflect there the cover you can see that he reads there in the Book of Nec ronomicon during the Witch Goddess is by his side !!! From the first till the final cut rules again finest traditional german metal this album. I can´t do anything more as to praise this recording. Anything is well arranged. Compositions like BLACK KNIGHT LE GACY (another timeless power bolt), WITCH GODDESS (cult metal),SPIRIT OF MEDUSA (back to the roots of 80ies teutonic metal),SOULSORCERER (raw edged) DAWN OF DESTINY (odd fellow true german metal) or an epos as LORDS OF STEEL speaking the very own lang uage: Pure Metal Anthem! So this metallic yourney ends by the still actual longplayer KEEP METAL ALIVE. Natural that this working title is program. But not enough! The opening banger firms with the title I STILL BELIEVE IN METAL. Yep, we too! The second iron tune REBORN WITH A BLACK HEART reminds me absolute on the glorious days of 8Oies Heavy Metal. Unbelieveable, how tight transports this release those feeling over the complete running time.Constant varity the group midtempo tracks as TIMESTREAM HORRORSHPERE with straight powermetal influenced cuts like TEMPLE OF ETERNITY...!!! Another great tune is LONELY AT THE GATES which starts like an epic semi powerballad before this track changes into a typic midtempo metal hymn. Meanwhile four years after this release the band is still tight and will soon publish the next strike under the promising working title UNHOLY DARKNESS... I can´t wait it to bang again to such great new tracks as... UNDERWORLD WARRIOR or DELIVER ME FROM EVIL !!! Untill this release support this metallists...!!! Check em out www.wolfsmoon.de or www.puresteel-records.com which will be the new label for WOLF MOON. article by Gerald Mittinger

CHARON´S CALL - ULTIMATE SIN
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) GERMANY
Never before I´ve heard about this south germany based traditinal arranged teutonic metal monger´s. A couple of time back I saw this album offered inside the german e-bay. Of course I didn´t hesitate a moment to catch this pro mising looking item. Yeäh, the result didn´t disappoint me...! Perhaps not everything is gold on this release but without a doubt publish CHARON´S CALL an outstanding album far away from all this happy metal sounding grab in the last time. Maybe the harsh runnin´ opener FALLING DOWN is not the best solution to catch the listener´s...!!! Based on a mixture of old RUNNING WILD with slight DEATH METAL undertows didn´t convince me this tune all to much. But complete different works the following HEAVEN DENIES. In other words this track is very close to the 80ies german heroes like RUNNING WILD, GRAVE DIGGER and NO TROUBLE. Also WHY is a remindable composi tion in this term. WHAT I WOULD DIE FOR is a raw banging teutonic Power Metal bastard with a short quite arran ged part. Another respectfull attack follows then with the great titletrack. It´s a pleasure to listen this combination of raw power and speed. Heavy and slow walks LIKE A SHADOW untill this tune turns inside a real metal hymn. CHARON´S CALL vocalist WILLEM fits perfect with his raw but still melodic voice to this kind of old styled teuto nic metal. Maybe the best track on this effort is ANGELS OF RAGE with his remindable chorus and strong hooks. With the heavy semiballad COLD RAIN ends this fine private release. All of those which are interest after this review in this release should take a look for more infos at www.charons-call.de . By the way I think that´s the second publishing of the band. I think they published also too a mini album in the past but I´m not sure if this is a real pressed CD or a demo-CD. article by Gerald Mittinger

ATLAIN - LIVING IN THE DARK
(RUSTY DIAMOND RECORDS 06 / EARTHSHAKER CD´2005) GERMANY
Always If I place this disc in my player I am of good mood and remember the good old days of Heavy Metal. By the way I don´t know how many times runs my original vinyl back in 1985. Original produced by the legendary AXEL THUBEAUVILLE for METALLIAN/EARTHSHAKER RECORDS is this album an alltime classic and should be a part of every good metal collection...!!! With a scream like a siren starts the album powerful with HALLOWED BY THE PRIEST. The following LIVING IN THE DARK isn´t a single moment weak too. Ahhhh..., the melodic teutonic metal hammer I´M A SINNER let me whip and roll again. Once you keep listen the refrain you can´t beat em out of your mind. Strong guitar attacks by JÖRG PRYZTARSKI and ANDREAS BÜTTNER lead in then the speedy DIG IT. But straight in line follows with the mystery arranged midtempo metalhymn SATANICA another fantastic composition. SPHINX is another unbelieveable tight and fast edged metal tune.Believe me if you will listen the first tact´s of A THOUSAND NIGHTS IN HELL you will crank up the volume to the maximum.But it doesn´t matter if your neighbours will be insane just bang pride in tact to last moment of the beat. And there is no rest to pull in new anthem into your iron lungs. HOLD BACK THE NIGHT makes me even more nervous and let me run in circles...!!! With a slight MAIDISH undertune end EVIL FORCES this great recording.The regular playtime would be now finished but this rerelease contains five more live demo recordings without overdubs too...!!! In other words ATLAIN pure...!!! The fist of them firms under the title BRAIN STORM and start´s with some quite moments where we can hear more of the suberb voice by PETER MÜLLER. Seconds later turns this track into ano ther typical midtempo classic 80ies Heavy Metal tune. Great, I am very pleased about the addition of this unreleased diamonds as bonus.What else as another metal hymn could be stand behind on a title as FAST ATTACK...!!! This track is one of the fastest on this album !!! Straight rumbles then SPACE & TIME with dozens of powerful riffs through the night. For tons of brick and steel and unbreakable timeless metal stand´s WASTE untill with BREAK DOWN YOUR NECK the album ends with the dream death of every headbanger. But seri ous, this running number spreads the magic of JUDAS PRIEST in their haytime.Catch this rerelease or grab the box for vinyls at your local second hand recordstore. www.sharkrecords.de/rustydiamond . article by Gerald Mittinger

SAINTSBLEED - THE MIGHTY MONSTER
(MIGHTY MONSTER RECORDS 312 / CD´2009) GERMANY
A couple of years back exact in 2003 was published by this south german metallists a good four track CD-EP.
Beside the two superb classic Heavy Metal tunes TWISTED TRUTH and INHABITANTS FROM THE EARTH could we found there also the demotracks THE PATH OF THE WARRIOR and TILL WE FLY. Inside of this proffesional pres sed mini album was written that the two studio outtakes will be on an fourthcoming album. Like so many belie vers I was in good hope. Now at a moment when I never believe in this publishing I hold the full record ing in my hands..!!! Yes, what a surprise. The promising cover artwork push up my pulse up then to 200 bpm. With a bolt starts then the titletrack this superb album. Heavy / Power Metal some where bet ween the old RUNNING WILD, REBELLION, STEELER, GRAVESTONE...is the key to this smasher...!!! The following TILL WE FLY did we know from the mini album. But believe me this new powerful produced version kicks any thing away. With whis pers like in an futoristic science fiction movie starts then HUMAN VIRUS. Just one listen and you will never forget this remindable refrain lines. This track convince with incredible powerness in combination with melody. I will be damned if SAINTS BLEED will be not signed by a big compa ny after this work.THE PATH OF THE WAR RIOR is another great cut which sounds like a bastard of the old HELLOWEEN and RUNNING WILD.Fast we come on this galactic trip to another higlight of this disc.Of course it´s true INHABITANTS FROM EARTH was nearly in the same version on the EP. But I think this limited release knows only a hand full maniacs. Now clot hed with a mighty sound offers us this tune his real majesty. Melodic Speed Metal is the only wright definition for BLEED ATTACK. Timeless brilliant arranged Heavy Metal stands behind ATLANTIS. Oh, what a futoristic title SABER RIDER AND THE STAR SHERIFFS...(did there somebody read to much stories by STANLEY KUBRICK) but serious this melodic edged metal rumbler rules proud this effort too.Thanksgod for this new mind blowing Power Metal version of TWISTED TRUTH !!! The band did well to pack this highflyer again on this album. In the same catchy teutonic metal style follows then ANYTIME. Every real metalhead should praise and listen once in his life such a metal hymn as RISE OF THE PSYCHO. Haleluja what a rumbling runner...!!! But not enough! REVELATION ends the reign in the awaited style bravorous. www.saintsbleed.de . article by Gerald Mittinger

DEYSTINATION´S CALLING - INVISIBLE WALLS
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) GERMANY
Yet another promising classic Heavy Metal quartett from the south of the republic is DESTINATION´S CALLING. Their professional styled and packaged debut convince the listener with ten listenable melodic edged metal compositions. Behind an short intro opens FALLEN FROM GRACE this release in the classic midtempo style. Precise guitar work by MARKUS GÖLLER and the smooth and charming voice by CHRISTIAN GRÄTER let me listen more then twice times this slight epic tuned track. The following SINTHETIC works with influences from BLIND GUARDIAN well too. In a more straight orientated up to date metal direction leads us then TRAPPED IN SILENCE.The tight ryhthm secction (CHRISTIAN FRANK on the drums and STEFFEN SINGLER on the six strings) let me whip constant in tact. Isn´t that a good sign? Yes of course. BLEEDING AGAIN shows the band from their melan coly side. This fine semiballad is the wright cut for the quite moments in your life. A PROLOG close then this first chapter of the album untill the grandious titletrack INVISIBLE WALLS offers us the real brilliance and harmony of this work. Still with a slight BLIND GUARDIAN influence in combination with epic filled parts stands this song high above over all compositions on this disc. The short ballad DISCONNECTED serve the basic for the impressive and monumental arranged SENTENCED.Back to classic running melodic Heavy Metal (now free of any influences...) takes us TURNING AWAY. Together with the incredible titletrack is this another great and more as listenable tune.With bombastic choruslines and genre typic standarts galops finally the last track DESTINATION´S CALLING to his target. To happy and unspectacular for my taste...! I wish that there would be one more great composition in the style of the titletrack instead of this one on this hopeful debut. But what not is now could be in the future. Personal I think (.. and hope) that the group will rise up with a strong follow up relase soon. www.destinationscalling.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

MESSENGER - UNDER THE SIGN
(STF RECORDS STF 051 / CD´2006) GERMANY
Since a long time active is this absolute classic Heavy Metal orientated band. One look at the coverartwork and you will know what kind of style is written on the banner of this warriors. A mystic introduction with the title FIREGATE in combination with a spoken background story delivers the facts for the following ten rounds. UNDER THE SIGN opens the this concept fanatasy epic story close to their heroes MANOWAR. But I must ex plain that this tune is done impressive. If you a follower of the old (real..) MANOWAR this tune could be the wright one for you too. TITANS acts then exact in the RUN TO THE HILLS period of our all faves IRON MAIDEN. Also NEW HOPE is strong influenced by the MAIDENS but surprises too with some ownstanding typical teuto nic metal parts of the past...!!! I remember an old demo-CD of MESSENGER and one of the real smashers on this was KILL THE DJ. No wonder that we find this hymn here again.Just listen to the lyrics.FIGHT FOR METAL WITH STEEL IN OUR HANDS ~ KILL, KIL THE DJ. HEAVY METAL IS THE LAW. Yeäh there a lot of boring cliches but isn´t that exact this what Heavy Metal is in his poorest form? I really appreciate this metal warriors a lot. This combination of typical metal lyrics, the fantasy concept and the expres sive back to the basic metal sound still brings a smile and a good feeling on me. Be sure that this good mood will be change on you too if you will lis ten this album. But continue in the reportoire... INTRUDERS is the title of the next effort. Yet so far is this one for me the most ownstanding composition.Why? It´s very easy to find the reason. The track starts with fine US - Metal inspired guitarwork during the track change in the follow step by step into a superb german classic Heavy Metal track.With an bombastic introduction like in a warrior film as "CONAN THE BARBAR" starts the mar ching heavy load midtempo epos HYMN TO ATON. By the way this instrumental fits tight and turns into the swearing metal tune PHARAO. Similar in a same concept as germans famous and true metallists WIZARD / PETTY PEW or REBELLION is for MESSENGER the Valhalla saga an inspiration too. Beside fine filigran accoustic guitarparts (FRANK KETTENHOFEN and PATRICK DECKARM) in combination with the outstanding voice of SIGI SCHÜSSLER works this epic ballad with bombastic choruslines. Time for more ruthless teutonic steel gives us all FEEL THE FIRE. What else as another good metaltrack could stand behind a titleline as METAL DAY? Each day with every more listen offers me and hopefully you too more and more pleasure! I know it´s time for a new release. So send the band soon your contributions and your desire to hold on to their dreams and aims. The one and only real direction ~ "HEAVY METAL FOREVER ... " !!! www.messengerband.de or take a look to their present record company www.stf-records.de . At coming May the 9th you can watch them live at the SAARBANGERS-METAL-FESTIVAL IV in 66450 Bex bach. For more infos check out: www.saarbangers-metal-festival.de . article by Gerald Mittinger

KING LEORIC - THUNDERFORCE
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2005) GERMANY
One of the best keept secrets of the german Heavy Metal underground is without a doubt this on and on metal to the bone orientate Wolfenbüttel based quartett. A couple of years back they released their first also private published debut PIECE OF TIME. Meanwhile they return triumphant with their new work THUNDERFORCE. So many times is written in reviews fast the word cult but one look at the coverartwork of this good produced album and this synonym is exact the wright definition. GUARDIANS OF THE KING opens this fine production in an absolute impressive style. Heavy Metal in the style of the 80ies. As would´t exist 1991 celebrates this band a firework of timeless geman metal. Big voluminate choruslines guide this hymn direct into your metal heart. The following CRY IN THE NIGHT (no this isn´t a VIRGIN STEEL cover...) follows with remindable choruslines with straight to the point arranged teutonic Heavy Metal too. A marching basschord the incoming of the drums and then the tacking of the guitars with the hypnotic lyrics guides us direct in the super metal hynm THUNDERFORCE. Alone the genial lyrics are worth to order this album. For example read the following words and parts from the titletrack... "When we were youn ger, we were children of fate. All things were stronger, the things that we hate. But we resisted and one thing made us so strong. our live got twisted. Heavy Metal is the one! We are the priests of thunder.We are the prophets of sound. We´ll never go under, strong is our bound.We are the healers, to heal all the blind. Metal reveals us in our mind....!!!" It´s absolute unbe lieveable and a shame that untill now now label take this unique metalists under contract. Tight and proud acts then STRANDED IN TIME on the same high level. A meanpoint for the big reconize effect is without a doubt the marcant voice of JENS WUNDER. He isone of this natural born metal shouter´s. Full of mystic and tragic stands WINTERNIGHTS similar in one line with all the other fantastic numbers on this album. Memories on the glorious past days of german metal awakes KING OF ETERNITY. A long melancoly instrumental part opens then the bombastic epic tune BROTHERS untill this number rise on with fascinate arrangements. In comparsion to the title runs STORMCLOUDS in a faster direction. Uhh, about a grim chapter tolds us as next the story of AGE OF INQUISITION. Somewhere between ACCEPT and MAIDEN with lot´s of metallic charme is this tune another highlight on this disc. But better as in BREAKING THE MIRROR could sound german metal never. Insane, I could hear this rumbling hymn again and again. With the band intern battlehymn WARRIOR´S TUNE ends this superb release once again in a remindable art. It must be damned if there will be no great follow up soon. But don´t tell me later if I had know how tight sounds this album I would bought it. Don`t talk just write and order THUNDERFORCE before this collectable private release will be soldout... www.king-leoric.de or kontakt@king-leoric.de . article by Gerald Mittinger

CASTLE WELL - BACK FOR REVENGE
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2004) GERMANY

This quartett is since so many years active. Back in 1997 was the birth of their amazing debut HELPLESS. Seven years later presents us this classic Heavy Metal act finally a great new output. Traditionel absolut earthy opens WITCHES MUST BURN this work. If you never heard about CASTLE WELL in the past could be a good describtion the sound of the old immortal german legend ATTACK. Similar is the basic of CASTLE WELL´S sound a mixture of classic Heavy Metal with mystic epic parts. With the typical goose pimples effect creeps like a mighty epic monster the selftitled hymn CASTLE WELL in your veins. Of course some ACCEPT a like influences with the typical kind of origin german metal made this stuff so sympathic. Heavy Rock like we know it from the early eighties is the secret behind the strong titletrack BACK FOR REVENGE. If you into this kind of german metal you can´t stop listen this tune. Think meanwhile my neighbours knows the refrain too ... I´M COMING BACK FOR REVENGE. Another culty hymn follows at hand the catchy and roaring smasher SALVATION. High on emotions with tight guitar licks impress us as next the outstanding number FOR LIFE. Again as on the timeless debut HELPLESS con vince me on this new effort the really good guitarwork by by the duo CHISTOPH NIKSCH and FRANK SCHRANGE. Their skill to transport the classic eighties german metal style through the time without a look at any distur bing influences from outside is for my opinion more as honorable. don´t understand me wrong and await from this band something new or progressive arrangements. On the contrary the secret behind this album is his connection to the past. Maybe this is the real true unbendable Heavy Metal. A short acoustic track THE WELL guides in the next classic teutonic metal affair WATER OF LIFE ... Medieval arranged parts opens the epic monster TONIGHT. It tooks over four minutes until the mood changes from the first impressions with a gigantic guitarsolo. But the track holds on his mystic balladesc epic edged feeling during his whole long playtime of more than eight minutes. With VICTORY follows then a typic straight ahead classic Heavy Metal tune. Even a tick wilder and faster strikes the superb FOLLOW ME over our heads. Without a doubt is this glorious cut one of the most attractive earchatchers on this disc. In the same vain ends powerful THE TOWER this timeless metal album. If you´re into the typical german Heavy Metal sound this release is a must for your collection ... !!! But not only for them. Also if you prefer the NWOBHM style could be CASTLE WELL another treasure for your collection too. It´s time to fight with rage for our salvation www.castlewell.de . article by Gerald Mittinger

REAPER - GARDENS OF SETH
(STF RECORDS / CD´2009) GERMANY
Even at a moment as I never believed in the return of one of German´s best classic Heavy Metal band´s from the past returns like phoenix from the ash this legend with a new recording. Of course since their last well known great releases BEYOND ALL TIME (BELLAPHON´90) and THE YEARS WITHIN (MAUSOLEUM´92) published the middle german Kassel based quartett a couple of limited selfreleased mini albums with different success. Their new album GARDENS OF SETH brings them back to a brighter audience. Hopefully the publicity honorate this come back cause the band returns with all their strong attitudes and skill. GARDENS OF SETH is a promising comeback which didn´t dis- appoint all the followers of such teutonic metal acts as ACCEPT, U.D.O., RUNNING WILD or GRAVE DIGGER. Published by the culy record company STF RECORDS seems it that the band have a competent partner in their back. Today REAPER is in first degree MATTHIAS "MÄFJU" KRAFT (bass) and DANIEL ZIMMERMANN (guitars and vocals). Both are founding members since the beginning of the band in 1984. Together with JAN BREEDE (drums) and THOMAS BUCHENAU (guitar) delivers us this classic metal veterans anno ´2009 again a great comeback. With the impressive and majestic instrumental INTO THE GARDENS OF SETH starts this metallic yourney and leads us direct into the classic Power Metal edged THE AGE OF HUNGER. The group is doing there a safe job and offers the listener a real good composition. Straight at hand follows TEN THOUSAND NIGHTMARES. I´m really surprised about this track. In perfect harmony connect the group there typic german metal with power metal elemennts together with a catchy melodyline. With a hint of aggression performs there DANIEL ZIMMERMANN this cut. During the first part of SUPER MYSTIQUE is a mirror of the old REAPER ... !!! Similar as their old vocalist BENNY BENNECKE fits there the voice of DANIEL ZIMMERMANN perfect to the sinister athmosphere of this tune. This good feeling transports the powerful DARK BEYOND BLACK too. A bondage of pain, epic moments and sinister feelings is the secret behind the insane hymn LEVIATHAN. As a synonym for classic eighties teutonic Heavy Metal stands the marching cut REVOLUTION. Followed by the wonderful accoustic celebrated AL ANDALUZ which let us dream for a moment of this phenomenal landscape. Finally we came then for my opinion to the most exiciting track on this strong release. Who didn´t know the fantastic poem DER ERLKÖNIG by the famous JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE . Dozens of generations learned this mystic poem DER ERLKÖNIG (THE ALDERKING) at their schooltime. Here is for all those who didn´t know the story a short explaination. Tn first degree it´s a story of elves and valkyries and even THE ERLKING which lives deep in the heart of the wood. The ERLKING twists the child - heart into a blinded thing, addling the innocent mind, vampirizing the child´s dancing spirits. More or less is the poem an anccient story about stolen souls... !!! But to return to REAPER´S interpretation of this exciting poem ... the group presents us the story in the original german language packed into a powerful and energetic version. This guiding tune impress me a lot. Last but not least ends the album with the JUDAS PRIEST compatible great number LIGHT OF ANGER. Support this legendary band as much as you can. www.reaper.de or check out their presence at www.myspace.com/fairiesreturn . articel by Gerald Mittinger

REAPER - WONDERS IN THE DARK
(HARD ROCKER HR15 / CD´2009) GERMANY
Maybe some of you searched without of success for this compilation. By the way this album is a free give away together with the culty polonian based HARDROCKER magazine. The issue Nr.11 / May´2009 contains this fine release. But is it worth to search for this disc ? At all event... !!! It´s really a great compilation because this sampler contains a lot of stuff which isn´t availale anywhere else. The titletrack WONDERS IN THE DARK is a previ- ously unreleased typical REAPER number. The following cut EX ORIENTE LUX was original the opening track from the sold out `2004 private released mini album VICTORY V. Also PRAISE OF THE MORNING STAR and NEMESIS are well known tracks from this publishing. With THE BLACK TRAIN did we find then an older track from the back in 2000 published CARDINAL SINS EP. Of course this cut with his melodic parts in comparsion to GRAVEDIGGER alike banging is a really remindable one. With the rumbling speeder FLIGHT OF THE NAZGUL follows finally the last one from the VICTORY V release. FIELDS OF JOY one of the best REAPER tracks ever and THE RAVEN taken from the 2002 published ELEMENTS EP follows at hand. Untill ASYLUM (also taken from CARDINAL SINS) close this important chapter in the long history of the band. If you´re a follower of typic teutonic Heavy Metal then this one is a must buy for you. www.reaper.de or www.myspace.com/fairesreturn too. Another option is to contact the HARDROCKER MAGAZINE and to order this issue with the lovely styled original CD (by the way beside the REAPER album contains this issue also an original Best of CD by the polonian Thrasher´s HELLIAS too). Look under www.hardrocker.pl and of course they are present inside www.myspace.com/hardrockermagazine . articel by Gerald Mittinger

STORMHUNTER - STORMHUNTER
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) GERMANY
With a lot of ups and downs exists this Balingen / South German based classic Heavy Metal more or less since 1998. Their debut surprised me then really a lot. Think that´s not only a surprise for me, because the strong material on this disc is exact the kind of teutonic metal which needs the bloodless homescene. The driven classic german Heavy Metal opener CENTURY OF WARS is an absolute winning track. KNIGHTS OF METAL (PART II) holds the promise what this great words spread. It´s an absolute triumph if you keep listen there the lyrics of their frontmen FRANK URSCHLER. Ya know all that this kind of old styled true lyrics are ladden with dozen of cliche´s but the reallity is that real metal heads will enjoy this kind of refrains a lot. No matter me too ... WE`RE BORN IN A CRADLE OF METAL AND WE´LL BE BURIED IN A COFFIN OF STEEL. METAL FLOWS IN OUR VEINS. FOR METAL WE LIVE, HEAVY AND RAW. KNIGHTS OF METAL, WE ARE BACK ... !!! Yeäh, that´s the real spirit ! And even musically reigns this sympathic quintett with their traditinell teutonic metal style at high level too. Imagine the best of the old eighties HELLOWEEN and RUNNING WILD and you´ll can follow the direction of such tunes as HUNTING THE STORM (the only old demotrack) or the more epic running DARKNESS, MY FRIEND. Strong agitades the hybrid of old MAIDEN / RUNNING WILD influenced hymn BITTER FATE. Seems that this fine debut contains no weak stuff cause PREY FOR FREEDOM follows with the best trademarks of german eighties metal too. Heroic guitarparts opens then AFTER THE RAIN untill this finalcut convine our iron souls with uptempo guitarparts by JULIA WEISS and STEFAN MÜLLER. So if you´re into this kind of teutonic classic metal or still a fan of timeless Heavy Metal order the album now under www.stormhunter-metal.de . It seems that EMANES METAL RECORDS (a france based fine little record company) signed up the group for the follow up. article by Gerald Mittinger

HEADLESS BEAST - FORCED TO KILL
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2010) GERMANY
If I remember the glorious eighties of the german metal scene my mind reflects fast such unforgotten heroes as TYRANT or STORMWITCH. Of course both acts were artist´s on the legendary GAMA RECORDS label. But this isn´t the only breakpoint. Even both acts hailing from the old southgerman town Ulm too. Once exists there a great metal scene. But this is a long time ago. Now a decade later rise again another hope for the pride of classic german Heavy Metal from this area. HEADLESS BEAST holds high too the banner of honest and true timeless metal. Crowned by a fantastic cover artwork created by their guitarist INGO NEUBER spreads this rough diamond from the first moment pure magic. We all know that a great cover is only the half rent on the way to the top. But believe me there fits really everything. The whole package even the music and the marketing of this product is of high class. No matter let´s talk the music for it´s own. With the typical character of a teutonic metal basher starts BLACK RIDER souvereign the following twelve rounds of tablecrushing stuff. Tough in the sign of german old school metal to the bone waltz then RIDING WITH THE DEADMEN through your PA. Strike by strike, it doesn´t matter if you crank up in the follow DENY THE SYSTEM or the driven cut BURNING CROSS it´s always the same procedre. HEADLESS BEAST is the next big thing for all the lovers, followers, maniacs and fanatics of real german steel. I wonder that there isn´t untill now interest from one of the genre typic labels. Harder but of the same class strikes MANIAC. Some quite tunes guidesin the powerful marching midtempo hymn DYING DAY. Once I feel there ultimate remembered on the heyday of the eighties national Heavy Metal scene. Back to the raw and furious grinding uptempo steel brings us as next MORTAL FEAR. But one of the absolute classics on this release is without a doubt the memoriable tune EVIL RULER. Like a cross of the old ACCEPT and RESTLESS sounds the heavy waltzing FORBIDDEN INTENTIONS. No matter fifty percent of the bill pays there (and of course on every tune too) the perfect voice of JÜRGEN "MR. TORTURE" WITZLER. I couldn´t imagine a better vocalist for this kind of classic Heavy Metal. If you´re not a wimp you´ll fall on your knees and stump with your fist´s the rhythm to the hyper titletune FORCED TO KILL . Holy hell, I couldn´t hold me under control as to skip once more the repeat taste to keep listen again this killer tune. Unbelieveable !!! Mighty agitates the melodic edged RUN FOR YOUR LIFE. Together with the titletrack robs the imortal final chapter HEADLESS BEAST my blood. I´m going insane if I listen this riff ladden hymn. Another important reason that the material on this output works so fantastic is the perfect and transparent production by VAGELIS MARANIS (yes of course, the unforgotten voice of SANVOISEN ...) . If a german act earns success and honour vote for HEADLESS BEAST. Support em with your hard earned money and order their album and merchandise. Let´s keep our fingers crossed that this hopefulls doesn´t give up. www.headless-beast.de . articel by Gerald Mittinger

INNER AXIS - INTO THE STORM
(COAST ROCK LC 14553 / NEW MUSIC / CD´2010) GERMANY
I´ve heard a lot in the past month about this northgerman based quintett. Exact based in KIEL presents us INNER AXIS with INTO THE STORM their promising debut. Like the great cover promise presents us those metalheads from the north coast classic trendfree eighties german Heavy Metal. Souvereign starts this disc with RIDERS OF THE MIST. Maybe you feel like me too if you keep listen KAI HAGEMAN style to perform his vocallines. First you are remembered on a mixture of typic eighties german metal shouters with an edge of the rawer NWOBHM vocalists. But with with every track you will confirm more and more with his art to catch your attention. In other words he is the perfect singer for this kind of band. HELLBENDERS follows with a catchy remindable chorus. Of course the band acts miles away from the actual german graby trend melodic acts. If you prefer the traditional original german steel ala ATLAIN, BRAINFEVER, STORMBRINGER, ACCEPT or also very old HELLOWEEN you will be more as statisfied with this album. KILLING LULLABY makes my metalsoul glad. MAIDISH galloping guitarparts (ZACHARIAS DROSOS and DIRK TIEMANN), choruslines like a battle hymn and a midtempo rhythmline will bring a diabolic smile in the face of every follower of this style. But the real smasher follows at hand with the grandious runner SOULTAKER. Together with the solid rhthmsection MARTIN GÜHLCKE (bass) and THIES JACOBSEN (drums) works this raw diamond perfect. Heroic and proud tracks down the strong MAIDEN influenced cut THE LAST STAND (OF THE 300). Don´t know if the group wrote this tune under the influence of the cinema film or create it on the founded historical background of their guitarist ZACHARIAS DROSOS. It doesn´t matter cause this composition rules. The following cut METAL ON METAL isn´t an ANVIL cover but strong, fast, unbreakable Heavy Metal. Be sure if you crank up your volume at home and bang around to this tune and the even faster arranged FIRESTORM UNCHAINED you will gasp for air and then for more stuff of INNER AXIS. Yeäh this album contains no fillers, no crab, no keyboards and no ballads. Seems this is absolute my cup of tea. With the slight old HELLOWEEN influenced melodic edged tune THE PUNISHER ends this great debut. I really hope that the real follwers and metal maniacs read this review and give the band their earned honour.So take a look at their website www.inneraxis.de or even under www.myspace.com/inneraxis . Perhaps it could be of interest too to check out also their label COAST ROCK which features with LAFRONTERA and CORPORATE more metalic acts www.coast-rock.de . articel by Gerald Mittinger

HIGHWAY KILLER - LOST METAL TALES
(MIGHTY MONSTER RECORDS MMR 1984 / CD´2010) GERMANY
We close our eyes and turn back in the second decade of the eighties ... Heavy Metal ruled the world and the national scene was rich on hopefulls. But it was the time were it wasn´t easy to publish an album. The birth of the CD was near, vinyl releases were expensive. HOTWIRE was one of this typical teutonic metal acts which publi shed only one tune at a local compilation (HIGHWAY KILLER on ROCK AUS´M KALK). Don´t know if the band published later an offical demotape. Somewhere in 1991 the band broke up and dis appeard from the scene. It seems from this point on that the band is forever history. But as written inside the album cover ... sometimes strange things happen in the Metal Scene ! Around twenty years after the foundation of HOTWIRE at a birthday party the forgotten metal pearl HIGHWAY KILLER roared out of the boxes and found great attention by THE MIGHTY MONSTER . Yep we known him too as SASCH MENSCHL the guitarist of SAINTSBLEED. With the help of ARNO HOFMANN (ya know it all from his work for several fanzines and for the famous HEAVY OR WHAT magazine) contacted SASCH the former shouter of HOTWIRE. Soon was HIGHWAY KILLER born and the rebase of ten old restored forgotten metalhymns begun. No matter the contribution of RALF "METAL LION" NEUMANN the original vocalist of HOTWIRE and SASCH MENSCHL (guitar) guild the group together with MICHAEL ULRICH (guitar), TWAIN FRIEDRICH (bass) as well SASCHA "MANIMAL" PASARIC (drums) back to the glorious times of german eighties Heavy Metal. Isn´t it cult if a disc starts with a tune called HEAVY ROCK IS THE LAW ? Of course, but for my taste sounds this cut a bit boring. Of luck follows with METALFIGHTERS a more catchy track. But the real metal spirit spreads then the real smashing hymn HIGHWAY KILLER. If you´re into the old PRIEST / ACCEPT this killertrack is a must. Also GIRLS IN LEATHER is a cool tune too which spreads the same vibes. RALF "METAL LION" NEUMANN´S art to present the vocallines are near to U.D.O. ! Clear that the band follows this direction with SINNER IN HEAVEN. But for my taste couldn´t hold this composition the stunnin effect of the former tracks. Absolute not exciting acts the cheesy and boring slow stumpin METAL LION. During the speedy arranged FASTER DISASTER is without a doubt a highlight. Absolute listenable is then the next real eighties metalcut SON OF A GOOD HOUSE. Again not a winning pact acts with the unmoody PIRATES OF THE STORM. With the PRIEST alike hymn HERO wins the band finally lost territory back. But all in all is LOST METAL TALES an essential release for all the many followers of the good old german Heavy Metal. Turn the page for more infos on www.highway-killer.de . Last but not least found this unbelieveable story no end cause METALIZER RECORDS plans to rerelease soon at the beginning of 2012 this item on vinyl. articel by Gerald Mittinger

EXISTENCE - GODFORSAKEN NIGHTS
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) GERMANY

REVIEWS -V-

ruler13 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:48:43 CST

VIGA - CON UN PAR DE LADRILLOS
(RIMER ROCK / CD´2006) ESPANA
Yeäh I like this hard styled Rock n´ Roll band from the sunny Valencia in Spain. CON UN PAR DE LADRILLOS (WITH A PAIR OF GLOVES) is their second release. Similar as on the debut CONSTRUENDO ROCK´ N´ ROLL continues the group here in this style. Tracks like MUNDO ENFERMO (SICK WORLD) or EL SUELO QUE PIS AMOS runnin in an absolute incredible dirty rock´n roll attitude. Believe me you will run in circles if you keep listen at full volume other cracking busters as EL PRECIO DE RAZON (THE PRICE OF THE RIGHTS) or the hard edged ECHAR EL RESTO (GIVE YOUR BEST). In spain they describe this style of hard and heavy rock with the enegy of little punk influences also as rock urbano. Perhaps one of the famoust acts in this style is BARRICADA. I am sure if VIGA will publish continue such strong albums they will be soon similar well known as this big act by the fans of this genre. As I wrote at the beginning of this review check out also their first release CONSTRUENDO ROCK & ROLL which convice in the same style. Of course I forget to tell you that the owner of RIMER RECORDS is FORTU of the spanish metal legend OBUS. No matter his instinct for great music let him sign this group. Believe him or check out their website under www.putosviga.com or for the personal contact vigarock@yahoo.es . article by Gerald Mittinger

VANISHING POINT - THE FOURTH SEASON
(DOCKYARD 1 / CD´2007) AUSTRALIA
After the signing of EYEFEAR, this hopefull new label is also too the home for their country mates VANISHING POINT. A couple of years back the melbourne based act published their last album EMBRACE THE SILENCE.Now in the middle of 2007 their next release is ready for the customers.If you wonder about the title THE FOURTH SEASON, that´s no rid dle. The secret behind this working title is only that this alb um is the fourth one of the group. So what did us await be hind the wonderfull cover image ???Immediately with the strong opener EMBODI MENT diving we in the sureal world of VANISHING POINT. I think this high class australian act create there own regonizable sound. Sure the basic is QUEENSRYCHE a bit of SYMPHONY X and some elements from the symphonic metal scene. But it would be to easy to qulify the group only under this aspects. In my eyes sounding here many of the compositions multiple. An open minded listener will fast infected from the fluent arran ged tracks. A cut like THE TYRANNY OF DISTANCE or the air play possible SURRENDER are high over the top. VANISHING POINT crossed on this disc suc cessful the elements of symphonic metal with progressive parts and commercial airplay suitable melodies.Perhaps another subscription would be also a light modern version of DREAM THEATER Hopefully reach the band the wright support by the listeners. Because my desire is to hear in the future more great releases from this great band from downunda. www.myspace.com/vanishingpointofficial . article by Gerald Mittinger

VIKINGO - INSTALADO
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) ARGENTINA
Do you know this feeling if you keep listen a new album and you like from the first mo ment everthing around this release Exact that´s happen at the debut album of this new Buenos Aires based quartett. Traditional styled Heavy Metal in the style of the old heroes as V8, BARON ROJO or OBUS is the mean influence. The titletrack is a fine com position which reminds me in the chorusline on the famous melodies of old BARON ROJO tracks. DIEGO "TURCO" MEDRAN own´s the perfect voice to transport this vibes direct to the listener.The following DESVIACION convince us in the same innovate direction.Together with guest musicans from the well known JERIKO is this track a real winner.Timeless 80ies fashioned Heavy Metal delivers us FIN (THE END). Another genial composition is the heavy edged but with a melodic guitar harmony edged OVEIJAS NEGRAS.Especially the great guitarwork by BETO GON ZALEZ and LUCAS MARTINEZ is there incredible. Again on high level stikes EL CIELO ABRIO UN CAMINO . For SIN DIRECCION could find the band another famous guest musican. WALTER MEZA from HORCAS handles there souv ereign as guest voca list.The complete recording contains no filler and etablish this fantas tic new band with a bolt on the metal landscape. www.vikingoweb.com.ar . article by Gerald Mittinger

VINDEX - NO MIDDLE GROUND
(STREET PRODUCTION / CD´2006) SLOVAKIA
So far this is second album from this Bratislava based Heavy Metal troup. Untill know I didn´t had the chance to hear their first release. So the proceder will be objective for this up to date publishing. The Bratislava based quar tett starts this lovely styled production with READ THE STARS. This track sounds in my ears like a mixture of old tra ditional metal in the RUNNING WILD circle with slight HELLOWEEN influences.Direct behind this remindable opener follows the suberb titletrack. Of course NO MIDDLE GROUND isn´t a BLIND GUARDIAN a like tune. Of luck is this a great timeless and traditional Heavy Metal hymn.Continue in this style acts also the good arranged TRUTH WILL OUT Especially the guitarwork by ADO KALABER and MAROS MICEK is there absolute listenable. Not so tough sou nds for me TRIGGER YOUR FANTASY because the HELLOWEEN influences escort the song like an open book. With an outstanding character convice the melodic metal tune FOOLS DON´T CHANGE. Also okay runs down FIRE BELL.
But to spreak true the concept of this track is faceless. Without any edge and remindable characteristic runs the time during this tune on the disc. Even the follower EVERMORE is not really an earcatcher. First with BACK TO ZERO the quartett around the ACCEPT influendced frontman LUDEK STRUNAR reminds his song writting qualities.THE CROSSROADS is musically in the conception of the old ANGRA arranged and maybe one ot the best on this album. With a slight symphonic tendence close the good GLORIA this production in a harmfull way. By the way NO MIDDLE GOUND isn´t a bad disc. But
near the half of the tracks didn´t reflect the originality of VINDEX. During the rest is good typical midclass euro metal. Time will show where the group will stand with an upcoming release. www.vindex.sk or www.streetproduction.sk . article by Gerald Mittinger

VICE HUMAN - ESCAPE
(SMC 010 / CD´2006) GREECE
A first look at the bandpicture inside the disc booklet let people which don´t know this greek 80ies metal veterans wonder. The trio acts in front of the union jack and the bassist MICHAEL VAKOULAS wear a NEAT RECORDS shirt.Without a doubt starts the album fantastic with the NWoBHM inspired THROUGH HE RAIN, THROUGH THE WIND. I´m absolute perplex how good this tune sounds. Like a synonym firms the second hit under ONCE MORE. Yeäh.., we want more of this great NWoBHM sounding metal ! Like a little metalepos elect then EACH DAY COMES AND GOES our metal firmament. I like the high and remindable voice of NICK PAPAKOSTAS a lot. His charismatic vocallines helps a lot to made the sound of VICE HUMAN unique. Also AS I WALK AROUND spreads a lot of early 80ies spirit. In the vain of the old NWoBHM heroes acts. I wish outside would be again more acceptance for this kind ot time less Heavy Metal. Another high class old school metal track is the galoping MOVING DOWN.Needless to write that the titletrack is also a class of it´s own too. Mystic but in the same style rules the mighty THE GODS WILL DIE. The basic of I´VE GOT LOVE is a melodic Hard Rock melodie. But this track is so catchy arranged that you will em not forget just after one listen. I´M GONNA LET YOU GO is a typical early 80ies styled powerballad. Last but not least close the simple titled SING THE SONG again in the best NWoBHM manier this outstanding album. If you have pro blems to find this release at your favorite record dealer contact the guitarwizard NICK PAPAKOSTAS, Mirogianni 5, 17456 Ano Kalamaki, Athens, Greece or drop him a line via vicehuman_gr@yahoo.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

VIDA ROCK BAND - ELLOPOTT REMENYEK
(NAIL103 / HAMMER RECORDS / CD´2008) HUNGARY
There is a long history of great sounding melodic Hard Rock acts with an east european music flair in Hungary. We remember such great artists like LORD, P.BOX, KARTHAGO, P MOBIL or even the kings of this genre OMEGA...!!! So it doesn ´t wonder me that behind the bandname nobody else stands as the bassist and vocalist VIDA FERENC which is well known from his former group LORD ! Together with the neoclassic guitarist KOVACS FERENC is this a dream combination for this kind of music. Wright from the start with the titletrack rules this aha effect if you keep listen this fantastic guitarwork with all the riffs and hooks which surprise you by every listening again. Behind this earcandy tune follows the neoclassical inspired ACELGLORIA. Again I can´t more as to repeat my praise on this constellation. Fantastic vocallines and a tight guitarwork made this release to a high flyer. SZABADSAG enters with uptempo accords the neoclassical melodic metal style. Total different but in great style convince the big beat arran ged ALOMCSUPAN. Even more metallic strikes NEM KELL After I keep listen this hyper composition three times I am finally able to skip to the next one. Back to the roots in this genre but also very metallic leads us then HAMIS VILAG. In a teatrical combination of mystic and furiousity starts the march ing killertrack TALALJ RAM. Maybe the reason to reach airplay contains the album also a with KEKLÖ OCEAN a ballad. But with ALMOK UTJAN ranks an other fine hard rock diamond to the top. The regular setlist on this disc is then finished with the wonderful arrangent ELMEGYEK. By the way guitarist KOVACS FERENC original lacks from another unknown hungarian group with the name ORFEUS. I am not sure, but I think the two bonus tracks are from this group. Maybe they are new arranged. It doesn´t matter, because without a doubt is NAPVILAG one of the strongest tunes on this disc. The second one firms under the title SZAZ EV and isn´t a single note bader as the other one. High class on and on.... www.vidarockband.hu. If you into this kind of melodic metal put this release on your wantlist. article by Gerald Mittinger

VICIOUS RUMORS - RAZORBACK KILLERS
(SPV RECORDS / STEAMHAMMER SPV 308891 CD/LP´2011) UNITED STATES
Don´t know the reason why didn´t works the engine in the last year by this legendary US POWER METAL gods. I´ve read in several spezialized magazines that the mean reason was the problem to recruit a vocalist who is able to handle his job at the same high level as the unforgotten CARL ALBERT. But personel I think that isn´t the real problem. Remember their last album WARBALL from 2006 were JAMES RIVERA did a perfect performance. Maybe the real reason was that the band published before some weak albums which didn´t represent the taste of the traditional oriantated metal heads. With the WARBALL album wons the band back a lot of their old fans. Perhaps the time is right again now to climb back on the Power Metal throne with this strong release.

VALIANT - MENATAP DUNIA
(HEAVY RECORDS / CD´2008) INDONESIA

PAST METAL HEROES

ruler13 — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 06:41:01 CST

FORCED ENTRY - AS ABOVE SO BELOW
(RELATIVITY RECORDS / CD´1991) U.S.A.
I don´t know why this album isn´t in line which such known represants of the (bay area) thrash scene like TESTAMENT, EXODUS or the underrated HEATHEN too. Maybe one reason was the band didnt residents in the bay area. By the way this trio with an unique thrash style was from Seattle (far away from the music bizz in Los Angeles or New York). AS ABOVE SO BELOW was the 2nd release and for me the real masterpiece of FORCED ENTRY.

CROSS - METAL FROM ABOVE
(STEEL LEGACY SLRCD001 / CD´2006) U.S.A.
Since so many years I´ve own an old tape without a cover artwork, sparly infos but great music by CROSS. It was for a long time a real treasure. But finally the small greek company STEEL LEGACY made a dream come true. They rereleased all the lost and forgotten stuff by this US undergroud heroes. But let´s do at first a timewarp back in the haytime of the US-Metal. Far away from the metropols the music industry exact in ALBUQUERQUE / NEW MEXICO was formed at the beginning of the eightiess the quartett CROSS. Their kind of create typical highclass US METAL in this time was in the style of such acts as BARREN CROSS, FATES WARNING, DELIVERANCE ... to name a few. A legendary four track demotape under the title METAL FROM ABOVE brought the the group a lot of attention in and outside of america. I remember reviews in germans ROCK HARD and some other great fanzines. Everything seem clear that the band would be the next big thing in the steady rising christian metal circuit. This famous four tracker brought them the offer to record for KING CLASSIC RECORDS an album. In lack of money happened this recordings never. It´s really pity that there isn´t today the posability to rerecord this planed album. But no reason to hesitate. Their current label restored the legendary demotracks SIGN OF THE CROSS (this was the inguiding instrumental), METAL FROM ABOVE, DELIVERANCE, THE ASCENSION and the unbelieveable timeless epos FINAL JOURNEY. Alone this track is it worth to buy this good styled album (photos and lyrics). As bonus contains this CD further some live recordings from a show at their hometown in 1986. But the quality of this stuff is awful and only listenable for die hard followers. It doesn´t matter. Fact is that the demorecordings strikes in a listenable sound. So if you still in the rush of good timeless US-METAL check out this material. Think this album is also available as limited vinyl too. www.steel-legacy.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

RULER13

ruler13 — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:21:48 CST

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************************************ PLAYLIST JULY / AUGUST´2008 *********************

ABAX - GOLDEN PARADISE (MINI´CD CZECH REPUPLIC´2008)

OBSTRUCTION - VADAK FÖLDJE (PRIVATE RELEASE HUNGARY CD´2007)

KALAPACS - MITOSZ (HAMMER RECORDS CD/DVD HUNGARY´2008)

ANGEL DE ACERO - OTRA VEZ EN EL CAMINO (DENVER DISCOS MEXICO CD´2008)

KROSSFIRE - TOUCH OF DESTINY (PROMO DEMO CD BULGARIA´2008)

TERASBETONI - MYRSKYNTUOJA (WARNERMUSIC CD FINLAND´2008)

PROMETHEUS - TIERRA DE TODOS(PRIVATE RELEASE CD SPAIN 2008)

GRENDEL - SEE THE LIGHT (PRIVATE RELEASE CD SPAIN´2008)

ESTAMPIDA - SIN RENCOR (PRIVATE RELEASE CD SPAIN´2008)

EDEN - EDEN (PRIVATE RELEASE CD SLOVENIJA´2008)

******************************************PLAYLIST JANUARY / FEBRUARY´2009*******************************************************

HELLRION - MAVNUI KOUZELNVM PROUTKERN (PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2005 CZECH REPUBLIC)

KRLES - PERUNOVO REQUIEM (SIA PRODUCION CD´2008 CZECH REPUBLIC)

MARAUDER - FACE THE MIRROR (HEART OF STEEL REC. CD´2008) GREECE

HORCAS - REVIENDO HUESTES (TOCKA DISCOS CD´2008) ARGENTINA

ICE VINLAND - MASTERS OF THE SEA (PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2008) CANADA

OSSIAN - KÜLDETES (HAMMER RECORDS CD´2008) HUNGARY

ENFORCER - INTO THE NIGHT (HEAVY ARTILLERY CD´2008) SWEDEN

ROSA MISTICA-ARRASTRANDO LA CRUZ (PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2008) ARGENTINA

******************************************PLAYLIST NOVEMBER´2009***************************************

PROMETHEUS - BARRO Y LAGRIMAS (PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2009) SPAIN

AORTA - SIN TEMOR A CONTINUE (MTM PRODUCTIONS / CD´2009) ARGENTINA

ZARNAKAND - MAS ALLA (SANTO GRIAL / CD´2009) SPAIN

ROZZ - 2009 (PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) FRANCE

ALIOTH - 30° NORTE (SANTO GRIAL / CD´2009) SPAIN

GOBRA - FROM DAWN TO STORM (PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) FINLAND

CONQUEST OF STEEL-STORM QUEEN/RISE OF... (PLASTIC HEAD / CD´2009) UK

OSSIAN - EGYSZER AZ ELETBEN (HAMMER RECORDS / CD´2009) HUNGARY

SIBILA - FE, ACERO Y CORAZON (PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) SPAIN

CRITICAL STATE - THEATER OF PAIN (PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) GERMANY

***************************************PLAYLIST DECEMBER´2009*******************************************

*HÜRLEMENT - DE SANG ET D´ACIER (EMANES METAL RECORDS / CD´2009) FRANCE

*PRODIGAL EARTH - ZERO II ZENITH (PITCH BLACK RECORDS / CD´2009) CYPRUS

*DARK FOREST - DEFENDER (IROND KODEX RECORDS /MCD´2009) UK

*SEVEN - SEVEN DEADLY SINS (PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) CZECH REPUBLIC

*EXISTENCE - GODFORSAKEN NIGHTS (PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) GERMANY

*DÜNEDAIN - BUSCANDO EL NORTE (PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2009) SPAIN

*CROSSWIND - OPPOSING FORCES (DEMO CDR´2009) GREEK

*IGNITOR - THE SPIDER QUEEN (CRUZ DEL SUR / CD´2009) UNITED STATES

*KRAIT - ANGELES (PRIVATE RELEASE / PROMO´2009) SPAIN

*QUELONIO - VICIO Y VIRTUD (RED RIVET RECORDS / CD´2009) SPAIN

******************************* PLAYLIST JANUARY / FEBRUARY´2010************************************************

DARK NIGHTMARE - THE HUMAN LIBERTY (EAT METAL RECORDS EMR 022 / CD´2009) GREECE

HEATHEN - THE EVOLUTION OF CHAOS(MASCOT RECORDS M72572 / CD´2010) UNITED STATES

WOLF´SGANG - LAMES FATALES (PRIVATE RELEASE / MINI CD´2009) FRANCE

STORMBRINGER - AMONG THE FLAME OF WAR (EAT METAL CD´2009) GREECE

SAINT - HELL BLADE /RETROACTIVE RECORDS CD´2010) UNITED STATES

DARK ILLUSION - WHERE THE EAGLES FLY (BATTLEFIELD RECORDS CD´2010) SWEDEN
MELQART - LIBRE (CREATIVE COMMONS CD´2009) ESPANA

MIDNIGHT PRIEST - RAINHA DA MAGIA NEGRA (STORMSPELL RECORDS MCD´2009) PORTUGAL

ENDYIUM - EYE OF THE STORM (PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2009) CANADA

ARMOUR - SONICHOUSE TAPES (AREA DEATH PRODUCTIONS MCD´2007) FINLAND

********************* PLAYLIST OCTOBER / NOVEMBER´2010********************

CRYSTAL TEARS - GENERATION X (7 HARD CD´2010) GREECE

BLACKSWORD - THE SWORD ACCURST (ECHOES OF CROM RECORDS CD´2010) RUSSIA

FORGOTTEN LEGACY - THE ORACLE (PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2010) U.S.A.

PHANTOM X - THIS IS WAR (PERRIS RECORDS CD´2010) U.S.A.

ONIRION - DILAMANIA (PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2010) SPAIN

BARBARIAN - HELL IS BACK ON EARTH (PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2010) SPAIN

FANTASY OPUS - BEYOND ETERNITY (PRIVATE RELEASE MCD´2008) PORTUGAL

ADAREL - TRIPLEHEXAFOBIA (PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2010) SPAIN

ETERNAL REIGN - DAWN BY RECONONING (PURE STEEL RECORDS CD´2010) GERMANY
TRASHNOS - RECUERDOS DEL FUTURO (MOLUSCO DISCOS CD´2010) SPAIN

LINKS AND FRIENDS

ruler13 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:37:48 CST

www.underground-empire.com
www.metaleros.de
www.mascotrecords.com
www.wolfsmoon.de
www.natoronline.de
www.myspace.com/natormetal
www.myspace.com/santaininquisition
www.myspace.com/wolfsgang89
www.myspace.com/solitarysabred
www.cloven-hoof.co.uk
www.razionesconcientes.com.ar
www.saintsbleed.de
www.oblivionmyth.com
www.myspace.com/oblivionmyth
www.myspace.com/therealroxx
www.raviarock.com
www.myspace.com/tantramx
www.privatesecret.de

www.myspace.com/megahera www.facebook.com/megahera www.highlandglory.com
www.robrock.com www.myspace.com/highlandglory www.myspace.com/forgottenlgcy www.myspace.com/powersteelband www.stormhunter-metal.de www.myspace.com/sacriferband www.ancientcross.com www.fotolog.com.br/7thseal www.twistermusic.hu
www.agincourtmusic.com
www.myspace.com/twisterhungary
www.facebook.com/twisterrocks
www.necrozzz.ru
www.eternal-flame.de
www.PATHFINDERBAND.com
www.jessebolt.com
www.firewolfe.com
www.myspace.com/PATHFINDERBAND
www.avik.cz
www.7thorns.dk
www.myspace.com/7thorns
www.metalcambra.com
www.KATR-plzen.cz
www.keksrock.cz
www.overdream.hu
www.SKANNERS.it
www.myspace.com/SKANNERS
www.werken.com.ar
www.myspace.com/DELTAOFFICIAL
www.myspace.com/sainteombre
www.sacredheartband.com
www.invictus-metal.com
www.piligrim-rock.ru
www.wicked-temptation.de
www.pump-rocks.net
www.anvilmetal.tk
www.myspace.com/anvilmetal
www.reaper.de
www.myspace.com/feriesreturn
www.myspace.com/ivorymetalband
www.myspace.com/signofthunder (RUST)
www.myspace.com/headbangerband
www.myspace.com/arondightmetal
www.myspace.com/wolfheavymetal
www.myspace.com/sinstarlett
www.mindodyssey.de
www.myspace.com/lastwarningit
www.myspace.com/herman-frank
www.burningpoint.net
www.kruk.art.pl
www.myspace.com/crysys666
www.myspace.com/serpentfiremkd
www.tankard.org
www.officialatheist.com
www.myspace.com/metalwithoutmercy
www.pokolgep.hu
www.msmetal.net
www.highlightkenosis.com
www.myspace.com/highlightrockband
www.myspace.com/flamethrowerheavy
www.mobilmania.rockband.hu
www.myspace.com/tocictrace5
www.myspace.com/toxicsociety.com
www.wyvern.it
www.truemetal.org/wyvern
www.rygel.net
www.myspace.com/rygelband
www.dragonheart.com.br
www.kattah.net
www.myspace.com/officalkattah
www.myspace.com/arondightmetal
www.opca-opasnost.com
www.vengeangeonline.nl
www.trinakrius.it
www.myspace.com/lastwarningit
www.mindodyssey.de
www.myspace.com/isole
www.kruk.art.pl
www.myspace.com/serpentfiremkd
www.jagpanzer.com
www.davidellefson.com
www.myspace.com/metalwithoutmercy
www.myspace.com/pegazusmusic
www.madgator.br
www.myspace.com/steelpreacher
www.metalwitch.de
www.myspace.com/metalwitches
www.mastersofrock.cz
www.myspace.com/wolfheavymetal
www.myspace.com/dexterwardband

REVIEWS -B-

ruler13 — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:08:41 CST

BAYRON - ESPERANZA DE LIBERTAD
(DEL IMAGINARIO DISC / CD´2006) ARGENTINA
Without a doubt this release works. I remeber an older issue of argentinians one and only metalica fanzine where I read in an advertise ment the first time the name of this promising new band. Timeless arranged melodic edged Power Metal under a crystal clear but on and on catchy production. What´s the matter is in the argentinan metal scene to bring out such a majestic band ? Without a gap BAYRON is close to such legends like the old RATA BLANCA and LOGOS. It´s pure madness to listen an outstanding track like "LA GESTA DE TAURUS (we find there incredible vocals by the singer SERGIO MINNI). Honorable guitars (DAIO MONZON) in combination with fine and of course decent keyboards (CHISIAN COREA) and a tight rhytmus section (GEMAN D´ANGELO bass and LAUREANO HERRERO behind the batterie) lead this fantastic epos to the top! I can´t stop to praise songs like TIERRA ADENTRO, LAZOS DE SANGRE the power full PROFETAS DEL MAL or the high over the limit agitating title track. There could fit no other discription for this suberb product as hyper class !!! Catch this one if you can for your collection today: www.delimaginario.com.ar . By the way this good packaged disc will be another good remindable disc in your collection .article by Gerald Mittinger

BLACK HORIZON - TIME IS MY ENEMY
(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2005) FRANCE
Oh yes, what a wise poem. TIME IS MY ENEMY. Who didn´t know this phrase. If I would have more time I could create this or that. I don´t know exact if this french based quartett follows with this title the same doctrine. It doesn´t matter. Fact is that BLACK HORIZON is another hopeful great band from our neighbours. The band hails from Richarville / Il de France and is since 1991 active. So there is no matter that we can speak about old heroes. But their kind of spread the metal is still hot... !!! Their private released lovely styled mini album starts with a long intro / instrumental until the mystic and impressive classic Heavy Metal hymn TIME opens the reign. Double twin guitars of the old school by SEBASTIEN and ALEX let me be fast to a follower of the style of the group. Their vocalist BRUNO fits in with the perfect voice to this kind of timeless classic Heavy Metal. Their sound is as best to describe somewhere between the classic eighties french metal bands and some slight MAIDEN / PRIEST influences. I diddn´t have to tell you that this brisant mixture will convince every follower of this style. With REAGIS returns the group into the circle of the classic Heavy Metal with french lyrics. BLACK HORIZON are similar as such famous acts as SORTILEGE or DEMON EYES masters in this style. Sometimes reminds me parts of this fine composition also on the legendary band TRUST. Fast running Euro Metal offers us at least the number PREJUDICE. You could find this track also on the FRECH STEEL compilation. I wish this mini album would contan more tracks. But last but not least features this disc as bonu a videoclip of TIME. By the way the band is also a part on the LES FILS DES LOUPS tribute compilation for the french living legend KILLERS. Their cover and homage to this band is there LE POUVOIR SANS L GLORIE. Meanwhile the quartett is working on their next fullength disc. Check out their good styled website where you can order too a lot of shirts and other great merchandise. www.blackhorizon.free.fr or start a prelistening of old and new tunes at www.myspace.com/lackhorizonmetal . articel by Gerald Mittinger

BLACK RAIN - BLACK RAIN
(PRIVATE PRESS / CD´2006) FRANCE
Hmmm, at first I was sceptic about this band from France. But there is no doubt, BLACK RAIN is a fine eighties inspired metal act. Equal if you keep listen the opener KILL EM ALL which is a hymn in the best WASP style (circa THE CRIMSON IDOL period) or the follow tune GODS OF METAL. The band joins the real Heavy Metal spirit. By the way this titles speaking for them self, exact like NO LIFE TILL METAL too. First in the semiballad WINTERWIND we have time to regenerate (this one starts a bit like the misty SCORPIONS ballads from the early eighties) . The next cut is called AWAKE and acts like a rambler to awakes you from the dead. HATE, DISGUST AND POWER is a speedy tune. During CRYSTAL NIGHT shows the band in disguise between L.A.-metal with a typical sing a long refrain and the before noticed classic metal attributes. BATTLEGROUND is a fourios arranged up tempo metal buster. A piano part in the style of JOHN OLIVA leads into the final track EVERTHING GOES UP IN SMOKE. The band shows there again their skill and feeling for harmonic and theatrical arrangements. Thumbs up for BLACK RAIN, you are the winner of round number one. At the moment the group finish the second album which will be out at the end of the year. At first will follow as an appetizer an EP (vinyl) too. Take a look at their present recordcompany www.thundering-records.com or www.pervade-prod.com . Think the band is also inside myspace active too. So don´t hesitate your time and hurry up. article by Gerald Mittinger

BENEDICTUM - SEASONS OF TRAGEDY
(LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS / CD´2007) UNITED STATES
This is the first strike for the new year. Two years ago the band from San Diego / California around the female singer Veronica Freeman published their debut. This album was in my eyes okay. A little bit disturbed me then the pro moting. Every thing was exclusive on the singer. On the cover was a picture of her only. Now the second album SEASONS OF TRAGEDY is complete dif ferent in the promoting. The image is now like a real band with the except that the have a female vocalist. I am also statisfied with the cover. So everything fits? Also the music? Exact, like I wrote, this cd is a full strike of fantastic US Metal. Veronica´s voice is one of the best in the female rock circus. Often she reminds me on Leather of CHASTAIN and the incre dible Barbara from MALTEZE. But really as best fits her voice when she not screams. As best you can imagine this for example in BARE BONES (great vocal lines) or in the furious banger LEGA CY. In this song she combinates perfect the balance bet ween screams, raw ness and singing. Be side her voice all musicans (PETE WELLS guitars, on bass mr. JESSE WRIGHT and on the drums we find PAUL COURTOIS) are really tight on their instru ments .On the cover of this digipack prints a sticker which advertises us also the contribution of such well known musicans as JEFF PILSON (he is also the producer of the album), GRAIG GOLDY and GEORGE LYNCH (both are present with several guitar solos). As bonus track contains the album a nice cover version of CATCH THE RAIN BOW. All in all is SEASONS OF TRAGEDY a damn good work. May be one of the highligts of 2008. If you don´t believe me take before your buying a pre listenting of some tracks inside www.myspace.com/benedictum or check also too the bandsite under www.benedictum.net. Meanwhile I will visit my record dealer to catch me also the first album. review by Gerald Mittinger

BLACK FIRE - BLACKFIRE
(NEBIULA PRODUCTION / CD´2006) MALAYSIA
Never before I heard anything about this malay Heavy Metal legend. It seems that the band exists since many years (maybe they start the band back in 1984). But till today anything was handled without a product on the market. The recordings on this disc were done between 2002 untill 2005. But don´t await a mayor production . Raw and blistering, but with lots of charme raves the sound. BLACK FIRE delivers us a fine blend of asian power metal under contributuions of the old US metal scene. This eight tracker works well for all lovers of 80ies heavy metal acts like ANTHEM, old LOUDNESS, RUSTY BLADE or even US Metal icons in the style of OMEN, LAAZ ROCKIT or SCREAMER. A sinister intro like in an old horrorfilm opens the reign untill the titlerack BLACK FIRE opens this epos with catchy eighties Power Metal. REDATANGAN I follows in a much more impressive and energetic epic style. I´m sure every follower of this direction will go mad after the first listen. Don´t know if this cut follows a whole concept story cause with REDATANGAM II contains the album the second part. Again rules this tune with insane classic Power Metal. Majestic guitars leads in the next monumental hymn REMENANGAN DI SAAT AKHIR. Maybe you can better imagine their style if you imagine a perfect mixture of classic US eighties Power Metal with malaysian lyrics. The power rags on with the technical complex arranged killertune SIL KHANNAS. Raw and unbend follows SPIRIT. Yeäh, this tune fast banger is crowned with english lyrics. Finally ends this absolute collectable album with THE SIGN. Another creed to the real classic Power Metal. Catch this one if you can. I am sorry but there exists no website only an e-mail address: nebiula@mailexcite.com . Gerald Mittinger

BEYOND FALLEN - MINDFIRE
(MELISSA RECORDS / CD´2007) UNITED STATES
By the end of the last year signed this new dutch record company BEYOND FALLEN. This US-Metal band is no more unknown. Two professional private released albums (the debut was a four track EP and the full tracker LOST IN THE SHADOWS) in the past helped them a lot to spread their name all around in the underground. To describe their sound the best keyword is US Power Metal with an edge of Bay Area Thrash. So far this recording sounds great. My only critic is that the vocals by JOE KRAVIS could be more alternating. For example one of the best tracks on this disc is the midpower arranged CLOSER TO THE END. There he uses his vocals in various styles. I wish he would act more times in this style. Other great tunes on the album are the good instrumental FIELD OF HONOR (STEVE JASUILEWICZ and MIKE JOHNSON is a tight guitar duo), the outstanding title track, the perfect cut SNIPER and the 80ies US power metal sounding ILLUSION OF LIFE. All in all is MINDFIRE a good start for BEYOND FALLEN and their young record firm too. Take a look for more informations about their whole release catalogue at www.beyondfallen.com or check them at first inside www.myspace.com/beyonfallen . If you prefer it to write the group in the traditional way by mail use the following direction: Beyond Fallen, P.O.Box 2051, Kingston, PA 18704 U.S.A. article by Gerald Mittinger

BLACK RAVEN - THE DAY OF THE RAVEN
(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2009) ITALY

BARON ROJO - ULTIMASMENTES
(SANTO GRIAL DISCOS / CD´2006) ESPANA
Several years after their last studio album 20+ (published in 2001 for Zero Records and the double live recording BARON EN AQUALUNG from 2002 for the same company) returns one of the oldest spanish metal legend´s finally with a new recording. By the way I couldn´t believe what I listen there. The band I loved so much in the eigthies is back with there unique original sound. I don´t will lie, but in my ears was there 20+ album as well the covers recording PERVERSIONES relative weak discs. They didn´t represent for my opinion the real BARON ROJO as we know em from albums like VOLUMEN BRUTAL or METALMORFOSIS. So the songs on ULTIMASMENTES leads the band back to their great moments from the mid eighties. Most of the new tracks could stand also too on classic BARONES albums as EN UN LUGAR DE LA MARCHA or TIERRA DE NADIE. Maybe some of the other songs tendences a bit in the recording phase of the ARMA SECRETA album too. Suma sumarum is ULTIMASMENTES again another fantastic return for the RED BARON. Check out brilliant tunes like TU INFIERNO (YOUR HELL) and ROCK´N ROLL GANG. I am sure you will understand than why this band is still one of the most influencial acts of the spanish hard and heavy scene. By the moment plans their company to release a new double live recording which will contain as bonus a live concert on DVD. Infos under www.baronrojo.net and also through www.baronrojo.com or check out their latest releases via their company www.santogrialproducciones.es . If you hear about the band the first time don´t forget it to chek their rick back catalogue too. article by Gerald Mittinger

BLACK WALL - PERJUANGAN
(PRIVATE RELEASE/ CD´2004) MALAYSIA
I am always more than happy if I can get one of this hard to find cd´s from asia. BLACK WALL is another Kuala Lumpur based traditional heavy / pow er metal act. On the cover is written that with Samand is involved one mem ber of the 80ies metal heroes LEFTHAN DED. So far about the who is who and name droping merry go round ! The disc starts with JEBAT in the best tradition of old LOUDNESS / ANTHEM / RUSTY BLADE tunes. But the fol lowing slow motion track MELATI YANG HILANG breaks any hope for anot her classic in this genre.With a little bit more energy follows MEMORI DESA. More or less reach the group the melodic metal terrain. Of course the fine guitar work convince me there. After this little hope TIADA LAGI KASIH MU is another cheesy filler in this slow motion spart. Finally back to life catapult me then the real traditional heavy track MERDEKA. Wow, this band is able to write good music, but don´t use their talent ! Fortunaly also the following a bit RAINBOW inspired instrumental ISTANA PUAKA sounds well in or ears. After another emotional track with the title RAJA TIONG reanimates BLACK WALL their roots in the fine melodic metal cut DEKATLAH PADA KU. Especially lovers of virtu ose typic asian guitar licks will be afraid by the playing of their six string wizard RAFEE. Another better with great guitar performance arranged track is the power full title track. I wish there would be more stuff like this suberb song on this cd. Track number eleven is then a composition which is based on traditional arrange ments. Again every guitarfreak will be there more as glad. By the way, if this album would be continue only packed with catchy songs there were posible another ranking. By interest try to get this release under the following contact address: BLACK WALL PRODUCTIONS, 27 Jalan Dato Haji Mohd Said, Kampung Pasir, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta´zim, Malaysia. article by Gerald Mittinger

BATTLERAGE - BATTLEFIELD BELONGS TO ME
(OCTAGON MUSIC GROUP / CD´2006) CHILE
This is second effort from this Santiago de Chile based band. After their debut album STEEL SUPREMACY returns the quintett again on the scene with a strong 80ies power meta.l ladden album. The disc starts with the in strumental GIMMERIA before the first bolt THE WARRIOR RETURNS in best tra ditional 80ies power metal starts the reign. No matter the band is tight.But maybe a bit more originality would be not a mistake. Because some of the compositions reminds the listener to MANOWAR. Of course similar like the debut album forces this release with lots of so called battle hymns. Unfortunately walks in so rapid the sense of tireness. Further contains the album a good cover of GRAVE DIGGERS cult tune HEAVY METAL BREAK DOWN. A bit more energetic runs than BY STEEL I REIGN SUPREME. Against FROM THE DEEPEST HELL is a pure arranged tune. Perhaps the best track is HEAVY METAL AXE. Without a doubt delivers this album tons of powerful metal, but I wrote above lacks the recording of originality www.battlerage.cl or contact em under: info@battlerage.cl . article by Gerald Mittinger

BUENOS AIRES - VOLUMEN 5
(DEL IMAGINARIO DISCOS / CD´2006) ARGENTINA
It´s time again for some hard edged timeless rock´n roll. I don´t know how much albums are published in the past from this in the capital of Argentina based rockers. But the album title VOLUMEN 5 let´s come to the decision that this one is not the first one. Like a bunch in your face opens MIEDO (FEAR) the reign.In the Power Metal veign acts EL CARPO. During a track like EL GANDOR sounds like a simbose of beer,rock´n roll and sweat. I like the raw charme of the semi ballad ESPINAS (THORNS). Some of the songs spread also a 70ies hard rock feeling (for example MEDIO ORIENTE or FATIGADO) but the most compo sitions are raw and uncut dirty rock´n rollers. Beside the regular playtime for the first 10 tracks makes a lot of mood if you into this kind of driving heavy rock. Para este disco offerta mucho mas...!!! As many bands in this style is alos BUEMOS AIRES a tight live act and I think the band know this too. So this album contains 8 fine tracks from a clubgig back in 2005 in perfect sound quality. Stop before you start with your typic prejudices, all songs are not from the studio recording.It´s a pleasure to listen this raw but intesive play ing.Sometime the cuts lives on through improvments.Imagine a mixture of V8 and BARON ROJO with parts of MOTÖRHEAD and you will find you in the middle of an impressive gig of this trio. I am not sure, but I think one of this cuts, LOS ROCKEROS VAN AL INFIERNO is a remake of the famous BARON ROJO composition. So folks, take care and give this stunning longplayer a spin. www.buenosairesrock.com.ar . article by Gerald Mittinger

BLIND PETITION - BLOODY REUNION
(FRW RECORDS 07.109-2/ CD´2007) AUSTRIA
As the working title tells us is this after several years of silence the comeback album of the well known austrian heavy rockers. By the way you read wright if I categorize the style of the band meanwhile under Heavy Rock. Of course during the mid eighties untill the early ninties published this vienna based institution a couple of remindable typic european classic Heavy Metal orientated albums. Just to remind you I will write there down such cool releases as TSCHINGO BINGO (86), WELCOME TO WIN (87) MAXIMUM PERVERSUM (88) the great live recording from 1990...(SPV RECORDS) and there last real energetic studio album THE ELEMENTS OF ROCK from 1992 (BREAKIN RECORDS). Like by so many hopeful metal acts around the globe ended this successful story somewhere in the mid of the 90ies. Of course in 1994 published their austrian company BREAKIN RECORDS a final compilation with some unreleased tracks. A bit after the beginning of the millenium returned our heroes then surprisly with a new studio outtake. But the musically direction of NO PRISONERS (BREAKIN/BMG RECORDS) was far away from their glorious old days. Hannes and Bertl Bartsch the meanminds on the guitars discovered there their blues roots. Beside some oldscool hard and heavy tunes was there more and more the winning evidence this influence. Personal I like this album but never it offers the old enthusiasm of their former releases, Now a couple of years later I keep listen their latest effort BLOODY REUNION. Menawhile I gave this lovely styled disc a handfull of spins and with every new listening burns this compilation of new tracks deeper in my heart. Foolish, if there anybody will think now that the quartett returns complete to their roots. No, but they found the golden way to combinate the best from the past with their present style. In other words this album will statisfy every lover of good timeless Hard and heavy sounds. BLOODY REUNION is a typical 80ies inspired melodic heavy rocker. THE BIG THINGS tendences in the same direction. Sometimes reminds me BLIND PETITION there on the old hairmetal acts as MÖTLEY CRÜE, LA GUNS and even GUNS´N´ROSES. Why not...??? Stll reigns a good time feeling such compositions as FOLLOW THE RULES, NUMBER ONE or EVEN A SOLDIER... Take a look at their website where you can order this album and also a couple of their old releases too.. www.blindpetition.at or use for the personal contact johannes.bartsch@chello.at . Also during this years will be the band on different gigs present. Maybe you visit em for examle at July the 3rd in their hometown Vienna at the Szene Wien location or at August 22nd in Graz at the GMD General Musicdirektion concert. article by Gerald Mittinger

BLAMAGE - EXIT ABSOLUT
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CDR´2008) CZECH REPUBLIC
If I didn´t know it better I wouldn´t believe that hides behind this cover artwork a traditional Heavy Metal band. But in line. BLAMAGE hails from Czechsky Budevice the legendary beercity. Their style is on and on manifaste in the tradition of such czech legends as TITANIC, KERN or ARAKAIN. In other words BLAMAGE is the kind of band which is the absolute favorite for every straight to the top orientated headbanger. The album opens the strong titletrack. From the first moment on you will be statiesfy by the original and hypnotic voice by MILAN CERNOCH. I will be damned if I will not hold in the near future an album from BLAMAGE in my hands published by a big czech label. You should hear the superb guitarwork by TOMAS KUCHTA and PAVEL MICHALEK. The following ZEME BARBARU follows in the same glorious eighties orientated Heavy Metal style too. But the third number VLAK DO PEKEL is then really big. Close to the old ARAKAIN presents us this composition a tight and powerfull newcomer. Behind this bolt fascinate us the midtempo stumpin banger 11.PRIKAZANI. Again Heavy Metal at high class celebrates the quartett then with KDO Z NAS. The precise rhythmsecction by TOMAS LAPICE behind the drums and MILAN HORAVA at the bass fullfile perfect the whole impression about this group. With out a weak moment slides the disc then in the next bangin tune SKORPION. Another strong number follows at hand with the emotional KREV MOJI KRVE. I don´t know for what stands ZAVRAT but I know exact that this track is yet another running metal basher with a cool melody and chorusline. Fast to the point Heavy Metal delivers us also the final striker KONEC ILUZI. As bonus contains this fine recording a videoclip for KDO Z NAS. It seems the quartett did made there anything wright and the signs stands on storm and assault for a bright future. I have only one point to critizize.... why is this only a CDR and not a real pressed CD. For my opinion should be pressed or rereleased this album immiditialy as an original factory pressed CD. www.blamage.cz . Before I forget, if I read the linernotes wright is the production of this well produced album in cooperation with MILOSOVI DODO DOLEZALOVI done. article by Gerald Mittinger

BUD TRIBE - ROLL THE BONE
(MY GRAVEYARD PRODUCTIONS / MGP-032 CD´2009) ITALY
Sometimes growing in the secret the strongest new metal gods. I must be blind to overlook the private released debut album ON THE WAR PATH by this phenomenal italian metallists. Of luck exist Guliano Mazzardi and his fine label MY GRAVEYARD PRODUCTIONS who signed this allstar group. Yeäh you read correct. Some of the musicans inside BUD TRIBE were before in such ilustrated acts as STRANA OFFICINA and SABOTAGE. Ah..., now is everything clear. No wonder that there any things fits like in the iron industry. One look at the fine and lovely styled cd-booklet and you can´t wait it to listen the first tune. After the sinister and mysterious arranged short instrumental FORSAKEN WORLD starts this release direct with the titletrack ROLL THE BONE. Close in the style to their old roots convince me this smashing and runnin´ doublebass banger from the first tact. DANIELE "BUD" ANCILOTTI was in the past the great vocalist of the incredible STRANA OFFICINA. Now he is back together with his brother "BID" (bass) inside BUD TRIBE. And when we talk there about the roots of the group we should not forget that the thundering drums are handled by DARIO CAROLI of the unforgotten italian heroes SABOTAGE (don´t miss to check the rereleases of their two classic albums BEHIND THE LINES and HOKA HEY which contains also the WELCOME EP on MY GRAVE YARD PRODUCTIONS too). Also LEO MILANI had guest appeareances in the past on the first SABOTAGE album BEHIND THE LINES. In continue to the songmaterial of ROLL THE BONE leads us the second monger HOLY WAR with intelligent lyrics to an up to date thematic. No matter musically runs blistering timeless classic metal down the line. With the following epos MOTHER´S CRY awaits the listener a conceptional arranged masterpiece. The first part PROMENADE is a medival compose fine acoustic instrumental which turns in the balladesc arranged starting part NATURE´S SONG. But no fear after seconds of emotional vocallines by BUD slides this tune in the third decade THE HIGHER THE FLY which is as best to describe with an epic laden powerful midtempo rocker untill he slides in the follow again in a melancoly part named MOTHER´S CRY. With an unbelieveable fine and virtuose celebrated guitarpart starts the last part FLIGHT OF ICARUS. Of course this part guides us back to the marching classic Heavy Metal style. GATES OF HADES is one of this mystic and sinister arranged semi instrumentals with a bombastic monk chorus which turns imidetially in the stunning midtempo stumper FACE THE DEVIL. Especially the melodic choruslines in comparsion with classic metal harmonies and leads working there like a metallic clockwork. I don´t know if some of you reminds the forgotten italian metal legend CROSSBONES. Why to hell would I remember yo on this icons? The solution is easy and near. GHOST DANCE is a melodic running classic Heavy Metal tune exact in the stye of this long forgotten band. With the same intensity and feeling acts the fantastic BREAKING THE SPELL too. STARRIDER awakes us from this dream with his speedy arrangements. by the way thistrack surprise with italian lyrics. Collectors should start their search for the splitsingle on JOLLY ROGER RECORDS (coloured vinyl) which features exact this tune from BUD TRIBE. Back to the early eighties with a strong NWOBHM feeling mixed with typic great old italian sounding Heavy Metal catapults us then NON SEI NORMALE. Doomy riffs and powerfull vocallines in abstraction of melody and disharmony let rise the closing cut NON FINIRA´ MAI to one of the absolute top compositions of this recording. Without a doubt is ROLL THE BONE from the release date a classic and unforget able album. I won´t miss it in my collection.... www.budtribe.it and www.myspace.com/budtribe-fanclub or www.mygraveyardproductions.com . article by Grald Mittinger

BAST - ZEME VLKU
(METAL SWAMP REC. / MS 005 / CD´2009) CZECH REPUBLIC
BAST is a czech based group which released in the past a coupe of demos. ZEME VLKU is now their official debut. Behind the great looking cover artwork hides this work ten fantastic timeless tunes. Packed in a powerful production starts the album with the sinister epos CHRAM. An evil spoken introduction opens the reign untill the over six minutes long finally really starts after two minutes. But then works this this powertune at high level. FLORIAN OLDA is this kind of a frontman which wants every Heavy Metal group. His mighty voice gives BAST his own unchanceable character. The following titletrack ZEME VLKU is a highclass doublebass Power Metal hymn. Florian´s voice is there close to the legendary ALES BRICHTA during his membership in ARAKAIN. What else as another great uptempo guitardriven metal number could stand behind a promising title as LADY DEATH. With the cut TREST reigns the quintett around the superb guitarist´s DEJAN PETKOVIC and PATRIK HERZAN deep in the vaults of old traditional eighties metal. With tons of brick waltz down the heavy arranged ZUSTAN. Similar with slow heavy arranged guitars starts as next MUJ STIN but changed their mood after thirty seconds in an aggresive sounding Power Metal slasher. VESTBA LIBUSINA is one of this great compositions which spreads the anthem of the good old traditional Heavy Metal too. Big pounding drums by MLAT DRUMSON (ho, ho he this synonym is a good joke...) and the pumpin basslines by MARTIN VIT guides this guitar oriantate monument heavy banger to the top numbers on this album. Followed by the typic Power Metal tune ZLY RUCE will win the band a lot of new fans. With a simple text works the only (luckly) english track BURN KILL AND DIE . Musically sounds this tune top but lyrically ddn´t convince me this one. Of luck is BURN KILL AND DIE the onyl experimental with english lyrics. A real battlefield epos BUH SI TO ZADA close finally this great chapter of highclass czech Heavy / Power Metal. No matter BAST is by the moment one of the best keept secrets of the mighty czech metal scene. But the tendence for the future of this group is to the top. Nobody will stop em if they follow straight their present direction. Uh, during I wrote this last words I find out that the album contains last but not least a secret great untitled instrumental as bonus track too. Support em and checkout their website www.bastmetal.cz or try to get the album through www.metalswamp.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

BETRAYER - REVULUSI
(BK RECORDS / PT AQUARIUS PUSTAKA MUSIC / CD´2008) INDONESIA
I don´t have an idea about the musically background of this Jarkata based quartett. But I am sur that REVOLUSI isn´t their first release. But it doesn´t matter. What counts is the quality which is there given in quantity. The impressive styled album starts with the powerfull traditional Power Metal tune WAKTU. Behind this suberb opener follows the more modern styled titletrack REVOLUTION. This hybrid of power / thrash metal riffs in combination with up to date machine sounds and harsh vocals didn´t afraid me all to much... !!! But with the following ORIGINAL PAIN change everything. In the beginning reminds me there their singer absolute on GEOFF TATE from the one and only QUEENSRYCHE, In the continue change he his vocalparts in an aggressive thrashy style. By the way this didn´t sounds in any form displaced. This powerful track surprise and awakes the listeners attention. REDAM EMOSI is another hard edged thrasher with slight hardcore running influences. Emotional and epic strikes KEBENARAN. Back to the more Power Metal oriantate style leads us then MKMK. In the same style maybe a tick more original acts TAK ADA YANG SEMPURNA. With unbendable power, energy and hectic hunts the slight industrial oriantated track HANY A BISA BERNY ANYI. Their vocalist demonstrates us there impressive his skill to fit his voice perfect in the fearful athmosphere of this tune. The guitarwork by GARRY impress me a lot. Would be interesant to know the story behind this cut. Last but least convine me the wonderful arrangement of the final composition INDAH. Of course this overhelming piece is an instrumental. My personal desire for the future is that there vocalist opens his superb voice to a bright acceptance. For my opinion did he shouts to much in the KREATOR style. That he has the skill and power to do great things too did he demonstrate sometimes perfect in the cut ORIGINAL PAIN. By interest check out their www.myspace.com/betrayerfromindonesia portal or find out more under www.betrayer.info . articel by Gerald Mittinger

BEYOND - THRASH
(NAIL RECORDS 124 / CD´2009) HUNGARY
Another surprise is the return of BEYOND. Back at the early ninetees published the band their debut TÖMIK A FEJED (3T / MAGYAR POLYGRAM 1994). From the original line did we find with the ZAVARKO brothers the vocalist LASLO (which runs also the drums) and ANDRAS on the guitar. Also the second guitarist TAMAS PARAJDI is again on board as well the original bassist ROLAND (VARNYU) ROZINAI. Their meanwhile nearly forgotten and hard to get debut convinced me in the past with great US-Thrash inflluenced compositions. Sometimes remind me their material in this period also a little bit on the well known MORDRED too. I don´t have an idea what´s happen after this impressive debut. Fiveteen years later returns the band now with a new recording. LELEKHULLAS opens the album with insane running thrash. Again convince me from the first moment the great guitarwork and the precise rhthmn timing of the group. If you feel familar with the old EXODUS and TESTAMENT you will conform with BEYOND. Meanwhile shouts LASLO his rhymes with a lot more power, hate and aggression as he performed them in the past. The following running smasher EMBERI ÖRDÖG manifests then this hard direction too. Slower but more evil grinds as next ÖRDOGI JAGANY (TRABI) in our souls. In the same direcction creeps the commerical thrash hit ELTORHETED SZARNYAIM. Fine working Thrash with a lot of energy is also the keyword for GYLKOS AR. Mighty riffing starts the Power / Thrash Metal hymn FELSZINES LAZ. For my opinion is this track one of the absolute winning tracks on this superb release. Back to the roots guides us SAVET NYOMOK HA MENTENI AKAROK. A little bit in the style of the old thrashy MOBY DICK acts then SZENT, TE IS ADAKOZZ. During the melancoly NEM VOLT MEG 17 catch us with slow marching heavy riffs. NEM BÜNHÖDSZ SEMMIERT is another magnifice bay area inspired thrasher in the tradition of METALLICA and EXODUS. With A FELELEM HÖHERAI follows at hand again a thrashbolt in this style. Rude but genial cracks down CSAK EGY ISTEN. No matter also the last chapter is reservered for a raw edged thrash symphony with the title PORSZEM VAGY EMBER. A look at the linernotes offered me that the band produced this powerful sounding album inside their own studio. Together with REMORSE is BEYOND in their country the reincar nation of the classic Thrash Metal style. In other words Thrash with class .. !!! Check out their website www.beyond.hu for more informations. Thrash is back !!! article by Gerald Mittinger

BOMBARDER - IMA LI ZIVOTA PRIJE SMIRTI
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2011) SERBIA
Their last official release LEDENA KRV (FROZEN BLOOD) was published back in 2003. Now after an endless time of hopes and waiting strikes the slavic Power / Thrash Metal machine with a new output back. Their mighty and powerfull produced latest studio recording IMA LI ZIVOTA PRIJE SMIRTI (IS THERE LIFE BEFORE DEATH) fullfiles with bravour all my desires. Recorded and mixed from April till August´2010 inside the "SO WHAT" studio in Belgrade delivers us this disc ten razorsharp headbanging tunes. But lets start to analyse it all chronlogy. Evil, sinister with an edge of mystic starts UVOD (INTRODUCTION) the reign. The following Power Metal runner LUBAVI KRALJ (KING OF LOVE) stands in line with their old classics. In other words imagine tight and fast Power Metal riffs with a slight typic MOTÖRHEAD influence. This tune is a real winner. At hand hunts without mercy personal favorite RANE (WOUNDS). Unbelieveable how fast and catchy cuts this old school SPEED METAL tune through the air. Absolute hard, dominant, insane but at the same moment clear pronounced vocallines by their legendary vocalist NENAD "NESO" KOVACEVIC gives this basher an extra kick. But there is no time to rest cause the next attack comes in with SVE INDOSTI UVOGA SVIJETA (ALL THE LOVE OF THIS WORLD).

BORROWED TIME - ARCANE METAL ARTS
(SARLACC PRODUCIONS 006 / MCD´2011) UNITED STATES
From time to time spites the US-underground interessant newcomers out which didn´t confirm the typical standart. We all remember such great bands like MANILLA ROAD, BROCAS HELM, SEASONS OF THE WOLF or SLOUGH FEG. Excat in the same tradition as this legends of original and unique metal agitates BORROWED TIME too.

REVIEWS -S-

ruler13 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:12:23 CDT

SEARCH - GOTHIK MALAM EDAN
(NEA GENDANG REC/CD & DVD´2006) MALYSIA
This is the reunion album from the legendary malay heavy band of the eighties. After their well known great debut CINTA BUATAN MALAYSIA back in 1985 and the following albums LANGIT DAN BUMI 1986 and MENTARI MERAH DIUFUK TIMUR 1987 the Kuala Lumpur based act .With this timeless releases rise the band together with the melodic metal gods WINGS to an top metal act in their country. I don´t know about to much about their releases in the nineties. Of course there was a couple of compilations and also two different live albums. So far back to this reunion recording. The album starts powerful with a midclass heavy rocker. But with the second cut GOTHIK MALAM EDAN the old habits returns. In other words SEARCH enters again the melodic power metal circle. Great I can´t get enough of this song. Also the following track AMPUN is a fine melodic metal rocker. At the same level with pounding guitars reigns also YIN & YANG. The fifth effort GURINDAM CINTA KHAYAN is a little bit more modern arranged but still in the melodic power metal terretory. After an obligatory typic in the slow motion style ballad is the next powerful runner IRAMA MARA KAS. Again follows two sentimental ballads MENAUAN RAGA and PENJAGA RAHSIA. You should know that this kind of so called slow motion rock was and will be always a big factor in the malay rock scene. They end a fantastic come back album. Collectors should know that the limited edition digipack version of the cd contains a bonus video cd. But more or less is this one not very interesant because beside a little bit of scenes from the studio recordings handles the rest only of interviews in malay language. www.duniasearch.com . If you have the chance to check out some of their old albums too use it. article by Gerald Mittinger

SAINT - THE MARK
(ARMOR RECORDS / CD´2006) UNITED STATES
This Oregon christian metalist´s exists since a long time. Never they lost their fascintation. Everthing starts back in the early eighties as inside the fresh white metal scene crows up such upcoming legends as BRIDE, ETERNAL RYTE, SACRED WARRIOR or for example the incredible MESSIAH PROPHET. Also our heroes started their project SAINT with a fine self released mini album WARRIORS OF THE SUN. Of course this private released vinyl is today a top rarity. But in short time at the haytime of the US-Metal inzane 1986 one of the most important christian labels PURE METAL signed the quintett. Fast came out their debut TIME´S END which is till today without a doubt an all time classic inside this genre. Together with the strong follow up TOO LATE FOR LIVING was the band a real alternate for many JUDAS PRIEST fans which followed the american blend of metal too. By the way this mixed style of timeless clasic US-Metal and influences of their musically european inspirators JUDAS PRIEST holds on till today. After an timeout of several years returns the group of luck now again with a strong new release on the scene. Believe us still from the beginning of this recording comes back the old fascination for their typic style. Nothing changed. Strong as ever like a rock in the waves of time agitates the members around their charismatic frontmen JOSH KRAMER. With a straight hookline opens THE SPIRIT free fom any disturbing influences souvereign this comeback. Ahh, direct with the follow up THE VISION demonstrate the band their fantastic skill to combinate classic US-Metal with the vibes of the old JUDAS PRIEST. What else better can we do as to fall on our knees and praise this reborn metal gods. Real steel to the top marching US-Metal in the old glorious style delivers us then RIDE TO KILL. With a bunch of great emotions works the semi powerballad HE REIGNS. It´s the mystic and the majestic art which guides this great epic edged tune direct in our souls. Deep with their roots in the eighties US-Metal scene reigns the incredible hymn ON AND ON. Imense bass lines by RICHARD LYNCH leads in the JUDAS inspired riffmonster THE 7TH TRUMPET. Beside the razorsharp and insane guitarwork by DEE HARRINGTON convince us there the real and unbelieveable vocal presentation by JOSH KRAMER. Believe it or not THE TYRANT wouldn´t perform this in his haydays better. Continiue in this style follows at hand with THE MARK another highlight on this superb comeback. With every spin rise this monumental midtempo banger more and more to one of my absolute faves on this disc. We all know this sinister feeling when a son g starts mysterious and explodes seconds later in grinding riff bolder. Exact in this type acts BOWLS OF WRATH. If your neck still works you have the next chance to send em out of function with the next powerfull JUDAS a like running REAP THE FLESH. A short time to remember gives us the moody midtempo rocker GOG & MAGOG. Don´t thing wrong. This isn´t a wimpy tune. The only difference is maybe that this BREAKING THE LAW alike arranged composition agitates a bit slower. The band is a definition for the reincarnation of the pure and timeless classic metal. A fool would be those one which thought there could be a minimum of comercial inside their compositions. The magic walks on with the incredible final chapter ALPHA & OMEGA. JOSH KRAMER duellise there on the guitar virtuose with DEE HARINGTON. After an long fascinting instrumental part turns this brilliant masterpiece with fast power into the second vocal added part where JOSH KRAMER one last time on this recording demons trates his skill and feeling to lead with his powerfull voice a song straight to the top. By the way it´s true ALPHA AND OMEGA is also another number which is slight JUDAS PRIEST orientated. But how could we be angry about that. Neverless. Like all the great metal pieces on this album will also this number warm the metal hearts around this globe too. Be a believer in this metal institution and support this metal warriors of god. Tell em your opinion armorrecords@juno.com or take a look at www.saintsite.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

SAINT - CRIME SCENE EARTH
(ARMOR RECORDS / CD´2008) UNITED STATES
Faster as awaited returns the SALEM / OREGON based white metal institution with their sixth release. With a lot of enthusiasm and expactation couldn´t I await it to listen their new hymns. A short introduc tion increase my expactation to the maximum. Sudden with a bolt strikes the first impressive guitar riffs and licks by the guitarists DEE HARRINGTON and JERRY JOHNSON through the air. Nothing can hold me now. l If run with the booklet like a maniac in circles to my room. Of course the loudlevel works at the limit. Again crowns JOSH KRAMER with his unique voice this new megahymn. HALF A TIME´S MEASURE is maybe one of the best tracks which ever came out from SAINT. Unbe lieveable how intense and energetic works this smasher. Especially the remindable chorusline doesn´t leave my mind. TERROR IN THE SKY which is also published as a digital single follows. Amazing typic guitar work convince me, but after a while I keep listen twice the voice. What´s happen now ??? Why didn´t celebrate JOSH KRAMER this tune. Instead of him we hear RICHARD LYNCH also well known from his position on the bass. By the way he isn´t a bad vocalist but in direct com parision to the master himself JOSH KRAMER couldn´t he win my full attention. In hope that this will be only an experiment for more alternate await I the next round. My hopes didn´t come true. Again does RICHARD LYNCH the job behind the micro. I couldn´t believe it. His voice which reminds me there a little bit on OZZY is miles away from the standart which I await from such an icon act as SAINT. Of luck returns the master on the incredibile titletune CRIME SCENE EARTH with his mighty voice. It seems everything in my little world works again. No matter only this neckbreaker together with HALF A TIME´S MEASURE is it worth to order this item. But the bitter reality comes back. I can´t close my eyes or blokade my ears. At least does RICHARD LYNCH the wright one inside the mighty cut THE JUDAS IN ME. Maybe I should not imagine how could sound this molten piece of metal if JOSH KRAMER would perform it. To be fair and accept the actual situation should feel that RICHARD intoduce this one like the present Mr. HALFORD. I don´t will continue in phrazes again about the next composition TOO MANY because with INVADER comes a dream true. Yeäh, I wait years for the chance to hear from SAINT a JUDAS PRIEST cover. Natural that JOSH KRAMER must do this homage. Nobody else could do this better as he. Next round and RICHARD returns with a slight HEAVY DUTY inspired song with the title BENDED KNEE. Really heavy walts this marching tune and RICHARD is performing there really good too. Without a doubt is this his best achievement till know. LOST is a rockin heavy tune and he convince me there too. Musically is CRIME SCENE EARTH a top work. Also the production is there with a lot of more power as on THE MARK. But I can´t understand the decision to change the unique and symbolic voice. I don´t know what is the reason for this. Perhaps my critism about the facts on CRIME SCENE EARTH are to harsh. It would be interesting what all the many followers in the world think about the change. It doesn´t matter. Reality is that CRINE SCENE EARTH is in direct comparison to many other actual releases still a high class classic Heavy Metal album. Hopefully this will be not the last chapter in the long history of SAINT and the quintett returns in the future again with a strong album. Check out some snipnets inside www.myspace.com/saintmetal or order long times wanted items from their back catalogue and a lot of other merchandise through their website www.saintsite.com . By the way there exist also a best of compilation which contains their both out of print classic albums TIME´S END and TOO LATE FOR LIVING together with the WARRIORS OF THE SUN EP plus some bonus tracks. Newcomers could start the adventure SAINT also with the 2005 released live album... !!! There are a lot of things to discover by SAINT. Don´t be lazy. Support this original artist because only with your help could exist an active music scene !!! articel by Gerald Mittinger

SAINT - HELL BLADE
(RETROACTIVE RECORDS CD´2010) UNITED STATES
The snsesation is perfect. The new year is only a month old and one of my all time faves returns with a superb new album in their back to the hard and heavy business. Packaged as a noble digipack by RETROACTIVE records is the way to the christian Heavy Metal heir only a question of time. That JOSH KRAMER did again all vocallines is an imense pleasure for all. As I wrote above in my review about their former release CRIME SCENE EARTH wasn´t it acceptable to be staties fied with the solution that he´s no more the voice attraction. SAINT without him isn´t possible! Yet so far. But fact is also that the band firms now with a different line up against the one on CRIME SCENE EARTH. It seems that DEE HARIGNTON leaves the group. We also welcome behind the drums BILL BROST. With this new constellation works now hopefully anything again like in the old glorious days. But let´s first surprise with the setlist for HELL BLADE. In tradition opens an bombas tic intro the reign untill THE BLADE starts this album souvereign. Uh, all my fears are blast in one moment. JOSH KRAMER is back better then ever !!! Together with the charismatic and outstanding guitarwork by JERRY JOHNSON burns the air. With the following TO THE CROSS earns the quartett my full respect. US Power Metal at it´s best without any influences. Strong and unbended straight to your nervs. CRYING IN THE NIGHT marches with a rockin´ vibe. Of course we can hear there the beloved easy JUDAS PRIEST influences too. But all in all is this a great tune too. With a evil dark sinister undertow packed in a crytal clear production by RICHARD LYNCH who pulls of course the mighty four strings is HELL TRAIN one of the spectacularest compositions on this neckbreaking new release. Those which not run in circles by listening this powerfull track couldn´t be metal followers. Exact at the middle of the playtime enjoys us then the pounding midtempo banger ENDLESS NIGHT. It really feels good to listen such an epic runner like this. Would be great to see the band live in action at one of the upcoming festivals in Europe. Let´s send us all our praise and opinion to call em back in the old world. But first of all let´s review the rest of HELL BLADE. Similar like in their haydays performs the band with YOU & ME another one of this timeless classic US Metal cuts. Another real remindable hymn is then NEW WORLD ORDER. I´m sure there will be a lot of rumour if they will celebrate this riffmonster at their gigs. Just risc an ear and listen the fantastic guitar solo by JERRY JOHNSON. Of course if you hear the tracks you wouldn´t miss a second guitarist. JERRY fills out everything with his amazing riffs. High ladden energy US Metal like a soul therapy is the catchy winner SINNER PEACE. Without a doubt is this tune one of the real great moments on this album. Finally ends this well ballanced release the screaming JUDAS PRIEST alike titletrack HELL BLADE this compilation. No matter HELL BLADE is exact the album for which await all the many SAINT followers. Yes and like I wrote at the beginning of this review is the sensation absolute perfect. Why? If you pull out the disc from the inner tray you can see there a focus of the latest releases of RETROACTIVE RECORDS. Yep no new idea but my eyes catched the new printed cover artwork for CRIME SCENE EARTH 2.0. Yeäh, you read right. The band rereleased the album and the big surprise is that JOSH KRAMER is to hear on all tracks of this rerecording. Isn´t this a good news. Yet I´ve ordered my copy ! Soon you will find there a review. But wouldn´t it better you check em out now too. www.retroactiverecords.net and of course as natural www.saintsite.com . Maybe my call will be heard and a promoter let the heavnly metalists join the european stages too. The usefull link and information for this kind of operationto bring the quartett over the ocean could be www.benchmarkartistmanagement.com . artiiscle by Gerald Mittinger

STEEL KINGDOM - REFORGED REFIEND
(PRISM BREAK RECORDS / CD´2008) UNITED STATES
It makes me glad to review here the second release of this Rochester/NY based quintett. Of course the group didn´t changed their style. Similar as on their impressive debut album from 2004 joins the group again the traditionell US-Metal style. Maybe the only difference is that some of the new numbers tendence in a more US Power Metal oriantated dirrection. Of course there are also changes in the line up too. From the old line up is only the charismatic vocalist SEAN WILLIAMS and his companion TK KENNEDY on the drums still active. The new guitarist which kicks the band to another limit is MIKE CAPUTO. On the position of the four strings agitates HERB RENKE. Also new is the addition of a keyboarder. But no fear STEVE MIESZALA does his job decent. Remember I wrote above the band is in the US-Metal / Power Metal circle. So was and will it be by STEEL KINGDOM !!! So let´s start fo focus our attention on the new album. I remember as I watched in the past the cover of the debut I couldn´t imagine that behind this unspectacular picture hides an US-Metal band. Now on REFORGED REFIEND didn´t made the group the same mistake again. One look at the artwork and there will be no more questions about the musically dirrection. The message is now clear. The opening track LOST starts theis recording with a lot of energy and place the band somewhere between the fine borderline of US Metal and Power Metal. Better couldn´t start this disc. THE TIES THAT BIND is a catchy timeless US-Metal runner. An absolute great midtempo running number follows with BELIEVE. Oh yes, there returns similar as in some great tunes from the debut a little bit the feeling of the famous old SAVATAGE. At the borderline to US-Power Metal acts the fast arranged FORTUNE TELLER. In the same dirrection strikes then the superb arranged cut TIME. The following slow arranged THE STORM IN ME didn´t con vince me at all. Some boring choruslines and cheesy accords let me skip fast to the next one. Uhh, of luck find the boys back to the path of their real talent. Powerfull US Metal !!! By the way this tune with the title THERE IS A TIME is a complex and overhelming instrumental. But be sure that this one will keep your full attention. In other words it works brilliant. But no, what goes on with BEYOND THE VEIL follows a fragile little ballad. Of course this one isn´t bad but I awaited another metal blast. After this delay convince finally really another great midtempo US Metal track our lost souls. This one firms under the promising title PRICE YOU PAY and could be describe as a phenomenal mix of the old SAVATAGE / LIZZY BORDEN. Especially the famous and tecnical on high standard celebrated guitarwork by MIKE CAPUTO made this cut to an outstanding adventure. Another great monumental midtempo grinding number with epic undertunes follows with the title TEMPTED. The mystic feeling inside this composition is really all the running time mysterious. US Metal to the maximum delivers us FACE YOUR FEAR finally too. At least rise this piece of blistering metal once again to a top number on this good release. My only desire for the future is that the band continues constant in their style at this high level. No more fillers like THE STORM IN ME and the next release will be a real killer. You can check out some snipnets and infos inside www.myspace.com/STEELKINGDOM or at their regular website under www.SteelKingdom.net and perhaps also ordering infos at their company www.PrismBreakRecords.com too. By the way the album is also into the distribution of www.CDBABY.com . I´m not sure if the band still sells their good debut album. But maybe it´s still available too. So don´t miss it to complete your collection with another collectable diamond. article by Gerald Mittinger

SIBILA - FE, ACERO Y CORAZON
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) ESPANA
As everybody meanwhile knows is this Madrid based classic female fronted Heavy Metal bands one of the hottest irons in the whole latin metal world. Behind the success of their fantastic debut SIN ALMA wasn´t this metalist´s lazy...!!! Of luck they didn´t changed anything. Also in the year 2009 stands the name SIBILA for classic down to the bone Heavy Metal. But let´s find the right words for the eleven pounding strikers on this well packaged album. Yeäh, if we look at this mystic sword driven fantasy artwork could we manifest only one thought without to hear any notes of the music ~ this must be metal. Ya know all this feeling if you discover a new band at your local record dealer and it isn´t posible to hear inside the product. What we do is to look at the cover and maybe we check the liner notes. But SIBILA made it us with this cover easy !!! I´m sure that the most of us will grab this one without to think a single second this couldn´t be metal... ha,ha!!! So here we are to start the next adventure in listening. EL SIERVO (THE SLAVE) opens tight and souvereign with a phenomenal BEGONA SANCHEZ in topform the reign. Absolute compatible in the style of such legends as SANTA acts as next the culty hymn EN LAS BLUSAS. Beside the great voice is it the fantastic guitar work by JOSE CARLOS MARTIN "RUBIO" which gives this piece of impressive music such an recomendable tick. Even if this tune ends when you think this couldn´t be toped follows the next hymn. FE, ACERO Y CORAZON (FAITH, STEEL AND HEART) is the titletrack and really a high class epic edged classic Heavy Metal composition. RUBIO leads in with a fast solopart TU CRUEL REALIDAD untill this running tune drives you insane. I know the spanish metal scene is rich on bands which celebrates our beloved style with bravour, but SIBILA are the uncrowned new kings of the classic immortal Heavy Metal. If you listen intense through head phones with full volume the next unbelieve able diamond MALDITO INFIEL (DAMNED UNBELIEVERS) you will run in circles and shout the refrain untill your neighbours will stand infront of your door. The tight rhythmen feeling and skill of this quartett (CARLOS LLORENA bass and backround vocales as well on the drums the senor with the great bunch JOSE PERAL) works hand in hand and lift the band easy to the top of their style !!! DONDE ESTA DIOS (WHERE ARE THESE GODS) is a wonderful relaxed ballad which let you dream and rethink. But the fame didn´t ends. CRISANTEMOS is another fast driven metal classic. All this maniac followers of pounding midtempo riffbreakers with an epic edge should listen once in their life such an example as SANGRE ENVENENADA (POISNED BLOOD) . In the same direction leads us overhelming SOLO SEXO. Great, different and unusal works the fast and aggressive but in the same time mystic acting EN EL BILLAR (IN THE BILLADROOM). Uh, the guitars rumbling there like the billard balls on the green table. The final tune L.S.D. is a fine mixture of US-Metal and timeless classic styled Heavy Metal. For my taste couldn´t reach this album a higher level. This is perfect and I wish this outstanding band every posible success .. !!! Write em today. They need your support www.myspace.com/sibilasibila . article by Gerald Mittinger

SAGITTARI - ZARIKAVAC HADU
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) CZECH REPUBLIC
During the end of the nineties untill the beginning of this millenium was also in the Czech Republic a stagnition inside the real metal scene. Of course some of the well known bands published more or less good albums. But there was no fresh blood insight. Meanwhile changed the situtation and more and more promising bands enters the spotlight. Also SAGITTARI is such an aspirant. The first recording of this quintett offes us some exiting moments. The album starts with a classic music arranged instrumental untill the long composition NOCNI OBRAD opens the reign. Perhaps it was not the best decision to put this track on the album. Inspired by SONATA ARCTICA and LABYRINTH lacks this tune of originality. Of luck follows with VLADCI then an outstanding composition. Far away from the typical Euro melodic metal grab is this strong number more on the hard bigbeat / melodic metal style of their country orientated. In first degree lives this number from the strong guitarwork of PAVEL STEJSKAL and LUKAS BELEHRADEK. Even the next song ZARIKAVAC HADU follows in this recomendable art too. Fine melodic guitars in contribution with the good voice of IVOS MAZOUREK convince the listener. ZA MASKOU is also an ode to all the lovers of good melodic arranged metal too. Hard edged with speedy riffs tracks down the classic metal tune ACCOLTELLATORE. Again exits us the good arrangements inside the classic metal runner SARKOFAK POZNANI. Balladesc and dramatic starts GRAFFITI. The band stands there in line with all the great names of the czech bigbeat as SIFON, KERN, BRIX to name a few. No matter there is a lot of potencial behind SAGITTARI. RACING GEAR is a cool number which combinates a strong melody with catchy and fast riffs. Maybe the best and hardest composition on this album is for me SACHYSTA. Dramatic and sinister parts change there with hard beats but still dominates a great melodyline this cut too. Like a little metal opera acts finally the over twelve minutes long good structured SVEDECTVI . Without a doubt is SAGITTARI one of the biggest hopes in the current czech metal scene. I really appreciate this album a lot and I´m sure that there will be soon a publishing through a record company. A big production will reflect this good compositions in the wright light. Check out for infos their website under the follow ing ling www.sagittari.cz or contact the band through info@sagittari.cz . article by Gerald Mittinger

SCALA MERCALLI - BORDER WILD
(HEART OF STEEL RECORDS HOS 0916 / CD´2009) ITALY
Founded back in 1992 released this long time living italian band four years later their first demo HELLBRINGER. After three years followed then with GARGOYLE the second demonstration. But it should take again more time untill after the for promo only demo MY DEAMONS finally in 2005 the 12TH LEVEL debut came out on the small local company AB RECORDS. By the way 12TH LEVEL was a very good album but without a good distribution couldn´t reach the band a bright audience. With their new release BORDER WILD is now everything posible. Their new company HEART OF STEEL RECORDS is able to distribute this fine work also outside of Italy too. Packaged in an impressive cover artwork will convince this album from the first moment every follower of technical high class Power Metal. The Fermo based quintett sounds there never like an italian group. Their roots and influences are based in the tecnical US-Power Metal how we can find it by such great bands as HADES, HERETIC or LIEGE LORD. No matter the aim to catch the listener is there high. But not to high for SCALA MERCALLI. Behind a short guitar intro starts then this work with the impressive titletrack BORDER WILD. The maniac alike US-Metal influenced driven guitarpower by ANDRIY POLTAVETS and RICARDO RICCI convince me there from the first moment. Mighty and powerfull creeps their tecnical and complex but still followable Power Metal sound in your veins. Feel the rush in your veins during CHRISTIAN BARTOLACCI aclaims with his unique voice the next level. With inzane power follows ONLY RAGE. Think the songtitle speaks for itself. CHRISTIAN´S variable vocals fits every second exact to the various tunning of the song. I wish to have the chance to see this hypergroup once in my lifetime live. If you keep listen the album by your headphones you can imagine what kind of animal must be there drummer SERGIO CICCOLI. By the way the band owns with GIUSY BETTEI a very good female basser too. The fourth rumbler firms I´LL STOP THE TIME. This cut is a fast running tune with a great remindable chorusline. The following PAIN is another fantasic melodic edged Power Metal stumper. Beside the brilliant guitarwork stands behind the song an interessant conceptional story about the actual terrible pheno men of amok runners in our schools. At the halftime of this disc we came into the pleasure to hear the song which gives the band their name. SCALA MERCALLI is a track like a earthquake. Pounding parts (a can hear there a slight JUDAS PRIEST influence too) change there with more panic alike guitar attacks even like in a catastrophic situation. But believe me everything sounds there well structured and clear. Behind this masterpiece banns my sins the ultratight classic Heavy Metal tune (SABOTAGE meets LIEGE LORD) SHADOW KILLER. If GEOFF TATE would settle up to POWER / THRASH METAL his voice would maybe sounding as CHRISTIAN BARTOLACCI performs. Relaxed starts THE SENSE OF REALITY but changed in his follow in a good midtempo number. An eruption opens the mighty and powerfull composition VOLCANO. If you buy this CD (yeäh, ".and you buy this album" ) take the time and read the interessant storyline to this song too. With MIDNIGHT SUN an ok semiballad where we can hear GIUSY BETTEI together with CHRISTIAN BARTOLLACCI end finally this highflyer. As I wrote some lines above do yourself a favour and keep listen inside this bravorous album. www.myspace.com/scalamercalli or take a look at their official bandsite under www.scalamercalli.com too. If you couldn´t find this disc at your local dealer contact their company via www.myspace.com/heartofsteelrecords . articel by Gerald Mittinger

SCALA MERCALLI - 12TH LEVEL
(AB RECORDS / CD´2005) ITALY
If you read at first the review for their actual release BORDER WILD you can find out that I´m on the best way to be an absolute follower of this incredible band. No matter after I´m going crazy about their present release I don´t hesitate to contact the group and ordered their first official release 12TH LEVEL. Now I´m sitting in front of my computer wear a band shirt and keep listen full of enthusiasm this fine packaged forgotten digipack. But this album shouldn´t be forgotten. It should reach the same publicity as their latest disc too. Direct with the straight opener SCREAM FOR REVENGE starts the quintett their inzane crusade of tecnical highclass complex arranged Power Metal. Double twins and an unbelieveable creativity by the overhelming guitarduo RICCARDO RICCI / MAURO MANCINELLI rush my inner nervosity pride to the tact. Fast and razorsharp strikes without mercy MY DEAMONS. This US Power Metal running steamer is a must for every follower of this style. After I keep listen many times this favorite I find finally the skipkey forward to BANSHEE`S WHISPER. The first riffs in the midtempo style shakes my soul untill the tempo rises up. The markant voice of their extraordinary singer CHRISTIAN BARTOLACCI give then this cut his final destitination. But the madness finds no end. DISSOLVED IN TIME is another great classic Power Metal runner. With the smashing and power driven BLOODY NIGHT joins SCALA MERCALLI again the path to a more tecnical direction. Once again I couldn´t imagine in one listen the potencial of this great composition. Be sure you will keep listen this one many times too. With a recomendable riffing takes the following DAY OF FIGHTER no prisoners. We´ve enjoy loud shouting the great refrain... !!! Fast and furious speedy Power Metal in the US style is the background of QUEEN OF DRAGONS. If you thought that this disc will contain no more surpises keep listen THE NEW KINGDOM and you will find another facet in their style too. This masterpiece beginns with an impressive acoustic arranged short guitarpart a little bit in the flamenco style by RICCARDO RICCI. Tecnical on high standart with a catchy nervosity convince me this high level smasher absolute. Short breaks with RICCARDO´S skillful and unusal kind to play his guitar give this outstanding track a different note. The next chapter is reserved for THE SIGN. The first part of this composition acts like a fragile but enorm intense semiballad untill the song changes more and more into an outstanding driven Heavy Metal tune. Epic moments change there with glorious guitar parts since another unbelieveable guitar solo breaks the mirror of agony. After a running time from over seven minutes ends this fantastic track relaxed with some nice acoustic parts. Last but not least close the incredible hymn 12TH LEVEL wth a big Power Metal bolt impressive this work. Believe us, this album acts like an earthquake... !!! Don´t miss this outstanding metal gem in your collection. Use your chance to get this one as long it will be available. www.scalamercalli.com and of course www.myspac.com/scalamercalli . articel by Gerald Mittinger

STORMBRINGER - AMONG THE FLAMES OF WAR
(EAT METAL RECORDS EMR 021 / CD´2009) GREECE
New epic edged classic Heavy Metal from Greece delivers us STORMBRINGER. This latest sign from EAT METAL RECORDS tooks a lot of attentionn. Maybe the opening titletrack isn´t the best solution to offer this release the listener. But damn good works then the following self titled banger STORMBRINGER. Close in the style to such US Metal legends as BROCAS HELM, MANILLA ROAD with a touch of MAIDEN / PRIEST is this tune a real surprise. With a decent mix of old NWOBHM ryhthm and US-Metal influences delivers us HEATHEN CRY the next stunnin experience. I like this rare union of this both kinds of traditional metal a lot. Especially their frontmen TRYFONAS helps with his markant and strong unique voice the band to find an outstanding original style. By the many bands which were published on and on today it isn´t easy to conquer the listeners. But STORMBRINGER is one of this groups which earns your full attention. Just listen the battlecry epic warrior tune RETURN OF THE AVENGER which blows me away by the first listening . Under the banner of real US-Metal influenced timeless classic mid tempo arranged Heavy Metal firms the epos LIONHEART. We have to attest the musicans for this masterpiece our deepest homage. I feel that they celebrate this omposition with all their inner conviction. Also with heartblood and fanatism to the detail of marching metal acts the from the nordic mythologic inspired power epos EINHERIER. By the way the father of classic british metal JUDAS PRIEST was an inofficial stream for the straight runner RAGING STEEL. But it doesn´t matter if this quartett hulds up the glory high to this unforgetable timepart in the history of our favoriste style. In other words follow our motto " IN DAYS OF HEAVY METAL". Free and easy high above over the crowd of the metal heads strikes UNDER THE WINGS OF THE EAGLE. Sattle up my horse, sharp my sword to fight the endless metalbattle. Continue in this great style finished the fantastic and mighty roaring fantasy basher ARES this great debut. my only desire for the future is that the group holds on in their direction to celebrate and life the real outstanding Heavy Metal. I´m sure if there will be constant follow ups from this class that the band will made their way to the top. Grab this fine debut today or start a prelistening under www.myspace.com/stormbringer . For personal questions send your mails to storm_tasos@hotmail.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

SEVEN - LOST HERO
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD-EP´2009) CZECH REPUBLIC
During the band works with full power in the studio to release soon their seventh fullength recording SEVEN DEADLY SINS and simultan runs many gigs all around the czech republic the quartett put for free this so called rarity EP as bonus inside the actually SPARK MAGAZINE (04/2009). I know that this is a very good idea that works and will awake the interest of many new fans. Simililar in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria helped this model of publicity new and also well known acts too to comeback in talk and in the minds of the listeners. But let´s us return to the still present work of SEVEN. First of all is the EP inside a lovely designed paper sleevecard packaged. Of course it´s a real industrial pressed CD which contains as bonus a proffesional videoclip of the titletrack. Yeäh, I don´t know if the group publishhed in the past this track in a different ver sion because at the cover is written the rare version. It doesn´ t matter, what count´s is that LOST HERO is a great powerful timeless melodic metal tune. HONZA "KIRK" BEHUNEK (which started the group back in 1996) is a brilliant gui tarist and yet so far the leading person inside SEVEN. But at the other hand fea tures the group an extraordinary talented vocalist too. JIRI "KOMBI" KOMBEREC transports with his great performance easy the english lyrics to the listener! The second round on this EP is then reserved for the up tempo rocker MIDNIGHT CIRCUS. Easy and relaxed shakes then WEB OF OBSESSION my hopes and fears and reminds in his style and structure on a mixture of GUNS´N´ROSES and WHITESNAKE. Last but not least crowns this cool item a funny videoklip for the titlesong. The virtuel scenario of this clip was filmed during a visit in Moscow / Russia. I don´t know if SEVEN was there for some concerts present too. At all event shows this proffesional clip some of the talent and the skill to do a funny musicclip. Untill the complete new album SEVEN DEADLY SINS will be published could be this EP the wright appetizer for you. By the way as I wrote at the beginning of this review published the band in the past a couple more albums. During the first three recordings were instrumental guitar albums by HONZA "KIRK" BEHUNEK is the tendence of the last recordings clear to vocal band alike compositions. So was a guest appereance by DORO on the former release SEVENS. Those who are interested now in this superb group should waiste no more time and contact the band through their management harustak@alfedus.com or take a look at their website www.sevencz.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

SPACE EATER - MERCIFUL ANGEL
(I HATE RECORDS / CD´2007) SERBIA
This release is without a doubt one of the top old school Power/Thrash Metal releases of the past year. Maybe the Belgrade based quartett is in the moment the best in this style inside their home country Serbia. So it´s no wonder that this group is picked up by a foreign label. I HATE RECORDS a small but fine company from Sweden used their chance and signed up this more than hopeful band. For me is SPACE EATER the total musically rage. Of course I know that my describtion is not new, but during the listening of the constant high class material on this disc I feel permanent remind on such famous US-bands as AGENT STEEL and HOLY TERROR. I am sure some of you didn´t trust in this words, cause it isn´t easy to join in a success ful way the so called Bay Area Thrash. But believe me this isn´t another cheesy describtion. SPACE EATER rises really in high above with their tunes and it would be a shame if you wouldn´t give em a chance with the wright support.Last but not least I will find some closing words about the impres sive cover artwork of MERCIFUL ANGEL.More or less will remember the open mind buyer this artwork on the terrible happenings during the past but still not forgotten war in ex-Yugoslavija.By the way I read in side the complett printed lyrics inside the cd-booklet also some intelegent lyrics from the vocalist and songwriter BOSKO RADISIC.Perhaps some of them as BOMBS AWAY or DEATH FROM BELOW will bring you to rethink this happen ings. So give em all of your support by checking their website: www.space-eater.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

SARATOGA - VII
(AVISPA DIGIPACK & DVD´2007) ESPANA
The seventh stroke of this well known spanish metal institution features the new vocalist TETE NOVOA. Similar like the brilliant former voice acrobat LEO JIMENEZ ranks his performance high over the top too. Be hind a long waiting time from nearly three years after the last real studio release EL CLAN DE LA LUCHA (THE FIGHTING CLAN) was a lot of rumour about this new recording. Several line up changes robed the last albums a little bit their authentic. Uneasy I started so a prelistening to this new effort. Fortuanely returns again the fire in this reborn metal community. Wihout a compromise starts the album with the melodic earcatcher EL VUELO DEL HALCON (which is also included as videoclip in the bonus DVD) before the following DUENO DEL AIRE with uptempo latin metal your attention aclaims. Fantastic !!! SARATOGA returns with a brilliant recording. After the balladesc starting SIGUES ESTANDO (EN MI VIDA) and than exploding into a pounding killertrack rules the aggressive a little JUDAS PRIEST influenced GRAN MAGO. Absolute typic in style acts SIETE PECADOS followed ba another up tempo banger with the title ENTRE LAS LLAMAS. EN TU CUERPO is the emotional ballad. But maybe the most metallic effort is the evil and fast BAILANDO CON EL DIABLO. Not so strong is in my ears the next cut HURACAN. Ok, perhaps this track sound a little bit to commercial in my ears. Unfortunaly strikes back well the catchy LA MALDICION. Slow and heavy creeps the semiballad SEMILLAS DE ODIO in your brain, before the album with EL GUARDIAN finds a majestic final. I am not sure if SARATOGA returns with this relea se to the latin metal throne, because there are lot´s of concurents in this scene. But I know that they published again a worth to buying tradition al metal item. So hurry up and find your infos under: www.saratoga.es . article by Gerald Mittinger

SBS - THE GAMBLER
(MONACO MUSIC CD´2008) LITHUANIA

SBS - GIMES LAIMETI 777
(PRIVATE RELEASE CD / DVD´2006) LITHUANIA
Beside the well known KATEDRA is this Vilnius based traditional heavy me tal band the most famous band in this little country. Of course the quintett exists since a long time. No matter that the album is packed with highclass tunes. After the obligate intro AMEN starts the album with the impressive SV ETIMI PAUKSCIAI. I wish I could be one of the viewers at this live recorded songs. This song beats a strong atmosphere and reminds me on the rock saurus legends RAINBOW and DIO. In the same strong style follows TU VIS KA SUTRYPEI KAS SVENTA. The good introducing of keyboards are arran ged in the style of the big & famous scandinavian melodic metal bands as EUROPE, TREAT and MADISON. But to lead you all not into a wrong imagine about SBS. I used this groups only for an indirect comparision to made it easier to describe the sound of this great band. Of course no musican likes this compar isions and it´s true to attest this quartett an unique bombast melodic metal sound. But if I write concrete here about mel odic metal I didn´t mean this kind of today´s light and easy composed small metal. No way, SBS are founded in the bombast melodic metal of the 80ies. But before I loose the basic about the style of the band I return to the more impor tant fact, the featured material on this fine packaged disc. So here we run with KELIO ATGAL NERA continue in this direction.Like a yourney back in the glory 80ies are the following AS NAKTYJE and the classical inspired SUGRIZK. In the line of scandina vian melodic metal reigns also VIZIJA.Maybe this track acts a bit to poppy and static. The live recording ends then with the amazing and memorable TIK MENULIO SVIESA. Dur ing the sound quality of the liverecording could be sometimes better shows the second part of the album the real class of SBS. This six studio recordings brilliance with with a perfect powerfull sound. Their vocalist VITALIS KAIRIUKSTIS is a big one in his genre. Tracks like BLEFAS, ZAIDEJAS or a more into the power me tal vain acting cut as DRAKONS winning so enorm on dynamic. General is the ten dence at this studio cuts into the melodic power metal corner.In other words, a great band with a wide view for the future. Beside this audio CD contains this package also a live DVD from the ROKO NAKTYS 2005 festival with eleven tracks. No matter this proffesional filmed concert of the extrava gant show is good to view. All the mentioned live tracks from the audio cd plus a couple of more celebrates there the group. Of course the sound quality as well the performance is candy for your metal tongue. The boys are tight musicans. THOMAS VARNAGIRIS is an impressive guitarist with a little MALMSTEEN attitude. But the top of the crown is the voice and the visuell performance of their suberb singer VITALIS KAIRIUKSTIS. Perfect how did he act the whole gig. A class for itself is his outfit. I hope this review mades you all curiosity to their cd´s.Check em out under www.sbs.666.lt or take a look at the website under www.myspace.com/menliosviesa. article by Gerald Mittinger

STAINLESS STEEL - THE PLAGUE
(NAIL RECORDS 083 / CD´2007) HUNGARY
A big step forward is the third release by this hungarian hard edged symphonic metal veterans. During the old publishings wasn´t the best solutions surprise me this new album a lot. Of course the quartett didn´t rebuild this genre new. But THE PLAGUE is a fresh sounding album with some nice ideas. The disc is intelligent arranged and if I checked anything wright stand behind the story a concept album. After an obligatory introduction starts the album with a hard edged symphonic number under the monkicker CHILDREN OF INNOCENCE . Typical symphonic metal elements change in the follow with influences of BLIND GUARDIAN, DARK MOOR, LABYRINTH and maybe sometimes old HELLOWEEN. The perfect mix allows the garniture of Power Metal elements too. Their vocalist JOZSEF KREISZ solve his vocal parts with bravour. One of the other highlights on this recording is the with progressive parts inteligent arranged NEW SPELL during the melodious PESTILENCE acts close to well known represants inside this genre too. With majestic keyboard parts in contribution to the present SYMPHONY X style is INNER FEARS another surprise. More energetic but more or less in the same style is the following VOICES OF DARKNESS arranged. It´s clear that metal purists didn´t will give this keyboard dominate sound a listen. But an open minded metal fan will accept this arrange ments. Try it out and build up your own opinion by checking out their website www.stainlesssteel.hu or drop em soon a line under info@stainlesssteel.hu. Perhaps I should give their old recordings also a spin. article by Gerald Mittinger

SOULSTEALER - SOULSTEALER
(LEDO TAKAS RECORDS / CD´2008) LITHUANIA
Suddenly I saw a concertflyer where was writen something about the New Wave of Lithuanian Metal. That´s always funn if different nations use this famous words for new upcoming hopeful bands. But in the contex with this latest sign from Ledo Takas Records (a superb new little label from their homecountry) works this words well. SOULSTEALER is a melodic Power Metal band from the capital of this little country Vilnius. But their great debut album offers us without a doubt some great momen ts. Somewhere between old STRATOVARIOUS in combination with slight IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST influences cooks this talented band a fine well ballanced brand of melodic power metal. JERONIMAS MILIUS is a strong voca list. Of course I prefer it a lot that he cele brates the lyrics in his native language. Beside the 80ies influenced guitarwork by ENRIKAS SLAINSKIS plays the keyboard a dominate role too. But not as today usal as in so many sym phonic metal clone bands.The use this instrument only to fullfile their sound.Of course so rise the regonize factor for SOULSTEALER too. Midtempo arranged melodic Power Metal numbers as for example PADEK ISNYKTI changes with uptempo tracks in the style of THE REAPER. If there will be in the future once again the direction into the strong metal direc tion I promise this band a lot of success outside their homecountry too... more under www.soulstealer.lt or www.myspace.com/soulstealer. Perha ps it is also of interest if you check the mailorder catalogue from their company: www.ledotakas.net . article by Gerald Mittinger

SIX BEER - ANGELES CAIDOS
(PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2007) MEXICO
This is the great return of one of mexicans premium Power Metal acts of the past. Unbelieveable what a comeback in the latin metal scene! he album con vince on and on with strong tracks. Everything sounds like pure steel. If we prefer in southamerica bands as HORCAS and CANCIONES CONCIENTES is SIX BEER the perfect pendant from middleamer ica. Great melodies pack ed in Power metal of pure iron is the sectret of the success. As I wrote in the beginning of this review is ANGELES CAIDOS the long awaited comeback of this well known metallists... They released in the past a couple of great albums in this style too. Of course they are pioneers from the start of this style in the middle- and southamerican metal scene. DEMONIOS DE METAL is then the perfect opener for this disc. Followed by the 80ies pounding metal smasher VAMPIROS.A track with a great harmony line is APOCALIP SIS during LANZALO AL VIENTO is a heavy slow marching metal monster. Absolute exstatic and hellbent runs CUANDO LA LUZ SE ESCAPE US OJOS. The titletrack reminds me a little bit on old LUZBEL tracks. Oh yes, I write this as a big compliment. No doubt this is another fine metallic remindable tune.Based on native mexican roots starts SANGREMAL quite with some flauts and acoustic guitars before the track turns into another Power Metal tune. DE ROL POR LA CIUDAD contains some JUDAS PRIEST alike riffs but works in the typical SIX BEER style.No matter this musicans are tight. So I don´t wonder me about the semi power (metal) ballad SIX MICHELADA. Also quite and sinister starts the final runner EL FANTASMA. But this silence breaks after seconds untill this speedy with slow heavy parts mixed instrumental metal tune runs down the red line . All in all is ANGELES DEL CAIDOS a fantastic Power Metal release.Read more under www.sixbeer.com.mx or www.myspace.com/sixbeermetal . article by Gerald Mittinger

SJK - THE METAL CRONICALS (WALK THE DARK PATH)
(private release / CD´2005) BULGARIA
Whenever I keep listen this stunning album from SJK I am total confused ! Why, what´s the reason? That´s easy to answer. This band sounds not a single moment like a band from Bulgaria. If I would not know it better I would think they are hailing somewhere from North America. In first degree is alone the fantastic vocalist DILJAN ARNAUDOV the reason which reminds me on post US-Metal acts as NEVERMORE. He use perfect this meanwhile rare singing with high pitched screams in the forgotten US-Metal alike vocalstyle. Never we hear by him one second any pro nouncing problems which could us remember on his home country. I am not sure if this spoken rumour is true, but it seems so that DILJAN ARNAUDOV lifes meanwhile in Great Britain and joined there a group too.Hopefully this will be not the end of SJK. Beside him brilliance STEFAN STEFANOV with dozens of unbelieveable good lead & rhythm guitar licks.Of course also the both other bandmembers (PLAMEN SOLAKOV on the bass and EMIL KOSTOV the extraordinary drumgod) are very tight on their in struments too. I know that this Dimitrovgrad based quartett released before THE ME TAL CRONICALS (WALK THE DARK PATH...yes, we do!) two more professional demo CDR´s. Also there we can hear this musical and instrumental orientation near to such acts as NEVERMORE, MEGADETH and a bit of the mighty ANNIHILATOR. Needless to pick up from from the ten songs special tracks, because everybody of them is a highclass tune of it´s own! My only desire for the future is that the band will find the way back in the studio to record as soon as posible another great new album.Maybe then a label outside of Bulgaria could sign this hopefulls. www.sjkband.com or ask by mail to order this fantastic recording direct from their present management com pany contact@sma.biz . article by Gerald Mittinger

SAPON - BEST OF 2000 - 2003
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CDR´2003) CZECH REPUBLIC
Maybe some of you remember this old czech hard and heavy legend from their contribution on the ROCK MAPA LP (a compilation of czech heavy bands published at the end of the eighties on SUPRAPHON RECORDS). Unfortunate this company didn´t released an album of this fine band. But of luck published the group around the guitarist and vocalist MIROSLAV KULHANEK this interesant BEST OF compiltaion with material from the beginning of this mille nium. DEJ MI opens in best east rock style this album. By the way this melodic heavy rocker is a good example for the high class of this legend. NEVIDITELNY is a rockin tune with metallic influences like is was in at the beginning of the 80ies. During you never forget the catchy chorus lines of MAYDAY. Without a doubt is this heavy rollin tune one of the absolute highlights on this compilation. MAYDAY !!!! With lots of feeling starts MYSLENKY untill this strong heavy rocker opens his face after a while. Incredible good guitarwork by MIROSLAV KULHANEK and the second guitarist MICHAL STRAUCH made this track unforgetable. Time for great 80ies heavy metal delivers us then again the running cut PROROK. Even a tick faster with a slight late 70ies influence acts MONTREAL. In the tradi tion of timeless east hard rock with fine melodies stands VSTAVEJ. Of course befor I forget it. The vocals are done by VLADIMIR SOCHACI (which handles also the bass) on some tracks too. Both vocalists are doing their job with lots of skill.The following NOCNI PTAK is for my opinion the only weak compoition on this famous compiltion. Of course not every track of our favo rite bands must be our cup of tea. With fine acoustic guitar parts in contribu tion of emotional vocallines starts HLI NENY MOST... and in seconds the band wins back my heart. Stunnin guitarparts and acoustic parts holding the ballance of this outstanding tune continue high. Fast 80ies Heavy Metal of upper limit is the keyword behind the supertrack TASEMNICE. More in the vain of timeless hardrock leads us then DAN. The album ends with the filigran RANO (MORNING) a fine bigbeat number in the style of the famous czech legend OLYMPIC. I really appreciate this compi lataion of timeless hard and heavy tracks by SAPON a lot. One of my biggest desires for the future is a real pressed (double?) CD with an informative sty led booklet (photos) and all the tracks from the past. Check out the website under www.sapon.euweb.cz or use the personal contact to Mr. MIROSLAV KULHANEK through sapon@ujweb.cz . article by Gerald Mittinger

SINDROME - SINDROME
(HURLING METAL RECORDS / CD´2006) ARGENTINA
At the moment is the well known name droping game also big in Argentina. Also for this album is such an extra flyer included were we can notice that for exempel CARLOS CABRAL of TREN LOCO or SEBASTIAN CORIA from HORCAS as guest musicans in different compositions help them out.My personal opinion is that the group doesn´t need this publicity because the material on this disc is strong enough. SINDROME is not this kind of typical clas sic Heavy or Power Metal act from this country. Without a doubt cross the quartett the boarder between traditional Power Metal and aggressive Thrash Metal. But this energetic combination sounds fresh and original. Seconds after an unholy sounding short sounding introduction starts the album with 120 mph full of powerness brachial with HIJOS DEL VIENTO (SONS OF THE WIND). Followed by the riff attack FUERA DE LINER (ESCAPE FROM THE NORM).With the third effort MALDITA JAULA (DAM NED CAGE) remi nds me SINDROME instrumental on some northamerican thrash acts from the early 90ies. Not always statiesfy me there the aggressive and raw vocalstyle of ANIBAL SOTO. Very close in mind to the old PANTERA (COWBOYS FROM HELL phase) and late HERMETICA is ORO NEGRO (BLACK GOLD an interesant reflash about the future oil reserves on our earth). Yet so far my favorite come in with SUCIAS V EREDAS !!! What a great tune. Senor Anibal uses his respectable voice and GUSTAVO "POLLO" MAESE shows his real talent on the six strings too... Really everything works in this composition fine. The well structured rhytmus section by JAVIER GORODILLO (batteria) and JAIME MACIAL (deep tunes) leads this track in the near to the latest recordings of HORCAS.As would be there an imaginary click sounds the suberb following DESANTA TU LOCURA (UNHOLY YOUR MADNESS) like a bastard between traditinal powerfull argentinian metal and 90ies US Power Metal/Thrash. On this success ful way walks also the smashing pounder QUE MAS. Yeäh... pure patriotism swings inside the raw perfor med PATAGONIA REBELDE over our banging hea ds...!!! Step by step surprise me too the fast and furious arranged thrashy TENES QUE SER FUERTE. Another great unbentable raw Power Metal tune with the promising title BUSCA TU IDENTIDAD (SEARCH FOR YOUR IDENTY) close this album impres sive. sindrome666@hotmail.com for kind words or check the label website under www.hurlingmetal.com.ar . The other option is to grab you this release via www.metaleros.de . article by Gerald Mittinger

SPHINX - RENACER
(AVISPA RECORDS / CD´2008) ESPANA
The rebirth of one of the best southspain based metal bands with their fourth release. New label, maybe also new luck. Hopefully the signs of time standing now in line for the Cadiz based quartett. We remember their brilliant last album PARAISO EN LA TERNIDAD from 2004. Untill now I don´t know why didn´t reached the group more attention with this perfect arranged release. Perhaps the small distribution was the real reason that the band is still a secret from the latin metal scene. But I think this will be no more longer present because this latest release tops anything what the band did before. With MALDITA ILUSION (DAMNED ILLUSION) opens the album suberb in the awaited typical style of this group. With a top vocalist as it be MANUEL RODRIGUEZ should be able everything. But who cares. Already with this perfect opener combinates the quintett perfect harmonie and power. Little progressive elements and a guiding melody let you not forget the next number HOY (TODAY). A real heavy edged mystic edged runner is then DESTINO SIN FE (DESTINY WITHOUT FAITH). A good describtion for SUCIA REALIDAD (DIRTY REALITY) could be the symbiose of classic Heavy Metal with arabe mysterious elements. That this kind of combinations works well did we all know from andalucias finest MEDINA AZAHARA. By the way SPHINX is a band which is a dozen times heavier orientated. But perhaps you can better imagine this great athmosphere in some of their compositions. Straight and conform to the classic latin metal sound agitates HIJOS DEL TERROR (SONS OF TERROR) which handles about the actual problems in our world. Believe me as I heard the first tacts of the masterpiece HOMBRE DE SALVACION (MEN OF SALVATION) I´ve stoped in. I couldn´t believe it and heard this impressive two, three, four times. Could get enough of this hymn. Words can describe it. Just listen this tune and tell me your opinion. A wonderful melody stands behind the emotional tune PRINCESS DE PAPEL (PRINCESS OF PAPER). Classic powerfull melodic Heavy Metal is the keyword for UN TROZO DE MI SER (A PIECE OF MY OWN). In the same phenomenal style acts also the mystic edged EL LLANTO DE ISIS (THE CRY OF ISIS). Think that this cut stands in contribution to the cover artwork. The guitarwork by JUSTI BALA and SANI SUAREZ acts there unbelieveable tight. MAR DE ESPERANZAS (OCEAN OF HOPES) is another great instrumental which opens your taste for the absolute harmonic and precise playing of each bandmember (PEPE PINEDA on the bass and CARLOS DELGADO at the drums). More or less is this fine instrumental inside the following NUEVO MUNDO (NEW WORLD) integrate. This recomendable masterpiece ends natural with a further highclass track SENTENCIA FURTURA (JUDGMENT FOR THE FUTURE). Take a look at www.sphinx-metal.net and of course their great styled www.myspace.com/sphinxmetal portal too. articel by Gerald Mittinger

SACRED OATH - SACRED OATH
(ANGEL THORNE MUSIC COMPANY / CD´2009) UNITED STATES
After the rerelease of the classic eighties US Metal album A CRYSTAL VISION through SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS published this company in 2007 exact ten years later also the awaited reunion album DARKNESS VISIBLE. A triumphant live pressence at the KEEP IT TRUE followed. At hand published ROB THORNE after his first european shows with TILL DEATH DO US PART / LIVE IN GERMANY a document of this evening. Now returns the group with a new regular album in their back at the venue. Attend watchers at the KEEP IT TRUE saw that the band is today more or leass a one man project around ROB THORNE. His good variable voice together with his impressive guitarstyle is the basic of SACRED OATH. Together with his new companions BILL SMITH on the guitar, KENNY EVANS behind the sticks and SCOTT WAITE on the four strings was it him posible to create his ideas inside this new output. The opener PARADISE LOST starts then this lovely styled digipack in a relaxed US Metal style. Perhaps we could describe this one as a symbiose of SACRED OATH and his early nineties project SOUNDSCAPE. Of course without the keyboards. With lot´s of more power agitates then the second title BLOOD STORM. Really back to the classic running US Metal guides us as next the superb striker BURIED ALIVE. One of this typic galloping and stunning metal pieces firms in the next round under VOODOO DOLLS. With the vibes of the old famous days in contribution of little SAVATAGE influences works COUNTING ZEROS. Without a doubt is this strong number one of the best on this new release. Yet so far are this first five tracks are really welcome in the metal comunity. The following CAUGHT IN THE ARC isn´t so strong. Some uninspired shouted choruslines destroy a lot of the good feeling inside the number. But it´s nothing against them what will be come in the follower MISTRESS OF THE SETTING SUN. I wish I could disbann this one from the disc. Packed in a modern trendy nineties sound with distorted vocallines is this track absolute misplaced on the album. Terrible !!! I´ve don´t have an idea what the band have in their minds to disappoint the buyers with this kind of stuff. After their visit at the european stages and the enthusiastic welcome from their real fans must they know what kind of material should be awaited from them. But as would be nothing happen follows with HIGH AND MIGHTY a commercial edged hard rocker. WINGS OF SALVATION is in wide parts an okay tune but even in the middlepart as I thought anything will be good change this one too in boring modern arranged trend metal. Those one which can confirm with other stupid shouted refrains and fixed lame modern rhythm guitars will be statisfied with ORDER OF THE SYSTEM LORDS. Don´t know if the self titled SACRED OATH is an outtake from the back catalogue. But this one is again a better one. A hope for me is the good midtempo runner WHAT THE DARK WILL UNDO. Really back to the great material guides us SCOURGE OF SIN. This tune reflect exact that what we did await from a band like SACRED OATH ... !!! Maybe aheard ROB our cries and lament because the final chapter HUNT FOR THE FALLEN ANGEL is a big metal striker in the traditionel style. Fact is if we skip over the disappointing tunes remains still a lot of great tunes. Perhaps would be less more on this album. www.sacredoath.net or for snipnets and harsh critics www.myspace.com/sacredoath . I´ve heard that ROB THORNE rereleased meanwhile again A CRYTAL VISION as a digipack on his own company ANGEL THORNE MUSIC. I´m sure there will be more informations at the bandsite. article by Gerald Mittinger

SNAKE EYES - SOUL STEALER
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) UNITITED KINGDOM
Sometimes it´s difficult to find the reason to start a review. SNAKE EYES is a british quartett which is since many years on the start. Back in 1999 they published their debut THE YOURNEY BEGINNS. I never found a real personal access to this old fashioned hard rock release. If you think that this one could be in the tradition of the NWOBHM bands you´ll be disappoint. It doesn´t matter. This early album was produced at this time in Vancouver / Canada. Think parts of the band moved to this country. Nearly ten long years later returns the quartett now with their second release SOUL STEALER. Again produced in Vancouver but recorded in Herfordshire /United Kingdom presents us this album a complete different band. Natural that I had to change my opinion. Direct with the phenomenal opener BURNOUT attempts the band their style close to the fast traditionell british metal. The following LEATHER AND METAL sounds like a homage to the very old JUDAS PRIEST during their STAINED CLASS / HELL BENT FOR LEATHER period. Strange but great !!! THE GHOST OF CORTACHY is then a timeless free of any influences celebrated classic powerfull Heavy Metal tune. I´m totally amaze about the following eight minutes long running metal basher THE HIGHWAYMAN. Oh my dear, now we´re ready to talk about NWOBHM influences. It´s unbelieve able how much changed the style of SNAKE EYES ... !!! Of course natural everything in a positive and listenable direction. Epic and majestic are perhaps the right words for the flashy and mysterious banger THE WIZARDS CURSE. By the way this enhanced disc contains as bonus a nice little videoclip in the style of the good old WITCHFINDER GENERAL of this fine tune. The album continues with the original but still traditionell a little bit BLACK SABBATH inspired THE SKULL. Pure metal cult offers us the epic ladden INTO WAR WE GO. It´s a wonder that this album is untill now isn´t republished on vinyl because it sounds so much better as so many of third class cheap recordings with a little conection to the NWOBHM. Anyway perhaps we awake with this review the interest of the genre typic labels. CHANGES is a hunting metaltrack which stand for all the signs and attitudes which made Heavy Metal so unbreakable. If you search on this album for fillers you will be disappoint. Every cut is a top composition. Just taste the raw and unbound ILLS OF THE WORLD and you will enjoy the infected army of followers for SNAKE EYES. THE POWER AND THE GLORY isn´t a SAXON cover. No, no it´s much more... !!! The POWER AND THE GLORY is a deep crawling epic edged monumental tune in the long history of british Heavy Metal. This sympathic band find there place in the hall of fame with or without the help of a label. Don´t be shy and give em your absolute support. www.snakeeyesmusic.com . They took my soul and soon they will steal your once too... articel by Gerald Mittinger

SACRILEGIO - THE ULTIMATE ABOMINATION
(KHAOS MASTER PRODUCTION / CD´2009) PUERTO RICO
Untill now I´ve heard from Puerto Rico´s thrash scene only CARDINAL SIN. Think SACRILEGIO iks also an active band since many years. With THE ULTIMATE ABOMINATION presents us the quartett finally their official debut. DARK PURITY starts the reign and I´m positive surprised. Against my first opinion plays the band a well controlled mix of US thrash and Power Metal. Their singer LUIS VILLA has a typical eigthies thrash orientated organ (by the way he´s also the vocalist of PACTO DE SANGRE). But he isn´t a screamer. Everything works fine. PAGARAN CON SANGRE is then the first title with spanish lyrics. The damn good guitarwork by DANIEL ORIZ (also the guitarist of DANTESCO) and JOSE ANDRES LARA convince at high level at this Power Metal orientated basher. In the same vain follows the impressive pure Power Metal track KARMA. Also there convince the over the limit arranged guitarwork. General force I´m the opinion that the band stands tecnical in one line with many bay area based acts. The tight and precise skill on their instrument must be the practice of many years. Slower with grinding riffs creeps with agony and pain ZONA CERO in my vains. I prefer the swearing vocallines by LUIS VILLA there a lot. Somewhre in the midpart of this outstanding tune rise the speed and the power winds up your emotions. With a whizz of mystical arts starts GODS OF THE UNDERWORLD. Great harmonies and the dominate guitarwork in combination with the exat phrase of the voice let your veins a dozen times faster pump the blood to your metal heart. Yeäh... THE GODS OF THE UNDERWORLD is another patter of genial US Power Metal. Machinegun like salves from the guitar front leads in the hyperfast riff basher BEYOND THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT. Can´t feel my neck behind this attack. Back to the bay area driven thrash guides us then LEPANTO. Galloping midtempo riffs and to the point rthythmbolts (JORGE GAUTIER thundersticks and RALY VEGA of ALAS NEGRAS ironvibes) push you inside SHADOWS OF FEAR to a upper limit. Heavy, doomy and intense is the first part of THE FALL (OF THE TRAITOR) untill once more genial guitarlicks and vibes let you enjoy this inguidinging insrumental for the meantrack THE TRAITOR. Perhaps this one is the heaviest ouput on this work. Breath for a air cause there is no time for request. The immense thrashing and rippin titletrack ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION robs your last power. But none my one i´m ready for the next spin. Be infect too. Grab your copy of this underground kings today. www.myspace.com/sacrilegiopr . articel by Gerald Mittinger

STEEL HORSE - WLD POWER
(PAK / AVISPA DISCOS CD´2009) ESPANA
Here we go !!! From zero to hundred in a few seconds. Ready to take off !!! STEEL HORSE is another great promising quartett of Spain´s melting point Madrid. Of course their style isn´t original but fresh and contains a lot of kicking moments. If you can leave your eyes fromthe catchy cover artwork and find the time to put the disc in your player you won´t stop listen. Unusal is that the band use the english language. Against so many other foreign acts which aren´t able to pronounce this words right is their vocalist JORGE CORTES a real good shouter. During the opening number SONS OF FIRE is clear IRON MAIDEN influenced surprise me the following RUN TO SURVIVE at full line. I haven´t heard a long time a not british based act which definates so perfect and tight NWOBHM influences as STEEL HORSE at this tune. A lot of great bands from this time flash´s through my mind during I keep with pleasure listen this basher. To made you more hot I spell just the words TOKYO BLADE and old TYGERS OF PAN TANG !!! Ah, yes sires and madams, now is every thing clear. Of course our spanish heroes are no clones. Think they celebrate their stuff with a lot of heartblood and enthusiasm. You can hear this also in the following BURNING SOUL too. WILLY CASGON is a good guitarist which transports exact the vibes for this kind of metal. The titletrack WILD POWER is a typic eighties Euro Metal tune. Maybe a little bit weaker as the tracks before but with NEMESIS strikes the band back. This fantastic instrumental offers us the full taste of an intelligent arranged composition. Be sure to scream loud, louder the refrain of RAISE YOUR FIST. I could imagine perfect how good works this runner at one of their gigs. Up tempo guitar driven riffs and a straight to the top chorus line is the background of the catchy rocker LINE OF FIRE. High on emotions with a constant repeat riff creeps smooth WINDS OF TIME in your vains. Finally returns the band with another great british influenced classic Heavy Metal tune. This last tune firms under the title NIGHT TERRORS and made me so hungry for more of this group. Feed your metal soul by ordering this diamond. Look at www.myspace.com/steelhorsemetal where you can order the album easy through paypal order direct from the band. Of course their exist a regular bandsite too www.steelhorse-heavymetal.com . Of course there exists a superb vinyl edition too. So collectors hurry up !!! article by Gerald Mittinger

SAINT DEAMON - PANDEMONIUM
(FRONTIERS RECORDS FR CD 413 / 20009) SWEDEN
Till now I didn´t know about the existence of this great band. No matter a big mistake. But it´s never to late to discover new hopeful acts. With PANDEMONIUM presents us the sedish group their second release. In general is the home of the swedish based group the wide field of scandinavic melodic metal. Not rarely I can imagine there influences of such legends as TNT , TREAT but also the quintessence of more metal oriantated acts as TAD MOROSE or NOCTURNAL RITES too as well symphonic metal tunes ala STRATOVARIUS. Believe this mixture works really good. During the opener DECEPTION delivers the food of typic scandinavian melodic stuff with an edge of symphonic elements turns the catchy THE ONLY ONE SANE more in the bombastic arranged stuff. The incredible guitarwork by TOYA JOHANNSON underlines the highclass of this act too. With the titletrack PANDEMONIUM succeed e band an outstanding hit in the great tradition of such bands as TNT and SKAGARACK. Back to the poor working classic Heavy Metal guides as the great tune EYES OF THE DEVIL. I thought a long time on what great skandinavian melodic metal hymn remains me the following A DAY TO COME. The answer is clear. SAINT DEAMON isn´t a clone group. Rather the band stands in line to such forgotten topacts as HARLOT. Did there anybody remain their hymn SPIRITS ? At the same high level agitates A DAY TO COME. Not so catchy a little bit cheesy sounds for my ears then WAY HOME. But with the riffladen metalstrike FALLEN ANGEL returns the boys again to the right path. Even more metallic on the edge to Power Metal runs THE DEAMON WITHIN. OCEANS OF GLORY is a typic classic metal tune with bombastic chorus lines. A bit more relaxed ends this album with the hyperclass and dramatic arranged earcandy scandic melody hymn FEAR IN A FRAGILE MIND. So don´t miss thisreal diamond in your collection.Of course their singer JAN THORE GREFSTAD holds all the awaited standarts of a swedish band. Before I forget the album contains as bonus also a multimedia bonus video of the titletrack PANDEMONIUM. Think it would be a pleasure to see this group live !!! Maybe you can drop em a line under www.myspace.com/saintdeamonband or watch their regular website under www.saintdeamon.se . articel by Gerald Mittinger

SILENT AVENGER - KE HVEZDAM
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2010) CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic is still a real Heavy Metal paradise. For my opinion is the metal scene of this great country underrated. Only a handful of bands like CITRON , KERN , KREYSON, TÖRR, DEBUSTROL and ARAKAIN are semiknown acts. Especially ARAKAIN was a band which delivered many yearsgood traditional oriantated classic Heavy Metal albums. But if you check out their latest release HOMO SAPIENS you will come fast to the resume that this isn´t so anymore. But who could be the heir apparent of this past heroes. Relative rapid comes in my mind the real great newcomer SILENT AVENGER. Think the group isn´t really a newcomer. They are well known in the metal scene of their homecountry. But they didn´t released a real album in all those years. Last but not least strikes the quintett now with their official debut KE HVEZDAM (TO THE STARS) back. A classic music inspired intro which reminds me a little in his structure to the typical sinister KING DIAMOND athmosphere opens the reign. With NEJSOU JAKO MY (NOT LIKE US) shows the group then their talent to create a respectful classic arranged Heavy Metal track. Running guitars (CALAVERA / HANZ) in the style of the old czech metal masters made this piece of great metal unique. Especially the great voice of their singer DASTY which is of the same class as the voice of the old ARAKAIN vocalist ALES BRICHTA tracks the band to a higher level. But then uh, I can´t believe it how strong agitates the group with the following smasher KRAL NEBO OTROK (KING OR SLAVE). More or less wrote the band with this song a hymn for the eternity. The next chapter firms under the promising title ZPOVED (CONFESSION). This marching and waltzing with grinding slow guitarrhythmn pounding tune convince us with his doomy character. Another heavy arranged ruler follows with SLEPY (BLIND). Again is it there this combination of fine eighties classic sounding Heavy Metal and the genial vocallines by DASTY which made this song so great. Maybe if you can imagine a mixture of the old PRIEST with the early ARAKAIN / TITANIC you will have an idea how SILENT AVENGER really sounds. Exact in the middle of this album is placed then the epic edged titletrack KE HVEZDAM (TO THE STARS). In other words Metal at it´s best form. After all this neckbreaking highclass bangerstuff surprise the typic easteurope styled semiballad CACHTICKA PANI (LADY OF CACHTICE) with all his intensity. By the way DASTY celebrates this great track together with the female guest vocalist BARBORA "BARUSHE" LIPENSKA which gave the song with her warm and emotional voice an extraordinary athmosphere. Back to the real Heavy / Power Metal leads us then OTROK (SLAVE). Very close to KING DIAMOND compatible sinister metal works the famous arranged track UDEL DABLA (A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL). Doomy and dark starts the closing chapter OSUD (DESTINY) but changes after some seconds into another incredible Power Medtal tune. Without a doubt catapults this outstanding debut this sympathic group in the first row of the czech metal liga. www.silentavenger.cz . Hopefully the band afraid us in the near future again with such a giant release. article by Gerald Mittinger

SYMPHONIUM - ELSÖ SIMFONIA
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) HUNGARY

REVIEWS -W-

ruler13 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 06:31:45 CDT

WARCRY - LA QUINTA ESENCIA
(JAUS RECORDS/AVISPA CD´2006) ESPANA
The north spain based WARCRY started a couple of years back a phenomenal career in their home country. All starts as the brothers VICTOR and PABLO GARCIA separate from the well known spanish act AVALACH. Fast they started this band and their own record label. Several more or less good sympho nic records were published. But this newest release shows a progress in their styled. Back to the basic, or in other words back to the roots of classic metal in the past many of their songs sounded like the other. Overload with key boards and symphonic bombast it wasn´t able for many real metal heads to keep listen their stuff. But maybe this album in the year 2007 is the reborn of WARCRY. It´s a pleasure for me listen a melodic song like TU RECUERDO ME BASTARA.The asturian/ gijon based band is no longer faceless. Unbe lieveable how much better Victor Garcia´s handles now his vocals. There are still keyboards in the songs, but now the working isn´t so overload and more well placed. Many of the tracks surprising again with good melodies. Gener al this CD effects in a high standard. Last but not least LA QUINTA ESENCIA is a stunning packaged digipack. Check this fine tune out and give em a spin. www.warcry.as or contact the record company under jausrecords@warcry.as . article by Gerald Mittinger

WOLF´SGANG - LARMES FATALES
(PRIVATE RELEASE / MINI CD´2009) FRANCE
Beside the inmortal french metal institution KILLERS was for a couple of years the scene at our neighbourgs relative quite. Of course there was a bit rumour around some old etablished acts as HIGH POWER and NIGHTMARE. The only better known act from the real underground outside of their homecountry was OVERSTEP. But meanwhile came up a lot of new great bands. Similar as HÜRLEMENT is WOLF´SGANG a hopeful new metal act from this great country. Even a short while is published their new work LARMES FATALES. With an absolute authenic feeling for the large tradition of classic Heavy Metal in their home country opens impressive the superb titletrack this mini album. As I wrote above is the style of WOLF´S GANG close and brilliant to the old still well known heroes as ADX, DER KAISER, HIGH POWER or for example STEEL ANGELS ... !!! JULIEN AMIOT is a respectable guitar player which transports with a lot of skill and courage the feeling of the compositions to the listeners. During the opener was an on and on classic Heavy Metal tune surprise me the following track CETTE HEROINE even a tick more. This one is one of this songs which give me a lot of energy back. In other words CETTE HEROINE is a typical high class cut which combinates all the trademarks for what are standing the words HEAVY METAL. The man behind the microphone FREDERIC BAILY is a perfect shouter. Sometimes he celebrates with a harmonie ladden midranged voice untill the moments he is doing his job like a real metalshouter. I´m impressed how good harmonies his variable voice in midrange and high arranged vocalparts too. With great guitar and bass & drumlines (HERMANN GOIZET and YOHANN TANFIN) handles then the fast running eighties eurometal basher FIGHTING FOR OUR DESTINY. Everything works again perfect. I wish this fine disc would offer us more great tunes, but I´m really more as sure that there will be follow a great fullength disc in the near future. I wouldn´t be surprised if this fantastic group sign up a better deal by a renomite record company. Be sure too that this mini album will be a collectors item after the soldout too. So don´t hesitate and hurry up to buy your own disc direct from the band. www.myspace.com/wolfsgang69 . If you want drop Julien your contributions under wolfsgang@hotmail.fr . articel by Gerald Mittinger

WURDALAK - DESDE EL SILENCIO
(PRODUCCIONES MALDITAS CD´2005) ESPANA
An unique and unbelieveable good band of the present spanish metal scene is WURDALAK from Valencia. What we have here is a female fronted sixtett. After the short intro DESDE EL SILENCIO the opening track ATORMENTADO catch your metal soul. MAJOS ROMERO so the name of the vocalist has a strong and lovely voice at the same time. I know this sounds a bit strange. For example today many metal ladys only use their voice in this higher sphere agitated opera arrangements. No way there. She is doing everything in her own style. In the song MIL VOCES she celebrates also a strong duet with senor J. VICEN TE "GAMBA" the vocalist from the well known power metallists METAL MARENY. General this great release is packed with a lot of fantastic tracks. Be sure to conquer the world of WURDALAK! Believe me, you will be not disappoint. During the whole recording classic heavy metal tracks domina te the album. Too bad that the group have not a better distribution. PRODUCCCIONES MALDITAS is a little recordfirm without a big distriubu tion in spain. Of course in the mean time AVISPA (one of the biggest spanish labels) works for the band in distribution too. So if you can catch this release.Maybe you can try to find also the older recording LA LLAMADA too. This six track private released mini album is since a longer time a real collectors item. No wonder the great lookin g fantasy artwork on the cover in contribu tion with the long running songs are highclass old school spanish classic heavy metal at the top. Uh, what a com bination of words but perhaps this is the best explana tion for the old recordings of WURDALAK. EL REY (THE KING) is the starter for this disc. After some seconds of battleroar runs this epic lad den tune majestic with a playing time of more than seven minu tes. The difference to the present release is that here acts a strong male vocalist.Unique which song you will keep listen. Every of them ranks wide over the top. Maybe the medival arranged smasher EL PALACIO DE ODIN and the hymn LA SENDA DEL METAL are the biggest runners.So build up soon your very own opinion about this great metallists. Like by so many hopefull acts you can find about this promising band more also too informations inside www.myspace.com/germanwurdalak .More usefull infos you will find on their website too under www.wurdalak.es .Last but not least DESDE EL SILENCIO is published in mexico via the firm GRAVIS RECORDS. So it will be posible to order this album without a problem direct from this label. article by Gerald Mittinger

WITCHSMELLER PURSUIVANT - MANIFEST OF EVIL
(SHIVER RECORDS 506 / CD´2008) BELGIUM
With every spin I like this disc a little bit more. No, I don´t give em listen again and again to find the recording well. Reality is that I like this on and on eighties Euro Heavy Metal piece with the freaky vocals of Luciver Vecken a lot. Further MANIFEST OF EVIL is packed with many epic and individual parts. Often I feel remembered on the old legendary MERCYFUL FATE and EVIL recordings. Marching and pounding riffs evil and thrashy parts, mystic and sinister atmospheric feelings you can find this obscure mix everywhere at this disc. Similar as on the debut album ENTER DELIRIUM works this belgium based act still on a building of metal. Perhaps the working title for the album should be changed into MANIFEST OF METAL... ha,ha. But serious this second album works well and like I wrote in the beginning of this review, it´s a pleasure to keep listen all the many little details in this original recording. Support WITCHSMELLER PURSUIVANT and follow their dream of the real steel www.witchsmeller.com and of course also inside the well known www.myspace.com/witchsmellerpursuivant . article by Gerald Mittinger

WISDOM - AT THE GATES
(NAIL RECORDS / MCD´2007) HUNGARY
One of the most promising new traditional metal acts from the hungarian scene is WISDOM. The Budapest based quartett offers us with this mini cd meanwhile their 3rd release. Staffed with a bombastic and powerfull production starts this single with an opulent classical introduction to the titletrack. AT THE GATES is then a typical new styled classic Heavy Metal track on high level somewhere between the recordings of STRATOVARIOUS and HELLOWEEN.Fans of this groups should check out this band. Especially their vocalist ZOLTAN KISS stands in one line with the vocalist of this genre. On the oriantation of their instrumental skill is also nothing wrong. Both of the guitarist of WISDOM (GABOR KOVACS and ZSOLT MOLNAR) doing a good job. Beside the titletrack features this single release also the bombastic ballad ALL ALONE. But this good arrangent tune is for my opinion nothing special because I heard this kind of stuff dozen times from different genre alike bands in the same style too. As bonus contains this mini disc further a video clip. More essentinal for collectors is in my eyes the former released fullength recording WORDS OF WISDOM which presents the group into another sub stancial different light. Produced back in 2006 (mastered at the Finnvox Studios) con tains this recording a fine brand of up to date melodic Heavy Metal. With the opener HOLY VAGABOUND offers us the group a good edgy timeless melodic metal tune. Also the punding REDUCED TO SILENCE celebrates remindable metal culture. Of course there is always a slight HELLOWEEN influence inside. But it doesn´t matter because strong number as the before mentioned REDUCED TO SILENCE or the faster arranged more into the classic MAIDEN corner sliding MASQUERADE are well worth to listen. WISDOM is then a track which sounds in my opinion to polished and to main stream orientated. The following cut VICTORY is another good moody tune in the style of the old beloved hanseatic melodic heavy metal masters HELLOWEEN. With much more energetic and power ranks then TAKE OUR SOULS out over the top of the former two compositions. Also SANDS OF TIME reigns in a more repect able vain. By the way this track is an instrumental. Not all to spectacular is the following ballad UNHOLY GHOST. With fast arranged melodic speed leads us WHEELS OF HE WAR back to the basic. A good epic styled semi bombast fan fare is the introduction for the closing titletrack. Without a doubt is WORDS OF WISDOM the best arranged chapter on this album. Balladesc moments in contribution of powerful tacts of epic metal stands for this outstanding composition.Of course WISDOM don´t rethink the melodic metal in a new style. But their publishings are done with skill, heartblood and enthusiasm....!!! Believe me, this bunch of aspects made this group sympathic. So if your heart still beats for the famous classic releases from HELLOWEEN and STRATOVARIOUS this band will be another treasure for your collection. Of course before I forget it to tell you. At the beginning of their career relased WISDOM also too a four track mini album with an rawer edge in the traditio nal Heavy Metal style. Personal I prefer this mini album at most. But build you up your own opinion by checking their informative website under this link: www.wisdom.hu or mail em wisdom@wisdom.hu . article by Gerald Mittinger

WITCHKING - HAND OF JUSTICE
(INSANITY RECORDS / CD´2008) POLAND
Sometimes the wheel of time turns to fast for me. Since a long time lays this impressive second album of WITCHKING on my desc. Those who knows me will confirm the chaotic work... !!! So hopefully nobody will be angry on me for my slow and untidy working style. Yet so far back to our heroes from Polonia. At first impresses us the brilliant drawn cover artwork. Against the debut album which was published on the little french based company AURAL OFFERINGS RECORDS is the new album better distributed. Released on the rela tive new label INSANITY RECORDS with a good distribution deal by NIGHTMARE RECORDS could it be possible to get this album in many countries. Recorded and mixed at Warzawa / Poland by TOMASZ ZALEWSKI convince this disc with a fat and transparent sound. Musically is this second strike very close arranged to the impres sive debut. Behind a short introduction bolts the first track MAGIC NUMBER direct in your poisend heart...!!! Traditionell eighties inspired timeless Heavy Metal with the perfect voice by TOMASZ TWARDO WSKI is the clear message of this runner. Straight on with a Power Metal hint acts then the voluminant GREED & FEAR. By the way in some passages can we hear a slight MAIDEN influence. Of course I write this as a real big compliment to their guitarists MATEUSZ "GAJDEK" GAJDZIK and TOMASZ "HADRO" PATER. Oh my dear, what a total Power Metal edged service is the next tune HAND OF JUSTICE. This cut reigns like insane. But not enough the yourney goes on and from now on sounds the quintett 100% like it should be. Free of influences just their own style rules. Sinister and evil beginns the next chapter THE THIRD ONE. This epic and horror metal edged epos with rapid guitar attacks guide the band into the top liga of european traditionell influenced Power Metal acts. Let´s pray us all to the mighty metal gods that WITCHKING earns a lot of attention with this famous album. Grinding guitarriffs and a thundering rhythmnsecction by ANDRZEJ SADOWSKI (bass) and KRZYSTOF "BANAN" NOWAKOSKI (drums) stands behind the elect banger the PLANET IS BURNING. Who didn´t likes this amazing and driven clasic metalpieces in the midtempo area with an epic edge. CHOICE OF THE MASTERS is a typical patter for this kind of outstanding metal. Could it be that there stands a wordgame behind the followup MIMPACT. If I should imagine an evil WITCHKING maybe he sounds like TOMASZ "TOM THE STORM" does it in the first lines of this hymn. Natural the rest of this brilliant arranged diamond is a mix of virtuose metal with a strong dosis of timeless Power Metal. This is Metal like should it be and nothing else. On the border to insane waltz down MENTAL TRAP. Drink the blood of the metal grail and live forever is a great lyric part of the special JUDAS inspired hymn METAL GRAIL. Yeäh we will follow your calls... !!! But there is still a little bit time to the final DOOMSDAY. Yep correct, the final chapter of this ten heavy as bricks pounding tracks firms under DOOMSDAY. And what else as fiering classic running Power Metal stands for this last banger. I´m really deep impressed from this stunnin´ second album. So give em all your support and spread my words. www.myspace.com/witchkingband or take a look at their conventionel website under www.witchking.pl . articel by Gerald Mittinger

WITCH HAMMER - PRICE FOR THE NEW WORLD
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) CZECH REPUBLIC
Suddenly arrived me one day this interesant private released CD. WITCH HAMMER is a young quartett but with an enormous talent to create metal like in the golden eighties. Unusal for their country is that the band celebrates their stuff with english lyrics. After an short intro starts the well produced album with TIME OF THE BURNING. Musically sounds this tune like a mix of old MAIDEN and some harsh edged MÖTORHEAD / TANK influences. The following GIVE IT UP ranks at the same level. Without a doubt sounds this band absolut untypical for their country. If I wouldn´t know that they come from the CZECH REPUBLIC I would place them to Great Britain or Germany. Yes Germany too because the next two compositions KILL MY PAIN and POWERMAN sounding more in the directing of typic eighties german Heavy Metal bands. Of course this isn´t a critic. In contrary it sounds great. Really a little hit is then the folowing melodic MAIDEN inspired megatrack LOST MEMORIES. A fat bonus earns the grinding and stamping hymn HEAVY METAL MACHINERIA. Straight on classic Heavy Metal delivers us the raw ANGEL OF SALVATION. A bit more different and more harmonic with a slight MOTÖRHEAD touch acts the cut GLORIOUS. With the final rumbler ONE SOLDIERMAN fires the songwriting team JAN SOTKOVSKY (guitar / vocals) and PETR CAPUTA (bass) again a NWOBHM influenced tune in the battle. By the way it´s more then worth to check out immediately this great band. Contact eddie.c@tiscali.cz or take a look at http://witchhammer.webpark.cz . articel by Gerald Mittinger

WILDAN - KEEP ON METAL
(DIGIMUSIC S.L. / PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2009) SPAIN

REVIEWS -T-

ruler13 — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:41:07 CDT

TIPSY TRAIN - HARPIA
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2006) POLAND
From the first moment on I liked this album a lot. The great cover artwork...!!! Created with lot´s of heartblood surprises this timeless classic heavy metal album.The opening track DEMON a midtempo epic arranged metal tune starts perfect the album.Absolute 80ies metal compatibel running the following tracks LEK and HARPIA through your veins.Their vocalist MARIUSZ ZAJAKZKOWSKI is a big number with his grandious voice. After the good emotio nal ballad KIED ODEJDZIESZ the band stagnates a little bit with the heavy rock track ZOS TAW MNIE.But with REBELIA the return on their way. My personal favorit on this disc is the firing and epic ZAPOM NIA NYSWIAT Melancholy starts the semi ballad NIE PYTAJ. Of course gui tars with feeling rules this fine arran ged composition too. Clear that a title with the name WUL KAN acts in the metal venue. Full riff ladden with bombastic song structures runs the next cut WIDMO again through the night. During the liste ning of this fine album I feel so many times remem bered on such great names of the polish metal scene like TSA, IRA and TURBO ! But to con tinue the album ends with the strong metal hymn HURA GAN before TYPSY TRAIN with the bonus track MARSZ TIPSOW (a homage to TSA) ends this disc perfect. Run the web for www.tipsytrain.prv.pl or drop em a line via kotyllo@wp.pl . Hopefully returns the band soon with a strong follow up to this strong debut. article by Gerald Mittinger

TROOPER - ELECTRIC
(HMM / METALFAN CD´2007) ROMANIA
Yeäh folks, that´s a difficult review for me. In the past I was a big fan of this band from Targoviste / Romania. Their first album was for me pure madness. Okay there was allover a strong IRON MAIDEN influence, but the songs wor ked well. I really appreciate it to keep listen this album. The following 2nd CD is untill now still unreleased. Why? Because the firm which had the order to manu facture the CD´s lost the only exsistant mastertape... !!! Huh, mega strange But the album was free to download at their website.Now TROOPER enters again the metal market with their 3rd release under the monkicker ELECTRIC. Maybe I have await to much. After the short album titled intro starts the disc with the listenable and good arranged FIECARE(EVERY BODY) but the follow up DISPARI DIN OCHI MEI (GET OUT OF MY EYES) stagnates a little bit. More heavy rock ladden comes ORIUNDE MA VOI DUCE (WHER EVER I GO) The problem here is I don´t like so much this distortion modern Rock´n´ Roll styled guitar in this cut.But superb reigns the fifth track on the album.This ones is a semi heavy rockballad called IN VISUL MEU (IN MY DRE AM). A split image is the hit alike NU MAI CONTEA ZA (THAT`S UNIMPORTANT). Freaky this pop melody lines in har mony with hard MAIDEN riffs and a chorus like KISS or SWEET. Uuh, that´s perhaps the real hit song on this silver conserve. One song later we are back on earth with a powerfull BLACK SABBATH tune. This one reminds me in the vocal parts also a little bit on their country mates IRIS. Personal is this heavy slow burner with the title CAND NOAPTEM MI TE VE RAPI (IF THE NIGHT WILL STEAL YOU) my favorite composition on this disc.The next cut is called PROMISIURI and there returns again in phases this modern influ ence. Also the following HEI TU (HEY YOU) handles in this circle, during RATACIT PE DRUMUL VIETII (LOST THE WAY OF LIFE) is an emotional ballad like the next POATE CA TIMPUL (´MAYBE IN TIME) also too. Strange, two ballads continues there ??? More or less is the rest of the tracks only a collec tion of mid class Hard Rock. Only the final song O VIATA ESTE PREA (ONE LIFE IS TO MUCH) is a real good metal track. Maybe this cd would be better if they had inclunde only the strong cuts. I am sure a collection of those on a mini cd where a real success. For my taste this album contains also to much ballads. Find out more under www.trooper.ro or reach em direct under contact@trooper.ro . article by Gerald Mittinger

THUNDERSTORM - VISE DIGITALE
(METALFAN RECORDS / CD´2007) ROMANIA
Since the end of the communistic regime the romanian metal scene struggle more or less without orientation. Ther former leading bands of this genre IRIS and CARGO stagnate in the last time permanent. Only the new bands TROOPER and ATARIA holds the flag of traditional Heavy / Power Metal high. Of course the death and black metal scene is still alive. But what´s happen with the traditional Heavy Metal scene in this country? Now, finally after years in the undergrouund a new hopefully band with the promising name THUNDERSTORM enters this lost venue.The concept behind the DIGITAL DREAMS titled album is still classic Heavy Metal. During this Bukarest based band handles in the past their vocal lines in english the changed em now to their native language. This is in my ears a very good idea! Their vocalist Vlad Necula have a melodic but powerfull voice. In using his native language the perfor mance and spell of the tracks sounds strong. Inside some of the cuts you can hear little influences of the godfathers of metal IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST. So this quin tett combinates everything what is today of importants to be an energetic and sucessfull act. As well the band is very tight and beside the influences about I wrote in the lines before they reminds me some times at the best moments of the old IRIS. Impressive compositions like the title track, the furi ous and straight arranged CURENTEAZA, the fantastic CER IN FLACARI (maybe this is the up com ing band hymn!) or the MAIDEN influenced AVERTIZARE are high class metal tracks ... !!! Unusal but great acts also the futuristic and technical working VORTEX. Another personal fave track of mine is the modern arran ged and mystic sounding epos DIMENSIUNEA X before the album with the power full SECRETELE NOPTII (SECRETS OF THE NIGHT) this great chapter of classic Heavy Metal close. No wonder, that the band had the chance to open the show for RAGE in the past september in Buka rest.A new star on the metal firmament is rising and this hopefully for a long time. Find out more digi tal via www.thunderstorm.ro or listen also inside www.myspace.com/thunderstormmetal a couple of their compositions. article by Gerald Mittinger

TÜZMADAR - FENYEK
(NAIL RECORDS / HUNGARY) CD´2007
A big step forward into the wright direction is doing this re lative new hungarian melodic Power Metal band. After the release of a cassette album with the title IGAZ HITTEL back in 2001 and the successful private released CD JEGKORSZAK (2004)this brand new perfect packaged album offers the listener twelve good and catchy arranged Heavy / Power Metaltracks in the style of their countrymates OZIRIS & OSSIAN. Of course the is also orientate on the happening of the euro pean scene, but never they lost their origin.The new album FENYEK strikes exact in this kind of moderate timeless Metal.For example MASROL SZOL the title track or the stumpin COLOMBUS. To name only a few. During a track like HAZATE RES edge the terre tory of harsh played symphonic metal. Another impressive song is ELÖ VAGY which sounds like a hybrid between the old PAND ORAS BOX and up to date Heavy Metal. Last but not least the album with a aproximate playing time of more than sixty minutes surprise with two bonus tracks in english language.Both tracks (WHITE LIE and MUST FEEL) convince with good pronounced vocals in this lang uage. Especially the power cut WHITE LIE is well arranged. Beside MUST FEEL is a me lancoly hard edged ballad. Further contains the album as bo nus multimedia section and a video clip. Fazit is, if you like tra di tional hungarian Heavy / Power Metal with tendences to the present europe an trend setters in this style this one is the next collect able album for your shoping list...!!! www.tuzmadar.hu . article by Gerald Mittinger

TERÄSBETONI - MYRSKYNTUOJA
(WARNER MUSIC FINLAND / CD´2008) FINLAND
I wish the major companies would be so open minded too in our country to release and sup port such a great band. No matter untill now is this traditional heavy metal quartett outside of their home country not all to many peo ple aquaintance.But this will be different in a couple of days at the Euro vision Song Contest in Belgrade / Serbia... !!! Unbelieve able the band had winning the precontest for their country and will be present in Belgrade a pure metal tune with the title MISSÄ MIEHET RATSASTAA. Crazy !!! Finland is one of the last bis bastions in Europe for this kind of music. Great, I really appreciate this country and their enthusiastic lovely people a lot. So I am promised what will be happen at the Eurovision Song Contest. We will see, but to continue to the MYRSKYNTUOJA CD which is the third full length release of the group. Unique and sympathic is the fact that JARRKA AHOLA use only his native language. Yeäh, wright I don´t understand a single word of the lyrics. But it doesn´t matter he is a strong and emotional vocalist. Meanwhile reached the album in Finland Gold status and similar like on the first two recordings holds the TAMPE RE based act the banner of 80ies inspired traditional scandinavic Heavy Metal high. Sometimes I feel also remembered on the old glorious days of MANOWAR and RUNNING WILD too. Beside their label published untill now several single cd´s too. Collectors should keep an eye too for the special edition of the 2nd album VAADIM ME METALLIA which contains as bonus a DVD with such great videoclips as ORJATAR or the clip for the titletrack and as well a lot of liverecordings from important festivals like ROVANIEMIROCK or RUISROCK. Be quick to get your copy because this is a limited editon doublepack. Of course the album self efforts with highclass 80ies Heavy Metal in the same way as the debut album METALLI TOTUUS from 2005. For me is TERÄSBETONI by the moment a phenomen band in the european metal scene. Far away from any trends celebrating this nordic mans their very own kind of fantasy metal. Check the whole disco graphie & lots of curious infos under www.terasbetoni.com . Of course and don´t miss to watch them at their Eurovision Songcontest audience. article by Gerald Mittinger

TEMPESTT - BRING´ EM ON
(DYNAMO RECORDS / CD´2007) BRAZIL
There is a lot of rumour about this melodic metal act from Sao Paulo in the last time. No matter during the south ame rican tour from Mr.JEFF SCOTT SOTO was TEMPESTT the support band.So we can hear in the titletrack of this recor ding the master himself singing. Yep and I can only write more or less the same as all the other publishings. This tune is a brilliant song. But not only this suberb track con vince us on this album. General is this disc packed with lots of great listenable progressive arranged melodic metal tracks. The original vocalist of the band with the pseudonym BJ owns a warm and harmonic voice too. So he gives the whole tracks a harmonic feeling wide over the top. No single moment sounds this quartett like another band from their home coun try. We can attest them an unique, fresh and international sounding style. Maybe we can imagi ne sometimes influences of DREAM THEATER, SYMPHONY X in coexis tence with melodic metal parts from from bands as TALISMAN and EYES. But the best thing is to listen great tunes as ENEMY IN YOU, INSANITY DESIRE or FALLEN MOON without any concrete prejudices. Just let the music do it and i am sure you will be confirm with me too, that there grows up a great new band. Check out the mailorders (latest news is that the album will be lisenced for the european market through AOR HEAVEN RECORDS...) and take a look at www.tempestt.com.br . Of course at the latest european auditions of JEFF SCOTT SOTO was again TEMPESTT the second band in the set. article by Gerald Mittinger

TANKE - GLOBALIZACION Y BARBARE
(DEL IMIGINARIO DISCOS 113 / CD´2007) ARGENTINA
Unbelieveable how much quality traditional Power Metal bands rise from this southamerican metal eldorado. Also TANKE is a new one of the latest represents of this favo rite music style. With raw uncut energy starts ARRASAN DO their disc. Every lover of real back to the basic 80ies edged traditional HM Power Metal will be a follower of this band from this strong beginning. Energetic but still with harmonie follows the hymn DESVELO (SLEEPLES). Riff laden with a slight doomy feeling strikes down DECADAS INFAMES. LUCHAR (FIGHT) is another great metal basher in the style of the legenda ry HERMETICA. A real cool tune is the rethinkable CAIDO... NO ME VERAN titled 5th effort on this fantastic release. Fast and unbreakable rules SIN PAZ followed by the power attack SIN APATIA. More midrange heavy ladden stuff delivers us then AUTO CONTROL. Close to the Argentinian Metal legends acts the remindable TERROR. A perfect ending for this album is the well structured FALSO SANADOR with different quite, energetic and raging parts. Maybe TANKE is by the moment one of the best newcomer of all the many new great bands from this country. I am sure this will be not the last rumour of this group. There will be follow hopefully more great releases. www.tankemetal.com.ar or contact em under tankemetal@ankemetal.com.ar . article by Gerald Mittinger

TANTRA - RESENTIMENTOS
(RANGO DYNAMICO / CD´2008) MEXICO
This is second release from another new mexican melodic metal act.By the way the CD cover is printed with a minimum on informations. No lyrics or a thanklist. Only the information about the bandmembers and the used recording studio is written there. So let us handle the facts about this ten tracker. The album starts impressio nal with the titletrack RESENTIMENTOS. A voluminate pianopart and melodic guitarparts which reminds me a bit to the old melodic NWoBHM heroes SABRE and PRAYING MANTIS let the song rise. From the beginning con vince me the bandleader EMERTELO GUEL CERDA with his warm melodic voice a lot.All the unique piano and keyboard parts are done by him too. In the follow reminds me the quartett also on their countrymates SANTO OFFICIO too. Isn´t this a perfect remiscence? But serious,the following LAMENTOS acts some tacts slower but with an intense feeling for rhytm and melody. I am really impressed about this fine tune. ATRAPADA acts in a same remindable epic direction. Not so strong but still good sounds for me than AYUDAME A VIVIR. During the next track GRIS is an ultramelodic A.O.R.ish composition. Back to the beloved metal style ranks RAICES. By the way this one reflect again like in the first tracks the class of the band to write great tunes. Of luck holds al so MIRA this standart. Bombastic and majestic sounds in line one of my favorites SERRANA. The next number firms under the title SOMBRAS (SHADOWS). This one is not really my cup of tea, because I miss in this cut the mystic feeling of the other arrangements. The final track MUERTOS beginns again with a great melodic guitar sequence by the guitarist senor JUAN ESCALANTE HERNANDEZ.In the follow acts this song to the most impres sive composition on this album. Like a little metal epos runs the song over a distance of over five minutes to the maximum. In other words alone this song is it worth to search for this fine album. Of course as I wrote before working not all tracks at this high level. But seven of the ten tracks runnin un der the sign of high class melodic latin metal. i can´t wait it to see this band soon live. www.myspace.com/tantramx . article by Gerald Mittinger

TREHUA - AMO DEL MUNDO
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) ARGENTINA
This is a really interesant release from a new Argentinian classic Heavy / Power Metal act.From the first look it seems that this quartett handles with an important mes sage in their lyrics. Just take a look at the concept of the cover artwork and your inte rest will be awaken. I think behind the title AMO DEL MUNDO stands the message to take more care with our world. Short after a catchy intro which reminds me on old mystery films starts the album even with the great traditional JUDAS PRIEST orienta ted titletrack. Not a single tact bad continues the stumpin JUSTICIA DIVINA untill the melodic arranged ear catcher EL RECOLECTOR earns our attention. PRISIONERO DE UN ILUSION is then this kind of a rethinkable power ballad. Unusal starts the firing uptempo Power Metal assaul COMO UN HURACAN. Senor LEONEL LESNIEWICZ is a tight guitarist and never comes up the feeling for a missing second axeman. Yeäh, the midtempo running ALMAS EN PENA amplify con tinue this fine work. Most of the time crowns the south american metal bands a fine voca list too. No matter also TREHUA contains a perfect singer in GUSTAVO SANCHEZ. By the way another highlight follows with the on and on traditional neckbrea ker DESPERTARES. The track number nine firms under UN MAS and runs in the same midtempo speed. Maybe this one reminds me also to some of the old classic latin metal legends as TRITON and PANZER too.Finaly ends this great disc with the energetic (INSTINTO ANIMAL) DEL INDIO ARGEN TO. I can´t find other words as my bigest honour and respect for this great new band. www.trehua.com.ar or drop a line to trehuaheavymetal@gmail.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

TRABUCO - LA MEMORIA DE LA SANGRE
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) CHILE
From the unknown into the light could be the headline for this promising chilenian tradi tional heavy metal masters. AHORA Y EN LA HORA start with a bolt in the best 80ies metal vain this effort. Lovely whispering and mystic femalevoice intronounce us into the heavy weight ECO DE PASADO. Apocalytic starts CONSAGRADOS one of my favori tes of this recording. More or less reigns this tune in the Power Metal venue. MARIO TAPA REY is one of this incredible and souvereign vocalist which leads a band to the success. Both guitarist (PABLO MEDINA STEETER and JONATHAN MARTINEZ GORDIL LO) learned their lessons too. Fine folcloristic elements standing behind EL PRECIO DEL DOLOR (THE PRICE OF PAIN). The unusal fusion of this south american influences in contribution with fine 80ies metal made this track to a winner too. After the dramatic latin power ballad ARCANGEL follows with FANTASIAS aqnother so beloved powerfull metal hymn. Of course the old RATA BLANCA and MAIDEN/PRIEST influenced there the group. HEROE is in the same great tradition. A typical galloping metal tune runs down with AGONIZA EL CIELO. Pure madness is the outstanding titletrack. Alone this fantas tic metal hymn is worth every penny of your har earned money. With a sinister feeling creeps this song deep into your soul untill this composition offers us their real majesty. Similar with great emotion handles the last track LA RENUNCIA. This could be a perfect release and I wouldn´t have any critic if this would be not a professional industrial manufactured CDR. Why isn´t it posible to publish in the 21st century such a great allbum as an original pressed CD? So far don´t hesitate to check the group under www.trabuco.cl . article by Gerald Mittinger

THORGEN - CHEMIN DES DAMES
(BRENNUS BR 8134 / CD´2005) FRANCE
Better late then never. By the way I owe this second release from THORGEN since a long time. But I overlooked or should I better write the fasci nation of this great album. I don´t know why, but here is a hopefully objective review. If I remember well starts the group by the end of the 90ies with some ex-members from the local act KEOPS. One of the musicans was inside the late ADX at this time. Things come in to rollin and the debut album HERETIC was the first big bolt which attract the group in and outside of their country a lot of attention. Close in line to such great names of the french metal scene as ADX, SORTILEGE, HIGH POWER or BLASPHEME handled this remindable first work with all the trademarks which made this bands inmortal. Needless to write that this album is from the release date a classic which should be a part of every good record collec tion ! Meanwhile is now the second album since a while published and it is another fine incredible work from THORGEN. Behind the title stands a part conceptwork about the unbelieve able tragedy around the battlefields at the first world war in Verdun and Chemin des Dames. I wish my francais would be better to under stand more about the stories and the message behind this tracks. The first five tracks of this album handles about different themes. Not in comprehens ion to the conceptwork of the 2nd part of the album. After an short spoken prelude starts the cd with RESIGNEUR powerful in the best tradition of french steel. Yeäh, YVES is the perfect singer and BAILLY "CYRE" CYRILLE is our man on the six strings. TERRORISTE is another track with an abstract theme. Musically runs his melodic edged tune in perfect 80ies metal manier. Mysterious and epic is the feeling of the hard edged megabanger LES SECTES. Another masterpiece follows with the rolling with a melancoly feeling acting BENIE SOIT ELLE. Staffed with a great melody line is then COMME UN ANGE. Majestic is the best describtion for the epos TOI. Heavy Metal with a dramatic touch will it bring to the point if you keep listen the fantastic arranged LINGEKOPF. Direct follows the timeless metal tune LA VOIE SACREE. With the titletrack enters the group the terain of a great melodic but still heavy arranged metal track. FATALITE is this kind of a metal hymne with a remindable chorusshout. A last time rags the power on inside LE DERNIER JOUR. Similar as on the debut album contains this work also a guest appereance by the ex-ADX guitarist YVES "LOIS XV" . Further we hear on the disc with MINORITE a fine bonus track. As guest acts there BRUNO DOLHEGUY from the french metal legend KILLERS. So do your self a favour and keep listen this great album. We all should keep our fingers crossed in hope for an upcoming new release of this fantastic group. Send your contributions to thorgen@wanadoo.fr . There exist also the posability to hear some tracks inside the web of the webs: www.myspace.com/thorgen2000 . Of course you can order both of their album´s direct at : www.BRENNUS-MUSIC.com too. article by Gerald Mittinger

TAIFA - ALHAMBRA
(DISCOS LIBRES / DLB 00001 / CD´2008)
Not to many bands which performs classic latin metal in combination with andalucian elements can´t breakout of the shadow of MEDINA AZAHARA. Meanwhile we have in Spain two new exiting groups which can break this spell. ARABICA is still unknown but on the rise. TAIFA is a little bit more known from their high recomended past release MAS ALLA DEL SUR on FOQUE/AVISPA DISCOS. But this was happen back in 1999. It´s so long back that it was unreal to believe in a new publishing of this impressive band. But wonder happens and around ten years later returns this band as would be happened nothing. Unbelieveable. TAIFA´2008 is the absolute reincarnation of the andalucian melodic metal sound. With unusal hard guitars starts EL COLOR DE LA LIBERTAD (THE COLOUR OF LIBERTY) until wonderful arabic inspired melodylines together with heavy guitarsparts your attentions awake. In line to this superb opener follows the even impressive LAS TORRES DE BABEL (THE TOWERS OF BABEL). Complex guitars by MARTI RIERA let me stunnin. Of course MARTI RIERA is new in the band and came for MIGUEL GARCIA. The band firms now with a second guitarist senor JUAN DELOLA which add the catchy flamenco influences in this earcandy sounding musical masterpiece. With the titletrack ALHAMBRA returns the band close to the old great times of MEDINA AZAHARA. It needs more as one time to listen this production. So many lovely details give their songs an unique identy. Clearly over all stands the charismatic frontman LUIS MASSOT (Yes of course,he was at the end of the eighties the frontman of the well known melodic metal band ELIKAT which released a mini´lp "CAUGHT IN LOVE" and a fullength production too). He was the one which impressed me on the debut and he did this again on this new album. Together with such fine attributes as the use of a violin (NOURDINE CHKARA) and flamenco percussions by ANDRES MANZANO which stands in harmony with the traditional drum parts by ANTONIO MEDINA works this concept fabolous. Wonderful compositions as NUNCA QUE PERDER, FE, LAS CASA DEL OLVIDIO or the incredibel SIN SABER POR QUI let stand this album high above over our musically mind. Oh, before I forget the cd conains also a video clip for LAS TORRES DE BABEL. So if I´ve awake the interest in you check out their website under www.reinodetaifa.com or prelisten some of their great compositions like always at first at www.myspace.com/reinodetaifa. articel by Gerald Mittinger

THE VENGEFUL FEW - THE VENGEFUL FEW
(PRIVATE RELEASE/BEAGLEAOR MUSIC / CD´2007) UNITED STATES
This album is an absolute surprise. A first look at the cover artwork let you think that this could be one of this bands of the extrome type. But this isn´t so. If a good friend didn´t told me that this piece is good US-Metal I wouldn´t believe it. But in line. THE VENGEFUL FEW is a New Jersey based quartett qwhich follows the good old classic US-Metal direction with a slight NWOBHM touch. I seems or could be that the group is close to the well known terretory mates SLEEPY HOLLOW. Produced somewher in 2007 starts the album with the running and pounding first class metal number MADHOUSE. The next in the reign is then the MAIDEN inspired tune CIRCLE OF SEVEN. Their singer KEITH VITALI is one of this typical US shouters with a perfect voice for this kind of classic US-Metal. He´s able to do the regular parts as good as the high pitched screams too. Fine guitarwork (TOM CATUOSCO and JOHN ZAMBRI) some where between the mentioned SLEEPY HOLLOW, MALICE, SAVATAGE or the old ZANDELLE convince the listener. With a melancoly part beginns NEW GRANADA untill this cut turns into a classic timeless melodic US-Metal basher. If you´re a fan of this old classic acts in this style (who isn+´t this...ha,ha) you will find your solution in such an epic runnin basher as GET US OUT. Without a doubt is this one of the highlights on this disc. By the way, the band acts in the absolute classic line up of vocals, double guitars , bass (JIM GOWE) and drums (GARY PINALDI). In other words this production is free of any keyboard attacks... THE BREAKDOWN earns as next the full respect of any follower of this style. Also MARIE is a midtempo running classic MAIDEN influnenced tune too. The over six minutes long acting FACE THE REALITY starts with an pianopart by TOM CATUOSCU. This song is more or less a semi ballad. But with the closing number ONE TWENTY THREE works the quartett once again with all the trademarks of immortal classic US-Metal. It´s still a secret why this band isn´t unknown till today. If I would run a label I ould it prefer to sign such a tight group. Check out their website under the following link: WWW.THEVENGEFULFEW.COM and try to order this fine product. article by Gerald Mittinger

TEMPLARIO - INVIERNO DE TIRANOS
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2011) SPAIN
With the precision of a clockwork publish this unique trio again and again superb recordings. Don´t know the reason why they aren´t signed. Maybe they won´t it to hold the control about their artistic and creative songwriting. It wouldn´t be easy to sell this kind of complex and intelligent material for a company. Simple a good example for this phenomen is perhaps the legendary act WATCHTOWER. Don´t wonder about this comparision to texas finest. More or less are the complex and technical arranged cuts on INVIERNO DE TIRANOS (FROZEN THE TYRANTS) very close in the style to their american pendants. Everybody knows that isn´t possible to copy the style of the americans. TEMPLARIO is a band with a great vision, skill and a godgiven talent. It´s for me a unsoluble riddle how they create such spectacular tracks which sounds from the beginning to the end innovative and catchy too. This latest studio album is meanwhile their seventh relase since 1996 and the Castellon based trio sounds better than ever. TRAIDOR (TRAITOR) opens the album with insane fast guitarparts. But don´t be confused. Exact breaks at the right moments give this cut his own caracter. With ESTRELLA DEL NORTE (NORTHSTAR) follows a song which transports at empressive art the real trademarks of powerful technical arranged power metal. A jazzy introduction guides us then in the smashing tune ESPIRITUAL. Without a doubt opens this chapter a new capital in the rich history of latin metall. Insane licks and riffs magnify our blood during the listen of the famous tune LA COLMENA. It´s not another phrase if we talk then again about intensity, complex and progressive heavyness in contribution with melody cause REQUIEM DE FLORES fulfil every of this attributes. After this timeless hymn must be normal every follower loose. But there isn´t so. EL ROBLE (THE OAK) banns our sins with uptempo riffing. There is no time to concetrate your attention on a single composition. More or less agitates every of the nine pieces like a little masterpiece. I´m sure that each follower of this style will find on INVIERNO DE TIRANOS his own personal faves. Even more aggresive but tight to the point runs LA BRUJA (THE WITCH).

REVIEWS -X-

ruler13 — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:05:12 CDT

XXX - EL PODER DE METAL (EN VIVO)
(SOLO EXISTOS REC/CD´2004) EQUADOR
In the next round for southamerican heavy metal we present XXX a Quito based group. Nev er before I heard about this traditional heavy band. On the backside cover is an invitation ed icion limitada. Maybe we should share the recording on this disc in two differ ent parts. The first part with five songs is a live recording mostly in good sound quality. Musically the mat erial is orian tated by the old heroes RATA BLANCA and RAINBOW. Wow, this is really high class stuff. All musicans inside this band from the little country in the anden are respectable and virtuose workers. With the first two tracks (DAMA DE LA OBSCURIDAD and QUIERRO QUITARTE ESA CRUZ) especially the singer acts there with emotional vocal lines. Great! The third track CRUSIN (the only one in english language) is a tribute to one of the legends of the national rock scene of Equa dor. Personal I didn´t like this performance because so much the english vocal lines of SALOMON JIMENEZ didn´t works good there. Also the sound qua lity lacks there a bit. The followingCONFIO EN TI is a wonderfull celebrated latin ballad. The power of metal returns than with the titletrack. Part two the studio versions starts with another emotional candle light dinner ballad JUNTO A TI followed again by a suberb produced version of CONFIO EN TI. The real highlights are the two from the live recording kown tracks DAMA DE OBSCRIDAD and EL PO DER DEL METAL. No matter,I like this album a lot and I am glad to get it in my collection. But more songs as this tracks, maybe in the future a full recording would be great...!!! In hope for such an album let us all cross our fingers. Contact lucianobassxxx@hotmail.com the bassist Luciano Jarrin. I am sure Rainer Krukenberg still sales this jewel under www.metaleros.de too. article by Gerald Mittinger

XAECLUM NOSFERATUS - TAN LEJOS DEL SOL
(TRIPOLI DISCOS / CD´2007) ARGENTINA
Many years ago was this legendary recordfirm the platform for such classics as V8, HERMETICA and HORCAS. I don´t know the reason why there was so many years no more publishings on this label. But now anything changes. Untill now I didn´t heard anything about XAECLUM NOSFERATUS, of course I think that the band is from Argentinas capital Buenos Aires. Musically every thing turns in the melodic metal direction with slight euro pean symphonic metal inputs. Maybe this reads at the first moment terrible. But I´m the opin ion that this album contains also a couple of good hooked metal tunes too.By the way, this record starts with a classical intro before the album with the acceptable melodic metal tune CREECER EN TI in the style nearly of the present RATA BLANCA starts. General follo ws the group this direction with LIKHANT. But negativ sounding there the overladden key board parts.Much better arran ged is then PROFECIA ANCESTRAL. For my taste offers this good track some good latin sounding metal in the traditional RATA BLANCA style. Behind this long running tune bond me the passion of the wonderful powerballad MIENTRAZ LA IIUVIA CAE. The titletrack is a fast ar ranged melodic tune. Nothing special but also not a bad one. Really boring ladden with tons of cliche´s steals us REALIDADES our time. Back to the melodic metal basic returns the good CAMELOT. Nearly in the same strong direction tendence PESADIL LAS if there would be not a disappointing longer keyboard part which destroys the song. Another step back is the poor acting TIEMPOS SIN TIEMPO. Without any emotion lacks down VUELVE HACIA MI. Last but not least ends the disc maybe with the best com position COMO RELAMPA GO EN LA OSCURIDAD in the uptempo metal style. Why could be contain this album more tracks in this remindable style?Maybe the solution is that as guest appereances helping out in this tune WALTER SCASSO from LOGOS and CHRISTIAN GAUNA from TREN LOCO. Yep of course, if I´m not wrong informed is this in original an old LOGOS track. Optical looks this cd with an extra slipcase and expensive colourphotos top. If this is enough to put this album in your collection is then your own decision. www.xaeclum-nosferatus.com.ar . article by Gerald Mittinger

X-PIRAL - GRAVE NEW WORLD
(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2011) GREECE
Actually I didn´t have this quintett on my bill. Their past releases POISON EYES and HUNTERS on BLACK STAR RECORDS wasn´t the best solutions. Don´t know what happened with this label or with the contract of X-PIRAL. Reallity is that the band returns now unawaited with a strong new independent mini album. Maybe the mean reason for my enthusiasmn builds on the recruits of a new frontman in 2008. Instead of their former vcocalist brilliance TASSOS K. which we kow as fronter for HYBRID too with his strong and unique voice. Also the vacant position at the bass clouds with JOHN LITINAKIS now a not unknown musican. By the way he´s a current member of REFLECTION. So it´s no surprise that the coproduce of the guitar and bass recordings of GRAVE NEW WORLD were done by the guitarplayer STATHIS PAVLANTIS of REFLECTION too. During the drums were recorded by FOTIS BENARDO of SEPTIC FLESH. Enough of name droping? Not really cause the vocals were recorded under the assisrance of THEODORE ZIRAS. Against the final mix and mastering were in the Athen based CFN STUDIO by DION CHRISTODOULATOS better known from his work inside his band SORROWFUL ANGELS. But still I wonder why this great looking and sounding product is simple released only as a professional CDR. It´s a strange world. So let´s take a look at the five new compositions. The reign starts with the titlesong at high class. Guitardriven majejtic arranged classic Heavy Metal is there the key to success. I like the feeling and powerful arrangements inside this tune a lot. As written above is the warm and characteristic voice of TASSOS K. an important new trademark. ONE PIECE OF PARADISE agitates as next nearly in the same direction but convince the listener with some decent progressive parts too. With REGRESSION follows a slight commercial sounding tune. But the impressive guitarwork banns there again your attention. More in the dramatic midtempo reigns the melodic SHATTERS IN THE WIND. Similar to other great countrymates as CRYSTAL TEARS and INNERWISH shows the group their talent to write homogen compositions. Perhaps a little bit to commercial with the view to make anything right works the final cut ONE FOR ALL KIND. Maybe a more edgy rearrangement would lift up this track at the same high level like the other songs. But this is only a small critic point. General is this release an essential recording. www.x-piral.com or www.myspace.com/xpiral . article by Gerald Mittinger

REVIEWS -R-

ruler13 — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:01:11 CDT

REVENGE - RAGE AND REVENGE
(WICKED KREATIONS / CD´2007) COLOMBIA
From the beginning I liked this second release from the Medellin based band a lot...!!! By the way the group has released also a couple of demo and promo CDs in the past.. Logic that the level increases then with every new release. Similar like some of my heroes from the eighties acts this quartett in the best US Power Metal style. Their guitarist and voice akrobat senor ESTEBAN MEJIA reminds me on long forgotten legends like THRUST, HEXX, JUGGERNAUT or STORMTROOPER as well with his markant voice also on TIM BACKER of the one and only CIRITH UNGOL too. All seven featured tracks on this fine packaged disc are pounding with lots of power and great guitar work. The fine lead guitar is crafting by senor ALEX BETANCUR . He offers his talent also in the fantastic celebrated instrumental DAYS OF ANTHOLOGY. But Im not so glad with the thin drum production in some of the compositions. ´The album lacks so a little bit of dynamic. So far this is my only critic on this impressive and great album. More informations about this and their past releases under www.revengecolombia.com or at www.myspacecom/revengecol . To order their CDs come in contact with them through regenge@hotmailcom or ask by the label for this timeless power metal work via wickedreactions@gmail.com . Latest news inside myspace.com says that the band has now their third album on the start. So be quick to get it because some of their productions sold out fast. Be sure to read soon there another review for this one too. article by Gerald Mittinger

RAMPART - VOICE OF THE WILDERNESS
(INFERNÖ RECORDS R006 CD´2009) BULGARIA
This sympathic bulgarian trio is since a while in the underground active. For our surprise signed the band finally a record deal with the french metal followers INFERNÖ RECORDS. On VOICE OF THE WILDERNESS delivers us the band then exact our beloved style. Timeless classic Heavy Metal and nothing else. Sometimes a little bit in the direction of MAIDEN/ PRIEST and also tendences is the classic ACCEPT sound. What else did we need more to be statisfied ... !!! Beside the great lookin´ cover convince this album too with a fine production which is done at the Pacific Studios in Sofia. UNDER CONTROL opens this effort in a moody timeless metal style. MARIA DOYCHINOVA´S voice fits perfect to this classic runnin metal tune. Of course if you hear the first time her voice it sounds a little bit unusal. But if you give the disc some spins more and more you will be convince of her style to perform. Musically reigns in the follow again a blend of old fashioned eighties styled metal with melody. I can hear and there some influences of the old HELLOWEEN as in so many other productions also too decent IRON MAIDEN harmonies. Especially WARRIORS is such a hybrid. But who cares. Important is only that this mixture works. The next round dominates then the titletrack VOICE OF THE WILDERNESS. Maybe this tune is not very innovative but the more speedy follow up THE FLOOD wins back lost terrain. DESERT OF TIME is a strong MAIDEN influenced hunting tune. Think this one is one of the best tracks on this effort. During ORCHRIST spreads the anthem of early eighties PRIEST hymns. Natural that they didn´t reach the class of the british metal gods but all in all is this one also one of the better tunes. Think AGE OF STEEL was on the demotape of RAMPART but I am not sure if it was a must to pack this one on the disc. Much better sounds in my ears the RUNNAWAYS alike cut MIRROR TO DREAMS. A real metal ripper in his purest form is last but not least STAY ASIDE. Reallity is that the band released an acceptable but nothing more. Maybe tthey return in the future again with a more homogen album in this style. But build up your own opinion. Check em out under www.myspace.com/rampartbgwhere you can listen also some snipnets . article by Gerald Mittinger

RIMORTIS - DESET KROKU ZPET
(STARS AGENCY CD´2009) CZECH REPUBLIC
Since more then ten years publish this sympathic czech quintett now records. I´ve got em not complete but I´ve noticed that their last two albums STIN KRIDEL (2004) and VASMIREM PLOUT (2006) show us a progress. But fact was too that the band is till now only another act from whole europe with symphonic elements. With this opinion in my mind I´ve bought one day in their homecountry finally their new album DESET KROKU ZPET (TEN STEPS BACK). After the first listening of this lovely styled and well produced album I changed this meaning. Perhaps through the join of their new guitarist PAVEL POKORNY changed also their style. Of course a change into a more progressive, authentic and innovative direction. Can´t tell you how many times I´ve keep listen this concept album till now. Fact is I´ve never been tired of this one. Musically reigns this album with all his many details and his various emotional style over many other comparing acts. But let´s analyze this phenomen from the beginning. NEPRITEL S USMEVEM (ENEMY WITH A SMILE) is the opener and delivers us finest melodic metal with an edge of tight symphonic metal. Through the charizmatic voice of MILAN HLOUCAL wins this composition besides more on authentic. Think that RIMORTIS is the perfect ballanced band which unites today the charme of typic czech bigbit with the fresh energy of melodic metal with symphonic elements. Perhaps the group create with this new innovate mixture a new style in this gem. In direct line follows NA PASKAL ... (THE DUTY ..) and

RAZONES CONZIENTES - DEJANDO HUELLA
(INCONCIENTE REC / CD´2007) ARGENTINA
It´s now four long years back since RAZONES CONZIENTES released their debut INDUSTRIA ARGENTINA. For me is this bloody power metal diamond since this time one of my alltime fave discs from this country. Close to legends as V8 and of course HERMETICA / HORCAS convinced me their debut total. But the time goes by and I didn´t heared anything more of my heroes. Nearly as I gave up the hope for the second bolt they returning with a new studio album. Again mades the new disc with the title DEJANDO HUELLA (leave a finger print) made absolute no prisoners. Twelve tracks, twelve strokes on our heads. Unbelieveable how raw and uncut acting tracks like POR LOS SIG LOS DE LOS SIGLOS, A MI VINO, CONVICCION or the unreal smasher INMORTALIZADOS. I can´t find the wright words to describe the power behind this outstanding compositions. Beside the maniac on the vocals senor TURU RAREDES we find another well known veteran of the argentinian metal scene Mr. EDDIE WALKER. Of course he was in the past the former bassist for another famous (forgotten) act in his country LETHAL!!! Did there anybody remember this group ? Together with his bandmate guitarist TANOS ROMANO (ex MALON and HERMETICA) he demonstrates inside the instrumental ETIQUETA NEGRA perfect his talent. Beside all the energetic tracks the Buenos Aires based quartett uses also their posabilities to create with DUENOS DE SU PROPIA (YOUR OWN DREAMS) a pounding epic midtempo cut. Time to rebuild our nerves could we found only for any seconds in the balladesc beginning of POR LA UNION DE NUESTRAS TRIBUS. This is really an exciting album for all the lovers of energy laden traditional Power Metal style. So don´t waste your change to listen this fantastic disc and try to get a copy of this gem. Yep, I have total fogotten to write that similar as the debut is also DEJANDO HUELLA is packaged with an impressing cd booklet. Search the web for answers. For any contributions or questions write to prensa@razonesconcientes.com.ar or use the official website www.razonesconcientes.com.ar . article by Gerald Mittinger

RENACER - VI
(PRIVATE RELEASE MCD´2007) ARGENTINA
After several releases on different labels is this latest six track mini album with three extra interactiv tracks again a private release of this Buenos Aires based metallists. I know a lot of so called real metal heads didn´t accept in the past the group. Don´t know what is the reason for that. Every time there was in talk about to much pomb and european symphonic influences. Maybe that´s true about some of the past publishings which reigns more or less in this style. But on this recording you can´t find and hear anymore synonyms for this kind of metal. Perhaps the band remembers their name which means in english renaissance ! EL INFIERNO QUE AMAMOS (HOW TO TAME THE HELL) the opening track reigns in the best tradition of the old HELLOWEEN. Once again "I repeat there exists absolute no keyboard and symphonic crab" ... !!! Also the second cut DETRAS DE LA OSCURIDAD (BEHIND THE DARKNESS) returns back to the basic of classic Heavy Metal. In the following DEJA CORRER LA TINTA enters the group the circle of legendary latin metal acts. Buenisimo !!! After this honorable song RENACER continues with a further strong traditional heavy track EL LANGUAJE DE MI VIDA (THE LANGUAGE OF MY LIFE). My describtion for the new curse is a mixture between MAIDEN / SAXON and the old RATA BLANCA. Emotional but still with energy rolls SI TU NO ESTAS AQUI (SINCE YOU´RE NOT HERE) during the bonus track IMPERIOS DE SOLEDAD is another melodious pearl. Further the album contains three more additional interactive tracks MAL ROMANCE (BAD ROMANCE), DESCONFIO (NO FAITH) and LA ESPADA SAGRADA (THE HOLY SWORD). Personal I appreciate this great mini album a lot. Now it´s up to you to check out the band and build up your hopefully positiv opinion. Check out the whohle back catalogue under www.renacerweb.com.ar or drop em some kind words via renacerheavy@yahoo.com.ar . Of course there exists also the obligatory www.myspace.com/renacerweb connection. article by Gerald Mittinger

REKUIEM - TIME WILL TELL
(MAJESTIC ROCK REC / CD´2006) GREAT BRITAIN
By the release date I couldn´t believe it to hold finally a full length recording from this NWOBHM heroes in my hands. The working title is here more as program. Back in 1980 the band released one of the best singles ANGEL OF SIN/SACRIFICIAL (yep,I also search till today for an original one...).For many years this two tracks layed down on an old blank tape in my collec tion. Never I thought that there will be someone a rerelease of this dia monds. Later somewhere around the millenium was the rumour about a reunion and the recording of a demo tape with the title BLACK DEATH. In lack of a wright connection I never heard the tracks from the demo. So far the album contains the title track of this ominus demo. After a short rhyme performed by childrens starts the track slow and evil to explode several seconds later in best NWOBHM tradi tion...!!! As I wrote above I don´t know the original demotape. But I couldn´t believe that this track is written in 2000. For me this one sounds original like in the haytime of the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal" !!! It does´t matter which track of the album plays everone of them is a great tune if you into this kind of traditional metal.Just keep listen the fantastic titletrack the glorious IN YOUR KEEPING or the pheneomenal stumpin and roaring SINNERS. I am sure every fanatic of NWOBHM gruops like GRIM REAPER, BLITZKRIEG or TREDEGAR will find here new heroes. Of course I named and remembered be fore also TREDEGAR because the ex-singer of this band is now to gether with the three original members of REKUIEM !!! Also the production of this disc is absolute good, not like so as by so many rereleases meanwhile. Further the disc features a guest appreance by BRIAN TATLER of DIAMOND HEAD in the superb track WEREWOLF. So go today to your record dealer and buy immedíataly this over the top jewel ... !!! article by Gerald Mittinger

ROMA SANTA - EL LENGUAJE DEL DOLOR
(ORION RECORDS / CD´2007) EQUADOR
Once again this is one of this cover artworks which is as best to descri be as a real eyecatcher. EL LENGUAJE DEL DOLOR which means THE LANGUAGE OF PAIN is mean while the 2nd album of this melodic metal band from Quito / Equador. Their singer holds a warm and harmonic voice. He is the big plus point of the group, because he push the songs to a higher acceptance. Without him ROMA SANTA where just another numerous melo dic act ... ! Also the clear and transparent production speaks for this disc. Musically awaits us a mixture of the latest record ings by RATA BLANCA added with neoclassical parts. Lovers of this kind of up to date melodic metal should listen this pro mising south american band Try out also their debut album LLEGA EL FINAL which acts more or less in the same genre. If you can´t get the disc your local record dealer use www.metaleros.de check out the web under www.romasantarock.com .I am sure they also will be happy if you drop em a line under info@romasantarock.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

REDRUM - NO TURNING BACK
(SLEASZY RIDER RECORDS / CD´2007) GREECE
This album is a big surprise. To speak true, I started to keep listen this group without any awaiting. Sometimes I wonder about myself how I can be so boring. This greek group fronted by the well known german vocalist Michael Bormann efforts with timeless hard and heavy rock.Many times I feel remembered on thís album to the glorious times of bands like WHITESNAKE, RIVERDOGS and also on z´ underrated QUITERIOT - III recor ding. The album starts with the energtic RISE UP untill the smooth arranged NO TURNING BACK more moderate acts.Behind this two great tunes hides the first commercial tune THIRSTY FOR LOVE. HEART TO HEART awakes than the memory to famous 80ies heroes like HURRICANE or XYZ. The following JUDGEMENT DAY returns than more to the path of 80ies metal. The fantastic guitarwork by ATHAN "LYSSA" KAZAKIS lead this epic arran ged track to a higher level. If the time would be again wright for commercial hard and heavy cuts INNOCENT would have the chance to reach airplay.A great tune which remin ds me also on the old TALISMAN. Once again balladesc like pure earcandy rises than LONELY LADY. After this gentle compostion with a fantastic guitarpart and a perfect performance by Michael Bormann awakes with ROCK NATION another big hard and heavy tune. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE ex plains than excat how did sounds this cut.. Straight works the final rocker READY FOR THE BIG ONES. Uhhh, this powerfull produced album makes mood for chapter II. Read in www.myspace.com/redrumgr or www.redrum.gr . article by Gerald Mittinger

ROTOR - ACELBA ZARVA
(NAIL RECORDS / CD´2007) HUNGARY
Oh what a fine metal day, my Hungarian Metal heroes ROTOR return with a great new album. I never thought that this on and on traditional Heavy / Power Metal quartett survive over so many years. Never I will forget as I bought at the beginning of the 90ies in Budapest their alltime classic HM debut TEPJ SZET MINDEN LANCOT. Mean while rereleased their company this fine album on CD. Also their unreleased second effort ARVHAZ is final published by an independent mexican company (www.blower-records.com ).Now four long years after the comeback album GYÖKEREK in 2004 they are re ady to strike again the metal scene. The ten compositions on this album leads them back to their finest hours.After the introduction ACELBA ZARVA is then EGY DA RAB FE M an opener which let no desire open. Unbelieveable how tight follows then the JUDAS PRIEST styl ed hymn ÖRDÖGI KÖR. Belie ve me it´s a plea sure for everybody to scream toge ther with the running track the magic word HEAVY METAL and METAL LANGJA. As would this not enou gh of madness firms the next track under the promi sing title METALGOC.This runner increases like a whirlwind. More or less enters the Miskolc based act here the Power and Speed Metal doma in. Another stumpin mid tempo banger VAN MEG REMENY.Untill know is the band one of the leading underground acts so the normal pro cess shou ld be to name ROTOR in one line with such classic HM-acts as OSSIAN or POKOL GEP.So could be a classic metal track as MEG EGY HARAPAS also written from OSSIAN. You see this band lifes and celebra tes the real metal. Track for track crash down this time less piece of metal.Beside the beautyful ballad MEG MINDIG contains the album with SOK EVE MAR and the incre dible LEGY EDES two more great smashing tracks. But not enough. The bonus track METAL AZ ISTEM and the title track of the till yet only as vinyl released same titled album SEMMI NEM ELLEG and one further track from this album (CSERNOBIL) are included in new ver sions too. This album is a perfect comeback for this famous metal act. Hopefully the group earns now the wright success. Check out their web site www.ROTORBAND.com as well their fanclub page www.rotorfan.hu too. article by Gerald Mittinger

REMORSE - OLD VERSIO
(NAIL RECORDS / NAILCD 080 / CD´2007) HUNGARY
Untill this traditional power metal band in the millenium year published their fine debut SÖTETSEG on the legendary HUNGAROTON label the band was several years in the underground active. The first professional recording was done in 1993 under the title IN VERSIO. This tape only rele ase featured seven fine well ballanced Heavy/Power Metal compositions. Beside the (old) METALLICA inspired titletrack runs on this back in 2003 remastered material classic power metal how we all know it from this late metal releases from the beginning of the ninetees. We remember excat at this time started at the other side of the atlantic the grunge and alternative style. Fantastic time less tracks as the energetic NINCS SEMMI or the pounding ripper FURCSA is the best antistress for every tortured metal soul. Furious thrashy guitarparts and the good mid ranged voice of Zsolt Olah mades tracks as EZ AZ AMI YO? or ELETKEPEK strong and re mindable too. I don´t know if the group rerelea se this stuff on request from their fans or if it was their own decision,but it was at all event the wright one. The second part of this publishing contains then the 1996 released cassette album ALMATLANSAG. Of course reign´s this eight tracker again too in the same ritual as the first seven tracks. But natural is that´s now everything sounds rou nder, bigger and precis. No fear, no moment we have there the upcoming feeling that the ma terial is no overproduced or lacks of rawness.At best you build for yourself up an impres sion if you listen such suberb tracks as the marching SZOLJ RAM my favorite stumper BIZA LOM or the all destroying MULT / JÖVÖ and I am sure you will be conform with my opinion about this timeless band. By the way dont come to the solution that the other featured tracks are gap.On the contuary they are brilliant too.For example the with an msyterious arranged intro starting HAZUDOK turns after secon ds into another riff laden headbanging neckbreaker. So this release close with success the open history of this in 1989 founded metalists. If you get hungry after this rerelease for more check out the SÖTETSEG album too... ! Similar in the same tradition follows this release with ten more strong composition this way. Maybe if you have problems to find this disc could be also a good decision to buy at first the still present 2005 released well known HARC titled album. Don´t ask ! Natural also this release holds the same high premission as the mentioned two other recordings.So what else more is now necessary as to check the web for more informations www.remorse.hu or use for the personal contact the following mail: remorse@remorse.hu . By the way I heard that the band returns to the studio to start the preproduction for their upcoming new release D.Ü.H. which should be out at the end of this year. But that´s not all. For the re cording joinded this legendary metalists a lot of prominent guest musicans from the hungarian scene too. So SCHMICI from MOBY DICK and musicans from HARD and WACKOR will be heard on guest appereances.Brandnew is also the following presentation at the renomite website www.myspace.com/remorsethrashmans . article by Gerald Mittiger

RAVIA - ALAS DE METAL
(TOKA PRODUCCIONES / CD´2008) MEXICO
Old habits die hard. This is the return of the well known mexican metallists RAVIA with their 3rd album. Every thing starts back in 1999 with the debutalbum ANGEL DE LA GUARDA. With UN MANANA SIN AYER followed in 2002 the second album and now six years later the third one ALAS DE METAL. General changed nothing in the style. More or less reigns on all three recordings traditional Heavy Metal. But let us talk about the actual album a bit more intensive. With SEGUIRE AMANDOTE starts the outside of Mexico in New Hampshire of the United States produced album strong.As I wrote in the introduction rules in first line traditional 80ies influenced metal. Followed by the melodic metal tune ALAS DE METAL wins the recording fast on dynamic. Round number three offers us with DIME another fast running melodic metal tune with remindable chorus lines. With a phazereffect starts the raw and powerfull SIGUEME. Over the top is then the track KARMA. Melodic vocallines in combina tion of best 80ies latin metal let beat every metal heart higher. Unusal, but on the same high level and a tick harder edged strikes LOS OJOS BRILAN. In the style of typic latin powerballads is VEN A MI arranged. During VIENTO, CIELO Y TIEMPO brings perfect emotions into the package of a catchy metal tune. Well done senores. SOMOS PASAJEROS is a raggin tune but didn´t hold the class of the other compositions. UN DESTINO is then a good latin ballad. Back to great epic styled hispanio melodic metal leads us then ES MI VIDA. In the same direc tion tendence the energy ladden NADA MAS. It´s a great idea to break the song with accoustic guitarlines to turn on the power in the follow. Behind this srong number falls the weak TE ENTREGO EL ALMA on a upper level. But it doesn´t matter because the final track VOLVERE is one of the best running metal tracks on this fine album. By the way the recording contains further some videoclips for the tracks DIME, VEN A MI, SEGUIRE AMANDOTE and LOS OJOS BRILLAN too. Buy the disc through www.cdbaby.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

RENEGADE - INSOMNIA
(PRIVATE RELEASE / ALCATRAZZ STUDIO CDR´2007) BULGARIA
I can´t believe it.... ??? Rarely I have seen such an obscure publishing. First of all your eyes will fall out if you will see this wonderful packaged digibook (which contains also an extra lovely styled CD booklet too). After I catched this latest release from one of my favorite groups of this country I opened the still sealed (!) digibook and became a virtuell shock...!!! How could it be that this digibook contains onyl a professional printed CDR ? I was so confused that I went at the next day in another bulgarian town to a record dealer of my confindence. Of course you know it without luck. So far, but all lament and crying helps us nothing.We have to accept this form of publishing. Maybe we can hope that there will be perhaps someone a real rerelease of this fantastic album. So we come to the most important keyword the music!!! BEZ GRENCE (WITHOUT RULES) opens this disc in a moody traditional Heavy Metal style The emphasis on this track is without a doubt the cool melody line.Even in the second tune we find the same phenomenon. This track with the title HAMA (WON´T) lifes from the first moment on be steady from a remindable guitarriff. Mr. KONSTANTIN KATSAROV is the perfect vocalist for this kind of timeless Heavy Metal with a melodic edge..! HAMA KAK (WON´T HOW) follows in a moderate Heavy Rock style and reminds me a little bit on the underrated STORMBRINGER album from DEEP PURPLE (MKII) with DAVID COVERDALE on the vocals. The next higher level reach the group with the epic and bombastic arran gend cut DEVOTED.The great guitar work by PETAR MARINOV-MALIJON and STOYO POPOV made this composition together with KONSTANTINS vocal performan ce to an fantastic adventure. Followed by a medival/ sla vic influenced superb instrumental wins this album more and more on sympathy. The outstanding mystical staffed titletrack INSOMNIA delivers us then another pattern of timeless epic east european Heavy Metal. Great....!!! PRECIPICE is a singalong melodic tune with (nearly) a pop melodyline. Of course I think that this reads strange. But isn´t a lie. Believe it or not this combination of slavic smouth tunes and hard edged guitars works well. Majestic and packed with emotions acts as next HAMA KAK 2 (WON´T HOW 2).Some modern elements and a rap part is hidden inside the painful heavy tune IT HURTS. Luckly is this the only experience in this direction. In the best tradition of WHITESNAKE follows then awonderfull power ballad with the title EVERY DAY. For airplay compatible melodic metal stands RIVERS OF FIRE. With SUCH IS LIFE follows then one of the best performed compositions. The catchy arran gement holds perfect the fine ballance between the heavy rhythm and the melodic aspect. the album ends then harmonic with the resume track EPILOG. During you will read this review will be out in Bulgaria the latest studio album DON´T DEATH. www.renegade.bg . article by Gerald Mittinger

ROSA MISTICA - ARRASTRANDO LA CRUZ
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) ARGENTINA
Untill now I never heard about this quartett from Argentina. I don´t know if they released in the past a demo CD or anything else. But it doesn´t matter. ARRASTRANDO LA CRUZ is a great Power Metal release in the tradition of the famous argentinian bands. Inside the CD booklet we can read an interessant dedication which touch the most of us... "ESTE DISCO ESTA DEDICADO A TODOS LOS QUE SIGUEN CARGANDO SU CRUZ DIA A DIA" !!! Wise and true words from a band with a critical background. But let´s start the review with the first cut COM (think that the lyricshandles about the daily abuse of the internet in our life). This tune is an absolute perfect opener for this album. Fast metal (no speed metal) and a vocalist (FERNANDO HERERA) with a voice about every metalshouter would be proud. Great with the second tune MALA SANGRE (BAD BLOOD) change the direction in a more heavy orientate BLACK SABBATH tune. But the background is still traditionel Heavy Metal. The following SIN DESTINO (WITHOUT AIM) blocades now since a couple of time my discplayer. On and on I hear this fantastic Heavy Metal hymn. FERNANDO HERERA is one of the best latin metal vocalists since decades. Unbelieveable what he per formes with his voice. But with DIEGO FRANCISCO URBANO stands him beside a superb guitarist ( dur ing the complete running time of this recording I never miss there a sec ond guitarist). Fine accoustic guitars opens HASTA NO HABLAR (TILL NO THING IS SAID) untill the elctric axe turns this cut in an epic styled melancoly hymn. Powerful and with tons of steel grabs BARRO DE CAOS (MUD OF CHAOS)down. Heavy parts and well structured quite moments let the song aclaim a high level. Once again my mouth stand s wide open after the the listening of this eight minutes long monster tune. Hopefully the fans retort the band this great performance !!! ROSA MISTICA refund this with ROM PER LAS CADENAS (BREAK THE CHAINS) another fast arranged metal tune in a triumphal way. The titletrack ARRRASTRANDO LA CRUZ (BEAR YOUR CROSS) is a monumen tal composition full of pain and epic moments. ROSA MISTICA is a group high above about many other groups in this style. I am sure that the quartett will aclaim fast a leading position in the south american scene. ENCIERRO (RETIRED) works in the same very own style of the group and union such different elements as depres sion, epic moments and pure heaviness in a perfect synphony. Last but no least contains this disc also an interactive videoclip for the them .COM too. Check out their great homepage with lots of infos www.rosa-mistica.co.ar or write to durbanix@hotmail.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

REDLINE - IGNITION
(ANTARCTIC RECORDS / CD ´2007) UNITED KINGDOM
There exists this opinion that in Great Britain exist no more traditional eighties metal. Other say that there rules only a handful of forgotten NWOBHM bands this kind of metal. But this isn´t true. The best example for a suberb timeless classic (melodic) Heavy Metal band is REDLINE. This british quartett presents us on their debut IGNITION a fine mixture of this style. KING OF THE MOUNTAIN opens this well packaged and produced album in the style of the unforgotten Y&T. After this perfect start turns the group with the energetic NO LIMITS the level on. Decent NWOBHM influences in combination with typical eighties influenced classic Heavy Metal made this track to an absolute winner. Plus minus in the same terretory follows the melodic edged TWISTIN´ THE KNIFE. The next composition COLD SILENCE starts relaxed and give the listener time to reload memories of the glorious day of Rock´n Roll. HIGH PRICE TO PAY is a rockin heavy train and reminds me a little bit on the good old SAMSON. During SOME KINDA´ MEAN is another great tune with a slight NWOBHM undertone. Straight classic Heavy Metal on high level is the magic of STRAIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES. Like a hybrid of RAINBOW and DEF LEPPARD strikes COAST TO COAST. Rolling and stumpin sometimes a bit boring acts then HEAVEN´S GATE. But this is the onyl cut on this album which isn´t absolute top. With a the final number RIDE ends the album without any risc again NWOBHM oriantated. Believe me it´s worth to support this fine band. Drop em a line and order the album via info@redlinerock.com or take at first a look at their website under www.redlinerock.com . Of course there exist for a prelistening also the obligatory www.myspace.com/redlinerockuk link too. By the way HELLION RECORDS distribute this article too. For more infos and ordering terms of the metal specialist check out www.hellionrecords.de . article by Gerald Mittinger

ROZZ - 2009
(FREE CH´TI PRODUCTION / MCD´2009) FRANCE
Somewhere in the last month of the past year I´ve checked the news of the BRENNUS DISTRIBUTION. Like a thunder flashed at this moment the little unevident notice through my vains. Nothing was written there about the history of the band. Could it be that the band is back. Full of hopes to find a lifesign about this forgotten french metal heroes couldn´t I await it to hold this work in my hands. A couple of days later I was sure that the band start a reunion. By the way for those of you which didn´t know anything about the group is here a little retrospective about ROZZ.

REVIEWS -O-

ruler13 — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 07:46:02 CDT

OBIDIL - THE MAGIC WORD
(ON PAROLE PROD. / CD´2004) SLOVENIJA
Quite a while on the market is now the debut CD from this Ljubljana based female fronted band. Their style is classic arranged Hard and Heavy Rock. Without a doubt reigns their vocalist Katarina Globocnik with a great voice. During she celebrates at the beginning the opening track BURNT WINGS a little bit in the WITHIN TEMPTATION direction acts she in the classic Heavy Metal tune ERAZEM PREDJAMSKI essential in the classic metal manier. In other words she uses their voice . Another great old styled eighties inspired metal tune is POT SPOZNANJ. The attentive reader notice that there the song material is mixed with english tunes and tracks in their native language too. Also great is the hardrockin but catchy THE PARALLEL WORLDS. Again WITHIN TEMPTATION influenced sounds the fantasy tune THE DRAGON´S STORY. The following NE ISEI VEE is maybe the most traditional arranged metal track and for me also their best track. Meanwhile OBIDIL lost their contract by ON PAROLE PRODUCTIONS and they search for a new record label. We all know this could took a lot of time. But of course the band ´wasn´t in the meantime any moment inactive. So please check also the review in the Demo CD Productions section for the actual two song preproduction which they run for the upcoming album STARDUST. Take a look at www.myspace.com/obidil or write to obidil@gmail.sl and ancourage this quartett to give not up...!!! I am sure with STARDUST awaits us in the near future another highclass production which will be reach the next level of innovative music. article by Gerald Mittinger

OBSTRUCTION - VADAK FÖLDJE
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) HUNGARY
I really wonder why this fantastic band lost their deal by their former label HAMMER RECOR DS (By the way , the band informed me meanwhile that the albums where only distributed). After three suberb albums in the traditional heavy metal style is the new work a private release. Again delivers us the group perfect ar ranged classic Heavy / Power Metal. The self produced album convince with a transparent but still hard sound. This is a good foundation to present 10 fresh new metal tunes. ALOMVILG is this kind of start which you await from a hea vy metal album. IZBEKI BALINT is a metal shouter close to well known hungarian metal legen ds as OSSIAN and STRESS. I appreciate it to listen his midranged voice. The volume in his voice allows him various high pitched scre ams too. After this furious opener enters ILYEN EK VAGYUNG the classic heavy metal terrain. HARAG starts quite before it explodes twenty seconds later into a metal hymn. VEGTELEN FENY continues in best classic metal tradition too. A real power bolt is METAL VAROS. I like this track so much that I surprise me to put the repeat key again and again. LANG is a pounding but melodious midtempo banger. Damn good arranged too is the traditional heavy tune with unusal arrangements HALAL MADAR. I don´t know what I should praise more because ELJ AZ ELETERT is of the same class as all the fantastic tracks before. The incredible titlertack speaks the same language metal to the max !!! In the vain of old JUDAS PRIEST crunch then ANGYALI LENY through the speakers. Sinister and emotional beginns the final track ARMAGEDDON untill the song turns into a powerballad. I think we all should sup port as much as we can this great band . There former albums are still available through their old distribution company.Check em out under www.obstruction.hu or mail to info@obstruction.hu . Of course how can I forget that there exist the www.myspace.com/obstructionband website too.
article by Gerald Mittinger

OSSIAN - ÖRÖK TÜZ
(HAMMER MUSIC / CD´2007) HUNGARY
The flagship of the traditional hungarian metal returns after a longer timeout back to the scene. We remember in 2006 was the 20th jubilee of the group. So the latest publishing was the A LELEK HANGJA BEST OF CD and the LETÜNK A BIZONYITEK double live CD (as well this one is also as DVD available or all together in the limited JUBILEUM BOX SZETT). The last regular studio effort A SZABADSA FANTOMJA is from 2005. After 5 years of touring, releasing and touring again without a break was the band ready for a timeout to (remember the band was after their big eighties early ninetees success burned out and first in the millenium they start with their comeback). My opinion is that this interval was the wright decision for the writting process of the new album. Like always crowns the actual release a demanding cover art work. Against the last studio release finds the group around the song writting team PAKSI ENDRE (vocals) and WEBER ATTILA (lead guitar) back to their old habits. The reign opens with VILAGTALAN VILAG (XXI.SZAZAD I) unusual hard. The following FORTIS SIMO (TELJES RÖVEL)is a typical classic metal composition for OSSIAN. Without any trendy influences convice us the straight ÖS TON-BÖRTON the listener. AZ ELMÜLAS KERTJEBEN reminds me a bit on the famous power ballad COLD WINTER NIGHT from ACCEPT. Back to poor metalism stumps SZIV VEL-LELEKKEL. A char ming melody stands behind TRIANON. During ELETRE-HALALRA is the second part of of XXI SZAZAD. This follow up rules with pounding guitars and summoning vocals. A remindable track with a unforgetable me lodyline is the strong ALKONY EL ÖTT. Maybe this is the absolute highlight of this album. EGYEDÜL is just a harmless ballad with some impressional guitar harmo nies. Twisty feel ings awakes by me the beginning of the power full ALARCOSBAL.But in the follow is it just another fantastic powertune from the magyar metal gods.The metal hammer returns with SZEMEMBEN A VILAG VAGY before the disc another mid tempo classic AS IDO with dignity ends. Like always it isn´t a mistake to buy the latest publishing of OSSIAN without a pre listening. ORÖK TÜZ (ETERNAL FIRE) is one more fantastic release in the long career of this Budapest based metal gods. New followers should check out also their old releases too. Their old record company HUNGAROTON rereleased meanwhile the first three long players with some bonustracks too. Normal it isn´t a pro blem to find their latest releases in every bigger shop in Hungary. During you will check out this review the band is back in the studio to finish their upcoming new studio album KÜLDETES (MISSION). Be sure to read there soon an article about this new work too. Untill this will be ready take a look at the cool website under www.ossian.hu or www.myspace.com/ossianhungary. article by Gerald Mittinger

OSSIAN - KÜLDETES
(HAMMER RECORDS HMRCD 075 / CD´2008) HUNGARY
Amazing, that´s it...!!!! In the one year term publish one of my favorite magyar traditional Heavy Metal acts their fol low up release. No wear and tear. Again present s the quintett an album full with timeless and energetic composi tions. Alright from the first tune A SZAMÜZÖTT VISSZATER (behind the intro EBREDES) standing the signs for metal hymns without a compromise. EBREDES a fine introduced acoustic intro leads us into the adventures of this new concept album before A SZAMÜZÖTT opens this album in the very own style of OSSIAN to celebrate timeless clas sic Heavy Metal. A real remindable masterpiece of a metal hymn is then A VELETLEN. Faster and catchy arranged is UJ ARANYKOR. Like always briliance the fine guitarwork by ATTILA WEBER and RICHARD RUBCSICS at a high level. Filigran and emotional in the style of their past memoriable masterpieces stands ASSZONY FEKETEBEN in line. After this fine first five compositions crown the classic metal tune MONDD KI the halftime of this album. Very close to their early 80ies experiences acts KÖSZIKLA in a wonderfull style. Also AZ ÖRDÖGÖK MENNYORSZAGA is a piece of metal in this turn. With AZ ELETVONAL cracks OSSIAN the small line between classic Heavy Metal to the energetic Power Metal. Great, but the real masterpiece on this effort is the following titletrack A KÜLDETES. Majestic guitar harmonies in contribution with strong motivate PASKSI ENDRE on the vocals let me never forget this melodic metal pearl...! I thought it´s not possible to hold this high standart. But without a doubt is A NAGYBETÜS SZAVAK a real metal number at the same caliber. Epic and bombastic rules JO IDÖBEN, JO HELYEN as another winning track on KÜLDETES. UTKÖZBEN is maybe the hardest arranged banger and delivers us the pure Power Metal attack. Once more published OSSIAN with KÜLDETES again a classic Heavy Metal album well worth to listen and collect too...!!! www.ossian.hu and www.myspace.com/ossianhungary . article by Gerald Mittinger

OVERDRIVE - ANGELMAKER
(LION MUSIC / LMC 297 / CD´2011) SWEDEN
Who didn´t know the legendary eighties releases by this famous swedish traditionell orientated Heavy Metal band. Your collection wouldn´t be really complete if they won´t contain their classic releases METAL ATTACK and SWORDS AND AXES (check out the nice rereleases with bonus tracks on HIGH VAULTAGE RECORDS where you can get also the reedition of their ultrarare REFLEXTIONS album with lots of bonus tracks too). As the quintett around their legendary guitarist JANNE STARK start their come back someone around in 2005 was it a little sensation. For our all pleasure released OVERDRIVE then in 2008 a new lifesign with LET THE METAL DO THE TALKING. No matter this publishing follows with his strong compositions the successful direction of their former classic releases. With PERIL OZ KARLSSON recruit the south swedes the perfect voice for their style. After the first rumor about the reunion and dozens of gigs composed the band new strong numbers. Now finally nearly three long years later I hold definate their new effort in my hands. During the comeback LET THE METAL DO THE TALKING was superb blows me the new release away ... !!! ANGELMAKER is the perfect mirror for classic timeless skandinavian HEAVY METAL. This album breath every moment the true metal anthem. During my lungs are filled with the classic metal syndrome I listen the opener SIGNS ALL OVER which gives me from the first tacts the emotion of a musically adventure for the following hour. Times stands still as the following leads of IN GUT WE TRUST shakes my vibes. Think every real metallist will bang his head then to the titletrack ANGELMAKER. The refrain as well the tight choruslines made this tune afer one listen unforgetable. With the fine arranged metalized coverversion of RUSS BALLARD´S forgotten A.O.R. hit I KNOW THERE´S SOMETHING GOING ON lands the group the next surprise. Especially the great voice Mr. KARLSSON leads this strong coverversion to a high level. UNDER THE INFLUENCE is another typical perfect written scandinavian Heavy Metal number. It´s a pleasure to listen this exact and to the point arranged tunes. Again and again I wonder how they find this perfect symbiose to create powerful Heavy Metal in combination with remindable choruslines. ON WITH THE ACTION is another one of this ultimate hymns. Old JUDAS PRIEST riffing comparse their with original fast swedish metal power. More melodic but with the same brilliance acts SEE THE LIGHT. Smashing double leadaxes (JANNE STARK and KJELL JACOBSSON) like in a race tries the tune TO GROW to the top. Mystical in the tradition of indian arts starts the melodic Power Metal ladden gigantic runner MOTHER EARTH. Like the refrain of this winner a lot. IT´S A THRILLER acts with the same mixture. Sharp rumbling guitars and a thundering rhythmen (KENTH ERICSON bass and KENTA SVENSSON drums) duellise there with syren alike vocalparts. Just killers no fillers !!! COLD BLOOD CHASER is another example for a perfect running metal tune. With nordic semi powerballad THE WAVEBREAKER ends this fantastice album as strong as it starts. Don´t waste a second to get this one www.overdrive.se and natural as usual in www.myspace.com/overdrivesweden too. Oh, I´ve heard the rumor that this album will be out soon as a limited vinyl edition too. Can´t wait it to hold this one in my hands. Eh, but what is with the vinyl release of LET THE METAL DO THE TALKING ??? Could be this dream become true too? Would be also great to see the band live outside of their homecountry. Perhaps we could see OVERDRIVE once at the KEEP IT TRUE or the SWORDBROTHERS festival. Make it real. article by Gerald Mittinger

OVERLIFE - EL DESPERTAR
(AVISPA PAK PCD-072/ CD´2007) ESPANA
I am sure some of you remember well this longtime running survivors of the southspain metalscene. After their debut album BETWEEN PASSION AND MADNESS on the meanwhile disfunkt GOLDTRACK RECORDS label in 1998 and the following work LAST MILLENIUM in 2001 returns this group six years later with their third release to the scene. It seems as would be happen nothing in the last years ...! The band ties with this new concept work EL DESPERTAR (THE AWAKENING)without difficulty back to the top of latin progressive arran ged metal. Of course still the material runs on the border to melodic based heavy sounds. But in dif ference to their former publishings aclimbs this fine packaged digipack now a higher level.Their vo calist JOHN NEGRETE performes now only with spanish lyri cs. I think that´s this is a wise decision. His warm and harmo nic voice leads the songs and let appear also complex song struc tures clear, remin dable and regonizeable. Generel acts the material in the vain of DREAM THEATER/SYMPHONY X but still with a personal flavour of own ideas...!!!Believe me tracks as the supberb titlecut, the progressive masterpiece VUESTRO DOLOR (OUR PAIN), the melodic edged bombast number SIN FINAL (WITHOUT END) will afraid every musicfan with an ear for good compositions. Per sonal I like also a lot the rich arranged power ballad EL VIE NTO ES TU AN LMA (THE WIND IS YOUR SOUL). Hopefully the allicant based sixtett reach with this production now the well regonizement. Check out the web shop of their madrid based well known label (www.AVISPAMUSIC.com) or give a prelisten to the snipnets through www.myspace.com/overlifefans . article by Gerald Mittinger

OBIDIL - STARDUST
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) SLOVENIJA
Yes, yes and again oh yeäh..., my favorites of OBIDIL returns finally with their second fullength album STARDUST. Of course, if you had read the democritic for some of the preproduced tunes you can imagine what will us await on this superb disc. The album starts furious and incredible with the first part of the DRAGON´S STORY. I can´t find the wright words how unbelieveable wide is the arrangement of this track. Classic metal parts in contribution of shym phonic bombast. Over all crowns the wonderfull but uncanny powerfull voice of KATARINA GLOBOCNIK. Wow, the volume of her voice is without a doubt one of the biggest in the whole scene of female rock singers.But to continue the part two of the song stands at the same impessional standart...!!! A tick more symphonic metal oriantated acts then THE HEART OF STONE. Back to this efficent mix of classic Heavy Metal and up to date symphonic metal with outstanding vocals leads us then DREAMERS (BURNIN OUT IN HATRED). This fine track lacks with a full pack of excellent guitarleads by TOMAZ JELENC and ROK TOSIC too. Without rest and regenar ation acts the oriental inspired CASTLES IN THE AIR. A class at it´s own is the complex arrang ed titletrack. Maybe hard symphonic metal with a power metal edge could be a good describtion for this outstanding track. Followed by SATURDAY NIGHT which isn´t of course d disco tune...ha, ha. Classic teatrical styled metal is the keyword behind this cool runnin composition. No matter that also INTO THE DARKNESS reigns at the same high level. THE SHELTER OF YOUR MISERY will convince any fan of fast running 80ies metal with outstanding female vocals. Last but not least ends this high recomendable production with my favorite metal hymn ELECTRIC SOUL. If there isn´t the title program what else...ha,ha...!!! So don´t hesitate longer to order this album fix with a mail to through their mail contact obidil.bend@gmail.com or check their website www.myspace.com/obidil .article Gerald Mittinger

OPERA MAGNA - EL ULTIMO CABALLERO
(PRODUCCIONES MALDITAS / CD´2006) ESPANA
Some of you know perhaps the heavy bar IMMORTAL in the heart of Vallencia. Back in thear 2003 published the owner of this pub a compilation album under the title IMMORTAL PRODUCCIONS-VOLUMEN 1. Of course you know the answer. OPERA MAGNA was a part of this compilation with the tracks HORIZO NTES DE GLORIA and I NEED A HERO. Beside the famous CRISIS DE FE was OPERA MAGNA for me the most interesant interpret on this sampler. I remember well when I visited the IMMORTAL BAR as told me the owner from his plan to publish soon a fullength release of this vallencianos. But it should took three long years until finally this album find the ways in the shops. My impressions about this this cool package are twisted. A bombastic intro in style of the CAMINA BURANA opera opens then the reign. HORIZONTES DEL GLORIA is then the starting tune. By the way we know this track from the compilation. But now works the concept better. With such a voluminous production acts this track in the higher liga of european semi symphonic metal bands. Why semi-symphonic? That´s easy to explain because of luck combinates the quintett stil traditionell classic latin metal with newer sympho nic metal elements. Similar in the same liga as etablished spanish groups like RED WINE or DARK MOOR or for example international interpretes as SONATA ARCTICA and STRATOVARIUS agitates this band at a high level. Of course untill now presents us the band only this first production. Together with VHALADIAN and LEITHIAN is OPERA MAGNA one of the leading formations of this new style in their region Valencia. In the follow strikes then the energetic LARGO VIAJE (LONG YOURNEY). Theatrical and im pressive starts as next EL FUEGO DE MI VENGANZA (THE FIRE OF MY REVENGE). In contribution with a second female vocalist MERCEDES JORGE SERRA does JOSE V. BROSETA here a great job. Okay there is a big happy factor inside this composition. Typical keyboard parts and slight neoclassical guitarparts delivers the wright basis for many followers of this style. Especially the fine guitarwork by F. JAVIER NULA guides the band to high emotions. After the short introduction UN SUENO UNA ESPERANZA reigns the Power Metal ladden LAMENTOS EN LA OSCURIDAD. It´s a pleasure to listen this powerful and maybe best track on this album. Back to the symphonic metal influenced melodic metal leads us then TIERRAS DE TORMENTO. But to describe this tune with fair words should be written that the band find there again the fine ballance between traditional latin metal and up to date neoclassical / symphonic metal. Emotional walks the ballad MAS ALLA DE LA MUERTE by. To happy for my taste is then LA SANGRE DEL ENEMIGO arranged. The final chapter is then reserved for the titletrack. EL ULTIMO CABALLERO (THE LAST RIDER) is then a good track which unites all the attributes of this style. www.opermagna.net and www.myspace.com/operamagna . By the moment release the band a new mini CD which will hits the shops in Spain in these days. article by Grald Mittinger

OBLIVION MYTH - BETWEEN LIGHT AND SHADOW
(PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2007) U.S.A.
Sometimes I wish I´ve had more time to listen all this great bands from this globe. OBLIVION MYTH is one of this candidates which earns from the first moment our full attention. US-Power Metal with a fine progressive undertone could be maybe the best describtion for this Nashville / Tennese based band. GATHERING OF SOULS starts this runnin engine. Somewhere based in the circle lof such famous acts as LETHAL, SANCTUARY, TENSION or HERETIC... is the sound of this unique quartett styled. Of course their sound is anifest in the good old US-Power Metal days. Every attitude, every riff is there an own religion...!!! Their vocalist ANDY FREEMAN brilliance with his volumeous and markant voice and give the group an unique but still remindable image. DIMENSIONS rings in the second chapter. Against the absolute US-Power Metal arranged opener scratch us down this tune with tecnical skill. But don´t understand it wrong. Neverless is this composition to complex arranged. I prefer this unseen ballance between progressive elements and typical US-Power Metal of the eighties a lot. Followed by BELIEVER DECEIVER offers us the band with this blast of melody, catchy vocals and phenomenal guitarriffs and licks the ultimate hymn on this album. Yeäh of course I talked about the fantastic guitar work. Perhaps not from this earth so unbelieveable tight and suitable is the work by KEITH SMITH and CHRIS SELBY on the six strings. Just recline for a short moment during the relaxed accustical overture for KNIGHTSERRANT untill this double trouble screamin guitar team catapults you back in the reality. Fine timeless US-Power Metal is again the solution. Call it out loud or shout it out. Run in circles and disturb your neighbours with your frenetic contributions to this neck breaking smasher...!! If you use your headphones and crank this one up to high volume you can listen too exact the muderous drumwork by PATRICK NICKELL... The vote to his bandmate PATRICK WHITE on the bass works like in a dream too. What else more did we need. Yeäh more great stuff from OBLIVION MYTH. No matter this delivers us in continue the raw edged EVIL OF ALL CORNERS. Again reach the quartett with this fast raw but tecnical edged highflyer a high level. If you´re into this kind of metal you will confirm after the first listening my opinion about OBLIVION MYTH. In other words you will be an absolute follower of them. The power of the guitars forces on in TWILIGHT DEMENTIA... which is another enormous wallbreaker. Yep, I love this kind of wordgames... MIRRORACLE . But it is not only an original songtitle. MIRRORACLE is a perfect axewielding smasher which let´s bleed your ears. As not other awaited is also the closing cut MYSTIQUE one of this tunes where your mouth stand´s open, your sins works out of control, short the total madness.So stand up and support this band with all your posability. Join the reign under www.oblivionmyth.com and www.myspace.com/oblivionmyth or drop em a line via oblivionmyth@yahoo.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

OPERA MAGNA - UN SUENO EN UN SUENO
(PRIVATE RELEASE / 6 TRACK MCD´2009) SPAIN
Nearly three years are gone since the last release of this valencian based symphonic / melodic metal band was published. For a while was the plan to record the follow up to EL ULIMO CABALLERO with english lyrics. Of luck they didn´t made this idea true. Again is this new recording in their native language. I don´t know why this mini album is styled so spartanic. Of course it´s a real pressed CD and the cover contains a minimum on informations too. But it doesn´t matter. Important is in first degree the music and not the package. The title track UN SUENO EN UN SUENO (A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM) opens then this six tracker. My first thought was that this tune follows in the continue of their debut. But that´s not correct. This superb symphonic little metal opera optimize any of their trademarks at a high level. We can feel that the group rises and reach the next level in their evolution. Senor JOSE V. BROSETA is a singer with a bright volume in his voice. I´m sure without him wouldn´t it posible to reach such a high level !!! UN ENTIERRO PREMATURO (THE PREMATURE BURIAL) follows in the same standart. Opera alike in combination with some neo classic guitarparts by ENRIQUE MOMPO and F. JAVIER NULA catch this timeless number your full attention after a few seconds. After this impressive two tunes in their native language following exact this numbers once again with english lyrics. First of all my fear that it could sound not so good wasn´t right. Still is everything on high level and JOSE V. BROSEA does in this language a good performance too. My personal opinion will be that the spanish lyrics attracts my interest more because they give the band a more unique face and magic. But this is only my opinion. Think the group does well to publish it for more international success in english. A dream would be if OPERA MAGNA would publish in the future a double disc which contains the whole fullength production in both languages. With TORQUEMADA follows then my absolute favorite on this recording. Fast running in contribution with a great harmonie line couldn´t stop the melody in my mind. Be sure that I skip the repeatkey to listen this one a couple of times again and again. Think that this release is more or less a kind of promotional work in hope to reach with the superb material the interest of the labels. I wish I could push with my little review the attraction of some talentscouts too. OPERA MAGNA is still a real hot iron and for my opinion more as worth to be signed. More infos inside www.myspace.com/oficialoperamagna . As a nice little bypack contains this disc further a bonus video about the making of UN SUENO ES UN SUENO. For those who wants more will be also of interest the website www.operamagna.net or use the personal contact to the group for your contributions under management@operamagna.net . Let´s cross ur fingers and pray for a fullength album. article by Gerald Mittinger

OKER - DALE CANA
(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2009) ESPANA
An absolute hot new iron arrived me this days. OKER is a Madrid based new hungry traditional classic Heavy Metal quintett. To speak true I´ve never heard before about this female fronted act. So my surprise about this lovely styled mini album is big. Let´s see what this newcomers delivers us musically. The reign starts then with the titletrack DALE CANA. Close in the style to the old heroes SANTA convince me this tune absolute. Against my fears features the band with CARMEN (XINA) a strong female vocalist. Her powerful midranged voice works in perfect harmony with this time less metal basher. At hand follows with LUCHAR IS TU FE (THE FIGHT IS YOUR FAITH) another great classic metal tune. The sharp guitar leads by the hard acting metalists ALVARO (DESTROYER) PEREZ and MANUEL (LOLO) SAN SEBASTIAN crowns this remindable work too. ROMPE EN LA NOCHE (BREAK THE NIGHT) is the next over the top arranged runner on this mini album. Everything works perfect on this rumbling cut. Just listen there to the fine eighties influenced guitar leads and the high class solo and you can´t forget this song. With LA LLAMADA DEL DESTINO (THE CALL OF DESTINY) tries XINA and their bandmates to create a dramatic and emotional semi powerballad. This song is okay but nothing more. I don´t know if the final chapeter JOVEN ROCKERO is a cover of the unforgotten SOBREDOSIS tune. it doesn´t matter, cause this one really rocks and represents the quintett in the perfect light. Time will show what goes on by OKER. Heard that several record companies offered them a deal. Hopefully a good follow up will be soon in the work. Try out untill that will be happen www.okermetal.es or use for mor listenable impressions www.myspace.com/okermetal . articel by Gerald Mittinger

ODYSSEY - PIATRA DE HOTAR
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) ROMANIA

LP/CD/MC critics

ruler13 — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:14:58 CDT

PANCHO VILLA - CAMPANIAS DEL DIABLO
(MOON RECORDS 032 / MEXICO´2007)
Run to your favorite CD-dealer and grab this fantastic piece. Yep, of course their are a couple of smokin´ instrumentals on this disc. But on the other side we have with Rick Cox an US-Metal alike singer. The titles on the CD are written in spanish, but Rick perfor- mes sometimes in his native language english too. Believe me folks this CD is a mix between acts like HELSTAR and the US-STEELER. Why the old US-STEELER??? Four of the five band members of PANCHO VILLA takes as family name SANCHEZ !!! In other words four brothers with lot´s of talent. The well packed digipack contains four instrumental cuts which reminds me on Yngwies appearence during his time in STEELER. I really like this album a lot.www.panchovillametal.com or keep listen and watchin ´in www.myspace.com/panchovillaband

STORMAGE - SUDDEN AWAKENING
(STF RECORDS 064 / GERMANY ´2007)
Brilliant Power Metal release in the tradition of german bands like RAGE / ATLAIN / BRAINFEVER/ FACT. But stop, this north german based quartett is not just another plagiate.Rather this metal veterans life their dream!!! SUDDEN AWAKENING is the 2nd relase after their primal album BALANCE OF POWER in 2005 and a release under the name ANTHEM (METAL OR BUST) back in 1998. If you like traditional german metal, don´t hesitate to complete your collection with the STORMAGE albums. www.stormage-metal.de or also
under www.myspace.com/stormagemusic

EMPIRE - ZROZENI DRAKA
(POPRON MUSIC/CZECH REP CD´2007)
Don´t be confuse, this is not the swedish band with the same name.EMPIRE from the Czech Republic is a traditional 80ies metal band with a high fun factor and catchy melodies. As best their style is to describe which some other famous names of the czech metal scene like SIFON, ARGEMA, KERN etc. If you visit their home country and if you into melodic metal, or the so called czech big beat you are wright to buy this album. www.empireband.cz I hear that the band played short before christmas on a concert together with EPITAPH and RIMORTIS is Prague. So I wish they have a bright future with lot´s of more releases.

TRILOGY - SEMILLA DEL TIEMPO
(F.D.R.A. REC/AVISPA SPAIN CD´2006)
I remember well this metal veterans from Cordoba / Andalusia. Parts of the band started back at the beginning of the 90ies in a local band called DOGMA (personal have only the 1st DOGMA MCD noches de neon/atila from 1993 in my collection). From this early steps is today only the guitarist Jose Rubio and the drummer Juanlu Santaella in the band. Three years back in 2004 the quintett published a very good demo CDR under the title NUEVA ERA. But only three songs from this demo where published now again on their first real CD (REY DE REYES, VLAD and INVENCIBLE) packed together with seven more strong tracks. This good produced CD catch your ears with sharp edged melodic metal combinated with furiuos guitar playing (Jose Rubio is a strong guitar god) . Sometimes you can hear neoclassical influences but all in all this is a quality melodic metal piece which will stand the test of time.The 2nd guitar in the scong DOS CARAS is played as guest apperance by Paco Ventura from MEDINA AZAHARA.www.trilogymetal.com or e-mail em under triology_metal@yahoo.es

PARADOX - NOC V MYCH OCICH
(AVIK /CD´2007 CZECH REPUBLIK)
Once again another band with the name
PARADOX. But this czech rockers don´t play speed or powermetal like their german mates. Listenable Hard Rock also known as czech big beat rules the 14 songs. If you like the latest releases of ARGEMA and MORAVA check this fine produced album. Beside some typic melodic hard rock tunes and balladesc tracks you also can find a little bit more working titles like ZLATA DIVKA (Heavy Rock) or for example STRACH which enter the border to 80ies metal. www.sweb.cz/paradox.band

BLADE - LIFETIME (DEMO´92)
(ANMA REC. MCD´2007 GREECE)
Yeäh, one of the best keept secrets of the greece Heavy Metal scene is now rereleased on CD. Original published back in 1992 as a demotape, are the four tracks now remastered from the original master tape in listenable sound. Great! Some of the musicans of BLADE were also involved in the kult Heavy Metal act DENIAL PRICE too. The listener of the Mini-CD awaits timeless classic Heavy Metal. But hurry up, this release is limited (handnumbered) to 500 copies. Check it out at by Greg Versamis (EAT METAL REC.) which perhaps distributed this one or send a mail to: antonis_dp@yahoo.com .

SCELET - ZIT V OZVENACH CD´2006
(private release/CZECH REPUBLIK)
If I remember wright is this the third release from this hardworking czech metal masters. I really like their CDs a lot. Constant they believe in classic Heavy Metal free of all influences. This is just Heavy, Heavy, Heavy Metal and nothing else !!! Everything on this CD which contains five songs in their native language and four tracks in english convince me. Also the english pronounce of the singer Dana Zbornikova is very good. So check the whole discographie of SCELET and let em now where you read about them. www.scelet.cz or sysak@scelet.cz

CHAINSAW - A SIN ACT (CD´2006)
(EMPIRE REC.EMP 066 / POLAND)
Also Polands CHAINSAW return with a big blast the international Power Metal scene. There was a rising progress from the first to the 2nd CD, but this new goodie makes me wordless. Yiiiheee, Power Metal to the max... timeless, endless Power Metal in a transparent but still dirty production. You can hear every of the 5 musicans clear. Crank up the volume to 10 and you will be smashed to your room wall....ha,ha. With every spin in your player you will be more infect from this strong material. Damn, why did not give this Power Metal hope, concerts outside of Poland. So far info@chainsaw.pl or www.chainsaw.prv.pl If you have trouble to find the CDs at your local record dealer try it perhaps their record company www.empire-records.com.pl . You can order there perhaps also their 2nd release THE YOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF DARKNESS too. I think only the debut CD ELECTRIC WIZARDS is sold out.

MONSTRUM - VIII DZIEN TYGODINA
(ALTERNAT.NATION/CD´2006/POLAND)
Round number 2 for this good traditional 80ies inspired Metal band from Poland.More or less nothing changed from the debut. Only the IRON MAIDEN touch is still fluent. The 10 tracker is well produced and contains as bonus a multimedia section. It makes mood to keep listen many of their little Metalhymns. As I wrote before in my review for CHAINSAW the polonian metal scene is stronger than ever. KAT, HELLFIRE, CETI, or DRAGONEYE are names with a great few. MONSTRUM is close to this leading acts. Enjoy their CD and more infos through: www.monstrum.pl or drop Pawel Tylko their manager under ptylko@wp.pl a line.

MOBY DICK - 25 EVES JUBILEUM 2006
(HAMMER REC / CD & DVD edt. / HUNGARY
That´s value for the money. This jubeleums concert which was celebrated at february 10th 2006 in Pecs the hometown fo this well known Hungarian Thrash gods contains a live CD which contains songs from all their famous albums in the past from KÖRHINTA till UGASS KUTYA ...untill to the reunion album GOLGATA and the still present studio album SE NAP, SE HOLD. 22 live tracks in perfect soundquality. If you don´t have untill yet their old live album ATOMTAMADAS from 1993 here you can build your own imagine of this famous band. I started my review with the phrase that there rules value for money, yes sirs madams. This doublepack con tains also a DVD with the same tracks as the studio CD plus four more. Further you find in the menue of the DVD all 18 video clips which made the band during their long career 1990 till present. But that´s not all, there exist an extramenü with backstage scenes and a re port about their ERDELYI tournee back in 1993. If you like your concerts in real good visual quality take the change and buy the CD/DVD edition. For more infos check the homepage: WWW.MOBY-DICK.HU or take also a look in my metal archive.

ANTOLOGIJA - NEMIRI (CD´2007)
(ONE RECORDS 141 / SERBIJA)
As I visited last August again Beograd/
Serbija the first real CD-release by ANTOLOGIJA was brandnew in the shops. Yep, fine stuff from this melodic metal act. I know no musican likes it if you describe his style or his band with another band. But sometimes this is the best way to explain the reader as best a new band. First of all I can hear the vir-tuose and precise guitar work from Djuric Vladimir (he shows good vibes and reminds me as well on Yngwie and Zele from DIVILJE JAGODE). I couldn´t believe at first that he is also doing the job for the vocalist. Suberb !!! This disc contains 12 tracks and an extra bonus video spot for the title song NEMERI. Of ourse the CD con- tains also a high standart booklet. So do not loose your time and keep an eye for this one if you into melodic metal. WWW.ANTOLOGIJA.CO.YU

ROTOR - ARVAHAZ (CD´2007)
(BLOWER REC 005/MEXICO/HUNGARY)
In a limited edition of 300 copies published Blower Records from Mexico this old and never before released album from this Hungarian HM / Power Metal outfit. Yes, that´s a great idea and the recordings are remixed. The band self wrote in the story inside their CD booklet that back in 1995 was no market to release this kind of our favorite music (you know grunge and alternative music ruled at this tine). So 12 years later we have the pleasure to enjoy this cool tunes. Better late, than never. Fasten your seatbells and grab your CD !!! I don´t know by the moment were you can get this CD easy. Perhaps try your luck by www.metaleros.de or contact alfredrock@gmx.de (you can order by him perhaps also too other east european metal stuff). www.rotor.uw.hu or contact their record company www.blower-records.com

EPIZOD - NASITE KORENI CD´2006
(MAGIC WORLD REC. / Bulgaria)
Without a doubt, this one of my favorite bands since a long time. I have several CDs and tapes from this Sofia / Bulgaria five man band. Over the years they changed their style from energetic Heavy Metal more and more in a mix of BLACK SABBATH ladden Metal in combination with folk ele- ments of the bulgarian history. EPIZOD entered so a very unique style. The latest release NASITE KORENI which means OUR ROOTS is exact a further step in this direction. Ethnic influences crossed with heavy Rock and filigran solis from Dragomir Draganov and a vocalist Emil Cendov which tells and cele brates mythms and rites from the bulgarian history. This concept works and imagine the listener a feeling for their stories. EPIZOD is one of this rare spezies of bands which needs lots of attention. So give it them. www.magsviat.com or www.epizod.com . For personal contact send an e-mail: epizod_bg@abv.bg

CARGO - XXII CD´2007/BEST OF...LIVE
CARGO - POVESTIRI DIN GARA CD´90
CARGO - DESTIN CD´95 / reedition´98
CARGO - ZIUA VRAJITOARELOR CD´98
CARGO - SPIRITUS SANCTUS CD´2003
(PRO MUSIC ROMANIA 1998 - 2007)
A long time runnin band in the romanian
melodic metal scene returns with this double CD the venue. Back circa in 1988 this Timisoara / Romania combo started with traditional melodic metal. During the struggle of the revoltion in their country the band was in the studio and recorded for Elect Records the former communistic stately label their debut POVESTIRI DIN GARA ( =STORIES FROM THE TRACKS). On this primalas vinyl only (there exists a yellow and white album cover of the LP... for the col lectors as info) released album they reworked similar like another Romanian traditional Heavy Metal band KRYPTON their expier ences which they made in this hard time.After the fall of the communistic regime CARGO lost their record deal but returned with a maxi (vinyl) called ANA. I never heard or saw this in original but the song is in cluded on this XXII / BEST OF... LIVE DCD. Yes..., and this one is a great melodic metal sprinter with a catchy melody. After a while the band signed a dealwith the upcoming label VIVO RECORDS and became conpanions of such great bands as CELELALTE COVINTE and COMPACT. Short after the sign of the contract the band published their inofficial masterpiece under the title DESTIN (DESTINY).This brilliant CD offers the listener a bright spectrum of epic based Heavy Metal. Some of the best cuts contains the XXII / BEST OF ... DCD !!! Just close your eyes and keep listen such epic monsters like TEPES (yep, Vlad rules) IELELE (ELFS), the title track or ASTAZI SI MAINE (TODAY AND TOMORROW) and not to forget the folky FRUNZA VERDE (GREEN LEAFS). Too bad that the company VIVO REC. was going bankrupt short after that CDs. Again three years later (the band was all this time active and still worked for the follow up to DESTIN) yet another bigger company signed them. The result was the also epic arranged under the worktitle ZIUA VRAJITOA RELOR (DAY OF THE WITCHES) published third studio album. I am sure you will be confirm with me about the cover artwork , with is a real fantasy eye catcher. Beginning with the strong epic title track to the melodic ZI DE ZI (DAY FOR DAY) the powerfull ANARHIA (ANARCHY) the album contains somegreat tunes which could be stand similar on the DESTIN album. But on the other side the album contains also some easy listen ing tracks which will be not confirm with the rest of the CD. For example NU MAI AM TIGARI which nervs the metalist with a cheesy rock n´ roll attitude. All this songs are including too on the XXII/BEST OF...DCD too. But back in time to 1998. The ZIUA VRAJIT OARELOR album was a great comeback for CARGO. Their new company MEDIA PRO MUSIC invest more in the band and in the same year they rereleased the first 2 albums on CD again (there exist also a rare limeted box which con-tains all three CDs). Not enough they also published a Maxi-CD with the title BAGA-TI MINTILE IN CAP which con tains two studio songs plus one one live track and a bonus videoclip. It seems 1998 was the absolute winning year for the quintett. CARGO was also present in the TV. But the destiny for the band was a terrible traffic accident for the vocalist OVIDIU "KEMPES" IONCU. He was no more able to sing the vocal lines for this band. In 2001 CARGO returnedonce again with strong new material. SPIRITUS SANCTUS so the name of the comeback album opens gigantic with the epic titletrack. Fortunaly this release is again stronger. Find also SPRITUS SANCTUS, the melodic pearl NU POT TRAI FARA TINE (I CAN LIFE WITHOUT YOU) on the XXII ... BEST OF DCD. Fazit, the BEST OF album brings a newlistener well to the sound of CARGO. cargorockgroup@k.ro

RENEGADE - ROCKOPHOBIA CD´2004
(HARBOUR ISLAND REC/ BULGARIA)
Inside Bulgaria is this HM / Power Metal outfit from Plovdiv well known. ROCKOPHOBIA is the fourth album of the band. Their fist CD was published in 2001 on PAYNER RECORDS but the firmed there under another constillation as now. KONSTANTIN KATSAROV & RENEGADE. The working title of this traditional arranged Heavy Rock album was CAM. I don´t know why there was a speration of the names (maybe at this timeRENEGADE was more a project). Perhaps the best tracks on this first alb um where the epic edged ARMAGGEDON the speedy rock n´roller POBJARVAZ and z heavy rock titeltrack CAM. So if your cup of tea is hard & heavy rock this CD should find a place in your collection of fine east european bands. After this short guest appereance on this label which is normal spezialized to release chalga ethno pop and traditional music they signed a new deal with STARS REC in 2002. This Sofia based firm was also for a short time the home company for EPIZOD. The ICE WORLD titled album came in the recordshops in 2003. But again the band name was written under the combination KONSTANTIN KATSAROV & RENEGADE. Differnt to the debut is in first line the more Heavy Metal alike adjustment. The first four tracks running perfect in your ears. But then in the middle of the album 2 LINKIN PARK styled songs ruin this good album. The rap rhymes on this craby songs where performed from ACIDUST. But the following duett with INA a female vocalist the band find back the way to their roots. The next four songs hold perfect the balance between heavy rock and heavy metal. Interesant is the fact that there are on the ICE WORLD album as on the ROCKOPHOBIA disc are including old FULL MAX songs. This band also had publish back in 1995 a cassette-LP with the title MEMONTO MORI. I like this tape which was published on the kulty RIVA SOUND RECwith their NwoBHM inspired sound a lot. It seems so some of the members are involved by RENEGAD. At the end of the same year the band published a limited Live album. Suddenly from now on the band name was only RENEGAD. This Live recording is for me untill now their best release. Sixteen tracks in good quality andwithout any other influences. Per haps this recording offere d them the deal with HARBOUR ISLAND RECORDS were also the latest CDs from AXAT were published. Yeäh,consequent rules their again great time less Power Metal. Just keep listen cuts like PARANOIA. If you search for CD´s from RENEGADE do yourself a favour and start up with the ROCKOPHOBIA CD or grab if you can the Live CD too. Even now by the moment is out a new studio album with the title INSOMNIA. I will this report soon too... be sure ! www.renegade.bg or contact em under crazy_london5@yahoo.com.

HARAKIRI - INSTINTO ANIMAL
(EXPO ROCK ERM027/SPAIN CD´2007)
I was very prosmising on this all star project of the spanish hard & heavy scene. Well the 12 tracks range the field between Heavy Rock and Heavy Metal of the 80ies. That´s of course no wonder. This project features musicans from so many spanish metal legen ds that I don´t have an idea were I should start Nearly all musicans from PANZER and BEETHOVEN R are invol ved. As well musicans from MURO, TRITON, TAKO, SOBREDOSIS, BELLA BESTIA, NIAGARA, NU, ANGRE AZUL, Nacho Ruiz & Mario Garcia from SILVERFIST as well Oscar from LUJURIJ A So many great musicans.For examole the 2nd track TU ERES MI SANGRE is a Heavy Metal song which could be no bettter written in the 80ies.Also the following 1000cc acts like a big motorbike. Emotional and dramatic ranks VOLVERI JUNTO A TI. The titlesong remembers mi on the days when I visited in the mid 80ies Spain to conquer new great bands like GOLIATH ofrTRITON ... !!! The anything pounding EL DESCANSO DEL GUERRO will statisfie every power metal fan. Only the boring EL INSPECTOR drops down with some spoken vocals (no rap) a little bit this CD. PIEL CON PIEL is a typical spanish ballad. But the metal god returns with the hymn LA LLAVE DEL PLACER. Like MURO in their heydays acts further SERES HUNANOS. In two words, this album is "LA RAZA" .www.elcristodelosfaroles.com or www.exporockmusic.com

FLUSH - PIECE OF HELL CD´2006
(FLESH BLOOD REC / SERBIJA)
On the cover is a printed sticker were we can read that this beograd based thrash metal act won the Demo Masters Turnier 2005. Hm, their debut album is a solid work of bay area styled thrash metal. The opening song DEAD END is with good will as best to describe in the poor EXODUS, TESTAMENT, VIOLENCE corner. But the problem is the vocalist. Aleksandar Manja shouts his parts more or less every time in the same phrases. This also happens during the title track. The fol lowing BLACK MATTERY acts after a short acoustic intro much better. This song shows Manja from a more variable side. His vocals runs there more aggresive and alternate. Also Srki´s guitar work sounds during the song variable and raises a higher level. The semi ballad MIDNIGHT MOON acts in the METALLICA venue. Wow, Mr. Manja does performe there with suitable vocal lines. Yep, THRASH IS ALL AROUND enters again listenable melodic thrash. To pity that he dis claim in the next runner AIRFORCE again his tool to bring in variabl e vocal lines. WARHEAD is back better arranged. You see light and shadow are close in this album. The final track VENGEANCE increases at last once more a good level. Time will show were will be FLUSH with teir next release. Personal I hope they return soon again with a strong and powerfull Thrash Metal album. www.myspace.com/officialflush or write flushcontact@yahoo.com

DRAGONS EYE - THE NEWBORN KILLER
(private release digipack/ POLAND) CD´2005
Noble packaged digipack by this newcomers from Warsaw / Poland. I know this quartett is since a long time active and released before a demo CDR. THE NEWBORN KILLER is now their first real product on the metal market. Brilliant, heavy furious Power Metal awaits you. Some times I feel remembered at the all time classic PAIN KILLER from the one and only JUDAS PRIEST. This combination of melody and catchy heavy riffs, of course anything without the use of keyboards let you automatic bang your head to the beat. For example keep listen the energetic ONE USE MACHINE or the crashing SWORDS OF TIME and the raw TARGETS & POINTS. Every Power Metal fan will be statiesfied from this songs ... !!! Real great is also the SAXON/IRON MAIDEN ladden NO HOPE NO PAIN be fore the up tempo instrumental banger HANARI. All musicans inside the band are virtous and the singer well pronounces his lyrics in english. Interesant is also that DRAGON´S EYE sounding absolute european metal alike. May be meanwhile will be published their second strike. So don´t hesitate to check out theit web site www.dragonseye.rockmetal.pl or drop em a line under dragonseye@wp.pl .

VOLTAX - PROMO CD´2007
(BLOWER RECORDS / MEXICO)
I got this Promo CD at the latest KEEP IT TRUE for free from the makers of BLOWER RECORDS. At first I was sceptic, because on the flyer for the upcoming release was the slogan "Heavy Metal a la mexicana con el sonido clasico del Metal 80´s" ...! But no fear, VOLTAX was formed from the ashes of a cover band.Ricardo one of there gitarists from the first lineup changed meanwhile to antother BLOWER RECORDS published act STRIKE MASTER. But to come back to this metal heroes. VOLTAX is instead real Heavy Metal with a little 80ies flavored sound. After a short intro the first banger starts with a scream VOLTAX LORD OF THE SLUTS reigns with harsh US Metal a like vocals through your veins. This cut runs with lot of speed through your speakers. If you keep listen exact you can hear a slice IRON MAIDEN feeling inside. The following ROCKIN IN THE NIGHT is a mid tempo banger with vocals which reminds me on old JAG PANZER times. During BLACK BEARD is a galloping and stamping 80ies metal tune. Pure IRON MAIDEN feeling reigns the STEEL MAKER cut. Mi gusto mucho este vocalist Jerry Aguirre great !!! Track No 5 acts with the title STRONG LIKE THE FIRE and is again a cool timeless Heavy Metal hymn. If a song is called ALL THE METALHEADS this band must be sympa thic ... ha,ha. METAVIEJITAS stands strong as all the other metalcuts be fore too,but with the difference that this song is handled with spanish lyrics. Yep, senor Aguirre is a very good vocalist in english and he pronounce well, but I real like this ag gressive speed song at most of all. Funny is also the final additonal track AMO DE LAS CALLEJERAS which brings to your home lots of 80ies latin metal feeling. www.voltax-metal.com or also like always again inside www.myspace.com/voltax and use the personal contact through the net via voltax heavy@hotmail.com . www.blower-records-com

TRIDENT - GUERREROS DE TURNO
(auto produccion / ARGENTINA) CD´2006
I never heard untill now of this Heavy Metallists fr om Buenos Aires. Inside the Metalica fanzine of their home country is written in an article that theband have released untill now three complete re cordings (DE FUEGO Y ACERO and HASTA EL FIN AL DE LOS TIEMPOS are the titles of the other al bums of TRIDENT). Musical ly is written there that the sound is a combina tion of 40% MANILLA ROAD plus 20% MANOWAR and further 40% JUDAS PRIEST. Well it´s possible to describe em so, but a better describe would be TRIDENT is an on and on 80ies Heavy Metal with strong songs. Also I appreciate it a lot that they performe in spanish language. The only point which made me a little bit pitty is the fact that their proffesional done re cordings are published only on printed CDR´s. Hopefully there will be in the future a real repress on idustrial CDs. www.tridentsite.com.ar or the mail contact via trident555@hotmail.com

AIREARD - SPACE ONE
(private release MEXICO) CD´2006
I am always surprise again how many fantastic bands of our favorite music acts around our pla net. AIREARD from mexico is an untypic band for their country. First of all they running their lyrics in english. The singer which reigns also the rhytm guitar is performing well in this langu age. The concept around AIREARD is around future adventures. The complete cool lookin CD booklet is added with science fiction photos. Musically this four man band sounds like a cross between normal US Heavy Metal with a little NwoBHM influence. Believe me this band have found another corner in the big HM jungle. The songs sounding very unique & I am sure you will press again the repeatkey on your CD player to be refresed again from this fine long player. www.aireard.com and also too in www.myspace/.com/aireard
Contact is aireard@hotmail.com or caraprods@yahoo.com.mx

IGNITOR - ROAD OF BONES
(CRUZ DEL SUR 25 ) UNITED STATES CD´2007
I will fall on my knees and thank CRUZ DELSUR RECORDS for all the many great tradition al bands which they had signed up untillnow PHARAOH, the catchy CRESCENT SHIELD and last but hopefull not least metal gods,now the austin texas based IGNITOR. We remember this band entered a couple of years back the scene with a bolt. TAKE THE SKY was the title of their first private relased CD. The fine combination of riff ladden traditio nal heavy / power metal with a strong female singer (Erika reminds me sometimes at Leather from CHASTAIN) is exact the kind of metal we missed since the end of the 80ies. They are not inovative or anything else they just cel ebrate classy heavy / power metal. Only SCARLET ENIGMA sounding in my ears a little bit more evil and dark and GOD OF VENGEANCE spreads an epic atmosphere. The rest of ROAD OF BONES is without a compromise straight metal. I don´t know if there any body checked that beside the female guitarist Annah Moore is also the ex guitarist of AGONY COLUMN Stuart Laurence inside IGNITOR. He also produced and engineered this great album. Do yourself a favour and pick up this CD from your local record shop before I will buy em all ... ha,ha ! www.ignitor.org and www.myspace.com/ignitor

CAGE - HELL DESTROYER
(MTM/SPV / UNITED STATES) CD´2007
There was a time were I thought that this great US Metal band will no more return to the international scene. Four years after their last famous release DARKER THAN BLACK one of my favorite US Power Metal acts returns now with HELL DESTROYER better than ever. The CD starts afte r a short intro furious with the title track which reigns in the PAIN KILLER teritorium. The next track I AM THE KING is again strong US Metal perhaps this tune reminds me a little bit at the old SAVATAGE. A spoken invitation leads you in the fast CHRISTHAMMER. BORN IN BLOOD is a nor mal mid stummpin banger.I like the epic edged ABOMINATION which contains all elements of a hymn. If SAVATAGE would compose a banging cut like RISE OF THE BEAST they were back in the buisness. Yeäh, but the composer of this catchy song are CAGE. Also the follow up´s rulling this album in the same great style. So please don´t ignore this ripper in your disc shop or I will call you no longer a metalhead. Hurry up and buy it. www.cageheavymetal.com or www.myspacecom/cageheavymetal

KIDD NASTY - OUT OF CONTROL
(private release / UNITED STATES) CD´2005
Somewhere in my collection I have the debut CD from this american 80ies metal act. I remember this release was okay but not one of my favorites. Completly different is my meaning now to their new release which starts in best US Metal mania. The first two cuts reigns a little bit in the old SAVATAGE style. This feeling you can hear also in some other tracks too. Sometimes KIDD NASTY re minds me also to old ARMORED SAINT and ODIN. Chuck TOFSTED is a variable vocalist with a volume voice. Musical ly the band is tight and able to write catchy songs. Check out the CD Baby distribution or check www.kiddnasty.com. I am sure they are also happy if you drop em a line via KiddNastyBand@AIM.com

ATLANTIDA - ATLANTIDA
(ONE RECORDS / SERBIJA) CD´2007
Many years back circa in 1989 had exist in this country another band with the same name which released a rare four track single (vinyl).This single is a rare item of the serbian melodic metal scene. Now at the beginning of the year 2008 yet a melodic metal band with the same band name enters the stage light. The serbian traditional metal scene is today again full of talented bands. To name only two names for example ALOGIA and ANTOLOGIJA. Similar like this bands also this in Beograd based sixtett around the virtous gitarrist Aleksa Jonic handles with strong guitar harmonies.Catchy melodies and a tight rhytmus section in combination with a remoriable vocalist Nemanja Savic turns this CD to a high level. It´s a pleasure to keep listen melodic metal pearls like TI I JA, more straight rockers like NOCTURNO or KRALIJICA SNOVA. Some times I feel also positive remind on the glorious days of RAINBOW and the godfathers of yugoslavian melodic metal DIVILJE JAGODE and KERBER...! I am sure you will be confirm with me if you keep listen a track like the fantastic PORED TEBE... (great guitars). Honourfull is the emotional heavy ballad STRAHOVI which performs Nemanja grandious together with Niko female vocalist. As bonus contains this strong album a video track for KRALIJICA POHLEPE. www.myspace.com/atlantidaband or mail to atlantidaband@gmail.com

REVIEWS -H-

ruler13 — Mon, 02 May 2011 13:57:37 CDT

HARD ECHO - MOUTH OF THE SUN
(PRIVATE PRESS / CD´2007) UNITED STATES
That´s the second release by this california based Heavy Rock untill Heavy Metal band. I am sure you remember their first release which catched your eyes with a strong fantasy cover. This time the cover artwork surprise with great surealism fantasy painting in contribution of the title. By the way again strikes the strong song material back with riff laden US-Metal in the style of the eighties. Sometimes I can hear NWOBHM influences and also fine vibes of the seventies Hard Rock too. The spectrum of this ten tracker is wide arranged. But never you will have the feeling of boredom. Fluent and catchy reigns tracks like BLOOD RED SPIDER or for example the incredible tune CHASING SHADOWS. Okay some of you ask always for a comparsion to other acts. This isn´t easy by a band like HARD ECHO cause as I wrote above is their style flexible arranged. Perhaps I can hear some influences of the old JUDAS PRIEST and even early CIRITH UNGOL. But better is you find out this one by yourself. I am sure every fan of outstanding US-Metal will be surprised absolute positive by this well balanced release. Order their lovely styled disc´s through www.hardecho.com or inside the almighty musical guide www.myspace.com/hardecho where you can hear some snipnets of their tunes too. I think that there exist´s also a disrtibution for both albums through Helmut Müller´s UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION in Germany. article by Gerald Mittinger

HARPOON - GRITO DE RABIA
(HURLING METAL HMR´2006) ARGENTINA
This is a rerelease of the original tape-LP which was the first work of this well known argentinian traditional Heavy Metal / Power Metal band. A fine idea, cause untill now not to many fans outside of argentina had a chance to listen this great piece of 80ies inspired metal. The cd contains ten tracks plus a couple of bonus tracks (four studio out takes and two live cuts). Translated means the working title ot this disc GRITO DE RABIA so far SCREAM FOR RAGE. Yeäh, this kind of basic metal takes no prisoners. Like so many argentinian bands trades this Buenos Aires based quintett with great lyrics. If you are fluent in the spanish language take a look of them and understand what they will tell us. It´s a pleasure for me to keep listen old eighties based Heavy Metal hymns in songs like MARGINAL, EL RITUAL or DES PERATE REALIDAD. Original the songs from the cassette-LP were recorded in 1997 (even the bonus demo tracks are older). So the recording quality is harsh but spreads a lot of charme ... ha,ha. If your cup of tea are bands like EL DRAGON, BLOKE, HORCAS, V8, DHAK or even HERMETICA this one is another collectible album for your collection. www.harpoon.cjb.net or contact em under info@harpoonweb.com.ar . Read also the review for the present release BATALLA ETERNA too. article by Gerald Mittinger

HARPOON - BATALLA ETERNA
(HURLING METAL HMR CD´2006)ARGENTINA
In my review about their rerelease GRITO DE RABIA I have written that the sound is there a little bit harsh. Now we have here their actual studio album BATALLA ETERNA Packed with eleven fine tracks shows this recording once more the quality of this real metalists. Again the style is raw 80ies inspired Power Metal in the venue of HERME TICA and HORCAS or if you need as remisance european names just add JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN... with an edge of MÖTORHEAD to the list. Maybe you can imagine then more their style. Abropo style and sound, this time anything is well produced. Believe me, now it´s posible to enjoy HARPOON in absolute banger compatible sound quality. It´s worth to check out also the website of their recordfirm www.hurlingmetal.com.ar . Of course like by so many Argentinian and South American metal acts exists here also too a distribution through www.metaleros.de . The personal contact info@harpoonweb.com.ar or check the band at their website under www.harpoon.cjb.net . Helpful and informativ could be also a click to the platform of their recordcompany www.hurlingmetal.com.ar. By the way HARPOON is also featured at the Argentinian TRIBUTO A BARON ROJO with teir contribution of CASI ME MATO.Read more about this project in the compilation section at this site too. article Gerald Mittinger

LA HERMANDAD - REFLEJOS DE REALIDAD
(SANTO GRIAL DISTRIBUCIONES / CD´2006) ESPANA
Sometimes the first virtual impression is wrong. As I saw the cover and read the bandname THE BOHERHOOD too I thought this must be dark or gothic influenced music. Of fortune my impression was total wrong about this group. LA HERMANDAD is another great spanish traditional acting heavy metal act. The only difference to other groups in this style from their country is the decent employment of a violin by Isabel Iturbe. Without a doubt this works great and it refreshs the sound too. Daniel Fernandez is a fantastic vocalist somewhere close to the front mens of ARS AMANDI or LANDEVIR and SAUROM. Tracks like SED DE CONQUISTA confirm this positive impression with a per fect mix of me dival arrangements in con tribution with classic heavy metal. The two guitarists Francisco Herrero and David Marchena give the compositions the necesarry dramatic. During cuts as TU DISFR AZ or PRISONERO DE MI CUERPO returns to the basic heavy metal sound. Meanwhile returns the SANTANDER based group to the studio. In other words the process for the next album is in full work. I´m not sure but there is the rumour that this upcoming work firms under the pro misingworking title REFLEJOS DE REALIDAD II. Use the website: www.lahermandadweb.com for more informations. article by Gerald Mittinger

HUMA - SEMILLA DEL MAL
(Producciones Malditas PM 256 / CD´2009) ESPANA
In relative short time presents us this classic eighties orientated female/male fronted Heavy Metal act their second album. Of luck changed nothing by this great spanish metal matadores. After a short bombastic intro (SANGRE Y FUEGO) opens the titletack SEMILLA DEL MAL (SAME OF THE EVIL) furious and mighty this album. Based on the edge to Power Metal would it be worth to buy this great album alone for this great tune. But don´t be afraid the level didn´t changed inthe follow. Round number two stands then in the sign of the traditional latin metal arranged banger PERDEDOR (LOSER). Pounding guitarwork but still in combinate with the wright fastness turns on this tune to the maximum too. RUMBO HACIA EL SOL (CURSE AGAINST THE SUN) is a double female / male concepted maidish tune which hunts for the lost metal souls. Slowly I search for the wright words and ioms to praise again and again the skill of HUMA. Icredible with what a high level the fast edged runner PLACER PROHI BIDO (PLEASURE FORBIDDEN) statisfy my secrets hopes in this great follow up to their promising debut. Like a marching hymn in the haydays of the good old JUDAS PRIEST finds this number our attentive. Fine female vocal lines leads in the semi powerballad A FUEGO LENTO. But don´t cheat you cause this majestic number is full of magic and powerness too. Back to the grinding metal stream guides us the heavy arranged COMO TU SOMBRA (LIKE YOUR SHADOW). For a single moment I thought that this song could be a bit modern arranged. But it isn´t so, I´m happy that this was only another cheat in fear the band could leaf the curse of the real metal. What else as another great fast metal cut could stand behind a title as PESADILLA which means in other words OPRESSIVE HEAT. Anything clear, any questions... no, so shoot up and run in circles untill you enjoy this riffbanger. With a mystic touch and full of impressions like in a game starts then LA RULETA. Great how did act there the senor on the driving guitar LUIRRY with the emotions. By the way the fat production of CARLOS CREATOR and some guitar support of him made this release rich of intensity too. LLAMAS DE TRAICICION is a epic and majestic orientated hymn. Finally ends this superb effort with the energetic midtempo number CATALEPSIA. For all the lovers of acoustic sessions contains the album further A FUEGO LENTO as bonus. www.humaweb.net or www.myspace.com/humametal . article by Gerald Mittinger

HUMA - LUCHANDO A MUERTE
(PRODUCUCCION MALDITAS/FRUKIK CD´2007) SPAIN
I love this kind of cover artwork. One look and you know that this release holds what the package promise.For our surprise is this classic heavy metal orianted band female fronted. GLORIA ROMERO owns a real superb voice in the style of the famous Leneor Marchesi of SANTA. After an typic battleroar intro starts the disc with the energetic BATALLA LETAL in the best powermetal vain.Incredible with how much energy and spirit reigns this track in our hearts.ALMA EN PENA (SOUL IN DISTRESS)is an unbelie veable good classic styled heavy metal track.With the third runner the mid tempo running A SOLAS follows HUMA similar this great direction. From this moment on I run addicted from this tight musicans. La raza is the following track with the band name HUMA. Imagine a contribution of ZED YAGO and SANTA and you will have an idea how good sounds this composition. Back to the fast stuff turns LA MAQUINA DEL TIEMPO, during the follow ing track NO MIRES ATRAS is a semiballad with power parts. I prefer the duett vocallines of GLORIA ROMERO and SALVADOR SANCHEZ there a lot. Again based in the classic styled metal circle acts LA MUSA. Manifest in the 80ies power metal type is the fast RESIDENCIA DEL DIABLO. Not only a good songtitle is ROMPE HIELO (CRACK THE ICE). This powerful runner reminds me to the famous spanish metal heroes of PANZER and OBUS. Speedy and catchy ends this great album with another metal basher under the working theme DUENA DEL TIEMPO. Of course the great guitarwork of senor LUIS SOTO gives this band the descisive stamp. If you not believe me, check out the snipnets inside www.myspace.com/humametal or at the website www.humaweb.net ot visit them in myspace too. article by Gerald Mittinger

HALOR - WELCOME TO HELL
(PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2007) HUNGARY
After two self published mini albums returns this bright hungarian traditio nel oriantated Heavy / Power Metal quartett with their first full length relea se on the scene. The strong opener HELL IS RISING combinates the best trademarks of old MAIDEN and RUNNING WILD. Even more in the style of the hanseatic pirates is the following FACE TO FACE arranged. Against a fast Power Metal attack runs down with the brilliant GODS OF WAR before with BREAK DOWN THE WALLS a PRIEST influenced number every fan of this kind of metaltunes afraid. Somewhere between the old CHROMING ROSE and HELLOWEEN runs the speedy NO WAY OUT. Another power and riff laden melodic tune is CHANCE TO BE FREE.The titletrack spreads then tons of classic power metal riffs under the headban ging comunity. AKOS KOMONDI is a good frontman and handles the basslines too. Also the guitarists GABOR CSABA and GYULA LACZO have stud their lessons well. Beside ADAM KOMONDI is a tight rhy thm animal.Slow and heavy follows FINAL WARNING with fine melo dy vocallines untill with THE POWER BREAKS LOOSE the titletrack from the 2nd mini albums is in a rearranged new version on the album too. With the bitchy rockin hym HORSEPOW ER (also rearranged) from the debut ep ends this little masterpiece in a perfect way. Please give this Szombately based metallist now your attention and order this album via www.hellionrecords.de or also via www.metalleros.de. But if you need at first more infos check em out under their website: www.HALORMETAL.HU or use too: www.myspace.com/halormetal . article b y Gerald Mittinger

HAPAX - EPILOGO
(PRODUCCIONES MALDITAS / CD´2006) ESPANA
Yep, of course this album is since a long time released. But untill know I didn´t heard about this fine Barcelona based Power Metal act with a slight MEGADETH influence. But let´s not loose time.With the powerfull riffladen MIL VOCES starts the album after a short intro impressive. Similar the following DEJATE LLEVAR holds this high standard of typical technical power metal riffs in combination with melodic vocal lines. HAPAX is with this perfect concept on the wright way to the top. No matter that the semi ballad NADA ES IGUAL didn´t disappoint too. Of course never change a winning team.The dark edged powertrack ETERNIDAD convice with incre dible guitar work during CUE RPO DE CRISTAL is an MEGADETH influenced metaltune. in the same style is PARA ISO OSCURO arranged. My favorite composition is the than the riffladen powerbolt MALDITO EN LA NOCHE. During the follow increases this track into an enormous mon stertune. The finalist LIBERTAD is close to the eighties metal style of such famous artist as ANNIHILATOR and even MEGADETH. Think there is a lot of more potencial inside this promising group. Wow, what a thundering recording. I really hope the band returns in the near future with another great follow up to this little masterpiece. So hurry up and try your luck to check out some snipnets at the one and only www.myspace.com/hapaxmetal and even under www.myspace.com/oscarlecina or at the offical band website www.hapax.es . Maybe it´s posible to order the album also direct throught mailorder from PRODUCTIONES MALDITAS from Valencia too. article by Gerald Mittinger

HIVERLAND - WINGS IN FLAMES
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) ESPANA
HIVERLAND is a Donostia / San Sebastian based melodic speed metal act influenced by the old HELLOWEEN and even IRON MAIDEN. Of course the album owns not the best production, but it makes a lot of fun to keep listen tunes in this style. So this production starts with a lovely traditional basque music introduction and turns direct into THE SHOUT OF EARTH a speedy track in the best old HELLOWEEN style.By the way the vocalist could be a tick better but he didn´t made his job bad. Nearly in the same style follows then the titletrack. More outstanding in com bination with a slight IRON MAIDEN touch acts THE LOST TIME. Also the only track in their native laguage LUR IZOZTUA holds in the same style this higher standart. Followed by the good instrumental track 27th OCTOBER. More basic 80ies metal arranged runs down then THE BRIGHT DAWN. With the fast track KEY OF SANCTUARY ends this album unspectacular. By the way light and shadows are close on this first absolute private released auto production. But all in all prevail the positive impressions on this album...!!! If the group follows continue this way will be perhaps the next release a bigger surprise. Untill this new work will be published check them out under www.hiverland.com or drop em a personal line hiverland@hiverland.com . Latest news is the band back in the studios and work on new tracks. A new EP will be out soon... so let´s hope on the next bolt of HIVERLAND. article by Gerald Mittinger

HIVERLAND - NEED FOR SURVIVE
(PRIVATE RELEASE / 3-TRACK CD-EP´2008) ESPANA
Ups, as I wrote in the review for the WINGS OF FLAME album is anything open for this promising band. Recently I received this new three track self released cardsleeve EP. General changed not much but everything sounds now rounder and better structured. SINNERS OF HELL opens the reign in the best symphonic metal style. Against their older recordings convince me there the better working out of the details. Based somewhere between PRIMAL FEAR / HELLOWEEN with a fingertip HAMMERFALL is this a good start. Hungry for the follow up listen I to the first tacts of the titletrack. Of course NEED FOR SURVIVE strikes in the same style but is till today the bigest surprise. Genre typical bombastic choruslines and recomendable vocalparts (ARAITZ ZAYAS) let rise enormous my acceptance for this band. If the band will follow from now on this direction will be soon the guarante for success. But continue cause the final track TEARS ON MY GRAVE isn´t a single tune weaker as the titletrack. Fast metal with symhonic parts is there too the best describtion. It seems that the group spent some money for this clear and powerful production in the ICE STUDIOS. Especially the transparent guitarwork by UNAI IGLESIAS and PABLO OCAMPO set the tracks in the wright light. Meanwhile the band is again in the working process for their second fullength production which should be out soon under the working title THE RISING... !!! I am promising what progress will offer us this next release. To be informed check out some present snipnets of this appetizing EP under the obligatory website www.myspace.com/hiverland . article by Gerald Mittinger

HIGHLAND GLORY - FOREVER ENDEAVOUR
(MASSACRE RECORDS MAS503 / CD´2005) NORWAY
Sometimes strange things happens. Back in 2005 at the release date of the second strike by norway´s based HIGHLAND GLORY I´ve didn´t noticed this band. Influenced by a lot of reviews I did´t believed in the group too. Now so many years after the publishing I´ve found this album in a recordstore. To made it short my curiosity seeks over my mind. Of course I´m didn´t disappoint. If you await from the quintett no wonders it could be that this disc will surprise you too. Published in the hightime of such groups as STRATOVARIOUS, SONATA ARCTICA or THUNDERSTONE wrote some editors about a plagiate without any own charme. But this isn´t so. In reallity offers us this work a lot of more. Many years are gone now but I know that the band still exists. Maybe this past review activate the interest on HIGHLAND GLORY again. On FOREVER ENDEAVOUR we could hear the debut of their new vocalist JAN THORE GREFSTAD. Perhaps he is the reason what mades this act different and remindable too. He´s a classic metal shouter. Clear you can hear that his roots are manifest in the classic eighties metal sound. Together with the slight symphonic edged direction of his bandmates stands his voice in a chemical harmony. By the way the opening track SPIRIT OF SALVATION isn´t the best start for this recording. To lame and planed acts this tune. Much better agitates the following BREAK THE SILENCE. Fine licks and riffs in contribution with a good melody awakes there the attraction of the listener. EDGE OF TIME is then a real classic edged metal track. For my taste is the band with this great tune on the safe side and miles away from the cheesy symphonic metal sound. In my ears sounds EDGE OF TIME like a good mixture of old MAIDEN and HELLOWEEN with the flavour of a good harmony line. Both guitarists (JACK-ROGER OLSEN and LARS ANDRE LARSEN) doing a great job. The following MINDGAME MASQUERADE is one of the highflyers on this recording. Sometimes reminds me there the more as remindable melodyline on the good old SLADE. By the way this bombastic powerballad loads in the listener to a dream yourney through space and time. The wonderful voice of ADRIANA together with JAN THORE GREFSTAD is really impressive. I´ve wonder why didn´t reach this track more attention in the past. Back to the classic eighties double twin guiding classic Heavy Metal leads us the great MAIDEN influenced runner MINDGAME MASQUERADE. As next hunts THE SACRIFICE my sins. A little bit weaker acts SURREALITY. Yet so far we enter the titletrack FOREVER ENDEAVOUR which is a great conclusion of classic and symphonic metal influences. But in first line is it really a classic Heavy Metal basher. JAN THORE GREFSTAD does there a fantastic presentation. Alone for this cut I won´t miss this disc in my collection. Also REAL LIFE follows in a same impressive style. Time for a great melodic bombast tune in the scandinavian style is then with SOMEWHERE. No matter with the final track of the regular playtime DEMON OF DAMNATION aclaims the band the holy grail on this recording. In other words DEMON OF DAMNATION is without a doubt the best track on this album. But not enough. This disc contains as bonus three cover versions. The first one is an okay vesion of WASP´S unforgotten WILD CHILD. As next contains this disc a cover of LOVE GUN from KISS. Much more did I prefer the final covertune THE TROOPER by IRON MAIDEN. This kind of classic metal is absolute the metric circle of the band. Yet so far the story about this forgotten gem. Today JAM THORE GREFSTAD has a RUNNING WILD tribute band on the start. HIGHLAND GLORY is still alive and recruit with TRINE ELISE JOHANSON a female vocalist. Meanwhile the band works on their third release. www.myspace.com/highlandglory or the official band website www.highlandglory.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

HELLRIDER - HELLRIDER
(RAVEN RECORDS CD´2009) COLUMBIA

HYSTERICA - METALWAR
(CRONG RECORDS / CD´2009) SWEDEN
In there homecountry reigns this scandinavian allgirl band meanwhile as the next upcoming topact ... !!! Founded back in 2005 published the female quartett in 2005 a six track demo. Now the girls presents us their superb styled debut METALWAR. By the way I don´t will hold back now with my opinion. Since the legendary ICE AGE didn´t convince me again total an allgirl band. So I had a lot of doubts as I hold the first time this disc in my hands. Optical acting the girlies close in the style of such a group as MANOWAR and even more MANOWAR. Of course if you could imagine a female version of this band. Musically isn´t their style also to far away from their idols. So this bunch of beautiful metal amazones open their first official effort souvereign with the smashing WE ARE THE UNDERTAKERS. Dark and doomy with the flavour of the classic eighties Heavy Metal style wins this cut the souls of the crowd. I like the strong voice of their vocalist ANI DE VIL a lot. Would prefer it to see the girls live on a stage too. The following typical metallic arranged track HALLOWEEN holds this standard. Absolute amazing acts then BLESS THE BEAST in the best trendfree classic Heavy Metal style. Like a cross of WARLOCK and MANOWAR reigns as next GIRLS MADE OF HEAVY METAL. During this hymn kicks some ass isn´t the follower LOUDER of this class. Of course this tune starts promising but the boring refrain tracks down this unspectacular composition. With the titletrack METALWAR conquer the girls some lost terretory back. Maybe the reason for the higher acceptance is there the uptempo style and in first line the energetic vocals. One of my personal faves is the powerful and catchy arranged banger WRECK OF SOCIETY. Although THE ***** IS BACK delivers some good hooklines couldn´t statiesfy my this number. But with the DEVIL IN ME follows at hand again a better one. For my taste sounds this good banger like a mixture of the good old GIRLSCHOOL and MANOWAR with slight 220 VOLT influences. Well done girls... !!! Beside this really strong track smash´s our attention the cool down running HEAVY METAL MAN too. Finally strikes the female quintett with the heavy arranged supreme banger PAIN IN THE ASS back. More or less is the debut by HYSTERICA a good album. But nothing more. If we look under critical aspects on the whole concept of this album offers us this work a lot of ups and downs. Not everything works perfect. But without a doubt is there the option that this heavy rockin womans are straight on their way to the top of the female metal throne. I won´t missing this first strike in my collection. For contributions surf via www.myspace.com/hysterica to the band or take a look at their website under www.hysterica.se . If there will someone book perhaps the band for one of the present summer meetings use the direct line via e-mail hystericametal@gmail.com . Be sure this wasn´t the last lifesign of this upcoming group. articel by Gerald Mittinger

IPAR HAIZEA - IPAR HAIZEA
(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2006) ESPANA
To speak true, I never heard before of this basque based traditionel Heavy Metal group. I think the home of the band is somewhere around SAN SEBASTIAN in the north of Spain. So far to the geographic bottoms.Better let´s talk about the music.This was IPAR HAIZEA present us here is great timeless Heavy Metal with a slight IRON MAIDEN influencee.Also sympathic is that the band use the original basque language for their compositions. Here we go with the opening track AURRERA. Well balanced, good produced fine melodic metal based on the 80ies roots of Heavy Metal awaits there the listener. A sequenze harder march the then the following ETORKI ZUM ILUNA with a great melodic chorus line. A look again at the bandphoto let me wonder. All bandmembers are bloodyoung. How did they made the experience to write such great songs. GOGOAN HARTU starts quite like a ballad but turns after some seconds into another up to date speedy melodic metal number. By the way, this track is not really my cup of tea. Miles more original sounds EZ UKATU. Of course the track is arranged like a midranged melancoly power ballad, but offers once mor the great talent of IPAR HAIZEA.Maybe the best number follows with the real metal tune AURKITU. Free of influences is this composition nothing more as a great metal track. The album close with the instrumental PARADIGM SHIFT. Perhaps not the best descicion to put as final track a tune similar in the style of SPEED KING by DEEP PURPLE with an integrate drumsolo on the disc. I don´t know why they didn´t include one more classic metal number on it. But it doesn´t matter. All in all convince me this debut a lot. Of course I wish to hear more in the near future of the band. Infos under gorrockto@euskalnet.net . article by Gerald Mittinger

HANAKEN - VOCES
(HK RECORDS/UNION / CD´2006) ARGENTINA
The first impression for this more or less own release of this Buenos Aires based group is positive. Beside the lovely styled cd booklet until the production of the album lacks everything fine. But musically didn´t works any thing so perfect. But in line to the facts.The album starts direct with the titletrack VOCES (VOICES) in an actual melodic metal style like it is in by so many so called fast food metal bands of today.It doesn´t works well if the listener is confrontate with a wall of fast but never catchy guitarparts in combination of nervy keyboards. Espe cially the happy factor for this kind of consumer metal destroys some of the good onsets in the start.By the way if you into this kind of style will be this opener acceptable for you.But I´m not total ready with my critic on some of the compositions.During the band shows with the second strike CUATRO PAREDES their strong talent to cre ate a fine speed number without any pomb and ballast falls the following MASCARAS back into the startpattern There is a besteady up and down of good and midclass compositions. But the ten dence in the following both tracks EL ESTIGMA DE CAIN and RITUAL leads them into a more acceptable direction.The first real good structured number is then DIS YUNCION.Inside a soccergame the teamcoach would encourage his team to give anything in the second part. Luckly HANAKEN use this chance with the impressi ve speedy arranged UN PASO ADELANTE. There isn´t also anything wrong on the fol lowing tunes SER UNA VEZ and MAS ALLA DE LAS CENIZAS. Of course, this compositions are nothing special but offers the listener solid normal up to date speedy Heavy Metal with keyboards. A lot of acceptance wins the group further to their good vocalist DANIEL CAMPOS. With OCASO contains this album a good arranged and changeable speedtune. LA ULTIMA NOCHE is then the most energetic number and my fave on VOCES. Classic MAIDEN ori entated metal delivers us TIEMPO PERDIDO. A genre typic powerballad with the title AYERES ends finally this production. Fazit, this is not a must buy item but worth to listen. Most of the tracks let us hope for a second stronger release. www.myspace.com/hanakenmetal article by Gerald Mittinger

HELLIXXIR - WAR WITHIN
(BRENNUS MUSIC BR 8172 / CD´2007) FRANCE
Untill now I never heard about this from Grenoble/Rhone Alps based quartett. I find out that they released in 2003 their debut THE CYPRESS FOREST. Now they return with their first fulllength proffesional recording for the well known Brennus Music label. It istn´t then really a surprise if I write that this album impressed me a lot. HELLIXXIR is a unique band with a lot of great ideas. General I would categorize their style in the traditio nal Heavy / Power Metal style and from time to time compared with some thrashy influences too. Okay some times there is a slight early METALLICA undertone in the compositions. But so far this isn´t a disturbing fact. The mystic arranged instrumental CHILDHOOD`S TROUBLE opens the album followed by the marching power thrasher MR HYDE. The next chapter firms under OF RAGE AND VIOLENCE. Packed with great guitar leads stumps this track in the mid tempo Power Metal territory. I really appreciate the surprising solopart in the middle of this composition. Clear dominate the 80ies metal influences the material. Another absolute listen able track is then INTROSPECTION which starts with a doomy feeling untill the strange melody arrangements creeps deep in your soul. Behind this highlight acts the fine and virtuose balladesc TEARS OF THE CHRIST like an introduction for the complex arrangend instrumental AD INFERNUM which turns into HELLHOUND. This epictune rises in the follow into another doomy inspired little masterpiece. The powerful voice of JUHEN TOURNOUD stands in perfect contribution to this mighty tracks. It seems that parts of the included songs follows a concept. CIRCLE OF INFINITY is a strange arranged track. To speak true this tune is not my favorite one on this disc. I gave em untill know three or more spins, but still I can´t confirm with this one. A sacral medieval chorus leads us then through CORPUS MORBIDUM untill with REINCARNATION follows one of the strongest Heavy / Power Metal tracks of this effort. If I am informed wright was the virtuose acoustic intrumental also the closing chapter on the THE CYPRESS FOREST disc. www.myspace.com/hellixxir or http://hellixxir.free.fr . article by Gerald Mittinger

HORCAS - ASESINOS
(SOY ROCK/SONY BMG ARGENTINA / DIGIPACK CD´2006) ARGENTINA
Of course the cross of the well informed metal heads know this Buenos Aires based Power / Thrash Metal le gend well. Those of you who didn´t have an idea what they miss if they never come in confrontation with this superb band should start from know on to recapitulated the successful story of HORCAS.By the way anything beginns at the end of the 80ies with the split up of one of the most influencial Heavy Metal acts from South America V8. The musicans of this megaband start up such well known groups as HERMETICA, ahhh MALON, LOGOS and the melodic metal flagship RATA BLANCA.But the guitar genius OSVALDO CIVILE found at this moment with HORCAS the perfect solution to realize his dreams and visions to form the perfect Heavy Metal act. With the release of the incredible Power Metal classic REINARA LA TEMPESTAD starts then this fantastic yourney!!! Fast followed in 1992 the second famous strike OID MORTALES EL GRITO SANGRA DO which contains such all time classics as SOLUCION SUICIDA or VIOLADOS Y DEVORADOS. No doubts till today are this tunes a part of every live presantation of the band. But to continue back to the history of HORCAS.I don´t know the reasons why the group lost after this famous metal classics their contract with their record company. In 1995 they returned with a new lifesign in form of a demo.The result was the signing by the at this time new etablished argentinian based label NEMS PRO DUCTIONS. Finally after the long period of five years came the third album VENCE in the shops. No matter again an album packed with dozens of remindable metal hymns.Without a doubt reached HORCAS with this release the top of popularity in and outside of argentina. After triumphs all over south america started the work for the forth album ETERNOS which should be the tragically the last one in this famous line up.On April 26th in 1999 was then the darkest hour by the argentinian quartett. OSVALDO CIVILE was murdered through a gunshot! We all can imagine how difficult was this situation for the group to lost his founding member, leadgitarist and friend. It would be normal if the group would give up after this destiny. But WALTER MEZA (vocals), GUILLERMO DE LUCA (drums), TOPO YANEZ (bass) and of course SEBASTIAN CORIA (guitar) don´t gave up. The ETERNOS album saw the light in the same year. By the way the complete compositions are written together with OSVALDO CIVILE. Tracks as GOLPE A GOLPE (STROKE FOR STROKE), LEJOS DE AQUI (FAR AWAY FROM HERE) or MENTIROSO (LIARS) and the incredidle hymn VENCER LA OSCURI DAD (VICTORY OVER THE DARKNESS) are metalhynms for the eterni ty. The second power metal track on the album firms under the title ROMPE EL DOLOR (BREAK THE PAIN) and is in my opinion the solution to rework the tragic inside the group at this time. After a regeneration time and the joining of a second guitarist GABRIEL LIS returned HORCAS in 2002 with their sixth studiowork back at the scene. This incredible Power Metal bolt firms without a working title. But innerside backcover print "ESTE DISCO ES PARA VOS OSVALDO" gives an impression how deep must be still the open wound over the lost friend. Musically reigns this new studio album (...with the so called aluminium cover artwork) without any doubt or critics again with highclass timeless Power Metal in the old tradition...!!! Back on the road and hunderds or maybe thou sands of concerts later was it clear to close this eventful chap ter with a live recording which contains many of their hymns.This simple titled VIVE album opens the relaxed homebanger anything what he wants to be statiesfied. Beside the ori ginal package (a digipack with graphical holograms of the band and the bandlogo and tons of impressional bandphotos) made this lovely collectors item to another must buy disc. If you untill this moment did not heard one of the previous albums this will be a good start to find the entry to HORCAS. Of course the sound quality and the atmospher on this 2003 recorded live album is perfect. In short time followed in 2004 the next studio smasher DEMENCIAL. Personal I didn´t prefer this work not so much. With a bunch of aggressive slight modern in fluenced Power/ Thrash Metal miss the compositions on this album a bit the aura and transperence of their former recordings. By the way don´t understand me wrong DEMENCIAL is not another crab recording. I only miss there the warm and tight rhytmus attacks from the past. I don´t know what was the rea son for the group to walk away from the successful direction. Perhaps this cold recording let them re mind their current status in Argentina. After this last recording for their label EL PIE changed the band with the follow up recording to their current label SOY ROCK REC. So this current recording with the lovely wor king title ASESINOS (MURDERS) returns to the awaited strong Power Metal roots. The titletack opens the album after some moderate moments with an impressive Power Metal tune in the typic style of HORCAS !!! The guitar driven monster riffs seting free tons of energy and WALTER MEZA reminds his fantastic voice.Without the waste of time speeds in the same highclass the following PESADILLA (NIGHTMARE) . La raza..., what a great number.Unbelieveable tight and cool acts also PANICA.I think the songtitle speaks enough for it self. With genial Power Metal riffing drives me then REVANCHA to the insane. Also CONFUSION is a com position which holds the spirit of the real Power Metal. And what else more as another piece of metal did you await from the songtitle GUERRA (WAR). But yes, if I am correct this track contains slight modern influ ences. During the following BASURA (WAIST) is absolute trend free. Heavy and unbreakable marching the next number DECADENCIA through the time. A fine balance is DISTORSION. Some modern Power Metal ac ting guitars in contribution with fine epic and melodic vocalparts by WALTER MEZA made this track unfor getable. AMNESIA is the closing speed up number on this back to the roots orientated recording. Build up your own opinion through the checkout of the actual website www.horcasoficial.com.ar . This is so far the story part one of one of the most successful bands in southamerica. During you will check this review and the background infos will be the finishing of their upcoming new studio work. article by Gerald Mittinger

HORCAS - REVIENDO HUESTES
(TOCKAS DISCOS / SONY BMG ARGENTINA / DIGIPACK CD´2008) ARGENTINA
And the yourney with one of south americans leading Power Metal act still goes on. Once again a new sub label but still with a major distribution. In other words a new recordfirm, a refreshed marketing and yes of course new idealism to be continue on the top of the national argentinian acts. But serious, I think a band as HORCAS doesn´t need this all really. Their status and their popularity by the fans hold em high on their Power Metal throne. In fact this new masterpiece starts up with the unbelieveable NACER MORIR (BORN TO DIE). As would be stand still the time returns the quartett straight back to the absolute glorious days of fast and energy laden Power Metal. EXISTR POR EXISTR follows in the same strong tradition. Yet wright from the beginning is FAMILIA a total incredible power hymn. Good can I imagine how the crowd goes mad when the band this tune at a live show celebrates. But no time to rest. PEGA Y GOZAR (GLUE AND EMJOY) tracks mighty down. A short sequenze of distorted guitars and we are in the middle of the epic but imense powerful styled track INFIERNO. I am sure if you will listen the first time this tune you repeat as I the skip player to listen once again this remindable commposition. LA CRUZ (THE CROSS) is tendence then in a more moderate but still heavy edged style. But the aha effect returns posthum with the crush ing Power Metal monster RESPETO.I can get enough enjoy me on the stunnin guitarwork by the senores CORIA and LIS in contribution with the fine rhytmus section of YANEZ and DE LUCA. Needless to write that WALTER MEZA is the born metal vocalist. The reign continues with another harsh Power / Thrash Metal bolt which firms under CRIMINALES DE MEMORIA. Power, power and more power !!! Untill finally the track FUEGO SIN LUZ (THE FIRE WITHOUT A LIGHT) surprise as a accoustic ballad. The way back to real 80ies powerful Heavy Metal is the suberb cut SIN LACRIMAS (WITHOUT TEARS). Another heavy creeping monster follows with PERSISTIR (CONTINUE). If you think there will be no more surprise on this clear and transparent but with the wright sound stuffed disc you are on the wrong way. With SOLUCION SUICIDA in an up to date polished incredible fantastic 2008 ver sion reanimate the argentinians one of their finest numbers from the past to new life...! Alone this energetic fresh new arrangement of SOLUCION SUICIDA is a reason to put this excellent styled digipack into your col lection. I heard that there must be out also finally for the first time a live dvd from the band. So maybe if you stock your collection grab the first four albums and add on your wantlist this fantastic new album too...! For present infos in and around the group take a look at www.horcasoficial.com.ar or try your luck through the HELLBENT FOR RECORDS distribution of Matthias Unfug under www.hbfr.de where you can order this disc and also some of their older releases too. Also www.metaleros.de could be a good address fo some HORCAS albums. eview by Gerald Mittinger

HELLIRION - MAVNUTI KOUZELNYM PROUTKEM
(DELEX S.R.O. / CD´2005) CZECH REPUBLIC
Absolute on our line acts this Pilsen based quartett on their second fullength production. In small letters is written under the bandname (I m not sure if you can see it on the scanned coverartwork "HARD AND HEAVY". Isn´t this a good idea? Yes, of course! Immediately from the first look at the cover you will know what awaits you. And HELLIRION didn´t disappoint us there. Meanwhile is the band a couple of years on the road and played for example gigs together with such illustrate groups as FATA MORGANA. Sure the live experience inside the clubs is an important as pect for the song writing. So far..., don´t let us hesitate time and start with the opening titletrack. This fine tune opens this second release of HELLIRION in the style of such famaous acts as CALIBOS, KERN and TITANIC (of course I can hear there also influen ces of IRON MAIDEN and the old JUDAS PRIEST there too). By theway this is no wonder because this quartett start back in 1985 their career. In different line up´s tooks it untill the beginning of 2004 to publish an album. This great effort which was released under the simple title 2004 contains ten fantastic tracks but of bad luck is this great lookin´ piece of metal only a (... but proffesional) CDR.

MAVNUTI NYM PROUTKEM is now the new hot effort. Of course this one is a real pressed CD. We talked in the lines above about the fast opening titletrack which holds more as enough every hope and promise. Finest czech classic Heavy Metal blows from the speakers of our HiFi tower...!!! The following KRASA TVA BLEDNE V DALI starts in the style of the old legendary JUDAS PRIEST classics with a slight touch of the late eighties Power Metal tunes. Maybe the refrain could be a little bit more exciting. Exact in a more energetic and catchy direction leads us then HRAC. With bricks of pain and melancoly beginns PROSIM ZAPOMEN which reminds me in the chorus line on the legendary ARAKAIN track too. JDOU SE MNOU DAL is one of this typic metallic tunes where I can´t other handle as to put the level meter higher...!!!Piano parts and the strong voice of MILOS KRUZEJ is the basic of the following accoustic ballad LASKY ZA SKOLOU. Also quite but with a sinister feeling starts then LHAL NAM VSEM. But after while you can imagine slow stronger beating drums and guitars until this tune slides in a classic Heavy Metal banger. Even a sequence harder to the points hunts as next MYSIL ZE JE VELKEY KING with superb guitarwork by LIBOR DANIS and MAREK POTUCEK through the room. Insane, JSEM is also a timeless damn good metal breaker. With machinegun alike guitarsalves bangs POJD, RUKU TI DAM. That´s the stuff where the most of the traditional headbangers can´t say no. Believe me if you will hear this maniac midpart doublelead solo you will run mad around in your metal castle. Someone in their homecountry told me that HELLIRION is split up. Too bad that I haven´t concrete informations. But it would be a shame if this talent metalists would give up after such a great release. To find this out check their website unde www.hellrion.cz . article by Gerald Mittinger

HYSTERIA - PRODAVAC STINU
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) CZECH REPUBLIC
In the Czech Republic grows up a new generation of tight metal acts. HYSTERIA is one of this promising acts. Founded in the chapter of the country Prague presents us the quartett with this fine self released album a mix of up to date melodic metal and some typic metal basics in the style of the great bands of their country. PRODAVAC STINU which means SALESMAN OF THE SILENCE is an album with up and downs. But in first line prevail the strong numbers. Behind an obligatory introduction starts the disc with SAGA MRTVYCH OCI. Classic Heavy Metal with slight symphonic metal parts is the message of this interessant track. The band placed with this number the perfect opener on this disc. RICHARD MASTIL´s good voice is in the tradition of the famous metal acts of this country. I really enjoy his kind of celebrating a song. One of my favorites on this recording follows then under the title SLIBY. HYSTERIA celebrates there finest timeless czech melodic metal. Without any disturbing pomp and bombast confirm this track every second. I don´t know what is the meaning of NENAVIDIM but fact is that this midtempo melodic hymn runs on the winning line too. Once again convince me then the good combination of RICHARD´S voice in combination with the good guitar harmonies by ATAMAN and PETR PROCHAZKA. By the way this sinister composition works like a hybid between ARAKAIN and KING DIAMOND. Great without a doubt is CERNA SVICE a top cut.!!! I´m not absolut statisfied with the following tune INTERDIKT, cause a lot of overhelming boring symphonic keyboard influences destroy parts of this track. But it doesn´t matter . SPALIT KRIZ JE MALO is another fine piece of melodic metal in the line of such famous bands as KRLES, ARAKAIN, TITANIC, ROXOR...!!! A good example for an emotional semi heavy ballad in the bigbeat style is the fantastic arranged song NEVERIM. Yep, SVATA VALKA works on the basic of slight MAIDEN / ACCEPT influences. Also the vibes by basser DONGUS and the fine not disturbing keyboard sounds by TOMAS BILY standing there in absolute conformity with the composition. On the boarder to Power Metal acts the intelligent arranged ZABIJACI ANDELA. Yes, there´s a slight symphonic keyboard attacks, but it doesn´t disturb the follow of the song. Back to an impressive melodic Heavy Metal hymn guides us then the final chapter PRODAVAC STINU. Of course it´s the titletrack of this very good album and it tributes his promising story honour. No matter this little masterpiece is my favorite tune. Last but not least some words about the product. The album is lovely packaged in a amazing fantasy concept. As well the production (SHAARK RECORDING STUDIO which is well known in the Czech Republic for their good work... www.shaark.cz ). So what´s let you wait. Sit down on your mailbox and write RICHARD some lines.... www.hysteria-metal.cz . articel by Gerald "Hysteric Ruler" Mittinger

HÜRLEMENT - DE SANG ET D´ACIER
(EMANES METAL RECORDS / CD´2009) FRANCE
DU SANG ET DE L´ACIER SURGIT LA VERITE... under this motto stands the premier album of the french based on and on to the blood traditional metalists HÜRLEMENT. Always in my freetime I keep listen many times the old KILLERS, TITAN, SORTILEGE, H-BOMB and of course the famous BLASPHEME albums too. Then it seems as stands the time still and never boring trendstuff destroys my hopes and dreams. Not in my dreams I could imagine that there in the year 2009 grows up a quartett which reflects exact this style and sound again. But let´s start the story from the beginning. The four friends celebrates this kind of real (.... not to use this trendy word "true"...) Heavy Metal since a while. Somewhere the got the attention of the small but fine french metallabel EMANES METAL RECORDS. Now the band presents us this amazing piece of metal...!!! JUGEMENT DE DIEU is an introdoction like a march to the battlefield untill the reign breaks loose with ORDALIE. Well structured midtempo classic Heavy Metal with a melodyline is the secret of this song. I like this galoping tack,tack, tack sounding classic riffs. ALEXIS ROY is really a king with his powerful voice and the perfect shouter for this type of metal. It doesn´t matter if he hnadles his vocallines in the normal ballance or if he screams. Anything is possible and always he is doing his job with brillance. Uhh, I gasp for fresh air... but the next attack in form of the cut KAMIKAZE bends me again down. A high scream and damned heavy guitar licks and we are in the middle of the inferno. The following IN ROCK start with the same spirit like the old heroes from their country. Sometimes I feel remembered in this tune also a little bit on the good old VULCAIN too...!!! MOINE GUERRIER convince the listener again with strong guitar harmonies by FRANCOIS PORTE. Nohing changed only king metal rules our hearts and the man behind the sticks monsieur PIERRE ROY drums as would he fight for his life. Yeäh that´s the spirit of metal like in the old glorious days. N.O.T.K. is a powerful cut with a slight MAIDEN influence. I wish the IRONS would sound today so energetic as HÜRLEMENT does it here every second. Oh my dear what title follows now.... THE IRON FIST IN A METAL GLOVE... !!! Heavy as hell starts this hymn with a combination of catchy guitar and basslines by Mr. LE GORGE. Ah... it tooks moments of memories during I remember the old MANOWAR but then flash through my mind another inmortal metalgroup DEMON EYES...!!!! Imagine the powernessof the old MANOWAR and the hectic of DEMON EYES and you have perhaps an idea how mighty sounds this track. Fast and powerfull rides down MERCENAIRE. Against the many songs in their orinal language is the majestic arranged THE GALA NIGHT like us betray the title in english. Of luck knows ALEXIS to use his organ in this language efectful too. SCREAMING is one of this from the start alltime classics. I could good imagine how good works this number live when the crowd shouts SCREAMING...!!! Believe it or not, but the time runs faster if you keep listen this recording. DERNIER COMBAT is the closing rumbling heavy tune. No matter like all the tracks on DE SANG ET D´ACIER is this number a highclass banger too. Clear that I can´t sit down on my chair to finish this review for you. First I have to jump to my discplayer to give this album another spin....ha,ha. www.hurlement.metal.free.fr or contact emanesmetalrecords@orange.fr to order your disc. articel by Gerald Mittinger

HAPAX - MENTES EN BLANCO
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) ESPANA
remember this incredible tune. On my last day of my hollydays in Spain I visited once again one of my favorite cities on this earth~Barcelon !!! Of course I know that this country is rich on superb metal acts. But as I walked the streets I didn´t had in my mind that there could be out a new album by HAPAX yet. So more I enjoined this happening as I hold absolute surprisely this new effort in my hands. Wow and without a doubt made this catalun quartett a big step forward. MENTES EN BLANCO is packed with an opulent booklet and contains elven highclass compositions plus three extra bonus tracks. Value for money. Of course and I wish that this band could attract some more attention with this release in and outside of their home country. Like in an medieval crusader epos opens a short intro this disc untill MI TEMOR powerfull in combination with remindable melodylines respectfull the reign opens. The band is nowadays so tight and against their debut onehundred percent more motivate. This doesn´t means that I didn´t like their premier album. Just read my review above and you will confirm that I´m from the beginning a follower of this group. But HAPAX 2009 is another class...!!! Higher and more complex, full of details with stunnin´ compositions amaze me this work enormous. During MI TEMOR runs the circles of typic spanish powerfull melodic metal enters the following cut LUCES OSCURAS the boarder to the classic arranged Power Metal. Some arabic sounding influences give this track a lot of originality too. In the same terretory acts ROMPE LAS CADENAS. But the melody of this song is so catchy that I can´t forget them. One listen and you will be for always infected from this killer tune!!! From time to time add the tecnical on high standart agitating quartett also slight arabic influences. This extra component give them an own identy in the pool of hard working bands. Traditional orian tated Heavy Metal is the sign of UNA VEZ MAS. Working Power Metal riffs lead then SIN PERDON in my wounded ears. A wonderfull acoustic session starts as next QUIERO VERTE DESPER TAR. By the way this one is more for the relaxed moments of our life. ATLANTIS is also full of harmonies and let me dream for a couple of moments untill the structure breaks with slight progressive elements. Of course ATLANTIS isn´t a progressive composition. The song is just a perfect arranged higher standard melodic edged melodic Heavy Metal monger. Harder back to the real metal bolts us CARTAS DESDE EL FRENTE. Similar in this line runs the fast and furious titletrack MENTES EN BLANCO. Unusal starts the final track SUENO INMORTAL. But not fear. Natural that the band follows with this cut their trademarks. The first of the bonus tracks is then MI TEMOR in an extendend version. Fact is that I can´t find a big difference to the original version. It is and wil be still a great song. The aditional version of QUIERO VERTE DESPERTAR is staffed with a pianopart too. The same vor UNA VEZ MAS. I´m not so statiesfied with the bonus tracks. I wish the group had add one more power number. But we can´t have anything... so let´s us enjoy with this collectable prima disc.Contact the band and let em know where you read about them first www.myspace.com/hapaxmetal and www.myspace.com/oscarlecina . articel by Gerald Mittinger

HARLEJ - .. MAME VLKA
(PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2011) CZECH REPUBLIC
Since the early nineteens is this legendary czech based band now on the run. Don´t know how much albums did they release in this long period. Fact is that the group around their well known and charismatic vocalist VLADA SAFRANEK joins always more or less the fun factor. So you´re never sure what´s serious and what´s reality.... ha,ha !!! Of course if you´re not fluent in the czech language you haven´t a chance to understand the jokes. But it doesn´t matter. Once more let´s talk the music. HARLEJ 2011 presents us well structured and balanced mixture of Hard and Heavy sounds in the dress of classic czech bigbeat rhythms. Their latest hot release MAME VLKA which means THE SHADOW OF THE WOLF starts with the amuzing Hard Rocker Shanty KAPITAN MORGAN.

BRAZIL METAL ATTACK´S

ruler13 — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:44:08 CDT

Back at the end of the 80ies I run a typical metal fanzine with the name THE ANSWER... A part of this fanzine was also a special about the immense and active scene in this Southamerican country. Beside an interview about VULCANO and VIPER featured this special such famous bands as ASTAROTH, A CHAVE DO SOL, ALTA TENSAO, ATTOMICA, AZUL LIMAO, CALIBRE 38, CENTURIAS, HARPPIA, KORZUS, OVERDOSE, ASTORATH, TAURUS, SEPULTURA, VODO and DORSAL ATLANTICA...!!! A lot of time is gone since this days but still the Brazilian Metal scene is growing... and from time to time jumps another hope ful over the ocean. For example we all know the metallists from HIBRIA... by the moment the band is ready to promote worldwide their second release !!! Also the legendary acts TAURUS and INQUISICAO are back for attack with their comebacks. Let´s start from now on this new underpage for great groups from Brazil...

VYRUS SURVIVOR - GARDEN OF SOULS
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2004) BRAZIL
Most of the brazilian metal bands are based in Sao Paulo. During VYRUS SURVIVOR is from the samba city of RIO DE JANEIRO. I really appreciate their six track mini album a lot. Against any trends offer us this unusal quintett a fine celebration of timeless Heavy Metal with some slight epic influences. Behind their charismatic front men RUDSTER who gives with his voice the compositions an unique flair convince in first line the guitar work of LUI ORTIZ and ALEXANDER BUG.After an short introducing with unholy battlenoise opens MURDER ERS IN THE DARKNESS the reign. Of course we should accept that this mini CD is an absolute private relea sed piece. I am sure with a lot of more money in the back and a big production would sound anything more transparent. So sounds this great opener like an unpolished raw diamond. But you can im agine every moment the real mighty potencial inside this track. With 80ies european epic sounding classic Heavy Metal awakes WAR LIFE this genre to new life. Midtempo heavy metal with some slow motion filigran guitarparts starts the titletrack GARDEN OF SOULS. With strong emotions guide us RUDSTER to this fantastic story dur ing the whole band (MARCELO MESQUITA bass and REGINALDO DI´SA on the drums) pumps this composi tion forward on. For all of those which put on this point not automatically the repeat key offers this master piece with ALONE IN THE SHADOW the next uprising pure Power Metal basher in line. VYRUS SURVIVOR starts with a mystic spoken introduction untill overhelming guitarpower let me go nervous. Again celebrates there RUDSTER magic moments with his kind of dramatic vocallines too. This band is big metal theater, really big!!! Yeäh this work continues finally in the powerfull arranged THIS TIME. Without a doubt is this brilliant mini album one of the best whih I heard in nearly thirty years history of brazilian Heavy Metal. I wish this would be not the last chapter for this great band. www.vyrussurvivor.com or use the classic way and drop em a line to their VYRUS SURVIVOR FAN CLUB, Rua Desembargador Moacir, B Land 343, Parque Sta Luiza, Cochoeiras de Macacu, RJ ~ Brazil. Maybe you find your soul in their garden after your order too .. ha,ha. article by Gerald Mittinger

VIPER - ALL MY LIFE
(GRAVADORA ELDORADOS ELD 07-2072 / CD´2007) BRAZIL
Who didn´t reminds the legendary debut SOLDIERS OF SUNRISE of this fantastic band when it was released back in 1987. Fast spreads the name out of their homecountry and this album was published and distributed in the most important metal countries as Japan, Germany, Italy or France... !!! No matter beside the founding member FELIPE MACHADO (guitar) and the PASSARELLI brother´s YVES (guitar) and PIT (bass) was expecially around ANDRE MATOS a big stardom. With their second release THEATRE OF FATE rise their popularity immense. The hopes in the Sao Paulo based quintett reached another level. But even at this momemt when VIPER was ready to aclimb the breakeven point lost ANDRE MATOS the group. The following third studio album EVOLUTION and the mini-album VIPERA SAPIENS couldn´t connect the big former success. The last real public attraction suceed for my opinion then with the live album MANIACS IN JAPAN. With the COMA RAGE recording was the break into another musical style done and the following album at the end of the 90ies blow em finally away from the metal landscape. A first impressive lifesign was then the LIVING FOR THE NIGHT ~ 20 YEARS OF VIPER DVD in 2005. But there should be gone further two long years untill in 2007 the new album was published. Back to the successfull roots? Of course ALL MY LIFE is the wright step into this dirrection...!!! The titletrack opens this album then in the awaited classic 80ies inspired Heavy Metal style.A bit of IRON MAIDEN and something of HELLOWEEN in combination with the very own trademarks of VIPER and we all enjoy the comeback of this great band...!!! Personal I prefer a lot the second tune COME ON COME ON which shows us again the what big potencial stands behind this driven metal act. There is nothing spectacular on this release but the important thing is it works. ALL MY LIFE is a timeless and everytime again listenable album. Back to their roots leads us the straight runnin basher MILES AWAY. The way of a semi powerballad walks then NOT THAT EASY. A bit quite for my taste starts LOVE IS ALL but in the follow shows us this number their real face in form of a typical VIPER composition too. Absolute my cup of tea and maybe your one too is the following hard metal basher CROSS THE LINE who owns all the trademarks which made this group this band in and out of South America so famous !!! Melodic edged acts DO IT AGAIN on high level. Too bad (for my taste...) that this great feeling breaks with the following lame ballad VIOLET . By the way this number is of course well done too. But I prefer like the most of you too the typical sound of this Sao Paulo based institution. No matter DREAMER brings us back the joy. With marching drum whirls and a smooth melody starts SOLDIER BOY. Seconds later convince us then the great melodic speed alike guitarwork in this little impressive instrumental. RISING SUN is one of this tunes which could be soon another classic in the long history of this band Aggresive and fast acts the final smasher MIRACLE. Is there now anybody who had doubts about the comeback of VIPER ??? No, the group is back. Better then ever and of course I hope there will be soon out another great studio recording. www.viperbrazil.com.br . Maybe it would be also a great idea to invite the band to some of the great european metal festivals too. If there any promoters take interst contact the band via shows@viperbrazil.com.br . Of course there exist´s also a fanclub for merchandising and anything else around the band in Brazil too merchandising@viperbrazil.com.br . article by Gerald Mittinger

VARTROY - BEGINNING (ELEMENTAL EVOLUTION)
(PRIVATE RELEASE CD´2006) BRAZIL
Sometimes I couldn´t understand the metalworld why they overlooked this great act. VARTROY is a Sao Paulo based quartett. Untill know I didn´t heard anything about them. So I think that BEGINNING is the debut of this Paulista classic Heavy Metal heroes. First of all impress us all the superb styled and unusual coverartwork. If there wouldn´t crown the band logo in typical metalletters we couldn´t imagine what hides behind this collage. The album starts then this musical yourney with the wonderfull short instrumental BEGINNING untill with TOMORROW WILL NEVER DIE the reign starts in the best classic Heavy Metal frame. Impressive double guitarleads by MARCOS GARCIA and MATHEUS CALACHE in contribution with the good vocalist WILIAM PELE GRINO navigate this track into the sphere of the beloved old 80ies IRON MAIDEN direction. Absolute outstanding free of any influences follows as next with WALKING ON MY WAY a great midtempo metalnumber with a remindable melody. Be sure if you listen one time this tune you will be not forget this melodyline. A more complex arrangement stands behind THE YOURNEY´S END. Again blitz there sometimes some maidish influence through this heavy tune too. Interessant is also that this band didn´t use any keyboards. Beside the guitars they go the classic bandway with bass (ESTEVAN POLI) and drums (GABRIEL SOARES). So the big crowd of followers for metal in the traditional classic Heavy Metal style should keep an eye on VARTROY. With GARNET follows another complex but still with some MAIDEN influences wonderful styled long runnin bombastic metaltune. Absolute 80ies compatible starts then the adaption to the cover artwork FOUR ELEMENTS. By the way this stunnin tune is an instrumental. Inside the quite and melancoly ballad PAIN offers us WILIAM PELEGRINO different but very emotional vocal parts. During the bonustrack LIVE OR DIE holds the high level of recomendable Heavy Metal compositions on this release. Finally contains this fine disc a mulimedia section. The typical followers of this style shold contact the band immediately by mail under contato@vartroy.com or take a look at their both websites www.vartroy.com (portuguese) or us.vartroy.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

ETERNA - LIVE !
(DIE HARD RECORDS / DHR021 / CD´2007
Some of you know this band still from their old releases PAPYRUS (1999) and THE GATE (2001) which were distributed also in Europe through SCARLET RECORDS. By the way this recordings didn´t represant the actual virtuosity and authentic sound of the SAO PAULO based band. After five studio recordings present us the quintett now this superb sounding live album. Recorded at the Teatro Dias Gomes in Sao Paulo at the second september `2006 offers us this disc twelve cuts in perfect sound. The concert opens with the great titletack of their 2004 release EPIPHANY. It´´s a pleasure to listen the voice of of LEANDRO CACOILO. With bravour and skill performs he there (of course natural on the whole recording too ...) every nuance. Personal I prefer the following TERRA NOVA (titletrack from the 2002 album) a bit more because the structure of this song is grandious. Progressive arranged parts in the style of SMPHONY X in contribution with ANGRA alike song writting spends this cut a fantastic athmosphere. The over seven minutes long CORRUPTION lacks with more intensity the attention of every classic metal fan. Like the keyboard parts by JOSE CARDILLO there a lot. of course this are the kind of electronic support which made the song writting interesant. By the way no keyboard walls but fine decent working elements. DEAD EYES follows at high standart and convince again with complex arrangements too. SEARCHING FOR SALVATION works absolute. By the way for those who didn´t it know ETERNA is a christian oriantated Heavy Metal act. Great guitar attacks by PAULO FRADE delivers a maximum of exciting moments inside MARY´S SON. Like the famous DEAD EYES is also HOLY SPIRIT a great experience from their successful release EPIPHANY. Another refreshed impression again from their release TERRA NOVA is the energetic tune DA PACEM DOMINE. With great bass and drum introduction (JASON FREITAS and PAULO HENRIQUE) agitates there one of the big surprises on this live experience. Holy spirit, how tight is the musically feeling to be one unit inside this high ruler. One step more into the history is then the celebration of PIEDAD from the very first ETERNA album. If you crank up loud enough your PA, eh sorry your hifi you can feel the burning air during this moments. Especially the portuguese lyrics in PIEDAD leans this song his very own flavour. In the next round praise this white metalists with THE WORD in an intelligent way those message. WORKING MAN (another goodie from TERRA NOVA) is one of this typical public alikes. Sharp and fast riffs and everybody seems to know the lyrics. That works ... !!! KEEP FIGHTING ends this famous recording last but not least with A.O.R. compatible vibes. If heard that the band published meanwhihle a new virtuel internet single (ARCANJO ´2010). Hopefully follows soon a new fullength studio recording too. Untill this will be done check out this live album. www.ETERNA.com.br . Maybe you can get the album direct from www.DIEHARD.com.br. articel by Gerald Mittinger

KRYSTAL TEARS - A BRAND NEW LIFE
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2007) BRAZIL
Another promising newcomer from the sugarhat is the melodic edged quartett KRYSTAL TEARS. The fine packaged album starts with the melodic dia mond WITHERED ROSES in the style of the famous northamerican hairbands like TYKETTO, STEELHEART or BLUE TEARS....!!! Even the following cut PRISONER OF YOUR LOVE catch the listener with such a remindable melody too. A little bit more energetic and harder back to the melodic metal guides us then DREAMS. A bombastic pianopart leads in then LET´EM SHED FROM YOUR EYES. Again convince me the group with good harmonies and a straight comparsion to forgotten melodic heros like EASY RIDER or HOT STUFF too. KRYSTAL TEARS is then a typical semi powerballad in the great style of the 80ies. One of the bigest attrtactions on this disc follows then with FAR AWAY FROM THE SKY. If you have enough listen this perfect melodic metal tune awaits you with the titletrack yet the next highlight. Great theater somewhere between A.O.R. and melodic metal parts made this composition more as listenable too. By the way beside the on and on strong vocals by ROBERTO SANS can we hear on this duett the lovely voice of the female vocalist SUZANE BRANDAO. The man behind the axe is senor CARLOS SANTANNA (of course not to be changed with the famous latin pop rock guitarist...) who push up sometimes the level into a straighter direction. So for example REASON TO FIGHT is one of the harder edged tunes on this production. THE LEAF GOES ON WITH THE WIND will statiesfy dozens of A.O.R. fans. Sometimes I feel remembered in this song too on the legen dary EAGLES. No joke, it sounds there like a harder arranged tune from this fantastic supergroup. EVERLASTING FAITH (FOR THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN DIGNITY) is the last offical number on this disc. Wow, after a neverending slow introduction part with vocals change this track his character. Catchy guitars and again an enorm remindable melodyline made this to an absolute winner. It seems that this album rise with every spin a bit more. Melodic lovers should check at all event this uncut diamond ...!!! For more informations check out www.krystaltears.com or mail em under contact@krystaltears.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

INQUISICAO - REBORN
(METAL SOLDIERS MSR 008 / CD´2010) BRASIL
REBORN is a real good working title for the strong comeback of this classic HEAVY METAL quartett from the famous million city Rio de Janeiro. Anything starts back in 1983 at the first wave of the Brazil Metal evolution. Influenced by classic HEAVY METAL acts like IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH created the band in short time a couple of great remindable metaltunes close to the ruling NWOBHM sound in United Kingdom. Three professional demo recordings from 1985 untill 1987 couldn´t help the popular group to sign a recorddeal. Don´t know what was the reason that this band hadn´t luck. Finally in 2001 a small indie company rereleased their their last demo recordings from 1987 as a limited vinyl. This fine MLP and their five classic cuts brought the group back in the minds of the metal maniacs. I´m not sure if this was also the reason for the reunion of INQUISICAO. But fact is that the spirit come back with a first new two track demorecording for MARQUEE RECORDS in 2006. In short time released this company anno 2007 the official debut ONE MORE BATTLE. No matter ONE MORE BATTLE is a good album but nothing happens after the release. Now by the end of 2010 the wait is over. A new company, new luck and a superb strong comeback. Value for money is the devise for this lovely packaged disc. Seventeen tunes will statisfy everybodies metal soul. DARKEST DREAMS is the awaited opening tune in their style. In other words the band does there a perfect job. SILVIO MAZZEI is a perfect front men to presentate this kind of kickass mix of classic Heavy Metal and BLACK SABBATH alike attitudes. Suberb hook lines and a catchy chorusline let you stump syncron to the rhythmn. A tick more classic metal edged and rawer creeps down MIDNIGHT WANDERER. Influenced by the typical british hard and heavy sound with a big HARD ROCK attitude agitates BULLETS FLYING. Back to the basic leads us the fantastic sinister melodic metal cut BREAK DOWN THE WALLS. Sure the group celebrates there in perfection a homage to their idols BLACK SABBATH. But it doesn´t matter. This tune is a highlight. The next round is reserved for the titletrack REBORN. Classic old styled back to the roots HEAVY METAL. Nothing else as remindable timeless stuff for all the hungry rock souls outside. Another HARD ROCKER stands behind BURN YOU DOWN. Hey it´s absurd to read the storyboard of DEATH OF THE SUN by a band which comes of a sunny country like brazil ... ha,ha. Ok, enough with bad jokes. DARK OF THE SUN is a HEAVY METAL ROCKER. Oh yeäh the NWOBHM influenced guitarwork by LUIZ F. MACHADO impress me inside JUDGEMENT DAY a lot. Of course not me only, think that this could be the cup of tea of every follower of this style too. Old fashioned but not lame circa in the PERFECT STRANGERS period of DEEP PURPLE amaze the slower JUDGEMENT DAY too. Some seventies inspired progressive rock harmonies by the their keyboarder SIDNEY SOHN (ex TOTEM) spents there an extra athmosphere. A little bit a filler is the rockin ONE MAN REVOLUTION. Not bad at all but in contribution to the rest of the featured material couldn´t win this one. But this is no reason to stop ,listen because the raw edged GREY SKIES is a good timeless (again NWOBHM influenced) rocker. With a BRAND NEW DAY ends the official part of this new output again at high level. This MAIDEN inspired composition awakes our all attention. Now after a running time of around fifty minutes should follow the rerecording of their old classic HEAVY METAL numbers. The reign starts with CAES MALDITOS from their legendary 1987 released demo. Of course the following five tunes from this session a rerecorded live at the LOCOMOTIVA STUDIOS in August´2010. This cuts are an absolute must hear adventure for every traditionell oriantated metalhead. Equal if you keep listen to CRUZ DE FERRO (IRON CROSS), TEMPO FECHADO, INSANO or NAPALM everyone of this compositions spreads the pure old eighties Heavy Metal feeling. Last but not least contains this seventyseven minutes running disc with O EXORCISTA also an recording from their first demo recording sessin in 1985. Insane how tight the 2010 rerecording of this classic brazil metal basher runs down the line. Unbelieveable ... !!! www.myspace.com/INQUISICAO . It´s also of interest to take a look at the site of their portuguese based record company which does a great job under www.metalsoldiersrecords.webs.com and www.myspace.com/metalsoldiersrecords too. article by Gerald Mittinger

NOSFERATU - RETURNING TO THE SLAUGHTER
(DARK SUN LABEL SUN 015 / CD´2009) BRASIL
NOSFERATU is a good example for the risen and active metal scene over all the years. Founded back anno 1999 in a period where classic HEAVY METAL was nearly dead believed this SAO PAULO (region of CAMPINAS) based band their dreams and hopes to create again classic steel like in the glorios eighties. TOKYO BLADE, IRON MAIDEN, MERCYFUL FATE of course PRIEST and such NWOBHM uniques as RANKELSON, TYSONDOG or SATAN are the biogenic topics. Retro NWOBHM ??? Not really ... !!! Of course the influences are clear. The defination of their sound and direction too. But it would be to easy to open fast this drawer. Yes, you´re also wright if you think the band could be handle out of oiginality. I couldn´t write something about this argu ments. But it´s the music which talks. Everything works there and for me isn´t NOSFERATU a plagiate. With tons of heartblood celebrates the group their stuff and believe me they made their lessons well. Meanwhile the phenomen of such bands rules also the european or US market too. For example acts like WHITE WIZZARD, HELVETETES PORT, ENFORCER and INSOLITUDE or BULLET doing nothing else too as to homage their past heroes. HEAVY METAL is timeless and so should at be !!! So if you eager enough and tight to leave this discussion you will be agree sooner or later the comeback of the real HEAVY METAL too. Don´t be shy just enjoy their activities, their power and their will to hold the flag of our beloved style high. Fresh and exact running metal hymns as NIGHT WALKER, EXECUTION, FULL MOON NIGHT and NOSFERATU transports a great message. Our music is alive !!! Originally recorded in 2004 and published in a limited quanitity of 400 tapes for the small Bolivian label MORBILUS RECORDS rereleases DARK SUN the RETURNING TO THE SLAUGHTER EP. Again is this release limited. As bonus contains this great packaged album also the old demo recording METAL GENOCIDE. Of course this one is recorded in good quality (original published at the VALHALLA DEMO SECTION 2). By the way there are two cover versions on board too. Both are worth to listen. The first one is HAMMERHEAD from the unforgotten TYSONDOG during the other hot one is LIGHTNING STRIKES from the well known canadians THOR. Latest informations of the label offers us the option that the band is in the recording process for their next fullength SATAN´S CHILD. I could imagine well that this one could be fantastic headbanging stuff too. Hopefully they don´t give up to follow their dreams ... !!!Build up your own impression under www.nosferatumetal.cjb.net or www.myspace.com/nosferatubrazil . article by Gerald Mittinger

SELVAGERIA - SELVAGERIA
(DARK SUN LABEL SUN 019 / CD´2009) BRAZIL
Fast, faster like the speed of light agitates the Sao Paulo based Speed & Thrash masters SELVAGERIA on their selftiteled debut. Formed in 2005 found they in relative short time with DARK SUN a suitable label. The quartett around their famous vocalist GUSTAVO who is able to hypnotise the listener with his high pitched screams presentates us at this good produced disc nine back to the roots arranged Thrash Metal hymns. Absolute compatible to such icons as ABBATOIR, old SLAYER and AGENT STEEL hunts your pulse second for second with their insane speed. Direct with the opener TROVAO DE ACO enters the group the famous direction of SLAYER´s debut SHOW NO MERCY. Sure I open there another draw. But I think this reminisence to the thrash gods is a big praise for SELVAGERIA. It speaks for the class of their compositions.The following METAL INVASOR needs no describtion. Insane speed and power and pain in my neck explains everything. The genial NA LAMINA DA FOITE reminds me on the glorious old days where Bay Area Thrash by acts as EXODUS, AGENT STEEL or ABBATOIR was the non plus ultra. Yeäh I know (I don´t sleep ...) THRASH IS BACK ... !!! Would be interesting if he could hold during a live presantation this power without a second rhythmn guitarist? It doesn´t matter because with AQUIAS ASSASSINAS follows at hand the next full service. HINO DE MAL is then more as another Thrash Metal hymn. Somewhere inside the refrain falls again and again the magic word combination HEAVY METAL, HEAVY METAL ... !!! Of course this chorusline repeats a lot of times ... ha,ha. Could it be better ? I could imagine good the brasil headbangers if they raise their fists and scream in the recall the shouting refrain. More speed oriantated starts UNTAO TOTAL. Once more reminds me the band there on ABBATOIR. Riffs so sharp as tons of brick guides in the marching speedgrinder CINZAS DA INQUISICAO. Aaaargh, I must scream it again THRASH IS BACK ... !!! If heard in the last time a lot of new Thrash acts but SELVAGERIA is without a doubt one of the best. I wonder how they mange it to create on their debut such a bunch of great cuts. Without remorse hammers then the next Thrash assault GARRA DO CAO on our heads. If you´re not shout, scream and bang to this tune you´re no metalfan or you might be dead. Classic alike Bay Area riffing supports also the last chaper A SERVICO DO MAL (DELIVER THE EVIL). Hear the call of this real metalists and support em as much as you can. Ya know they need your support in this hard business ... !!! Check out today their website under www.myspace.com/SELVAGERIA . Think it isn´t to difficult to find this gem by one of the typical underground distributors like for example www.METALLEROS.de too. article by Gerald Mittinger

COMANDO ETILICO - COMANDO ETILICO
(DIO RECORDS DR-04/MR2212 CD´2009) BRAZIL
Sometimes I wonder how many great bands rocks this universe. Seems I need a second life to check em all out. Such a great band from this species is COMANDO ETILICO from NATAL / RIO GRAND DE NORTE too. This bunch of metalheads is on the road since 2003. In the beginning the covered such famous groups as HARPPIA, TAURUS, SALARIO MINIMO and AZUL LIMAO. Yeäh this troup have a great taste. After years of practice is now their debut available. Surprise, their style is then exact a mixture of the before named classic brasil Heavy Metal acts. ATAQUE opens the reign in the typic awaited style. This means raunchy to the point timeless Heavy Metal. I like this cut but in my metal soul hides this feeling that this band is able to rock more. A big positive argument is their strong vocalist HERVALL PADILHA. His powerfull voice guides the band to a higher ground. In the second round sounds the group close to such acts as SOLARIO MINIMO and METALMORPHOSE. The compent of rocking parts in combination with straight metal riffs works there good. But the real surprise follows at hand with the fantastic Power Metal cut COMMANDO METAL. For example in this track reaches the quartett the class of such renomite acts as AZUL LIMAO. My instant hopes that COMANDO ETILICO follows this direction also in the following track NOIVA DO MAL comes true. This tune is a further bashing and banging highlight. With a more moody feeling but still on the eighties metal edge cuts TORMENTS your veins. Our weirdest metal dreams comes true with the fast arranged with a slight NWOBHM feeling tune MEDUSA. And on and on rise this production to more than a respectable metalwork. SELVAGENS DA NOITE is another hectic spreading arranged traditional oriantated metal slasher. In the tradition of the great immortal Heavy Metal acts is also the unbelieveable MADAME PECADE written. Damn good arrangements made this track to one of my absolute faves on this album. And that´s not enough cause FORCA MOTRIZ drives in the same direction. Really big theater is the rumbling final tune CATACLISMO. Uhhh, what a great album. It´s nothing more to say as do yourself a favour and catch this diamond of brasil metal now. www.myspace.com/COMANDOETILICO . articel by Gerald Mittinger

TAURUS - FISSURA
(CORREDOR 5 RECORDS C5006 / CD´2010) BRASIL
Remember their classic eighties release SIGNO DE TAURUS and TRAPPED IN LIES. Without this fantastic album would be the Brasil metal scene not this what they is. Without a doubt influenced the Rio de Janeiro based quartett in the haytime many other bands in their country. After their third underrated release PORNOGRAPHY in 1989 split the band up. I don´t know the reason why this successful chapter ends abrupt after this famous recordings. Now twenty years later returns the group with a new recording. Back to their roots surprises FISSURA again with portuguese lyrics. TAURUS 2010 is a damned heavy oriantated band. More close to their Thrash roots starts the titletrack with insane energy this positive adventure. I´m really positive surprised about this raw and powerfull thrash cut. The amazing guitarwork by CLAUDIO BEZZ is still unique and spectacular. Since the reunion of TAURUS are gone now four years. Don´t know if all songs on this comeback are new or if the regenerate also old ideas. But fact is that the material sounds great. Especially the tight and precise playing of the BEZZ brothers (SERGIO BEZZ on the drums) is an important point for the unique sound of TAURUS. Together with the mighty vocals by OTAVIO AUGUSTO and also original basser JEZIEL DE OLIVEIRA works this concept at high level. The basic of DIAS DE CAO is a mixture of POWER METAL and THRASH. But it´s the fearful athmosphere which gave this tune his very own character. Straight and unbendable strikes the following MERCENARIOS. Mixed lyrics in portuguese and english stands behind the POWER METAL ladden highlight LET´S CUT. The lyrical concept behind this tune handles about the daily insane in our life, about poor people, consume and the problems of globalization. It´s absolute worth to read this intelligent lines by OTAVIO AUGUSTO. In this moment unites the quartett all the positive and intelectual ideas by a typic Southamerica based band and unite it perfect with hard music. Of course also LAGRIMAS DE SANGUE (TEARS OF BLOOD) contains all this trademarks too, except with the difference that this cut agitates much more into the classic THRASH terretory. Sinister and close to the old days in the bandhistory strikes the mighty FIM DA LINHA (END OF THE LINE). Full of energy and raising power aclimbs the THRASH hymn FANATISMO the zenith on this perfect disc. Like the most tracks on this work reach also DESORDEM E REGRESSO easy the length of five minutes. A unforgettable riff attack the swearing vocallines and the powerfull rhythmus secction guides you to your statisfaction. By the way DESORDEM E REGRESSO is one of this great tunes which is based more in the POWER METAL direction. During the finalist runner PESADELO (NIGHTMARE) is a good colaboration of THRASH and POWER METAL. The band manifest with FISSURA again their status at the top. Check out this masterpiece of southamerican POWER / THRASH METAL at one of the many underground distributors or take a look at www.taurusofficial.com . But if this review couldn´t handle your doubts inform you too inside www.myspace.com/taurusofficial or drop em a line under taurusofficial@gmail.com . For those of you who aren´t confirm with the back catalogue of TAURUS check out the lovely styled rereleases (with lot´s of bonustracks) by MARQUEE RECORDS. Of course the label runs a webstore too ... www.MARQUEE.com.br . articel by Gerald Mittinger

TROPA DE SHOCK - AFTER TWIGLIGHT
(DYNAMO RECORDS DYN920-2 / CD 2008) BRAZIL
After years in the underground and a handfull of great indepent releases found this classic HEAVY METAL act finally their home on DYNAMO RECORDS. Yet so far let´s check out if their sixth release stands in the tradition of their former publishings. It seems that´s happen in the bandcamp some lineup changes too. Beside the three original members DON (vocals), MARCIO MINETTO (drums) and FELIPE NEGRI (bass) joined the Sao Paulo based team the guitarists DANIEL SIMON and PH as on the keyboards VALERIA MOREGOLA. By the way their last publishing SURVIVORS was back in 2004 on the meanwhile desfunct cult label MEGAHARD RECORDS. Actually sounds this new lineup really promising. I´m not sure if behind AFTER TWILIGHT hiddes a conception story but it seems so. NEMIS II is an introduction like in a sciene fiction film as BLADERUNNER or THE FIFTH ELEMENT. Of course this cool intro awakes a lot of impressions and hopes in the following material. Maybe the story behind this work stands in a direct context to the famous science fiction film. It seems so if we take a look at the fantastic cover artwork too. Of course it doesn´t matter. So let´s stop with more speculations. Let´s the music talk. TOMORROWLANDS is then the first real track which starts this new studioalbum. Of course that´s the stuff which made our metal souls glad. Driving guitars and high pitched vocallines made this tune to a real adventure. After this furious first strike convince us as next the stalking classic Heavy Metal tune FIGHTING FOR YOUR PLACE. The best trademarks of classic melodic Power Metal guides also DAYS OF RAGE in our hearts. Relaxed and full of melancoly creeps the semi power ballad TRUST ME (BLUE MOON). For my opinion isn´t this cut so strong. But wit the following RUDE AWAKENING returns the group again to the wright path. AFTER TWILIGHT the titletrack starts with a epic harmonieline. Wish this one would convince us with a little more energy. The choruslines sounding a little bit cheesy. TINTING THE SOUL is then a galloping old JUDAS PRIEST influenced runner. Whenever the group hold on to their classic metal roots everything sounds great. Only if the tempo breaks and to many melodic elements wins the control over their compositions sounding parts under their niveau. Of luck isn´t this problem to many times parat. NEW WAY is another great track somewhere between the old ANGRA and IRON MAIDEN. Perhaps one of the best powertunes is the great arranged SCREW ARTIFIAL INTELLIGENCE. It´s a pleasure to listen there the highclass guitarwork. All in all works in this grandious tune everything perfect. The closing chapter THE SUNRISE IS FOREVER is finally a quite unspectacular ballad. Maybe of interest could be that the sixtett wins for the guitarsolo MICHAEL WEIKATH from HELLOWEEN. But for our all surprise contains this recording with THE BLADE OF THE WIND a new arranged rerecording of an old bandclassic too. It´s worth to check out this fine album. I´ve heard that the TROPA DE SHOCK is working meanwhile on their next release. Untill this will be available take a look at their website under www.tropadeshock.com.br . articel by Gerald Mittinger

MR. EGO - MYTHOLOGY
(FREEMIND RECORDS 017 / CD´2009) BRAZIL
Unfortunatally I´ve didn´t heard about this interessant quintett from Sao Paulo. The only fact I know is that the band released ten years before their debut EGOCENTRIC. By the way I´ve never heard the tracks of their first disc. So the focus is on their relative new output MYTHOLOGY. After anothr obligatory bombastic introduction (CHAOS: THE BEGINNING) starts this concept (?) album straight with the classic Heavy Metal tune KING OF GODS.By the way this isn´t a spectacular tune but good solid slight epic influenced typic Brazil Metal. Some influences by ANGRA and HELLOWEEN in comparsion with a tight rhythmn made the song listenable. The second chapter firms under the title LOST SOUL. Their singer JULIO VIEIRA is a good vocalist but I wish he would perform with more courage and power. Think the cuts would spread then more intensity. By the way we could find his brother PAUOLO ANDRE on the bass. At the other hand we have the brothers IURI (guitars) and IGOR (keyboards) NOGUEIRA. The former MEDIEVAL drummer ALEXANDRE ZANETTI completes this line up. Because the dominate keyboard work (no symphonic stuff) and most of the time powerful arranged guitarwork (sometimes also complex too) waves the compositions between Progressive edged Metal and Power Metal. Often I search so for the red line. WELCOME TO HELL is a typical example for this kind of material. Believe me if you listen more spins the tracks you remind parts of them. Relative good works this concept inside the attractive tune EVIL FORCE. Balladesc packed with a great harmonyline is the background of THE BLADE OF TRUTH. Got there the feeling SAVATAGE is in marriage with ANGRA. Not my cup of tea is the overladden keyboard seet sounding childish track LORD OF WAR. Back to a more acceptable direction tendence of luck WARRIORS OF LIGHT. By the way there are clear STRATOVARIOUS and HELLOWEEN influences. Really good acts the following Powerballad SHINING EYES. Close to some commercial progressive Metal acts is written the listenable WANDERING LIFE. In the same direction tendence also MESSENGER´S RAGE. The awful happy arranged PANDORA´S BOX isn´t a good solution to end this work. Light and shadow are close on this album. For the long time since this band exists isn´t this disc represent. Perhaps a mini album with the best tunes of MYHOLOGY would be the best idea. So it´s up to you to check out this release. www.myspace.com/mregoband or www.mrego.com.br . articel by Gerald Mittinger

POWERSTEEL - READY TO ATTACK
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) BRAZIL
Will start this review with the words great, great, great !!! Forever will be the long awaited debut by this Tijucas / Santa Catarina based quartett one of my absolute favorite after the period of the great eigthy releases. Yes you read wright. POWERSTEEL is a band which transports absolute the feeling of the old metal heroes without any problems in our time. Founded back in 1999 published the group back in 2005 a respectful eight track demodisc under the heroic title DON`T LET HEAVY METAL DIE. Of course this recording are packed as bonus on this fine publishing too. But back to the regular recordings on this album. The titletrack READY TO ATTACK opens the reign with wonderful old stylded on and on classic HEAVY METAL. LAURO BRITO JR. is exact the vocalist which needs this kind of classic Heavy Metal. You will find on the whole nine tracks no experiments or trendy stuff just pure Heavy Metal. like a brutal punch inside your solar plexus agitades as next the fantastic hymn NEVER ENDING WAR. Visions of old german metal and influences of the NWOBHM give this stalker his very own image. Straight with a Power Metal edge hunts FREEDOM FIGHTER during HEART OF FIRE convince the listener with timeless out of time fast played HEAVY METAL. An absolute highlight follows with the hit VOICES IN THE NIGHT. Unbelieveable how reminds me the feeling of this cut on the great time of the eighties as each and every day were published records by new hopeful metal acts. I wish this album would be available as vinyl too. Ya know all this will be a dream. But never say never. A kind of metal ballad with balls and strong vibes to the NWOBHM is the fantastic FIGHTING FOR LOVE. Could listen this one on an on. But time stands still ... !!! Keep an eye (an ear) to the eager guitarhooks inside BACK ON THE STREETS AGAIN. FERNANDO CORTE does his job on the six strings really well. Share ny fanatism for this hyper group together in SEARCH FOR POWER. No matter this recording contains no filler just killers. DEVIL´S GAME ends the regular new recording bravorous at the same high level as the former tunes.. So it´s time to leave some kind words about the following old demotunes too. METAL FORCE is one of this typic diamons. One listen and you can´t forget em. What else as pure HEAVY METAL could stand behind cuts as ARMAGGEDON and WARRIOR OF THE NIGHT..Once more I keep listen exact the famous guitar work inside the solo of WARRIOR OF THE NIGHT. Also the fast arranged KILL THE BEAST is an absolute homage to our favorite style. Ahhh, keep listen the lyrics of FREEDOM CALL if LAURO spreads the magic words THE SOUND OF METAL IS REIGNING THROUGH THE AIR ... !!! A fool would be this one which thought it couldn´t be better after this hymn. Of course it works. SURVIVORS is another high kaliber. Slight old JUDAS PRIEST influences let me go insane too. Let´s the guitars scream untill the smashing doublebass banger HEADBANGERS let you run in circles. POWERSTEEL is then the last cut in the awaited style. Yeäh headbangers of the world unite !!! Give this band your full support. To order their album check out their www.myspace.com/powersteelband website or take a look at www.metaleros.de and www.hellbentforrecords too. Latest pitty news let me know that LAURO BRITO JR. their fantastic frontmen commit last year at november 10th suicide. This shoking info made me very sad. articel by Gerald Mittinger

STEEL WARRIOR - LEGENDS
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008
Warning! Pure Metal Music! No keyboards and synths on this work! This declaration is printed in fat letters on the last site of the lovely styl CD booklet. It seems the Itajai / Santa Catarina based quartett want´s to be respected on their third release as a real timeless Heavy Metal act. Those who knows the band still from their former publishing ARMY OF THE NIGHT will be confirm with this evidence. So the selection of the following ten hymns to the true steel will be hopefully again a pleasure. WYRD opens the album tight and close to the style of the old HELLOWEEN... !!!Maybe not the best decision to open the album with such a tune. Miles better and of course really outstanding cracks down the powerfull titletrack LEGENDS. It´s great to hear the perfection in this cut. Don´t understand it wrong. Just want to explain that the musicans celebrate this one with a lot of heartblood and fanatism to their beloved style. Yep, will fall on my knees too to listen the real hymn BANG YOUR HEAD. This tune rocks in the best ACCEPT / PRIEST style and made guarante no prisoners. For classic running Heavy Metal and nothing else stands HOLY MURDER. Again on the march strikes the melodic edged but fast arranged THE WITCH AND THE CROSS. Somehow reminds me this fine composition also on such legends as SAVAGE and JAGUAR too. Think the reason is the brilliant guitarwork by BOON YU and ANDRE FABIAN (ANDRE handles also the very good vocallines too). A little bit in the corner of RUNNING WILD tendences then the next rumbler WARLORD SPIRIT. Bombastic and majestic waltz the riffbanger OF LOVE AND MAGIC with slower power through your veins. With a lot of speed and power agitates VODU to one of the highlights on this recording. Yes, it´s true that we can hear in this influences of the old HELLOWEEN but that doesn´t matter. VODU is a really working headbanger. Last but not least ends this fine disc with another homage to the hard music METAL REBEL. It´s funny, cause somehow reminds me this one a little bit on the old glorious times of the SCORPS. However LEGENDS is a good album, worth to listen. Hopefully an exemplar of this album find the way in your collection too. Take a look at their websites www.myspace.com/steelwarriormetal or www.steelwarrior.com.br . articel by Gerald Mittinger

BLAZING DOG - METALLIC BEAST
(BLAZING RECORDS / CD´2009) BRAZIL
Some of you will remember perhaps the band NARCOZE which released with GENOMA back in 2002 an album over CRUZ DEL SUR RECORDS. This band is long history but their vocalist CARLOS SOUSA returns with BLAZING DOG again on the scene. Formed in the capital of their country Brasilia follows the concept of the band the path of traditional classic Heavy Metal. A first look inside the CD cover shows me five longhaired metal warriors in leatherjackets. Yeäh folks this could be promising. Seconds later as I put the disc in the player starts WILL OF STEEL in the good old POWER METAL style the reign. All my hopes are statisfied with this good traditionel opener. BATTLE SPLEN DOUR guides in the second round. Of course again hunting the good in scene placed guitar attacks by GUSTAVO FREITAS and T.R. my tension in higher spheres. After this famous POWER METAL tune follows with SILENT GRAVE a more classic HEAVY METAL orientate piece. ICARUS starts with a impressive guitar harmony. Of course this song isn´t a MAIDEN cover. It´s more or less the introduction to the midtempo marching great tune SUPREME WINGS. The epic arranged ASSASSINS joins also the typic timeless classic HEAVY METAL. Everything fits. Tight wicked drums (DANIEL MARKS) and pumping bassdrops (RENAN GUIMARAES) complete the positive impression about BLAZING DOG. Nothing else more as a good running metal tune celebrates the band then in the genre typic styled cut EASY RIDER. But a big surprise follows with the superb arranged highlight A THOUSAND DEATHS. Imagine a sinister athmosphere with ringing church bells like on a midnight cemetery and a song a little bit in the style of classic KING DIAMOND stories. WASTED BULLETS is a quite impressive powerful ballad. But the metallic nature returns with the selftiteled BLAZING DOG. No matter those metalists adore JUDAS PRIEST too. I can hear clearly an adaption to their heroes inside the great banger INSANE MINDS. By the way this disc contains with DANCE OF SKEPTICS finally a last big trump. Silent and sinister packed with lot´s of emotions starts this hymn untill this cut explodes and show you his real metalic anthem. Fall on your knees and praise this great chapter of classic HEAVY METAL. Keep listen snipnets inside www.myspace.com/blazingdog or take a look at www.blazingdog.net too. articel by Gerald Mittinger

HELLISH WAR - LIVE IN GERMANY
(HELLION RECORDS 0993 / CD´2010) BRAZIL
Back in 2001 released the legendary brasilian label MEGAHARD RECORDS their unforgotten debut DEFENDER OF METAL (which is meanwhile rereleased via PURE STEEL RECORDS). Seven long years later followed finally with HEROES OF TOMORROW their second album at a time as nobody believed that the band is still alive ... !!! Again followed the band there their trademarks to compose strong traditional HEAVY METAL. Last but not least every thing turned from this point in a more sucessful direction for the sympathic quintett from CAMPINAS / SAO PAULO. At first rereleased the german company PURE STEEL RECORDS both albums as remastered double-CD (each album contains also an extra bonus track). But that wasn´t enough. The real dream come true for HELLISH WAR as the came for a little live tour to Europe. The well known metal supporter VOLKER RAABE invate the band to play at his SWORDBROTHERS festival and organized some more gigs in Europe too. During this gigs was it posible to record this live album cause the group had the chance to play twice a time at the the same venue. That´s happen at the RAZORBLADE FESTIVAL during september 18th and 19th´2009 in Datteln / Germany. First of all impress me a lot the good sound of this live recording which is produced, engineered and mixed by their guitarist VULCANO. Of course you couldn´t compare the production with a big budget recording. Especially the drum sound could be better. But believe me it doesn´t matter. If you a follower of classic Heavy Metal with out any disturbing pomp you will love this authenic sounding disc. Yet so far. The set starts tactically perfect with the instrumental BEYOND from their second album untill the hymn HELLISH WAR from the debut opens the reign. Wish I would be there as the band promote as next METAL FOREVER. Ahhh, the guitarwork by DANIEL JOB and VULCANO strikes there without end. Clear that the set contains as next the hymn DEFENDER OF METAL too. Will it be possible to top this absolute insane metal basher in the following set ? Again found the quintett there a good solution to hold the high level and fired direct in line THE SIGN from the debut. Damn the athmosphere is hot and onehundered percent metal to the bone. Finally finds SON OF THE KING from the latest recording his baptism under fire. Insane driven metal stuff for all the crazy banging maniacs is the keyword which describes maybe perfect the live situation. A big huge complement should be spoken about their frontmen ROGER HAMMER (yep this pseudonym rules !!!). Are you ready to destroy ... yes sir DESTROYER a hyper speedy power ladden smasher from HEROES OF TOMORROW makes the thin air even hotter. In the same hyperfast tempo agitates also the colosing chapter and untopable hymn WE ARE LIVING FOR THE METAL (yes we do). This recording is the perfect recommended visitcard for this band. Know it isn´t easy to grab this disc but perhaps you check out the rereleased double-CD. Can´t wait it to hear someone new tracks by this timeless metallists. www.helliswar.com.br as usual too inside www.myspace.com/warhellishwar too and also for your important messages at www.twitter.com/hellishwar . articel by Gerald Mittinger

SEVENT´S SEAL - DAYS OF INSANITY
(HELLION RECORDS HEL 0708 / CD´2009) BRAZIL
Also SEVENT´H SEAL is a long time running act. Founded back in 1995 in SANTO ANDRE / SAO PAULO did they release as so many other hopefulls around the millenium their debut (PREMONITION) on the legendary defunkt MEGA HARD label. Yeäh, without a doubt was this meanwhile hard to get effort a promising start. But the real phenomen is that the band given´t up their hopes and dreams. With RICARDO PERES (ex-FATES PROPHECY) owns the quintett a perfect shouter. No wonder that HELLION RECORDS give this outfit a second chance. No matter the constant lineup (only the position behind the drumsticks is replaced by ROBERTO MORATTI eformerly FORCA) helps them too to made their strong material even transparenter and more authentic. You can hear this forward steps clearly every moment in the following dozen tracks.

SAGITTA - BAD SIGNS
(PRIVATE RELEASE / MCD´2005) BRAZIL

REVIEWS -E-

ruler13 — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:00:55 CDT

ESCLAVITUD - INVOLUCION
(ARENA DIGITAL / CD´2007) ESPANA
This Gran Canaria based traditional metal quartett published with INVOLUCION their first album after several demo cd´s. Very raw and uncut starts the first track SIN PERDON (WITHOUT MERCY). Musically we can hear classic Heavy Metal with an easy touch by IRON MAIDEN. Their singer ADRIAN LUGO has like so many spanish vocalist a good voice. But I can´t imagine why he destroyes in this track with useless shouts the fine phrases. Number two firms under the title EL NUEVO ORDEN (THE NEW ORDER) and now sounds everything perfect. The middle part of this song crowns a long solo part with good guitar harmonies. Buenisimo !!! After this song I changed my opening opinion and joined the band. LIDERER Y DIOSES (LEADERS AND GODS) starts with an arabic sounding intro direct into best classic sounding traditionell Heavy Metal. From the second track till the end of this good album reigns from now on classic Heavy Metal. Sometimes reminds me there especially the bass lines on STEVE HARIS. I apreciate it once again that the band is doing their lyrics in their native language. Perhaps so is the originality and acceptance still present and helps to save the intecridity of this formation. Find out more at their web site under www.esclavitudmetal.com or send some kind words to their contact address and order this disc through esclavitudmetal@hotmail.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

ESTAMPIDA - SIN RENCOR
(PRIVATE PRESS / CD´2008) ESPANA / ARGENTINA
Original starts anything for this great Thrash / POWER METAL band in Argentina. Mean while is the domicil for the quartett Bilbao in the north of Spain. SIN RENCOR is now the first real self released full length album of the group.A short look to the impressive cover artwork will be enough to enflame our metal hearts with lot´s of interest. Yes, and of cour se we aren´t dis appoint about this work. With a short sequenze of a war escenario starts then the first tune SENTIR DOLOR. Musically delivers us here ESTAMPIDA a fine mix of traditional power and thrash metal based in the glory 80ies. GERARDO VALENZUELA is a shouter with a variable voice. It seems that it´s posible for him to scream in dark passa ges similar like the past heroes of NEPAL and HERMETICA from the native country. Ya more I keep listen this over six minutes long track, ya more I like this one. With raw voc als and thrashy guitars acts the fol lowing CALLING TO MY ANGEL. Much more different structured is then GUARDIANS DE MI FE. Beside the suberb guitarwork by the brothers JUAN CRUZ and FRANCO SARLINGA acts this composition very close to the old HERMETICA and the spanish thrashgods LEGION. The middlepart of this tune crowns an incredi ble guitarsolo in the style of the old PRIEST. Like a pounding hammer smash down the a little bit modern styled CROWN OF THORNS. MAS ALLA DEL IIANTO Y EL DOLOR reflects the real high class of the singer GERA RDO VALENZUELA. We can hear there his suberb voice clear and without razorknife sharped raspy sreaming. Yep I like this kind of a thrash power bal lad a lot. Hell yes, we did find here a new category in descibe songs. Even a step closer to the Power Metal genre tendence the hymn BLACK FLAG. One of my favorites of this high class produced album by CARLOS CREATOR is the mixed speed and midtempo banger AN HELO. I am sure every fan of the mighty SLAYER will be confirm with the hyper thrash tune SANTA HEREJIA too. Incre dible how tight works there the rhytmn section of Senor GASTON RETO on the drums and the pounding bass work of GERARDOS brother LUCAS VALENZUELA.This song offers a lot of the future potencial of this original group too. Finally ends this impressive recording furioud with the screaming 80ies Power Metal smasher LA CAIDA DEL PRIMER ANGEL. At this point I will speak out my deep est thanx to the group and their manager DARKKO for all their support and help to be a part of this website. Un abrazo mi hermanos! SIN RENCOR is an album for all the believers of true steel with an affinity to the real 80ies thrash. Support em es much as you can! estampida_5@hotmail.com or www.myspace.com/santaherejia . article by Gerald Mittinger

EDEN - EDEN
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2008) SLOVENIJA
This is the brandnew 2nd album of the former under the old name known FORGOTTEN EDEN from Slovenija. But of luck nothing essential changed in the style, only the band name is minimized. Maybe this is a riscant transaction because many groups used this name in the past too. But I think the band can life with this little problem, cause the songmaterial on this recording is high above about many big productions of today. Maybe some of you remember the review which I had wrote for the first mini album inside the german metal website www.underground-empire.com . No problem if you can´t remember my words. More or less I wrote there that the band is on it´s way to become a big number in the melodic metal circus. Something on the material of this 1´st disc remmebered me on well known scandinavian acts somewhere between EUROPE, TREAT and TAD MOROSE...!!! Never change a winning team. Logical that the new compositions continues in this famous style. Unusal hard starts the album with the great opener STRAIGHT. During I CAN´T WAIT is a fine melodic metal tune with an AOR-ish undertune. Wow, it´s a plea sure to listen such great tracks. It seems that the group found a solution and a way to maximise their style to the next higher level. NIGHTFALLS is then the next example for a famous timeless track in the vain of SURVIVOR and HOUSE OF LORDS. Unbelieveable how tight and perfect this majestic tune warms our hearts. At the first moment reads a title as TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT cheesy and cheap. But it isn´t so it´s just another fine arranged melodic A.O.R./Hard Rocker.I don´t know if it´s a good solution to concentrate the attention on this hyper album on a single track because it´s packed of listenable melodic pearls. Also ELECTRIC NIGHT is somewhere in the circle of the great american melodic Hard and Heavy Rock direction at home. A return to the more scandinavic arranged melodic metal is than IT´S MY LOVE. Like a homage to the late JOHN LENNON and QUEEN acts the grandious rockballad GIRL AND LOVE in my ears. Oh, I like this remindable riff (EDO SABLJAKOVIC on the solo guitar) together with the really strong vocallines by JURE POCKAJ (also the rhytmguitar player) insi de the energetic heavy rocker FINAL a lot. It isn´t a surprise that the album ends with another high class scrambler with the amuse title THE END. For my enjoy contains this highflyer as bonus with KROMPIRJEVA NOC also one composition in their native language too. Of course it´s only the same song as TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT in slovenijan language. but be sure this alternate version mades a lot of mood too. By the way there is no critic on this release. Anything rules perfect and I really hope that there will be soon publish a label this melodic metal pearl for the international market. Untill this will be so far contact the group under www.myspace.com/forgotteneden or take a look at www.forgotteneden.com . I am sure Jerney enjoys also your mail and orders under jerney.pockaj@gmail.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

ETERNAL LEGACY - HE COMING OF THE TEMPEST
(AUBURN RECORDS 1009-2 / CD´2007) UNITED STATES
Cleveland is and will be one of the best states of America for classic US Metal. Untill in the past such acts as BREAKER, SHOCK PARIS, WRETCH or PURGATORY were the topacts of this terretory came up with LICK THE BLADE and even ETERNAL LEGACY new talents. With THE COMING OF THE TEMPEST offers us ETERNAL LEGACY an impressive debut. BILL PETERS their labelboss produced this album together with the original WRETCH guitarist SHAUN VANEK. Together with his brother JASON VANEK which is the rhythm guitarist and vocalist of ETERNAL LEGACY start he up this new US Metal hopefulls. FIRES WRATH starts in a melodic but still energetic style the first round. Grispy vocalparts and the murderous guitarwork in contribution with decent keyboard melodies by SPENCER PHILIPS catch the sensors of every follower of this style. The second tune RISE OF THE DAEMON works similar on this basic. This prescription of the best of US Metal and melodic Euro Metal is a good and effective idea. Especially the keyboard work by SPENCER PHILIPS is really creative. Against a lot of his european companions tries he out new elements. Seperate melody lines by him against the traditionell US Metal foundation made this recording really interessant. Back to the more traditionell US power Metal sound leads us then REALM OF WIND AND ICE. Together with virtuose guitarlicks and a straight ahead rhythm (JOSH GATKA on the four strings and STEVE DUSKOSLOW behind the drums) marches SHADOW OF REVOLUCION on. Athmospheric with a goosebumber effect opens the short instrumental TREMOR the upoming progressive edged overhelming TIME OUT OF MIND. Without a doubt is then THE COMING OF THE TEMPEST one of the absolute highpoints on this disc. It´s difficult to find after such a majestic highflyer again a good follow up. But it seems that this isn´t there really a problem cause the straight US Metal runner METAL ANVIL destroys any doubts. With ONE LAST HOPE hold´s the quintett their standart. CYBERPLAGUE is then another great progressive edged US Metal number and ends the regular playtime. With INTO THE AFTERWORLD contains this sixty minutes long recording last but not least an oustanding balladesc starting melodic US Metal tune. I´m promising what will be the status of this famous band with their next output. www.myspace.com/officialeternallegacy and www.legacymetal.com. To contact the godfather of the Cleveland metal scene take a look at www.auburnrecords.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

ENFORCER - INTO THE NIGHT
(HEAVY ARTILLERY HA5 / CD´2008) SWEDEN
As I remember their set at the SWORDBROTHER´S festival I couldn´t imagine how good could sound this first recording. Unusal for a swedish based band signed them up an US-label. Packaged with a great cover artwork surprise me this fresh sounding debut a lot. With uptempo typic eighties scandinavian Heavy Metal in the style of the old SYRON VANES / TORCH opens BLACK ANGEL the reign. The hectic high pitched runnin vocallines by their vocalist OLOF WIKSTRAND reminds me also on the old RAVEN too. Especially inside the rumbling and smashing following MISTRESS FROM HELL convince me his kind to articulate this song with his markant voice immense. The titletrack INTO THE NIGHT tracks on in the best fast Euro Metal / NWOBHM style. Against the title is the direction of SPEED QUEEN more into the midtempo and galloping style. Great ! We can feel that the members of ENFORCER search for the alternation to create a recomendable recording. With lot´s of pleasure did I enjoy there too the spectacular guitarwork by ADAM ZAARS. Absolute on and on classic Heavy Metal is the keyword of ON THE LOOSE. Without a doubt will catapult this recording the swedes to the top new bands of this recomended style. CITY LIGHTS is a hammering and virtuose instrumental. Speedy and aggressive starts then the fast running but overhelming basher SCREAM OF THE SAVAGE. Again with a little NWOBHM influence runs the great CURSE THE LIGHT to the limit. Finally strikes with EVIL ATTACKER the last speedy riffslasher over our heads. Fast too fast ends this great debut. So we come to my only critic on this superb produced recording the running time. With a short playtime of a little bit over thirtyfive minutes would it be possible to include one more track. But it doesn´t matter. Hurry up to order this impressive disc or the limited vinyl version today. More informations and snipnets could be found under www.myspace.com/enforcerswe . You can reach their vocalist by mail too olofwikstrand722@hotmail.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

ENDYIUM - EYE OF THE STORM
(PRIVATE RELEASE / CD´2009) CANADA
Untill know I´ve didn´t heard about this canadians. But I´m also sure that there nearly unknown status will rapid change with this glorious debut. The Ottawa based quartett started for over ten years as a coverband of eightiess Hard and Heavy music. Of luck changed the quartett around 2002 their opinion and changed to original own material. But it should took seven further long years untill finally EYE OF THE STORM came out. Yep the style didn´t change and ENDYIUM is ready to present us an on and on tradtinell classic Heavy metal output without any disturbing bombast. Their sound is clear to definate in the early untill mid eighties as bands as SWORD, ANVIL, PROBE or BLACK KNIGHT ruled the Canadian scene. Obvious is an influence to the NWOBHM sound too. Did there anybody remember the legendary canadian BREAKER and their album IN DAYS OF HEAVY METAL which was released back around in 1982 ? This culty release reminds in parts a lot on the spirit that spreads ENDYIUM nowadays again. But I think not many of you will know this old heros. So here is my attempt to describe you as best as posible the sound of this out of any trrends acting group. Packed in a dry and unpolished production, perfect in contribution to their style starts FOR GRANTED this production. If you prefer your kind of Heavy Metal without keyboards but with traditionell midtempo arranged guitars and an outstanding vocalist like it their frontmen NATE LEGAULT-ROTH is you will be on the there on the right address. Together with PAT REGNIER handles he also the double lead and ryhthm guitarwork perfect. The set continues with SOLDIER UNBOUND an unique running NWOBHM stalker. Straighter more in the style of the famous canandian metal acts agitated then ETERNITY. Nearly in the same style strikes THE ASSASSIN but it would be to easy to describe this tune simple as another ordinary metal track. No matter THE ASSASSIN offers more. Epic undertows a driven rhythm and a recomendable structure like in the haydays of HEAVY METAL !!! Hunting and driven riffs leads the classic rocker FAMOUS LAST WORDS. During EYE OF THE STORM is without a doubt a great timeless metal hymn. If I wouldn´t know it better I would think ENDYIUM wrote the cut KICK IT DOWN somewhere in 1984. Don´t write this to scorn the quartett. In opposite I congratulate em for such a fine metal breath. What else as another typic metal hymn could hide behind a slogan as REVENGE. Big theater promise us then the epic and theatralic arrenged megatune TO DIE OR TO BE FREE. Just listen to the incredible solo of this runner and all your metal dreams will be statisfied. SOLITUDE is then more a moody heavy rock tune which reminds me a little bit on the good old TRIUMPH. Think it will be difficult for ENDYIUM to top this superb debut with their next album. Don´t miss this fine disc in your collection. www.myspace.com/endyium or for merchandise and informations about the history of the band www.endyium.com . articel by Gerald Mittinger

ELITA 5 - BARDH E ZI
(PRIVATE PRESS / CD´2004) ALBANIA
First of all this a review only for tolerante music lovers. ELITA 5 is a band with a wide range in their reportoire. Musically we find there at one hand melodic hard and heavy rock and at the other side also influences from the folky music of their country. So for example the second track ANI MOYE MAJRA is such a compostion. But only some tracks are really a little bit in the hard and heavy terretory. This songs are as best to describe as a mixture between TREAT, EUROPE , DIVILJE JAGODE with influences by the past heroes DEEP PURPLE and WHIESNAKE. Sometimes are bluesy elements involved too into their sound. Interesant sounds also a homage to one of the greatest bands on this earth QUEEN. I´m sorry but I can´t give you in lack of exist there a contact or web address. The only additional information is that the band released before another album and that there should exists also a DVD with some studio and live tracks too. If there is under our readers someone who knows more about ELITA 5 or the Albanian Hard and Heavy scene, please feel free to contact me. Finally a long time after I wrote this article I find out that the band emigrate to the United states. There exsists a little myspace portal where it will you able to keep listen some songs. But it seems that the group a long time didn´t actulize their site. www.myspace.com/elita5alb . article by Gerald Mittinger

EYEFEAR - A WORLD FULL OF GLORY
(DOCKYARD 1 / CD´2007) AUSTRALIA
I am lucky that this young label signed up one of my favorite australian melodic progressive power metal bands. After the record ings EDGE OF EXITENCE and DAWN ... A NEW BEGINNING in the mid nineties untill to the fantastic 9 ELEMENTS OF INNER VISION back in 2004 is this their fourth release. Call it epic, progressive or majestic ...however you describe it. EYEFEAR is a fantastic band. Never their song material sounding cheesy or a single second uninspired. Behind the strong vocalist Danny Cecati standing efective working musicans.The guitarist Con Papazoglou plays close to the keyboarder Sammy Giaccotto. Another big plus for EYEFEAR is that the use the keyboards as an outstanding instrument. Never the sound would work so good without this instrument. I don´t want praise any of the songs especial on this album cause everyone of them is a little masterpiece. Hopefully the band reach with this album a wide audience. I also hope for live presence in europe too. So drop them imidetialy a line and call em for an european tour www.eyefear.com or hear more inside www.myspace.com/eyefear from the band. article by Gerald Mittinger

ELIMINATOR - WE RULE THE NIGHT
(THE FORCE /FO06CD ´2011) UNITED KINGDOM
Exact what´s starts circa two years ago finish in perfection this english band too. The phenomen about I talk is the reunion of the classic eighties Heavy Metal. Ya know relative young acts as ENFORCER, CALDERONE, HOLY GRAIL, HELVETETS PORT, ZÜÜL or WHITE WIZZARD are the top names of this movement. Another great represant of this New Wave of classic Heavy Metal is without a doubt ELIMINATOR from Great Britain too. Don´t know when this LANCASTER based quintett was formed. But WE RULE THE NIGHT is defenetiv there first real output.

EL DRAGON - RESISTIR
(FEUDAL RECORDS / CD´2007) ARGENTINA
It´s a shame. I owe this album now more than a half year, but in lack of time I hadn´t time to listen this new lifesign by EL DRAGON. Like always convince the trio with classic timeless Heavy Metal. To remember the Buenos Aires based trio started back at the mid of the eightiesies. In this long time publish EL DRAGON five great albums. Never they lost their faith in the good old quality Heavy Metal. Today they are without a doubt pioneers in Argentina and the whole south american metal scene too. The album starts with the wicked RESISTIR (RESISTANCE). The running GLADIADOR INMORTAL (INMORTAL GLADIATOR) is a great timeless eighties inspired metal tune. Pure warrior metal is VIENTOS DE GUERRA (WINDS OF WAR). Against TIEMPO DE REVANCHA (TIME OF REVENGE) reminds me on the old classy BARON ROJO... !!! Couldn´t there be a better compliment as to speak in one anthem about this heroes. A fine melody line dominates the heavy rocker CLAMOR NATIVO. Typical argentinian metal feeling spreads EL CONDENADO (THE CONDEMNED) and the strong HERMANO DE FIERRO (BROTHERS OF STEEL). More or less pounding steel is then COLGA DO DEL ABISMO (STANDING ON THE ABYSS). With ten seconds of bluesy guitar starts then CELESTE Y BLANCO (HEAVENLY AND WHITE) before this banger into another infernal heavy track turns. After this speedy tune is it a good idea to end the album finally with the hymn APRETANDO LOS DIENTES (think I could this translate maybe with A SHORT WHISPER). Enough of writing I will give this fine album now a further spin (or two ?) !!!Try your luck and search in the web for www.ELDRAGON.net.ar or drop em under dragolag@hotmail.com your personel contributions, but don´t forget to tell em were you read at first about this great band. article by Gerald Mittinger

EXILED - BLOOD SEA
(HELLION RECORDS / CD´2007) UNITED STATES
After a long timeout returns this great band finally again with another fine release.Beside z strong vocalist JOHN CASON and the founder member EROL EMKIC (guitars) and ROB ERWIN (bass) changed the position behind the drums to Mr. MIKE ALEXANDER.But this was luckly the only change by EXILED. The only difference to the former published albums is that the new one offers untill now the best tracks from the US Arizona based quartett. Timeless US Power Metal deter mine from the beginning the album. An opening metal cleaner like FIRE ACROSS THE LAND let me love this album from the start. Without any stop follows the poun ding hammer FOOLS GOLD. After this strong 80ies US Power Metal tune with remin dable choruslines convince the fast riff breaker CIRCLE OF VIOLENCE. Unbelieve able how tight EROL EMKIC plays there his guitarparts. At the beginning of this review I wrote that the song material on this recording is timeless. Believe me every singleword is true. Without any trends, keyboards or other ballast celebrates this band the real metal. US Power Metal in the style of the legendary bands of the 80ies like OMEN, BLOODLUST or COMMANDER. The reign rags on with the US metal hymn THE KINGDOM HAS FALLEN. Rather JOHN CASON use his voice in the long tradition of fabolous metal vocalists from his country. Another neckbreaker contin ues with THE MEDIEVAL CHANT. A gasp then for anthem in face of the mighty title track. Killing time in the old JAG PANZER style handles UNITED IN BLOOD SHED. Powerful and strong acts THEY SPOKE TO US. Oh my god, could sound US Power Metal every time better as here ??? The final chapter ends with the tragic story about the warcrimes in Srebrenica. The song firms under the title THE WORLD STOOD STILL and beside the great epic power metal concept transport the lyrics a message to remember this terrible genocide in Bosnia. I am sure every US Power Metal / Metal maniac will be sooner or later a fanatic fan for this suberb group. Find out more informations via: www.myspace.com/Exiledkills . article by Gerald Mittinger

ETANISIS - EL ULTIMO GUERRERO
(AGORA DISCOS / CD´2007) MEXICO
The stock of new melodic metal acts in this country is limitless. Also ETANISIS is a replicant of this genre. But to justice wright about this quartett from Mexico City it needs a bit more as the usual seasonings. The band startet in 2001 and EL ULTIMO GUERRERO is their 2nd disc. If you put in the disc in your player and you have the will and energy to survive the first keyboard overladden intro (OBERTURA) the album starts with the histo ric arranged titletrack. Of course behind the cuts stands a concept story about the golden maya epoche before the conquistadores conquer this country. EL ULTIMO GUER RERO is the titletrack based on this story line.Mu
sically offers this track a mixture of modern symphonic metal parts in combination with melodic metal. Notice able is the extra ordinary vocal acrobat ALEJANDRO DURAN. The next cut EL VIAJERO VOLVIO offers then the real class of the band. This composition is in first degree a good melodic power metal track with a minimum of keyboard parts. Again REBELLION SIN CONCESIONES leads this positive concept to a perfect solution. Drama tic and energetic convince this composition. Similar in the style of another great mexican band TANTRA is the follow ing SIN MIEDO A MORIR arranged. After the weak beginning of the album turns it now more into a class melodic metal disc.Some times reminds me the songs on a latin vesion of PRAYING MANTIS or TEN. After the impressive with lots of tristes and pain intro duced instrumental part LAMENTO DE TENOCHTITLAN starts ano ther intelligent arranged melodic tune LA CAIDA DEL SOL. Faster agitate the group in GERMINAL. The last chapter firms under SANGRE Y SED. After a good keyboard intro ducion by senor ARMAN DO VILLALOBOS shows us ETANISIS once again their full spectrum to create catchy songs.By interest find out more under www.etanisis.com or keep listening inside www.myspace.com/etanisis some of the tracks. article by Gerald Mittinger

ELAN - IMPULSO VIDAL
(TRIPLE A-METAL / AVISPA CD´2007) ESPANA
I ow this album now a couple of time. By the first listening I was a bit sceptic about this release. No matter the definate direction of ELAN is clear. The keyword is neoclassical metal in contribution with genre typical arrangements from the symphonic metal scene. This all reads unspecta cular if there would be not an unique note inside the composi tions. With every spin offers this album more of his details and musi cal adventures. During the opener HACIA LA ETERNIDAD handles still in the bombastic neoclassical reign displace this scenario positive in the following MI SILEN CIO. Energetic with a perfect production from ALBERTO ARDINES catch this hymn fast your sense. One listen and you will never forget this melody. I don´t know if you can imagine if the famous HEROES DEL SILENCIO would play this kind of melodic metal and use there dramatic pro duced parts. If you could conform with such an imanigery maybe it´s possible for you to understand this new opened musical corner. LOCURA O LEALTAD follows also too in this melo dramic neoclassic direction. EXTRANA REALIDAD is a title which works together with balladesc parts and powerfull arranged metal. With lots of proud and bombast reigns LA TRAGEDIA DE AROU SA. Beside the very good guitar work from senor ADRIAN MENDOZA convince this pro duction in first line with the suberb vocalist MARIO CAMPS. Heroic but hard edged strikes CARA A CARA (HEAD FOR HEAD)and underline that ELAN is still a real metal band. Close to the gegular spanish metal scene acting SIN HONOR and VERDAD OCULTA. Similar as somr of the son gs which I mentio ned you before is the fast running PARAISO PERDIDO arranged before the album with another good metal track LUZ EN TU MIRADA ends.Believe me this disc have a lot of good moments and it´s worth to discover. Take a look to their website under: www.elan.com.es . article by Gerald Mittinger

EL ATRIO - EN BATALLA
(ANCESTRAL RECORDS AR0004 / CD´2006) ARGENTINA
In the battle of metal rise a new fantastic metal band in the land of the gauchos. Enough with bad jokes. Never before I heard anything about this band from Argentinas capitol Buenos Aires. After a short impression from a medival battle starts this melodic power metal act with the working titletrack. Uhh, I couldn´t believe it. From zero to one hundred I´m an absolute follower for this new group. Melodic but without any disturbing ballast contains this release a bunch of suberb compositions. Behind the nearly eight minutes long titletrack EL BATALLA (THE BATTLE) follows with EL VINO DE LA VIDA (THE VINE OF LIFE) direct a melodic metal pearl in the great tradition of such latin Heavy Metal leaders as IRA the old RATA BLANCA, SELIDOR or LEYENDA. The next opulent cut is then the epic monster TORMENTA. This compositions starts with a dreampart of guitars. Of course before I forget nearly all tracks are composed by the two guitarists DANIEL TUCKY OLARTE and DIEGO MACHADO. During the lyrics are completly written by their vocal acrobat MARCELLO RUIZ. Continue runs this dramatic and epic arranged song over the long distance from over nine minutes without nearby a single second of boredom. Fresh and timeless runs then SUBDITO over the winning line too. For example also EL REY (THE KING) and LA CUADRA are songs in this winning direction. MAGICA is a fine and lovely composition but could show more energy and fire. Luckly CHAMUYO follows again the way of the other great songs. I am not sure but I think that the story behind EN BATALLA is more or less a concept. FUEGO EN CIELO (FIRE IN THE SKY) is another running heavy track before the easy symphonic influenced final track CONDOLENCIA triumphal finish this first chapter. More informations can you find under their website www.elatriometal.com.ar or drop em a line via info@elatriometal.com . Perhaps another posability to get this album is to contact their record company www.ancestralrecords.com.ar . I heard that this relative new company published a couple more interesant groups in the last time. article by Gerald Mittinger

EKZISTENCIA - THE STORM MASTER
(METALISM/STROMSPELL REC. CD´2007) UKRAINE
The label categorize this Ukraine based band under the banner of Euro Power Metal for fans of SONATA ARCTICA, ALTARIA and also the Ukrainian melodic masters CONQUEST. Generell is this the wright des cribtion because the song material is close to the neo symphonic metal scene. After the mystic spoken intro through the female singer OLGA AWDEEVA starts the album with the fast running double bass number MYSTERY OF THE UNDER GROUND CASTLES. Beside keyboard parts share OLGA her vocallines perfect with the male voice acrobat ROMAN LUKIJANCUK. Of course all lyrics are handled and interprate in russian language. For me sounds this impressive cut close like a composi tion from the symphonic masters STRATOVA RIOUS in their haytime. WIZARDS´ RETRIBU TION acts in a litle bit more modify style but follows the symphonic metal vain too. With russian/ukrain folky undertones starts the class compo sition FREE DOM´S CALL. Smooth harmonied starts then a dual female/male powerballad THE RAINBOW QUEEN. This great sounding track impress me a lot. Then we enjoy with NECROPOLIS symphonic metal with an ukrainian folk influence.Maybe this is not the strongest track on this relea se but the following titletrack returns with an more unique style by the use of different tempo and alternate female/male parts. THE LAND OF DEAD WARRIORS is a melancholy ballad with female vocals only by OLGA AWDEEVA. In change delivers THE HEIR TO THE BLACK THRONE another speedy symphonie in the three minute tact. With battlecry starts the final composition THE LAST BATTLE a diverse sounding depressive midtempo stumper. For more infos and news click to www.ekzistencia.com . article by Gerald Mittinger

EIDYLLION - SECRETOS
(PRIVATE RELEASE / DIGIPACK CD´2007) ARGENTINA
Wow,what a surprise. After an absence of six long years returns this Buenos Aires bas ed quartett with a new album. More or less is this now a new band. Because the only origi nal founding member from the first recor ding is the guitarist FEDERICO FENIZI. But this isn´t a bad solution. Again convince the argentinians with a strong mix of progressive arranged parts in contribution with fine shaped melodic metal in the style of ANGRA, SYMPHONY X and KAMELOT and the godfathers RATA BLANCA.The elegant opener MEN DIGO DE ILUSIONES underlines this describtion well. In the follow conti nues this song an original styled intstrumental / solopart which reminds me on complex arrangements from RUSH and YES.With the next track EN MI VOZ enters the group around the fantastic singer DIEGO VALDEZ the stage with an airplay posible tune. In the same melodic har mony attract DESPIERTA DEL DOLOR the listener. The following SECRETOS pleases me with slight neo classical guitar impressions immens good. Hard edged guitars crowns the melodic pear VUELA MAS ALTO untill UNA VEZ MAS rules with the magic of a good power ballad. With lots of pathos, epic moments and again a touch of neo classical influences surprise SECA TUS LAGRI MAS ( DRY YOUR TEARS) . My favorite track HOY RENACERAS (TODAY REBORN) is another bombas tic earcatcher somewhere between the new RATA BLANCA and easy influences from DREAM THEATER.Of course his group isn´t a band for the hard moments in the life. EIDYLLION is a fantastic team of musica ns with the talent to write emotio nal and harmonic songs. Back to the roots of the compositions from the first album in an up to date modus leads us the strong arranged AL BORDE TU INFIERNO. After this ten regular compositions serves the group with the bonus track a real special surprise. i don´t know how much of the rea ders of this website remember one of the Pop/Rock hymns of the 80ies by the Australian singer JOHN FARNHAM. His song YOU´RE THE VOICE is also today constant in airplay by the radio statio ns around the globe. Those ho knows the song will remind the fantastic voice of JOHN FARNHAM. But believe me the vocallines by DIEGO VALDEZ are perfect. He intro tunes this song very close to the original. Also the key boards samples from FREDERICO FENIZI programed too and the bass and drum parts (FABRIZIO QUIYOTAY and GUILLER MO BERTINAT) are perfect in line. Senor FENIZI brought in only his own guitarstyle. Unbelieveable. I am sure, that JOHN FARNHAM would be im pressed from this version of his bigest hit too. Beside this cool piece of music is the disc lovely packaged with a voluminate booklet inside a digipack. Whatelse more did we need to be lucky... www.eidyllion.com.ar . e- mail the group and let em know that they are no longer a secret under eidyllion@fullzero.com.ar . article by Gerald Mittinger

ELTHARIA - LEGEND OF THE FORGOTTEN WORLD
(RRC RECORDS 2011 / CD´2004) FRANCE
Sometimes I wonder about my own prejudices. ELTHARIA is a young french based unique metal band. It´s not easy to definate clear their style. So we are back by my prejudices against anything what sound a little bit in the direction of the so called symphonic metal reign. By the way ELTHARIA isn´t just another smphonic metal clone hyped act. The Grenoble based sixtett try to find a very own unique style with this first more or less pri vate released concept album. The fantasy concept behind LEGEND OF A FORGOTTEN WORLD start with a typi cal short bombastic and heroic introduction. Beside contains the lovely styled cd booklet a background story about the place where everything happens...Avargarde.The first real composition AND ALL BEGAN HERE runs than over seven minutes without any boring moments. A fine combination of traditional speedy Heavy Metal and fine elements of symphonic undertones let the music consumer besteady listen. PIERRE CARABALONA is an unusal vocalist for this type of music. His dominate voice ranks in the midranged style and helps too for a wide attraction in the compositions. The bombastic arranged KINGS´S GHOST turns more into a classic arrang ed melodic metal tune during the soloparts are filled with speedy guitars. A good idea. A NEW AGE HAS COME starts mystic with the lovely female voice by KALLAGNANI BOUVASY untill the track turns in the good old tradi tion of HELLOWEEN. In the same style but much faster runs VAMPIRE HUNTER. I don´t know if the keyboard ar tist LAURE ROUEL is a fulltime member of ELTHARIA.But she is doing her job there well.Another good solution for an atractive songwriting follows than with the epic and bombastic semi powerballad MY ANGEL EXISTS.Similar like the introduction by some known neoclassical guitar heroes (JEAN-YVES GIRARD and BENJAMIN NICOLINO) starts THE TRAGIC GRAND REUNION. In the next moment change the track for a short while into RHAPSODY arrangements to turn finally into a heroic melodic metaltune. Strange, but with a lot of success! I also like the speedy instrumental TOWARD THE DARK ANCIENT RUINS. With PARALLEL WORLDS contains this production a more then ten minutes long running metal epos. Of course everybodies taste is different. But without a doubt is PARALLEL WORLDS the most exiciting composition on this album. Also not of bad habits ends the disc with the marching ANGEL´S TEARS in the traditional metal style. www.eltharia.fr.tc . article by Gerald Mittinger

ETERNITY - ALMA ERRANTE
(SANTO GRIAL RECORDS CD´2008) ESPANA