- Nov 24, 2002
- 14,107
- 157
- 63
- 57
Well I guess all good things come to an end. And buying CDs easily online is one of them. Soon I'll be flying home where dollars are expensive, euros are a dream and CDs most probably will be a luxury out of my income possibilities
Anyway, I ended on a high note (IMO) and that's what it counts.
Dream Evil - "The Book Of Heavy Metal" : third year in a row that what started as a side prokect I guess has transform in a true band commited to carry on the flame of true heavy metal in the vein that Judas Priest, Saxon, Mesmerize and Majesty (to name a few) trying to do it.
The band looks (in the booklet) seems darker and coming out from Mad Max or The Chronicles Of Riddick
, but the music speaks for itself. The formula is the same as its previous efforts, no surprises, no deviations, no evolution or involution (I guess that AC/DC and Motorhead has proved long ago that stick to a formula works). The vocals courtesy of Niklas Isfeldt are as energetic as always, but I detect a slight moire polished work in Gus G guitar playing (especially in the soloing). Snowy Shaw besides the pounderous drumming contributes extensively to the composition, which is really good, because the guy knows the business (look at Memento Mori as an example). All songs are catchy and melodic, 'Chosen Twice' uses a nice chorus and the lyrics are evily cheesy but the song is so nice that if you don't read it you may even believe is a damn symphonic ballad
In general terms the lyrics a no brainers, but if i look for intelligent ohilosophy I would like elsehwere not in a solid metal album like this. The only ballad will be the long (8:23) ending 'Unbreakable Chain'. In any case, third in a row and no misses yet.
This version comes with a DVD with images of the live tour 2003 (including live footage etc) and the making of the new album, plus a CD-ROM video in the main CD.
Skyclad - "A Semblance Of Normality" : The album is very different from all predecessors, not only in the vocals and lyrics (Martin is no longer here), but also in the approach to the music. The opener 'Intro/Do They Mean Us?' is very folky/metal Skyclad, the next one ('A Good Day to Bury Bad News') is much more heavy metal and less folky, then 'Anotherdrinkingsong' goes back to standard Skyclad on the "Vintage Whine", "Irrational Anthems" style, mixing power, folk and classic metal. The album develops nicely song after song until 'Ten Little Kingdoms' come the song goes fast and heavy with half declamation (I wouldn't call it rappping) and have chorus. The guitar is fierce and except of a little soft change in the middle the song goes kind of thrashy/punk (like a soft Warfare). The rest of the album continues up to the end again in the vein of "Irrational Antems" or "Vintage Whine" (IMO). Martin may not be here, and the original thrash approach of "The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth" isn't here either, but the album is a dignifying to the band history as any other one. If they can continue holding on this path, we'll have Skyclad for many more years.
Production of course always in Kevin's hands and mixing by Dario Mollo (yeah the same guy that works with Tony Martin in The Cage project).
Some of you may have regrets for this one, buy I'll say this ain't "Factor X" or "Jugulator", have no fear Skyclad still here.
Ayreon - "The Human Equation" : Usually Arjen Lucassen's project get the top line, but this year Wolf, Manigance and Maledicition are kicking so much butt that poor Arjen in all his greatness can't go to top one
Since Hawk wrote much more about it in another tread I'm going to limit my presentation here.
The vocal works stole the spotlight, Akerfeldt can deliver the most melodic soft vocals and growls almost worhty of Corpsegrind Fisher. The newcomer Bocio have a beautiful voice and Baker plays the evil father with an extraordinary energy and dark edge. And James LaBrie sounds better than in any Dream Theater album IMO.
The album comes as 2 CD in a jewel case, plus a DVD with all the work of the album, interviews, etc., on a slim case, both inside a nice box (standard size).
If you are an Ayreon fan this will give you exactly ehat you want, if you are not a fan yet or familiar with his work I'll recommend "Into The Electric Castle" and "The Universal Migrator 1&2" as beginners.
Anyway, I ended on a high note (IMO) and that's what it counts.
Dream Evil - "The Book Of Heavy Metal" : third year in a row that what started as a side prokect I guess has transform in a true band commited to carry on the flame of true heavy metal in the vein that Judas Priest, Saxon, Mesmerize and Majesty (to name a few) trying to do it.
The band looks (in the booklet) seems darker and coming out from Mad Max or The Chronicles Of Riddick
This version comes with a DVD with images of the live tour 2003 (including live footage etc) and the making of the new album, plus a CD-ROM video in the main CD.
Skyclad - "A Semblance Of Normality" : The album is very different from all predecessors, not only in the vocals and lyrics (Martin is no longer here), but also in the approach to the music. The opener 'Intro/Do They Mean Us?' is very folky/metal Skyclad, the next one ('A Good Day to Bury Bad News') is much more heavy metal and less folky, then 'Anotherdrinkingsong' goes back to standard Skyclad on the "Vintage Whine", "Irrational Anthems" style, mixing power, folk and classic metal. The album develops nicely song after song until 'Ten Little Kingdoms' come the song goes fast and heavy with half declamation (I wouldn't call it rappping) and have chorus. The guitar is fierce and except of a little soft change in the middle the song goes kind of thrashy/punk (like a soft Warfare). The rest of the album continues up to the end again in the vein of "Irrational Antems" or "Vintage Whine" (IMO). Martin may not be here, and the original thrash approach of "The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth" isn't here either, but the album is a dignifying to the band history as any other one. If they can continue holding on this path, we'll have Skyclad for many more years.
Production of course always in Kevin's hands and mixing by Dario Mollo (yeah the same guy that works with Tony Martin in The Cage project).
Some of you may have regrets for this one, buy I'll say this ain't "Factor X" or "Jugulator", have no fear Skyclad still here.
Ayreon - "The Human Equation" : Usually Arjen Lucassen's project get the top line, but this year Wolf, Manigance and Maledicition are kicking so much butt that poor Arjen in all his greatness can't go to top one
Since Hawk wrote much more about it in another tread I'm going to limit my presentation here.
The vocal works stole the spotlight, Akerfeldt can deliver the most melodic soft vocals and growls almost worhty of Corpsegrind Fisher. The newcomer Bocio have a beautiful voice and Baker plays the evil father with an extraordinary energy and dark edge. And James LaBrie sounds better than in any Dream Theater album IMO.
The album comes as 2 CD in a jewel case, plus a DVD with all the work of the album, interviews, etc., on a slim case, both inside a nice box (standard size).
If you are an Ayreon fan this will give you exactly ehat you want, if you are not a fan yet or familiar with his work I'll recommend "Into The Electric Castle" and "The Universal Migrator 1&2" as beginners.
I love bands that don't take themselves seriously (a lesson for the tr00 idiots :Spin: )
I'm sure is not going to be that bad, but again until I scan the field I don't know what I'm against it.
