All right, time to rate.
Dio - Lock Up the Wolves: 4/10
Honestly, this is rather boring. It's far from what Dio was capable of and a lot of his solo work was better than this. I did like some parts of it (mostly due to his usually excellent vocals) but those moments are strung together by some sections that don't really go anywhere. All in all, kind of disappointing.
Summoning - The Rotten Horse on the Deadly Ground: 5.5/10
This is actually one of the weaker parts of
Stronghold, in my opinion. Besides, I liked
Minas Morgul more so...take that for what it's worth.
Slauter Xstroyes - Winter Kill: 8.5/10
Wow. I've heard about this band but heard a lot of negative criticism. Looks like it was quite poorly founded. This track is great. Not to mention that there is some really fantastic lyricism here too. Got to love some good ol' fashioned U.S. prog/power. The scene that keeps on giving.
Virgin Steele - The Raven Song: 8/10
This is actually one of my favorite songs from this band.
Winter Kill kind of edged it out by rating due to the new introduction of it.
Helloween - Eagle Fly Free: 9/10
This whole album and this track are great. Helloween isn't my favorite band in the genre but they did well here. Kiske's vocals are on point here as well.
Forest of Harambe - Under the Sign of Harambe: 0/10
Fuck this meme, the drooling moron of a child that spawned it, and the gorilla that it rode in on.
King's Ransom - Caged Animals: 8/10
Awesome riffs, a great vocalist, and great atmosphere. Fantastic work, overall. I'll have to check the rest of this band's material out.
Bathory - The Stallion: 8/10
Quite a list so far. Not my favorite track from this era of Bathory but I really like it, nonetheless. Shit to kill trolls and explore mystical icy tundras to.
Skepticism - The Gallant Crow: 4/10
Started liking it at first until I realized that this cool intro ended up being
the entire track.
Exodus - Piranha: 9.5/10
One of my favorite songs off
Bonded by Blood. Excellent.
Gaza - Mostly Hair and Bones Now: 3.5/10
All of us are better off listening to
Remission. This is just boring.
The Obsessed - Sodden Jackal: 8/10
Great stuff.
Obliteration - Goat Skull Crown: 5/10
Fairly middling.
Destroyer 666 - Unchain the Wolves: 5/10
This was just mediocre. Kind of disappointing too seeing as how much I liked the last submission. Gave it a 9 as well, if I recall correctly. Ugh. Oh, well.
Fairly good list here. Thanks, guys.