melodic metal

(8/10) „The Induction“ is the result of one and a half years of songwriting, leading to five tracks that ended up on the tracklist of Secret Society‘s new EP. Secret Society is a power metal outfit, hailing from Sweden. I have to admit that I haven‘t heard of the band earlier but what I got to hear sounded really good.

Secret Society could manage some guest appearances for the album, guys that have a solid reputation in rock and metal. Rick Altzi contributed to this release and so did former Metal Church singer Ronny Munroe. Troy Norr, Paul Sabu and Joe Basketts are three more well-known musicians that added to this release and all the effort pays back. „The Induction“ is a pretty cool melodic power metal record that features excellent riffs and catchy melody lines. Things never get too sweet and lazy since the band constantly pushes the pedal to the metal. The awesome monster is on example, but also the powering „Mental Mayhem“ belongs to the best melodic metal brought up to surface since quite a while.

The uptempo opener sets the tone of voice for what to expect from this release, an EP that doesn‘t include a downer. „Broken by Design“ reduces the pace a bit and got a darker vibe before „Waysted“ stands for the Grand finale without taking any prisoners.

This EP belongs to the surprises and even though it stays a mystery who’s part of this outfit it‘s obvious that everybody involved knows what to do for having excellent metal songs on this irresistible release.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. The Induction - Broken Crutch
2. Monsters
3. Mental Mayhem
4. Broken By Design
5. Waysted

Label: Self-released

Genre: Melodic Power Metal

Release Date EU: May 5^th, 2018

https://www.facebook.com/secretsocietyofficialband/

(8/10) Eternal Flame released two longplayers at the end of the 90’s / beginning of 2000 before the band announced their disbanding. Ten years after the second album “King of the King” was released it was singer/guitarist Michael Schinkel and Helmut Kohlpaintner who re-ignited Eternal Flame. Another six years later the metal world can welcome Eternal Flames next longplayer “Smoke on the Mountain” and I don’t think that the title, combining “Smoke on the Water” and Man on the Silver Mountain”, is a coincidence. 

„Ignition“ is the narrative intro to the album and is followed by the title track. Uptempo guitars and furious leads remind of new-classic metal a la Yngwie Malmsteen. The song is an excellent opener, helping the album to get out of the boxes extremely well. What also stands out are the excellently done vocals by Schinkel, going together with his guitar play very well.

The neo classic vibe continue through-out the entire album but it‘s the opener that unveils the source of inspiration the best. Step by step it‘s classic rock and metal that takes over the scene. Here and there I had to think of the later Rainbow („Got a Rock’n’roll Fever“ & „Close to the End“), Deep Purple („Queen of the Hill“ and „Dreaming“). Jonny Logan‘s „Danger Zone“ sounds like having been the inspiration for the beginning of „Whatcha Gonna Do“. 

„Smoke on the Mountain“ might not re-invent the wheel. It‘s the execution that‘s convincing - from a song writing aspect as well as from a production point of view. „Smoke on the Mountain“ is a great album for friends a traditional metal that‘s built on well-crafted hooks, excellent leads and melodic vocals. Worth to spin this album.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Ignition
2. Smoke on the Mountain
3. This is My Life
4. Queen of the Hill
5. You Can Save Me
6. Whatcha Gonna Do
7. I Believe in This Miracle
8. Got a Rock‘n‘Roll Fever
9. Out in the Dark
10. Dreaming
11. Take Me There For a Night
12. Tease My Love
13. Close to the End

Label: Rock Of Angels Records

Genre: Classic Rock

Release Date EU: May 18^th, 2018

(7/10) It was the 90’s peak of gothic metal and the evolving female-fronted symphonic metal some years later that acted as a source of inspiration for South Tyrolean drummer Mirko Montresor to start a band that he named Alight. This happened in 2005 and since then the release of the band’s debut and some line-up changes took place. The latter has been the hinder for using the debut and several tours as a springboard for reaching a wider crowd of fans.

It looks like the stormy days are over here and now. The band from Bozen, Italy signed a contract with El Puerto Records and it’s the sophomore album “Spiral of Silence” that will be available in the record stores almost nine years after the debut hit the shelves.

The band’s second album features ten new songs, representing the earlier mentioned roots and inspiration. Tracks like the opener “Spiral of Silence” are good melodic metal tunes. Alight never gets too soft and sugar sweet. There is enough firepower for metalheads embedded in each of the songs without getting too heavy either. Guitars are present as well as keyboards create a melodic foundation for songs like “Psiche”.

The album doesn’t need a lot of loops to reveal some beauty. Tracks like the catchy “Lost in the Past” bloom immediately since one thing is for certain – the band has a great sense for harmonies and hooks. Last but not least the entire album sounds quite modern and I was reminded more than once of Swedish Drain STH in their “Simon Says”-days as well as I had to think of Lacuna Coil.

All in all I can conclude that “Spiral of Silence” is gloomy rocking record with songs that will not win an innovation award, but catches you with hooks and melodies, both hard to resist.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Spiral of Silence
2. The Portal
3. Psiche
4. Lost In The Past
5. Walk To the Line
6. Roses in the Dusk
7. The Shame
8. Look Closer
9. Absence of Essence
10. Let Me Touch the Horizon

Label: El Puerto Records

Genre: Gothic Metal

Release Date EU: April 27^th, 2018

(*/10) If you didn’t live under a rock for the last 30 years, Dokken is a band you at least heard of. Don Dokken, George Lynch and Co. were extremely successful during the 80’s. Records such as “Under Lock and Key” and “Tooth and Nail” belong to the finest hour of melodic metal and it was the contribution of the title track to the “Nightmare at Elm Street 3 – Dream Warriors” movie that marked the all-time high of this legendary band from California.

Unfortunately success couldn’t be maintained, mainly due to conflicts and different opinions and different musical directions. Line-up changes followed, band members started new project/bands and some comebacks have been tried out too, with the latter never getting close to the magic moments of the mid 80’s.

What was as remarkable as unexpected was a show Dokken performed in the original line-up at the 2016 edition of Loud Park Festival in Japan. Don Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson, and Mick Brown played an entire show that night and captured the moment on CD and DVD.

The current live album reminds of Dokken’s first live album “Beast in the East” which was recorded in Japan too. Even though the setlist slightly differs it’s classics like “Unchain the Night”, "When Heaven Comes Down” and “In My Dreams” that built the core of the show. This live album is a nostalgic one that brings back the good vibes from thirty years ago with a Don Dokken sounding much better than what fans partly got hear over the last years - even though the old days are gone.

To spice things up the album also includes with “It’s Another Day” a new studio track that quite OK without having a big real wow-effected. “Heaven Sent” and “Will the Sun Rise” complete the release, both being done in an acoustic version.

“Return to the East – Live” became a good live album with songs that are milestones in melodic metal. However, I still prefer the first four studio albums and the “Beast in the East” live release.

(*/10)

Tracklist:

1. It’s Another Day (New Studio Track)
2. Kiss Of Death
3. The Hunter
4. Unchain The Night
5. When Heaven Comes Down
6. Breakin’ The Chains
7. Into The Fire
8. Dream Warriors
9. Tooth And Nail
10. Alone Again (Intro)
11. Alone Again
12. It’s Not Love
13. In My Dreams
14. Heaven Sent (Acoustic Studio Bonus Track)
15. Will The Sun Rise (Acoustic Studio Bonus Track)

Label: Frontiers Music

Genre: Melodic Metal

Release Date EU: April 20^th, 2018

Fifth Angel is one of the best melodic Heavy Metal bands of all times! Both their first two albums are true classics and have stood the test of time easily.

Fifth Angel released their self-titled debut album in 1986, the successor 'Time Will Tell' was released in 1989. Both albums have been out of print for a while and will get a luxury treatment for these re-issues. Expect the following on release date, May 18th!

Fifth Angel - 'Fifth Angel'
• Digi-CD
• 180g black vinyl
• grey marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 300)
• orange/red splattered vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 200)

Fifth Angel - 'Time Will Tell'
• Digi-CD
• 180g black vinyl
• transparent lime-green vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 300)
• white/black splattered vinyl (EU exclusive - ltd. 200)

(8/10) Fans of bands like The Poodles, Narnia, … look out. Something new is on its way. Members of the mentioned bands, plus some more melodic rock passionitas from Sweden, started Heartwind. The six-piece band releases their debut “Higher and Higher” end of April, featuring eleven excellent rock songs.

Heartwind is the brainchild of longtime friends Goran Engvall and Mikael Rosengren, both envisioning the first ideas of this rock outfit. One thing followed the other and in no time songs were written and a demo was produced. First reactions have been very positive, creating more appetite for recording an album.

Here it is. “Higher and Higher” comprises of eleven rock songs that impress with a great sense for melodies and hooks. The thing is that the sextet from Sweden finds the right balance between catchiness and hardness. The longplayer comes with melodies that stick to your mind from the first spin on the record player. And it has enough edges and rock power to not drift away into cheesy mainstream. “Higher and Higher” is a treat for rock fans and I wonder how high these guys will climb. The debut provides at least a more than solid base for reaching new heights in the coming months and years.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Higher and higher
2. Cry out into space
3. Ready for the moonlight
4. One night away from you
5. Surrounding me
6. Through the light,
7. Too late for roses
8. Creatures of the night
9. Don’t be that girl
10. Your eyes cannot lie
11. Game of love

Label: AOR Heaven

Genre: Melodic Rock

Release Date EU: April 27^th, 2018

(8/10) Don’t ask me how you can give your band a name like Cameltoe. It must have been a fantastic party night that brought this name to people’s mind.

Anyhow, Cameltoe is the name of a band that hails from Trondheim and fortunately it’s the solely the name that is weird and ridiculous. At the end it’s the music that counts and here things are exquisite.

“Up Your Alley” is the band’s first album, following an EP from 2017. I haven’t heard of the band earlier in time and therefore I was looking forward with full curiosity to what will reach my ears with this ten-track longplayer.

The label info sheet compares Cameltoe with bands like Dokken and Ratt. What sounds like a daring comparison actually nails it down pretty well. More than once I had to think of Dokken in their earlier days.

Cameltoe combines heavy guitars, solid riffs and melodic vocal lines to something that works in a perfect fashion. Each of the songs sticks right from the beginning and it doesn’t take you too much effort to get into this longplayer.

The disc doesn’t know a bad song. Check out for example the heavy pounding “Never What It Seems”. How great would it be if Dokken could still right this kind of songs? It’s an amazing dynamic that comes with this song, being a rocking power engine.

Also the calmer tones are charming. “I Always Cared” is the name of such a well-crafted ballad that impresses with a lot of feel and the great vocals by singer Ben Rodgers.

“Up Your Alley” is a positive surprise this year. These five guys from Trondheim inhaled the 80’s melodic metal spirit and transferred it into the here and now. Good stuff, which I like - and maybe a name-change could help to gain more solid ground.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Delusional
2. Screaming My Head Off
3. Never What It Seems
4. Tank Command
5. I Always Cared
6. Twisted Fister
7. Coming Home
8. Devils Soul
9. Rocky Road
10. Spread My Wings

Label: Battlegod Productions

Genre: Hardrock

Release Date EU: March 23^rd, 2018

(8/10) Since a few years Bonfire is gaining more and more momentum again. The latest releases have been all pretty good, showcasing a band that found their way back into the spotlight.

Bonfire these days is very much Hans Ziller, founding member and main driver of the Bavarian metal outfit that celebrated bigger successes in the late 80’s.

Four years ago Ziller had to face a major line-up change. Singer and founding member Claus Lessmann left the quintet from Ingolstadt, Germany and was replaced by former Accept singer David Reece. In 2016 Reece left Bonfire and it was German vocalist Michael Bormann who should have become Bonfire’s new frontman. Due to legal reasons a certain time period needed to be bridged and it was Alexx Stahl who took over vocal duties for the time needed. Unexpectedly things worked more than well and Stahl’s voice fit so good to Bonfire’s sound that the singer became a fix member of the five-piece band. The quintet recorded with “Temple of Lies” their 16^th studio album and it’s the first one with Stahl at the mic.

An intro, entitled “In the Beginning”, sets the stage. It feels like a mixture of Manowar and neo-classic metal that welcomes you before title song takes over. “Temple of Lies” is the first surprise since it blows the speakers with heavy riffs and Stahl presenting his pure metal siren capabilities. I had to get used to the high-pitched vocals since I haven’t expected such a powerful beginning, but already with the second spin I started to really like the tune.

After such a start it’s “On the Wings of an Angel” that brings back the hard rocking Bonfire vibe and it’s the slowly rolling “Feel the Fire (Like the Bonfire)” that could become a classic on Bonfire’s setlist.

These tracks stand pretty much for what you can expect of “Temple of Lies”. Hans Ziller and crew wrote good melodic rockers like “Fly Away” and also “Love the Way You Hate Me” belongs to the specularities on a good rock album. While listening to the album I had to think several times of Axxis since Stahl has partly a similar voice than Bernhard Weiss. And talking about comparisons/influence: am I the only one that hears some Queensryche guitarlines being part of “I’ll Never Be Loved By You”?

Anyhow, “Temple of Lies” is an excellent melodic metal /hardrock album that might not bring a lot of new to the table but satisfies listeners and fans with great melodies, well-crafted hooks, pure power and a really good singer. If you like melodic metal you will like “Temple of Lies” too. The album might not be able to compete with the early Bonfire classics, but it’s getting pretty close.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. In the Beginning
2. Temple of Lies
3. On the Wings of an Angel
4. Feed the Fire (Like the Bonfire)
5. Stand or Fall
6. Comin’ Home
7. I’ll Never Be Loved by You
8. Fly Away
9. Love the Way You Hate Me
10. Crazy Over You

Label: AFM Records

Genre: Hardrock

Release Date EU: April 13^th, 2018

(8/10) Three years after Swedish metal outfit Mustasch released with “Testosterone” their latest longplayer, it’s “Silent Killer” that marks a next step of this powerful band from Gothenburg.

Active since 1998, the band released a debut entitled “Above All” in 2002, an album that was followed by another seven exciting records that established Mustasch as a constant player in the fields of stoner rock and metal.

Since 2015 the quartet is consisting out of Mats Stam Johansson (b) and Ralf Gyllenhammer (g/v), both being founding members of this powerhouse. Guitarist David Johannesson joined in 2008 and it’s drummer Robban Baeck who’s the newest kid in town by already being part of the line-up since three years.

Mustasch’s newest strike is entitled “Silent Killer” and it’s definitely a ‘killer’ but also less 'silent’. The band’s ninth album is a sonic blast and a 32 minutes adrenalizer. Gyllenhammer and dudes created an album that starts acoustic with “Givin’”, an intro that’s the calm before the storm. “Winners” is next in line and ends the calm, turning things into a metal twister. For me it’s the best track on the album since it has this merciless power, an excellent riff and a dirty metal vibe. It’s hard to not being fascinated by this song that combines different metal directions into one smasher.

The joy with “Silent Killer” is the fact that Mustasch varies their sound without giving a scattered impression. “Liberty” reminded me of classic rock a la Audrey Horne while “Barrage” stands for another highlight with an extremely cool chorus.

Even Metallica references can be found on “Silent Killer”. The start of “Grave Digger” reminds with its riffing very much of Hetfield and Co., leading to a well-crafted mid-paced tune with a good groove.

“Silent Killer” proves that also 32 minutes of rock and metal music can be a joyful thing, if, like in this case, things are boiled down to the essence of very inspired metal music. Two thumbs up.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Givin’
2. Winners
3. Liberty
4. Barrage
5. Lawbreaker
6. Fire
7. Silent Killer
8. The Answer
9. Grave Digger
10. Burn

Label: Sony Music

Genre: Heavy Metal

Release Date EU: April 6^th, 2018

(8/10) „Knight Call“ is the title of the next brilliant longplayer of German guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell. Pell is a hard working ‚craftsman‘ in the fields of classic rock and metal. Over almost 30 years the blond six-string player released many excellent records, not even talking about his perfect contribution to Steeler's two classic longplayers.

The new album follows the 2016 release „Game of Sins“ and features ten new songs that are all done in the typical Axel Rudi Pell fashion. It‘s not that the album surprises with unexpected twists. It’s more the small details that make a difference. What‘s maybe seen as working with a cookie-cutter approach is actually something totally different. It‘s Pell‘s passion for music that sparks his constant search for small details and improvements.

As not expected different also the new longplayer comprises of traditional metal and hardrock that gets its inspiration from band like Deep Purple and Rainbow. This means that things will stay as they were and that‘s good news. Pell doesn‘t reinvent his sound and keeps his success formula alive and kicking. The blond guitarist isn‘t looking for innovation. He‘s looking for perfection and he succeeds.

„Knight Call“ is the next well-crafted rock, released from the German riff master. Pell sticks to his roots, meaning that the album features music that goes hand in hand with earlier releases. It‘s good music, done by passionate musicians who avoid all trends and fashions. Pell lives rock music and it’s the authenticity of him and his band mates that makes this longplayer to a treat for fans of classic rock music.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. The Medieval Overture (Intro)
2. The Wildest and the Young
3. Wildest Dreams
4. Long Live Rock
5. The Crusaders of Doom
6. Truth and Lies
7. Beyond the Light
8. Slaves on the Run
9. Follow the Sun
10. Tower of Babylon

Label: SPV/Steamhammer

Genre: Classic Rock

Release Date EU: March 23^rd, 2018

Markus Heavy Music Blog: How are you?

Felipe Andreoli: I’m good. Everything is fine here and I hope you’re OK too.

MHMB: Yes, thanks. "ØMNI" is the name of your new album and it's again a concept album. Can you tell us a bit more about the background and how the idea was born?

Felipe Andreoli: 'Ømni' means 'everything' in latin. The main concept is humanity, reaching a new state of consciousness in a few years from now where we will be able to communicate with people in any point in time through our conscience. It will be a sort of time travel, which was the base for us to develop the concept told in 10 different science fiction stories of which each one has a particular plot while being embedded into the main concept. „The Caveman“ for example is about communicating with the cavemen, enabling people to understand the beginning of human conscience, community and society. 

MHMB: The title track(s) stand out. Both parts are awesome but it's unusual to end the album with a cinematic instrumental. Was there any specific reason to put it at the end of the longplayer?

Felipe Andreoli: "Ømni - Silence Insight" is my favorite track on the album. I think it pretty much sums-up what anger is about, especially what anger is about nowadays. It was a very collaborative process of writing and arranging this track. Everyone of us had a big input on it and we’re really proud of the song. The album sounds much like a soundtrack to a film and we have the soundtrack-like ending. I think fits the record pretty well. It’s like you listened to ten different stories and then, at the end, you have this kind of tune that goes through the all the earlier melodies that kind of reminds you of the whole record again.

MHMB: A real smasher on the record is "Black Widow's Web". I think it's the first time that you guys added growls to a song. Were these growls planned already from the beginning?

Felipe Andreoli: Yeah, the growls were planned from the beginning. We were at the 70.000 Tons Of Metal cruise in January of last year and Arch Enemy was there too. We watched their show and we were just in ‚wow‘ of how amazing Alissa is as a performer and as a singer. She is very versatile. She can growl like crazy and she has a beautiful clean voice. We immediately thought that it would be so cool having her on our new record. Fabio (Lione) knew Alissa from a tour he did with Kamelot and he said that he can ask about having her on the album. Even before he asked, we started to work on the song with Alissa in mind all the time. I think it came out really nicely with her presenting the aggressive side of the spider while the other singer, Sandy, being the softer part of the black widow. We were really amazed by the work Alissa did. She send us a ton of different files with different interpretations. It was really a pleasure to have her on board.

MHMB: Alissa's clean vocals are excellent too, but these sections in "Black Widow's Web" have been taken over by a Brazilian singer called Sandy. Who is Sandy and why adding another singer to the song?

Felipe Andreoli: Well, you’re right. Alissa’s clean vocals are excellent and you guys of course never heard of Sandy. She is huge in Brazil. Just to give you a little bit of background, she is the daughter of a very famous popular singer of typical Brazilian music and she sings since she was a little girl. Everybody in Brazil has seen her singing on TV since she was five years old and she is now 32.  You can imagine that everyone in this country knows her. And not only that she’s really famous, she’s a great singer too, and she’s a friend. When we wrote the song for Alissa, we haven't had the intro and the outro part as it is now. Me and Rafael (Bittencourt) wrote them later on and as he developed the concept of the 'black widow', he thought that it would be very wise to have someone with a very soft voice too.  We called Sandy and we were not sure if Sandy would accept to sing on the record, mainly because of her being a huge pop star. But since she has a huge respect for Angra and she’s a friend she said 'yes'. As Alissa, also Sandy was very busy and we got that files like last minute. We love the result and the combination of the two voices really adds to the song’s storytelling.

MHMB: Fabio Lione does again a great job as singer on the new album. Is Fabio in the meantime a fix member of Angra? 

Felipe Andreoli: Yes, Fabio Lione is the Angra singer and his fully committed to Angra. This entire line-up is not temporary at all and with also Marcello being a fixed band member.

MHMB: Angra will come to Europe in spring this year. What can we expect? Have you guys discussed already a setlist?

Felipe Andreoli: Yes, we have discussed the setlist. It will comprise of new songs  and classic songs. Since the shows will not be very long ones we have to be very wise in choosing the songs.

MHMB: You will be on tour with Geoff Tate's Operation Mindcrime. Is the tour a co-headliner tour or is Geoff Tate a special guest?

Felipe Andreoli: Geoff is a special guest. He has a slightly shorter set, but he is a hell of a special guest. It’s gonna be a pleasure to listen every night to "Operation Mindcrime", played in its entirety. Actually I did a couple of shows with Geoff in Brazil, playing the same record a couple of months back. He commissioned me to form a band of Brazilian musicians for him. I got together a few friends that I know are great musicians and big fans of Queensryche and we did two shows with Geoff, opening up for Mr. Big. It was amazing. Therefor it’s gonna be very nice having Geoff with us on tour. 

MHMB: As a preparation for the interview I also went on Angra's Facebook site. You guys communicate only in Portuguese (at least that's my guess 😃 ). Is there any reason why you don't post in English since you could reach far more fans.

Felipe Andreoli: You’re kind of right, but we do not only communicate in Portuguese. Since most of our fans are based in Brazil, many of the topics are directly related to the Portuguese speaking people. The more international stuff we post in English. What happens from time to time is, that people that take care of our Facebook page forget to geotag these posts.

MHMB: Is there anything else you would like to share with Markus Heavy Music Blog and its readers.

Felipe Andreoli: Well Markus , we’re really excited to release this record as we speak. We think that "Ømni" is by far the most inspired record we ever did. I don’t like to say that it’s the best record or anything like that, because that’s not up to us. As it stand right now, it’s my favorite record and we can’t wait to hit the road in Europe, go around and show this new music to the people ... and of course as well the old classics. 

MHMB: Thanks for spending some time with Markus' Heavy Music Blog and hope to see you guys at the Rotterdam show.

Felipe Andreoli: Thanks for the interview and see you in Rotterdam. Thanks. 

(8/10) If you didn’t live under a rock for the last decades the name Michael Schenker isn’t something new to you. The iconic guitarist has a long history in metal with many ups and some down.

Michael started, together with his brother Rudolf Schenker, being part of the Scorpions in the early 70's. After leaving the band he joined UFO before starting the Michael Schenker Group with which he published records such as “Assault Attack”.  I don’t want to spend too much time in the past but I still would like to mention the more mainstream-based McAuley Schenker Group for two reasons. One is that “Perfect Timing” is a well-done melodic metal record and it’s singer Robin McAuley that’s also part of Schenker’s newest release.

This time it’s the Michael Schenker Fest that brings some metal to your place. “Resurrection” is the title of the new longplayer that was recorded with Chris Glen (b), Ted McKenna (d) and Steve Mann (g/key). Next to these great musicians the album features four different vocalists, giving each of the songs a slightly different touch. Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Doogie White and the earlier mentioned Robin McAuley took over vocal responsibility and gave the album a special feel.

Things start fast and furious with “Heart and Soul”. The song functions well as being the opener since it transfers a lot of energy and it’s no less than Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett that contributes to the opener with some screaming guitar parts.

The album comes with more of these fast songs. “Time Knows When It’s Time” is such a song that pushes the pedal to the metal and also “Everest” keeps the pace up high.

Next to these fast tracks it's “Warrior” that’s a real anthem, combining all four singer in one tune.  “Warrior” is a highlight on the album, followed by the terrific “Take Me to the Church” with Doogie White behind the mic.

“Resurrection” also combines metal and melody in a good fashion, represented by “The Girl With the Stars in Her Eyes”. The verse is pretty dynamic and kept heavy before the chorus reveals a sugar sweet melody.

Next to all the musical brightness there’s with “Living a Life Worth Living” also a song on the album that can’t live up to most of the other songs on the album. Compared to some other hymns on “Resurrection” it’s this tune that never unveils it’s power. And stays on a good but standard level.

To sum up: “Resurrection” is a well-crafted metal album that unites some metal pioneers who follow their passion for hard riffs, pounding drum, excellent leads and a booming bass. This album stands for excellent metal entertainment and I recommend checking it out.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Heart and Soul (feat. Robin McAuley & Kirk Hammett)
2. Warrior (feat. Gary Barden, Robin McAuley, Graham Bonnet, Doogie White)
3. Take me to the Church (feat. Doogie White)
4. Night Moods (feat. Graham Bonnet)
5. The Girl With Starts in Her Eyes (feat. Doogie White)
6. Everest (feat. Graham Bonnet)
7. Messin’ Around (feat, Gary Barden)
8. Time Knows When It’s Time (feat. Robin McAuley)
9. Anchors Away (feat. Doogie White)
10. Salvation (Instrumental)
11. Livin’ a Life Worth Livin’ (feat. Gary Barden)
12. The Last Supper (feat. Gary Barden, Robin McAuley, Graham Bonnet, Doogie White)

Label: Nuclear Blast

Genre: Heavy Metal

Release Date EU: March 2^nd, 2018

(7/10) The older ones of you are still familiar with the name of Jutta Weinhold. The charismatic singer was the founder of Zed Yago, a German metal outfit that had huge success in the 80's with their debut From Over Yonder". The sophomore record "Pilgrimage" wasn't a bad album either, followed by Weinholz leaving the band in 1990.

What came nexy were years in metal that never brought back the success of the earlier Zed Yago, neither for the new line-up of Zed Yago, nor for Weinhold and her newly founded metal outfit Velvet Viper. Two records, that's the discography of Velvet Viper and it it was the 1992 release "The 4^th Quest for Fantasy" that closed a chapter ... at least till now.

Out of nowhere Velvert Viper is back with a new line-up and a new album. Next to Weinhold, the constant factor, it's Fabian Ranft (b), Holger Marx (g) and Micha Fromm (d) who are part of Velvet Viper.

As you expect, "Respice Finem" features dramatic metal songs that I would describe as melodic power metal. The uniqueness of Velvet Viper is without any doubt Weinhold's voice which belongs to the most iconic ones in metal. It's amazing that she could maintain this voice over more than forty years. What you get to hear on "Respice Finem" might not be as good as the first Zed Yago album but it's still quite good music that's rooted in traditional metal.

The album might loses a bit of power towards the end, but songs like "Don't Leave Before Wintertime", "Shadow Ryche" and the uptempo "Fraternize With Rats" are excellent power metal songs. However,  also the second half has its moments. The slowly crawling "Stormy Birth" is one of those while "Law of Rock" is another one. 

"Respice Finem" is a good metal record that brings Jutta Weinhold's excellent voice back into metal. Welcome back.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Don't Leave Before Wintertime
2. Shadow Ryche
3. Respice Finem
4. Fraternize With Rats
5. Eternall Onwards
6. Ogaydez
7. Dangerous
8. Raven Evermore
9. Stormy Birth
10. Law of Rock
11. Loherangrin - Lohengrin

Label: GMR Music Group

Genre: Melodic Power Metal

Release Date EU: March 16th, 2018

(7/10) As the band's name predicts, Lione/Conti consists out of no less than Fabio Lione and Alessandro Conti, both having an history with Rhapsody / Rhapsody Of Fire. In addition Alessandro Conti is also part of Italian power metal outfit Trick Or Treat, all giving an idea of what you get served with this debut.

In the meantime it’s well known that Italian Frontiers Music label had and has more of these projects where they bring musicians together for a specific longplayer. Normally it’s a singer and a guitarist, but this time it’s two singers that combine forces for a certain moment in time.

Such a project is more of an unusual endeavour but it’s not new either. Just thinking about the excellently done Allen/Lande albums shows that such a collaboration can lead to excellent tunes.

“Lione/Conti” is an album that can live up to expectation. The duo, together with Marco Lanciotti (d), Filippo Martignano (key) and Simone Mularoni (g/b), offer a wider spectrum of melodic metal songs. Sometimes reminding of Queensryche (“You’re Falling”), mostly catchy (“Destruction Show”) and sometimes calmer (Somebody Else”) the quintet delivers songs that are easy approachable. It doesn’t take you a huge effort to get into this album, a record that deserves more than just one spin.

Like mentioned earlier, “Lione/Conti" lives up to expectation. Good songs, good melodies, good sound and certain predictability.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Ascension
2. Outcome
3. You’re Falling
4. Somebody Else
5. Misbeliever
6. Destruction Show
7. Glories
8. Truth
9. Gravity
10. Crosswinds

Label: Frontiers Music

Genre: Melodic Rock

Release Date EU: January 26th, 2018