On and on rolls the power metal train, with just about every German power metal band firing shots one after another. And what’s more: all those bands are releasing unexpectedly strong and heavy albums. It’s as if some Holy Spirit of metal has touched these bands, showing them where their roots lie and that there’s no shame in writing fast songs with double bass drumming (I’m looking at you, Edguy and Sonata Arctica). German metal institution Gamma Ray is the next in line. Continue reading
Tag Archives: 2014
Sonata Arctica – Pariah’s Child
Before we dive into this review, there is a confession I have to make. I really, really enjoyed Sonata Arctica’s Stones Grow Her Name (2012), a record that is much maligned for being too weird, faux artistic and soft. And whilst I do love the earlier power metal efforts (up to and including Reckoning Night), I think Unia is by far the strongest album the Finnish band has put out. Then again, I also think A Matter of Life and Death is the best album Iron Maiden has released since Powerslave. Perhaps I’m just a sucker for classic metal bands who dare to tread outside of their safety zone and into a more daringly progressive area, which is exactly what Sonata Arctica has been doing for years now. So, with that out of the way, let’s check out what’s on offer this time. Continue reading
Stormwarrior – Thunder & Steele
It feels like 2014 has barely begun, but it’s already the best year for German power metal in ages. With releases from Iron Savior and Freedom Call already under our belt, and Gamma Ray, Edguy, Rage and Grave Digger scheduled to release albums later this year, there is nary a reason to complain. Amongst the vast array of German metal bands releasing new material, we can also find Stormwarrior. You know, the band you will regularly find playing Helloween‘s Walls of Jericho sets together with ex-pumpkin and Gamma Ray fronter Kai Hansen. Of course, besides providing a much appreciated journey down memory lane, the band also writes and releases its own material, and Thunder & Steele is the newest in a growing catalogue of top tier power metal for the band. Continue reading
Blues Pills – Live at Rockpalast
If there’s one thing the American-Swedish-French youngsters of Blues Pills should do, is finally release a full length debut album. And I mean a.s.a.p. The wait between the most excellent Devil Man four-track EP and the next piece of work was already tantalizing, but to be treated to another EP – although just as excellent – makes the wait for a full-blown album even more so. Then again, it’s better than nothing. Continue reading
Manowar – Kings of Metal MMXIV
Oh dear, that was rather unneccesary.
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Way back in 1988, the American metal band Manowar finally enjoyed their big break-through with their sixth effort, Kings of Metal. Combining the epic sound of their earlier albums like Into Glory Ride and Hail to England with the more rock ‘n roll approach of Fighting the World, Kings of Metal was the culmination of years of hard work for the band, and the epitome of what the band was capable of at the time. Eschewing the darkness that still make the first few albums into such timeless epic metal classics, Kings of Metal offered a more accessible approach to Manowar metal, and heralded a long era of heavy metal anthems and, dare we say, over-the-top cheesiness. It was also the last truly great Manowar album. Continue reading
Bruce Springsteen – High Hopes
When Bruce Springsteen announced an album of covers and reworkings of his own material, my initial reaction was tepid, and I imagine a lot of people reacted similarly. After the more introvert Wrecking Ball (2012), an album with new material and the E Street Band in full gear would have sounded like a much better idea, after all. Imagine the surprise then, that High Hopes turns out to be The Boss’ most spontaneous sounding and solid rocking album in ages. Continue reading
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