Hailing from Hannover, Germany, [birthplace of The Scorpions!] "Legends From Now and Forevermore" is the first release by the 5 piece know as Galloglass. [A brief history lesson: Galloglass were mercenaries mostly from the Hebrides and West Highlands who arrived in Ireland around the later thirteenth century and fought in various wars for about three hundred years] The band consists of vocalist Carsten Frank, guitarists Norbert Geiseler and Kai Mühlenbruch, bassist Dirk Zelmer and drummer Arnd Lorenz. Now it should come as no surprise that, given the name and CD cover, images of warriors, battles, demons and dragons abound. Yep, may have heard it all before, but Galloglass manages to use all this stock Metal imagery and STILL forge a sound of their own! A distinct medieval theme is felt on the 10 tracks, and the use of violin helps give the album a folk-like element. But these guys are Metal, through `n` through, and the guitars are thick and full; Galloglass are fully aware that it ain`t called POWER Metal for nuthin`! Right out of the gate, the album kicks into high gear with "Dragons Revenge", and there`s no letting up! "A Winters Tale" brings to life images of castle and cold dark winter night by the fire in the Great Hall, and "Remember The Fire" is a majestic piece with a rousing chorus that stays with you long after you`ve heard it. Really, the whole album is memorable and catchy, and despite the keyboards, violins and choirs, still retains the heaviness, crunch and power! No easy feat, but with musicians THIS good, it`s no problem. So please don`t write Galloglass of as another Hammerfall clone; they have SO much more to offer. They may not be original, but they love what they do, and are VERY good at it! One of the BEST debut albums of 2003!!
"Odin" is the 5th album by Germanic Metalmeisters Wizard, and is an abitious concept album dealing with [you guessed it!] Odin, the All Father of the Norse Gods. Wizard [Sven D'Anna on Vocals, Michael Maass on Guitar, V. Leson on Bass and Snoppi on Drums] have a sound that is simple, direct and to the point. All the classic Euro Metal elements are here; galopping drums, hard driving riffs and huge, rousing choruses. Lots of Manowar stylings to be found on this album, but hey, if you`re going to borrow, you might as well borrow from the masters! And there are many instances on "Odin" where Wizard manages to OUT DO Manowar [!!], no joke! As stated before, the theme here is on Norse mythology, so no dungeons `n` dragons need apply. Obviously, much care was taken to ensure that the music complimented the grandoise themes presented here. A first rate [but not TOO polished] production, with a raw guitar sound giving the tracks their "edge". D`Anna`s vocals are a major asset, as well; his gruff, lower range delivery is in stark contrast to the happy, tr-la-la sing alongs so many of his contemporaries prefer. No pompous arrangements, no classical noodlings, no mindless musical masturbation, just street level Power Metal the way it USED to be played! Standout tracks include "The Prophecy", "Dark God", "Loki's Punishment", and "The Powergod". Really though, the whole damn thing is great! Hammerfall take note; THIS is how it`s done! Thumbs waaaayyyy up on this one!
Let`s be honest; the whole "True Metal, Power Metal, Eighties Metal" thing is fast becoming oversaturated in Europe! While it`s great to see so many Metal bands making headway, there IS truth in the saying "too much of a good thing"! But then again, I live in the states, where Nu Metal reigns supreme, so maybe I wouldn`t mind a bit of True Metal overkill! And I woudn`t mind hearing more of Swedens Rising Faith, either. While not earning points for originality, Rising Faith`s debut disc "The Arrival" delivers a stripped down Metal sound, a marked contrast to the overly polished and technically perfect productions of many in the genre! No 12 minute epics that sound like outtakes from Lord Of The Rings HERE, just straight ahead Metal. This 5 piece [vocalist Kristian Wallis, guitarists Fredrik Jordanius and Jimmie Bergkvist, bassist Stefan Englund and drummer Tony Gelander] delivers the good in a straight forward style that brings to mind classic twin guitar Metal mongers like Mercyful Fate [King Diamonds` Andy La Roque mastered the album], Maiden, and Priest. Once again, the emphasis is on SONGS and simple, uncluttered arrangements; ya know, music that PEOPLE can enjoy, NOT just musicians! Tracks like "Rage", "Flight To The Brocken", "Head Of The Anvil" and "Final Day" are all well thought out, and great pains were taken to make sure each tune stood out from the other. All in all, an auspicious debut from a band we will DEFINITELY be hearing more from!
Excellent Power Metal from this Finnish quartet, even though the 12 tracks on "Feeding The Flames" [their second release] can hardly be termed even remotely original. But hell, Burning Point plays this stuff with such unabashed enthusiam and panache, you can forgive them for not exactly re-inventing the wheel! The band consists of Pete Ahonen [guitar/lead vocals], Jukka Kyro [rhythm guitar], Jope Kansanoja [bass] and Kari Kaiponen, all highly skilled musicians who don`t let their technical abilities get in the way of the tunes. This is obvious on such tracks as "Into The Fire", "Blackened The Sun", "I Am The Silent One", their cover of Rainbow`s "Night Games" and the title cut. And even though they don`t break any new ground, Buring Point can go head to head with any of their more established countrymen, or anywhere else, for that matter! Highly recommended!!
As far as Metal goes, France doesn`t get the same recognition as, say, Germany or The Netherlands, even though the French Metal scene has produced some great bands. [older bands like Trust and Vulcan as well as recent acts like Moonstone] However, newer bands continue to emerge, so perhaps French Metal will get it`s due. One outfit that could lead the movement is Invictus. Originally formed in 1996 by guitarist Mikael Fitrzyk, the band also includes Nicolas Acard (bass), Frederic Glo (lead vocals), and Raphael Leger (drums) and "Black Heart" is their third CD, and the first as Invictus. [they were originally called Quark 7] They have been compared to Nightwish, and they DO have that "Finnish" sound at times, particularly in their use of keyboards and choirs. Rhapsody, Artension, Royal Hunt also come to mind, but Invictus have their own style. And even with the high calibre musicianship these guys possess [and unlike many acts who mine the same Prog Metal genre] Invictus seem more concerned with actual SONGS, not just excuses for endless soloing. And further distancing them from their peers is the sparse, slightly raw production on "Black Heart", as well as Frederic Glo`s more mid-range vocals, which are a welcome respite from the usual gang of Helloween squealers! His vocals are the perfect compliment to Invictus` at times darker, more melancholy sound; "Since The Day" is a perfect example of this, and this track also features great lead work from Fitrzyk. Other choice cuts include "Depression-Part 2", "Miracle", the powerhouse "Wonderland", and the fist pumping "Car Crash". The arrangements on "Black Heart" are well thought out and uncluttered, allowing the music to "breathe". With so much going for them, I have NO doubt Invictus will become a force to be reckoned with, both in AND outside their homeland. Most definitely a band to watch!!