Magnum vocalist Bob Catley returns to his solo career with his fifth album "Spirit Of Man". His previous solo effort, the incredible "When Empires Burn" is considered one of Bob`s best, and certainly heaviest, releases and is one of my all-time favorites! And while the new album more or less picks up where WEB left off, SOM also has elements of his earlier solo outings. Guitarist/producer Vince O`Regan is Bob`s primary collaborator this time, and it`s a winning combination once again! SOM is 12 tracks of well-crafted heavy melodic rock, and the opener, "Heart Of Stone", gives the listener a good idea of what`s in store, and they couldn`t have chosen a better opener! I gotta tell ya, I can`t choose which are the "best" tunes, but if you twist my arm, "In The Name Of The Cause", the Magnum-styled "Last Snows Of Winter", the powerhouse title track, "Judgement Day", are right up there. But it`s the last three songs that REALLY make this album special. "Beautiful Mind" is simply one of the most breath-taking pieces I`ve ever heard, and one can envision thousands of concert goers singing it`s wonderful chorus. There`s also the uplifting "Walk On Water" and the heart-rending "End Of The Story". Bob`s vocals on these last three are among the best he`s ever done; can this man EVER sing a bad note? I doubt it! Without a doubt, one of the best albums of 2006 so far. Thank YOU, Bob, for helping craft some of the best melodic Rock around! Yes, this definitely gets West Side Dave`s "Highest Recommendation Possible"!!
Moscow-based Heavy Metal stalwarts Aria split in two several years ago, with longtime members Valeriy Kipelov and Alexander Manyakin [vocals and drums, respectively] leaving to form Kipelov. And while Aria has gone on to great things with new members, Kipelov just MIGHT be the better of the two! "Rivers Of Time" is, I believe, the bands first full-length release, though they`ve put out several singles and an EP. The nine tracks here are more straight-forward Euro Metal, with less of the Maiden influence than Aria. Though all lyrics are sung in Russian, Kipelov`s distinctive voice is in fine form; in fact, he`s never sounded better! The new band situation has obviously given Valeriy a fresh perspective, which shows in the high quality song arrangements. And he chose his bandmates well; Alexey Kharkov [Bass], Andrej Golovanov [Guitars] and special guest Victor Smolski (Rage) on guitar are all top class musicians, and the interplay between these guys is what makes "Rivers Of Time" so special. From start to finish, the album is a winner, featuring such choice cuts as "Prorok (The Prophet)", "Matrichnyi Bog" (The Matrix God), "Ya Zdes" (I´m Here), "Navazhdenie" (Delusion) and the title track "Reki Vremen" (Rivers of Time). As I`ve said SO many times before, no matter WHAT the language, good Metal is TRULY universal! Well worth seeking out!
Oh, YES! Thrash Metal pioneers HIRAX have released their ever first DVD, "Thrash Til Death". The main feature of this is the COMPLETE performance from Minneapolis Mayhem 2005, as well as bonus footage from various gigs played in Germany (Bang Your Head Festival and warm-up show), Sweden (Sweden Rock Festival), The Netherlands (Dokk 'Em Open Air Festival), and San Francisco (Tidal Wave Festival and Thrash of the Quintana (KUSF 23rd anniversary show at The Pound SF). Lots of thought and care was put into this DVD, and it features pro camera work and sound, as well as interviews with the band, and tons of extras! The live footage is a real treat, as it show Hirax to be a ferocious live act. Although the band members featured here are no longer in Hirax, let`s face it; Katon W. De Pena IS Hirax, as much as Lemmy is Motorhead and Biff Byford is Saxon! This guy is a killing machine onstage, where he`s obviously in his element! Other features include full discography with cover artwork, photo gallery, even a video from 1985 hidden as an Easter Egg. What more could any self-respecting Thrasher want? Highly, highly recommended for the die hard Hirax loyalist, as well as the newcomer, and believe me, this DVD is gonna make a LOT of converts! BUY OR DIE!!!! [Many, MANY thanks to Katon for the advance copy!!]
Upwards Of Endtime is the brainchild of former Blastmat vocalist Phil Swanson, and also features former members of Atrocity [U.S.]. "Demonchild" would be more like it! The band`s S/T debut is an unholy mix of doom metal, NWOBHM and early Thrash that has "early Eighties" stamped all over it; hell, you could tell me this was recorded in 1985 and I wouldn`t call you a liar! But I believe that`s the plan; UOE is definitely rooted in the past, and they don`t care WHAT anyone thinks, trends be damned! The album`s opener, "Conquerors", starts off with thundering hooves and swords a` clanging before diving into the Sabbath sludge headfirst. This cut really gives you a Witchfynde-vibe, and things only get better! Phil`s early Ozzy-esque vocals provide the 10 tunes here with the proper feel, and perfectly compliment the music. It`s garage production values all the way; no pristine, Pro Tool`ed digital whatsis HERE! Just thick, distorted guitars and bass cranked all the way up over pounding drums. The next cut, the trance-inducing "Phantom Limbs" is downright spooky, with it`s hypnotic, ominous riffs and haunting vocals, broken only by the speedy time changes mid-song. The hyper-powered "Battlefield" sounds like a long lost Angelwitch track [this is a good thing!] while "Hellnight" radiates pure EVIL, and is my favorite tune at the moment! Other high points include the galloping "I Am Legend", "Stairway To Hell" [with it`s "Technical Ecstacy" feel] and the viking-themed "Jerhume Brunnen", among others. Top marks go to the band for accomplishng the difficult task of making each song stand apart from the other, where others mining the same territory simply play as loud and low as possible. Certainly one of THE best new bands of 2005! And guess what? As of this writing, UOE are set to unleash their sophmore effort; can the band possibly top THIS album? BET on it! Highest possible recommendation! [and thanks to Phil for sending me the CD!]
Taking a brief respite from his solo career, the American Heartland`s very own Johnny Lokke has unleashed "Evolution", the second release from his other project, The New Breed. While Johnny`s solo work is more in the Priest/Primal Fear vein, The New Breed deals in raw 80's riffage and song-structures, with a bit of modern sheen thrown in for good measure. Is it ground-breaking? No. Original? Not quite? Does it kick holy ASS? You better BELIEVE it!! "On The Edge" kicks things off quite nicely, and features tremendous riffing, a pounding rhythm section and some sweet solo work from Mr. Lokke himself. The Doom-laden "Rest" is next, reminding one at times of Sabbath`s "Evil Eye". "Dr. Butcher" is one of the big winners here, and a definite favorite of your`s truly! Other choice cuts include "Blown Away", which swings close to Godsmack territory; maybe if Godsmack sounded THIS good, I might like `em! "Barebones" is a mid-paced cruncher featuring a memorable hook AND another rippin` solo by Johnny. Closing out the album is another Sabbath-like track, "Back to Black"; this bad boy could`ve been an outtake from "Eternal Idol", and is a highlight among highlights! The album is short, sweet and to-the-point, clocking in at just under 40 minutes. No wasted momentum here, "Evolution" gets the point across VERY loud and clear, and isn`t THAT what Heavy Metal is all about? Johnny Lokke knows what it`s all about, and when you buy this album, you will, too. Yes, I said "buy"! Just because you CAN get something for free doesn`t mean you SHOULD. Buy this album and support Johnny, as well as other great musicians of ALL genres who put their heart and soul into their craft. Remember; if as many as possible actually BUY the CDs`, we can ensure the careers of artists like Johnny and do AWAY with the likes of Jessica Simpson. Now THAT`S worth almost ANY price! One of the BEST of 2006! [Thank you Johnny, for providing the review copy!!]
