Italy`s Wicked Minds continue to astound listener`s with their flash-back inducing brand of Prog Rock! To label the band "Retro" or "Stoner" would be grossly innacurate, as most bands in those genres seem to be more tongue-in-cheek and fashion-concious. Not so with Wicked Minds! Their sound is solidly rooted in 1971; think Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Lucifer`s Friend, or any of the other fine bands` mining the same terrritory back then. Heavy, bluesy with plenty of dynamics and Hammond organ swells, as well as incisive guitar licks and spacious riffs galore. To describe the Wicked Minds sound is to describe the smell of hot amplifier tubes, the swirl of a Leslie speaker, the mournful cries of Hammonds, Moogs and Mellotrons mixed with the distinctive timbre of a Fender Rhodes piano. The band creates music that has a very ORGANIC feel to it, something that only Analog can give you. No samplers, microprocessors or modeling amps spoken HERE! "Witchflower" is Wicked Minds most fully realized work yet, in terms of both sound quality and compositional skill. These five guys cover their music with heart, soul, EMOTION, feeling that seem to be lacking in much of what pases for Rock today, where everything seems over-produced, over-recorded, over-marketed and yet under-developed. Not so with these Analog kids! Just take a listen to any of the 12 tracks, like Black Capricorn Fire", "A Child And A Mirror", "Scorpio Odyssey" or the moody, powerful "Soldier Of Fortune". Even better, but the digipack version like I did and get the bonus DVD, featuring tons of liver performances, a "making of" section, and a sweet cover of Heep`s "Gypsy" [previously heard on Wicked Minds "From The Purple Skies"]. Most definitely a band to watch, and hopefully one that will lead the way towards bringing Rock back to where it belongs; in the hearts and minds of music lovers, NOT on your hard-drive! Highest recommendation possible!!!
Like 80s-inspired Germanic Metal? My friends, you are gonna LOVE this band! Stormwarrior is a 5-piece Teutonic terror that plays anthemic Power Metal delivered at high velocity, loud `n` proud. This is only their third release, having two studio recording under their collective bullet-belts. So why a live album so soon into their career? Japan is their largest fans base, it seems, so "At Foreign Shores-Live In Japan" is their little "Thank You" gift to the Japanese fans. And WHAT a gift! 10 live tracks of pure True Metal nuclear fire, memorable, catchy, fast and heavy! Can`t ask for more than THAT! To be honest, this is my first introduction to the band, and a helluv an intro it is. This band is relentless live, and seem to feed off the fans enthusiastic response. Who can blame `em? "Heavy Metal Fire", "The Axewielder", my favorite track "Lindisfarne" and "Iron Prayers", all seethe with raw energy and are apt to induce a serious case of headbanging amongst the more susceptible [i.e. True Metalheads]. So what are you waiting for? Got to your favorite mailorder store and BUY THIS NOW!!!!
Long Islands` very own purveyors of US Power Metal return with the long awaited follow-up to “The Fortune Teller’s Gaze"; worth the wait? You BETCHA`! “Minions of Metal" is a vast improvement all around, both in terms of songwriting, musicianship and production. Not that the last release was bad; think of the new one as "“The Fortune Teller’s Gaze" on steroids! The production also helps give Wind Wraith`s distinctive that extra kick up the whazoo, which is what ANY good Metal album should do, right? But the bands` trademark sound is still there; good ol` fashioned True Metal, no apologies, no regrets. Vocalist Scott Oliva has really left his mark on this album and wisely never gets TOO dramatic, doing just what the song calls for. And considering they`re a 6-piece, the bands` sound is surprisingly spacious, never sounding cluttered., a testament to their fine musicianship. Choice cuts for me include "Nightmares", "Devil`s Path", "Lake Of Time", and the title track. The only headscratcher here is a duet with THOR in “Let The Blood Run Red”! It doesn`t really fit with the rest of the album, but I suppose the band had their reasons. Anyway, don`t let THAT stop you from buying this album, surely one of the best Metal albums of 2006. Become one of the Minions of Metal today!!!
Dol Ammad introduced the world to their own innovative style [Electronic Art Metal] last year with their debut release "Star Tales", certainly one of the most unique and creative Metal-oriented albums I`ve ever heard. So expectations were understandably high for the sophmore release, "Ocean Dynamics", to be at LEAST as good as it`s predecessor. Fortunately, mainman Thanasis Lightbridge has not disappointed! "Ocean Dynamics" is everything "Star Tales" is and MORE! All the elements which made that album such a joy are present, just amplified and refined. The electronic New Age aspects merge quite nicely with the Metallic sounds, creating sonic landscapes of epic proportions. Though the album should be taken as a whole, certain cuts stand out;" Solarwinds", "Thalassa Dominion IV", "Liquid Desert" and "Aquatic Majesty" [featuring a guest appearance by DC Cooper!!]. To describe the music any further would be an excercise in futility; you truly have to HEAR it to appreciate it! Of course, isn`t that true or ALL great music? A work of pure genius! [A very, VERY special thanks to my friend Thanasis for the promo copy!!]
It`s been a few years since Swedish Rocker Daniela released her debut single, "Ride The Future", but fortunately she`s back and better than ever! Her latest recording is "Summer's Rain" which is a Savatage-cover from their album "Gutter Ballet". Daniela made a wise decision in choosing this track, as it suits her voice to a "T"! And obviously the time between recordings was well spent, as her voice has matured considerably. Daniela`s performance on "Summer's Rain" displays a much broader range than was evident on "Ride The Future", and her reverance for the Savatage tune makes her vocal delivery that much more potent, more heartfelt; guess all those years of screaming your lungs out at Hard Rock concerts paid off, eh Daniela?;) I`ve no doubt that we`ll be hearing more great things from this lady in the future; it`s always inspiring to see someone who truly believes in what they do, and who gives it they`re all. We should ALL be like that!! Rock On, Daniela!!
Netherlands-based Transentience are a 5-piece Symphonic Metal band who were formed in early 2005, and features the following highly talented musicians: guitarist Kristof Elst, drummer Kace Huiszoon, bassist Rene Bouwer, keyboardist Joop de Rooij, and vocalist Carmen Agsteribbe. Though only together for a short time, Transentience have made great strides in their career, as can be heard on their recent 3-track demo "For Hope is Still There". The band weave gothic as well as progressive elements into their sound to good effect, and even though the recording is decidedly low-tech, the strength of the compositions shines through, as evinced by the 3 tracks; "Calling Out The Gods", "After The Storm" and the title song. One striking quality about the band is their ability to only play what the song calls for; there`s a subtleness and restraint to the tracks that is not often found in other bands of this type, which is very refreshing! This approach allows the music to "breathe", thus accentuating the symphonic aspect. A full-length album is in the works, and will no doubt elevate the groups profile considerably. Recommended!
