A new Saxon has always been a cause for celebration, particularly since the renaissance the band has experienced from the time of 1997s` "Unleash The Beast". "Into the Labyrinth" is their much-anticipated follow up to "The Inner Sanctum", and continues in much the same vein as their recent releases, while at the same time avoiding the staleness and sameness that plagues many of their fellow NWOBHM vets [Iron Maiden, for example]. "Battalions Of Steel" is the first track and not a better opener could have been chosen. One of the best tunes Biff and the boys ever penned, it also makes the statement that this is the 21st Century Saxon, not a bunch of burn-outs trying to pretend it`s still 1980. After that it`s the soon-to-be-classic "Live To Rock", an anthem if ever I heard one! The dark, speedy "Demon Sweeny Todd" is next, then the brilliant "Valley Of The Kings". "Slow Lane Blues" kicks things down a bit but it`s still great, showing some of the bands early Heavy Rock roots. "Come Rock Of Ages (The Circle Is Complete)" and "Coming Home (Bottleneck Version)" [an acoustic version of the tune originallly on 2001s` "Killing Ground"] are more examples of how Saxon can diversify yet maintain and ever re-invent their own style without losing their identity. Now, there ARE a few bumps in the road; "Crime Of Passion" and "Protect Yourselves" should have remained on the cutting floor, as both tracks seem to go nowhere fast. "Hellcat" promises much but fails to deliver. So it`s not perfect by any means, but it`s still damn good. If you get the LTD Ed. of "Into the Labyrinth" you`ll get a bonus DVD with,among other things, has Biff`s acting debut in a film called "Perceval", where he portrays King Arthur! Hey, get the vinyl version as well while you`re at it. But definitely get this. Already one of my Top Ten Metal albums of 2009!!!!!!
I must confess that, for a while at least, I had given up on Hammerfall. The doubts began with "Legacy Of Kings" and intensified with "Renegade". It seemed that the band were going over the same old ground and hoping no one would notice. So I pretty much wrote `em off until 2005, when I caught them live at the Sweden Rock festival; they made such an impression that I decided to give them a second chance, purchasing both "Thresholds" and "Chapter V"; and while I wasn`t totally blown away by them, it showed me that Hammerfall was making an effort to move forward a bit. A while back I read an article about the band, and there was a comment how Hammerfall is presently at the same stage that Saxon were at midway through their career, and I would have to agree. It`s make or break time, and the band seems to be aware of this, and is taking steps to rectify the situation. Which brings us to their latest CD, "No Sacrifice, No Glory". While not exactly "Glory To The Brave-Part II" [a fact that certain fans will complain about; yet this very same type of "fan" would also complain if the band actually did make a copy of that album! Go figure.....], I think it`s certainly their best effort since the first album. Stylistically, things haven`t changed much; they`ve simply refined their sound resulting in, dare I say, a more "mature" Hammerfall. The powerful lead off track, "Any Means Necessary" ventures into Judas Priest territory at times, but with the deep, booming background vocals that have become their stock-in-trade. Joacim Cans sings a bit more in the lower registers these days, and it`s a welcome change. Other notable tracks include the crunching "Hallowed Be My Name", my personal favorite, "Legion", and probably the best semi-ballad Hammerfall ever wrote, "Between Two Worlds". The instrumental "Something For The Ages" has a great riff and also shows off the fine axemanship of new guy Pontus Norgren. There`s even a tongue-in-cheek cover of The Knack`s "My Cherona"! Sadly, though the band is just having fun and taking the piss out of this song, that certain segment of the oh-so-serious True Metal Militia will cry "foul" over the inclusion of this song. C`mon people, lighten up, have some fun! Hammerfall obviously are and it shows. While not perfect, "No Sacrifice, No Glory" does show the band is re-energized and refocused, ready to take their place at the forefront of the Euro Power Metal scene once again!
"Empyre" is album Number 4 by Finland`s Burning Point, and is quite possible their best yet. The band have not really altered their style much, just refined it enough to keep things fresh. Though their arrangements and song structures are firmly rooted in the Eighties, can hardly be called a nostalgia act; they merely use this as a template for their own unique style. Burning Point has always managed to come up with songs that are at once classy, powerful and catchy. No easy task, but in the hands of my old buddy Pete Ahonen [guitarist/vocalist] and his band of merry Metalheads, it`s business-as-usual. Fiery, flashy guitar work, memorable choruses and killer riffs are the order of the day on a Burning Point CD, and "Empyre" is no exception. Each and every one of the 11 cuts is a winner. In addition to the originals, there are 4, count `em, 4 cover tunes here, among them are "Nuclear Skies" by The Rods [featuring a solo by Dave "Rock" Feinstein himself] and "Let It Go" by Q5 [which features an appearance by Q5s` Jonathan K]. One of the finest Metal albums so far this year and one that will definitely be spending a lot of time in your CD player! Highly, HIGHLY recommended!
"To The Grave" is Album Number 5 for the Danish Power Metal machine known as Iron Fire, and I would have to say it`s their best yet; certainly their heaviest! It`s been nearly 10 years since Iron Fire released their debut, "Thunderstorm", and rode the massive wave of Euro Power Metal bands that "Glory To The Brave" left in it`s wake, and the band have pretty much stuck to that formula. Epic themes of warriors who die for Metal [or "Kill For Metal", in this case!], soaring melodic vocals, sing-along choruses, thundering rhythms, all present and accounted for. Nope, not one original idea here. But is that REALLY necessary in order to make a great Metal album? As long as you have great, memorable songs crafted and delivered with power and conviction, originality is an afterthought. And that, dear viewers, is what makes the new Iron Fire so much fun to listen to! The guys seem to find a way to make the old sound new, or at least make it sound exciting; Martin Steene and company have done just that. In fact, this time the band have opted for a slightly darker feel, as well as some Bay Area Thrash elements here and there, to keep things fresh. "To The Grave" is a winner from start to finish, another notch on the guys bullet belts, and defiitely deserves a place in the CD collection of all True Metalheads! Horns UP, baby!!!!
"Listen to THIS, motherfucker!" So starts off the second track ["7 Stars"] on Herman Frank`s self-titled debut, "Loyal To None". That basically sums up MY feelings about this CD! The former Accept axeman has given us 10 tracks of straight, traditional Metal, all killer, no filler. As close to flawless as you could get, "Loyal To None" is loaded with big, loud crunching riffs and blazing, death-defying guitar leads that that fly out of the speakers like tracer bullets. But all the pyrotechnics are meaningless if the songs aren`t there, and these songs are most DEFNITELY there! In addition to the previously mentioned "7 Stars", there`s "Moon II", "Bastard Legions", "Hero", "Down to the Valley" all the tracks on the CD are top class all the way. "Loyal To None" is a textbook example of how to make a great Heavy Metal album, one that both jaded vets and younger upstarts need to study very closely. Earplugs are optional, of course! My pick for THE best Metal album of the year; so far, at least! Highest recommendation possible!!!
A blast from Metal`s past! Jerusalem were a Heavy Rockin` British 5-piece formed in the late Sixties` by school chums Paul Dean and Ray Sparrow. At the time, the Blues Boom was in full swing so, like many of their peers, they were hugely influenced by Cream, John Mayall`s Bluesbreakers and the like. After a bit, the lads settled on the name Jerusalem and soon [to make a long story short] were signed to Deram [part of Decca Records]. The album was produced by none other than Ian Gillan [I don`t have to tell you who HE is, do I?], his first time in the producer`s chair. Jerusalem attracted considerable attention from music fans, press and industry insiders alike. They also shared the stage with the likes of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath and Status Quo, performing everywhere from clubs to huge festivals. Yet for all the accolades, they only released one album [in 1972] and disbanded a couple of years later. Now, thanks to Rockadrome/Vintage records, their self-titled LP is now on CD, remastered with bonus tracks and extensive liner notes. It should be mentioned that the production here is fairly Lo-Fi even for 1972, and the bands` at times crude instrumental skills are more on a level with Blue Cheer than Zep. For all these drawbacks however, there definitely is SOMETHING here. Listening to these tracks gives you a sense that you are witnessing something brilliant, still in its` formative stage yes, but brilliant nonetheless. It has been remarked that Jerusalem were "ahead of their time", and I would have to agree; many of the tunes here have stylistic similarities to those of the NWOBHM, though that movement was still several years off. [and "Primitive Man" is eerily similar to Spinal Taps` "Rock and Roll Creation"!!] Jerusalem is doubtless a missing link to Metal`s past, present and future, and this re-mastered CD is a worthy purchase that I wholeheartedly recommend for ALL Rock fans!
