Saturday, July 31, 2010
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Doom Metal
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Internal Void
The Obsessed
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Trouble
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While Heaven Wept
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Von
Blind Guardian: At The Edge Of Time (2010)
BLIND GUARDIAN : At The Edge Of Time (2010)
Out On 24th August via Nuclear Blast Records
Here we go, its 2010 and symphonic metal and power metal have all diversified into infinite sub genres, yet only some bands can pull of a solid album which highlights the uniqueness of the genre. Blind Guardian's new album is all that every fan of the band expected and more. If you were disappointed with their last offering, I can assure you the band have more than made up for it. The first thing about the album which stands out is it is more progressive than previous stuff yet it has elements which make it comparable to Nightfall In Middle Earth coupled with some neat orchestral arrangements. But the stand out from this album have to be Hansi's powerful vocals by far.
1. Sacred Worlds: The opening song starts of with a prog-symphonic orchestral arrangement leading in to some captivating and exhilarating rhythm section work but after the initial buzz, feels somewhat stagnant and repetitive. A decent start to the proceedings though.
2. Tanelorn(Into the Void): This song is probably the most commercial song form the album. Again what hampers the song in the end is its repetitive nature. Regardless it's a very fast tempo song with a catchy and addictive chorus which will make you cry for tanelorn.
3. Road Of No Release: A keyboard solo and vocals aren't always a great way to start off a song straight on the tracks of a fast one, but this one builds up to become an epic (of sorts) filled with melodies which reminded of me of Guardian's yesteryear.
4. Ride Into Obsession: This one has definite shades of thrash mixed with old school german power metal beats. Upon further research I found out that this song and the final track are inspired by Wheel Of Time by Robert Jordan. Some strong vocal performances create a truly scintillating listening experience on this one with some nice thumping bass work.
5. Curse My Name: Starts of in the same vein as their most popular and well know songs The Bard's Song. Some amusing and tongue-in cheek lyrics with folk metal is all that this album needs as an antidote to lighten the mood. The drums though feel a little out of place on this one.
6. Valkyries: With this song, in come the Norse Mythology references. The drums are much more pronounced here and feel apt for the varied vocal styles being put on display by Hansi. Lyrically I found this song to be the most straight forward. A couple of good guitar solos seal this as a definite live hit. Off the 6 songs till now, Valkyrie is the standout track which I'm sure every listener will be humming due to its infectious choruses.
7. Control The Divine: Is probably the most monotonous song on the album and might make you push the skip button more than once. On the up-side vocals again are top notch and the chorus is the only thing saving this song from going under.
8. War Of The Thrones: The second ballad of the album (different from the version on the B-side single) , it is miles ahead of Curse My Name in terms of its lyrics. Some good piano work helps build this song from just an ordinary one to a good "sing along".
9. A Voice in the Dark: released as the first single from the album, this is "THE" true masterpiece of the album expected to be embraced instantly by all fans of the band as a classic. I like the way how the bass is up front and on some occasions even over shadows the lead guitars. The guitar solos although short and scattered, have a Celtic feel about them which wrap in nicely with the overall feel of the song.
10. Wheel Of Time: The story arc continued from Ride Into Obsession has unexpected time changes galore. Starting off with an Arabic feel, the song builds into a war cry-esque epic with excellent choruses and neat solos all around.
In closing. the whole album might be too hard to get into in one go especially with is progressive leanings, but a couple of spins on your stereo will make it one to be revisited more often rather often than not.
After thoroughly listening to the album 3 times from start to finish, my verdict is a healthy 8/10.
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TRACK LISTING
1. "Sacred Worlds" – 9:17
2. "Tanelorn (Into the Void)" – 5:58
3. "Road of No Release" – 6.30
4. "Ride Into Obsession" – 4.46
5. "Curse My Name" – 5:52
6. "Valkyries" – 6:38
7. "Control the Divine" – 5:26
8. "War of the Thrones" (piano version) – 4:55
9. "A Voice in the Dark" – 5:41
10. "Wheel of Time" – 8:55
Total Running Time: 63:58
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PERSONNEL
Hansi Kürsch – Lead vocals
Marcus Siepen – Rhythm guitar
André Olbrich – Lead guitar
Frederik Ehmke – Drums, Percussion and Flute
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RELEASE DATES
Russia July 29, 2010
Europe July 30, 2010
United States August 24, 2010
Japan August 28, 2010
Asia Pacific August 29th, 2010
Reviewed by Saurabh Zutshi
Friday, July 23, 2010
Vardis
Genre : Heavy Metal
Active : 1973 - 1986
Last Known Lineup :
Steve Zodiac - Vocalist/Lead Guitarist
Terry Horbury - Bassist
Gary Pearson - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
Helloween
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Genre : Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Speed Metal
Active : 1984 - Present
Current Band Members :
Andi Deris - Vocalist
Michael Weikath - Lead Guitarist
Sascha Gerstner - Lead Guitarist
Markus Grosskopf - Bassist
Dani Loble - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
Iced Earth
Genre : Power Metal, Power/Thrash
Active : 1984 - Present
Current Band Members :
Matt Barlow - Vocalist
Troy Seele - Lead Guitarist
Jon Schaffer - Keyboardist/Backing Vocalist
Eddie Vidales - Bassist
Eddie Vidales - Bassist
Brent Smedley - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
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Anvil
Genre : Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, Power Metal
Active : 1978 - Present
Current Band Members :
Steve Kudlow - Vocalist/Lead Guitarist
Glen Gyorffy - Bassist
Robb Reiner - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
Accept
Genre : Heavy Metal, Speed Metal
Active : 1968 - 1989
1992 -1997
2004 - 2005
2009 - Present
1992 -1997
2004 - 2005
2009 - Present
Current Band Members :
Mark Tornillo - Vocalist
Wolf Hoffman - Lead Guitarist
Herman Frank - Lead Guitarist
Peter Baltes - Bassist
Peter Baltes - Bassist
Stefan Schwarzmann - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
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Celtic Frost
Genre : Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal
Active : 1984 - 1993
2001 - 2008
2001 - 2008
Last Known Lineup :
Martin Eric Ain - Vocalist/Bassist
Anders Odden - Lead Guitarist
Franco Sesa - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
Warlock
Genre : Heavy Metal,
Active : 1982 - 1988
Last Known Lineup :
Doro Pesch - Vocalist
Tommy Bolan - Lead Guitarist
Niko Arvantis - Lead Guitarist
Tommy Henriksen - Bassist
Robert Rondinelli - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
Savatage
Genre : Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Power Metal
Active : 1972 - 2002
2008 - Present
Current Band Members :
Jon Oliva - Lead Guitarist/Backing Vocalist/Keyboardist
Zachary Stevens - Vocalist
Johnny Lee Middleton - Bassist
Ai Pitreli - Lead Guitarist
Chris Caffrey - Lead Guitraist
Jeff Plate - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
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Jag Panzer
Genre : Heavy Metal, Power Metal
Active : 1981 - 1988
1994 - Present
Current Band Members :
Harry Conklin - Vocalist
Christian Lasegue - Lead Guitarist
John Tetley - Bassist
Mark Briody - Rhythm Guitarist
Rikard Stjernquist - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
Metal Church
Genre : Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Power Metal
Active : 1990 - 1994
1998 - 2009
Last Known Lineup :
Ronny Munroe - Vocalist
Kurdt Vanderhoof - Lead Guitarist
Steve Unger - Bassist
Rick Van Zandt - Rhythm Guitarist
Jeff Plate - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Venom
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Genre : Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, Black Metal
Active : 1979 - Present
Current Band Members :
Conrad Lant - Vocalist/Bassist
Rage - Lead Guitarist
Danny "Dante" Needham - Drummer
Albums Reviewed :
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