NOCTURNAL RITES „Grand Illusion”
In the year of 2005 the Swedish power metalheads in NOCTURNAL RITES celebrate their 10th anniversary. For the party the two albums In a time of blood and fire (exhausted debut album of 1995) and Tales of mystery and imagination (from the year 1998) were released in a double CD called Lost in time The early years of Nocturnal Rites including interesting bonus tracks for example the acoustic title song In a time of blood and fire, furthermore with the in the year 2000 joined singer Jonny Lindqvist, who substitues their former singer Anders Zackrisson with his powerful voice.
CHINCHILLA „Take no prisoners”
Last year I had the pleasure to see a CHINCHILLA live show. I already new the guys by name, but I have never thought it could be real power metal! Somehow I lost the path to the band and although sometimes I read something about the Swabians in different metal magazines, I didn´t dare to listen to the CD.
STRATOVARIUS „Stratovarius”
Cool Songs: Maniac Dance, Fight!!!, Götterdämmerung (Zenith Of Power), Leave The Tribe
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SAVAGE CIRCUS „Dreamland Manor”
Cool Songs: Evil Eyes, Ghost Story, Born Again By The Night, When Hell Awakes, Tomorrowland, It – The Gathering
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ROSAE CRUSIS „Worms of the Earth”
Another power metal band with a message from a past time, one has to really admit Rosae Crusis has balls enough to create music for an album that has more of a movie theme atmosphere if anything. Talk about a blast from the 80s metal era, with high screaming tones to the flashy guitar workings of Andrea Magini for whom is accomplished enough axe player whom gives an added flair this group.
DEMONS AND WIZARDS „Touched By The Crimson King”
When vocal god Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and guitarist/song writer John Schaffer (Iced Earth) teamed up some 5-6 years ago for their Demons & Wizards project, I was excited by the prospect of what would result from their collaboration. Needless to say, the self titled debut disc was nothing short of brilliant.
FORGOTTEN TALES „All The Sinners”
Forgotten Tales is a new symphonic power metal band from Canada and this is their second album. They had released The Promise back in 2001 and now it was time for All The Sinners.
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CAFFERY, CHRIS „Faces”
Savatage is a well known band not only because of releases like Gutter Ballet, Hall Of The Mountain King, Edge Of Thorns etc but also because of the many projects that have been born by its members. Most of you already know Trans Siberian Orchestra, Dr.
OF INFINITY „The Essence Of Infinity”
I really dont like seeing a metal band becoming popular and then hundreds of bands following the style of that band in order become famous. But when some of them are good I have to admit it.
CIRCLE II CIRCLE „The Middle Of Nowhere”
Savatage is by far my favorite metal band and Circle II Circle is the band that Z. Stevens formed after he left Jon Oliva’s company.