Danish power metal quintet Pyramaze deliver a dynamic batch of metal on its seventh album Bloodlines. The title track is an instrumental that opens the album. It starts with a mysterious piano melody that is joined by string samples and bombastic ...
Album Review: “Hellriot” by Mystic Prophecy
Mystic Prophecy's twelfth album, Hellriot, initially surprised me. I expected a bombastic, over the top power metal album and heard an album filled with grit, groove, catchy choruses and virtuoso guitar leads. The Bavarian quintet do not play aro ...
Album Review: “Reader of the Runes-Rapture” by Elvenking
Italian folk/prog metal outfit Elvenking return with its highly anticipated release, Reader of the Runes-Rapture. The second album in a planned trilogy, Rapture is a heavy, yet diverse record that picks up after its predecessor, Reader of the Ru ...
Album Review: “Chapter 1: Monarchy” by Ad Infinitum
Swiss symphonic metal quartet Ad Infinitum's debut album, Chapter 1: Monarchy, sounds as grandiose as its title directs. “Infected Monarchy” opens the album with a dream like piano and serene strings that build up as Melissa Bonny's beautiful, yet po ...
Album Review: “Reign Of Gold” by Human Fortress
German power metal outfit Human Fortress return with its sixth release Reign Of Gold. “Thunder” is hampered by thin production and is somewhat generic. Things improve on the title track with its driving rhythm compliments of drummer Apostolos Zaios. ...
Album Review: “Reader Of The Runes-Divination” by Elvenking
Elvenking unleash a potent spell of folk metal on its tenth release, Reader Of The Runes-Divination. “Perthro” is a brief piece that opens the album. “Perthro” is the rune of fate and the unknowable. The tribal drums, sorrowful violins and droning vo ...
Album Review: “Spirits Of Fire” by Spirits Of Fire
Metal super group Spirits Of Fire's self titled debut album is a cauldron of prog, power and thrash metal that unfortunately is slightly generic. The quartet is comprised of metal legends Tim Owens, Chris Caffery, Steve DiGiorgio and Mark Zonder tha ...
CD Review: “Bloody But Unbowed” by Halcyon Way
Atlanta metal band Halcyon Way soldiers on with its fourth release, Bloody But Unbowed. It is a fitting title for a band that formed 17 years ago and continue to wave the metal flag down South. The opening track “Deevolution” starts with a stringed s ...
CD Review: “The Sacrament Of Sin” by Powerwolf
German gothic power metal quintet Powerwolf offers its seventh release titled The Sacrament Of Sin. The album is a dark, yet accessible as it blends gothic, power metal and symphonic metal to strong effect. Album opener “Fire & Forgive” is a gall ...
CD Review: “Alba” by Sleeping Romance
Sleeping Romance's sophomore effort, Alba, is prime with heavy riffs and soaring operatic vocals. “Where The Light Is Bleeding” is a crushing track with pounding guitar riffs interspersed with piano and strings that accentuates the somber mood of thi ...