Primordial - To the nameless dead

Artist : Primordial
Record : To the nameless dead
Published : 2007 Metalblade

Irish Primordial , who started playing Trash\Death metal back in 1987 , are now out with album number 6 , "To the nameless dead".

Primordial is a difficult band to place in any specific musical genre . Melodic death metal containing both clean and agressive vocals (of high quality) with influences from black and folk metal ? There is no doubt that these guys have a special style , and they manage to balance between different expresions , creating a unique sound . Thick production together with excellent musicanship , turn up the volume and Primordial will hit you with a wall of thunder . Highly recommended to fans of melodic death and black metal (Black metal with good sound and production that is , not the "true black metal played in a evil garage without any technical equipment because that is not true evil black metal" . . . ) Think Keep Of Kalessin's excellent album , "Armada".

Homepage : http://www.primordialweb.com/

8\10

Ghost Brigade - Guided by fire

Artist : Ghost Brigade
Record : Guided by fire
Published : SPD 2007

Finish doom\ death band Ghost Brigade is a new experience for me , as far as I know this is the bands debut album .

And I must admit I am very impressed by the result , this is melodic death \ doom with progressive tendences of very good quality . Both the clean and dark vocal is handled in a very proffesional and convincing way , the music is original and atmospheric , mixing between agressive and mellow. Recommended for fans of Swallow the sun , Katatonia and melodic death \ doom in general.

Swallow the sun's excellent keyboard player Aleksi Munter also handles the keys as a session member for this debut.

Homepage : http://www.ghostbrigade.net/gbf/

7\10

Video - Dream Theater - The Dark Eternal Night In

This is prog metal at a very high level!

Pagan's Mind - God's Equation

Artist : Pagan's Mind
Record : God's Equation
Published : 2007 Limb Music

Ever since I was front row at Borgen Pub in Karmøy a couple of years ago , seeing Pagan's Mind performing from the bands brilliant second album , "Celestial Entrance" (2002) , I have been one of this bands biggest fans .

Third album , "Enigmatic Calling" (2005) only made me admire them even more. Can this continue . . ? In my opinion , no . Except for a song or two , the old magical atmosphere created by the Pagan's on both their previous releases is pretty much gone. Its not inteligent prog metal with flowing passsages and catchy choruses any more , its more straight forward space ?? power metal with agressive radio\space voice ?? vocals .
The skill of these guys can not be argued , but it has all taken a completly different direction.Perhaps this will give them new fans around the world (or in space.. eh . .) , I sure hope so . But this train has left the station for me , Im hoping for a change of direction again next time around.

Homepage : http://www.pagansmind.com/

4\10 ("Celestial Entrance" + "Enigmatic Calling" 10\10)

Novembers Doom - The Novella Reservoir

Artist : Novembers Doom
Record : The Novella Reservoir
Published : 2007 The End

This one hit me right between the eyes , acoustic guitars , brutal death growls , clean vocal , majestic passages , I love it !

So , if you like your death metal filled with progressive twists , clean vocal , acoustic guitars and superb production , well , this is as good as it gets ( If your band is not called Opeth that is . . .)

These guys has been making music since 1989 , so they have been around for quite a while . In my opinion they have never released a weak album , but This years release is in a class of its own . I think you get the picture , its simply a must buy for any fan of this genre

Homepage : http://www.novembersdoom.com

8\10

Riverside - Rapid Eye Movement

Artist : Riverside
Record : Rapid Eye Movement
Published : 2007 Inside out


Mariusz Duda and his Riverside returns with "Rapid Eye Movement" . Can these Polish prog metal wonderboys continue what they gave us on "Out of myself " and "Second life syndrom" ?

Yes and No . Its still great music , these guys know how to come up with inteligent , melodic and cathy prog metal.But to be honest I think their previous efforts are better than this years release.And with Porcupine Tree's new album in mind , Riverside end up being second best in class this time around . Its a good album , and it might grow and get better in time , but for now its a little disapointing .

If you are new to Riverside , I recommend you get "Out of Myself" and "Second life Syndrom" first .

Homepage : http://www.riverside.art.pl/eng/main.html

6\10 ("out of myself" 9\10 - "Second Life Syndrom" 9\10)

Winds - Prominence and demise

Artist : Winds
Record : Prominence and Demise
Published : 2007 The End Records


Complex prog music with experienced musicans sometimes leads to total overkill , "Lets pour out all we have on one album just to show how technical skilled we are" . . . .


And . . . it is damn good to hear that this is not the case at all here . Complex prog music , yes , but its done with both mind and heart , this album is catchy , melodic , interesting , suprising , its just simply great . Different vocalists \ vocalist styles also makes it even more interesting . And the great Dan Swanø also appears here (I know , I buy everything with his name on blindfolded . . . but dont let that scare you..)And Hellhammer sure know how to handle those drums . . . \m/


Recording Line-Up:

Lars E. Si (Age of Silence, ex-Khold, Tulus) - Vocals
Carl August Tidemann - Guitars
Andy Winter (Age of Silence) - Piano, keyboards
Hellhammer (Age of Silence, Arcturus, ex-The Kovenant, Mayhem) - Drums

Session members:

Four esteemed guests:
Agnete M. Kirkevaag – Soprano Voices (Madder Mortem)
Lars Nedland – Alto Voices (Age of Silence, Borknagar, Solefald)
Dan Swanö– Tenor Voices (Edge of Sanity, Nightingale, Second Sky, ex. Bloodbath)
Øystein Moe – Bass (ex. Tritonus, Ulver)

Also appearing from the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra:

Andre Orvik – First Violin
Vegard Johnsen – Second Violin
Dorthe Dreier – Viola
Hans Josef Groh – Cello

Go get it !

8\10