Video - Dream Theater - Instrumedly (Live At Budokan)

This video of Dream Theater performing this "Instrumedly" at Budokan migh very well be the technically best performance ever taped! I could of course be wrong, but not very ;-)

METAL - A headbangers journey (DVD)

Title : Metal - A Headbangers Journey
Published : 2005 Banger productions

"Sam Dunn , a 30 year old headbanger turned anthropologist, sets out on a quest to explore heavy metal's true origins and cultural impact . His mission ? To get to the bottom of one burning question : why is heavy metal music so beloved by its devoted fans and yet so controversial ?"

"This gound breaking film examines the history of heavy metal stereotypes and illuminates the truth behind the music . Witness performances and candid interviews with metal icons and members of legendary bands including Black Sabbath,Iron Maiden,Slayer,Twisted Sisters,Motely Crue,Motorhead,Rob Zombie,Alice Cooper,Ronnie James Dio,Rage against the machine and Rush , as well as extremists like Slipknot,Cannibal Corpse and more."

"Shot on location in the U.K,Germany,Norway,Canada and the U.S,this documentary is an exhilarating tribute to metal's dark side , and an outsider's window into a complex and fascinating subculture"

Great movie , every metal fan should own a copy !

10\10

Helloween - Gambling with the devil

Artist: Helloween
Record: Gambling with the devil
Published: Steamhammer, 2007

Helloween hit rock bottom with the Chameleon record. Andi Deris came in, replacing Michal Kiske. The latter was at the time without doubt the best singer of the two, but Andi Deris' entry seemed to spur new energy into Helloween. Each album seemed to be faster, more advanced than the previous.

After quite a few lineup changes, they managed to improve for each album, and I honestly thought that their previous album, "Keeper 3", would be their highlight...

I've rarely been more happy about being wrong :-)

"Gambling with the devil" is all what Helloween is about; fast songs (Kill it), fun songs (Can do it), melodic songs (As long as I fall) and more complex songs (The bells of the 7 hells).

While this could be called a Helloween trademark album, doesn't mean it's predictable and boring! Each musician has been able to improve themselves, and the songs are we crafted.

If you're into Helloween or power metal in general, this is a must have. And the fact that I keep listening to it over and over, is a sign of quality.

Highlights
Kill it, As long as I fall and The bells of the 7 hells are all great songs.

Web site: http://www.helloween.org/

All articles about Helloween.

9/10

OPETH - The Roundhouse tapes

Artist : OPETH
Record : The Roundhouse Tapes (Live)
Published : 2007 Peaceville

"Listen , a note will appear in the PA very very soon . Can you hear it ? Can you sing that note ? This is Blackwater Park"

We have all lost it now ,Catching the flakes of dismay .Born the travesty of man .Regular pulse midst pandemonium .You're plucked to the mass ,Parched with thirst for the wicked. Sick liaisons raised this monumental mark.

The sun sets forever over Blackwater park

11\10

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!