Therion - Gothic kabbalah

Artist : Therion
Record : Gothic Kabbalah
Published : Nuclear Blast 2007




Christofer Johnsson and the Niemann brothers , together with new drummer Petter karlsson (2004-) are back with a monster of an album . 2 cd's packed with over 80 minutes of symphonic metal,containing all the elements you would expect from Therion , and more.

Lemuria & Sirius B from 2004 was two amazing albums , and I think this years release is just as strong as the two mentioned . Main vocalists this time are Snowy Shaw,Mats Levén,Katarina Lilja and Hannah Holgersson.And they all do a fantastic performance , on their own or together,the altering between female and male vocals fits perfectly into Therions universe.Another thing worth mentioning is that the whole band + the two male vocalists all have contributed to making the music on this album.

Some will say Therions music is too much of everything , but I think Symphonic metal should be just that , a full orchestra together with the band and several vocalists + a choir , bring it on !

The only thing Im missing is the death vocal elements wich Christofer used to perform on previous albums.

Killer songs : The Perennial Sophia - Son of the staves of time - Adulruna Rediviva

Homepage : http://www.megatherion.com/

8\10

Twisted into form - Then comes affliction to awaken the dreamer

Artist : Twisted into form
Record : Then comes affliction to awaken the dreamer
Published : Sensory 2006




Twisted into form was formed in Oslo in 2000. The following is taken from the bands home page : "From the onset, it was agreed upon that the band's mission was to create music that fused the intensity of jazz/fusion and technical metal while conjuring extraordinary emotions through each musician's contribution. There were to be no boundaries (no deadlines, no commercial aspirations, no emotional confines), no limits -only music"

There you have it , High quality Norwegian technical prog metal .
And what an album these guys has created . With statements as the one above , its easy for a band to come up with technical masterpieces , but totally lacking "flow" , feeling and melody . But this is not the case here , not at all . Technical yes , but lots of great passages , choruses and killer riffs . Its one of those albums where you find new favourite parts every time you listen to it .Just listen to the fragile beginning of "the thin layers of lust and love" , wich then changes into oriental rythms for a while , before changing again .


This is an album wich demands some time , you need to listen to it a couple of times before it gets under your skin , but once it does , it stays there...


Homepage : http://www.twistedintoform.no/


8\10

Talisman - 7

Artist: Talisman
Record: 7
Published: Frontiers Records 2006


Sometimes I just want to listen to plain melodic rock , and Talisman is without doubt one of todays finest bands within this category . (Together with Cornerstone , will also review their latest , "Two tales and one tomorrow")

From the first song "Falling" to last one "Back 2 the feeling" , you get melody , ballads, nice guitar solos and a killer vocal performance . After 25 years of singing Jeff Scott Soto still has one of the best voices around . This is his last work together with Talisman , as he is now replacing Steve Augeri in Journey .

Talisman claims this is their finest work so far , and this is not far from the truth . If top quality melodic rock with a wide varity of songs is your cup of tea , then Talisman will not let you down this time either.

Homepage : http://www.talismanworld.com/

7\10

Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death

Artist: Iron Maiden
Record: A Matter of Life and Death
Published: Sanctuary Records, 2006

When bands have played for so long as Iron Maiden has, and have released as many album as they have, bands tend to get boring, because they know they'll sell enough to buy their beer anyway. But not Iron Maiden. The speed up, get even tighter, more progressive than ever and keep making great songs!

As always, Iron Maiden start at a 100 kmph, with "Different world". Typical Iron Maiden, nothing special, but enough to get you rollin'. And it keeps rollin'. And rollin'. And rollin'... The first track is the down side of this album, and that's a pretty good song!

Bruce Dickinson sings better than ever, his comeback is just one great success story! And with quite different guitarist such as Adrian Smith, Janick Gers and Dave Murray, the sound is diverse and never boring -- seems like they bring out the best in each other. Steve Harris is still improving his playing! And Nicko McBrain seems like his having just as much fun now as "way back when...".

"A Matter of Life and Death" is a very diverse album, with songs like "Brighter than a thousand suns" and "The longest day", which are very, very different.

Highlights:
Even with such a strong album, there are a few songs that stands out: "For the greater good of God" and "The legacy". They are awsome!

"Killers". "The number of the beast". "The seventh son of a seventh son". And "A matter of life and death". Yes, it's up there!

This is a "must have".

Web site: http://www.ironmaiden.com/

All articles about Iron Maiden.

10/10

Rage - Speak of the Dead

Artist: Rage
Record: Speak of the Dead
Published: Nuclear Blast, 2006

The German metal band Rage gave us lots of nicities on this one. As usual they start with a looong intro "Mortiuri Te Salutant" (love it!) which is actually bridged together with the rest of the album by the next track, "Prelude of souls", before it explodes...

This album is hard, heavy, progressive, melodic, raw -- simply very complete!

"No Regrets" still give me the chill! This is one of the highlights of Rage’s career, and a perfect good bye to Mike Terrana, who left Rage after this album. "No Regrets" is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard.

"Speak of the Dead" is actually a bit harder than their latest records, but without sounding unnatural (hint: Metallica?).

I’m always sceptic about slow songs, like "Beauty". But they pull it off, and it fits nicely with the album.

Victor Smolski get to show off what an insanely incredible guitaris he is; is there anything he can’t play? Whether it’s furiously fast, slow, progressive it just sounds so good! Off topic: How about him and John Petrucci on the same stage?!? Hm, back to topic...

Highlights
There are several goodies on this album, but the extreme highlights are "No regrets" and "Kill you gods".

Wondering if you’re gonna buy it? It’s a no-brainer -- go, go!

Web site: http://www.rage-on.de/

All articles about Rage.

10/10

Sørskogen - Mordet i grottan

Artist : Sørskogen
Song : Mordet i Grottan



"Sørskogen" is the title of a project Mikael Åkerfeldt and Dan Swanø had going a couple of years ago . The song "mordet i grottan" is the only song available (internet only) , but some says several more songs was recorded.The songs chorus was actually used on Opeth album "Damnation" , the song "to rid the disease"

Check out this laidback prog classic , its a perfect song for those long warm summer days . . .

http://hem.bredband.net/frisun/Sorskogen_-_Mordet_i_Grottan.mp3

10\10

I - Between two worlds

Artist : I
Record : Between two worlds
Published : Nuclear Blast 2006

"I ride my fate with all my hate"

So you want true Viking metal ? And you think Manowar is the real deal ?

Think again , there is a new king in the castle , and his name is Abbath .
Ice cold riffs , powerfull beats and warrior lyrics , welcome to Valhalla . Abbath and his army (TC King , gorgoroth\Armagedda , immortal\Ice Dale , enslaved) takes no prisoners as they ride down the mountainside with swords held high . Imagine a mix between immortal and motorhead , This is nothing less then a instant classic !

"Its a great day for fire , its a great day for wrath . Its a warriors desire , riding down the mountainside"

(Demonaz from immortal is the man behind the lyrics , pure poetry)

Homepage : http://i-metal.net/

8\10

Threshold - Dead Reckoning

Artist : Threshold
Record : Dead Reckoning
Published : Nuclear Blast 2007


Threshold has allways been my favourite main stream power prog band.(Is that a category?) And with the new album "Dead Reckoning" , they still are .Catchy songs , very clever musicians ,lots of guitar solos and a touch of death metal vocal in some of the songs ! (by our swedish friend Dan Swanø , Respect!), makes the album rather fresh and enjoyable. Nothing new invented here , but you dont allways have to change things just to change it . . (eh..) And if Threshold is a new experience , both "Subsurface" and "critical mass" are well worth checking out

Homepage : http://www.thresh.net/

Killer songs : "slipstream" - "elusive" (Yes , its Dan Swanø going at it)

7\10

ISIS - In the absence of truth

Artist : ISIS
Record : In the absence of truth
Published : Ipecac 2006


How to describe the music of LA band ISIS ? You cant . . .



Dark , progressive and heavy , painting pictures and landscapes not of this world. A voice that is not only a voice , but a instrument of its own . Inspired by bands as Tool,Neurosis and Godflesh , but envolved into ISIS.
When asked to describe his own music , Vocalist Aron Turner says : "avant-garde, drone-oriented rock, but that doesn't completely cover the bases" Highly recommended ! !

Killer song : "Wrists of kings" Unbelivable

Home page : http://www.isistheband.com/

9\10

TNT - The New Territory

Artist : TNT
Record : The New Territory
Published : Bonnier amigo music norway 2007


Ok , here is the deal . I like all kinds of metal . So it has nothing do do with me being just a prog\death metal nutcase. I still play the old TNT albums from time to time.Songs like "tonight im falling for you" and "end of the line" brings back sweet memories from when I was young an handsome.

But this new album . . . ? New guy Tony Mills can sing , we all know Ronnie can play the guitar , but its just so . . Boring . Nothing here sticks , all songs would fit perfect in the elevator onboard the ferry to denmark . . . Enough said .

Homepage : http://tnttheband.com/

2\10

Porcupine Tree - Fear of a blank planet

Artist : Porcupine Tree
Record : Fear of a blank planet
Published : Roadrunner records 2007


Watch out , genious at work !

Prog Mastermind Steven Wilson is back with the bands 14th album , and as usual , he lives up to all expectations . The new album has much of the same flow as 2005 "Deadwing" (If you dont own this album , it is about time , and get "in absentia" as well. Come to think of it , get it all , the whole catalouge!) Beautiful and fragile parts combined with heavier riffs , "telephone" voice , basiclly everything you would expect from PT , but at the same time it all has a "fresh" feeling to it. Only one question remains , when are Steven Wilson , Mikael Åkerfeldt , Mike Portnoy and Dan Swanø going to form a band together . . . ?

Homepage : http://www.porcupinetree.com/index.cfm

Be sure to check out 17 minutes long "Anesthetize" , fantastic :)

8\10 (Deadwing 9\10 - In Absentia 10\10)

Martin Popoff - The top 500 heavy metal albums of all time

Writer : Martin Popoff
Book : The top 500 heavy metal albums of all time
Published : ECW Press 2004

If there is something we metalheads love , it is to read about our favourite albums , how the recording went , what producer was a real as**** , what albums inspired the artist , and so on . . . (well,I do anyway..)

And here you have it , the ultimate book for heavy metal lovers . Martin Popoff and his crew took a poll to find out what was the top 500 albums of all time , then he wrote a review on each one , and he personally interviewed the artists . I can not recommend this book enough . If you have any interest in music at all , this is a must buy , no doubt about it !

Martin Popoff :
""The Top 500 Heavy Metal Albums Of All Time Book is my 450 page, 7"x 10" format book that tallies the results of a huge, worldwide poll on greatest metal albums ever. Included are artist quotes for almost every album, a review by me on each one as well, many album cover shots, top ten lists from the rockers themselves, my own Top 25 plus tabulations of the data by band, album, year and country of origin and other appendices not part of the similar format Songs book"

Homepage : http://www.martinpopoff.com/

I bought my copy at MEFISTO , Norways finest metal store :http://www.mefisto.no/ (Norwegian website)

10\10

Magic Pie - Circus of Life

Artist : Magic Pie
Record : Circus of Life
Published : Progress Records 2007

70's prog with modern influences , oh yes !

Magic Pie played at sweden rock festival this summer , and I was there :). And man I tell you , these guys can play ! In a fair world Magic Pie will play the big stage next year (I mean ,Meat Loaf ?) Anyway... First part of new album "Circus of life" are divided into 5 different parts . And what a treat this is . From the beginning of "welcome" to the end , "the clown" , one highlight follows the next one . With four different vocalists , each with his own unike style wich fits perfect to the others , and one hell of a lead guitar player , this is almost to good to be true . especially part 4 stands out (wich again are divided into 4 parts , I love it!) But then again , I can not put my finger on any weak points about this album . Progressive rock with everything from mellow slow parts to fast headbanging riffs wich really stick in your head for ages.I have played this album every day since I got it , and I still am . If you still dont understand what Im trying to say : GO GET THE ALBUM NOW !

homepage : http://www.magicpie.net/

10\10

DOMINICI - O3 A Triology - Part 2

Artist : Dominici
Record :O3 A Triology - Part 2
Published: inside out music \ 2007






Charlie Dominici , best known for his vocal performance on Dream Theaters killer debut "when dream and day unite" 1989 , is back with his friends from the band solid vision.

And what you see is what you get , progressive technical metal , instrumental parts of high quality , together with a good vocal performance . But . . . thats it really , there is nothing that really stands out , no killer songs , no instrumental parts that makes me listen to the same 43 seconds over and over again . The album is . . . ok .

homepage : http://www.dominici.com/index2.htm

Check out these songs : all the songs are . . . ok

5\ 10

Find your band here

- Charlie Amorphis
- Charlie Dominici
- Circle II Circle
- Communic
- Dark Tranquillity
- Dimmu Borgir
- F5
- Fiction
- Flotsam and Jetsam
- Freak Kitchen
- Gojira
- I
- Iced Earth
- Iron Maiden
- ISIS
- Jorn Lande
- Kamelot
- katatonia
- Magic Pie
- Manowar
- Martin Popoff
- Megadeth
- Meliah Rage
- Neurosis
- Nuclear Blast
- Opeth
- Porcupine Tree
- Rage
- Russel Allen
- Talisman
- Therion
- Threshold
- TNT
- Triosphere
- Twisted into form
- Zak Stevens

Megadeth - United Abominations

Artist: Megadeth
Record: United Abominations
Published: Roadrunner Records, 2007

Dave Mustaine isn't getting any mellower, to put it that way...

This album is packed with incredibly groovy riffs, like on the third track, "Never walk alone... A call to arms".

This album has the incredibly groovy riffs from "Youthanasia", is as raw as "Rust in peace" and is as refreshing "The system has failed" -- love this album!

As the name of the album implies, Dave isn't very into the UN... Let's not get political about it here, but the title track is NOT this albums strongest track. "Gears of war" is a strong candidate for that, as is "Washington is next", two great tracks!

The inclusion of "A tout le monde", where Cristina Scabbia is duetting with Dave, has been received mixed reviews, but I like it because the song has been re-written to almost a new song.

This is one of Megadeth's strongest albums, and is recommended -- if you're a fan, it's mandatory. Megadeth (= Dave Mustaine) has shown the ability to not being repetitive, but still being true to their style!

For more info, see their site!

8/10

Gojira - The Link

Artist :gojira
Record: the link
Pulished :boycott rec \ next music 2003

This album really caught me by surprise . French death metal ? I have two words , Hell yeah !

Groovy progressive death metal with insane drumming does not get much better than this(Drummer Mario Duplantier must be the most underrated drummer in the death metal scene , why did he not join Opeth after Martin left..? no offense Mr Axenrot , you do a great job..) Gojiras lyrics also stand out , they often write about concerns for enviroment , how we do not take care of out planet etc . : "find a link between wrong and right , understand, you create what you are , be the link, you are what you create"

And if you like the album , be sure to check out the DVD , "The Link Alive" , great sound and picture quality !

Gojira is also nominated for the Metal Hammer Awards 2007

homepage : http://www.gojira-music.com/

Check out these songs : The Link - Death of me

7\10