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!

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