A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Grade Scale adopted at MetalKings.com (starting from the lowest)

1 - Shite
2 - Could be worse
3 - Could be better
4 - Damn good
5 - Killer

3-/5
AMUN RE
Magic Kingdom
2003
CCP Records / CD-Maximum
power metal
Hmm, I guess CCP records would of been better off doing what they do best - that is black and dark metal, for I haven't ever heard anything less convincing in power metal. Not bad, not weak - it's just unconvincing. I mean the first association that crossed me mind when I heard the whines of their lead singer was the infamous Homer Simpson. Hey man, you listen to the old black-death metal fan: power metal must sound powerful and bombastic! You have to sing that one, sing it loud and proud so that the champaign glasses break! Look at yourself? Mumbling like a straight-D first-year student in his first exam! Then again this really concerns all of the musicians in the band. Have you guys ever heard anything about the notion of "attack"? You cannot fiddle with heavy metal, be it a million times melodic and glamorous, it's still rock! Rock, understand? Rock is something that is not pop or jazz! The music is not that bad really, but you gotta play it in an entirely different way, sir. (Troll)

5/5
ARIDA VORTEX
Evil Sorcery
2003
CD-Maximum
power metal
WOW! What's that? I can't believe that absolutely disgusting and no-future Russian scene is capable to give birth to such masterpieces! It is simply impossible to click 'stop' when listening to the whole album from the first to the last (especially the last) song. The album perfectly comprises brilliant song-writing talents, excellent vocals and literate English and nails you to the ground. Musically that's a great combination of Yngwie Malmsteen, Stratovarius, Iron Maiden and early works of Russian heavy metal legends Aria. It's not hard to see that band members skillfully worked on the quality of performance and recording for there are no mistakes, no breaks regardless of the fact that the effort was recorded in three (!) different studios. A Stratovarius hint is seen on the planet-picturing cover while Malmsteen feelings reflected in instrumental tracks, electric "Facing The Elements" and acoustic "Abyss Of Madness". The album ends with Russian-language ballad "Uletai (Fly Away)" - there can be no better conclusion of any album. In short, finally the Russian scene generated a band that can seriously compete with power metal from the West. Believe me, that's the best upcoming Russian band in latest 20 (at least) years! (Dead Ripper)

4/5
ASKA
Avenger
2003
Steel Heart / CD-Maximum
rmelodic hard rock
Any associations with the band's name? Well, it definitely sounds like a normal slang word for the ISQ computer program ("as'ka")… And there's no irony here for the band sounds really great. The singer doesn't sound brand new and other musicians are complete professionals. From the musical point of view Aska is pretty close to Iron Maiden which is thanks to its singer. Seems like the band spent a lot of time and input best efforts in this (fourth) album making it maximally interesting and musically brilliant. The best tracks are "Angels Of War", instrumental "Prelude To Darkness", "Eternal Night", "Valkyrie". Lyrics also greatly find their way into music which seriously helps easier understand the album. In general, the American heavy metal gradually starts to rise from the ashes. One day it might totally rise… though you never know. (Dead Ripper)

2/5
AZTEC JADE
Concrete Eden
2003
Steel Heart / CD-Maximum
power metal
Power metal again. Nothing interesting again. And surely power metal with progressive influences for nobody wants to listen to another Helloween-cliched clone. So musicians worldwide have to work hard to develop something new and create extraordinary music by combining both styles. In some cases they succeed. Not this time, not with these Americans though it's the third album. OK, we have to be glad that finally Americans started playing this music. Maybe 30 bands later there will be anything good. For now it's just derisive attempts. (Dead Ripper)

2/5
BLACK STEEL
Destructor
2003
Frontiers Records / CD-Maximum
heavy metal
When did you last time listen to Manowar? And Iron Maiden? And an Australian band? Everyone shouting, "Pegazus rules!" It rules, it rules but other kangaroo-metal wannabes also want to break into the European and American heavy metal scene. But pig-faced guys have nothing to do in a drugstore though many of them wish to be there. Black Steel is another one of them. Singer Phil Anselmo from Pantera decided to sound like Eric Adams from Manowar while guitar player Dimebad Darrel took some private lessons from Iron Maiden-axeman Adrian Smith. And they all recorded it their private garage and mixed it somewhere so the quality is not good enough. In general, there is nothing worse than a kangaroo jumping forward at full speed. By the way, try to enter the official homesite of Black Steel they mention in all interviews and see that what means spring in Australia! (Dead Ripper)

3/5
CADACROSS
Corona Borealis
2002
Low Frequency Records/CD-Maximum
melodic black death
Not bad, but not good enough either. Lack of impressionism with high recording quality and no new ideas whatsoever. Very standard melodic black death, over-spiced with bombastic and somewhat neoclassic keyboards and a curt nod (so as not to say a bow of slaveful adoration) to Dimmu Borgir. Those who listen to nothing but black metal might like Cadacross, but I have serious doubts about the rest of us out there. Besides by the end of the fourth track the hysterical manner of the lead singer was really driving me nuts. Yes there are some nice-sounding moments here, such as for instance the harmonica leads in the vein of Finntroll, but those are just too few and far between. (Troll)

5/5
CRUSH 40
Crush 40
2003
Frontiers Records / CD-Maximum
melodic hard rock
What a crazy stuff it is! There is Japanese musician Jun Senoue who is writing music for SEGA-series games. And that's really great but Jun is a huge fan of classic American hard rock. This time he managed to invite such famous singers as Johnny Gioeli (Hardline, Axel Rudi Pell), Tony Harnell (TNT) and Ted Poley (Melodica). Famous Japanese record company "Victor Entertainment" heard those tracks and decided to release them altogether as an album of the band Sons Of Angels "Thrill Of The Feel". Three years later the album finally found its way in Europe. Though several tracks disappeared from it but some new ones were added. After hearing this effort you clearly understand why the Japanese nation is so crazy about hard rock and heavy metal - if they listen to such songs when playing SEGA games then what can you expect when they come to various metal shows throughout their home country? And people in Europe and America just have lots of fun listening to this music. (Dead Ripper)

4-/5
DEMON CHILD
Shadow Cult
2002
Sound Riot / CD-Maximum
black metal
Hey, Beavis, that's pretty cool! Fact. Real badass stuff! I mean it is really nothing new, but I just can't help but like it. Fast, aggressive, straightforward black metal exactly the way the late Euronymous plotted it 10 years ago. Lots of penguin paint, spikes, bullet-belts and all the rest things iron! Plus traditional Finnish quality with the personal stamp of Mika Jussila and Finnvox on the back. So what else do you need? Once again there's nothing original about it, but they don't claim to be original in first fucking place, so piss off! As to the rest of it - outstanding playing techniques, elaborate compositional structure, high-quality screams from the darkest pits of gehennah, and superior sound to top it all off. In short - Hail black metal frenzy! Glory to the dark northern icebergs! And praise the nuclear winter, which the band are positively intending to celebrate on the ashes of Jehovah's church. (Troll)

4-/5
DREAMTALE
Beyond Reality
2002
Spinefarm/FONO
finnish power
First things first - this release is something very special for me, for as it has turned out, their now ex-bassist, who plays on the album, - is a long-lost friend of mine, whom we have drunk more than one pint in the Finnish city of Tampere back in our hey-day, so pardon me but I can't help my prejudiced attitude on that one. Then again, frankly speaking, the album is in fact pretty good, so the high rate that I gave it is absolutely just. Well, the fact that almost every Finnish musician normally knows the way around his instrument of choice pretty damn well really needs no further backup I suppose, so let's skip everything that concerns technical professionalism and move straight to the music. Let's call a spade a spade - there's nothing excessively original about Dreamtale's material, however there is that something in their somewhat naive songs, something that makes you feel warm and comfortable, something that makes you wanna run ahead ever stopping or looking back. The main hit of the record - 'Heart's Desire' - is probably way over on the Helloween side, but I mean this is power metal after all, isn't it? (Troll)

4/5
DUSKFALL
Frailty
2002
Black Lotus Records / CD-Maximum
fast melodic death
It's strange how one's musical tastes may evolve with time. No later than just two years ago I would have definitely sent this CD to the garbage can, calling them a yet another 98356345th copy of Children of Bodom, and adding that COB themselves were nothing but a copy of Absurdus. But today I sit here listening to Duskfall and catch myself really enjoying it. That is despite the more than obvious parallels with Laiho & Co and a couple of funny quotes from Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" in the second song and the unlawfully trendy neo-classic solos in "Agoraphobic", notwithstanding the secondary nature of the material and a very limited amount of original moves, even despite all of that Duskfall rock like everyone should. Intense aggression, math-like preciseness, ideal sound-quality, and outstanding musicianship skills make Dusk fall that very student that has outplayed his master. At least I've had an equally good time listening to both 'Fraility' and the latest COB. (Troll)

4-/5
GRAND ALCHEMIST
Intervening Coma Celebration
2002
Sound Riot Records / CD-Maximum
Borknagaresque atmospheric black
I dunno about you, folks, but I have always believed that any musical piece which is performed in public needs to be accessible not only to the musicians but to the public as well. At that - this understanding better come on the 2nd spin, than on the 52nd… Naturally I do not mean to call everyone go primitive and simplify their musical ideas to the maximum, but again something needs to be left in the listener's head already after the first listen. Well, apparently the Norwegian Grand Alchemist do not share that opinion, for after having listened to their latest I was left with a vague impression that I have just heard something very interesting and good, but so complex that chances are I wouldn't really want to listen to it again. The enormous amounts of keyboard and guitar tricks on 'Intervening Coma-Celebration' build up into a very intricate and bright picture, but the problem with it is that you cannot see it in full, because you'd be distracted by details all of the time you look at it. To sum it all up - anyone who has the time and the determination to get into this you are very welcome, the rest may as well concentrate on something less witty and moody. (Troll)

5/5
HORRIFIED
Deus Diabolus Inversus
2002
Black Lotus Records / CD-Maximum
atmospheric doom death black
And when the mighty horn of war rang hailing the end of the last battle between darkness and light, and the last angel jerked in agony on Azathoth's pitchfork just before fading into the Great Nothing, blood ran down from Jehovah's eyes, his skin became scaled with black steel, his hands became like the paws of a wolf, and his feet became goat-hooves, viper skin covered his face, and a pair of curved horns protruded from his forehead. And he opened his mouth showing a pair of yellow poisoned fangs and a thin forked tongue. And the roar of a thousand of thousands animals thundered through the pits of hell, hailing the final transformation of god into the one he has been fighting against for eternity and won, never quite understanding that evil will always win over the good. This is Horrified and their latest 'Deus Diabolus Inversus' - the best CD I have heard in the trend for the last 1.5 years. Alas, I have no talent to describe the true magnificence of this release: it has something of Alastis, and something of Dimmu Borgir, something of Chaostar and something of Tiamat, but at the same time its just too unique, to give an attentive listener even a very vague idea of what he/she will be in for with this one. The mind-perpetuating choirs, multi-colored vocal pattern, the simple and at the same time sophisticated guitar licks, and an amazing absolute integrity. You listen to the old long-eared troll, if you are really into dark and atmospheric music this CD is just what you need. (Troll)

2/5
HROSSHARSGRANI
Schatten Krieger
2003
CCP Records / CD-Maximum
epic metal
I dunno, but I kind of liked the early Hrossharsgrani a lot better - I am now referring back to the times when they still did not know how to play, when they had no recording budget at all, and when their sound was as crappy as only shit can be - but - at the same time, back then they had some prime evil in them, some hidden internal power which made one's spine shake like a rattle snake. But all the good things (or bad things for that instance) tend to end, and then comes something which can only be defined as bullocks. The new album of the Austrian trio has originally been planned as the continuation of the Tolkien-based saga the band started on their previous release, so we'll have to take it over from here. First things first, I definitely think Peter Jackson did a better job, and it's not only about the budgetary differences. To begin with, all Tolkien on the record, and there's a lot of him here, is read in German. And well as with any man who has never ever learned German my knowledge of the language is limited to war movies and porn, I really couldn't appreciate the joke. The only phrase that I managed to make out more or less clearly was something like "Willkomen meine herzs im Isengard! But whatever - if it don't work with the language it should work with the music. Yeah, right… should. First, I wouldn't really call this metal, more like a soundtrack with heavy guitars. And second, the soundtrack itself sucks, I mean Peter Jackson had a better one anyway. So to wrap it all up - for die-hard tolkienists (really, seriously Gollum hissing in German! Beats the elevensees any day of the week!) and Hrossharsgrani fans only… (Troll)

5-/5
IMMOLATION
Unholy Cult
2003
Listenable/CD-Maximum
death/black
You'd hardly find another band in the scene that'd be enjoying such a popularity and fan-loyalty, at the same time remaining in the second echelon of the great legion of death metal bands. I guess the word "cult" - that is frequently used in the modern-day musical slang would fit Immolation best and in that respect the title of their latest 'Unholy Cult' is quite symbolic. Banal as it may sound, the new effort of Immolation is a logical continuation of all of their previous works put on a new level. For instance the song structure - which has never suffered form excessive simplicity - has become even more complex and overbuilt with never-ending tempo and rhythm shifts, Everest-high piles of riffs, roof-blasting drumwork, which would have made Pete Sandoval of Morbid Angel turn bright green with envy, an unprecedented sound thickness, and a hell-deep growling vocal. In short 'Unholy Cult' is an album of incredible quality which will finally help Immolation make to the top league, not only in the musical but also in the commercial plan. (Troll)

5/5
INISHMORE
Theatre of My Life
2002
Irond
doomish power
Shakespeare once said something about the whole world being a theatre and people - actors in it. Well, the performance which you are about to see on this CD was delivered by five very good Swiss actors. In fact Inishmore is a good example of how putting effort and talent together you could stray away from the generally accepted cliches and stand out of your own ilk. The fantastically beautiful and catchy melodies, a strange but beautiful voice, with occasional classical intonations to it, which show its best in the end of 'I Can't Cry'. 'The Revolution' - a Chris De Burg (!) cover is also definitely worth mentioning separately. Recommended to everyone who is tired of dragons, elves, and other Tolkien shite, and wants to listen to something more down-to-earth, such as love, hate, far, and hope… (Debbie Boink)

4-/5
MERCENARY
Everblack
2002
Hammerheart/FONO
melodic death
A fairly typical release for this particular genre with the only exception being some thrash metal influences both in the riffology and vocals. With that said I could of easily ended this review, had it not been for the totally killer-sound. A magnificent marriage of a dense guitar sound with ear-caressing solos and acoustic inserts, powerful vocal parts split into clean sound and growl/screams between the lead singer and the bass-guitarist respectively - all of that make "everblack" if not an outstanding, then at least a very good album, which may successfully compete with the million of other bands in the trend. The most interesting compositions here to me were "Dead.com", "Bloodrush" and a very lyrically non-standard "A Darker Side of Black" in which the bad opposes the current European unification. Antiglobalism, man! (Troll)

4/5
NOSTRADAMEUS
The Third Prophecy
2003
AFM / CD-Maximum
power metal
The third album of Swedish power metal newcomers. And it's obviously the third. Power metal mixed with progressive elements, the singer is good enough for such a style. The only problem is that the music sometimes dominates over the singer. Among interesting tracks are fast "Those Things You Did", musically cheerful and lyrically sad "The Future Will Show", windup "H.M.S. Ulysses". Bonus track to the album is the live version of "One For All, All For One" on which the singer speaks for about five minutes in Swedish and then goes the song. For fans of Edguy and HammerFall. (Dead Ripper)

3/5
OFFROAD
Make It Through
2003
ÎÎÎ "Çâóê"
kinderglam
"Check this out, they say it's Russian Bon Jovi" - said our editor-in-chief wincing her eye trickily when she handed me the CD. Well, having listened to this I may say that Offroad may not only claim the title of Russian Bon Jovi, but the Russian Mr. Big, Aerosmith, Status Quo, Roxettes and a couple of dozen of other bands, who were successfully writing this kind of music at the dawn of the 90ies under the attentive and caring eye of Mers. Desmond Child & Bob Ezrin. As a result the overall impression that you get is that of a cover-album. But - hellfire - will you wake up for chrissakes?! It's the third millennium out there! I mean do you really still believe in the Cinderella story, do you really believe that ripping off the vocal line from the Aerosmith-made "Line Up" and pass it off as your own "Cherry in the Peach" will take you anywhere? Do you in fact believe that stealing the ideas from "Rag Doll" and trying to shape "Don't Get Evil" out of it is fresh and genius? This album is as secondary as a chewed piece of gum on you soles, naive as that old fart of Vince Neil who is still trying to sing about gals. The track "Christmas without You" suspiciously reminds of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" the one that George Michael used to sing. And although all of the chansons are sung in a more-or-less acceptable English, which is a damn rarity for the local acts and which would have made our precious Editor-in-Chief drool over this album for eons, but give me a break! Will we ever see the day when we all gonna stop saying that "This is cool… for Russia", because the rest of this bloody world would say its freaking crap. The only thing that leaves a good impression is the singer's voice and the track "What Am I Supposed to Do", but, alas the rest of it a secondary, blow-off product for underaged girlies who haven't ever heard Aerosmith before. (Debbie Boink)

5/5
ON THE RISE
On The Rise
2003
Frontiers Records / CD-Maximum
hard rock
Five out of five! Melodic hard rock at its best. Two unknown Norwegian musicians managed to create a traditional album in the style of Whitesnake and Journey. The acoustic guitar never sounded that good in hard rock songs. The potential of two band-members is enormous! Catchy melodies of "Lift You Up", "Pride", "Sadness Hits Like A Stone", "Two Young Hearts", "The Moment" will fall deep inside the soul of every fan of such music. It is definitely one of the best melodic hard rock albums of the year. Pay attention also to the fact that musicians focused on songs themselves and did not compete with other bands demonstrative their guitar skills. So no guitar heroism on the whole album, don't search for it even with a microscope! The release features just 14 nice tracks which are good enough to raise your spirits in a dull autumn day. (Dead Ripper)

4/5
PALACE OF BLACK
Palace Of Black
2003
Steel Heart Records/CD-Maximum
doom metal
It's so exiting listening to a new album featuring ex-Yngwie Malmsteen singer! Seems like famous classic heavy metal guitar freak pushed them so much to his music that after completing work with them singers try to play anything but pure metal. They turn their attention to hard rock, progressive metal, funk… The latest style is very popular with Jeff Scott Soto. This time there's another 'different' singer Michael Vescera. OK, he once sang on a rough album of Killing Machine that was more or less in the vein of Pantera. Now with Palace Of Black we see another side of Mr. Vescera which is doom metal. Songs are extremely slow and totally depressing. Lyrics are also boring and nightmarish; they remind a listener about memoires of midnight maniac in a cold dark night when he failed to find a victim and regrets about it for about 40 minutes. So if you want to know the other side of ex-Malmsteen singers listen to this one (if you have guts to listen to it to the very end). (Dead Ripper)

4/5
REVEREND BIZARRE
In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend
2002
Low Frequency Records/CD-Maximum
ole' school doom metal
Hee-hee, I do know now how the French foreign legion works on its infamous march! They jut put a Reverend Bizarre record on and make the troops move with the beat. The main musical influence for this trio has obviously has been and still is Black Sabbath and expeciall their 'Volume IV', however if most bands who grew up on Toni Iommy's riffs normally wan to speed and sharpen them up, the Reverend Bizarre decided to take the reverse route and become the planet's slowest and swampiest act. I cannot say if that's good or bad - at least the sound quality is well-fitting with the overall stylistic concept, as for the rest of it I leave it to the judgement of those who like this music better. (Troll)

4/5
RING OF FIRE
Dreamtower
2003
Frontiers Records / CD-Maximum
progressive metal
Another Yngwie Malmsteen singer. And once again the former one. Mark Boals sings brilliant though a bit high-pitched. But for God's sake, the music becomes much more complicated with every album of this band. Seems like keyboardist and co-founder of Ring Of Fire Ukrainian genius Vitaly Kuprij concentrated all his progressive attention on Ring Of Fire which did good to his another group Artension. While Ring Of Fire became a new kind of Artension. Songs are all long, serious, kind of classical masterpieces. But it becomes extremely complicated very soon and without Boals vocals it's hard to listen to it at all. The older saying 'be easy and you get attraction' is all I can say about this album. Don't forget it next time, dear Vitaly! (Dead Ripper)

4/5
SATARIAL
Heidenlarm
2001
Irond
black
As soon as you get the CD into the rack dark visions of the legendary Oskorei will rush through your eyes like a horde of sonic demons. The wild hunt! A run towards the thick of the woods, where the bonfires flash their scarlet flames and the naked witches dance their crazy dances, where the blood of the black rooster flows on the sacrificial altar, where the spirits of our ancestors raise their call to the living, where the silence of the night breaks into a myriad of sharp melodies and sounds of the enchanted flute, where the flesh is free and the spirit is strong… The material presented on the CD is entirely original and unique, in very many aspects thanks to the band's thoughtful attention to the cultural heritage of the Slavs, that has been carefully process and then transformed into beautiful lyrics and melodies. Close your eyes and you will hear the ancient spirits talk to you through Satarial's music. The only drawback on that one is the female vocals that tends for over-action and thus sounds too unnaturally, that's definitely not what an ancient Skiff princesses would have sounded like. (Debbie Boink)

3+/5
SCENT OF FLESH
Roaring Depths of Insanity
2002
Black Lotus Records / CD-Maximum
brutal death
What I already said about Vile may as well be repeated on this one - super quality and class, but no originality. The only difference between the two releases is that if Vile is Canniba Corpse and Morbid Angel, then Scent of Flesh is most definitely Deicide with a 'Made In Finland' label on the back. Well, it is truly a joy to see at least one Finnish band that does not think that everything on this planet should go melodic and bases itself upon the real phat meat. Although, to be entirely honest with you, Finns manage to remain melodic even in brutal death, inserting typically North-European harmonized riffs and solos into the grinding guitar context. The result I have to say is pretty funny, as if the guys would forget there is no place for Dark Tranquillity and In Flames here, but then once again check themselves and go back t the real-deal hatching. Overall a very original release for Finland so that's already a reason good enough to check that one out. (Troll)

5/5
SERAPHIM
The Equal Spirit
2002
Magnum Music / CD-Maximum
power metal
This second album by the already familiar Taiwanese masters of fast jig-saw guitars Seraphim. One year of hard labor did not go in vein. The material on the album has a lot more dimensions and diversity to it. Although it still has to be said that the fast numbers are still much more interesting than the mid-tempo ones. The musicians do not hesitate to add the unique oriental vibe into their melodies, and experiment with the sound still remaining mainly guitar-oriented, unlike the Finnish Nightwish. In addition to that the album has some perfectly fitting cello, violin and clarinet parts that give the heavy riffs an upright classical fleur. The sound quality on the new CD, mastered by Mika Jussila of Finnvox, is also much more impressive, which maybe due to the fact that the album was recorded at the famous Fredman Studios with Fredrick Nordstorm. The lyrical side of the recording is deeply philosophical full of allusions, metaphors, and strange comparisons. Well, let him who has ears - hear. (Debbie Boink)

5/5
SOCIETY 1
Exit Through Fear
2003
Earache / Soyuz Music
alternative industrial
Can a porn-star become a rock-musician? Hell yeah, if we are talking about the infamous Matt Zane alias Lord Nexus - a porno-indusrtry giant, and the man who will make Marilyn Manson move his worn-out sphincter from the throne of the king of shock. A hurricane of Society 1 is coming from the City of Angels and it is here in order to penetrate your brain with its diamond drill and hornet through your ears. Watch out folks, the riffs on the album are so teeth-crushing you might need to see a dentist and the most unstable out there may need to spend some time at a funny-farm after seeing the video for "Nothing". Honestly, I do not know too many rockers out there who'd agree to hang off from the ceiling on six steel hooks going right through their back. One of the best tracks on the record is undoubtedly the philosophical "Everyone Dies (Rock Stars Don't Count)". The CD was produced by none other than Wade Norton who is known for his collaboration with White Zombie. Pain, aggression, sex, lies, and videotapes - this is a crazy anthem to the modern-day decadence, a lament for the dead humanity, a sugar-piece for all who seek consolation in nightmares. See ya in hell! (Debbie Boink)

1/5
SOLACE
13
2003
Listenable/CD-Maximum
swamp rock
Hey man, there's gotta be an end to any arrogance. There is some difference between taking inspiration from Black Sabbath and ripping them off like a mutha. It is well known that swamp rock is the latest thing in the States, but come on! For drokksakes, if you're so much into seventies put some bell-bottoms amd enormous-collar weird-color shirts on, tie your dirty hair with silly-looking bands, call yourself Bloody 2K Sabbath and become your local club's favorite cover band specializing in the first 5 albums of Sabbath. But what in the hell are you gonna do on the big scene? Why would anyone want to pass off the ideas stolen from Iommi for their own? Why would anyone wanna copy Ozzy, when the man is still out there singing? Oh, you are too upset with the modern-day kids listening to the crappy likes of Eminem and Limp Bizkit, and not knowing their own rots? Is that the case with you? Very well, then instead of wasting your money on an expensive studio, buy yerself a railcar of CDR-s, burn all of the BS albums on them, and start a street giveaway in the name of Osbourne and the crew! Everyone'd better off like that, believe me! Total bullocks! (Troll)

5-/5
THOU ART LORD
Dv8
2002
Black Lotus Records / CD-Maximum
black metal
Zabba-Zabba-Zabba-Zabba-Zabba-Zabba! Oh hellfire, I lost me breath just listening to this one! Okay, kiddies, and now daddy's gonna tell you a scary story about the making of this album. As you know the first one to go into the studio is always the drummer. Well, instead of putting him on a regular spinning stool they pinned the mutha on an electric chair, put the drumsticks in his hands, taped the guy's feet to the pedals and grilled his ass with 360 volts with occasional power drops so as to ensure breaks. The next one to go is the bass-guitarist. This guy has to play together with the bass-drum, doesn't he? No problemo - line a two-thread wire from the front skin-ring through the bass and earth it right through the cabinet - and there you go! No bassist ever could follow the drums more precisely then this one. With the rhythm section done, in comes the guitarist. Well, this was so much easier - make the man protrude his right hand forwards, give him a 30lb dambell, and make him stand like that for a day or two. Then stick the pick to his fingers with some super glue and lead his hand towards the strings of the guitar - the naturally acquired tremor provided for a pretty accurate play with the 360-volt drums, and the rest if it is purely technical… Then again - if we speak seriously you just look at the lineup of this band: guitar - Sakis (Rotting Christ), bass - Magnus (Necromantia), vokills - Seth (Septic Flesh) and drums - Akis K. (Septic Flesh again).You need any more reference? (Troll)

3/5
TUNNELVISION
Tomorrow
2003
Massacre Records / Art Music Group
progressive metal
"Light At The End Of The Tunnel" was the name of an more-or-less solo effort of ex-Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson. But if a tunnel is too long? There is no light inside, just darkness and silence broken by Finnish group TunnelVision sitting in this dark and empty place. The album opens up with Arabic-influenced improvisations and then go 10 songs in the vein of Dream Theater and Symphony X but much more progressive. Somehow the band managed to deliver a speedy intro on "Time Of The Hunter's Moon". The singer reminds of Ozzy Osbourne and Bruce Dickinson together as one but all tracks are mid-tempo and too complicated. Just another progressive metal album, that's it. (Dead Ripper)

4-/5
VILE
Depopulate
2002
Listenable/CD-Maximum
brutal death
No matter how much I love all sorts of things brutal, I'd be a damned liar had I said that the latest work of this US-based combo has left a huge impression on me. Very even, very thick, and - pardon me - very brutal, but, alas, completely unoriginal. Standard, well-made death metal of Florida school, which will surely smear the souls of all the lover of the genre with sweet ptomaine balsam, but can hardly claim to be unique and innovative. Traditional guitar buzz, well-recorded vocals, the once again traditional solos which are somewhat detached from the overall musical context, and high quality drumming. If we are talking about the general impression of the record I'd compare it with Morbid Angel's 'Formulas Fatal to the Flesh', which, as we all know, is definitely not the strongest work of this band. Good - but not good enough. (Troll)