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A
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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
5/5
ARK STORM
Beginning Of The New Legend
2003 / 2004
NTS / CD-Maximum
neoclassical power metal
A new star is rising in the Japanese music sky. And what's great
is that this star managed to reach the European sky as well. While the
relatively brand new Japanese legend Concerto Moon shines brightly only
in Japan, Ark Strong turned the wheel of fortune all the way and tried
to get noticed outside of their homeland. What can we say about the
music? Right from the very beginning of the 1980s heavy metal the Japanese
audience gave its outmost respect to a Swedish guitar god. Almost a
decade later they paid him off with all the due respect. However, local
music styles and keyboard virtuoso from Denmark leading the band called
Royal Hunt also got mixed in the musical storm. As a result you get
an album full of mighty power metal with thundering keyboards and screaming
guitars. The album is all about positive things and feelings, which
is a huge step forward from an enormous camp of Yngwie followers. And
the final word here is - such albums broaden the boundaries of metal
music! (Dead Ripper)
5/5
AYREON
The Final Experiment
1995 / 2004
A. A. Lucassen / Irond
progressive metal
Let's make a stand here - the album can easily be called the one
that in 1995 started the progressive metal movement in the way we are
familiar with nowadays. The album is the concept one based on the story
about blind minstrel Ayreon who lived in the VI century and told the
story of the human civilization apocalypse back in the XX century. And
though the story is capable to cause emotional outbursts from anyone
the most striking moment of the album was not even the inclusion of
various guest musicians from Golden Earring, Kingdom Come, Elegy and
Gorefest but the music itself. It is just impossible to explain how
the ex-member of pure hard rock band Vengeance happened to create an
album mixing art rock, heavy metal, death metal and even acoustic parts.
Moreover, all those genres are not thrown one against another but ideally
fit into the fairytale story of the album. Throughout the whole album
you get the impression of evidencing all of the events. That's how totally
forgotten musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen became a legend overnight
and the inventor of the progressive metal style of music. P.S. One thing
to think about - do you agree that the beginning of "Listen To The Waves"
reminds of the beginning of "She's Too Tough" from Def Leppard's "Retro
Active" (1993)? (Dead Ripper)
4/5
AYREON
Actual Fantasy
1996 / 2004
A. A. Lucassen / Irond
progressive metal
After such a monumental output like "The Final Experiment" any musician
could have folded for a while but not Arjen Anthony Lucassen. A year
later he managed to release a brand new album called "Actual Fantasy".
And once again he invited several musicians from other bands. But this
time the album turned out to be less interesting and grandiose. The
problem was also in the fact that most of guest musicians were from
local Dutch bands like Wicked Sensation, Kayak and Finch. However, the
disc cannot be considered to be that bad; it just takes more than one
year to overcome a masterpiece like "The Final Experiment". In general,
the album mixed rock, symphonic and psychedelic moments. And maybe some
hard rock things like in songs "The Stranger From Within" and "Beyond
The Last Horizon". The album is just a break before the next attack.
P.S. The Russian edition includes two songs that originally came out
only on the single "The Stranger From Within" and the Japanese version,
in particular, "The Dawn Of Man" and "The Stranger From Within" (radio
edit). (Dead Ripper)
5/5
AYREON
Into The Electric Castle
1998 / 2004
A. A. Lucassen / Irond
progressive metal
Two years after the average release "Actual Fantasy" Dutch progressive
mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen entered the rock scene with a brand
new rock opera. This time he decided to distance himself from global
ecological problems and dive into the world of fantasy by generating
a fairytale about adventures of three characters who found themselves
in a strange time conditions with the only escape. They are to embark
on a journey of finding an electric castle, from which the return to
appropriate timing is possible for them all. Thus the double album tells
this story. Traditionally the album is filled up with guests from Threshold,
Kayak, Within Temptation and even an outstanding musician, Fish from
Marillion. Musicians did their best; the album became a true successor
of "The Final Experiment" although the majority of fans considered it
to be even better. Again Arjen perfectly mixed hard rock, art rock,
heavy metal and symphonic passages. The album established Arjen as the
head of the progressive metal Olympus and resurrected the long-forgotten
genre of rock operas among metal bands. (Dead Ripper)
 
5/5
AYREON
Universal Migrator I & 2
2000 / 2004
A. A. Lucassen / Irond
progressive metal
Two years gone again and the press got hold of the information that
Arjen Anthony Lucassen is breeding a new masterpiece. But nobody could
even think that such a magnum opus as "Into The Electric Castle" could
be outperformed. It was! Arjen created a story about a character travelling
through time and space. And not only into 5000 year B.C. but to the
time when no living soul had an idea of the planet Earth. The album
was thoughtfully divided into two separate parts. One turned out to
be extremely psychedelic and atmospheric involving musicians from Tiamat,
Kayak, Threshold, Rocket Scientists and Arena. The second one unified
progressive and symphonic metal styles and featured guests from Iron
Maiden, Helloween, Primal Fear, Symphony X, Rhapsody and Stratovarius.
What's more interesting is that singers performed in styles that their
bands are unlikely to ever dare to explore except maybe for Symphony
X. And one more surprise - two songs on the first part feature female
vocals. But do not imagine Doro or Sabina Classen of Holy Moses! This
is the real female voice perfectly matching the musical style. Should
we say that the album is highly recommended for all fans of heavy metal
without exceptions? The pure masterpiece of all times. (Dead Ripper)
5/5
AYREON
The Human Education
2004
A. A. Lucassen / Irond
progressive metal
After the triumphant march of space-based Star One project and the
following glorious mini-tour the Dutch progressive genius returned to
his heavily missed Ayreon concept. Seems like this time Arjen decided
to take a little break from space themes and decided to tell a story
of a normal human being who lived an ordinary life until one day fell
into coma under the pressure of various daily events. Of course, he
finally gained consciousness and came back to norm. The number of guest
musicians surely reduced from the times of "Universal Migrator" but
those left did their best and helped create a new masterpiece. However,
the album turned out to be more psychedelic and art rocking. We can
possibly claim that this disc is the kind of "Actual Fantasy" but in
the more developed and advanced form. Moreover, the album features several
easy-to-remember tracks like "Day Sixteen: Loser" rather than 10-minute
epics from previous releases. In short, the release once again proves
that Arjen's talent is enough to satisfy listeners for many more years
to come. P.S. Unfortunately, the Russian edition does not feature the
DVD from the limited European pressing. (Dead Ripper)
3/5
BATTLEROAR
Battleroar
2003
Omicron Music
epic/battle metal
What is the securing factor of success in epic/battle metal? First
and foremost it is a good-quality CD cover artwork. That, in particular,
presupposes a good deal of broken swords, skulls, spears, or at least
poleaxes. At that it must be requested from the artist in charge to
depict the above-mentioned items as primitively as possible. Moreover
it is considered especially true if you make the artwork yourself, no
matter how clumsy it is going to look. The singer can sing well, but
it is absolutely unnecessary for the listener to know that. On the CD
the lead voice must sound unnatural and ridiculous. A juicy and thick
sound is absolutely unacceptable. The drier and simpler the instruments
sound – the better. The clanking of the cymbals sounding like rusted
cattle and the speaker-resonating basses are the raison d’etre for any
true metal-warrior. Words such as "sword", "blood", "glory" and "death"
must be included into the lyrics of each and every song, possibly at
random. The CD-inlay shall contain photos of the band heroically posing
with swords and suchlike. This last aspect is unfortunately something
that these Greek gladiators are missing. But – besides that – the rest
of the album could serve a perfect text book for all amateur battle-metallers
out there. In all a funny CD in the vein of Sacred Steel with influences
from Iron Maiden, Manilla Road and Omen. Could serve as a temporary
local mood-raiser. (Leathermaniac)
4/5
BOWES & MORLEY
Mo's Barbeque
2004
Frontiers / CD-Maximum
melodic hard rock
Pretty slamming album of two outsiders and former members of the
British legend Thunder. The two united forces to create a joint music
venture and produced this impressing (second) album. Nowadays you always
hear some melancholic sounds and lyrics in almost every hard rock album.
Here the situation is totally different. Everything sounds simple and
even pop at times. The two musicians are not shy around piano and acoustic
guitar passages, by the way. However, the cover version of Stevie Wonder's
"Living For The City" is not a top-notch track at all; original songs
are a way better though belong to the same musical style. The album
also has a strong bluesy feeling, which certainly puts it aside from
the alma mater of two virtuosos. (Dead Ripper)
3-/5
BRITNY FOX
Springhead Motorshark
2003
Spitfire Records
hard rock
The eternal repeaters from Britny Fox, who spent the past two decades
in the behemoth shadow of Cinderella without any hope of coming out
of the dark, have once again strained their jaded forces and once again
broke the winds with something which never went further from a flash
in a frying pan. Their first pseudo-hit "Girlschool", released back
in 1988, a pale simile of the Cinderella mega-kill machine, still remains
a monument to meager secondary rock-n-roll, which has predetermined
their place in the ranks of American legends for many years ahead: exactly
one step behind. So what do we have here today? Well, not surprisingly,
it is the same old scarcely touched with fashionable influences and
generously cliched American hard rock, which badly misses a face of
its own as well as something that the Americans themselves refer to
as "balls". I mean, it is about the right riffs, and the required amount
of heaviness, and a certain deal of ballads, still it just wouldn’t
work, no matter how hard you try! Balls are something which only impede
a good dancer, as for a true rock-n-roller … Sad, very sad! (Fireball)
2+/5
DISARMONIA MUNDI
Fragments Of D-Generation
2004
Scarlet Records / CD-Maximum
non-melodic melodic death
When I was listening to the first few songs off Italia’s Disarmonia
Mundi latest opus, I somehow had the impression that I was listening
to Squealer who had suddenly gotten up to playing something in the vein
of Soilwork (by the way, the vocal parties on the CD are sung by Soilwork’s
mouth Bjorn "Speed" Strid). Anticipating a nice and relaxing pastime
I made myself comfortable and prepared to behold track #3. But as the
song was proceeding my attention started somehow getting distracted
from the raging sounds generously poured from the speakers. By track
#5 I caught myself thinking that it has been a long while since I last
heard the patriarchs of the melodic-death metal movement, namely Dark
Tranquillity and In Flames. When track #7 came in, I was yawning full-swing
and looking for something “classic”, and as I’d gotten to track #9 I
was astonished to find that the sonic-production apparatus is still
occupied by the CD under review thus preventing me from inserting DT’s
“Haven” into the spinner. Then, leaving track #10 to the conscience
of its creators, I finally got rid of the alien object in the player
and sank into the charming atmosphere of Dark Tranquillity, which I
strongly suggest you do too. (Leathermaniac)
4-/5
DRASTIQUE
Pleasureligion
2004
Masterpiece Distribution / CD-Maximum
dark doom / progressive
"Potent (laxative)": read my French-English dictionary and rightly
so, I must say. I mean, if we speak figuratively, then this music does
have a certain laxative effect to it. Although, not in the direct meaning
of the word (which would better suit the advocates of gore-grind culture),
but more on the emotional, mental level, purging your brains and turning
your senses inside out. Hard to believe? Well, you listen to what Chris
Buchman and his epileptic girlfriend did to the schlager of angelic
early 90ies pop-songstress Sandra "Maria Magdalena": I mean an apocalypse
of that magnitude would be the worst nightmare of such notorious figure
as Billy Milano! By the way, this cover is probably the craziest song
on the entire record. The rest of its mostly modest-tempo, but expressive
numbers with ever-esoteric contents and variable shape, combining such
styles as death, doom, and progressive… If anyone out there is expecting
to add black metal to the list, look some place else – not on this CD.
No matter how much you’d want it. This music is about other orientation
points and horizons.(Fireball)
3/5
ECLIPSE
Second To None
2004
Frontiers / CD-Maximum
melodic hard rock
The second album of Swedish newcomers. Originally the former drummer
of Yngwie Malmsteen, who worked with maestro on the album with the band's
title, was planned to join the guys but failed due to hearing problems.
But Eclipse invited another Yngwie's partner in the form of keyboard
player Mats Olausson. But all in vain! Well, musicians are good, melodies
are catchy but the main problem here is the total absence of musical
balance resulting in unstable rhythm and tracks backgrounds. The music
always runs from punk to hard rock and somewhere else. Only "Second
To None" and "Road To Forever" are more or less listenable on the whole
album. Seems like the once-mighty Swedish scene totally lost its heroes,
or not? What a shame! (Dead Ripper)
2/5
FALL OF EMPYREAN
Anhedonia
2002 / 2004
Fall Of Empyrean / CD-Maximum
underground doom
Albums like that are normally said to be 10 years late. In fact,
the material presented on "Anhedonia" brings us back to 1993-1994 –
the era of doom metal prosperity. Had it not been for CD-Maximum, I
am positive we would have never known of the existence of Fall Of Empyrean.
In the meantime this band has been around since 1999 and is based in
Phoenix, AZ. "Anhedonia" is the bands debut work (original release in
2002). Back in the day this self-produced EP was sent our to 25 different
record-labels, but none of them showed any interest in releasing it.
Today in 2004, much thanks to the efforts of CDM, the EP backed up with
four extra tracks off the 2001 demo was released here in Russia. "Anhedonia"
is in strict adherence to all the genre laws and contains your traditional
doom survival tool-kit: piano intros, glottoral roar, viscous riffs,
background keyboards, acoustic fragments and songs that a re 7+ minutes
in length. A cult piece of music, which, due to its current rarity,
could have found some response with the local listener, had it not been
for one big fat “but” – that is banal monotony and one-sidedness. Anything
beyond track #3 is not recommended. (Leathermaniac)
3+/5
HEIMDALL
Hard As Iron
2003
Scarlet Records
heavy power
Heimdall is a sound middleweight of the large Apennine heavy-metal
team, whose trophy-list numbers already four nice, but nothing-to-get-excited-about
albums, which are hard, raw-sounding, mid-paced, and somewhat stomping,
which betrays away their being influenced by the neighboring German
athletes. Armor-crushing hits are not something the album can brag about,
however the melodies and song-structuring are diverse and quite interesting,
and one would not have an impression of listening to one and the same
track for half an hour. As the CD crosses its second half it becomes
even more interesting, and a undemanding listener would be prized with
a total of three classy tracks, namely: "Cold", "The Empreror", and
"Black Heaven", whose composition and arrangement would make one take
a much closer look onto this work.(Fireball)
4/5
HEKATE
Ten Years Of Endurance
2003 / 2004
Prophecy Productions / CD-Maximum
atmospheric folk
A jubilee release to celebrate the 10th anniversary. Looks like
the album is full of rare and unreleased tracks from the decade. The
most surprising moment is that out of 15 songs only six feature vocal
lines, the rest are pure (mostly) instrumentals. Notice that there is
nothing on the album like innovative guitar passages or unstoppable
drumming. This is the pure folk music thoroughly mixed with atmospheric
psychedelic moments in the style of Pink Floyd. What is really interesting
is that the band is not afraid of its native German language rapping
and pronouncing the whole monologues in it. It will take you a while
to get into such music. Have time for it? Try out! (Dead Ripper)
 4/5
MADOG
Fairytales Of Darkness
2002 / 2004
Sound Riot / CD-Maximum
Heavy Speed Power
Welcome to today’s "Bedtime Stories". Our today’s program will be
dedicated to Fairytales of Darkness. Our guides around this freak puppet
show will be the somewhat goblin-looking but very friendly-natured characters
of the Austrian Madog formation. Together with them we are going on
a thrilling journey into the mysterious world of nightmares, strange
transformations, and wonderful discoveries. What Madog do somehow reminded
me of the underground heroes of German steel-rolling industry under
the name of Reactor. Club-level heavy speed power, characteristic of
raw sound, not-so-sound vocals, and simple, but easily recognizable
melodies. At times you’d think of Scanner or Blind Guardian. On the
upside of the album are definitely the creative approach and a good
cover-artwork. I mean just look at this demonic puppeteer on the cover
and the red-gleaming eyes of killer-puppets. The song "The Hunter",
in my opinion, is the diamond of this CD and could potentially claim
the leading slots in the hit-parades. A sound work for all the lovers
of Central European, and especially, German metal. (Leathermaniac)
 5/5
MICHAEL MONROE
Nights Are So Long
1987 / 2004
Warner Finland
hard rock'n'roll
Due to the Finnish rise of popularity of Hanoi Rocks caused by the
outstanding brand new release "Twelve Shots On The Rocks" the local
office of "Warner Music" re-issued the rare debut solo album of Michael
Monroe recorded right after the Hanoi Rocks split-up back in the mid-1980s.
The album somehow reminds of the latest solo album of Michael since
it consists of mostly covers of various bands like Heavy Metal Kids,
Dead Boys, MC5, Johnny Thunders and several original tracks. Just imagine
that such an album was recorded right after Michael's close friend Razzle
died in the car crash and the band he had so much hopes for faded away!
You cannot even sense the feeling of depression in music! Maybe only
a bit of it in the song "Can't Go Home Again". The rest… oh, just listen
to "She's No Angel" or "Keep It Up" and you'll know what I mean. At
the same time this is a pure rock'n'roll record that has nothing to
do with heavy metal. And there's huge gap left by the lack of such drilling
and up-tempo albums nowadaways. (Dead Ripper)
5/5
SHAKRA
Rising
2003 / 2004
Shakra / CD-Maximum
melodic hard rock
Another Swiss legend. Switzerland is mighty famous worldwide for
breeding such original bands as Krokus and Gotthard. But a brand new
generation is coming up. In fact Shakra is what Gotthard could have
become if they had not altered their sound to a more mellow direction
back in 1997. All songs of the album are powerful and can bring down
any listener with their roaring energy and catchy riffs. Of course,
every once in a while you hear Bon Jovi influences in the music but
totally concentrating on the Americans classic period. Ballads of Shakra
are awesome as well. For instance, "I Will Be There" could have easily
fit into the wave of any radio station but to tell the truth up-tempo
tracks turn out to be much stronger. And if you consider that this is
their fourth album the high potential is obvious. A must for a hard
rock fan to check out! (Dead Ripper)
3/5
SHIVA
Desert Dreams
2003 / 2004
MTM Music / CD-Maximum
hard rock
Several years gone and this talented Swedish duo once again hit
the music scene with the brand new album. After an unbelievably strong
debut release, in which the band managed to mix melodic lines of Europe
with pop stylishness of Roxette, they had to deliver a grand statement.
And failed to do it! The album is as average as it can be, critics silent.
Well, some melodic lines are still here but the whole music started
turning towards grunge-fueled hard rock, which is a major disappointment.
The girl singer with absolutely unique and individual voice threw it
through samples and spoiled even the already-dumped picture. A huge
sign of trouble after the generous first album. (Dead Ripper)
5/5
SKYLARK
Wings
2004
Scarlet Records
melodic speed
The lovers of Italian metal scene know to well about the creative
crisis the speedy-winged lark was living through the past several years.
And of course – all the more anticipating they were getting about the
band’s latest piece of work: would they get stuck for good, or would
they have enough talent and strength to fly to the once conquered heights
of sophisticated melodism and crystal-clear sound. And – to pay due
to Eddie Antonini and his band, they did find a way out with grace and
sharpness worthy of all the praise in this world. Having got rid of
everything that was excessive (talking of Michael Angelo here!): that
is to say long and soulless passages, excessive strain, and yawn-rending
composite structure that were the result of that, the band’s music has
all but reached the absolute of form and contents and appears renewed,
fresh, and interesting once again, without losing the trademark Skylark
features, such as melodism and virtuoso-play. The songs have become
much more tender, lighter, and warmer, as if the past mask of steel
inpenetratability was finally blessed with a natural human smile. A
smile of he who has won the greatest struggles of all – the struggle
within. (Fireball)
5/5
TAKARA
Eternal Faith
1993/2002 / 2004
Lion Music / Irond
melodic hard rock
One of endless projects of former Yngwie Malmsteen singer Jeff Scott
Soto. And probably the best one ever! In spite of the fact that most
of the songs were originally demo recordings and were not planned for
public release the album turned out to be a sensation. It's quite a
rare thing to hear such heart-warming melodies from an American guitarist,
this time Neal Grusky! Without any guitar virtuosity and obsession Neal
delivers goods on his guitar that even a professional musician has troubles
with. Keyboards played by Jeff and backing vocals perfectly match the
melodic approach. Another rare peculiarity of the album is the awesome
sound spreading, which probably depends on the studio where songs were
recorded. Tracks like "Spotlight", "Don't Walk Away", "Just Like Yesterday",
"Fallen Angel" and "Colors Fade" can easily reach the depth of the heart
of any hard rock fan. The album can be the ultimate bible for music
newcomers - the beauty of melodies is much more important that crazy
speed and ideal knowledge of the guitar neck. (Dead Ripper)
5/5
TAKARA
Taste Of Heaven
1995/2002 / 2004
Lion Music / Irond
melodic hard rock
The second album involving former Yngwie Malmsteen shouter Jeff
Scott Soto. This time musicians managed to get more involved with the
recording quality and songs themselves and that's how the album turned
out to be ten times stronger than the debut one. At the same time the
awesome sound spreading and unrepeatable melodic approach remained the
same. The album also includes some experimental moments like the keyboard
intro to "Your Love" and a-cappella beginning of "December". Up-tempo
songs are here as well in the form of the title track and "Save Me".
You want a beautiful ballad? You got it with "Last Mistake"! But the
outmost surprise comes in the end with two acoustic tracks "Your Love"
(entitled "Again Your Love Is Mine") and "Restless Heart". And those
acoustic versions are not worse than their electric originals. More!
They are ten times better! Not every band is capable to deliver a follow-up
like this. (Dead Ripper)
5/5
TAKARA
Blind In Paradise
1998/2002 / 2004
Lion Music / Irond
melodic hard rock
Third strike of the amazing American band. How do they do it? This
time they had a new member in totally unknown but ace-in-the-hole keyboard
player Eric Ragno who managed to make incredible changes in the music
of Takara. The keyboard intro to the first track "Take You Down" is
the pure masterpiece introducing a listener to the magic world of hard
rock music. Moreover, this time Jeff Scott Soto did his best in terms
of both vocals and lyrics. Backing and choir vocals improved even more
and showed extreme progress from the times of previous two albums. Songs
like "Fly 2 Your Arms", "Time Waits 4 No One", "Blind In Paradise" and
"No Love's Enough" are total hard rock classics. The number of ballads
increased as well - "Love Is Gone", "Say U'll Stay" and "Don't Wanna
Be Alone". The last one even features the string instrument, the final
part is played on the violin. Drop the cover-version of Van Halen "Dance
The Night Away" and a-cappella "Always Be Mine" into the fold and you
get the best album of Takara, in particular, and best melodic rock album
ever! (Dead Ripper)
5/5
TAKARA
Eternity (The Best 93-98)
1999/2002 / 2004
Lion Music / Irond
melodic hard rock
If you never head this band this collection is the perfect start.
It can easily be called the best collection of a rock artist ever. The
compilation truly features the best tracks from three albums involving
legendary singer Jeff Scott Soto. However, other musicians are just
as good. You get amazing guitar passages and solos from guitarist Neal
Grusky and charming keyboard works of Eric Ragno on tracks like "Take
You Down", "Blind In Paradise" and "Say U'll Stay". Due to the fact
that the compilation came out when it was very hard to get Takara albums
anywhere it included a special present for fans in the form of two rare
acoustic tracks "Restless Heart" and "Your Love" that originally came
out only on the American release of "Taste Of Heaven". It's just a wonder
that the L.A. scene stone dead in the 1990s managed to give the birth
to this outstanding band that overcomes most of European melodic hard
rock bands. The album can be recommended to all the people wishing to
get an idea what melodic hard rock music is all about. But die-hard
fans better keep their hands off the album - it features nothing special
after the re-issue of all studio albums. (Dead Ripper)
5/5
U.D.O.
Animal
House Breaker / CD-Maximum
1987 / 2004
hard rock
The debut album of Udo Dirkschneider after he left Accept back in
the 1980s. And even 20 years later the release is still the classic!
Even the intro alone is enough to understand how the album could be
ahead of its time - just imagine that at that time no heavy metal band
released albums starting with mysterious spoken intro. Generally speaking,
the album is much more up-tempo and catchy than a couple of releases
done before the breakup took place. Still all of the songs were written
by Udo and his former colleagues. Sources from those years say Udo's
voice does not fit into ballads… wrong! Listen to "In The Darkness".
Speaking of up-tempos the album is loaded with them - "Animal House",
"Go Back To Hell", "We Want It Loud", "Coming Home"…Lyrics vary from
serious ("They Want War") to hooking ("Hot Tonight"). And note that
the song hailed on the album cover, "Lay Down The Law", is extremely
average. The album was the total comeback of this unique and talented
singer! (Dead Ripper)
5/5
U.D.O.
Mean Machine
1988 / 2004
Breaker / CD-Maximum
melodic hard rock
The second release of ex-Accept singer Udo Dirkschneider was a full-scale
progress in comparison with the debut album. In fact, this is the very
same music with unique singer, talented musicians and bombastic songs.
And if on the album "Animal House" you could have easily found some
elements of the singer's former band, this album marked the sound transition
more to the typical German heavy metal in terms of both songwriting
and melodies. The album starts with the powerful "Don't Look Back",
which is the best opening point for the groundbreaking release. The
title track, "Mean Machine" and "Lost Passion" are capable to surprise
anyone with the perfect solidifying of melody and energy. It it's not
enough for you listen to "Sweet Little Child" that Udo dedicated to
his little daughter. And the final surprise comes up in the end with
the track called "Still In Love With You". That's the one-minute long
song starting far away and turning into the unbearable banging. A hell
of the album after "Animal House"! (Dead Ripper)
5/5
U.D.O.
Faceless World
1990 / 2004
Breaker / CD-Maximum
melodic hard rock
The third solo album of Udo Dirkscheider's band. The music strangely
turns out into something more melodic. But nothing like pop! It's just
everything sounds more rock'n'roll, sometimes less fast but much more
catchy and memorable than on the first two records. Songs like "Heart
Of Gold", "System Of Life" and "Stranger" perfectly reflect those slight
but visible changes. At the same time "Living On A Frontline" is the
total copy of Accept "Living For Tonite". At the same time the album
contains typical U.D.O. elements in songs, in particular, balladesque
"Unspoken Words" and crazily up-tempoed "Can't Get Enough". Problematic
lyrics also remained the same touching upon subjects like survival in
the modern world, political corruption and teenage problems. The album
is totally worth belonging to the collection of any German heavy metal
fan. (Dead Ripper)
3/5
U.D.O.
Holy
1999 / 2004
Breaker / CD-Maximum
melodic power metal
The album marked the 2/5 change of the line-up and 1/5 of that change
still remains unknown. It caused a lot of questions, on which Udo himself
refuses to answer, "Who is that mysterious 'Guess Who' drummer?" Frankly
speaking, it is maybe better not to know his name for he totally failed
to fit into the band's style. The album is also pretty average with
no special moments. Even the title track "Holy" that is still in heavy
circulation at live shows brings nothing to the fold. Only speedy "Back
Off" and a bit experimental "Cut Me Out" with piano intro and funny
bass line are more or less interesting. The rest of the album does not
differ much from a dozen of similar metal discs containing mid-tempo
songs with non-memorable melodies and medium playing abilities of musicians.
Probably the weakest U.D.O. album throughout the whole band history.
(Dead Ripper)
4/5
VIA MISTICA
Testamentum (In Hora Mortis Nostre)
2003 / 2004
Metal Mind Productions / CD-Maximum
gothic metal with doom elements
The friendly Republic of Poland, as it is widely known, is quite
proficient when it comes to heavy music and would frequently feed the
world HM-market with all sorts of talented formations. Via Mistica have
been around since 1998, but was not able to sign a record deal until
as late as 2003 when it released its debut record, the one we are looking
at right now. The band’s music inclines towards metalized gothic, with
a certain doom-aspect (much thanks to the growling vocals), and reminds
one of such bands like Theatre Of Tragedy and The Sins Of The Beloved.
From the very first chords the band’s songs tune the listener to a romantic
mood, drowning them in the atmosphere of harmony and melancholy. The
charming effect is doubled by the cello parts performed by VM-s lead
songstress. Inventive guitar-work, a not too complex but yet nice melody-line,
and a kind of un-gothic heaviness leave a very positive impression.
The material presented by Via Mistica is easily heard and even easier
to remember. A solid piece of work. (Leathermaniac)
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