FLOATING WORLDS - Only A Dream, Can Kill A Dream...

The story of the band starts at 1998, and this is their latest release. This album is a demo, but trust me, there's nothing here that would make you believe it's a demo, besides the fact, that the band says so. The band is playing music which is melodic, and has a great variety, something that makes this album a fun to listen until the last minute. Talented enough, either in the composing, or in the arranging area, the band has the ability to create songs that have the same basic elements but are moving on various styles. Bombastic Power Metal, Atmospheric music with female vocals, nice and complex keyboard lines along with shredding guitar solos, and melodic mid tempo guitar tunes. But that's not all, since there are some amazing parts and bridges, where the music sounds closer to that of a soundtrack, and even one where it sounded like a Metal version of Morricone spaghetti western music. All those wouldn't be possible, or even as enjoyable as they are now, without a good production to point out all the details of this work. If you are interested, or wish to discover yourself the music of the band, visit them at http://www.myspace.com/floatingworlds2007, where you can listen to the majority of the songs, and decide for yourself.

8/10

CREMATORY - Infinity

Not much is left to say about Crematory, nor an introduction is needed about who they are and what's their story so far. This is the eleventh album of the German band, and still a very pleasant surprise. What has become a trademark in the sound of Crematory all those years can also be found here. The band managed to create an album that sounds fresh and inspired, with the perfect balance between melodies and aggression. With music containing equal amounts of Melodic Death Metal, and Gothic elements, the album is a fun to listen to, from the first to the last note. The music is catchy and melodic, dark and ominous at times, and with enough keyboards that stay in the background. This means that their songs are in a way continuing where Pray left. Growling and clear vocals are also excellent, and are used in every song. The band also experiments with some close to Thrash riffs on a song, and covers Depeche Mode's Black Celebration, which adds some extra credits to the album. All in all, this album is a worthy continuation of Pray, aggressive yet full of nice melodies and songs high above the average. With almost 20 years of existence, and an unquestionable talent, Crematory manage to create another milestone in their career. If you are a fan, or willing to become one, then check what they are offering.

10/10

WINTER'S VERGE - Tales Of Tragedy

A very pleasant surprise coming from Cyprus, is what we have here. Their story started back about six years ago, when George, the vocalist, tried to create a band that would make his vision in music come true. After name changes and a searching for fellow band mates, Winter's Verge was a reality. This is their third album so far, and their first on Massacre Records. The band is playing Power Metal, melodic and catchy, with strong and solid arrangements, and plenty of nice ideas. Their music is also spiced up with touches of Progressive and Epic, something that works very well for the album, giving the diversity needed to keep the listener's interest high until the end. The majority of the songs are up-tempo, fast and pompous, with parts to sing along, nice guitar and keyboard melodies, and amazing vocals. But along with that, there are also more complex arrangements, and mid tempo tunes, where the cautious listener will recognize the various influences of each band member. The production is clear and powerful enough, and completes the album in the best possible way. It's really hard not to like this album, not only because it's well performed, and well arranged, but also because the band has put their soul to the music. If you are a Power Metal fan, check them out.

9/10

A HERO A FAKE: HEADBANGERS BALL PREMIERE

A HERO A FAKE will introduce the video for Let Oceans Lie on Monday, February 1 at 3:00 am EST on MTV2’s Headbangers Ball.
View the new video for "Let Oceans Lie" HERE

IRON MASK - Shadow Of The Red Baron

This is the third album of the band, whose mastermind is Dushan Petrossi, a virtuoso guitarist from Belgium. The band is playing Melodic Power Metal, enriched with various other elements, creating a very interesting album that is fun to listen to. Melodies are the alpha and omega here, creating various soundscapes, and characterize the album. Catchy choruses, excellent Neoclassical parts, and perfect vocals, are what the listener will enjoy from the first to the last minute. What's more interesting is that the album has enough variety, with songs that are not copying each other, and this keeps the interest high. Neoclassical, Symphonic, Power, everything is here, with songs well written and full of nice ideas, and all the trademarks that one should expect to find in such a style. Of course the most dominant thing on this album is the excellent work on the guitars, but also a remarkable work has also been done with the keys, on the rhythm section and on the vocal area as well. The production is shiny and clear, and reveals every little detail of the music. Nice music, well performed, and with enough variety to keep you interested until the end. If you like this kind of stuff, check them out.

9/10

EXCALION - High Time

This nice quintet comes from Finland, and their story starts at the end of the 90's. What started as a fun project turned out into a serious act, and this is their second album, after their debut back in 2007. The band is playing Melodic Power Metal, fast, and catchy enough, with memorable choirs, and parts to sing along. On the other hand, some, few though, Progressive bits and bytes here and there, spice things up and make their music even more interesting. Fast and melodic songs, along with mid tempo complex ones, come to complete each other like the two sides of a coin. The band is quite talented, and this is obvious from both the way they compose and perform their music. A special mention also needs to be done for the vocalist, whose vocals fit the music in the best possible way. There are enough nice ideas on their arrangements, and along with some inevitable cliches, the band creates an album that will please all the fans of the genre. The production is clear and as heavy as it should be, and helps the music very much. Maybe not the most original album that you ever come around, but, it's well performed, has enough ideas, and comes from a young and promising band. If you are a fan of this style of Metal, check them out.

8/10