MAYAN - Quarterpast

I started listening to this album with high expectations, mostly because the band consists on well known and respected musicians. Mayan is the brainchild of Mark Jansen of Epica along with Jack Driessen and Frank Schiphorst, and the purpose was to play a mixture of Death Metal with Symphonic influences. But the music here is much more than just a Death Metal album, enriched with female vocals, and orchestral parts. The compositions are very complex, giving a Progressive feeling to the whole music, there are plenty of brutal vocals, enough Black Metal moments here and there, Thrash parts and Power Metal moments. All these blended wisely, and completed perfectly with the vocals, either the brutal, or the female ones. The most important thing is that this album aims for an open-minded audience. There's no way to tag the music, or to suggest it to fans of a specific style. And this, because the songs progress from the one style to another in such a natural way, that classic music can turn into Black Metal and then back to a slower part with female vocals, that leaves all fans with something to like. Of course such an attempt needs also musicians of high caliber to fulfill, and this is obvious from the first to the last minute of this masterpiece. So, open your mind, and prepare to be amazed, cause nothing can prepare you for what's on this album.

10/10

LUCID DREAM - Visions from Cosmos II

A band from Italy that plays a happy sounding NWOBHM / Progressive hybrid with interesting guitar work and vocals. The term "happy sounding" is what makes the difference here because it makes this album sound fresh and innovative although it's not exactly so! All their infuences (and they are many) can be heard everywhere but who cares! The whole blend is totally successful and LUCID DREAM sound to really enjoy what they play which is transfered to the listener.
Find them www.luciddream.it

8/10

WOLVERINE - Communication Lost

This is the fourth album of the Swedish band, and I can definitely say that is one of those albums that fans of their music will like. They are playing a style that could be tagged as Progressive Rock, but they don't afraid to experiment with the addition of some electronics, or to harden their sound when necessary, which they often do. The songs are very good, and what's the most important, there's a natural flow in the music, from the first to the last minute. There are no fillers, no tracks that one might want to skip, or moments that feel out of place. Another good point of the band is that every instrument, including the singer, work together as a part of a bigger picture, with no meaningless and tiring solo performances. The music is melodic, catchy, complex at times, and has a rather moody feeling. The production is very good, clear and crisp enough, and helps the music very much. One of the albums that just a couple of spins won't do. It might take some time to get into the music, and to reveal all it's little secrets, but it will pay back every minute you invested in it.

8/10

While Heaven Wept - Fear Of Infinity

This is the 4^th full length release for the American band and they seem to know very well the recipe of success. They are still performing high standard, epic-doom metal as they did at their previous albums, with all the necessary ingredients. The whole assay includes low tempo songs mostly, with characteristic heavy guitars but outbreaks during the tracks are not missing. Vocals are clear and beautiful and the rhythm section frames the compositions by giving them stiffness and volume. You will not get disappointed, try it with no fear.

9/10

TAROT - The Spell Of Iron MMXI

This is the latest release of the Finnish band, although it's not a new album but a re-record of their classic "The Spell Of Iron" which was released back in the mid 80's, plus the MMXI which means 2011 in the Roman way of counting, as a quick searching revealed to me. The band is playing Heavy Metal along with some Power Metal influences. The songs are very catchy, heavy and groovy enough, and full of nice melodies which are equally important here. Despite some influences here and there, to the already established names of the 80's, this album has a lot of good ideas. It's full of nice music, there are no fillers, well maybe except one instrumental song, and all have a personality lots of bands searching but never manage to achieve. The production is very good, clear, powerful, and as heavy as it should be. Although sometimes there is an old fashioned feeling to the whole album, the majority sounds fresh and up to date. With music full of energy and groove, with arrangements that stick into your mind, excellent vocals, crunchy guitars and a solid rhythm section, it's more than just a release of a debut album. It's, as the title says, what the band played back in the 1986, given through a 21st century perspective. Check them out.

9/10

U.D.O. - Rev-Raptor

The vocals of this gifted German singer are so distinguished that are a trademark even to those not into Heavy Metal. Everybody is aware of the history of UDO, and like it or not, his works are acceptable by the majority of fans, despite the genre they are into. The first thing that we noticed here is that this album progresses fluently, with in-your-face Metal, catchy choruses, a tight German rhythm section, and plenty of killer melodies. The music is catchy, made for head-banging, and is moving one step ahead from where Dominator stopped. There are no weak moments here, not things that the listener would wish to be left out. Every song has it's own energy and feeling, and even the slower moments feel like the calm before the storm. The production is excellent and the recordings were done in the ROXX studios. What is important here, is that the music is honest, there are no tricks or things to deceive the listener. Although it might sound like an album that is predictable, the case here is exactly what the listener expects from an artist of the caliber of Udo. And above all shows that energy of creating good music is a talent. So, grab some friends, some frozen six pack lager beers, and enjoy.

10/10