IRON SAVIOR - The Landing

Four years have passed since the release of Megatropolis, and the Germans are back with a release that will once again please all their fans. I have been a huge fan of the band since their early steps, and enjoyed the atmosphere their music had back then, so I was a bit curious of this album as well. It seems that Piet Sielck has not lost the touch of creating music that is catchy and powerful enough. The music is Power Metal, perfectly performed, full of nice melodies, a battering rhythm section, amazing drum works by Thomas Nack, great guitars, and the distinguished vocals of Piet Sielck. The songs are very good, blending Power Metal, with enough traditional Metal stuff, making this album a bit more heavy than their first works, but still containing the same trademarks of their music. The production, clear and heavy enough, is as shinny as should be, but also preserves the atmosphere of the music as well. What we liked more is the fact that the music is catchy from the first minute, and the band seems to have a good time while performing, something that you can feel while listening to this album. Based on well known materials, with enough new ideas, great musicianship, and equally good performance, this album will also become a favorite for the fans of the band, but also for those seeking a good Power Metal album.

9/10

BOBBY KIMBALL JIMI JAMISON - Kimball Jamison

These guys here need no introduction, since everyone is aware of who they are, and, most important, what they are capable of. This is the first time, these two join their skills into an album, and the result meets the expectations of the most demanding fan. The music is Melodic Rock, with crunchy guitars, nice ideas, perfect parts to sing along, and is definitely dominated by the superb vocals of the two singers. There is no single less good moment here, from the ballads, to the more groovy moments, and both Bobby and Jimi are giving a perfect performance, coloring the songs with their vocal melodies. But since two singers alone are not a guarantee for a good album, the song writing has been arranged by experts of the genre, and the production was done by Mat Sinner, who is also responsible for the bass guitar. Aiming for a more adult audience, where memories from the big hits of Toto and Survivor are still alive, but also for fans who can admire and appreciate well arranged and performed Melodic Rock, this album is destined for success. It has all the trademarks of both singers, fine and catchy music, crystal clear production, and a good variety of songs and styles for everyone. So if Melodic stuff is you favorite, get ready to be amazed.

10/10    

NINE COVENS - On The Coming Of Darkness

Nine Covens is band that hails from UK, and the newsletter says that consists on former and current members of some of the most important extreme bands of the past decade. This shed no light to the origin or the capabilities of the members, but this album has nothing to do with light in general. The band is playing Black Metal, and does it in a very oldfashioned and bleak way. Vocals that come from deep under, sharp guitar riffs that create a bleak atmosphere, the necessary blastbeating and a sense of melody that bring shivers to the spine. To spice things up, there's enough Thrash and old school Death elements, well spread here and there, and this gives an extra variety to the whole album. Being anonymous or not, the talent is obvious, and the band has managed to create some very good songs, with enough melodic parts, clear vocals, interesting ideas, although they didn't avoid some repetitive moments that don't spoil the whole fun though. The production is as dark and ominous as this album, fitting perfectly with the mood and the atmosphere of the music. Black Metal with an attitude, from a band that doesn't hesitate to explore musical paths, although not far away from the main road. A promising debut.

7/10 

LUCKY THIR13N - March Of The Young

This is the debut album of the Greek band that comes from Thessaloniki, and to be honest, I didn't expect to have such a great time listening to it, while driving at work, or while writing this review. The band is playing Hard Rock mostly, but with enough guts, and some very interesting and intriguing ideas. With influences starting from the 80's Metal scene but the cautious listener with also find some 90's stuff, the band has managed to marry all those into an extremely catchy, quite aggressive, and groovy music. Right from the first song, you can't help but tapping your feet along with the rhythm, sing along the choruses, and participate in any way possible. Well written music has a way to do that, and Lucky Thir13n compose and perform like veterans. And if you thing that they have found a motive and stick to it, think again, cause the band doesn't afraid to experiment with guest brutal vocals in one song, but also with a song that is Rap meets Hard Rock, with both male and female vocals. The production is excellent, crystal clear and completes the album in the best possible way. With great performance and songwriting, this is a killer debut album. So, open your mind, and prepare for a nostalgic trip to 80's and 90's with some surprises in between.

8/10      

DARKEST HOUR - European Tour

DARKEST HOUR will be soon back in Europe - make sure to catch them live on the Eigth Plague tour with Machine Head, Bring Me The Horizon & Devildriver:

"The Eighth Plague Tour"
Machine Head
w/ Bring Me The Horizon, Devildriver, DARKEST HOUR
Nov. 01 - Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene
Nov. 03 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Arenan
Nov. 05 - Tampere, Finland @ Sorsapuistosali
Nov. 06 - Helsinki, Finland @ The Circus
Nov. 08 - Fredriksberg, Denmark @ KB Hallen
Nov. 09 - Hamburg, Germany @ Grosse Freiheit 36
Nov. 10 - Dresden, Germany @ Alter Schlachthof
Nov. 12 - Vienna, Austria @ Gasometer
Nov. 13 - Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz
Nov. 17 - Lisbon, Portugal @ Coliseum
Nov. 18 - Oporto, Portugal @Coliseum
Nov. 21 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Volkshaus
Nov. 23 - Paris, France @ Zenith
Nov. 24 - Neu-Isenburg, Germany @ Hugenottenhalle
Nov. 25 - Munich, Germany @ Kesselhaus
Nov. 26 - Ludwigsburg, Germany @ Arena
Nov. 28 - Eindhoven, Holland @ Klokgebouw
Nov. 29 - Brussels, Belgium @ Vorst Nationaal
Nov. 30 - Oberhausen, Germany @ Turbinenhalle
Dec. 03 - London, UK @ Wembley Arena
Dec. 04 - Birmingham, UK @ National Indoor Arena
Dec. 05 - Glasgow, UK @ Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC)
Dec. 06 - Manchester, UK @ Central

DARKEST HOUR live:
Nov 11 -- Hungary, Budapest @ Durer
Nov 27 - Germany, Trier @ Exhaus
Dec 1 -- UK, Cardiff @ Clwb Ifor Bach

THREAT SIGNAL - Threat Signal

The band exists since 2003 and this is their third album so far. While starting to listen to it, the term Modern Death Metal caught my eye, and I was quite curious of what would follow. Hailing from Canada, is a plus for this band, as some of my favorite and most intriguing bands are from this country. So, the band is playing Death Metal, only they do it in a very unique and personal way, that leaves a good feeling at the end. Blending Thrash with brutality, growls and a very technical style of playing, the band creates music that is both unique and fun to listen to. With no less good moments, very interesting riffs, melodies that enrich the songs without sacrificing aggression, and vocals that vary from growling to clear ones, the music is catchy and addictive from the first minute. But, as the listening progresses, more and more of the hidden details come to surface, and this makes this album even better. The production is crystal clear but doesn't destroy the feeling of the music in any way. The variety in music is also a plus, with excellent musicianship and all their influences so well combined, that will leave satisfied even the most demanding fan. If you are out for Death Metal that has an attitude and an unique approach to music, then Threat Signal might be what you are looking for.

9/10