Grave Digger (2018) The Living Dead 'Review'

Band: Grave Digger

Country of Origin: Germany

Genre: Heavy / Power Metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 46:00 min.

Release Date: 09-14-2018

Release Label: Napalm Records

IR Classification: Moderate (3.0 / 5)

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"The Living Dead" doesn't compile their best work.

Grave Digger is one of the few bands that have been hanging around for the last thirty-eight years and one of the most skilled at songwriting that we can recognize nowadays within the Heavy and Power metal genre, "The Living Dead" comes to be their nineteenth album in their career, not all the time has been fanfares for them and frankly, "The Living Dead" falls short especially when you met them at their maximum exponential point; Please, pull out any album from the nineties or early noughties, and you will understand what I'm talking about.

"The Living Dead" struggles to retain your attention, the opener song "Fear the Living Dead" seems weak to me, it lacks of that classic punch that characterizes the Teutonic, in fact the length end up killing this track, while "Blade of the Immortal" comes loose and the riff doesn't land properly, at least doesn't make the intended impact, "When Death Passes By" delivers a decent crushing riff with a stunning guitar solo, "The Power of Metal" is a beautiful song that pull off one of the best sing along choruses in the album and thrives to transmit the feeling of the power metal, "What War Left Behind" give us is a great initial thrash riff, with a solid rhythm section and a terrific guitar solo, but again, "Fist in Your Face" is exactly what it says it is and not for being grandiose, it totally loses a lot of emotion, the next track is "Zombie Dance" what can I tell you about this track? is a Folk experiment that caught me off-guard, in their defense I can say they are looking alternative to entertain their audience, adding new stuff to their long repertoire, the closing bonus track "Glory or Grave" is kind of OK, with a solid and powerful riff that melds pretty tightly well, at most gaining an average level.

At the end I got lost, I end up with doubts because since (2015) "Exhumation (The Early Years)" and (2017) "Healed by Metal" Grave Digger has not shown all that genius and power that backs them up and "The Living Dead" doesn't compile their best work, few tracks are redeemable, but that's it; So please do yourself a favor listen the whole album and make your own conclusions, because here I have nothing else to say.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

01. Fear of the Living Dead │ 02. Blade of the Immortal │ 03. When Death Passes By │ 04. Shadow of the Warrior │ 05. The Power of Metal  │ 06. Hymn of the Damned │ 07. What War Left Behind │ 08. Fist in Your Face │ 09. Insane Pain │ 10. Zombie Dance │ 11. Glory or Grave

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Wisdom (2016) Rise of the Wise

Band: Wisdom

Country of Origin: Hungary

Genre: Power metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 42:00 min.

Release Date: 02-26-2016

Release Label: NoiseArt Records

IR Classification: Good (3.5 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Has everything that a power metal fan is craving for

Wisdom is a power metal band from Budapest, Hungary and they were formed in 2001, so far they have released four albums and "Rise of the Wise" comes to be their latest record, it is so compact and loaded with classic stuff for a melodic power metal band, structure with abundant melodies, guitar riffs and solos, powerful rhythm section, the epical rush inflicted, clean vocals and undeniable catchy choruses, has everything that a power metal fan is craving for, still unconvinced? Well! If your taste goes for bands like early Edguy, HammerFall, Helloween or Sabaton then I'm pretty sure you will enjoy this album.

Despite the album falls in Wisdom traditional songwriting formula and many will probably judging by this, however is not a fatal boredom because has its moments and they know how to capitalize them, by bringing different pace and dynamics to keep you fully engaged to their metal anthems, before we get down to track by track let's see Wisdom current lineup formed by original members Gábor Kovács and Máté Molnár in guitar and bass respectively, complemented by vocalist Gábor Nagy, the drummer Tamás Tóth and the newest addition the guitarrist Anton Kabanen former Battle Beast from the Finnish heavy metal band.

"Over the Wall" opens the album and certainly I don't get the idea with an intro of this magnitude, marching drums and strident guitar work that suddenly stop at nothing and quickly connect with "Raven's Night" which is fast and builds up in melodies the clean vocals by Gábor are perfect and the backing vocals make this track energetic and lead to a superb guitar solo, everything here sound tight and strong, "My Heart is Alive" is a medium pace track with an excellent rhythm section structured between Tamás who is pummeling the drums and Máté in the bass laying dark tunes, choruses embrace this piece and definitely you will end up singing along, let's skip up to "Hero" which star with a folk passage only to exploit with the speed and frantic riffing well known, the double bass drum sounds bold and fearless, super fast guitar solo while charming choruses ends the track, after the second track the album seems fairly balance between fast pace which reflect the intensity and energy captured whilst medium pace embrace the cadence of melodies and diligent onslaughts, Through the Fire" and "Nightmare of the Seas" would fit properly to the description, the last one with somewhat folk-ish vibe, how could we lose a ballad in this album? "Believe in Me" takes care of it, with subtlest acoustic guitar work, interweaving few electric guitar chords and an acceptable guitar solo, "Secret Life" and "Welcome to My History" are relatively medium pace tracks well integrated with the classic sound of power metal, epic riffs, ceaseless double bass drum, choruses and loud guitar solos, while the closing track count with an stellar participation by Sabaton frontman Joakim Broden and quickly injects its essence and tone of voice but; What really hook you to this track is the vocal work of Gábor doing a duet beside Joakim.

So, in the end what we have is a strong continuation of what Wisdom have always been able to do, there is nothing out of their formula, if you are arriving to the genre to experience something unique, I'm afraid you will be disappointed, because Wisdom is a constant machine and so far they haven't pushed out the boundaries, still a good album for power metal lovers but; I’m still not sure if Wisdom will be a force to reckon with in the years to come.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Over the Wall (Instrumental)

02. Raven's Night

03. My Heart is Alive

04. Hunting the Night

05. Hero

06. Through the Fire

07. Nightmare of the Seas

08. Believe in Me

09. Secret Life
10. Welcome to My Story
11. Rise of the Wise

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Primal Fear (2016) Rulebreaker

Band: Primal Fear

Country of Origin: Germany

Status: Active

Genre: Power metal / Speed metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 52:00 min.

Release Date: 01-22-2016

Current label: Frontiers Records

Release label: Frontiers Records

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

This is a strong and consistent album, catchy and disturbing within the genre

Primal Fear the Teutonic band with less than twenty years in their history, return this year with their eleventh full length, entitled "Rulebreaker", I can define this album in few simple words this is an intense dose of power metal, forget everything else they are not reinventing the genre, instead they are keep on rolling with metal anthems, with their typically consistency at songwriting, drenched in catchy and powerful riff alike Judas Priest, so you can have a clear idea of what I am talking about.

The facts that secure this album as one of the most representatives within the genre for 2016 are the addition of Italian drummer Francesco Jovino (U.D.O.) who is replacing Randy Black and the permanent addition of guitarist Tom Naumann, who is back as a permanent member of the band after a long studio break, since their 2005 album "Seven Seals", So! Can you imagine how heavier will they sound? Well, I guess you have an idea if you listen to Iron Maiden, anyway the result is very gratifying, the rest of the band is complemented by Mat Sinner in bass and backing vocals, Ralf Scheepers in vocals, Magnus Karlsson and Alex Beyrodt both of them with Naumann now will share the duties on guitars.

Primal Fear has not been able to lose that label which compared them with the consecrated Judas Priest and "Rulebreaker" does not differ at all with the overloaded Halford-esque vocals of Ralf Scheepers or the guitar riffing implied and sassy, which resembles the British sound, however I have to admit it, somehow I enjoyed it! This is something, that undoubtedly will make you move your head and rise your fist with the horns up, "Angels of Mercy" welcome you with a stunning intro it seems to be taken from a science fiction movie, that rapidly turns up with a heavy, fast riff and thunderous drums give way to the powerful vocals of Ralf Scheepers, "The End Is Near" structured with classic metal riff it is viciously catchy, contrasting thick chorus, support the high-pitched voice, "Bullet & Tears" here is the ear-splitting point because this track is loaded in Priest elements, as well as the ballad "The Sky Is Burning" but they know how to handle the thin line between both distinctive sounds, "Rulebreaker" has some good riff to hook you up, while the bass tunes by Mat Sinner are quite solid, "In Metal We Trust" is another anthem with fast riffage and delirant choruses aiming to inflict a special vibe in their live shows, "We Walk Without Fear" is an outstanding cut, the length allows them to play with varied paces and moods, the riff come and goes in a simple manner without rummage, tracks as "At War with the World", "The Devil in Me" or "Constant Heart" won't let you down at all, every song has its momentum, soaring vocals, melodious choruses, powerful guitars supported by the impressive and blistering drums by Francesco Jovino, the closing track is "Raving Mad" started off with singular pattern drums and a very simple but effective riffing along the song, which allows Ralf to scream freely up to the sky.

Primal Fear has proven over the time their qualities at songwriting and "Rulebreaker" carries with it a handful of tracks that will become in their classics sooner or later, is just a matter of time, for sure this is an album you got to listen, especially if you are in the mood to enjoy such display of energy, fantastic melodies and powerful guitars riff with a hell of drum grooves and soaring screams, definitely a great album!

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Angels of Mercy

2. The End is Near

3. Bullets & Tears

4. Rulebreaker
5. In Metal We Trust
6. We Walk Without Fear
7. At War with the World
8. The Devil in Me
9. Constant Heart
10. The Sky is Burning
11. Raving Mad



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Avantasia (2016) Ghostlights

Band: Avantasia

Country of Origin: Germany

Status: Active

Genre: Symphonic Power metal

Type: Full Length

Format: 2 CD Digibook
Length Approx.: 1:15:00 min.

Release Date: 01-22-2016

Current label: Nuclear Blast Records

Release label: Nuclear Blast Records

IR Classification: Excellent (4.6 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Sammet and company are back with a thunderous and majestic power metal opera  

Avantasia the newest album "Ghostlights" turns to be almost unavoidable and challenging at the same time to review, Tobias Sammet and company are back again with their seventh full length plagued with their power metal opera, always accompanied by prominent names in the metal scene such Sharon den Adel, Michael Kiske, Dee Snider, and Geoff Tate just to mention few of them, their sound is essentially a exhibit unrestricted of pretentious musicianship, their quality goes far beyond of what words can express and definitely one of the best shows of metal opera that can be seen these days.

It is probably that many people will argue that "Ghostlights" it lands far away from their mighty opus "The Metal Opera" debut album released back in 2001, or get stranded between "Angel of Babylon" in 2010 and "The Mystery of Time" in 2013, but certainly I can say "Ghostlights" has its own personality, they sound so fresh, so powerful and so passionate, delivering an exciting and complex recording, this time Avantasia took their time to reroute what was missing or over produced, in their latest works avoiding the big orchestral arrangements, as in "The Mystery of Time" they incurred or the excessive ballads to mid-pace shown in "The Scarecrow" and last but not least to mention the lack of metallic edge in "Angel of Babylon"; Well! I believe they succeeded this time bringing something more varied, intense and memorable.

The first track to blast the speakers off is "Mystery of a Blood Red Rose" with a great semi-fast pace riff, contagious choruses and a beautiful guitar solo, it works really good as a preamble to the epic and longest track in the album "Let the Storm Descend Upon You" slightly over twelve minutes with special guest in vocals by Jørn Lande (Jorn), Robert Mason  (Warrant), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), this track is quite impressive for the huge amount of moods stamped in it, the metallic edge blended with the orchestral arrangements, make this one an essential to listen, "The Haunting" comes unexpected as a storyteller and slow-paced while Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), brings his powerful vocals to this project, "Seduction of the Day" let Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) to deliver his ostentatious vocal display and of course well appreciated, every track so far let the guest vocalist shine in their own, for me there is no doubt Tobias while he focus in his songwriting, he is able to visualize the singer, it is simply awesome, "Ghostlights" supply the proper dose of power metal that everybody is waiting for the guest vocalist in this track are Michael Kiske (Helloween) and once again the raspy vocals of Jørn Lande, "Draconian Love" is a powerful ballad that exploits with a catchy keyboard and low tune riff to add a depressive feeling which allows to elevate the track with exciting guitars plagued in choruses and the battling vocals between Tobias Sammet and Herbie Langhans (SinBreed) are impressive, "Master of the Pendulum" features Marco Hietala (Nightwish) his fearless and relentless voice takes over the heaviest track in the album, here you can appreciate one of the best guitar solos they could achieved, "Isle of Evermore" is a slow-paced ballad with no other than sweet Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation) she lends some of the pop style vocals which has been prevailed in her latest recordings, somehow I think they owe us a climax with this track. 

"Babylon Vampyres" Sammet goes alone on his own, with fast and sharp riff, pounding drums and catchy melodies, "Lucifer" a stunning track featuring Jørn Lande who is set free to deliver his most brilliant interpretation in the album, "Unchain the Light" is definitely the catchy track in the whole album counting once again with the stellar appearances of Ronnie Atkins and Michael Kiske, excellent guitar work and impressive solo unleashes the adrenaline, "A Restless Heart and Obsidian Skies" brought aboard guest vocalist Bob Catley, the song sounds epic, but a little misplaced, nothing wrong with guest vocalist, but unfortunate to listen this as closing track, the 2CD Digibook includes a bonus track entitled "Wake up to the Moon" and simply can't understand it sounda overdone, dwelling in some generic formula.

The hard part of this album falls in the length by itself the 2CD Digibook version last about 75 minutes, plus 59 minutes the live section, is not easy to devour thirteen tracks at once, you will need patience to really go all the way down to understand what Tobias Sammet and company just made, their power metal opera has emerged again and has been captured all its glory in this album, "Ghostlights" is simply awesome, all the parts blend together with smooth transitions and incorporation of orchestral and metal making this an unique experience.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Mystery of a Blood Red Rose

2. Let the Storm Descend Upon You

3. The Haunting

4. Seduction of Decay

5. Ghostlights

6. Draconian Love

7. Master of the Pendulum

8. Isle of Evermore

9. Babylon Vampyres

10. Lucifer

11. Unchain the Light

12. A Restless Heart and Obsidian Skies

13. Wake up to the Moon

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Brainstorm (2016) Scary Creatures

Band: Brianstorm

Country of Origin: Germany

Status: Active

Genre: Power metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Ltd. Edition Digipak
Length Approx.: 54:00 min.

Release Date: 01-15-2016

Current label: AFM Records

Release label: AFM Records

IR Classification: Good (4.1 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

This is exactly what you expect from a seasoned power metal band simplicity, melody and chorus

German band Brainstorm delivered their eleventh album last January 15, 2016 entitled "Scary Creatures" featuring their classic Power metal well known and appreciated by their fans, this is band very underrated, I honestly unknown the reason, it might be the fact that Brainstorm opted to play a merely traditional line of Power metal, if I have to mention few acts to make you become more familiar, I could name bands such Blind Guardian, Symphorce or Gamma Ray.

It is true that Brainstorm discography is wide but not always consistent, sometimes doesn't linger in you, because their own sound is simply like that, few albums that I could put in a safe place, will be "Ambiguity" released in 2000, "Soul Temptation" in 2003, "Downburst" from 2008 and "Firesoul" released less than two years ago, definitely "Scary Creatures" comes in this list too, why? because their sound is more bold, energetic and replete of solid riff and galloping rhythms, it have all you are waiting for in a power metal album, Brainstorm lineup has been solid for the last couple 5 releases, it's formed as follows Andy B. Franck (Vocals), Milan Loncaric (guitars & backing vocals), Dieter Bernert (drums), Torsten Ihlenfeld (guitars and backing vocals) and Antonio Ieva (bass), this could be the spark that lights their newest record.

The first track in this album is "The World to See" open with a little orchestral intro before get into havoc with their genuine riff and cataclysmic double bass drum, while Andy B. Franck owns a powerful and unique voice he keeps in the halftone range, unlike other singers within the genre who prefer the high pitch vocals, "How Much Can You Take" follows with nicely and crushing riff, the drums draws a steady and solid pattern that allows the bass to rumble through the speakers, "We are..." here we can appreciate how simplicity can succeed with few riff, they effortlessly create a memorable track with catchy choruses, "Where Angels Dream"; Here, things are getting better and better, they speed up the pace to gain a contrasting sound compared to the previous tracks, the self titled album track is structured with grooving riff, "Caressed by the Blackness" with pretentious drums allows to build solid riff and a very neat rhythmic section by bass, creating a wall of grave tunes in the background, the last track is "Sky Among the Clouds" is exactly what you expect from a seasoned Power metal band, simplicity, melody and chorus, the CD limited edition digipak includes a bonus track titled "Lift Your Eyes to See", it’s powerful and does not disappoint at all, also this version comes with a DVD which was recorded at Turock, Essen (Germany) on April 5th, 2014, during their "Souls of Fire Tour".

"Scary Creatures" certainly exceeds anyone's expectations, it might not be the greatest band with high pitch vocals, thunderous and vertiginous riff at full speed and all the glamour that precede many bands within the genre, No! They chose the opposite path and have walked steady and sure of themselves for more than two decades, if you decide to go with them, you will not regret it.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

(Disc 1)

1. The World to See

2. How Much Can You Take

3. We Are...

4. Where Angels Dream
5. Scary Creatures
6. Twisted Ways
7. Caressed by the Blackness
8. Scars In Your Eyes
9. Take Me to the Never
10. Sky Among the Clouds
11. Lift Your Eyes to See

(Disc 2)
DVD Souls of fire - Live 2014

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Dragonheart (2015) The Battle Sanctuary

Band: Dragonheart

Country of Origin: Brazil

Status: Active

Genre: Power metal

Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  58:00 min.

Release Date: 10-02-2015

Current label: Pitch Black Records

Release label: Pitch Black Records

IR Classification: Poor (2.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

A tragedy in the battle sanctuary

Dragonheart is a band from Curitiba, Paraná in Brazil, they were formed around 1997, by the brothers Marco Caporasso doing guitars and vocals, Marcelo Caporasso behind the drums set, Mauricio Taborda in the bass and backing vocals, and Eduardo Marques as the second guitar and third vocals, they joined forces together and their influences which fall into the Heavy metal of the 80's, medieval and epic too, they began the songwriting process and by August, 1988 they released their first demo, titled "The Gods of Ice" with five tracks, and they keep on going; by November, 2000 they released their album debut "Underdark" for Megahard Records and almost two years later, "Throne of the Alliance" saw the light by September, 2002 under HTR and also the departure of guitarist Eduardo Marques, who was replaced by André Mendes, their third album "Vengeance in Black" hit the streets in 2005, for the German label Hellion Records, before they go in hiatus for a decade. 

"The Battle Sanctuary" is Dragonheart's fourth effort up to now, it was released the last October 2nd, 2015 supported by Pitch Black Records, this time; by the departure of Marcelo Caporaso, they brought on board a new drummer Thiago Mussi, let me tell you;  what you can expect is a full dose of Heavy metal with lots of generic Power metal, yes! unfortunately for you this is an album that tends to be boring due to its length, reaching almost an hour of musical tragedy, their sound is for the likes of Portuguese, Ironsword or even the Swedish, Sabaton but not compelling as they are, my first impression about this album, was to recognize that they remain true to their roots, playing what they know best and preserving its mark on their music using three voices, something that is presumptuous, because while one guy tries to do clean vocals, the others guys are overwhelming with harsh vocals and the clean vocals loses any significance, musically there you can hear a lot of classic Power metal riff with some Thrash cords fused, adding an aggressive and solid sense, the guitar solos are not memorable as I wished. So, there is not enough to keep you tied for you to listen their tones.

The album has few tracks that can be saved, Dragonheart decide to open with "Far from Heaven... Close to Hell", such of powerful and energetic, puts your expectations higher for what's coming, they throw some riffs to engage you, catchy choruses and unfold an unlimited energy, "Black Shadow" the second track is well structured from the beginning you can listen clear all the instruments, there is a bass line that plays amazing in the background, the clean vocals are outstanding, the guitar solo is one of the few memorable in the whole album, “Forged in Metal” there is some riff to remember, one of the most influential bands as Iron Maiden is, the drums by Thiago Mussi are great, while the choruses does what they meant to do, inflict an overdose of energy, I still have issues to conceive a clear idea of what they tried to do with the track number seven, "Marching Under the Stars"; the style and idea is clear some kind of Folk, Epic Power metal, but it totally breaks the flow, it is plagued in choruses that baffles me, the self titled track brings some groovy riff blended with plenty of thrash hooks, to engage you good enough, the battling vocals between clean and harsh, make a perfect contrast with the chorus, the last track is "Time Will Tell" is another of the few redeemable tracks, displaying lots of intensity and versatility  for a good guitar solo, the vocals are acceptable, but again it fades in the attempt.

To conclude, Dragonheart delivers an inconsistent album, marked pretty much, for a standard songwriting, few eloquent and memorable riff and the abuse of three vocals, sometimes turning annoying or forgettable and last but not least the length, eleven tracks! almost an hour! I truly believe is too much for a comeback album after a long hiatus, this album is recommended only for diehard fans of  Power metal.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Far from Heaven... Close to Hell
2. Black Shadow
3. The Arcane's Palace
4. Inside the Enemy's Mind
5. Forged into Metal
6. Battle Lines
7. Marching Under the Stars
8. Circle of One
9. Kill the Leader
10. The Battle Sanctuary
11. Time Will Tell

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