Tag: Power Metal

Hammerfall – Glory to the Brave – 20 Year Anniversary Edition (Review)

HammerfallHammerfall are a veteran Swedish heavy/power metal band and this is the 20-year anniversary edition of their 1997 debut album.

This package features a remastered version of the classic album that started the Hammerfall legend. Additionally, there’s a Stormwitch cover, a radio edit of the title track, and six bonus live songs all taken from this album. There’s also a DVD available too, (but that falls outside of this review). Altogether it’s Continue reading “Hammerfall – Glory to the Brave – 20 Year Anniversary Edition (Review)”

Starsoup – Castles of Sand (Review)

StarsoupThis is the second album from Russian progressive rock band Starsoup.

Starsoup’s 2013 debut album Bazaar of Wonders was a wonderfully diverse and eclectic collection of progressive rock/metal that has become a firm favourite of mine. As such, I was excited to see that they now have a brand new album out for me to enjoy and get to know. Continue reading “Starsoup – Castles of Sand (Review)”

Sifting – Not from Here (Review)

SiftingSifting are a progressive metal band from the Venezuela and based in the US. This is their debut album.

Combining modern groove and classic rock with progressive flavour, this is an enjoyable album that manages to stitch together several different rock and metal eras and styles, and is largely quite successful at doing so. Continue reading “Sifting – Not from Here (Review)”

Ice Age – Breaking the Ice (Review)

Ice AgeIce Age are a Swedish thrash metal band and this is their debut album.

This is old-school thrash metal, with some elements of power metal thrown in for good luck. Having said that, with songs as strong as the ones on Breaking the Ice, luck is not required here. Continue reading “Ice Age – Breaking the Ice (Review)”

Dragonhammer – Obscurity (Review)

DragonhammerDragonhammer are an Italian power metal band and this is their fourth album.

This is a band named Dragonhammer. I mean, how can you not want to listen to them? There’s more to Dragonhammer than just their enticing name, however. Continue reading “Dragonhammer – Obscurity (Review)”

Isle of Avalon – Of Tulgey Wood and the Table Rounde (Review)

Isle of AvalonIsle of Avalon are a UK power/symphonic metal band and this is their second album.

This is power metal influenced by Arthurian legend, and the band certainly do this side of their sound justice by incorporating many medieval themes, sounds, and melodies into their songs. They’ve clearly immersed themselves in this aspect of their music, rather Continue reading “Isle of Avalon – Of Tulgey Wood and the Table Rounde (Review)”

Epica – The Solace System (Review)

EpicaEpica are a symphonic metal band and this is their latest EP.

One of the things I like about Epica is that although they play Symphonic metal with luscious female vocals, early on in their career they managed to carve out their own path and identity in this well-worn genre. Continue reading “Epica – The Solace System (Review)”

Scardust – Sands of Time (Review)

ScardustScardust are a symphonic metal band from Israel and this is their debut album.

Scardust play sumptuous symphonic metal with some progressive elements added in to enhance proceedings.

Usually I find a lot of this kind of thing very generic and I usually lose interest quickly, but bloody Hell Scardust are an exception to this. Sands of Time is a very professional, accomplished, and well-realised release, with both catchy appeal and memorable depth. Continue reading “Scardust – Sands of Time (Review)”

Sons of Crom – The Black Tower (Review)

Sons of CromSons of Crom are a Swedish blackened heavy metal band and this is their second album.

Sons of Crom’s debut album Riddle of Steel was extremely impressive and enjoyable, making its way into my end of year best of list for 2014. Rich and diverse, it really was a stunner that has easily stood the test of time thus far. Continue reading “Sons of Crom – The Black Tower (Review)”