Project Arcadia - A Time Of Changes

Band:Project Arcadia

 

Album:A Time Of Changes

 

Band Members:

Urban breed - vocals                              Plamen Uzunov - guitars
Dobromir Paraskov - bass
Daniel Dimitrov  - drums
Vili Neshev - guitars

 

Tracks:

 I am Alive

Beggars At The Door

The Ungrateful Child

Timelss

Joy

A Time Of Changes

Formidable Foe

The Deal

Shadows Of The Night

 

Genre: Metal/Prog Metal

 

Formed:2006

 

Influences:Pretty Maids, Savatage, Elegy, Vicious Rumors, Heaven's Gate, Stryper, Queensryche, Fates Warning, Crimson Glory and many others

Date Released: September 9, 2014

 

Label:Nightmare Records

 

Quality & Originality: This band is really hard to pin point as far as a genre what is really appealing to me cause it shows me they have a wide pallet of talent in the band and not scared to take chances. The album ranges from almost a classic rock and 80's metal one second to a modern metal and prog metal sound the next. The production on this album is as top notch very clear and responsive. The guitars are clear and accurate with great bass lines and spot on drumming. Urbans vocals really brings this melodic masterpiece together blending his very smooth and powerful singing styles. Very original from the start to the end leaving you wanting more and more from this band.

 

My Opinion:This is Project Arcadia's Sophmore effort that really pushes up what there debut album had started for them. I was sold on this album from the first song entitled ''Here To Learn'' it is brilliant. This album has so much to it what so many bands should take a page out of there song writing. It is rare for me to like every song on a album and I honestly cannot wait to see where this band goes next. When I see a band that is labeled Prog Metal I usually think I will know exactly what it will sound like and this band steps out of the shadows of its for comers and takes the bull by the horns.

 

Overall & Favorites:I Am Alive, Timless, Formidable Foe. I give this album a 9/10 for keeping me on my toes and the shear power of this album.

Contact:http://www.projectarcadiabg.com/

 www.facebook.com/projectarcadia/timeline 

 

A Sound Of Thunder - The Lesser Key Of Solomon

Band:A Sound Of Thunder

 

Album:The Lesser Key Of Solomon

 

Tracks:

Nexus Of Realities

Udoroth

Fortuneteller

The Boy Who Could Fly

Elijah

Master Of Pain

Blood From The Mummy's Tomb

Black Secrets

One Empty Grave

House Of Bones

 

Genre:Metal/Rock/Progressive

 

Band Members: 

Nina Osegueda - Vocals
Josh Schwartz - Guitar
Chris Haren - Drums
Jesse Keen - Bass

 

Date Released:September 9th 2014

 

Founded:2008

 

Label:Mad Neptune Records

 

Influences:Iron Maiden, Dio, Hammerfall, Judas Priest, Rush, Black Sabbath, Helloween

 

 

Quality & Originality: ASOT is a band that is not about being a genre changing band but about cutting there own print into it. This album has some amazing mixing that actually allows all instruments to breath and have a solid platform. The album was produced by RIAA platinum-awarded producer Kevin '131' Gutierrez (While Heaven Wept, Raven, Shinedown). This is a very well rounded and written album that really holds a staple of metal bands from the past. I usually do not like to compare to past albums but it really is different then the past releases so go into this album with a very open mind that will take you on a dark metal journey of fury, hate, love, hurt and madness!!

 

My Opinion: This is the bands fourth relase to date and there most ambitious by far hitting it with just more umph and trying a different approach to the metal territory they already conquered. ASOT has a great line up and really is one of the great metal female fronted bands out this day in age. The greatness really shines in this release with heavy guitars, boomy bass, heavy hitting drums and the velvet hammer hitting vocals of Nina!! I love how this album is different and much darker then there last release showing that this band has tons of depth and is willing to try new things. I think this album will draw the classic rock to metal to prog metal fans that love multiple personalities in a album. One of my favorite parts of this album is the songs do not sound rushed like so many bands try to play fast but not good this band plays amazing and tight.

 

Overall & Favorites:Master Of Pain, Fortuneteller, One Empty Grave. I give this album a 7.5/10 and a heavy \m/ in the air for such a great job!!!!!!

Contact: http://www.asoundofthunderband.com

www.facebook.com/ASoundOfThunder/timeline?ref=page_internal 

 

Overkill - White Devil Armory

Band:Overkill

 

Album:White Devil Armory

 

Band Members:       Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth - Vocals
D.D. Verni - Bass
Dave Linsk - Lead Guitar
Derek "The Skull" Tailer - Rhythm Guitar
Ron Lipnicki - Drums

Date Released: July 22, 2014

 

Label:E1 Music (USA) | Nuclear Blast (Europe)

Tracks 

XDM

Armorist

Down To The Bone

PIG

Bitter Pill 

Where There's Smoke

Freedom Rings

Another Day To Die

King Of The Rat Bastards

It's All Yours

In The Name

 

Quality & Originality:This is a killer thrash mix that allows the guitars, bass and drums to fly right into your face and beat you half to death. With a band like Overkill you are always going to get that almost analog feel but that is how us old school thrash lovers want it. So many thrash bands sound exactly the same but no one sounds like Overkill. White Devil Armory vocal tracks by  Bobby Ellsworth comes in and hits a home run with them rough high pitched vocals that no one else could dream of pulling off.

 

My Opinion: Overkill is thrash royalty in every way and they always bring the pain and brutal riffs on every album. This album is honestly one of the best thrash albums I have heard in some time with that classic riffage and feel we have all come to love. White Devil Armory is a album you do not want to listen to in your car cause your insurance will not like the amount of tickets you will get. It is brutal, loud, hard, rough, thumping pure madness wrapped up into some of the best metal these giants have released to date. This album makes me want to pickup my Carvin V and play it till my fingers bleed (Ok that was a bit dramatic but you see where I am going). If you are looking for  a balls out over the top full metal jacket of a album that will keep you up till the morning hours head banging and jacking them horns in the air you have purchased the right album!!!!!!!!

 

Overall & Favorites: I have to rate this massive armory a 9/10. personal favs PIG,Where There's Smoke, In The Name

Contact: https://www.facebook.com/OverkillWreckingCrew/timeline http://wreckingcrew.com/Ironbound/

Exorcism- I Am God

Band:Exorcism

Exorcism

Album & Release Date:
I Am God-April 25, 2014

Label:
GoldenCore Records/ZYX

Year Established:
2013

Band Members:
Csaba Zvekan (Raven Lord, Zvekan, ex Killing Machine)-vocals, Joe Stump(Raven Lord, Holy Hell, Reign Of Terror)-Guitars, Lucio Manca(Raven Lord, Solid Vision)-bass, Garry King(Joe Lynn Turner, Jeff Beck, Achillea)-drums

Music Genre:
Doom Metal

Promotion:
Rock N Growl

Artists/Bands album mission/message: 

Exorcism is today’s answer for heavy metal and sets clearly another milestone in music history. The music is doomy and lush while it flows lava like down your spine.With dark themed lyrics and melodies that could haunt you for life.

Track Listing

01. End Of Days 5:26

02. I Am God 6:46

03. Voodoo Jesus 5:05

04. Last Rock'N Roll 3:54

05. Master Of Evil 5:13

06. Exorcism 5:18

07. Higher 3:19

08. Stay In Hell 4:01

09. Fade The Day 4:43

10. Zero G 4:29

Quality of original music including song writing and message:
The feel on this album is such a great mix of  Metal, Classic Rock, Prog but themed Doom and serious Gloom. The song writing is very original but you can hear definite roots of Dio, Sabbath and at times a Jon Oliva style vocals.

Production value:
This album has such a amazing mix and master on it the drums are thunderous, the guitars stand out but do not over track the vocals. It does almost have a analog feel at times but for a Doom album I would expect nothing less.

My Opinion:
I Am God is an evil, gloomy, heavy, brutal album that everyone from rockers, metal heads to doomers will all have something they can bang there head to. Zveken has such range in his vocals from dark and evil one second and high end screaming the next what is very refreshing cause most doom albums are just dark growling most of the time. All the musicians have plenty of room on this album to represent there talents from the very bass and drum heavy song ''Voodoo Jesus'' to the ripping guitars and heavy vocal song ''End Of Days''. This album shows you can be one of the heaviest bands in the land and have serious talent but you do not need to play at the speed of light.

Rate:
9/10

Personal Favorites:
End Of Days, Master Of Evil, Zero G

 

 Artist Contact Info:
facebook.com/exorcismband

comwww.exorcism13.com

 

 

Existance-Steel Alive

Band: 

Existance

Album & Release Date: 
Steel Alive -April 25, 2014

Label:

Band: 

Existance

Band: 

Existance

Album & Release Date: 
Steel Alive -April 25, 2014

Label:
Mausoleum Records:

Year Established:
2008

Band Members: 
Julian Izard Lead Vocals & Guitars, Antoine Poiret-Guitars & Vocals, Thomas Drouin- Bass & Vocals, Alexandre Revillon-Drums

Genre:
80's Metal

Artists/Bands album mission/message: 

Music is our Faith, Heavy Metal is our breath!

Track List
1.Legends Never Die

2.Black Viper

3.The Siren

4.Dead or Alive

5.Slaughter

6.Burning Angel

7.Steel Alive

8.Get Away

9.Prisoner

10.Close To The End

11.From Hell

Quality of Original music including song writing and message:
The music has the 80's rock and metal down to a science. The music is not overly original but has taken a fresh approach to the past.

Production Value:
The overall sound of this album is ripped right out of 1985 it almost sounds like a cassette on some songs but it really works for this album. The mix and master are right on the money very well done.

My Opinion:
Existance has really brought back my love for 80's rock and metal with the catchy riffs and guitar fueled attitude. Steel Alive has a very Prog Metal feel at times with influence from bands like Helloween, Malmsteen and Primal fear. I was very taken in with the leads and guitar playing on this album. Steel Alive has a old school feel but there is something very fresh about the arrangements. This really is a album to carry the torch with the new generation of 80's Metal. This is 11 songs of pure genius.

Personal favorites:
Dear Or Alive, Burning Angel

Rate:
8/10

Contact Info:
artistecard.com/existanceband
facebook.com/existanceband

Album & Release Date: 
Steel Alive -April 25, 2014

Label:
Mausoleum Records:

Year Established:
2008

Band Members: 
Julian Izard Lead Vocals & Guitars, Antoine Poiret-Guitars & Vocals, Thomas Drouin- Bass & Vocals, Alexandre Revillon-Drums

Genre:
80's Metal

Artists/Bands album mission/message: 

Music is our Faith, Heavy Metal is our breath!

Track List
1.Legends Never Die

2.Black Viper

3.The Siren

4.Dead or Alive

5.Slaughter

6.Burning Angel

7.Steel Alive

8.Get Away

9.Prisoner

10.Close To The End

11.From Hell

Quality of Original music including song writing and message:
The music has the 80's rock and metal down to a science. The music is not overly original but has taken a fresh approach to the past.

Production Value:
The overall sound of this album is ripped right out of 1985 it almost sounds like a cassette on some songs but it really works for this album. The mix and master are right on the money very well done.

My Opinion:
Existance has really brought back my love for 80's rock and metal with the catchy riffs and guitar fueled attitude. Steel Alive has a very Prog Metal feel at times with influence from bands like Helloween, Malmsteen and Primal fear. I was very taken in with the leads and guitar playing on this album. Steel Alive has a old school feel but there is something very fresh about the arrangements. This really is a album to carry the torch with the new generation of 80's Metal. This is 11 songs of pure genius.

Personal favorites:
Dear Or Alive, Burning Angel

Rate:
8/10

Contact Info:
artistecard.com/existanceband
facebook.com/existanceband

Mausoleum Records:

Nightmare-The Aftermath

Band: Nightmare

 

Album: The Aftermath

 

Genre: Prog Metal/Metal 

 

Tracks:

The Aftermath 

Bringer Of A No Man's Land

Forbidden Tribe

Necromancer

Invoking Demons

I Am Immortal

Digital DNA

Ghost In The Mirror

The Bridge Is Burning

Mission For God

Alone In The Distance

 

Band Members: Jo Amore, Yves Campion, David Amore, Franck Milleliri, Matt Asselberghs

Date Released: June 14, 2014

 

Label: AFM Records

 

Quality & Originality: The French metal band Nightmare is not new to the metal scene going back to 1979. The Aftermath is a superb album with a generous amount of energy crushing guitars and riffs. Technically genre of a Prog Metal band but the band always goes so far out with Thrash and Metal roots that crush the very soul with chunky rhythm and great booming double bass drums. This album has a great mix and layering of instruments and the vocals cut thru the mix but not drown it.

 

My Opinion:The Aftermath is a great return to what the fans of Nightmare want to hear after a bit of a slip with there last album ''Burden Of God''. This album is as good as anything they have put out but they have really pushed the riff limits to a whole new direction. Jo Amore is such a great singer and he really shines hard on this release (Hard to believe he was the bands drummer at one point). There is no fillers on this album every song will grab you and hold on with total metal excitement that this band is known for world wide. If you are looking for a really hard heavy prog metal album this will be the one you cannot stop listening to!!!

Overall & Favorites: I rarely give albums much over 8 cause I always feel there is a bit of room for improvement but on this release it is a solid 9/10 rating. Favorite tracks Bringer Of A No Man's Land, I Am Immortal, Alone In The Distance.

 

Contact Info:www.nightmare-metal.com, www.facebook.com/NIGHTMAREofficial

Timo Tolkki's Avalon- Angels Of The Apocalypse

Band:Timo Tolkki's Avalon

 

Album:Angels Of The Apocalypse

 

Tracks: 

        Song For Eden

        Jerusalem Is Falling

        Design The Century

        Rise Of The 4th Reich

        Stargate Atlantis

        The Paradise Lost

        You'll Bleed Forever

        Neon Sirens

        High Above Of Me

        Angels Of The Apocalypse

        Garden Of Eden

                                         

Band Members: Timo Tolkki: guitars, bass and keyboards
Tuomo Lassila: drums
Antti Ikonen: keyboards
Nicholas Jeudy: orchestration
Floor Jansen, Simone Simons, Fabio Lione, David DeFeis, Zachary Stevens, Elize Ryd, Caterina Nix: vocals

Date Released: May 16th, 2014

 

Label: Frontiers Records

 

Quality & Originality: Timo Tolkki's Avalon is a great creation of such layered vocals, guitars, keys, strings, bass and drums that take things to a entire new level. It is really hard to stick this band in a specific genre cause they are metal, gothic, symphonic, prog metal, power metal all wrapped up into a giant ball of powerful music that just about any metal head could find something to take away from the journey. I love the album cause it takes originality to a whole new level but does not clutter it and hide instruments or get muddy. The production value on this album is superb and extremely tight. With the line up of singers that put time into this album is amazing from Zack Stevens, Floor Jansen, Simone Simons etc this album was really a home run out of the gate.

 

My Opinion: Without trying to sound to one sided I fell in love with this album the first time I heard it. The magical journey that Timo takes us on is something that you will remember for such a long time to come. I wish more musicians took the time to layer and create with the passion this guy puts into his albums. You will not walk away without saying ''wow what is this''. The line up of musicians is simply amazing and a sure hit this year for the visionary musician in your life!!!

 

Overall & Favorites: Angels Of The Apocalypse gets a favored 9/10 rating. Favorite tracks are Jerusalem Is Falling, The Paradise Lost, Neon Sirens.

 

Contact Info: www.facebook.com/avalonopera avalonopera.com

Ronny Munroe-Electric Wake

                                                

  Band: Ronny Munroe

                                       

               Album: Electric Wake

 

Band Members: Guest Artists Include George Lynch, Pamela Moore, Sean Baker, Tony Rossi, David Donigian, Dave Rude, Paul Kleef

Date Released: June 24, 2014

Label: Rat Pak Records

Track Listing: 

Ghosts

Electric Wake 

Turn To Stone

My Shadow

Not You Not Me

Pray

Ritual Damage

Sleepless Mountain

The Others

United

Burning Time

 

Quality & Originality:Ronny Munroe is not new to the metal world with ''Electric Wake'' being Ronny's third solo album. The mix is right on with a old school fixture added for good measure. The songs are new but hit close to home on many styles from the past. The guitars are strong and right in the pocket of what you would expect from Ronny. The all star line up that come to aid in Ronny's vision is simply amazing from Pamela Moore to George Lynch and Tesla's axeman Dave Rude. The album has a thrash mix but a classic rock groove to my ears. Ronny proves once again that his voice can do more then just scream and proves why he is one of the greats of our generation. This album is very original but a great recreation of some of the greatest metal/classic rock albums of all time!!

 

My Opinion: Ronny has been a very busy man with a new album from Metal Church ''Generation Nothing'' and now this very over the top solo album. I honestly feel this is some of the greatest music Ronny has done to date. I have not been able to stop listening to this album since I purchased it after its release. I honestly would call this a metal album but in fact it is the heaviest classic rock album of all time with the hints of Dio, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Led Zeppelin and many others. This album is a winner for anyone that loves old school heavy metal, hard rock, classic rock and thrash.

 

Overall & Favorites: Electric Wake is freaking awesome with a solid 8.5/10 Rating from me. Favorite tracks are The Others, Not You Not Me and Ritual Damage. 

 

Contact Info:  www.facebook.com/ronnymunroefb, www.ronnymunroe.com