INTENSE
Track One: Intro – Premonition
Track Two: One Twenty
Track Three: The Winged
Track Four: War Of Angels
Track Five: Seeds Of Betrayal
Track Six: The Skull Of Sidon
Track Seven: Inside Torment
Track Eight: Collision Of Destinies
Track Nine: Autumnheart
Track Ten: Path Of The Dark
Track Eleven: Your Final Breath
Having played the BLOODSTOCK Festival in England, INTENSE are a true force to be reckoned with. This album can be purchased through Underground Symphony, the band’s record label. Check out their website for more information. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR….check these guys out….you won’t regret it!
RATING: 9 of 10
WEBSITE
Review by – Anthony DeLuca
FORSAKEN
FORSAKEN
Track One: Kindred Veil
Track Two: Sephiroth
Misery, my lustful concubine
This is a nice break from the dragon slaying and brave warrior lyrics typically found in today’s power metal albums. I am curious to see a live performance of this song, as it blends many elements together.
Track Three: The Poet’s Nightmare
Track Four: Whispering Soul
Track Five: The Eyes of Prometheus
Track Six: Carpe Diem
Track Seven: All Is Accomplished
RATING: 9 of 10
WEBSITE
Review by – Anthony DeLuca
INVIDIA
Track One: Reflections of the Shattered Glass
Track Two: Rise of the Unborn
Track Three: Keeping the Faith…
Track Four: Apophasis
Track Five: Decay Of Perception
RATING: 9 of 10
WEBSITE
Review by – Anthony DeLuca
DELIAN LEAGUE
Track One: The Questioning
Track Two: Final Day
Track Three: Days Of Regret
Showing vast potential and talent, Delian League are a great band from New Jersey that will grab attention & maintain their audience’s interest for a long time to come. Check this band out; you will not regret it.
RATING – 10 of 10
Review by – Anthony DeLuca
DETRIMENT
Track One: Black
Track Two: Without Reason
Track Three: Thanks For Nothing
Track Four: Surreal
Track Five: Head
Track Six: World Comes Down
Track Seven: Sinister Rush
Track Eight: Sphere Of Destiny
Overall, “Surreal” is a GREAT album, one that has regular rotation in my CD changer right now. I hope everyone that enjoys great metal music will find their way to this band. They have a lot to offer!!!!
RATING: 9 of 10
Review by - Anthony DeLuca
RITUAL
CD ONE
Track One: The Gathering
Track Two: Prince of Pain
Track Three: Dark Star
Track Four: The Fall
Track Five: He Rules The World
Track Six: The Razors Edge
Track Seven: Evil In Your Heart
Track Eight: Fire All Around
Track Nine: Rock And Roll Demon
Track Ten: Daybreak
Track Eleven: Let The Metal Play
Track Twelve: Friend or Foe
Track Thirteen: Take Back Our Streets
Track Fourteen: Picture Of Evil
Track Fifteen: Claw To The Top
Rating: 8 of 10
Review by - Anthony DeLuca
NEIL TURBIN
After such a long time without hearing Neil Turbin’s vocals on a metal album, I was REALLY hungry to hear this album. THREATCON DELTA is the name if this metal gem, and it is a full force of metal madness. Complete with lyrics, some photos, and the NT logo reminiscent of the New York Mets’ logo, THREATCON DELTA has it all. Put the CD in, press play, and listen….
The sirens go off…the atmosphere builds & the anticipation grows. “Wake Up Call” is an introduction the leads into the first bone crushing song. Blasting into “Cut To The Chase”, the latest offering from legendary vocalist Neil Turbin provides a throat choking, head banging metal masterpiece. “Cut…” is a great album opener with speedy palm muting on guitar, amazing solo work, and hints of Neil’s signature belting scream.
“What You Can’t Control” has an awesome sing-a-long chorus; the whole song is a roller coaster ride of speed metal fury! The drum work here is killer and works tightly with the bass guitar. Reminiscent of his old Anthrax tunes, “What…” is a nice nod to Neil’s roots.
“Keep The Fire” KICKED MY ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This song FUCKING RULES. Neil REALLY sings his heart into this song; a metal anthem with POWER, EMOTION, and a chorus that cannot be ignored. Soaring guitar solos really emphasize the power in this song. This song was played several times before the next was played, and with good reason. See for yourself!!!!
“The Truth Is The Best Lie” is another song with a sing-along chorus and killer lyrics.
My favorite song off this album, “Blue Screen Of Death”, has it all!!! Opening with chugging guitar, then BLASTS into Neil’s SCREAM!!! An impressive opening, this song continues with its excellence, keeping in great time and melody. Evil and powerful lyrics dominate!! You cannot help but to bang your head ‘till it falls off!!! More melodic singing and screams are executed while the chorus is sung in backup by the rest of the band. Absolutely killer!!! This song is reminiscent of “Metal Thrashing Mad” from Anthrax. Try NOT to listen to this song only once…CAN’T BE DONE!!!!!
“Dolly Dagger”, which is a Jimi Hendrix cover, is a nice nod to the past and to Neil’s influences.
“Rat Race” keeps a good beat, melody, and time signature. With guitar licks in just the right places, “Rat…” once again shows how THREATCON is PACKED with awesome metal anthems. This song cannot be skipped!!
“Vigilante Justice” is more heavy rock orientated, in vein of old-school Riot. A very in-your-face feeling is presented here, and shows again how Turbin can hold his own on more than just thrash metal.
“Touch Too Much” has a nice beat to it, but it’s not one of my favorite songs. This song has too much of an 80’s hair metal feel to it, much like what I would expect from Kiss or Warrant. I don’t really like this song, so it gets skipped…sorry.
“Wrecking Ball” is more heavy rock orientated, with a more than slight 80’s feel to it. This is most likely a song from the “unknown era” of Neil’s career, which I know nothing of. Keeping a nice flow and beat, “Wrecking…” incorporated some blues and rock and does a decent job of it. Not bad!!
Tearin’ though silence is a dangerous sound
“Piece Of Me” has some great screaming guitar and heavy melody. The pace is swift and goes for the throat. Once more, a sing along chorus is offered. A very nice way to end the album, leaving the listener wanting more!!
THREATCON DELTA is a GREAT “Welcome Back Neil Turbin” album to me. I’ve missed his voice & this album shows he’s alive, kicking ass, and taking no prisoners. Leaving his Anthrax days behind, THREATCON is in NO WAY a “Metal Thrashing Mad” PART II…it’s a modern-day power/thrash metal album with some very nice nods to past memories of screams and beats. Hear your “Wake Up Call”…get THREATCON DELTA…it will kick your ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating- 9.5 of 10
www.neilturbin.com
Review by - Anthony DeLuca
ALCHEMY X
Alchemy X…a band that defies the boundaries of music and performance. Fuse elements of power metal, progressive metal, blues, and even classical music, and you have YET to scratch the surface of what this AMAZING band has to offer. I’m not talking boring, make me kill myself, unenthusiastic music. This is different. Journey into a world of dreams turned into reality, emotions painted in ones mind, and attention grasped to the absolute final note played on this musical masterpiece. No time is present…stay a while at 11:59:59…
Track one: SHIFTING IMAGES
In silent shades…the early dawn colors the mourning sky
Haunting, deep bass fills the speakers, along with some speedy acoustic guitar. All instruments come together to paint the pictures of that which this song is portraying. These lyrics kick major ass…not thinking-mans metal…just a lot of imagery one can relate to. Pace and music return to keys & vocals with hints of guitars. Very crisp guitar melodies are played here, with close accompanied bass. A very fast-paced keyboard is played, then a quick, chugging guitar riff plays along. This is a VERY catchy section of the song, especially the part the keyboard has to offer. Pace continues to build on and on, with chugging guitar and riffing leads, along with more dramatic vocals. A very nice lead is played after the verse is finished. As I have said, there is a lot of music to cover!!
The heaviness builds…
In all my fevered dreams
Some very heavy power chords and melodies are used here. Pace slows down, and another catchy guitar riff is played backed by heavy rhythm and drums. Some duel guitar work is played, which leads into some atmospheric keyboard. The adrenaline and emotion are pouring out!! Time changes, musical style…it’s all here!!! After all this musicianship halts, acoustic guitars with mellow guitar leads calm the listener down.
Track three: RENAISSANCE
Track three picks up right after track two. In case you haven’t noticed yet, this album is intended to tell an emotional story. Each song stands alone by itself; yet, the album plays like one big song. So, RENAISSANCE opens with some drums leading into VERY emotional keyboards, filled with atmosphere, intensity, speed, and intelligent composition. Killer guitar solos grasp you by the heart. Sounds like something YNGWIE MALMSTEIN wishes he could play again…all the right melodies, tomes, and speed at just the right times. This guitar solo just rips!!!!!! At about 2:45 into the song, the heaviness increases along with speed. The bass and drums really keep the depth of the song interesting, as the guitar continues to draw its picture of raging emotion and creativity.
Moving things along, “Interlude” is a first for vocalist Bob Mitchell. A soft and gentle ballad, this song shows a lighter side to Alchemy X, yet it doesn’t suck. Griping lyrics and sweet sounding acoustics, “Interlude” is a memorable part of this album.
Track Nine: BEYOND THE VEIL OF SORROW
“Beyond…” is a KILLER song, especially when played live. Chilling lyrics, abundant with intellect, character, and emotion, “Beyond…” is a deep song. Heavy guitar work, beautiful keys, and harsh to melodic vocals make up the chemistry of this song. Mitchell’s signature screams can also be heard toward the end of this song, adding an old-school metal feel to it.
Track Ten: LOOKING GLASS MEMOIRS
Not missing a beat, “Looking…” continues with intellectual lyrics and though provoking themes. Dealing with past life events, regret, and the person one strives to be, “Looking…” is packed with thinking-man’s metal delivered with a forceful punch. Blistering guitar work accompanies the atmosphere of this song.
Track Eleven: 11:59:50
The title track of this album, “11:59:59”, is also a KILLER live song. Heavy guitar, screaming melodies and pounding bass reign supreme. A doom-like feeling is portrayed by the beat of the guitars/drums/bass. This song is heavy and fast, then changes to slow. It’s all here, and the lyrics tell a story of impending doom. Very cool!
The album closes with two instrumentals, which I feel is cleaver. It forces you to think your own emotions and lyrics to the sounds of this concluding music. This album comes COMPLETELY together from start to finish, and I consider it a MASTERPIECE!!!
Rating- 9.5 of 10
www.alchemy-x.com
Review by - Anthony DeLuca
MARK "M.E." EDWARDS
Guitar with attitude...what a title!! Prepare yourself for OVERLORDE guitarist Mark M.E. Edward's guitar onslaught. No lyrics...simply a guitar album. So, with this said, one may question why to even listen to such an album. The reason is simple: it rocks!! These songs "paint" the lyrics, so the atmosphere and emotion are presented with quality. Check it out...
“Summer Cruisin” has some great hooks and flange effects, opening G.W.A. with an upbeat and attention grabbing vibe. Time changes with some added clean electric and tight drums/bass emphasize this breezy tune. A great song with an appropriate song title, “Summer…” projects a good feeling, melodic tune.
“Corazon” opens with some symphonic notes, which hints towards some bombastic power metal. However, this does not happen. The symphonic notes continue throughout this song, showing a Joe Satriani side of Mark. Although the guitar licks were cool, I didn’t like this song too much, as it seemed boring to me.
“Big Red Pumper” is AWESOME. VERY cool licks and melodies!!! Several time changes throughout this song keep it interesting and fun to listen to. Whah effects, bends, and other cool effects are played with style. Written about the fury of a fire truck racing towards a fire, “Big…” is an adrenaline pumping joy ride!!! No wonder why I like this tune so much (I was a firefighter for two glorious years)!!! This song is NOT fancy showing off…it rocks HARD!!!!!
“Spur Of The Moment” is another hard-hitting rocker!! Tight bass keep up with the energetic guitar. Some double bass drums can be heard as well, adding to the power of this song. At the 2:00 minute mark, some really cool guitar solos are executed, which remind me of Judas Priest meets Iron Maiden meets Van Halen.
“The Joust” opens with some marching drumbeats accompanied by some cool slow & atmospheric guitar. Some quick finger tapping follows, which adds to the feel of this song, creating some interesting imagery. This is closely followed by some awesome drum work. This song keeps a certain presence to itself; it doesn’t overdo itself, yet keeps the intensity at just the right level. Prepare to joust!!
“Jammin” is a groovy, hard rock melody with some fast soloing at the very beginning. Once again, the bass is tight with the drums, and at times with the guitar shredding. Some whah effects are added in, giving a Dave Murray meets Jimmy Hendrix feel.
“Stumpgrinder” has some cool bend notes and rapid soloing, which adds a cool feel to this song. Although I do not understand the song title, I can certainly enjoy the music.
“Sting Of The V”, which is the Mark Edwards theme song (so to speak), starts off with some heavy bass and talking guitar, which remind me of Steve Vai. Some keyboard adds to the atmosphere of this intro, only seized by some heavy chords, which accelerate the song. Some guitar licks are added at just the right places as the melody is played several times over. The melody in this song reminds me of “War” from Joe Satriani. A keyboard solo is even heard, followed by a somewhat matching guitar solo reminding me of the effects Manilla Road use.
“Ceremony” opens with some slow keyboard and mellow guitar. Some 80’s style keyboards are added, followed by guitar lead playing the same harmonies & tunes. This song makes me think of a knight being honored or, on the reverse side, a wedding (maybe medieval, but still something that “joins” someone). I really liked the atmosphere this song portrayed…very few instrumentals heard today can do such a thing. Very cool!!!
“Its Been A Long Time” opens with some acoustic guitar and easy following drums. The overall feel of this song presents a happy vibe, reminiscent of good times and good memories. Originally written with lyrics, now released as an instrumental, one can only imagine the heart-felt words that accompanied this song…yet another emotional heart breaker!!
“Funkenstein” has a “funky” groove to it, with some really great licks and melodies, adding heaviness and diversity to this song. The first guitar solo uses some finger tapping, tremolo, and sliding effects, which add substance to this killer song. A very heavy and upbeat song, “Funk…” is another hard rocking tune!!
“Rainbow Lake” closes off GWA in style. It incorporated several effects and keys, which simply have to be heard, as explaining this sound is a bit difficult. Although this tune isn’t a metal song (least not in my opinion), it still shows musical diversity and skill on Mr. Edward’s behalf.
In conclusion, if you enjoy atmospheric guitar with some added twists, then pick up G.W.A. and see why Mark “M.E.” Edwards is New Jersey’s premier shred machine!!! G.W.A. will kick your ass!!
Rating- 9 of 10
www.meflyingv.com
Review by - Anthony DeLuca
SECOND SIGHT
© 2004 Underground Symphony
This opening track is an instrumental, which blends atmosphere and emotion through the use of keyboard and synthesizers. Powerful guitar joins in, adding heaviness and picking up the pace. A small nod to HELLOWEEN’s Keeper Albums with their intros can be made here….great stuff; short yet sweet.
Continuing the melody, which was played on “Premonition”, guitarists Nick Palmer and Dave Peak waist no time bringing on the assault! The whole rhythm of the song revolves around this awesome riff. A lot of power AND thrash riffs are used, giving the song a fresh sound (it’s not the same boring power chord over and over again). The Chorus is catchy and memorable. I cannot compare the sound of Sean Hetherington’s vocals……he is a vocalist with his own style and sound. All I can say is that it’s a clean and brisk sound…..it is something to be heard.….maybe like James Rivera and Bruce Dickenson. The bass and drum work of Steve Brine and Neil Ablard are tight, however I would have preferred their sound to be turned up a bit more. A touch of keyboards in the right places gives “One Twenty” all the key elements to a great song. This is a great way to start off an album and get the listener hooked.
I really liked this song….it simply HAS TO BE HEARD. The rhythm is crushing, the vocals soaring, and drumming & bass thundering. The time signature is perfect in the way the song is sung and played. Additional elements of NWOBHM guitar melodies are mixed in. Anyone who skips over this song is a moron. Seriously……this kicks ass.
Opening with some harmonized guitar, “War…” bursts into a speed metal attack! The musicianship here is tight as hell. I can’t help but wonder what this band is like live……this song would definitely kick ass live. The double bass drums are amazing. The screaming, melodic guitar is something I haven’t heard like this in a LONG time….something MUCH NEEDED in a diluted metal scene. Intense has picked the PERFECT band name, and this is only the third whole song! Let’s see some other bands do that today (names will go unmentioned).
Sean really gets to belt out some emotional vocals here, as “Seeds…” is a slow paced, dark song. About two minutes into the song, things get intense again (sorry…I couldn’t help it) as the pace quickens and Nick and Dave execute the much anticipated guitar riffing. The song closes by slowing down again, repeating the same guitar chords heard in the beginning of the song, bringing things full circle.
I expected a band like INTENSE to have at least one epic song on this album, which is found in “The Skull…”. The melodies are very catchy, in addition to the time signatures. Blending some beautiful acoustics and melodic singing then picking up the pace, “The Skull…” reminds me of a classic Iron Maiden song. Just over seven minutes, this song maintains diversity and interest without repetition.
The chanting metallic vocals of Sean intensify the fist-pounding beats of “Inside…”. The way this song is sung works well, as it seems Sean is singing/chanting the verses, while the chorus is a sing along all the way. The added keyboard gives a nice effect. Thoughts of Iron Maiden’s “Powerslave” are felt here, reminiscent through the guitar melodies of Nick and Dave.
The opening riffs remind me of Overkill’s “Rip N Tare”, with some added kick of melody. The duel guitars are AWESOME. This is old-school metal! Neil’s drumming is crazy….the double bass is KILLER, played along side Steve’s bass. Once again, appropriately placed keyboards only enhance the atmosphere and interest of this track. A very tight song, “Collision…” is a metal song to be played over and over again……and then some more!
A nicely executed ballad, “Autumnheart” is a great song, which still maintains heavy guitar playing. I really like the opening guitar in this song, which is played along nicely with the drums. Once more, INTENSE do not disappoint.
Opening with acoustic guitar accompanied by some keyboard and soloing, “Path…” sets the stage for an atmospheric song. Once things pick up, the melody in this song is KILLER. Once more, double bass drums rule the beats of this song, with the added heaviness of the chugging, melodic guitar. Some thoughts of Iced Earth’s “Dante’s Inferno” song come to mind at points. Over all, this song kicks MAJOR ass!!!!
Yet again, sweet acoustic guitar and keyboard open the next track, in “Your Final Breath”. In the same manor as “Autumnheart”, “Your…” is another ballad offering, but without the aggressive touch that “Autumnheart” possesses. Focusing more on the keyboards and acoustics, this song sets a calm and touching atmosphere. Towards the end of the song, however, that distinct INTENSE guitar sound picks up the pace (as I find myself tapping my foot to the melody of the song). This is a great finish to a great album.
ANIMA MUNDI
© 2004 Golden Lake Productions, Ltd.
ANIMA MUNDI
© 2004 Golden Lake Productions Ltd.
Blending atmospheric keyboard and heavy melodic guitar, FORSAKEN’s opening track waists no time bringing on the metal. Reminiscent of Angel Dust meets Symphony X, the musicianship is absolutely stunning! Complete with a catchy chorus and great guitar work, “Kindred…” is a nice opening to this album.
Opening with a melodic riff, Sephiroth slows the pace down a bit with its dark and gloomy sound. Vocalist Leo Stivala really pours on some emotion, especially with the chorus of this song.
She bleeds with profusion
Sanctuary for my wounds sublime
Born unto an altered state of ethereal seclusion
The atmospheric music which closed out “Sephiroth” carries into “The Poet’s…”. This is a spoken word track with selected passages from the 1916 “The Poe-et’s Nightmare” from H.P. Lovecraft. Added atmosphere gives this song a nice touch.
Continued atmosphere in “Whispering…” keeps an evil touch to the feel of this album. The pace quickens with a heavy chugging guitar, which only then slows down to an electric acoustic guitar accompanied by graceful and emotional vocals. Added hooks and leads placed in between verse keeps this song interesting. The song then picks up the pace again with heavy chugging guitar, some keyboard, and aggressive vocals. This song comes full circle very nicely.
Just looking at this song title, I was really curious to see how the lyrics and music would turn out. I have to say: this song has incredible lyrics! The music is pretty intense too. You’ve got backing death metal vocals at points, soaring power metal lead vocals, heavy and melodic guitar, atmospheric keyboards…it ALL HERE.
“Carpe…” opens with some slow, Black Sabbath like bass and drums, which is repeated by the guitar. In fact, this song’s whole atmosphere and tone can be compared to “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. The pace quickens after four minutes of this gloomy, dark music. This REALLY kicks ass, as this is a kind of melody that gets you off your feet and head-banging for a long time. Coming full circle, the song ends in the same manner it began: slow, evil bass and guitar.
“All…” opens with some really cool heavy guitar, accompanied by some keyboard. The pace only quickens after this short little intro. The vocals are soaring and reminiscent of Labyrinth. This last song has a lot of aggression, doom, and melodic elements which make it a killer song. The guitar solos are awesome, and keep with the feeling of the song. All IS accomplished for Forsaken, as this is a GREAT closing song to a GREAT album!
REFLECTIONS OF THE SHATTERED GLASS
© 2003/2004 Independant Release
Opening the album is the title track, which is an atmospheric, fast paced & very well played instrumental. Complete with acoustic and acoustic electric guitar, “Reflections…” is a great opening song, which builds attention and interest. I would love to watch the live performance of this song…it simply rocks!!
Continuing with some acoustics, then blasting into heavy chugging guitar, “Rise…” really brings on the metal!! Vocals chime in after a thrash metal riff reminiscent of Kreator or Destruction. Some influences of In Flames or Iron Maiden can also be heard. Fast soloing, pounding drums & bass, and death/black metal vocals are the main ingredients in this recipe for metal madness!! Get off your ass and thrash!!!
Opening with some Death influenced drum work, “Keeping…” continues a fast paced, melodic sound. A very catchy riff is played throughout the song, which hints toward Iron Maiden meets Death. Fast paced drum and bass maintain the backbone of the song in its entirety. A blistering guitar solo at the three-minute mark is played with both emotion and talent. The song closes with the aforementioned riff.
Going straight for the throat, “Apophasis” opens with brutal and aggressive vocals accompanied by heavy riffing guitar. Some of the guitar work reminds me of old Metallica, yet Invidia’s guitarist maintains his own identity. More German Thrash Metal influences are heard in this song, giving it that fast paced, heavy & melodic sound we all love.
Bringing the album full circle, “Decay Of Perception” reflects on the acoustic guitar heard on the first track. Only lasting a short while, the calm acoustics launch into a soaring and melodic melody, reminiscent of Iron Maiden. The drum work here is outstanding, keeping a close pace with the already fast guitar work. The bass guitar follows along this line too. Too bad the volume on the bass isn’t that loud…it would’ve been appropriate to have it louder for this song. This song grabs you by your throat and does not let go…complete with AMAZING guitar work, pounding and fast drums, thundering bass, and evil vocals. Long live Invidia…
3 TRACK DEMO
© 2003/2004 Independant Release
Going straight for the throat, “The Questioning” waists no time executing a powerful, melodic, and fast melody sure to grab anyone’s attention. Just before the vocals kick in, a very Helloween reminiscent melody is played. The vocals remind me of a mixture between Riot (Sons of Society era) meets Rough Silk; melodic, powerful, and a little on the aggressive side. The drum work is fast and AMAZING, played along tight with the bass. Several guitar effects and solos lead toward the conclusion of the song, which all have elements of Iron Maiden, yet maintain their own distinct sound.
Continuing a persistent sound of heaviness, melody,
and aggression, “Final…” hints at some power thrash metal in its opening riffs. Vocalist Jude has a great range, yet does not hit many high notes, which is a GOOD thing, as it would not suite this heavy, melodic music. The time change at 1:30 mark shows a repeated Iron Maiden influence, with an added element of In Flames. As the melody continues to play, a very nice guitar solo plays, which absolutely kicks ass!! Once again power, aggression, melody, and sheer talent shine through.
Opening with some fast piano accompanied by some vocals, “Days…” blasts into some heavy, pounding, chugging guitar. Simply stated, a killer build up for a killer song!! The drums play into the heavy guitar, which show some German Thrash metal influence. This song really gets the energy and emotion going strong, as it is played with power and sung with emotion. Some added keyboard in the appropriate place give this song great atmosphere. The song closes out with some heavy & melodic guitar accompanied by some keyboard.
SURREAL
© 2003/2004 Wet Spot Records, Inc.
Going straight for the throat, “Black” opens with some very heavy guitar work, followed by a riff orientated melody. The chorus incorporates some death metal vocals with are VERY cool and evil. The main elements here are the melodic guitars and powerful vocals. A comparison to Angel Dust meets Pantera meets old Metallica can be made in reference to both music and vocal performance. So far, I feel this is a nice break from a typical power metal band’s screams and wails (which I like too). Thrash’ till death!!!
Keeping to their heavy sound, Detriment’s next song
is a mid/fast-paced tune with great time signature and aggression. Elements of Destruction can be heard in breakdown at 1:30 mark. Appropriate bass lines are in just the right places. Some melodic, mid/high vocals are executed towards the end of the song, which nicely brings the song full circle.
Opening with some VERY melodic and heavy riffs, “Thanks…” waists no time bringing on the metal. Hints of Paradise Lost meets Iced Earth can be heard in this song, incorporating slow & evil vocals with melodic guitar. The pace quickens, as the guitar riff speeds up, which reminds me of some German thrash/power metal. “Thanks For Nothing” is grunted in a death metal voice with some heavy chugging guitar towards the end of this song. This is GREAT stuff!!!!
Electric acoustic guitar accompanied by melodic riffs lead into some spoken word into for “Surreal”. Immediately following is some heavy guitar work, with more melodic vocals. The time signature keeps things fast and flowing nicely. The chorus is a great song along. Just when you think to song is over, an excerpt from The Matrix is heard, “Welcome…to the desert…of the real”, as heard from Morpheus. The pace slows down, yet the guitar remains melodic. Once some high vocal lines are executed, the remainder of the song plays through as it did in the beginning. Great stuff!!
Opening with some melodic guitar leading into some Halford screams, “Head” is another bone-crushing metal anthem. “Raise your head” is a sing along chorus with heavy, melodic guitar for added effect.
Some hints of Metallica can be heard in some of the vocal melodies, but overall keep their own identity. A nice break from the power metal anthems which sing about metal never dying (we know already), “Head” is an aggressive, heavy/melodic tune.
As atmosphere builds, so does the heaviness; “World…” has a nice gradual build up to an outstanding thrash riff, reminiscent of Kreator. Soaring vocals add a nice touch, and the drum work sounds very tribal/war dance-like, which is accompanied by some great guitar solos. I can picture a wicked light show for this song’s live performance. The added elements of thrash, power, and aggression are the key factors in this song’s attraction. Two thumbs up to the closing screams…they’re not too cliché or misplaced. This song comes full circle, closing out with some slower vocal and guitar lines, just as it opened.
This song is a head-banging powerhouse!!!! The opening guitars really grab your attention, and maintain it!! Melodic and aggressive vocals keep the flow of this song interesting. Although the song seems to slow down a lot once it has grabbed your attention, it only speeds up again, with a vicious onslaught of metal! This must be why the song is called “Sinister Rush”!! More guitar melodies reminiscent of Kreator can be heard again. This song is absolutely brutal!
Keeping a melodic and heavy sound, “Sphere…” shows once more why Detriment is a force to be reckoned with!! More thrash/power metal riffs are nicely executed, played with some great bass and drum. The time signatures are perfect, keeping the song in perfect harmony. Some amazing finger tapping closes out this song, while the chorus is repeated. “Sphere…” is a nice closing song!
THE GATHERING (CD 1)
© 2003/2004 Independant Release
Reminiscent of an 80’s horror movie, atmosphere builds in the introductory song “The Gathering”. Right away, an old-school metal feeling is offered without the filler or ??
A nice way to start off this album, “The Gathering” begins the trip back to the 80’s. Fans of Detroit’s Halloween will really like this intro
Blistering guitar work and some aggressive vocals make “Prince…” a nice first song. Evil laughter opens this song, which has hints of Alice Cooper meets Iron Maiden. Wrapped up in a very catchy chorus and dark lyrics, this song is a great attention grabbing song.
Could this be an Yngwie Malmstein cover?? No, but this song kicks some MAJOR ASS!!! Big chorus and sing alongs make this song a breath of fresh air to listen to. Chugging guitar, soaring vocals, and some added keyboard for atmosphere make “Dark …” another killer song on this album. The added spoken word ending is a nice effect.
“The Fall” opens with some keyboards, which lead into some beautiful guitar. This song reminds me of something I’d hear in a fantasy movie. This song offers some great atmosphere and outstanding acoustic guitar playing.
Once again, an Alice Cooper influence can be heard in the vocalist’s deliverance of this song. I didn’t really enjoy this song too much; the “He rules the world!!!” shouting ruined the whole feel of the song. The guitar solos were amazing, but I didn’t agree with the shouting.
Opening with some nice guitar work accompanied by some light drum, “Razors…” seems to be a decent ballad.
Some of the vocal melodies seemed out of tune, especially in the beginning of the song, however, this improves as the song progresses. The guitar melodies are the strong aspects of the song, along with some emotional vocals. I feel this song could have been omitted from the album; it sounds too much like a hair metal song ala Poison or Bon Jovie, which I feel are not metal bands. Good song…just not to my liking.
Opening with some crunching guitar, then blasting into a short and well suited scream, “Evil…” is a great mid/fast paced song. Fitted with a sing-along chorus and great time signatures, this song picks up the pace where “Dark Star” left off. Some awesome fingering and soloing are added along with some Rob Halford screaming at the three- minute mark. A nice head-banging song to get the blood flowing!!
The heavy guitar continues in this song, opening with a nicely distorted, low key guitar. The time signature in this song flows nicely, incorporating some nicely placed time changes before and after the chorus, which add a nice feel to this song. Some keyboards add to the dimension of this song, reminding me of some old Dio or Yngwie Malmstein.
Old school!!!! This song has a very strong NWOBHM feel to it, which I love about it!! This song kicked my ass, knocked me down, then beat me some more!!! LOL…seriously, this song has a lot of elements which add to its greatness. Right away, you can hear that old sounding guitar in vein of early Scorpions or Witchfynde. Soaring vocals and crushing guitar work go hand in hand, while the drums and bass keep the beat strong and heavy.
Just as “The Gathering” added a nice dimension of atmosphere, “Daybreak” continues with the slow, eerie guitar and spoken word. “I own your soul…” is repeated several times; a cool way to bring this album full circle.
Opening with some NWOBHM guitar work & dark bass accompanied by some high pitched vocals, “Let…” once again shows the old school ways of Ritual. I don’t usually like metal proclaiming songs (ie: see most of the Manowar and Hammerfall discography) but I really enjoyed this song. Ritual are not claiming to be “Kings of Metal”, nor are they claiming that their “…swords of metal reign”, or whatever. This is a song that needs to be listened to with the volume cranked. Some really great bass closes out the near end of the song, with more Priest-like screams. Awesome!!!!
In case you didn’t know it yet, Ritual refer themselves as “Old-school”…I couldn’t agree more!! “Friend…” is another song with all the traits of “TRUE METAL” which we all love here at Unstoppable Force. Screaming guitar, screaming vocals, chugging melodies, and tight bass and drum work. Hear it for yourself!!
Incorporating some blues guitar, “Take…” can best be described as an anthem about taking back what is yours & keeping true to your beliefs. I completely agree with the message this song is portraying, however, I did not like this song too much; it didn’t have the vibe from the previous two songs which I felt.
What can be said about this song…it FUCKING KICKS ASS!!! The continuous riff played throughout the song is absolutely amazing. More doses of old school metal here…At the three minute mark, the combination of a blistering guitar solo played along with the melodic riff heard throughout the song gives “Picture…” all the right touches. KILLER!!!!!!!
Pounding bass lines, blasting drum beats, and a Riot influenced rhythm kick off “Claw…”, which is a GREAT ending song for CD1 of this 2 CD album. Some of the guitar work reminds me of Black Rose or early Riot (Rhett era). An overall killer song, “Claw…” is the continued proof that Ritual is OLD SCHOOL!!!!
THREATCON DELTA
© 2003 Metal Mayhem Music
“Sick Of It All” is an aggressive/angry song, incorporating some distorted vocal lines, adding to the complete feel of this song. A raw and slow song, “Sick…” shows how Neil can still bring it down a notch and still kicks your ass.
Dealing the had line is a dangerous game
Those poisonous minds in a world of pain
The moment of truth, well it’s all the same
You’re trapped in your mind and there’s no escape
Closing off with Neil’s scream, “The Truth…” kicks ass.
“Dog Eat Everything” (not Anthony Eat Everything…LOL) opens with accelerated guitar work, putting you back into the fast lane. This song has a GREAT breakdown & chorus. Turbin sings his ass off, and the metal reigns supreme here.
Screaming bloody hell thrashin’ like a hound
Ready to devour storming the gates
Unless you’re the lead dog the view’s all the same
Yet another head banging masterpiese!!!
11:59:59
© 2003 Unisound Records
This album opens with an instrumental. Typical of a HELLOWEEN-type band, one would expect this album to flow as the usual dull & expected power metal album. THIS IS NOT THE CASE, as you shall see later in this review.
Starting off with a mid-paced guitar riff, then followed by chugging guitar/bass/drums at a slower pace than the lead guitar, SHIFTING IMAGES builds a momentum. (da…da da da da…da da da da…da da da daa da) This is played three times, then launches into a heavier riff, played faster, all while the AMAZING drum work of Chris Scorsese speeds along with the pace of the guitar (Chris Fox or Rob Schreiber). Bassist Steve Ratchen is just fucking awesome…you’d think Steve Harris had ANOTHER brother he didn’t know about…Bass lines slow down the piece, while a guitar melody chimes in. VERY CATCHY. The pace slows down more and more; the final notes played fade out into silence only for a second while some relaxing chimes are played. I had to go back several times and listen to this song…it’s that cool.
Track two: A KISS BEFORE DYING
A slow, yet attention-drawing guitar melody opens this sequel to the first song. Accompanied by some delicate keyboards and soothing hints of drum, this guitar melody plays on until the first lyrics are sung (only before a power chord is held along with some symbol playing) Once the lyrics kick in, the music changes to just keyboard with the vocals. Hints of guitar and drum chime in at just the right moments…
As I awake-as I awake from fitful sleep and memories
Does time exist to torture love and cripple dreams?
The words that cut so deeply-
What I felt for you
It seems so far away………
We go our separate ways
It always ends the same-
Frozen cries Lifeless eyes
A kiss upon my lips before I die…………………
G.W.A.
(GUITAR WITH ATTITUDE)
© 1994, 2003 Armored Force Publishing
“Lovers” reminded me of a cross between “Rubina” and “Cryin’” from Joe Satriani, for the simple reason that Mr. Edwards pours a LOT of emotion into this song. You can feel the passion as he plays each note…it goes for the heart!!! VERY COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! I played this one a few times before continuing onto the next song.