Wildestar - Arrival (2009)

Wildestar - Arrival

Despite the impressive metal pedigree of guitarist Dave Starr, his new power metal band WildeStarr's debut "Arrival" is a bit of a crash landing. Starr is most well-known for his stint as the bassist for the pioneering power metal band Vicious Rumors, but has also played with Laaz Rockit and Chastain.

For this outing, he's paired up with singer and keyboardist London Wilde, who's worked mostly behind the scenes as a recording engineer, songwriter and studio vocalist. Unfortunately, Wilde is a big part of the problem with this album, with overblown vocals and cheesy synth parts being the order of the day for her.

On the good side, Starr has definitely picked up a thing or two in his time with guitarists like Brad Gillis, David Chastain and Vinnie Moore. His playing on tracks like "Rose In The Dark" and "In This World" is solid, with a bass-player's dedication to rhythm, and the ability to cut loose like a shredder.

On the rhythm front, Jim Hawthorn's drumming is more than adequate to the task. I find it interesting that Starr, as a bass player, chose to cover up his own playing so much, but there seem to be about 15 guitars playing at the same time in parts of the album, so that may explain it a bit.

London Wilde's keyboards make the album seem dated, with 1980's synth squeals that don't really add anything to the album. Her vocals are a mixed bag at best. I'll concede that Wilde can sing — even sing well; my problem is in how she does it. Everything is sung at maximum volume with absolutely no subtlety. Even in the quiet intro of "Down Of The Sun," she's overpowering everything else. By far, her worst performance is "Rise," in which she screams in a fashion that is supposed to recall her idol Rob Halford, but seems much more Yoko Ono to me.

There's often a heaping helping of cheese in power metal lyrics, and this album has its share. The worst offender comes in the title track, "Arrival," in which "you are the target of a pulsing ion beam."

If I had to pick a favorite track on the album, it'd be "In This World," which has Starr's best riff and Wilde's best lyrics. It's also the one track where her vocals aren't so overpowering. Still, that's not enough to make me recommend WildeStarr's "Arrival" to any but the most fervent power metal fans.

copas from http://www.metalunderground.com/reviews/details.cfm?releaseid=2749

Tracklist:
1. Rose In The Dark
2. Arrival
3. Touching God
4. Rise
5. Down Of The Sun
6. In This World
7. Generation Next
8. Nevermore
9. Voice In The Silence
10. The Chain

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Theater of Tragedy - Der Tanz der Schatten (Single) 1996 FLAC+CUE+LOG

Theater of Tragedy - Der Tanz der Schatten (Single)

Tracklist:
1. Der Tanz der Schatten (Club Mix)
2. Black as the Devil Painteth
3. A Hamlet for a Slothful Vassal
4. Der Tanz der Schatten (Album Version)

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Opera Diabolicus - 1614 (2012)

Opera Diabolicus - 1614

The press release painted a good picture for Opera Diabolicus' debut "doom opera" 1614. Name-dropping the likes of King Diamond and Mercyful Fate as well as the doom ties and of course the guest list which reads like they were pilfered from the cast of Therion's Gothic Kabbalah, my interest was certainly piqued.
On first impressions I wasn't really impressed, and coupled with the fact I'm a bit sick of the whole rock opera thing I didn't feel much need to revisit this. However, I did keep the album in my review queue (basically a playlist) that I tend to let play through while I potter on. As a result I found myself becoming familiar with the album and beginning to enjoy it a lot more. I even started seeing the King Diamond comparisons, which at first I thought was just name-dropped to add interest.
What I found myself liking about this release is that the band didn't skimp in the riff department, a lot of these type of albums blow their wad on guest vocalists and as a result the music suffers. Whilst sometimes the band drift off into slightly uninspiring territory, for the most part this is pretty good, especially when they unleash the finer of their riffs. I was expecting a little more in the way of doom for this being billed as a doom opera, whereas really this plays out as a gothic progressive power metal album.
Obviously I can't go through this review without mentioning the vocalists, and I'm not going to lie each of the singers do work well. Snowy Shaw and Mats Levén are well experienced in multi-singer affairs, and their parts really remind of Therion's Gothic Kabbalah. We also have Dream Evil's Niklas Isfeldt lending his vocal talents, and I like I how he was given a lot of cool vocal lines and heavy moments to sing over. We of course have female vocals which are handled by Camilla Alisander-Ason whose vocals are serviceable but completely unspectacular. Jake E from Dreamland is also credited, but I've found it hard to pick him out until much later in the album.
Overall I think this album's appeal lies far more in the gothic metal community than the doom metal one, and really I'd bill this as a gothic/power opera. Fans of Therion and Kamelot will likely enjoy this, and I think fans of acts such as King Diamond and Dragonland will find something of note too. Whilst it took a while to get enjoyment out of 1614 it is still a good release, and is certainly worth a couple of listens.

Originally written for http://www.metalcrypt.com

Tracklist:
1. Overture (1:30)
2. The gates (10:02)
3. Blood Countess Bathory (10:35)
4. The 13th Guest (7:27)
5. In Memoriam (2:42)
6. Mythos Lamia (6:45)
7. Forbidden (6:46)
8. Stone by Stone (9:18)

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Pendulum - Live at Brixton Academy (2009)

Pendulum - Live at Brixton Academy(2009)

Tracklist:
01. Intro (01:51)
02. Showdown (05:53)
03. Fasten Your Seatbelts (05:51)
04. Another Planet (04:25)
05. Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix) (04:47)
06. Propane Nightmares (06:08)
07. 9,000 Miles (03:52)
08. Midnight Runner (06:21)
09. Mutiny (04:43)
10. Blood Sugar (05:16)
11. The Other Side (05:24)
12. Different (05:59)
13. Master Of Puppets (01:35)
14. Slam (04:20)
15. Hold Your Colour (09:29)
16. Tarantula (05:00)
17. Granite (05:00)
18. The Tempest (07:59)
19. Credits (01:20)

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Nemesea - In Control (2007) FLAC+CUE+LOG

Nemesea - In Control

Apparently, Nemesea started out on their debut album sounding like an Epica clone, but I can’t confirm that because I’ve never heard it. What I can confirm is that on their sophomore album, In Control, they share more in common with an Electronica band like Collide or a Pop artist such as Kelly Clarkson then any of those Gothic Rock bands out there. The music is dominated by synths and upbeat, almost danceable rhythms driven along by the capable vocals of Manda and an abundance of very catchy choruses. There are still guitars on this album, but their sound and the riffs they play have very little in common with Metal. Their sound is more reminiscent of an Industrial band in the way that they have a razor-sharp, slightly processed sound to them, and the riffs themselves are the rhythmic power chords associated with that genre as well (except much less aggressive here).
The album starts with “No More” which is the heaviest song on the album and easily shows that they are no longer following behind bands like Epica. It starts with pulsating synth, Techno-ish keyboards, and Manda’s beautiful vocals. When the song really starts up, the guitars come in to compliment all the synth and keys, but they only occasionally dominate the song with any sort of heaviness. The chorus is catchy and easily memorable, and the beat is quick and energetic. The second track, “In Control” is more representative of the album as a whole. It is very upbeat with rhythmic, yet unobtrusive riffs, a lot of pulsating synth, and a very catchy chorus. Another song that follows that same basic formula is the track “Lost Inside” which as of right now is available for free download from their website.
Another song worth noting is the single ballad on the album, “The Way I Feel” which features guest vocals from Cubworld. If you’re unfamiliar with Cubworld, don’t expect any Death Metal vocals or anything, because this guy’s style is similar to Jack Johnson or Dave Mathews. The song starts with just piano and the two vocalists, and it is simply beautiful. Their vocals compliment each other so well, and they both elicit so much emotion from the song that they’re able to bring it to the next level all by their selves. By the end, the rest of the band does come in but it’s only in a limited role to provide a crescendo to the song when both vocalists let the complete power in their voices free.
For those that may be familiar with this band’s debut album or with Gothic Rock in general, there are still enough lingering influences from their past to keep your attention including some solid guitar melodies from time to time, most notably at the end of the song “Believe”. The song with the largest nod to their past is “Like the Air”, which if not for the pulsating synth line that moves in and out of the guitar riff, could be considered Gothic Rock. The chorus on this song has some of the strongest, most soaring vocals from Manda, and the melody behind it is more Folk influenced then Pop influenced.
Nemesea is hard band to pin down because I think they could appeal to those who love female fronted metal as easily as they could appeal to someone into the Pop sounds of Kelly Clarkson. On the other hand, that dual appeal could cause fans of either genre to despise the other elements contained within each song. For me, this is a solid album full of Poppy Electronica songs with enough of a Metal influence to give it an edge and set it apart from the stereotypes that bands of either genre usually fall into.

copas from http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/14418/Nemesea-In-Control/

Tracklist:
1         No More     3:19    
2         In Control     2:57    
3         Home     2:39    
4         The Way I Feel (feat. Cubworld)     3:59    
5         Lost Inside     3:23    
6         Remember     3:31    
7         Believe     4:22    
8         Like The Air     2:47    
9         Broken     3:37    
10         Never     2:53

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Wilderun - Olden Tales & Deathly Trails (2012)

Wilderun - Olden Tales & Deathly Trails

 

Hailing from Boston, MA…you would never think such a fantastic symphonic folk metal band could be spawned from such a place. I’m not saying Boston is not a bad place for music, just unexpected folk greatness such as Wilderun! Their album “Olden Tales & Deathly Trails” is everything you want in a folk metal album if you prefer your folk on the more mild side. I’ve heard some really thick folk metal in my day and sometimes too much ruins the experience. Wilderun’s take on the genre is perfect: The singing combined with the screams, the guitars, flutes, symphonic sections and layered fantasy feeling combines and forms one hell of an enjoyable listening experience. Perfect timing too because I just picked up Skyrim again and now I have something epic to listen to while I defend Tamriel! Raise your tankards high! It’s time for some Wilderun!!!
Wilderun’s “Olden Tales & Deathly Trails” is fun from front to back, you won’t get over burdened with too much folk. Sure, it’s quite nerdy at times and I love it. I also like it when the band is all “OK guys, we’re questing and it’s now time to kick some ass” as they turn the gain up on the amps and play some good metal. At times the metal can turn “power” metal when the tempo kicks in but it’s still rad. Wilderun’s overall tone and musicianship is spot on, all of the mighty folk metal fans would appreciate this album. I was instantly a fan, the hooks and catchy writing of it all also helps as you tap your foot along with the song and bang your head.
This album is just fun to listen to! Even with most of the songs being over 7 minutes long, the songs are interesting and go by quite fast. For this being a debut album, I’m completely blown away at how precise they are and their level of expertise when it comes to composing such great music. I mean this takes a lot of talent, it’s not your usual metal album and it just makes it that much more epic. Listen to Wilderun’s “Olden Tales & Deathly Trails” NOW!!!!! It’s the folk metal album of the year! (So far.)

copas from http://headbangorgtfo.com/album-review-wilderun-olden-tales-deathly-trails/

Tracklist
1. The Cracking Glow 02:16
2. Suncatcher 07:40
3. How Stands the Glass Around? 04:40
4. Storm Along 07:42
5. Vaunting Veins 08:13
6. The Coasts of High Barbaree 07:39
7. The Dying Californian 12:55

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