Blog Archives - True Metal Lives

DiMino - Old Habits Die Hard

6/30/2015

DiMino – Old Habits Die Hard

Frank DiMino first broke onto the hard rock scene in the mid 70’s when he fronted Angel, which thanks to Gene Simmons help was signed on to the same label as KISS (Casablanca Records) where they released a series of albums and got some fame with their classic track “The Tower” before fading away. After working on various projects (mainly soundtracks), DiMino has returned to his roots with some melodic hard rock along with a pretty well-known group of veteran musicians such as Oz Fox, Eddie Ojeda, Punky Meadows and Rickey Medlocke to name a few. What we have here is some top quality 70’s AOR meets 80’s hard rock that has a very strong bluesy feel to it. In fact DiMino’s voice sounds just as if it did back in the day, if not even better these days! My first thoughts on hearing this CD is why the hell did it take so long for him to bust out something like this? There is not a single weak track on this entire album! The music is just ripping and as I stated before his voice is just incredible whether he’s doing a slower track or rocking out, he has complete control and his voice is so perfectly suited to the music here. Back in the 70’s as good as Angel were, they were just missing that certain something to keep them from truly breaking out and after hearing what he is able to do here, I wonder if the end of Angel made the rock and metal scene that much darker because of it. He definitely has the voice to conquer the metal world! All I can say is this CD is very HABIT forming!

Choice Tracks – Never Again, Rockin In The City, Even Now, I Can’t Stop Loving You, Sweet Sensation

(10)

Borealis - Purgatory

6/30/2015

Borealis – Purgatory

Canada is not where you usually find such melodic power metal from, as Borealis really has that European timbre to their sound. After two very highly praised if not overly well known released over the past half dozen years, they come storming back with their third album. The music is definitely of the highest caliber as there is no doubt they really are able to craft some stellar atmospheric and emotive pieces and singer Matt Marinelli is able to really do an exquisite job on wringing the bluesy emotion out with his majestic voice here. When things get slow, the bluesier parts of his voice are on the fore, with a very Coverdale like quality to them, very cool indeed! Some of the music has a bit of a more modern flair than their prototypical European counterparts, but that is blended in well with the more traditional bent. The songs are very melodious and though the music is a bit light on the engaging guitar riffs and I wouldn’t mind seeing a bit more charge in the final product, it is still a very strong release that is backed with some mighty fine modern day production and it just has that nice professional sheen showing that these Canadians are ready to take things to the next level!

Choice Tracks – My Peace, Purgatory, From The Ashes, Sacrifice, The Chosen One

(8)

Paradox - Reel Life & Beyond

6/30/2015

Paradox – Reel Life & Beyond

First off, this is not the rather more well-known power metal band out of Germany here, but rather a much more obscure band from the Twin Cities in Minnesota that put out one EP (Reel Life) way back in 1985 and then returned to obscurity. Now StormSpell has finally given their due with a remasted CD release of the EP as well as a whole slew of other unreleased tracks to present this rather refreshing 14 track mixture of hard rock and heavy metal. The sound is very 70’s proto metal with a fair mix of glam in the process and some almost early 80’s pop for lack of a better description. The music is pretty fast paced and really quite good, in fact I wonder why they weren’t able to make more of a go with it as there are a number of tracks on here that really have a lot of potential. Conversely there are a few that didn’t quite hit the mark, showing the band’s youth, though I do give them much credit for the diversity as it doesn’t get boring, even if they didn’t quite have their sound figured out yet. The production is as one would expect from a very small mid 80’s release, though the remastering has really helped give it a little kick in the pants. Overall you could go far worse than to pick this up on CD, especially if you are like me and love discovering the little nuggets of metal gold from back in the day and this one is definitely a solid nugget worth checking out!

Choice Tracks – Pyramids Of Mars, Ain’t It Strnage, Wicked Rock & Roll, Captain’s Log, Surrealist, Hell Gate

(8.5)

Sacrilege - Ashes To Ashes

6/22/2015

Sacrilege – Ashes To Ashes

To say that the obscure bands from the NWOBHM scene are starting to come back through the woodwork can officially be called an understatement. Sacrilege (not to be confused with the Birmingham based Doomsters of the same name and similar time frame), are back after 2013’s Sacrosanct (so far still eluding me), and this album is basically a compilation of some of their earlier classics given a true light of day as they are so justly deserving. Catchy melodies, driving guitar tones, you are the meal d’jour here, as one might expect form a classic NWOBHM band and Bill Beadle and company do not disappoint! The production is very solid but not flashy, allowing the music to really shine through, which is a good thing as there are a lot of really cool tunes on here that are very enjoyable over repeated listens. Even the lengthier tracks such as The Unknown Soldier stand up well, showcasing the bands abilities to really write good songs, whether they are the obvious radio friendly tracks or the deeper cuts. I bet they would sound great live as well (and I hear a few of them were considered live favorites). I hear that the band isn’t ready to rest on their laurels and some brand new music is in the works. Add this one to the stack of really cool and culty metal that I am glad has seen it’s time to shine, what was once old is new again, bring it on!

Choice Tracks – The Traveller, Condemned, Ashes To Ashes, Ascension, The Unknown Soldier, Feeding On Humans

(8)

Broken Rain - Here Comes The Pain

6/22/2015

Broken Rain – Here Comes The Pain

Here Comes The Pain is the debut album from this newer Slovakian band and they definitely are something to keep an eye on to be sure! Basically the sound comes down to a mixture of old school hard rock and early metal with an ode to the early UK scene. Even a bit of 70s AOR and a bit of glam can be found here as well as various other slightly more modern elements sprinkled in to give it a bit of an updated sound but they for the most part are a band heavily focused on the early sound. The production is pretty solid though a bit light in today’s standards, but it doesn’t take anything away from the music any and the songs are pretty solid overall with lots of really memorable tracks. Some of the tracks could be fleshed out a bit better but this is a debut effort after all and for a debut it is smoking hot!. I have a feeling that they are just only getting started writing here and I just have a feeling that the next one out is going to showcase it as the band gains confidence and experience. There really isn’t much downside here as I really enjoy this album, it has quite a bit of depth and variety. Tracks such as the soft Wanna Love My Girl feels like an epic 70s style proto-ballad that is very moving and still has the rock and roll feel to it, then you combine it with tracks like Burn The Witch, which (no pun intended), really makes you feel you are reliving your youth with its old school feel. Here Comes The Pain? Why no, there was no pain at all when listening to this one, just lots of enjoyment thank you! After listening to this CD I have a smile on my face and am looking forward to more!

Choice Tracks – Burn The Witch, Burning Eyes, Prisoner In The Wasteland, So Far Away, Forgotten Heroes, Wanna Love My Girl

(9)

Weresquatch - Frozen Void (Kit's Reviews)

6/19/2015

WERESQUATCH
Frozen Void
(Stormspell 2015)

One of the most recent entrants in Stormspell Records’ “Trend Killers” series is ‘Frozen Void,’ the debut full-length album from Weresquatch. The band name is a creative amalgamation of the terms “werewolf” and “sasquatch.” Their namesake (which definitely favors the sasquatch part of its lineage) is depicted on the album cover in a frozen tundra (a “frozen void,” if you will) under attack by an alien who has just emerged from a crash-landed spaceship. The Oregon-based quartet is described on the CD’s tray card as “classic speed / thrash metal attack” and the prevailing wisdom amongst armchair quarterbacks on the Internet appears to liken Weresquatch to early Kreator. The comparison has appeal, especially as it relates to the vocals of Eric Eisenhauer, which definitely have a Petrozza-like snarling quantity. It would be unfair, however, to write the band off as a Kreator clone. This definitely isn’t an Avenger of Blood-type mimicry situation; indeed, musically, Weresquatch appear to draw as much from the Bay Area thrash movement as they do from the Teutonic variant. What we have with ‘Frozen Void’ is a solid thrash record that in no way revolutionizes the genre, but delivers meat’n’potatoes goodness from start to finish. The 8 songs fly by in just 33 minutes, so Weresquatch are not out to waste your time or test your patience with self-indulgent passages and loads of filler. Genre conventions are honored and respected on ‘Frozen Void,’ with only rare lapses outside the boundary lines, such as the odd whiff of a blastbeat. The production job of Joel Grind (of Toxic Holocaust, and also an Oregon denizen) is powerful and effective, without sounding cold or mechanical. All eight songs are chock-full of headbangable riffs and fist-pumping rhythms, although you may find yourself hard-pressed to recall them when the CD stops spinning. To be sure, a few moments stand out: The gently strummed acoustic intros to “Witch Ripper” and “Night Terrors,” the nearly rock’n’roll riff in “Whiskey Bent and Strip Club Bound,” the effective use of gang vocals on “Heathenized,” the occasional doubling of Eisenhauer’s vocals to pair his usual rasp with a Cam Pipes-type falsetto, and the tasteful leadwork of Eisenhauer and Alex Ponder running throughout the album.
Lyrics may raise some eyebrows, especially the aforementioned “Whiskey Bent and Strip Club Bound,” which has more than a few cringeworthy couplets (for example, “tattooed babes is what we crave / come on baby I’ll be your slave”). Elsewhere, “Thrashin’ ‘n’ Slashin’” is every bit as clichéd as you might guess, and “Night Terrors” is yet another ode to Freddy Krueger. “Casey Jones” appears to be about a character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics. But I shouldn’t be too hard on Weresquatch for their lyrical concepts. No one listens to thrash for stunning lyrical insights. They listen to thrash to have their heads ripped off by razor-sharp riffs and punishing tempos. On these metrics, Weresquatch are right on target. If you’re a battle-hardened thrasher, ‘Frozen Void’ will definitely scratch your itch for some new quality thrash.

7/10

~ Review by Kit Ekman ~

IronHeart - Revolution Calls (Kit's Reviews)

6/19/2015

IRONHEART
Revolution Calls
(self-released 2015)

                Here’s a great find. Ironheart are a new band from Belfast, Ireland. The quintet (led by guitarist/writer/studio whiz Shaun Nelson) have independently released their debut album, ‘Revolution Calls.’ The quality level – in terms of songwriting, performances, and production values – of this recording is stellar, so much so that if I played it for you unawares, you would be forgiven for assuming this was a new act signed to Nuclear Blast Records or something. The combination of technical skill, musical ability and stubborn, single-minded attention to detail necessary to pull off ‘Revolution Calls’ is impressive, and merits a closer look.
                Perhaps the most fitting musical analogy for Ironheart is Primal Fear, although I can definitely hear a vibe of recent/heavier Saxon or even current Accept too. To be clear, although it definitely has some high-velocity moments, ‘Revolution Calls’ generally isn’t an exercise in speedy double-bass Euro power metal with screaming Halford-style vocals. So why the Primal Fear comparison? The meaty, crushing (but still melody-drenched) twin guitars, and the overall catchy, classy, anthemic feel of the material remind very much of the Mat Sinner school of modern (in the sense that this is no 80s throwback nostalgia trip) traditional melodic heavy metal. Singer Stevie K doesn’t particularly sound like anyone else, although he sometimes makes me think of a grittier, raspier take on low-end to mid-range Tim “Ripper” Owens, without the over-the-top wails that our dear Mr. Ripper brings to the table. Overall, Ironheart grab and maintain the listener’s attention for the 48-minute duration of ‘Revolution Calls’ because they know how to write a simple, melodic metal song with heavy-as-balls riffage and hooks galore. Call me a simpleton, but to me, that’s all it’s ever taken to make a great heavy metal album, whether the year is 1982 or 2015. Picking out highlights is difficult (as there are only a couple of tracks where the quality level dips just a hair), but “Heroes of the Lost World” has single potential written all over it, with expertly-executed tempo shifts and an infectious refrain coupled with an equally infectious guitar theme. “Law Makers Curse” is probably my favorite track, with some beautifully soaring guitar work, a penchant for ripping speed, and perhaps the most aggressive chorus on the album. “Gods of War” begins with a deceptive gentle keyboard-and-guitar intro, before giving way to a brilliant Primal Fear / Gamma Ray / Riot type romp with guitar melodies that are pure gold. Honestly, the only negatives on this thing are the unimpressive cover art and the occasionally distracting keyboards (too high in the mix in a few places, like “Fight the Oppressor” and “Humanity’s Last Crime”).
                You know, with the crazy, relentless glut of new releases flooding the marketplace in the Internet age, it may seem appealing to sit back and let the larger metal record labels separate the wheat from the chaff. The trouble with that approach is that some outstanding records may fall through the cracks that way. Ironheart’s ‘Revolution Calls’ is just such an album. Don’t wait for the record labels to discover gems like this. Get out there, seize the day (or take hold of the night, if you prefer), and discover them for yourself.

8.5/10

~ Review by Kit Ekman~

Lord Fist - Green Eyleen (Kit's Reviews)

6/19/2015

LORD FIST
Green Eyleen
(Ektro 2015)

                From the trippy cover art and album title, one might assume this is some kind of fuzzed-out, psychedelic, stoner album. Not so. Lord Fist are firmly entrenched in the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal. These Finnish lads are obviously well-schooled in their Angel Witch, their Diamond Head, their Jaguar, and definitely their Di’Anno era Iron Maiden (in terms of guitars). To be sure, bands like this seem to be coming out of the woodwork these days. But to these ears, Lord Fist are a cut above many of their like-minded contemporaries. The band have a real talent for those classic-sounding uptempo twin guitar melodies, and there are many moments on ‘Green Eyleen’ where I’m reminded of not just those legendary NWoBHM acts, but also the likes of early Wolf and Twisted Tower Dire. That’s a good thing. And vocalist Perttu Koivunen captures that authentic NWoBHM vocal style, while also mixing in a little of his own flair (sounding a bit like the late Tony Taylor (Twisted Tower Dire)) in spots.
                Nonetheless, there’s been a bit of backlash to ‘Green Eyleen’ in the Internet world. The production and playing veer toward the raw and the loose, respectively. Depending on your vantage point, that could be either a drawback or a selling point. To me, it’s part of the charm. Bands like Lord Fist shouldn’t sound overly clinical, polished and precise, so this rockin’, recorded-on-the-fly, spontaneous, slightly unrehearsed feel is fine by me. Where ‘Green Eyleen’ shines is in its vibrancy, its urgency, and its unbridled enthusiasm. Lord Fist may not be the most gifted songwriters or musicians in the genre, but damned if it doesn’t sound like they had the time of their lives bashing out these tunes in somebody’s garage or basement. That exuberance is infectious, and makes it really easy for me to overlook the modest shortcomings in ‘Green Eyleen,’ crank it up, and rock out for 37 minutes without a care in the world.
                At some point – and sooner rather than later, I think – there’s going to be a day of reckoning for all these younger bands tapping into that glorious early ‘80s classic British metal sound. Trends come and go. Scenes get oversaturated. When the inevitable bloodletting comes, I like Lord Fist’s chances of standing tall and emerging unscathed. Their take on this venerable style comes across as too fun, too heartfelt, and ultimately too unscripted for Lord Fist to get lumped in with the hipsters and the bandwagon-hoppers. Time will tell, I suppose, but for now I’ll keep ‘Green Eyleen’ in heavy rotation. Warts’n’all, it’s still a total adrenalin rush and a helluva lot of fun.

8/10

~ Review by Kit Ekman ~

The V - Now Or Never

6/18/2015

The V – Now Or Never

Veronica Freeman is without a doubt one of my favorite vocalists out there currently (and yes I did not say female vocalists as her voice stacks up well with so many of her male counterparts as far as I am concerned). She has insane power and very solid range, and doesn’t sound like anyone else, which is one of the chief reasons I have been enthralled with Benedictum over the years. After hearing she was going to do a solo album with more of a hard rock feel to it, I was very excited and a bit nervous to check it out. I know that I as a listener and of course The V herself as a vocalist was going to step outside of the comfort zone a bit, which can be a risky proposition. After the very strong one-two combo of Again and Now Or Never leading the way though you can be sure that this is unmistakably a VF album, her voice rocks out better than ever and in fact it even sticks out maybe a bit more in the foreground here. Not only is The V the reigning High Queen Of Metal, she seems to have channeled the vibe and energetic feel of the best of the rocker chic vibe. She does a very good job with the slower tracks as well as the high energy rockers, showing further diversity of her singing style. As great a job as she did on this album, I am sure Veronica would be the first to remind me that she wans’t alone here. Credit has to be given where due as Pete Wells did some of the writing with her and a plethora of guest musicians have graced the album with their many talents including Michael Sweet, Gary Bordonaro, Jeff Pilson, Mike LePond, Tony Martin, Leather Leone and numerous others. Job well done, one and all! Between her work with Benedictum, this solo project as well as her working a bit with the boys from The Rods of late (could we be getting a collaborative release here? – just please don’t call it Canedy, Feinstein, Bordonaro and Freeman please!), it seems The V is flying higher than ever and I am loving it!

Choice Tracks – Again, Now Or Never, Roller Coaster, Starshine, Below Zero, Ready To Run

(8.5)

Tulsadoom - Storms Of The Netherworld

6/18/2015

Tulsadoom – Storms Of The Netherworld

Recently I did a review for Brazilian power metal band Lothloryen, with its JRR Tolkien themed tracks. That album, like this one is steeped in the lores of fantasy. That is where the comparison ends. As light hearted as it is to sing about hobbits and elves, when its time to sing about barbarians in a dark and cold world, you need to use some blackened thrash, ala Tulsadoom! These Austrians are definitely card carrying members of the Robert E Howard fan club here and the music and lyrics really fit the raw brutal Cimmerian landscape quite nicely. Where magic is dark and needs to be feared and you never know what hideous beast awaits around the next corner, then call on Tulsadoom. Raw and frenzied thrash, blackened around the edges and seared to near perfection, except the production, may Crom take me, this is good. Not sure if it is as good as their debut, Barbarian Steel which is a quite special release in its own right, but this stacks up well with it. Love the atmosphere, love the music, love virtually everything about this. Now I just need to find where I left my broadsword, I have some slaying and wenching to do!

Choice Tracks – Riders Of Doom, Storms Of The Netherworld, Stormride, The Coal Of Blue Fire

(8)