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Post by mika on Jan 15, 2013 11:02:46 GMT -5
Blimey...they do have some NWOBHM based stuff as well. To me they even reminded of Enforcer to some extent. Do you still like Enforcer?
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Samu
Way Of Life
Listen to them, children of the night, what music they make
Posts: 1,507
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Post by Samu on Jan 15, 2013 19:26:12 GMT -5
Enforcer... well, I think I overrated them too much. I save a few songs
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Post by mika on Jan 15, 2013 23:36:30 GMT -5
Enforcer... well, I think I overrated them too much. I save a few songs
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Samu
Way Of Life
Listen to them, children of the night, what music they make
Posts: 1,507
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Post by Samu on Jan 17, 2013 10:59:44 GMT -5
It would be long to explain the personal reasons that pushed me to "love" certain bands, ambients or festivals.... like Enforcer, Wolf, Metal Inquisitor, In Solitude, the Keep It True Fest... not only musical reasons I mean. It was all a way to escape from a personal bad moment in my life, a way to meet new people, new bands, new concerts.... but never really was deep inside me. Nowdays I think I overrated all that too much and it was only a way to escape, that I don´t need anymore. Maybe it´s not easy to understand, because it´s very personal
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Post by Tomcat on Jan 17, 2013 12:27:25 GMT -5
I think I understand what you're saying Samu Hope you're happy now and don't need those escapes anymore
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Samu
Way Of Life
Listen to them, children of the night, what music they make
Posts: 1,507
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Post by Samu on Jan 18, 2013 11:41:30 GMT -5
I think I understand what you're saying Samu Hope you're happy now and don't need those escapes anymore Thanks a lot brother, you are always so kind
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Rikke
Solid
Posts: 11,867
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Post by Rikke on Jan 19, 2013 15:35:30 GMT -5
My top3-albums last year were these:
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Post by psychdoc on Jan 22, 2013 1:06:12 GMT -5
I thought I would take a stab at this topic, since I really enjoy making lists like this and sharing my opinion, regardless of whether anyone actually cares or asked for my opinion.
First of all, for me, when I think of best albums of a given year, I generally only consider new studio albums rather than live albums or compilations of previously released/remixed material. Thus, neither "Live In Sofia" nor "Celebrator" will be on this list, even though I like both of them. I do hope that the new U.D.O. studio album this year will make my top releasese of 2013 list though.
So, here we go, not really in any order other than #1.
1. Accept - Stalingrad.
What can be said that already hasn't been said by others. A great follow-up to a tremendous comeback album. Tremendous riffs, intensely melodic trademark Hoffman solos. "Blood Of The Nations" and "Stalingrad" will go down in my book as in the same league of great 1-2 albums like "Heaven and Hell" and "The Mob Rules", "Blizzard Of Ozz" and "Diary Of A Madman", "Ride The Lightning" and "Master Of Puppets", etc.
2. Testament - Dark Roots of Earth
You know, with the recent thrash renaissance over the last 4-5 years, I have to say that the band that really has killed it with tremendous riffing and solos more so than any of the so-called "Big 4" has been Testament. While "The Formation Of d**nation" was a great comeback album, "Dark Roots of Earth" is arguably the definitive thrash album of the last couple of years. Just take a listen to the first single, "True American Hate", and tell me that I'm wrong. Alex Skolnick's solos are amazing, and Gene Hoglan's drumming is excellent. Andy Sneap proves with his work with Accept and Testament that he is a tremendous producer who doesn't allow bands to put out an album with filler (other than his work with Megadeth in my opinion, and I think that has more to do with Dave Mustaine and less to do with Andy).
3. Adrenaline Mob - Omerta
I admit that I was fairly doubtful about this project and album when I first heard about it. Mike Portnoy, formerly of Dream Theater, on drums, Russell Allen of Symphony X on vocals, and Mike Orlando on guitar and bass (after the release of the album, the bassist from Disturbed joined) who I have never heard of; Mike and Russell were describing the music as in the vein of "Disturbed, Stone Sour, etc." Ugh! However, after I heard it, I have to admit that I really enjoy it. It is quite heavy but still melodic, and more like a less progressive Symphony X without the keyboards or a more radio-friendly version of bands like Nevermore. Not really much like Disturbed, which is great in my book.
4. Dragonforce - The Power Within
Although I love power metal, I've never been that big of a fan of this band, and could only take them in small doses. However, this album is excellent in my book, and showcases significantly more mature songwriting skills. There is less of a focus on the over-the-top, video game sound inspired lightning fast guitar solos, although they still occasionally creep in. Plus, the new lead singer, Marc Hudson, is a huge improvement over the bad Richard Marx clone who used to sing for the band.
5. Primal Fear - Unbreakable
Excellent, traditional metal/power metal. Ralf Scheepers sounds more like Rob Halford these days than Rob himself. Randy Black is an excellent drummer, Mats Sinner is solid as a bass player, and the guitarists de jour provide excellent, tasty riffs and solos. Definitely a must have in my book.
6. Astral Doors - Jerusalem
Excellent album, eventhough "My Lost Crucifix" sounds a little too similar to Sabbath's classic "The Sign Of The Southern Cross". I love the title track, particularly its lyrics, as well as "Pearl Harbor", another standout track.
7. Ihsahn - Eremita
Probably won't be too many other fans of this besides me, but I do like a little bit of black metal, and Ihsahn was the mastermind of the black metal legends, Emperor. That said, his solo albums have progressively become less and less black metal and much more progressive metal, with differing time signatures as well as incorporation of non-traditional instruments such as the saxophone. Eremita is no exception, with Ihsahn's alternating clean singing and blackened screams as well as his virtuosic guitar work and nihilistic lyrics. Great drumming as well (can't remember the drummer's name except that he's Norwegian, really good, and has played on all of Ihsahn's solo albums).
8. Unisonic - Unisonic
Probably drifting more towards hard rock than metal, I will still include this on the list. Kai Hansen knows how to write anthemic, melodic riffs better than almost anyone, and with Michael Kiske singing you might as well call this Helloween circa 1988. I defy you to say that there is a song on this album that doesn't have a melody so infectious that even if you don't like it, you still don't find yourself singing it a couple of hours later.
9. Rush - Clockwork Angels
Also might not be considered metal by others here, but it is quite heavy nonetheless, arguably the hardest rocking album the Canadian trio of prog rock legends have put out since at least 1981's "Moving Pictures". Of course, the musicianship, particularly Neil Peart's drumming and Geddy Lee's bass work, are top notch. The album is a concept album, but you can easily take most of the songs individually, and the over-all conceptual theme is fairly abstract.
10. Tie - KISS - Monster & Van Halen - A Different Kind Of Truth
Great comeback albums from 2 of hard rock/metal's most well-respected bands who were instrumental in the formation of the hair/glam metal scene of the 1980s, which although I'm not a fan of that scene, I have to give respect to any band(s) that help to spawn a genre of music. Although technically "Monster" isn't a comeback album, it is easily KISS' best album in my opinion since 1992's "Revenge" (although it should be noted that I'm not a huge KISS fan), and honestly sounds like it could have been recorded in the 1970s but using modern equipment. Conversely, "A Different Kind of Truth" is a comeback album for Van Halen, and is surprisingly strong.
Now, here's to 2013, where we can anticipate new albums from Helloween, Gamma Ray, Dream Theater, and U.D.O. of course, amongst others.
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Post by mika on Jan 22, 2013 1:28:59 GMT -5
Btw, about Astral Doors...I think they are a perfect combination of Dio, Black Sabbath and Rainbow. I am not a fan of BS, but I do love Astral Doors.
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Post by Tomcat on Jan 22, 2013 9:10:29 GMT -5
Btw, about Astral Doors...I think they are a perfect combination of Dio, Black Sabbath and Rainbow. I am not a fan of BS, but I do love Astral Doors. That's an interesting thing. Also Stormwitch was called the German version of Iron Maiden many many times and even though I don't like Maiden at all, I do like Stormwitch a lot. doc: It was a pleasure to read your review. And about the bands you named in the last sentence I can tell you that the 2013 album of Helloween is a nuke!
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