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This is a new group for me, and I have no idea for how long this group have played. All I know is that this album are different from most of toady's new releases in the metal scene. First of all: a very nice and exciting female voice, daring to sing different. Second: the music is straight to the point, no strange keyboards and effects, no unnecessary shit to give the music "volume". The guitars, the bass and the voice all works together in a perfect way.
When I first saw the group name I thought it was another gothic thing (Trail of Tears, Tristania etc.). But I was wrong. This is gothic metal in a very special way (if it is gothic metal in the first place...not sure...but who cares?). Some elements are for sure collected from the gothic metal ("Omnivore"), some from old simple rock n´roll (like "Necropol Lit"). Some songs are very progressive and psychedelic, but at the same time built with a very simple formula (verse, chorus, verse). Finally: a very nice album, with the incredible female voice as the winner....!
Ranking: 7 / 10
MALEVOLENT CREATION
The Will to Kill
Just heard a few songs here and there from this quality death platoon. And
I can not namedrop any albums, songs, members or anything from this well-known
band. Am I stupid...? Well, maybe, but the thing is I never been interested
in their music. I remember one song ,"Multiple Stabwounds", and I
thought "wow, cool music.." then I forgot the whole thing. Maybe I
was too young (or stupid) to see the great and big things in the music....
Today I am a better and grown-up man, and the starting scream "Attack!"
on the title track are just great!!! For a couple of years ago I wouldn't noticed
it at all.....
Kyle Symons can for sure handle the vocals and he vary his voice in a excellent
way.
So what can I say? Perfect deathcrushing Death Metal playing in a higher school than the rest.....
Ranking: 8 / 10
The very first cult Manowar album from 1982. This was something completely new in the metal scene when it came. Raw, fast bass playing songs, lyrics about rapes, swords and battles, and of course Harley´s.......
This album for sure have it´s mark in the metal history, but I think that the later albums are better than this. The only song from this album that really sounds Manowar are "Battle Hymn": great bombastic song. And Eric Adams must show for real that he his an excellent singer. And as you know, Manowar have´t change their sound much for 20 years almost. And thats the trademark of Manowar......And you people that have seen them live knows that the members (read Joey DeMaio) are truly metal: drinking beer, riding Harley´s and eating women.......He his a special character, thats for sure.
DEATH TO FALSE METAL!
Ranking: 5 / 10
MANOWAR
Into Glory Ride
Now they are beginning to sound as they should. This album have an extreme ugly cover, with the members posing with swords, dressed in leather/rabbit skin underwear's. Not that exciting nowadays maybe......
The songs differs from the debut. Now they are slow, slow and pounding. Like a war hammer. And Adams voice drags the songs forward. Sometimes it´s boring but most of the time it´s great!
A great progress in the Manowar history
Ranking: 5 / 10
MANOWAR
Hail to England
Some say that this is the ultimate Manowar album, and I almost agree. Songs like "Blood of My Enemies" and "Kill with Power", this cannot fail. But I think the album is too short. And the rest of the songs are not that high quality. But it is a classic Manowar album. Maybe the most classic of them all.
Ranking: 7 / 10
MANOWAR
Sign of the Hammer
In my opinion: The best Manowar album! The sound is raw and brutal, and the production is not a clean one......This is just pure heavy metal, straight to the bones! There are some epic songs with nice melodies and long intros ("Mountains" and "Guyana (Cult of the Damned)". And there are some straight forward metal songs like "The Oath" and "Thor". The title track are also one of my favorites.
I have seen them live once, and as far as I remember, they didn´t play any of the songs from this album......Not good.
Ranking: 9 / 10
MANOWAR
Fighting to World
The new era of Manowar (as I and many other see it). This album came out 1987, and maybe the best Manowar songs is from this one: "Black wind, Fire and Steel". Joey DeMaio shows that he is the fastest bass player in the world.
On this album Manowar begins to show how great they are, and how true they are. Thats the Manowar side I dont like. Songs about how they blew their speakers at the shows and that they play the best metal in the world etc.
The first half of the album contains that stuff, and it´s fun to hear it actually......The other half is pure Manowar (about steel, battles, swords, dying......). And that part is great!
Ranking: 7 / 10
MANOWAR
Kings of Metal
Before this album was released, the Manowar fans names Manowar: Kings of Metal. And thats how they got the name to this album......
The ultimate live song, which I think most of the world have heard sometimes, "Hail and Kill" is to be found on "Kings of Metal". A true Manowar song. Another great song is the classic "Heart of Steel": the very first ballad they have written. The title track is another song about how they kick people´s ass with their music......Just read the classic line: "Other bands play. Manowar kills!" Some people laughs, others thinks they are cool. I do both.....
After all, a nice album, that contains alot of classic songs, and most of them are to be heard on the live shows.
Ranking: 7 / 10
MANOWAR
The Triumph of Steel
The first Manowar album of the 90´s. And the lineup have changed a bit.
This one is a bit faster and rawer then rest, and the fist song is 30 minutes long! A song departed in 8 parts, all about Achilles (an ancient Greece guy....hmm) and his destiny. A bit odd to come from Manowar I think, but the song (or songs) are very nice.
But of course they have a song about how great they are ("If you`re not into metal, you are not my friend")......
The other part of the album are not that good, but it´s not bad either. Best song are "The Power of My Sword".
Ranking: 6 / 10
MANOWAR
Louder Than Hell
Manowar got their original drummer back, and a new guitarist. This is probably the least good album from Manowar (maybe they are getting old?). And 70% of the album is about how great metal are, that Manowar are number one, how they was born to play metal, and that riding a Harley is fun.......These songs are not so good, and I cant help laughing sometimes......The rest of the songs are okay, but I think that if Manowar want to survive they should get old school again. They should pick up some inspiration from their earlier albums. That wouldn´t hurt.......
Ranking: 5 / 10
MANOWAR
Warriors of the World
Finally they are back. The kings of metal! The last album, which is six years old, was a disappointment I think. They lost their old, epic touch and it was all about how true metal is suppose to sound (well, thats okay, but not in every song). The songs was faster and more straight to the point. On this one they take a step back (about ten years) to "Triumph of Steel" and mix it with "Louder Than Hell". A well working combination! Joey DiMaio still knows how to make good sounding metal. Cause thats just was this is, not more. Just music. Nothing that would change the world, or nothing that people would talk about (even if the Manowar crew sometimes think so. Just read the lyrics and laugh).
-So whats new under the Manowar flag anno 2002?
-Nothing!
-Nothing? Thats great!!
Yes, Manowar sounds best if they just do their thing. And thats metal. Pure heavy metal. Nobody does it better than Manowar. Not in the past, not know, not in the future......
If you´re not into metal. You are not my friend
Ranking: 8 / 10
MARBLE ARCH
Another Sunday Bright
Heard someone said that Marble Arch sounded like a mixture between HIM and
Kent, and I thought: Wow, that concept cannot fail. But I was disappointed.
Why? Did it not sound like HIM and Kent? Or what? Yes, the description was correct.
You can draw many parallels to HIM and most of all Kent. But Marble Arch is
not enough. They try very hard but they don't reach up to the highest level.
They are somewhere in between. Neither bad or good. They just are....
Conclusion: One song or two are just fine. You can hear that the guys (from
Gothenburg) can play and sing, but a whole album is too much for me. When I
listened to four or five songs in a row I cant remember how the first two sounded
like. And that's not a good sign...
But I will keep my eyes open for this group in the future, because they have
the quality to become something big if they just try to vary their music.
Ranking: 3 / 10
The Swedish cult Black Metal act. I have never been a big fan of this band. Some of their songs are good, but I have never bought an album. But when I saw this album (I have the special edition of it with a big iron Marduk logo) I bought it directly. It was like I expected: fast and brutal in a professional way.
It is not much to be said about this. This is total Armageddon! If you are into Cradle or Dimmu you dont like this. I promise you. There are no keyboards, no nice catchy melodies, no place to catch your breath......Thats great!
Ranking: 8 / 10
MASTERS OF REALITY
Welcome To The Western Lodge
Stoner-rock from the US, formed in the late 80's by Chris Goss who worked a lot together with Kyuss, and also appears as a guest together with Queens of the Stone Age. The whole stoner elite as you can see... Masters of Reality are different from such act as above. The music isn't that hysteric as early QOTSA, and less metal than Kyuss. Masters of Reality are best described as, at least this album (1999), a pretty slow and spaced up rock band with stoner and some 60's elements. And when I am just about to get tired of the mid-tempo rock, they throw "Take a shot at the clown" in my face. A progressive song that reminds me of King Crimson and/or Uriah Heep. After that song, the tearstained "Baby Mae" fills me... with love.... or something. Well, it's simply a beautiful song. Then Masters of Reality finish the album with style: the mixed up "Calling Dr. Carrion", the 60's influenced "Boy Milk Waltz" with it's sad sound.
As I wrote above, the album are very varied, with many different elements. You will not get tired of this one, even if "Welcome To The Western Lodge" doesn't reach all the way through.
Ranking: 7 / 10
MARILYN MANSON
Smells Like Children
This is not a good album....Manson have done better than this, specially the later ones. I am not into Manson, and I dont know how he sounded before this album, but without comparing, this album aint so good. The cover "Sweet Dream" cover is in fact very nice, and the song "I Put a Spell on You" is also nice. The rest....well, I dont remember....
Ranking: 3 / 10
MAYHEM
De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
This is some quality music from Norway. The black metal history´s most hated/loved band. You can in fact write a whole book about this band.....but I will not go into what happened, and probably most of you knows about it.
First of all: This is a great album. Brutal, fast, and evil straight to hell.....Mayhem invites you to a journey to the deepest holes in hell. Performed in a excellent way. Hellhammer is an amazing drummer.....The only problem is Attila, the singer. I dont know how he manage to sound like he does? It sounds really bad, but I think it fits the music, giving it a even chillier atmosphere......
Ranking: 10 / 10
MAYHEM
Grand Declaration of War
Mayhem anno 2000. They were given a lot of shit for this album, cause they used keyboards and other effects. They even have a synth/goth song on this. And I can understand why so many hated this, because Mayhem stands/stood for black metal and black metal only!
But I dont care about things like that. I listen to the music instead. So, the opening songs starts with some army drums and a preacher or something are talking somewhere in the background, then Maniac comes with his great and chilly voice.......Just the intro makes me shiver. The guitar sound are awesome: so raw and so well played!
After all, a very good album, and it should not be compared to the earlier Mayhem. No, this is the NEW Mayhem.
Ranking: 8 / 10
MAYHEM
Chimera
Some people didn't like "Grand Declaration of War", the last album, because Mayhem went "soft" on that album. Mayhem did something different, something new. And narrowminded black metal kids have, as we all know, problems with things like that. New things. Everything must sound as it did back in the early 90's. That's "true", and that's the only thing that is evil enough. But for those who could see beyond those things, saw an excellent album. An excellent work of art as I see it. And I wouldn't call it soft, even if there are elements here and there that are soft. But the atmosphere on that album are so very dark and full of pure hate, so even if the music, the pace, aren't that fast all the time, it is still pure fucking Armageddon on that album. Even more than "De Mysteriis...". But things like atmosphere, feelings and lyrics are things that not all people are sensitive to. And I think those that are, loved "Grand Declaration of War".
Anyway, Mayhem are back again. Their third full-length album in 20 years...and when it comes to the history of Mayhem. No, I guess everybody already knows it...
So, what about "Chimera"? This is the best Mayhem album up to date! It's so furious, so brutal and so damn great! Hellhammers drumming are incredible, and one can in fact hear every drumbeat, every hit. And that tells a bit about the production: it's crystal clear. Clinical. Just like "Grand Declaration". The music itself are very technical, and that was also something we heard on "Grand Declaration". But this time it's faster! The opening song "Whore" reach supersonic. But it's supersonic with class, with style. Not the ordinary blastbeats with guitars that sounds like...like a mess. And we have the epic song "My Death". A slow song with a progressive touch and that song could have been on the "Grand Declaration" album. There are also some experimental stuff, like "Impious Devious Leper Lord". My favorites are "Slaughter of Dreams" and the title song "Chimera". I am on the floor...grasping for air...I have never heard anything like this before!
Ranking: 10 / 10
MEGADETH
Killing is My Businesses (...And business is good)
The very first Megadeth album! When Dave Mustaine got fired from Metallica he started Megadeth together with Dave Elofson. This is in the same vein as early Metallcia, but even rawer!
A great thrash/heavy metal album that has almost everything.....I am one of the few to have the picture disc of this one.....But even if you dont: buy this if you want some ass kicking metal!
Ranking: 8 / 10
MEGADETH
Peace Sells (...But who´s buying?)
Pretty much in the same vein as the debut album. But the songs are more advanced and contains more melodies.
The lyrics of Megadeth are always interesting (Mustaine writes most of them). Just read the lyrics of "Wake up Dead". A nice piece of writing......The lyrics to the title track shows that Dave have some problems to the modern society: "What do you mean: I dont support the system? -I go to court when I have to." and "Tell me something, it´s still: We the people, right?"
Most bands in that time (early 80`s) wrote songs about Satan and other dark things, but Megadeth had a different view, and thats always interesting.
Not as strong album as the debut, but still okay.....
Ranking: 7 / 10
MEGADETH
So far, so good.....So what!
An even more anarchistic album then the previous. They even made a cover of Sex Pistols cute song "Anarchy in the U.K"......Not better then the original, but anyway.
The opening song "Set the World Afire" is a killer. An Armageddon story about our worlds end. The year is 1999 in the song, so Mustaine´s prophecy wasn´t correct.....
"In My Darkest Hour" is another great song about a "bitch"
who dont gives a shit.....
This is one of the better Megadeth album, so if you are curious about this group:
check this album out!
Ranking: 8 / 10
MEGADETH
Rust in Peace
Contains one of the most popular Meagdeth song "Hangar 18". This was the big breakthrough for the group, but unfortunately they only released one more album of high quality ("Countdown to Extinction").......
Mustaine still have his anarchy view, and you can tell it from the lyrics. But this time there are some "ordinary" metal lyrics as well.
This album is different from the previous ones: It´s a better production and the songs are, hmm.....I dont know how to explain....cleaner maybe. It´s a cleaner and more professional sound and structure. Maybe because Mustaine was getting a little help with his drug problems?
Ranking: 5 / 10
MEGADETH
Countdown to Extinction
With this album they hit the charts all over the world. And the song "Symphony of Destruction" was even played on MTV (as if that is a good thing).
At this time Mustaine was free from drugs and he´s even become a father. And you can tell from the music as well: Very professional and a great production. At least three songs is written about his own life. The anarchy thing appear not that often on this album. But read the lyrics from "Symphony of Destruction" and see that there is still a spark of hate towards society in Mr. Mustaine.....
This is a must have album. And by this time Megadeth have their first steady lineup for years......And everybody helped out with the song writing.
This was the last good album from Megadeth.......
Ranking: 9 / 10
MEGADETH
Youthanasia
They are back again......They are trying to repeat the success from the previous album, but they fail. A few songs reach up to that standard, but the rest just passing by, without making impression on me.
I am sad to say it, but Megadeth was better when Mustaine was taking drugs.....
Ranking: 4 / 10
Maybe the most famous metal act in the world? And they didn´t became it because of this album.....And thats a shame cause this is one of their best releases ever!
This one was supposed to be called "Metal Up Your Ass", but the record company didn´t agree with that so they change it to the more sweet title "Kill´em All". And they mean: kill all the record company bosses.......
On this album there are all great songs ("The four Horsemen", "Whiplash", "Jump in the Fire", "Hit the Lights"). The lyrics are mostly about touring, and how Metallica kicks everybody's ass......So there are no poetry here, just metal.....all the way!
"We´ll never stop, we´ll quit, ´cause we´re Metallica"
Ranking: 10 / 10
METALLICA
Ride the Lightning
One year later they return again (1984). The songs are more complex and the lyrics are different: more standard metal things like monsters, death and darkness.....
One of their most famous songs is to be heard on this one: "From whom the Bells Tolls". A nice and powerful song. Other golden hits are "Creeping Death", "Fight Fire with Fire" and the title track......
This one is not reaching up to the "Kill´em All" level, but it close.....
Ranking: 8 / 10
METALLICA
Master of Puppets
By this time Metallica is becoming a name (1986), and they are playing on the Roskilde festival in Denmark. But when they came to Sweden, the bass player Cliff Burton was killed in a buss accident.......
This album have a much better production and more weight in it. The songs are heavier and not that raw any more. But it feels like I dont have do explain so much, since almost everybody have this album......
The only problem is that this album is too short. I want more!!!
Ranking: 8 / 10
METALLICA
....And Justice for All
The "new" Metallica as I see it. Different production, different music and lyrics. It feels more mature then before. The songs are long and progressive (sometimes too long), and it´s heavier and slower then ever. Just listen to "Harvester of Sorrow".
This is a nice album which marks the end of the Metallica era, The rest, maybe expect "The Black Album", sucks......Maybe they realized that their songs must be played on MTV, so more people will buy their albums.
So, goodbye Metallica.
Ranking: 8 / 10
METALLICA
Metallica
One of the best selling metal album of all times.......The songs are stright-to-the-point,
they are "radio and TV friendly" and they have a nice melodies. Yes,
a hit album all through. All the songs are actually great, but I dont like this
album, and I dont know why.....Maybe, because Metallica, with this album, reach
the MTV generation, and all the "ordinary" people, since you can hear
"Enter Sandman " and "The Unforgiven" on every radiostation
and TV all around the world. I think it is that what bothers me......a sell
out.
Or call it what you want, but Metallica have become mainstream. And the albums
after this one, is even more mainstream......
But as I say, I should like this album.....but at the same time I dont.
Ranking: 5 / 10
The best band from Portugal(?). But how can tell. This could come from Norway, England or Sweden. And by that I mean: This is a great album! Moonspell began as a not so good death/black/Goth band, but after a few records they recorded this masterpiece, and they became a name to count on.
Riberio´s voice is so wonderful to hear. He sings with a deep and clear voice which sends shiver in the body. He is a very skillful singer, and I think it´s that what makes Moonspell so outstanding (on this album...not the later ones).
The production is excellent, and the song material is great. There are no weak songs on the album, and it makes you wish that the album was even longer then it is......
Highlights are of course the opening song "Opium", the slow and beautiful "For a Taste of Eternity" and the catchy "Raven Claws".
Ranking: 8 / 10
I have always liked Mortiis music, as well as he was a part of Emperor, and now, when he makes his instrumental solo project. The music is all based on keyboards, but sometime sit sounds like it is a whole orchestra playing.....So you get the feeling that Mortiis knows what he´s doing.
The realm of Mortiis is often beautiful and melancholic. The songs are long and most of the time not changing in it´s style: One song begins and it´s keeps going in the same vein until it ends. And I get a dreaming feeling listen to this......relaxing.....etc.
And you can almost smell the dark, trollish forest, and see the big, threatening trees. A nice album, if you dont get bored quickly.....
Ranking: 7 / 10
I have heard almost every Motörhead album, but I have never bought one......dont know why exactly, cause it´s a great piece of metal/rock n´roll.
Anyway, this is one their latest album, released in 1998, and this is not good. Boring songs, except a handfull......no, Motörhead is getting old.
Ranking: 3 / 10
MOTÖRHEAD
We are Motörhead
The 2000 release. I thought they were dead. But noooooo.......Motörhead are still kicking ass. This is in the old, raw vein as the earlier albums. In fact, this is really good. My expectations for this album was low. Or to be honest: I didn´t have any expectation at all. But after hearing this, I was amazed. Motörhead are back again!
Ranking: 8 / 10
It´s been a while since we heard from the Swedish black rockers, and to be honest: I haven´t missed them. Not at all. I found their last album, "Return Fire", so bad that I sold it after a couple of month.
Well, if you haven´t heard Mörk Gryning (in English: Dark Dawn) before I can best describe them as one of many black metal bands.....Which means: Melodic black metal with the standard evil (uhhh) lyrics. Nothing more, or less. This album is better than the last one, but just after a few songs on this one, I got bored......I have heard this type of music so many times before!!!! Nothing new at all. Crap! Well, not crap but not far from.
Their trademark (yes, they have one) is ofcourse the bizzering guitars, which they use instead of synth melodies, and thats ofcourse nice, but it doesn´t help Mörk Gryning from falling into the sea of Everything.......If you know what I mean.
Mörk Gryning are, after all, a professional bunch of musicians, not doubt about that, but if they just could use their talent on some serious music, I would for sure respect them.
Ranking: 3 / 10
MÖRK GRYNING
Pieces Of Primal Expressionism
I thought Mörk Gryning gave up the music after the "success" with the last album. Maybe I am too hard now, I'm sure Mörk Gryning have a couple of fans out there that appreciate their music. I am not one of them though. But I really try to listen to their albums with two objective ears, but so far I am more than disappointed.
Well, last year, 2003, Mörk Gryning returns again after some rumors that the guys split up. But here they are with an album that many people say are different and "new". It sounds almost like Mörk Gryning started a revolution within the extreme metal scene. But the problem is that Dødheimsgard already did this album for 5 years ago.... There is nothing new and different in the music. And I am sure that it wasn't Mörk Gryning's intention to create a new way of metal. It's only record labels and the media that shouted it out loud. So no hard feelings towards Mörk Gryning. But still it's a fact: the music sucks! There are some Dødheimsgard, some In Flames, and some violins. For five years ago this might be a winning concept, but today...? No way!
Ranking: 2 / 10
This is one of my best albums ever! So a review isn´t necessary, and probably all of you out there have heard this L.A group before. If you dont: Buy this one....
Well, this is a classic heavy metal in many ways: The production is great, with pounding drums, raw guitars, and together with Vince Neil`s childish voice it makes the music perfect. The songs are also great: About the City life (ofcourse), the babes, the fights. And ofcourse they have some satanic elements....
Ranking: 10 / 10
MÖTLEY CRÜE
Shout at the Devil
The sound is almost the same as on "Too fast...", but the songs aren´t so catchy anymore. The songs are slower and more brutal like "Knock ´em Dead Kid", "Shout at the Devel", "Red Hot" etc. A killer album!
I think everyone listen to metal have this album, cause this is some pure heavy metal history!
Ranking: 10 / 10
MÖTLEY CRÜE
Theater of Pain
This album is the end for Mötley Crue.....sadly.....The brutal sound is gone, and the songs are different. Some elements from the previous albums shines through here and there, and thats what saves this album. Song like "Smokin in the Boys room" and a couple of more aren´t Mötley Crue. Even if that song is one of there most famous ones (Even if it is a cove...).
This is the end for the old Mötley Crue. Even if the later albums are nice in their ways, but since I compare every release with the best ones; The Crue was better before...
Ranking: 6 / 10
MÖTLEY CRÜE
Girls Girls Girls
As the album title says; this is an album dedicated to the babes. No, this album is not a good one. The only song that makes me feel good is "All I need": A great ballad in true Crue standard!
But this album works as a party album that non can dislike. Very easylistening. But it is still Mötley Crue......Respect!
Ranking: 4 / 10
MÖTLEY CRÜE
Dr. Feelgood
"Girls Girls Girls part II" could be the name of this album. Same sound, songs about the same thing.......But even worse. I now understand why Vince left the band after this album......There are some nice songs here and there to be found, mostly the ballads which been a trademark for Mötley They dont give up that at least.......
Ranking: 3 / 10
MÖTLEY CRÜE
New Tattoo
So, the reunion happened. But not given as much response as Dickinson´s return to Maiden......
(If someone miss the "between" albums: I haven´t heard them, and probably I wont).
Mötley anno 2000? How will that sound? Well, like before but maybe worse.....Boring heavy metal about tattoos, parties, booze and Hollywood (ofcourse). I gave this album a chance and in fact it grew in my mind, but thats just because it´s Mötley. If another band did this album, they wouldn´t been signed to a record label.....Thats it.
So, maybe it is time for Mötley to split up. For good. But I will remember the old days with joy!
"Cause I´m Alive...."
Ranking: 2 / 10
