Hate Eternal: Live In London (Earache Records) [Rich]
This is a reissue of the Live In London album by Hate Eternal which was released in 2010 as part of Earache Records Into The Pit live album series. It is also the audio version of The Perilous Fight DVD which was originally released back in 2006. This is a recording of a show at The Garage in London on 4th June 2006 as part of the tour cycle for the I Monarch album and sees the band on furious form with a fantastic set which covers the three albums released at the time. Material from I Monarch takes up a good chunk of the setlist being the new album at the time whilst we get choice cuts from the Conquering The Throne and King Of All Kings albums.
The band put in a suitable intense performance with riffs and growls aplenty from frontman Erik Rutan, thundering bass from Randy Piro and a ridiculously good show from session drummer Reno Kiilerich. Having been released several times previously this is a pretty standard and unessential live album. The recording quality is great and the performances top notch but as with the vast majority of live albums they are better with some visuals so you are best off tracking down The Perilous Fight DVD for the full experience. 7/10
Crazy Lixx: Forever Wild (Frontiers Records)
Swedes Crazy Lixx return with yet another slab of sleazy hard rock filled with arena-sized choruses, big open rock riffs and soaring lead solos. Forever Wild is their sixth album and it's packed with 80's styled anthems, slickly delivered by a Scandi band who are masters of their craft, Break Out is a song you can hear coming from Lambo on a long highway, the synthy AOR stylings Silent Thunder gets a little Journey-like, Eagle is a smoldering number ideal for a training montage an 80's movie, very Survivor. It goes on like this with each song on this 10 track album featuring massive choruses, melodic tracks aimed at their voracious fan base and incendiary live show, the only time it slows down is with Love Don't Live Here Anymore the overwrought ballad of the album before this is basically a down the middle 80's pastiche. 6/10
Grimgotts: Dragon Of Ages (Stormspell Records) [Sean]
We’ve well and truly covered nearly all lyrical topics now, haven’t we? Given the nigh on uncountable bands that have referenced Tolkien in some way shape or form (predominantly black metal), I guess it was only a matter of time before fucking Harry Potter picked up and axe and began shredding. As if it wasn’t a dead giveaway already by both name and cover, English power metal upstarts Grimgotts (yes, a misnomer of THAT goblin run bank) combine all things mighty, magical and mystical with their second release, Dragons of The Ages. So baring that in mind, I think it’s safe to expect no serious business whatsoever (COZ METULZ IS ALL ABOUT THAT), aside from metallic tales of heroism and high fantasy. So with all that being said, let’s leave this earthly plane behind and enter the draconic realm. After all, dragons are fucking cool and only a crackerjack poser would say otherwise.
This is a reissue of the Live In London album by Hate Eternal which was released in 2010 as part of Earache Records Into The Pit live album series. It is also the audio version of The Perilous Fight DVD which was originally released back in 2006. This is a recording of a show at The Garage in London on 4th June 2006 as part of the tour cycle for the I Monarch album and sees the band on furious form with a fantastic set which covers the three albums released at the time. Material from I Monarch takes up a good chunk of the setlist being the new album at the time whilst we get choice cuts from the Conquering The Throne and King Of All Kings albums.
The band put in a suitable intense performance with riffs and growls aplenty from frontman Erik Rutan, thundering bass from Randy Piro and a ridiculously good show from session drummer Reno Kiilerich. Having been released several times previously this is a pretty standard and unessential live album. The recording quality is great and the performances top notch but as with the vast majority of live albums they are better with some visuals so you are best off tracking down The Perilous Fight DVD for the full experience. 7/10
Crazy Lixx: Forever Wild (Frontiers Records)
Swedes Crazy Lixx return with yet another slab of sleazy hard rock filled with arena-sized choruses, big open rock riffs and soaring lead solos. Forever Wild is their sixth album and it's packed with 80's styled anthems, slickly delivered by a Scandi band who are masters of their craft, Break Out is a song you can hear coming from Lambo on a long highway, the synthy AOR stylings Silent Thunder gets a little Journey-like, Eagle is a smoldering number ideal for a training montage an 80's movie, very Survivor. It goes on like this with each song on this 10 track album featuring massive choruses, melodic tracks aimed at their voracious fan base and incendiary live show, the only time it slows down is with Love Don't Live Here Anymore the overwrought ballad of the album before this is basically a down the middle 80's pastiche. 6/10
Grimgotts: Dragon Of Ages (Stormspell Records) [Sean]
We’ve well and truly covered nearly all lyrical topics now, haven’t we? Given the nigh on uncountable bands that have referenced Tolkien in some way shape or form (predominantly black metal), I guess it was only a matter of time before fucking Harry Potter picked up and axe and began shredding. As if it wasn’t a dead giveaway already by both name and cover, English power metal upstarts Grimgotts (yes, a misnomer of THAT goblin run bank) combine all things mighty, magical and mystical with their second release, Dragons of The Ages. So baring that in mind, I think it’s safe to expect no serious business whatsoever (COZ METULZ IS ALL ABOUT THAT), aside from metallic tales of heroism and high fantasy. So with all that being said, let’s leave this earthly plane behind and enter the draconic realm. After all, dragons are fucking cool and only a crackerjack poser would say otherwise.
Wars Come To Our Shores gets us going, synth strings and the crashing of stormy waves serving as a suitable introduction with he rest of the band soon getting in on the action. Fairly standard stuff, suitably thick guitars and pounding drums driving Grimgotts voyage onwards. There’s quite a bit going on, every second is densely packed with melody and muscle (if a little too packed). The vocals, unfortunately, are bit hit and miss on the higher notes but are otherwise adequate. The Last Dragon Warrior carries on in a similar fashion, albeit with more speed and is a pleasant enough ditty. It’s uncluttered and more focused songwriting gives it a fair amount of weight, leading up to a pretty impressive chorus. Ancient Waters conjures impressions of Running Wild and Dragonland, which is hardly a bad thing, making it ever more difficult to deny Grimotts’s enthusiasm for their craft. War At Dawn displays the full capabilities of vocalist Andy Barton, shining particularly on the chorus, especially when he rains in the ham.
The rest of the band pull of similar pyrotechnics, shredding both fretboard and key alike. The King Under The Sea is goofy as all hell, as we suddenly take in Alestorm levels of silliness. I guess this is meant to be the “fun” track but it REAALLY doesn’t need to be there. The Long Road gets things going again, as Grimgotts take on a more serious air, with the folkier elements fitting better here (even if it feels a wee bit rushed). Turning The Tide, by comparison, is a more cohesive number as it isn’t being choked by good intentions. The Great Shadows is as heroic as it gets, showing just how much potential is simmering beneath Grimgotts’s surface. I check my arms and yeah, all the hairs are standing on end. Fuck yeah, more of that please. Closer Here Be Dragons concludes this epic adventure, leaving me with a big dumb grin on my bald mug.
Despite my criticisms of a slight lack of focus and finesses, I can’t help but be impressed at the sheers number of ideas Grimgotts bring to the table, even if it’s sometimes to their detriment. In any case, Dragons Of The Ages get’s it right more often than wrong. When they’re serious, Grimgotts are goddamn cinematic, maturing to near frightening levels and display just how formidable they can really be. Greatness lies in their future but for now, Dragons Of The Ages is a fun outing and is certain to please any fan of the genre. 7/10
Visigoth: Bells Of Awakening (Metal Blade Records)
Bells Of Awakening is a special 7 inch release from the Salt Lake City, revivalist metal kings, released just in time for their one off UK performance in London on 26th May. It follows on from their second full length Conqueror's Oath with the intention as the band put it "Of foreshadowing of bigger things to come" they go on by saying "We hope that the hordes will be placated - if temporarily". It contains two songs Fireseeker and Abysswalker which are both the straightforward heavy metal in the vein of their previous records, while also showing that they will continuing in this vein with albums to come. Fireseeker is very melodic with some stirring leads to begin things with a big hook-filled chorus, Conqueror's Oath is faster but still has the euphoric chorus on top of the gallops. Visigoth keep up the good work on this 7 inch special release. 7/10
Despite my criticisms of a slight lack of focus and finesses, I can’t help but be impressed at the sheers number of ideas Grimgotts bring to the table, even if it’s sometimes to their detriment. In any case, Dragons Of The Ages get’s it right more often than wrong. When they’re serious, Grimgotts are goddamn cinematic, maturing to near frightening levels and display just how formidable they can really be. Greatness lies in their future but for now, Dragons Of The Ages is a fun outing and is certain to please any fan of the genre. 7/10
Visigoth: Bells Of Awakening (Metal Blade Records)
Bells Of Awakening is a special 7 inch release from the Salt Lake City, revivalist metal kings, released just in time for their one off UK performance in London on 26th May. It follows on from their second full length Conqueror's Oath with the intention as the band put it "Of foreshadowing of bigger things to come" they go on by saying "We hope that the hordes will be placated - if temporarily". It contains two songs Fireseeker and Abysswalker which are both the straightforward heavy metal in the vein of their previous records, while also showing that they will continuing in this vein with albums to come. Fireseeker is very melodic with some stirring leads to begin things with a big hook-filled chorus, Conqueror's Oath is faster but still has the euphoric chorus on top of the gallops. Visigoth keep up the good work on this 7 inch special release. 7/10