A Sound Of Thunder: Parallel Eternity (Self Released)
It seems I've missed a few releases from A Sound Of Thunder but Parallel Eternity is probably the best record to rediscover them with as it's a 10th Anniversary collection of fan-favourites but this isn't just a compilation, the tracks on this record have all been augmented with orchestral backing of Brad Charles (Magic Giraffe Soundworks). You may turn your nose up at a band doing a 'symphonic' record as everyone from Kiss to Meat Loaf has done the concept but it adds a huge extra layer to the classic/thrash/prog metal assault of A Sound Of Thunder. The Washington based band have been self-releasing and fan financing their records for 10 years now delivering high quality balls out, chest beating, pop culture influenced, anthemic heavy metal but Parallel Eternity ups everything to another level. Even bringing in Mark Tornillo on Phantom Fight for a little bit more muscle.
The 13 minute Explorer is a perfect example of this, creating a cinematic near-masterpiece that many full symphonic acts dream of. I noted in my last review of one of their albums that A Sound Of Thunder's key ingredient are the vocals of Nina Osegueda who has one of the most expressive vocal ranges in metal shifting between lower soulful hard rock styles into soaring classically trained highs, her voice is simply incredible but that's not doing a disservice to the rest of the band, as Chris Haren's skillful drumwork adds deftness and heftiness locking in on galloping tracks like Walls and Time's Arrow with bassist Jesse Keen as Josh Schwartz unleashes big riffs and incendiary solos all wrapped up brilliantly with the orchestral additions.
Parallel Eternity adapts the classic/power metal delivery of A Sound Of Thunder into a kind of album you'd expect from a band like Epica, which is a compliment of the highest regard. If you've never experienced A Sound Of Thunder before then I'd say this is the place to start, Parallel Eternity is a brilliant record (with a cracking album cover too). 9/10
Magic Dance: Remnants (Frontiers Music Srl)
Formed as a solo project by singer/songwriter Jon Siejka so he can showcase his synthwave influenced songs, Magic Dance returns with the new album Remnants yet another selection of 80's influenced hard rock songs with Siejka providing the soulful Americanized vocals, guitar riffs and huge synth walls that also feature a myriad of guest guitarists providing solos for that authentic "as heard on Miami Vice" feeling, shifting away from the synthwave sounds (I mean it is overdone now right), into a much rockier sound driven by guitars over synths. Yes the emotion is there coming through these melodic rock tracks but what you get instantly is how slick this record is, it's so polished and sleek that I'm sure it's totally waterproof. Every song has been crafted and produced by Siejka to bring a massive throbbing bottom end (again provided by numerous musicians) that carries these anthemic songs that really aim at the sing along value, although it is really lacking that killer track.
Now as you'd expect from anyone influenced by 80's pop and movie soundtracks, there is a widescreen sound giving the record a fat sound as the synthwave and pop influences come in on Cut Me Deep and When Your World Comes Down while the Change Your Life could be by The Weeknd due to it's driving drumbeat. These few forays back to the previous sound remind you that Siejka is trying to mix both together and for the most part he's doing a good job. Music like this is made for a setting sun, a supercar cruising down a long straight road by the sea with either Don Johnson and Tom Selleck at the wheel. It's very much 'of the moment' in terms of style, a retro infused nostalgia with modern techniques. 7/10
Wormhog: Yellow Sea (Self Released)
Based in Athens, Greece Wormhog are a self proclaimed progressive/stoner rock band who draw inspiration from Sabbath and Mastodon. Yellow Sea is their debut full length and was recorded at D Studio in Athens like their EP Mother Worm Father Hog was in 2014, in the intervening years they have been prepping this record so when they record it songs such as Beneath The Yellow Sea can shift you into the mind altering realms of space rock as the shimmering guitar riffs take you into sonic soundscapes while Hellmouth takes things further adding some Ozzy-like vocals to Pink Floyd panoramic guitar playing. You can hear on this record that the band have been honing their sound on the Greek music scene inspired by desert and space rocking.
They get progressive with Crystal Grain which brings some jazz-inspired drum and bass work taking everything into the mid-period Sabbath. You get a massive hit of the Birmingham band on final song Panet Egg which has lashings of lovely doom that gets you excited but adds closure to the record. According to the band the album "vaguely unveils the origins and nature of the Wormhog while exploring other themes concerning the journey of life" but really Yellow Sea is an explorative, proggy stoner metal record with a great balance of metal heaviness and hard rock grooves. Dive into the Yellow Sea and let it wash over you. 7/10
Ashes Of Ares: Thrones Of Iniquity (ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records)
Throne Of Iniquity is a three track EP from American metal band Ashes Of Ares. Much like with the re-re-release from singer Matt Barlow's previous band Iced Earth and his collab with IE's Jon Schaffer on an Xmas album this EP has come out of the Covid situation. It features one original, the title track and two covers. On Ashes Of Ares' last record Well Of Souls I mentioned how the band had finally lived up to what they promised on their debut with a proper prog metal album. So here Barlow and guitarist Freddie Vidales have brought a real heaviness on the Thrones Of Iniquity the pummelling drums, crashing walls of riffs and those typical epic Barlow vocals, if this is view of where they are going on their third full length than it's going to be brilliant.
So to the covers, first we have 25 Or 6 To 4 originally by Chicago it famously contains what Andy Hermann calls "The Riff" because of its chord progression that sounds like so many other songs. Finally we get a cover of kansas'Dust In The Wind, yes it's been done to death but when Matt Barlow gives it his powerful vocal delivery it's puts the song up there with some of his ballads of his yesteryear. Yeah it's a stopgap or a filler but a damn entertaining just in time for the festive season. 7/10