REVIEW OF THE ALBUM STARS ALIGNED BY STARGAZERY (23/01/15)

Stargazery is a power metal band from Finland formed in 2005 and releasing their first album in 2011 (Eyes on the sky) and due to release their new album Stars aligned the next 23rd of January 2015.

Stargazery style comes from the melodic 90s power metal with drippings of hard rockish elements, creating anthems with very catchy choruses generally, the voice acts very effective theatrically speaking, with melodic and clean style, backed by sharp guitars, strong drumbeats and keyboards, being the essential sound of the band.

The album starts with Voodoo, being straight away one of the highlights of the band style, as a mid tempo epic shot, it got interesting elements, like the bridge before the solo, where vocals and keyboards make an excellent job; following with Angel of the dawn, slower pace but more powerful in terms of melodic structure with remarkable teamwork between guitars an vocals.

Missed the train to paradise is another great example of pure power metal, with an in crescendo structure to one of the best and most epic choruses of the band, the guitar performance brings memories of Queensrÿche style and the general composition is awesome, one of the best of the album, continued by Invisible, mid and slow shot of low pitched vocal and rhythms changes to get an ascending pattern leading to a good chorus, nothing special apart from the vocal evolution and the keyboard play.

Absolution continues the power metal path, taking some Edguy style on the melodies, comprising awesome guitar riffs and another top chorus to be singed along, the vocal high pitched play is excellent, creating a perfect harmony with the rest of the band, also perfect in the next track Academy of love, ballad of the album being transformed beautifully in another mid tempo powerful chorus, great the progression here and the play of guitar solo and piano.

Painted into a corner starts with a really impressive vocal clean shot in a mid tempo melodic heavy metal in crescendo track, outstanding the keyboard performance and the composition, like Dim the halo, with another catchy chorus.

Bring me the night heralds another good combination between leading melodic vocals and guitar, backed by symphonic keyboards elements, as we continue to the end of the album, the performance of the band improves in every track, being the time of Hiding, with one of the best increscendo mid tempo ballad, including the best vocal interpretation, demonstrating the good qualities of the vocalist, as the Warrior's Inn kicks in with an awesome guitar riff and catchy combination of voice and keyboards melodies, forging an epic chorus that leads to the last and best track of the album.

Dark Lady is the last in line, and despite the fact that is a cover, this is one of the best shots and a gem of the genre, developed in English and another version in Finnish as a bonus track, develops a truly addictive pace and riffs, under the violin melodies ascending to a marvellous chorus, of those to be played again and again, definitely better than the original where every member nail it.

Overall, this album is in general an excellent job by Stargazery, taking the best elements of the old school melodic power of the 90s, creating memorable songs like the highlights Voodoo, Dim the Halo, Dark Lady or Missed the train to paradise; being able to create addictive choruses in almost all the tracks is a really good point, also most of the tracks have mid tempo rhythms being the only thing that could be improved in terms of composition variety, but the general impression is that we are listening to an awesome album that demonstrate that Stargazery worked hard and succeeded with Stars aligned.

8 / 10

Line up
Jukka Jokikokko Bass, Vocals (backing) 
Pete Ahonen Guitars, Vocals (backing)
Marco Sneck Keyboards
Jari Tiura Vocals
Jussi Ontero Drums

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Release by Pure Steel Records

Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

INTERVIEW WITH MAUSOLEUM GATE

Mausoleum Gate first album is coming the next 10th October, you can check the review of the album here.

This is the interview with the band

Hi guys! I admit its a pleasure to have the chance to interview you so thank you very much to you and also to Mr Wolf Mühlmann for making it possible.

Could you tell me why did you chose the name Mausoleum Gate as the band's name? 

Well the name describes our music very well and it has the same vibe as Mercyful fate or Black Sabbath for example.

This is the first full length in 6 years, after a demo and a single, how do you value the evolution of the band during this time?

Obviously the line-up change has changed the band also even though many of the songs are from the old line-up period. I think we have moved a bit to the 70's heavy metal and maybe some progressive elements have more creeped in.

The band evolved from classic heavy metal and doom roots then to include Uriah heep-

Rainbow Elements, how do you feel with the result? 

Sounds fine. I mean Rainbow -the Dio-era- is very significant influence as well as Heep. But I think that NWOBHM-thing hasn't disappeared and it's still very strong.I think we have took different ideas form the past and made something of our own from it.

What bands mainly influenced the bands sound?

Well the NWOBHM-scene: Maiden,Saxon,Angel Witch and so on. Also Mercyful Fate is  a very big influence. And then there are 70's names like Zeppelin,Sabbath,Purple and Heep.Also there are influences from 70's progressive rock like Yes,King Crimson,Genesis and Jethro Tull. A lot of influences really: I'm also a fan of southern rock and there are AOR and jazz likers in the band too.

The album is about to be released and I know is still early, but for now, how did the media react to this release? 

Well the reaction has been mostly very positive. I have read only a couple of more negative reviews which is quite amazing in a way. Our music,our way of playing and our sound are in many ways so uncompromising. Nice to see there are so many who have also saw our vision.

How was the experience of the recording of the album?

It was quite loose and free. We had no pressures at that point because we did it ourselves.Of course when it came to mixing and engineering etc. Wicked Ischanius had the biggest workload on him but for me this was a good way to record.

The band signed with Cruz del Sur music, how do you value the relation with this company?

Well we have been very satisfied so far. The co-operation has been really great.

How many albums have you signed for?

To my understanding only this one. We are a new band and this is our debut  after all.

How do you feel the heavy metal scene in Finland? 

Finnish metal underground is very much alive. There are bands like Evil-Lyn,Speedtrap,Lord Fist,Hellspirit,Lantern and Brainthrash among other very promising bands and  a lot of good metal around. When it comes to more mainstream metal in Finland I think it has got a bit generic unfotunately-Mostly soundwise. I wish there would be more experimenting and variation. Maybe it will change I dunno.

Tell me about your gigs life, how active have been the band since the release of your 2013 single?

I must say we are not a very active live band when it comes to the amount of gigs. It's mainly because the scheduling is quite challenging and that is due to day jobs, different places we live and so on. There could be more gigs but I must say we have enjoyed every gig so far.

NWOBHM legends Cloven Hoof shared stage with you, which other bands have you shared stage with?

Well we have played with Lord Fist,Misty Knight,Sarcofagus,Leather Rebels to mention a few.

Tell me your most memorable moment during your last tour.

Well we haven't done a tour but most memorable thing was the first gig with Mausoleum Gate in Metal Warning III when nobody knew us and we just had to do everything to get audience's attention. Finally we managed to do that and that was -and always is- very rewarding.

Which bands would you like to share stage with in the future? And Which countries would you like to visit?

Sabbath,Mercyful Fate,Maiden...well we got on stage with Exciter and Uli Jon Roth in Keep It True Festival if everything goes as planned. Germany is good country to play and U.K of course, Japan would be really exciting too! 

What are the plans now that the album is out? Could you anticipate some details about an imminent tour?

We just take a little look here how the album is doin' and start to rehearse for the upcoming gigs. There are some plans before KIT but nothing confirmed yet.

Lost beyond the sun is one of your best compositions, could you tell me how do you feel with that song?

That's a nice one. A real nice one. It wasn't so planned it evolved almost by itself.The parts just came up.Really natural process.

Which is your favourite mausoleum gate song?

Lost Beyond The Sun,Mausoleum Gate and Demon Droid ( I love guitarharmonics in that!)

Last but not least,could you leave a message to your fans?

Stay Heavy and Keep On Metal Forever! Never Ever Surrender!

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Released by Cruz del Sur Music

Click here to preorder the album



Post by Daniel Ortiz Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE FIRST ALBUM BY MAUSOLEUM GATE

Mausoleum Gate was born in 2008 in Finland as classic heavy metal band, releasing their first EP in 2010 "Gateways for the wicked" having the chance to gig together with bands like Sarcofagus or Cloven Hoof. After some line up changes, the band finally was completed with axemasters Count LaFey and Kasperi Puranen, Oscar Razanez on drums, Wicked Ischanius on the bass and VP Varpula as vocalist; creating their first single in 2013, Obsessed by metal, and signing with Cruz del Sur Records for their first full length coming next 10th of October 2014, under the name Mausoleum Gate.

Mausoleum gate reveals one of the most promising performs of the year, in matter of a style combining the 70s hard rock heavy metal with the early NWOBHM, sharp melodic guitars and a Deep Purple vocal style, as it starts with the fast paced Magic of the Gypsy queen when Rainbow meets Deep Purple, developing an excellent rhythm with even forceful verses taking you to the top with a straight powerful chorus, and continuing with the roots of 70s heaviest patterns, Demon Druid kicks in as a mid tempo act with a remarkable progression that will take you back in time based on the sound and also on the attitude.

As we continue through this time machine with Lost beyond the sun, the drums reveal a ballad that could be the equivalent of the Temple of the king by Rainbow but with added dose of powerful intensity, changes of pulse and an outstanding interpretation, a true masterpiece from a new band.

Accelerating the pulse we have two pure classic heavy metal tracks, the impulsive headbanging Mercenaries of steel on one hand and There must be demons on the other hand, bringing an early Iron Maiden sensation all over the track mixed with brilliant epic drippings.

The best is yet to come to finalize the album, the tittle track Mausoleum Gate heralds a 12 minutes masterpiece as they take the listener to an epic trip of high intensity verses, with slow mid tempo pulsed rhythms, with one of those true metal chorus to be remembered, performed along a crescendo structure that effectively comprises the sound of the band.

Mausoleum gate debut full length will be an impact on the classic heavy metal scene, offering influences from Uriah Heep, Rainbow or Deep purple on one side but also influenced by the steel of Judas Priest or Iron Maiden at their early stages, creating their own sound, with remarkable work on the keyboards and guitars in every single track.

Mausoleum Gate released a cult masterpiece album that every NWOBHM maniac will like! 

9 / 10

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Released by Cruz del Sur Music

Click here to preorder the album


Post by Daniel Ortiz Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB