REVIEW OF THE ALBUM WARRIORS BY WRETCH (5/12/14)

Wretch is a US power metal band from Ohio, USA, formed in 1983 and releasing only a demo in 1989 called Rise to power, and taking a long lull until 2004, releasing a promo of their new material and bringing a full length two years later called Reborn. After a compilation and the new EP Rise to power where the band re-recorded key tracks from their career like the tittle one, the band was ready to develop what is gonna be their second album, under the name of Warrior, coming next 5th of December via Pure Steel Records.

Wretch comprises a genuine power metal made in the US, bringing the epic melodies to the top and main element, where intensity is used very effectively creating headbanging moments where fans of Manilla Road, Metal Inquisitor or even Glacier will just become legion right away.

Vocals are clean and purely epic on melodies on the line of the above mentioned bands as guitars relay on basic and impulsive elements combined with technical drumbeats; into madness opens as instrumental intro to Sleepless nights, rising the mid tempo epic metal to a head banging true metal anthem, remarkable drum parts and vocal interpretation as The ones continue with an ascending structure from a bass beginning to explode in a catchy fast paced track with furious and intense vocal parts are outstanding.

Warriors, the tittle track just attack with true metal force, one of the best of the album and brilliantly structured with changes of rhythms emphasizing the powerful chorus in contrast with fast paced verses as Fallen from grace create another epic anthem, mid paced and slightly more modern melodies, equally riveting and instrumentally brilliant.

Sacrifice will be for sure the best track of the band as its catchy from the beginning, keeping the epic power ascending from the first second, the highs and lows made by the vocalist is purely true metal In its essence, and also the remarkably technical guitars with the structural progression forge a forceful act as the next track All I see kicks bringing memories from the power metal made by Michael Kiske (but after his Helloween era) creating an addictive chorus and obviously enriched by the own sound from the band.

Sword and stone and Death of Innocence heralds some of the most intense and of course epic Manilla road style hits, good job between guitar riffs, solos and pounding drumbeats, being true highlights of the album and definitely defining the band's sound.

If The galloping riffs and mid paced rhythm of Never Again bring you more fuel to the fire, the top shot of Watching the world will literally explode in your brain, comprising a headbanging and powerful compositions.

Then its time for the ballad In those eyes, acoustic from the beginning to the end and made with excellent melodies but lacking from the potency it could have had if electric guitars come

into action, however the guitars are excellent creating a perfect harmony with the vocal performance.

Rain bring back the furious epic style for the last time, with an outstanding performance on the drums and axes, on the average quality of the rest of The album, which is great.

Wretch worked hard for an excellent album, that bring the epic side of true metal as their main flag, the best are the great compositions, forging memorable songs that will pass the test of time; even though might not be album of the year, these guys will make you bang your head and scream with the fist in the air under a world of warriors, battles and steel.

8/10

Ron Emig – vocals 
Michael Stephenson – guitars  
Nick Giannakos – guitars 
Tim Frederick – bass 
Evan Gottschalk – drums 

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Release by Pure Steel Records

Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM INSOMNIA BY EDGE OF THORNS

Edge of Thorns was formed in 1996 in Germany, releasing three demos until the first full length was released in 2004. Ravenland, being well recieved by the media, the band had line up changes for their following album Masquierading of the wicked in 2007, and after seven long years and hard work, the band, reformed as the definitive line up with Dave Brixius and Jani Nackel as axemasters, Dirk Schmitt on the vocals, Achim Sinzinger on the bass and Joachim Litcher on drums, releasing Insomnia the last 4th April 2014.

Edge of thorns kicks in as a pure power metal band with German influences from early Helloween and Gamma ray, and also drippings of Grave Digger and Accept in terms of structural compositions, guitars in general create a curious and awesome contrast of upper Technical quasi progressive and some times neoclassical style with impulse and raw sound elements; the drums and bass follow the mid fast pace at all moments effectively and finally the vocal style will remind you to Mr Udo vibrato and vocal range but also its appreciable elements from a higher pitched Blackie Lawless from WASP; combining all these factors together you'll find Edge of thorns have their unique sound, even though they are not creating something new to the scene, its a fact that this album heralds a  high quality of genuine german heavy power metal.

After the introduction the band attack straight with Dark side of your life, kicking with a fast pulsed heavy metal anthem with catchy chorus to make an idea of what Edge of thorns have in this album as a good highlight, connected with another mid fast paced power metal shot, Yearning has begun, this time with more epic and melodic power, on the line of Gamma Ray, with remarkable on the vocal sound and the great combo with the back vocals, the guitars demonstrate perfectly the technical progressive side together with the sharp impulsive guitar notes as mentioned above, one of the best of the album.

After a breathtaking guitar shredding introduction, Insomnia comprises one the most modern heavy power metal styles of the album, perfectly fitting on the last Udo or Accept albums, the chorus is intense and powerful, and the vocals work truly sophisticated and theatrical as the gem of the album explodes like a missile of pure heavy speed metal, Metal Unity is literally a masterpiece of the genre, headbanging and moshpiting authentic teutonic style, the vocals are brilliant and the composition is really amazing, guitars make the perfect job producing palm muted riffs and technical solos.

The watchmaker is another top shot of the band comprising part ballad part slow mid pulsed anthem in an ascending intensity boosted by sophisticated guitar shredding and background violins, vocals are amazingly well performed in clean techniques followed by A Carees of souls, starting as a ballad but evolving In a dark, forceful and aggressive track with awesome melodic verses, good progression and harmony within all the band with special mention to the guitar solos, just outstanding.

Walking like a ghost bring some thrash metal drippings in another headbanging fast paced song with a good vocal highs and lows, as Death dealer even improves the pace with excellent double pedal drum performance that lead very well the verses as the chorus comes intense and epic to catch you in the moshpit.

Of hearts that burn will make you break your neck banging your head with a non-stop pounding rhythms with long instrumental intervals as the seven Sins of Arthur mc Gregor epic start bring you to the top going in crescendo with galloping and complex riff and drum combo, the slow mid tempo vocal parts are astonishing and epic but clearly dominated by the virtuous guitar performance.

Is this the way it ends is a good name for an unusual kind of song, but in reality is a melancholic and beautiful act with one of the best vocal interpretations coordinated with piano and violins that finalise the album leaving the listener with the feeling of playing the full length again and again.

Overall the album is all you want to listen for any speed heavy and power metal preferences, the production is crystal clear and the good quality of the record is constantly high, the highlight tracks are numerous but specifically better in the first half of the album, being tha track Metal Unity their best song, so if you like Gamma Ray, Primal Fear, Accept or Tyran Pace, this album should be a must-have in your collection.

9 / 10

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Re;eased by Killer Records

Review made by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

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REVIEW MINI LP PROPHECY OF TOMORROW BY ARMOURED KNIGHT

Armoured knight is a female fronted speed power metal from Peñaflor, Chile, formed in 2009,that released Prophecy of tomorrow  in 2014 as mini LP. Energetic speed power metal, mixing aggressive and melodic parts in general.

Prophecy of Tomorrow starts with the instrumental intro "final battle" as a speed metal attack with beautiful rhythm and battle screams in the background as the main riff of Apocalyptic warriors explodes headbanging as hell, powerful and fast, influenced by the speed power Walls of Jericho era of Helloween; sharp high pitched vocals do a satisfying job in this track and excellent for the guitars and drums.
Fallen angel start with the same dynamic with a great job in the instrumental, have to remark the need of control by this vocals, she is powerful and aggressive but has to dominate the notes better! Good chorus to scream and bang your head!

The next track begins with a memorable riff and headbanging rhythm proper of the speed metal side of the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal like Skull Fist or Enforcer, Armoured knights is without a doubt the best cut of this mini LP, Eeve does an extraordinary job in the vocals this time, demonstrating that she's got the power here! Aggressive verses, more direct track and awesome instrumentals are the strongest points in this act as they link it with the instrumental track In search for power, really solid song with prodigious force by the guitars and excellent drum beats, pure speed/power action.

Last track is The prophet, a talented and well composed melodic power metal song made as a metal hymn but losing consistency on the vocals (melodic singing is the weak point to improve!)

As a surprise for the listener we find the extra track is the cover version of I'm Alive by Helloween, and the sound is, by the way, one of the most loyal covers ever! She is in control of her voice and the instrumental play it impeccable!

Overall Armoured Knight made a good mini LP, as they took the essence of the late 80's German power metal and mixed it with plenty speed metal aggressive reaction; the instrumentals are in an outstanding harmony, early Helloween style will take them very far, so let's wait for the full LP because Armoured knight are due to lead the speed/power metal!

7 / 10

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REVIEW CHASING THE DREAM ALBUM BY SKULL FIST

Skull fist are a heavy speed metal band from Canada included in the well-known New wave of traditional heavy metal, formed in 2006 and releasing the first EP Heavier than metal in 2010 and first full length Head of the pack in 2011, they came back earlier this year 2014 with Chasing the dream.

Chasing the dream starts with Hour to live, introducing you to the true metal world with an accelerating riff that explodes in a heavy/speed metal track with some power metal signs, excellent harmony on the guitar solos and superb link between verses and the instrumental rhythm. Suddenly we go back to the best times of the melodic hard rock with Bad for good, one of the surprises of the album; they managed at perfection the composition of this kind of style and made a masterpiece with memorable 80's chorus and hard rocker riffs, then making you bang your head with the tittle track Chasing the dream, true heavy metal unforgettable riffs, high pitched vocals in melodic verses with some Klaus Meine (Scorpions) singing techniques. Great chorus drumbeats combo with vocals and main riff.

Next is Call of the wild, a touch of NWOBHM pure style adding a really Epic chorus and pretty well connected with Sign of the Warrior, speed/power metal on the style of Walls of Jericho by Helloween, excellent remastered track taken from their first EP that will leave you breathless as it continues with one of the best of the album, You're gonna pay, strong heavy metal track full of emotion, hate and revenge; addictive and powerful chorus remarking what true metal is about.

Don't stop the fight begins like a speed metal track that changes the rhythm unexpectedly to a hard heavy bridge linking an outstanding chorus, impressive track very well composed followed by the instrumental song Shreds not dead as a progressive technical piece that keep you admiring every note and enjoying it!

The last song of this album is one of those heavy metal anthems to remember,Mean street rider is an authentic heavy metal old school bomb in the line of Heavier than metal, awesome solo also and great consistency on the guitars and memorable ending (reminds me to the end of Steeler in the British Steel), and leaving you hungry for more of this band.

Overall I can say Skull fist made a masterpiece album where every true metalhead will enjoy, bringing to life elements of melodic hard rock, NWOBHM, speed metal and power metal influences, the lyrics and composition of this album are also exceptional, taking the power and the glory of the roots of heavy metal to a very high level. The production has been improved since the last album and the voice effects have evolved in a way,  risking that some people may don't like it, but c'mon! what they did is excellent! so keep it true brothers

8,5 / 10

Track list
Hour to live
Bad for good
Chasing the dream
Call of the wild
Sign of the warrior
You're gonna pay
Don't stop the fight
Shreds not dead
Mean street rider

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