REVIEW OF THE ALBUM COMEBACK BY LEATHER HEART

Leather Heart are a classic heavy metal band from Madrid (Spain) formed in 2008,  now they just released their first full length called Comeback, the evolution and improvements in the sound is more than evident, guitars now have more presence and the instrumental parts in the album are sophisticated and you couldn’t believe this is a debut album at all, these guys have the experience of bands with more than three albums in their backs.

In terms of composition in general the tracks got a more complex structure with changes of rhythm in songs like The Crow or the tittle track Comeback to name a few, and always moving between Judas Priest and Queensryche but with touches of Dokken at some point and an undeniable influence of Dio and Glenn Hughes on the voice, you can check the awesome cover of Black Sabbath hit Danger Zone.

Generally the album moves in a mid to fast paced tracks, songs like Destiny is a clear highlight of the band’s sound and also is one of the best of the album as the mid paced pounding drums mixes in harmony with a perfect structure, catchy 80s revival also seen in Rock n Roll Soul with a hard rocker essence very well created and a headbanging second half of the track.

Depths of space and Hopeless Sinner are two of the best composed tracks as mid tempo in crescendo gems; its also good to mention the track Leather Heart is re recorded for the first album, with a better production and more presence of the instrumentals.

Leaving the best for the last, Restless, the riff is going to take you straight to the mid 80s and just the vocal parts are gonna blow out your mind, great job on the structure and the details of the guitars, continuing with the ballad For You, with good acoustic parts with ascending power being very intense, epic!

Last shot and my favourite is the tittle track Comeback, got a sophisticated structure full of changes of rhythm going fast and slow surprisingly effective, and also combining the best sides of the album, the epic sensation and the passion and intensity of the mid tempo ballads, truly a masterpiece.

Taking the full concept of this record in one word it has to be a masterpiece and one of the best english sung albums ever made in Spain, they improved to a crystal clear production, Comeback got the power and the glory, its headbanging at all times rememoring the golden mid 80s inspiration. be aware of these guys, this is only the beginning of a band that bounds to rule the NWOTHM very soon!

9 / 10

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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

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM "FACING THE FALLOUT" BY SHADOWBANE (16/1/2015)

Shadowbane is a power metal band from Germany formed in 2007 and releasing only their demo Dystopia independently in 2010,becoming a really promising band, and now ready to conquer Europe with their upcoming album Facing the Fallout, due to be release next 16th of January of 2015 via Pure Steel Records.

Shadowbane breath from the flames of the authentic heavy-speed metal mixing German and US power metal effectively, having similarities with bands like Accept, Helloween or Grave digger combined with epic Manilla Road or Queensrÿche, high pitched clean and sharp vocals, contrasting melody and powerful choruses with technical guitar riffs and fast pounding drumbeats.

The album opens with the Red alert instrumental apocalyptic shot linked to Beyond the winds of war, powerful heavy start on the line of Accept including palm muted and galloping riffs, changes of pace and good drum performances, but being eclipsed by Traitor, one of their best tracks, including some outstanding riffs and shreddings (remember the Spanish power metal band Avalanch riffs?) headbanging as hell with an excellent structure, better chorus, and remarkable guitar performance.

Under bleeding skies evolves in a straight high speed heavy metal shot with memories of Judas Priest, very well composed on the bridge and the slow paced chorus, special mention to the vocal work on the clean and sharp styles combining aggressive and melodic sections really well; continued by After the fallout, comprising a mid fast tempo pattern of pure US power metal, amazingly well composed and headbanging and coming back to the German Grave digger influence with Dystopia, totally addictive riffs and chorus, forging a memorable bridge.

Tears down the wall explodes like an authentic speed metal track with melodic power metal added to the mixture, the clean vocals are amazing here as the progression with the guitar shredding and the emphasizing drums create and endless headbanging anthem, linked with another highlight of the band style, Badlands law, mid fast shot with a chorus to be shouted on the gigs, drum and guitar structure reminding to the ram it down era of Judas Priest but keeping the powerful sign of the band.

Last division take the Teutonic riff style and mix it with the US power melodies to create a true masterpiece of sophisticated drum shots, epic guitar performances and outstanding bridge and chorus, to finalise with Source of Grief, accelerating the metal machine to a high speed pace; this last bomb combines very well the elements that Shadowbane have used before,rhythms changes, aggressive and frenetic powerful in crescendo verses that make you break your necks in a breathtaking pulse.

Shadowbane managed a really professional production forging an excellent work in every aspect, the album contains masterpieces like Traitor, Last Division or Source of grief being highlights of the album. Shadowbane will step forward to the top of the true power metal scene with Facing the Fallout.

9 / 10

Shadowbane line up
Stefan - vocals

 Lukas - lead- and rhythm-guitars 

Markus - lead- and rhythm-guitars 

Moritz - bass and backing vocals 

Renè - 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 CRAWLING OUT OF HELL BY FALLEN ANGEL

Fallen Angel is a power metal band formed in 1983 in New York, releasing their first demo in 1985 and split-up in 1986, being in the shadows until they reunited in 2009, working hard to create their first album Crawling out of hell, first part of three in a conceptual epic saga, followed by the trilogy of fictional novels written by the guitarist John Cruppe. This first album didn't have a major impact when it came to light in 2010, but now in 2014, it has been re-released via Killer Metal Records, bringing this album to light to the main metal scene. The second part is coming, under the name Cast out of heaven.

Fallen angel is inspired by the late 80s and early 90s heavy metal combining power metal and speed metal creating sophisticated compositions , introducing a mid to high pitched raw vocal style, on the line of bands like Warrant, Halford or Exciter. Guitars bring melodies from US power metal including the epic side to the mixture as the drums follow effectively the pace of the band, enriching the sound with excellent technical performances.

The album is completed with twenty tracks, six of them are instrumental introductions developed almost without breaks between the songs, as a concept album; the atmosphere of the winds of Crash to Oblivion take you inside the world of Fallen Angel as the thunder roars to Sinner's vengeance, straight and heavy speed metal bomb that will make you bang your heads with one of the best songs from the band, remarkable job on the drums details and the powerful voice, continuing with the troops marching of March into hell leading to Blood on my soul as a mid tempo US power metal, with a real forceful sound and Halford-like vocal screams.

The grinding wheels of war continues the epic sound to introduce The reapers shall Gather, another highlight for the album, a piece of pure heavy metal with an outstanding high pitched vocals, giving it all and creating a real piece of true metal with excellent chorus to be played again and again.

Arrival raises the dark evil feeling to the battle as the Dark Lord come to scene, with another astonishing speed metal furious style, totally neck breaking on the verses and mid tempo catchy chorus as the Darkness reigns in a mid paced shot, with powerful melodies on the vocal line, showing mid to high sharp screams and progressive instrumental with galloping patterns.

The one who walks alone, with a dark feeling to start, evolves in a mid tempo melodic shot with progressive drippings on the instrumentals, not as aggressive as previous tracks but perfect on vocal performance,continued by the ballad The answer, ascending in intensity from the acoustic to the melodic chorus with influences from Queensrÿche.

The cold orchestrated introduction Respiration Desperation leads to another mid tempo US power metal, The neutral zone, with headbanging force and galloping chorus and drippings of Mercyful fate and Judas Priest as Life or death acoustic notes start exploding in a mid fast shot of pure heavy metal, with really good job on the drum performance and addictive chorus in one of the best vocal combination of styles.

On and on is a slow to mid paced shot, pure strong, powerful heavy metal of those that make you bang your head under an ascending epic feeling, remarkable the clean vocal technique; as Ashes to ashes whispers introduces you to the ballad Leaving all behind, another Queensrÿche style ballad, in crescendo and really intense and well forged, specially in the second half, memorable melodies and perfect creation even reminding the Dio and Iron maiden influences.

Watching mid tempo heralds a good quality on technique and powerful structure, the vocal melodies reminded me to Oliver Magnum on the verses, so good performance linked with Sad wings, ballad with acoustic start and ascending to another intense, amazingly epic anthem to finalize with Grant me Peace, combining the power metal with the aggression of Judas Priest, bringing to light one of the best bridges and most forceful chorus, completing the first part of Fallen Angel's concept works.

This is the result of a really hard work, reflecting a gigantic production That not only will make you bang your head, Fallen Angel are introducing the listener to an epic adventure story that will catch you from the beginning. Looking the album as a whole play, I can Say they forged a masterpiece of authentic heavy metal, introducing speed, power and classic heavy metal defining the true metal in every sense.

9 / 10

Line up

Steve Seniuk (vocals)

John Cruppe (guitar, keyboards)

Robb Lotta (guitar)

Joe Surace (bass)

Frankie Quaggs (drums)

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Release by Killer Metal Records

Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM THUNDER KNOWS NO MERCY BY RENEGADE (5/12/14)

Renegade is a heavy metal band form Italy formed in 2005, releasing three full lengths, Too hard to die in 2006, Straight to the top in 2008 and W.A.R. in 2010, then after the compilation Can't stop the fire in 2013, the band signed a deal with Pure Steel Records.

Renegade forge a 90s US power metal seen on bands like Queensrÿche, but also introducing some epic moments more proper from bands like Manowar, the vocals are clean high pitched and melodic, but mastering the aggressive side at the same time, the guitars are powerful and melodic, with influences from the European power and speed metal, technical and virtuous but also with some roots of blues in some solos; all these combined with an effective double pedal drumbeats and fast paced rhythms is in their new album, called Thunder knows no mercy, coming next 5th of December via Pure Steel Records.

The album starts with Nobody lives forever as a mid tempo power metal track, bringing memories from Queensrÿche continued by a sudden explosion of speed metal called The world is dying, the riffs fly with fast palm muted elements as the vocals shot in an aggressive power, really headbanging track with an excellent chorus and outstanding composition with special mention in the solo, being one of the true highlights of the album.

Into the flame slows a bit the pace and come back with the mid tempo double pedal drumbeats, creating one of the best choruses and really good guitar job all over the track, as the epic bomb of Awaiting the storm starts in one of those Manowar-true metal style acts, with a mid tempo marching troops rhythms, the structure is epic and the harmony within all band members is excellent, with a really good interpretation by the vocalist in another top track in the album.

The endless day contains some interesting galloping riffs and good melodic guitar riffs in a mid fast paced brilliantly composed song linked with Screaming on the edge, as another impulsive speed metal bomb under the influence of Tyran Pace and Manowar, the slow parts are outstandingly strong and then to explode to a head banging, powerful and fast parts resulting in one of the most memorable acts of the band.

Trail of tears make a good and intense contrast of acoustic and forceful mid tempo structure with crescendo patterns including one of the best chorus, as the intensity grows to a real head-banging theme.

Thunder knows no mercy is the last track of the album as it develops a mid paced track with strong drumbeats, not at their best here but including good instrumental details.

Renegade is about to release Thunder knows no mercy and overall its an outstanding creation by the Italians, the compositions are brilliant resulting in a riveting creation from the start, with impressive fast, melodic and powerful metal in different shades of potency.

8 / 10

Line up

Stefano Senesi – vocals 

Damiano Ammannati – guitars 

Riccardo Viciani – bass 

Andrea Ammannati  – drums 

Lnks

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Release by Pure Steel Records

Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM DEAD WINTER SUN BY BORN OF FIRE

Born of Fire was formed back in 1998, in Arizona (US) releasing their first demo a year later and a first full length in 2000 called Transformation, comprising a sophisticated power metal style well accepted by the international media. After a 3 tracks EP the band took a lull of 10 years just to come back with renovated energies in 2012 releasing the compilation album Anthology via No Remorse Records.

Born of fire then signed with Pure Steel and are ready to release their second full length the next 14th November, Dead winter Sun, heralds notorious progressive drippings under an American power metal structure, lots of changes of rhythms in the compositions and the inclusion of orchestrated elements combined with the melodic electric guitars, and no doubt, the vocals are in the clean, melodic and mid high pitched style on the line of bands like Queensryche, Fate Warning or Crimson Glory.

Cast the last stone starts the record becoming part of the highlights of the album, awesome from the mid tempo pulse with melodic vocals to a catchy chorus linked with Dead winter sun, the tittle track of the album, being another top track of genuine progressive American power metal, slow to mid paced track on the line of Queensryche.

Echoes of the lost goes in crescendo to a mid pulse intense anthem with one of the best vocal performance well backed by orchestra and electric guitars as the Hollow Soul riff take you to an awesome mid paced trip of epic verses and melodic progression with outstanding interpretation on the vocals, then the double pedal drums introduces the listener to the aggressive headbanging song In a cold world containing some modern elements but very much on the line of the band's style, excellent the changes of pulse and the vocal perception.

Last goodbye and Tears are the ballads of the album, with a good amount of intensity and also enriched with a refined composition that in general has been taken care in every detail, the acoustic guitars and violins play definitely a very well performed role.

As the symphony of Speed of dark opens in very well produced dark atmospheric feeling its the turn of Spiritual warfare, continuing the usual rhythm patterns of the rest of the album, with remarkable job of the vocalist creating a good high pitched pace, and also the harmony between the guitars and orchestra elements are brilliant.

When hope dies explodes in a fast tempo pure power metal act, the progressive drippings are leaded at perfection by a combination of power and aggressive elements, superb performance in this track, remarkably their best hit to finish the album.

The album in general is awesomely produced, and the details have been taken care denoting a hard job well done, every song is sophisticated in the compositions and the vocal parts are remarkably brilliant, but looking the album as a whole, you'll find the pulse in general follows the same diagrams, feeling some times the need of faster rhythms or more straight choruses.

Excellent album though, Dead winter Sun remarks the reborn of this band, burning brighter than ever with renovated power!

7,5 / 10



Born of Fire are comprised by:

Gordon Tittsworth - vocals

Booby Chavez - guitars

Victor Morell - guitars & keyboards

Michael Wolff - bass guitar

Steve Dorssom - drums


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Release by Pure Steel Records



Post by Daniel Ortiz
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