Interlude quick thoughts

Interlude makes no attempt to hide that it is well an interlude, a bit of extra content tied together to ride the back of the success of the last album. Its a money spinner but Delain seem like very nice people and metal record companies can struggle a bit, so its fine in my books. The album considers of 5 new tracks, some of which are covers, a couple of remixes and some live versions. Being short of the money in question and already owning the other albums I only downloaded the new tracks which I will review here:

Breathe on me
   Very much continuing the feel of the last album Breath on me also maintains the quality. A slight pop feel but Dutch metal from my experience has this upbeat vibe and  Delain have used it before to effect. Held together by a strong backing rift and Charlotte's voice throughout with light guitar this song isn't revolutionary but its done well it I really like it.   9.5/10

Collars and Suits 
  Slightly heavier than Breath on me collars and Suits has a more gothic feel as also featured in the last album. The piano work is an effective edition. A good song. 8/10

Such a shame
  Such a Shame is a lighter song, in fact you probably would call it rock not metal. That's not a criticism! The track makes use of various sounds giving it variety and flare that worked well on We are the Others album. Once again not much to fault. 8.5/10

Cordell 
I've been waiting a long time for this cover to be released on an album having heard various live and radio versions. Its a fantastic song, acoustic in sound it lets Charlotte shine. Delain do a good job with rocky/popy songs but Charlotte's voice can also enchantingly cover all the way up to full blown classical and I do feel this is underused sometimes. Cordell is a great song as it makes use of her expressive rock vocals and also sees more use of the choral sound as heard in Lucidity 10/10

Small time boy
Another cover Small time boy is my least favourite of the tracks, its not that it's a bad cover its just it seemed a bit unnecessary. Its the standard metal cover really, just make it a bit heavier. There's no let down from the vocals or the music I just felt it wasn't a massive difference on the original and there's much more interesting covers they could have done. This isn't a proper album though and Delain might just have liked this song and wanted to cover it, all power to them for that as they are welcome to do that.  7/10

Overall Interlude's new tracks follow on in quality and feel of the last album, its worth a listen especially as it has 5 new tracks. The snippets of the other tracks I've heard haven't massively impressed me but they are just reworked content. It will be interesting to see where Delain go next, if they stay vibrant and creative, and they have done so far, considering the talent and dedication they have, surely it will be good?

Sabaton announce UK tour

So Sabaton where just 'trolling' us when they left us out of their tour. Swedish Empire tour UK:

Gig: Sabaton Belfast THe Limelight 6 Nov

Gig: Sabaton Dublin Button Factory 7 Nov

Gig: Sabaton Sheffield Corporation 11 Nov

Gig: Sabaton Cardiff Great Hall 2 10 Nov

Gig: Sabaton Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall 2 Nov

Gig: Sabaton Manchester HMV Ritz Sat 3 Nov

Gig: Sabaton Norwich Waterfront Thu 1 Nov

Gig: Sabaton London HMV Forum Fri 9 Nov

Gig: Sabaton Glasgow Garage 4 Nov

Source: http://www.kililive.com/?s=sabaton
Swedish Empire tour: http://www.sabaton.net/tour-2/

 Excited? I know I am! Sabaton are one of the best live bands around...

Firebirth by Gotthard First Impressions

First Impression is where I quickly review an album as I listen to it for the first time, so lets crack on with Gotthard's new album 'Firebirth' but first let me set the scene. With the loss of their distinctive and somewhat awesome lead singer Steve Lee in a tragic accident, people questioned what was going to happen to Gotthard a long running band still in their prime. They decided to continue with the new singer Nic Maeder and released 'Remember it's Me' a song that was very well received, their latest single off the album 'Starlight' seemed to me to received with mixed response, particularly in the metal community, so what will their latest album be like? A new sound? Can Nic live up to Steve a so renowned singer?

The album opens with Starlight, a song heavily criticized by the metal community, perhaps due to Gotthard's current label being the stereotypically heavily Nuclear Blast. The song has a Nickle back feel to it, which personally is no bad thing for me. Its not metal but its a good light hearted song that rather catchy, I like it myself!

Then we hit 'Give Me Real' its instantly recognizable as a Gotthard but a more classic Gotthard sound opposed to the later Steve Lee albums. Its not a stand out song but its very satisfactory, its the kind of song that you would feel very contented with if it came up on shuffle but you probably wouldn't pick it.

'Remember its me' a simply brilliant and moving song. One of the stand out songs of last year when it was released. Enough said a great song.

Now we hit a heavier song, 'Fight', again there is no mistaking it's Gotthard. Fight is a pretty good song, easily over a 6/10 but not above a 9/10 'Fight' lacks a special something, a kick to make it a great song but its not disappointing at all. Really grows on you.

'Yippie Aye Yay', Yea yea yippie aye yay! Up beat, rocky and thoroughly enjoyable! 'Lift u Up' kind of feel to it. Strange robotic sound effect in the back ground gives it an interesting feel. All round a strong song.

'Tell me' is a ballad, not a power ballad, just a ballad but a bloody good ballad. This song could easily have been messed up but its well executed.  I really like this one, its also not too long! Well done to Gotthard.

We now leave the ballad behind to 'Shine'.. and shine indeed a great song, a great Gotthard song. That rock sound with a dabble of heavy, catchy reconcilable. Good.

'The Story's Over' well its not at track 8/13 but regardless of that the 'The Story's Over' is hard to fault. Its probably the heaviest song on the album, its once again a good metal song. Nick's voice lacks the punch that a strong metal singer could bring to this but its doesn't feel lacking.

'Right on', Right, I'm writing this as I listen and I retract my previous statement, 'Right On' is a lot heavier than 'The Story's Over'. 'Right On' is a Metal song, its nailed superbly, Nic's vocals are prefect here. Perhaps to appeased some of the doubters they should have released this song. Very good.

'S.O.S' is not a plea for help its the album maintaining the stand it seems to be picking up, 'S.O.S' remains heavy. Again a very Gotthard sounding song, 'S.O.S' is great! Strong drumming, good guitar solo in the middle, , Nick once again does a good job.

'Take it all back' is less heavily that the previous few, returning to a more ballad theme, again its not a knock out song but its a good song. I can't really say more.

'I Can' remains fairly heavy, it shakes off the ballad song of 'Take it all back', its a much faster song. I really want to love this song and perhaps 'I can'  in time. Its a strong song, catchy if not very simplistic chorus of you guessed it 'I can, I can.. I can'.

'Where are you' another Gotthard ballad, this time a standard gotthard rock ballad. This kind of song is what they would have recorded with Steve and he would have nailed it but equally so does Nic, there's a lot of similarity in their voices on songs like this. It quiet slow but thats not bad, very likeable.

So thats it, all reviewed. First thoughts, this is a good album! Like a phoenix Gotthard have had their  'Firebrith' this is still very much Gotthard but it reminds me of their earlier works. Nic lacks the punch that Steve had and watching live videos he can struggle with some of the classics, particularly the heavy ones, but his voice has advantages and he doesn't feel at all out of place or lacking on the album. I think I'd call this a Rock album not a Metal album but Gotthard have always boarded Metal and Hard Rock, if your a Gotthard fan I find no reason why you won't love this album. To the causal or fan of their later works you might not so much.

Firebirth is a good album, its not expectational but its hard to fault, I like it a lot. Upon finishing it all I recon 7.5/10 is fair, perhaps 7 but certainly not bad! They don't feel lacking without Steve, rest his soul, I certainly think they deserve to carry on! I look forward to more, although perhaps they should let Nic sing his songs live rather than force out sub standard classic? Or is that too harsh. Please comment away!

A Good album - 7.5/10

We Are The Others by Delain

I've been looking forward to this album for a long time. Charlotte Wessels is my favorite female vocalist, such a character with a breath taking voice. Martjin Westerholt writing skills flourish in Delain when combined with Charlotte, although apparently all the band had an input in this album. 
Delain's first album saw hauntingly beautiful songs with many singers but Charlotte taking the lead using her voice to devastating effect (listen to Sleep Walkers Dream if you don't believe me), then April Rail saw the band forming properly to pump out this metal album with a more power metal feel. Charlotte switched on what I shall call her 'Diva' voice for April Rain but we know she can also this sort of thing: THIS! Talent which may I add you won't find in most mainstream music, so I was praying for a combination of the two!
Does 'We are the Others' live up to what I hoped? Yes, pretty much. Its a great work, credit goes to all the band! Here's a break down of my thoughts on the songs:

01 Mother Machine ----- 9/10 
      Starting strong, Mother machine has a fantastic intro (reminds me of 'Age of Shadows' by Aryeon) very industrial, this song opens how the album continues. The modern Delain feel of rocky rifts with Charlotte hitting you with her powerful 'diva' voice switched on, yet there's that eery Lucidity feel in the back ground breaking through at times.

02 Electricity ----- 8/10 
      Very listenable, great live, electricity is just a good metal song. I love the piano work at the end.

03 We are the Others ----- 10/10
      I think in an interview Charlotte called this an 'anthem', thats how I see it. Its a song I feel instantly in love with, its a rallying call for people to break the norm if they want, dedicated as the album is to Sophie Lancaster who was murdered for dressing as the Goth (fairly close to where live in the country). Its so catchy and strong! One of those metal anthems!

04 Milk and Honey ----- 7.5/10
      The guitar work in Milk and Honey is may favorite part, it has a metal prog (see Guilt Machine etc) sound I feel. There's nothing wrong with the lyrics or vocals but I don't feel this song works as well as some of the others on the album, still good mind. 

05 Hit Me With Your Best Shot ----- 7.5/10
      Like Milk and Honey there's nothing wrong with this song, I like it, but I find it's weaker compared to the rest of the album. There's a lot going in this song, it ends strong but just lacks something some of the other songs on this album have. 

06 I Want You ----- 7.5/10
      A hot dark love song about somebody in love with someone they can't have so they run them over with their car.... I don't have more to add really.

07 Where is the Blood ----- 10/10
      Where is the blood powers in at track 7 to pull the album back up from a good album to a fantastic one! An incredibly powerful duet between Charlotte and Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory). There's only really one word to describe this song: Strong.

08 Generation Me ----- 8.5/10
      A very 'Delain' song, Charlotte as always using her voice to add that character that makes a good metal song into a great one! About people posting themselves to facebook etc it has a catchy sound like most of this album.

09  Babylon  ----- 8/10
      Its another metal song about Babylon, I swear I could make at least a double CD compilation of  metal songs about Babylon! About a lost (in babylon) relationship falling apart, a common Delain theme. For come reason any chorus that contains the word Babylon sounds slightly better, there's something 'cool' about Charlotte belting out 'Lost in Babylon!'

10 Are you done with me ----- 8.5/10 
      One of my favourites on the album, fantastic sound with Charlotte showing off the high end of her voice something slightly lacking on the rest of the album. Not quiet a 9/10 but over an 8.

11 Get the Devil out of me  ----- 9.5/10 
    Very catchy, very rocky, Charlotte nails the vocals and there's not much left to fault... perhaps that it's too short? 

12 Not Enough ----- 8/10
      A hauntingly beautiful song, perfect end to the album. 

Over all ---- 9/10
A very good album, surpasses April Rain but it still doesn't feel like the best they can do. My only real issue with this album is that I was hoping for a little bit more of that Lucidity feel, although there's certainly more of that haunting vocal and symphonic effect than April Rain. Of course there's a reason for this, Lucidity was a musical project while the Delain we see now is a proper band, a live band at that. Delain blew me away live and I feel that these songs have been written with that in mind, there's less technical sound and vocals on this than Lucid because Lucid wasn't really built for live and this album certainly is!
Personally this is a must buy (but get the special edition with The Gathering on it, as that song is just perfect). I think people will take different favorite songs off this album and it makes good listening, doesn't bore you. It's their best album to date but it's not a 10/10. Save that 10/10 for a later album perhaps? I'm sure Delain have a good few albums left in them, Thank god.  

Interview and album stream here: http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/music_and_videos/music-delain-stream-their-new-album-in-its-entirety/

Album: Elysium by Stratovarius

Setting the scene

Stratovarius were one of the pioneering bands in power mental yet they were also a band of incredible bad luck. Considering that Stratovarius have faced internal disputes, were plagued with record label catastrophes, legal battles and emotional traumas its a miracle the band still stands.

There is no hiding that the current line up is completely different to that of the first two albums, but some how despite seemingly endless changes to their line up Stratovarius have created consistently quality albums that are all recognizable. Their previous album Polaris was still very much a Stratovarius album but also heralded a change in the wind.

According to Timo Kolipelte; 'Polaris was the album that saved the band. Without it there would not be any Stratovarius. With "Elysium" we are showing the people that Stratovarius are back at the top of power metal!' Even with a new diplomatic system of organisation and a 'burst of creative energy' can Elysium really live up to the hype and re-crown Stratovarius?

The Box

I found when my Pre-ordered copy of the album arrived it was the special edition, which will certainly stand out in a CD collection as the box made from hollific shimmering metallic card. Also included are small post cars from each band member with their thoughts on the album that are great for any fan and a quality booklet. All the imagray is of the style seen in the album cover. 

The Album

My first thoughts were of heart break, it was not at all what I was expecting and in fact I was very disapointed. Dispite this I placed it in my car CD player and after listening to it serveral times I began to understand that Eylsim is a great album.  Eylsim offers variety of tracks with some ballad like tracks such as 'Fairness Justified' but also high pasted power metal tracks like 'The Game Never Ends'.

Notable Tracks

I think everyone will pick their own favourate track from this album, personally I love the first track Darkest Hours, its an uplifting power metal athem with classic Stratovarius stamped all over it. ;Move the Mountain' is notably moving.

Summary

Does the album live up to all the hype, is it one of the great metal albums of all time, no. Although Elysium is a good album and I would not discourage anyone from purchasing it, its not amazing. You get the feeling Stratovarius could do better with this album, although it has more depth than Polaris its not much of a stride forward. 

4.0/5 - Elysium is a display of potensional opposed to a master piece, deffinatly take a listen but don't expect to have your mind blown. 

Buy it herenyone cares to disagree, please comment away :-)

Important News: DragonForce finally reveal new singer

The UKs favourite guitar hero metal band are back in business. Perhaps one of the most widely known British (despite most members having foreign ties) metal band has revealed Marc Hudson as their new singer as seen bellow:

Not all looking out of place amoung his new band mates Marc Hudson was selected through a fan video submitting scheme. 
Upon listening to the first samples realised by DF, I like Marc. I think it was a wise move to go with a different sound to ZP. it eases the pressure off Marc and allows ZP's albums to stand out as they rightly should. Considering DF broke up with ZP over the direction of the band I'm exited about what to come and I hope with a new singer they can produce an album that lives up to the hype of the previous albums. Personally I'd like to see an album closer to Vally of the Damned rather than the insane direction they were heading.. although I 
we will wait for their next album out in September 2011 to find out. 

Album: Death & Legacy by Serenity

Today, it seems like there are many bands out there looking to the past to weave a conceptual album that is rich in a specific history, whether bashing or glorifying something specific about it. Of course, war seems to be the big topic button in Metal, primarily about specific events that were important to that band's region, or the most influential to that member that typically affected that country. For the band's third full-length effort, Legacy & Death, Serenity follow the same educational but would never be used in a classroom premise by delving back into history to tell more then one specific tale. This conceptual piece happens to take a look at many pivotal and influential people throughout time, such as Christopher Columbus, Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Drake, and more, in a beautiful, powerful, symphonic Power/progressive Metal one hour plus album. Honestly, had any of my History classes been this kick ass, I probably would have paid more attention in school.

Serenity compose an album that is both moving and powerful through a stylish Symphonic Power Metal sound that is complimented with a suiting clean vocal style. Many of the songs go by at a somewhat faster pace, but utilize the Symphonic aspects for a more epic sound, though some tracks have a much faster and more technical approach that contradicts the vocals that clash against the music in a manner that causes the two to end up complimenting each other perfectly. "Far From Home" is the perfect mixture of this faster and techie sound, though retaining that epic approach, retaining a more deeper, richer, even forceful Power Metal style.

The album is set up nicely as well from the conceptual aspect. It seems that each interlude or introduction acts as the start of another historical figure that the band intends to follow, and the music they perform often reflects that individual, and the setting these introductory tracks create. "Set Sail To..." manages to create an epic atmosphere that feels curious and majestic, matching the exploratory nature the lyrics portray. "Prayer" is more a spoken word segment that builds up the pieces to follow, which smoothly transitions into the war-based drumming and keyboards of the start to "State of Siege", which sets up the much harder and despairing Power Metal atmosphere for this chunk of material. These tracks do seem to focus a little more on the keyboards and other Symphonic elements at times, such as the violins really aiding the emotion of "Changing Fate", but the guitars do still steal the show, especially the opening solo on "State of Siege". Next you're transported to another native country through a tribal interlude track "Below Eastern Skies", clearly setting a Middle Eastern regional atmosphere for the song, though not carried into the actual songs after it, and "Lament" is a spoken word track that doesn't do anything and just feels tacked on with "My Legacy" coming off as another track the band had recorded but had no place for on the album in a conceptual way.

The album also features a number of female guest appearances of vocalists from various bands. this impressive list features Charlotte Wessels of Delain on "Serenade of Flames", Ailyn of Sirenia on both "The Chevalier" & "Prayer", and Amanda Sommerville, a female singer and songwriter who recorded with a number of bands including Kamelot and After Forever on "Changing Fate". All three of these vocalists do a superb job and really add a lot of emotion through the duets they take part in, and it really just makes these tracks stand out the most. The songs come off just as breathtaking as the others, if not more so, and they wind up being a very welcome addition to the recording.

Overall: 4.8/5 - A brilliant take on many historical figures that leaves you begging for more. This album certainly deserves a place among the greats of Metal. It's easy to fall in love with, give it a go!

buy it here

Disagree or just want to say what you think? Feel free to comment down below ;-)