Το
δεύτερο άλμπουμ που ακολούθησε το φονικό Love You to Pieces. Ο πιο ψυχανώμαλος
shock metal ερμηνευτής της Αμερικής εκείνης της εποχής, μαζί με τους τέσσερις
μουσικούς του, συνεχίζει ακριβώς από εκεί όπου σταμάτησε. Τα "Generation Aliens", "Notorious",
"Stiletto (Voice of Command)", "Love Kills" και "Menace to Society" συγκαταλέγονταιστιςκορυφαίεςστιγμέςτουδίσκου. Το ύφος είναι πιο rock, ακολουθώντας τη
γενικότερη στροφή που χαρακτήρισε τα μέσα της δεκαετίας, με ό,τι αυτό
συνεπαγόταν.
English:
The Axe...
The second album to follow the murderous Love You to
Pieces. America's most deranged shock metal performer of the time, together
with his four bandmates, picks up exactly where he left off. Tracks such as
"Generation Aliens," "Notorious," "Stiletto (Voice of
Command)," "Love Kills," and "Menace to Society" rank
among the album's standout moments. The overall approach leans more towards
rock, reflecting the stylistic shift that had begun to define the middle of the
decade, with everything that entailed.
Arkeyn Steel Records presents the long-awaited vinyl
reissue of SCARLET RAYNE's one and only album, Theater Humanitarian, following
its CD re-release three years earlier. The vinyl edition is strictly limited to
525 copies, with the first 150 pressed on transparent purple heavyweight vinyl,
while the remaining 375 copies come on standard black vinyl. All editions are
housed in a high-quality gatefold sleeve. The CD version, limited to 2,000
copies, as well as the vinyl release, includes four bonus tracks and features a
carefully executed remaster.
Theater Humanitarian is a true hidden gem of the
American metal scene. Fans of QUEENSRŸCHE will immediately recognize the band's
affinity for sophisticated songwriting, melodic guitar work, and intelligent
vocal arrangements, but the album also holds plenty to offer listeners of
melodic power metal thanks to its memorable hooks, strong musicianship, and
dynamic compositions. It successfully combines technical precision with
emotion, creating songs that remain engaging from beginning to end.
Although the album maintains a remarkably consistent
level of quality throughout, tracks such as "Scarlet Rayne,"
"Covered Fear," "Alpha & Omega," and "Sands of
Time" stand out as its defining moments. Each showcases the band's ability
to balance melody and power while delivering memorable performances and
well-crafted arrangements.
This is undoubtedly one of the finest reissues ever
undertaken by a Greek record label. Not only has Arkeyn Steel treated the music
with the respect it deserves through an excellent remaster, but the overall
presentation is equally impressive, making both the CD and vinyl editions
highly desirable collector's items.
More importantly, Theater Humanitarian is an
outstanding album in its own right. Regardless of whether your preference lies
in progressive metal, melodic heavy metal, power metal, or traditional metal,
this is one of those rare releases that every metal fan should experience at
least once. Albums of this quality deserve to be rediscovered, and thanks to
this superb reissue, Theater Humanitarian finally receives the attention it has
always deserved.
Klaus Schubert's ROCK BUNNIES is the brainchild of
Austrian guitarist Klaus Schubert, best known for his work with NO BROS.
Originally formed as a blues-oriented project under the name BLUES BUNNIES, the
band soon shifted towards a more hard rock-driven direction, adopting the ROCK
BUNNIES name in the process. Their debut album, Speedmachine, combines 11
studio recordings with five live tracks, offering a solid introduction to the
band's musical identity.
Musically, Speedmachine is firmly rooted in the
classic hard rock tradition of the 1970s, drawing obvious inspiration from
bands such as URIAH HEEP, DEEP PURPLE, RUSH, and the early incarnation of
WHITESNAKE. At the same time, Klaus Schubert's guitar work occasionally evokes
the melodic and expressive style of many notable guitarists from the 1980s,
adding another dimension to the band's sound. The keyboard work deserves
special mention, seamlessly alternating between warm piano passages and rich
Hammond organ textures that perfectly complement the songs.
The all-female rhythm section provides a tight and
dependable foundation, allowing Schubert's tasteful guitar solos and Tici
Weitstreicher's melodic vocals to take centre stage. Rather than sounding like
a nostalgic retro act, ROCK BUNNIES present a fresh and energetic
interpretation of classic hard rock, helped considerably by a clear, powerful
production that gives every instrument plenty of room to breathe. As a result,
Speedmachine is an album that remains consistently enjoyable from beginning to
end.
The album is not without its shortcomings. The
inclusion of several cover versions feels slightly excessive, while the
original material, although consistently solid, lacks that one truly
unforgettable song capable of drawing the listener back repeatedly. There are
no obvious standout tracks that elevate the album from good to exceptional.
Even so, Speedmachine is a highly enjoyable debut and
a worthwhile listen for anyone with a passion for classic hard rock. ROCK
BUNNIES successfully capture the spirit of the genre without simply imitating
the past, making this an album that fans of 1970s hard rock should certainly
give a chance.
Με
το Hardware να έχει προηγηθεί έναν χρόνο νωρίτερα και με τον γνωστότερο —αν όχι
τον καλύτερο— δίσκο τους, το Headhunter του 1983, να ακολουθεί, οι Ελβετοί hard
& heavy rockers είχαν ήδη επιβιβαστεί στο ανερχόμενο τότε heavy metal
υπερωκεάνιο, με ξεκάθαρο στόχο να φτάσουν στην απέναντι ακτή.
Το
συγκεκριμένο άλμπουμ αποτελεί το κλασικό παράδειγμα ενός δίσκου που βρίσκεται
στριμωγμένος ανάμεσα σε δύο πολύ γνωστότερα μουσικά έργα, μια μοίρα που έχει
συναντήσει αμέτρητες φορές η σκληρή μουσική και εξακολουθεί να συναντά μέχρι
σήμερα.
Με
αρχικό τίτλο τον, παρεξηγήσιμο για τα βρόμικα μυαλά, Long Stick Goes Boom, από
το πρώτο κιόλας ξεσηκωτικό τραγούδι του, το άλμπουμ τελικά μετονομάστηκε στον
πιο εύηχο τίτλο που φέρει σήμερα. Οι AC/DC κανονικά θα έπρεπε να τους είχαν
στείλει άπειρα εξώδικα, και μόνο γι' αυτό. Η λατρεία των Krokus για τους
Αυστραλούς ηλεκτρικούς rockers είναι κάτι παραπάνω από έκδηλη και εδώ, σε βαθμό
παρεξήγησης!
Ο
βαρύς ύμνος To the Top ξεφεύγει κάπως από τις αναπόφευκτες συγκρίσεις, ενώ τα
Playin' the Outlaw, Bad Boys, Rag Dolls, η τίμια διασκευή του κλασικού American
Woman των Guess Who από το 1970, καθώς και τα I'm on the Run και Save Me,
συμπυκνώνουν όλη την ουσία ενός ακόμη πολύ καλού δίσκου των Krokus, φτιαγμένου
αποκλειστικά για τη διασκέδασή μας.
English:
The Torture of the Dripping Water
With Hardware having arrived a year earlier and their
most famous—if not their finest—album, Headhunter (1983), still to come, the
Swiss hard & heavy rockers had already climbed aboard the then fast-rising
heavy metal express, determined to make it all the way to the other side.
This album is a classic example of a record caught
between two far more celebrated releases, a fate that has befallen countless
albums throughout the history of hard rock and heavy metal and continues to do
so to this day.
Originally intended to be titled Long Stick Goes
Boom—after its opening, instantly infectious anthem and a name that would
inevitably be misinterpreted by those with dirty minds—the album was ultimately
renamed with the more appealing title it carries today. Truth be told, AC/DC
could have served Krokus with countless lawsuits for this album alone. The
Swiss band's admiration for the Australian electric rockers is more than
obvious here, to the point where it borders on imitation.
The pounding anthem To the Top manages to rise
somewhat above the inevitable comparisons, while Playin' the Outlaw, Bad Boys,
Rag Dolls, the honest rendition of The Guess Who's 1970 classic American Woman,
along with I'm on the Run and Save Me, capture everything that makes this yet
another very good Krokus album—one crafted with a single purpose in mind: pure,
unpretentious entertainment.
Groove Therapist present their new single, “Mama…
Don’t Cry In Silence”, a work that positions music as both artistic expression
and civic testimony. Written in response to the Tempi railway disaster of
February 28, 2023, the track channels mourning, anger, and the demand for
accountability into a deeply emotional progressive rock/metal composition.
The band frames the song as a tribute to the 57
victims of the collision, insisting that public memory must remain active and
vocal. Through its narrative, the single highlights systemic failures and
long-standing structural issues that contributed to the deadliest railway
accident in modern Greek history.
For Groove Therapist, timing is part of the message.
The single was released on February 28, 2025, at 23:22, precisely two years
after the fatal impact. It is available free of charge on Bandcamp,
underscoring the band’s intention to honor the victims rather than pursue
commercial gain.
“Mama… Don’t Cry In Silence” blends personal grief
with collective outrage, giving voice to families who continue to seek truth
and justice. The band’s lyrical approach and atmospheric heaviness turn sorrow
into a call for accountability and a reminder of the value of human life.
Active in Athens since 2012, Groove Therapist have
established themselves as one of the most recognizable acts in the Greek
progressive rock/metal scene. Their discography includes “Mr. Funker The Myth”
and “MONOLOGUE”, works known for their conceptual depth and genre-blending
approach.
With “Mama… Don’t Cry In Silence,” the band reaffirms
that music can serve as a voice of conscience, carrying emotional truth into
the public sphere.
The Norwegian Black Metal outfit Northern Krig has
released its latest single, “Return of the Elfking”, marking another fierce
chapter in the band’s rapidly evolving discography. The track was recorded and
mixed at Icelandic Fire Records by Jan Reichel, with mastering handled by
Totenklang Studios, preserving the band’s signature raw and frostbitten
aesthetic.
Formed in Oslo in 2021 by Morfran, Erik Lund, Mikkel
Stein, and Jonar Gunnarson, Northern Krig rose from the ashes of Skyrsdag and
quickly carved out their identity within the Norwegian underground. The current
lineup—Morfran (vocals/guitar), Miasma (bass/guitar), and Maikon Q.
(drums)—cemented their sound with the 2022 demo Myrk Blóðfórn, followed by key
milestones such as the 2024 debut Concept of a Suicidal Journey.
Their momentum surged in February 2026 with the
release of the full‑length
album Worship Files for Anthropophagolagnia Predators via Icelandic Fire
Records, promoted by GlobMetal Promotions. The new single continues this
trajectory, offering a glimpse into the band’s evolving sonic brutality and
mythic storytelling.
Undying Heart is the third release from SACRED LEGACY,
arriving in 2007, just one year after Apocalypse. While Apocalypse introduced a
talented and promising band, Undying Heart is a beast that grabs you from the
very first listen.
The band continues to walk the musical path where
melodic thrash meets progressive metal, but this time they introduce a few
fresh elements that enrich their sound. The lead guitar melodies are memorable
and instantly carve themselves into your mind, while the solos feature a
tasteful neoclassical touch that adds both depth and variety to the
compositions.
Once again, the vocals are distorted, bringing to mind
many contemporary melodic death metal bands. Compared to the previous album,
the vocal performance has definitely improved. Even so, I still believe this
band's music would benefit from clean vocals. A perfect example is the title
track, "Undying Heart," where clean male vocals are combined with a
female singer, producing a truly captivating result.
Overall, Undying Heart is a significant step forward
from its predecessor. SACRED LEGACY prove that they are a band worthy of
attention, and I have no doubt they have the potential to deliver even greater
metal releases in the future.
Along with this album, the band also sent me their new
single, "Forsaken," for review. Judging from this song, things have
become crystal clear. Their musical direction remains faithful to their
previous work, but the production is noticeably stronger, and the addition of
clean vocals makes a remarkable difference. "Forsaken" is an
excellent example of melodic metal, performed with genuine passion. The
vocalist delivers an emotional performance that makes you want to play the song
again and again.
