Και
η κυρία βέβαια είναι η μόνιμη συνεργάτης του βιρτουόζου κιθαρίστα DavidT. Chastain, η σιδηρά κυρία (άσχημος ο
συνειρμός με την εμετική Θάτσερ, αλλά ταιριάζει δυστυχώς) LeatherLeone. Το τρίτο άλμπουμ τών Chastain θα το έχετε μάλλον δεί με
το άλλο του εξωφύλλο με το κάστρο σε πρώτο πλάνο στη κορυφή του βουνού, στην
επανέκδοση έχει μετακινηθεί πίσω στο φόντο, μας παρουσιάζει ατελείωτο shredding στη καθαρά απ'τον David, τα φτιαγμένα από μεταλλικό χρώμιο κι ανοξείδωτο ατσάλι
φωνητικά της Leather ,
το μπάσο του MikeSkimmerhorn και
τα τύμπανα του KenMary.
Γνωστός κι για το άλλο σχήμα που συμμετέχει τους CJSS, ο Chastain (είναι το αρχικό "C" κι ο μπασίστας ο Mike είναι κι εκεί το ένα "S” ) γράφει και παραδίδει αβίαστα
μαθήματα αμερικανικού Heavy και
PowerMetal με αρκετές επικές και μυθικές αναφορές
στιχουργικά. Ένα cult διαμάντι της
χρήσης εποχής του μεταλλικού underground της δεκαετίας του '80 περικλείεται σε
ύμνους σαν τα We Must Carry On, Paradise, It's Too Late For Yesterday, The 7th
Of Never, Take Me Back In Time, Forevermore, Feel His Magic. Τα δύο bonus ,
demo κομμάτια στο CD,Back On Top Again
και Searching For You προστίθενται στο άψογο σύνολο.
English:
The lady has grit!
And the lady, of course, is the long-time collaborator
of virtuoso guitarist David T. Chastain, the Iron Lady (though the association
with the abhorrent Thatcher is unfortunate, it unfortunately fits) Leather
Leone. You may have seen Chastain's third album with its alternative cover
featuring a castle prominently set atop a mountain; in the reissue, it has been
moved back into the background, presenting us with endless shredding purely
from David, the chrome and stainless steel vocals of Leather, Mike
Skimmerhorn's bass, and Ken Mary's drums. Known for his involvement in another
band, CJSS (the "C" refers to Chastain, and bassist Mike represents
one of the "S's"), Chastain effortlessly writes and delivers lessons
in American Heavy and Power Metal with plenty of epic and mythical lyrical
references. A cult gem from the era of the '80s metal underground is
encapsulated in anthems like "We Must Carry On,"
"Paradise," "It's Too Late For Yesterday," "The 7th Of
Never," "Take Me Back In Time," "Forevermore," and
"Feel His Magic." The two bonus demo tracks on the CD, "Back On
Top Again" and "Searching For You," add to the impeccable
collection.
I really enjoy when a release I’m about to present
allows me to expand into topics beyond just music, such as mythology. The name
SEVENTH SON, chosen by the band’s creators, is familiar to us from IRON MAIDEN.
However, this band began its activity long before the release of the IRON
MAIDEN album, specifically in 1980. Thus, their source of inspiration must be
sought elsewhere, particularly in tradition.
The myth of the "seventh son of a seventh
son" is widespread in many cultures, where the number seven is considered
a symbol of completion and perfection. According to tradition, the seventh son
in a sequence of seven boys, without any daughters in between, is said to
possess special abilities. In Ireland, for example, the seventh son is regarded
as a healer with special powers, while in England, particularly in Lancashire,
the same title is attributed to individuals with healing capabilities.
On the other hand, in countries like Argentina,
Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay, there is a belief that the seventh son of a
seventh son is doomed to transform into a werewolf. To avert this fate, various
rituals are performed, such as multiple baptisms, among others.
Another interesting point I want to mention before
moving on to the description of the release is the cover art, which depicts a
flying V guitar impaled in the eye of a humanoid moon. This cover references the
French film from 1902, "Le Voyage dans la Lune," directed by Georges
Méliès.
Now, let’s get to the main topic. This release is a
collection of demos and singles from the early period of the still-active band.
The package includes 18 tracks and is part of the history of the NWOBHM
movement, containing many unforgettable moments that will surely excite
listeners, especially those who love this musical sound.
The music of SEVENTH SON combines elements of classic
'80s heavy metal with dynamic hard rock elements and rock 'n' roll transitions,
while the punk rock influence remains limited. This blend creates a sound that
highlights the NWOBHM era, with an emphasis on melodies and technical playing.
Notably, as representatives of the NWOBHM scene,
SEVENTH SON shares several elements with bands like SAXON. Both bands
orchestrate classic heavy metal elements, focusing on melodic lines and dynamic
performances. However, SEVENTH SON adds a stronger hard rock dimension to their
sound, while SAXON tends to concentrate on epic anthems and more powerful
compositions. This similarity becomes even more pronounced with the vocals of
singer Brian Shaughnessy, which strongly resemble Biff Byford's, especially
from the "Denim And Leather" era.
In summary, this release deserves the attention of
fans who love quality NWOBHM sound and wish to discover more music in the vein
of the old great SAXON.
Οι ΑΦΑΝΕΙΑ
από τη Θεσσαλονίκη ανακοινώνουν την κυκλοφορία του νέου τους άλμπουμ «Έξι Ύμνοι
για τον Θάνατο» στις 6 Μαρτίου. Πρόκειται για το δεύτερο full-length album
τους, δύο χρόνια μετά το ντεμπούτο «Μακριά απ’ τον Κόσμο». Ο νέος δίσκος
περιλαμβάνει έξι ηλεκτρικά κομμάτια και τρία ακουστικά interludes, προσφέροντας
μια αιχμηρή ματιά στη σημερινή πραγματικότητα, όπου ο θάνατος και η δυστυχία
κυριαρχούν.
Με
διάρκεια 35 λεπτών, το άλμπουμ αναδεικνύει τη μοναδική μουσική γλώσσα των
ΑΦΑΝΕΙΑ, συνδυάζοντας heavy στοιχεία με υπαρξιακή θεματολογία. Κομμάτια όπως
«Μιά Ακόμη Μέρα» και «Πνιγμένη μες στο Σκότος» διαπραγματεύονται τη νέα τους
καλλιτεχνική κατεύθυνση.
Το
«Έξι Ύμνοι για τον Θάνατο» θα είναι διαθέσιμο σε CD μέσω της
MoonFuzzRecordings. Οι ΑΦΑΝΕΙΑ συνεχίζουν να παίζουν ζωντανά, προσκαλώντας το
κοινό να συμμετάσχει στην εσωτερική τους αναζήτηση.
American Doom/Post-Metal band Solfar has released a
new single titled "Cuts You Up," recorded at Retromedia Sound Studios
in Red Bank, New Jersey, and mixed and mastered by Adam Vaccarelli. The album
artwork was created by their friend Hrvoje Bekan. Formed in 2017 by guitarist
Lyslos and drummer Chris Rice, Solfar evolved through names like Astral
Diaspora and Itinerant before settling on their current name. The band, which
includes Justin Biggs (guitars, bass, keyboards) and Steven Aracic Del Corso
(vocals), released their debut album, Light Tomb, in 2023. This album explores
humanity's exodus from Earth, and their song "Your Flesh My Blood"
has been featured on various compilations.
A Melancholic Manifesto of Darkness: OPVS NOIR is a
transformative exploration into the melancholic self, marking both a bold new
chapter for the band and the start of a trilogy. With its release on August 8,
2025, this album—featuring 11 tracks—signals a return to the band’s darker
roots, moving away from the expansive stages of the past.
Chris Harms describes the album as a journey through
the complex emotional landscape of darkness, melancholy, and loneliness,
reframing these often-feared concepts as sources of solace and reflection. The
first volume of this trilogy invites listeners to embrace the beauty within
shadows, setting the course for an introspective odyssey yet to unfold.
OPVS NOIR Vol. 1 tracklist:
1 Bazaar Bizarre
2 My Sanctuary
3 Light Can Only Shine In The Darkness (& Within
Temptation)
4 I Will Die In It
5 Moonstruck (& Stimmgewalt)
6 Damage (feat. Whiplasher Bernadotte)
7 Ghosts (feat. Tina Guo)
8 Lords Of Fyre (& Feuerschwanz)
9 The Things We Do For Love
10 The Sadness In Everything (feat. Anna Maria Rose)
Los Angeles hard rockers EDGE OF PARADISE are set to
release their sixth studio album and Napalm Records debut, “Prophecy”, on March
7, 2025. The band just dropped their intense fourth single, "Give It To Me
(Mind Assassin)," featuring Ben V. from Ludovico Technique. The track
showcases menacing riffs and siren synths, while frontwoman Margarita Monet
dives into the fusion of human thought and machine learning, questioning the
worth of such a union. Monet describes the song as an explosive battle for the
soul, exploring themes of digital manipulation and the quest for genuine
connection in an increasingly controlled world.
After over 20 years in the Swedish power metal scene,
BLOODBOUND has signed a worldwide contract with Napalm Records, aiming to
elevate their sound and reach more fans. Since forming in 2004, the band has
released ten studio albums and gained a dedicated following with their blend of
melodic and heavy power metal. They are currently working on new material to
continue delivering their electrifying sound. BLOODBOUND expressed their
excitement about the partnership, believing it will help them achieve new heights,
while Napalm's Sebastian Münch praised the band's impressive energy and
creativity.
Australian Speed Metal band SharpShooter has released
their new single "Hellbound Sinner." The track was recorded and mixed
by Max Duncan and mastered by Owen Gillett at OG Mastering. Formed in 2022 in
Adelaide, the band consists of Jessica Stephanie (bass, vocals), Max Duncan
(drums), and Kieran Provis (guitars). They aim to create a Speed Metal sound
that blends influences from Judas Priest, Motörhead, and thrash metal icons
like Slayer.
Hoist the sails and prepare for chaos—ALESTORM is back
with their new album, “The Thunderfist Chronicles”, releasing June 20, 2025,
via Napalm Records! The Scottish party pirates present their eighth album,
featuring eight wild anthems filled with heavy riffs and outrageous lyrics.
Following the success of “Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum”,
which reached #5 on the US Hard Music charts, the band continues their reign in
metal. This album promises to be a loud and legendary experience.
Christopher Bowes shares that the album includes
complex riffs, a cover of a Nekrogoblikon song, and features guest vocals from
Patty Gurdy and Sir Russel Allen, along with the longest track he's ever
written at over 17 minutes. Grab your rum—ALESTORM is ready to rock!
The Thunderfist Chronicles track listing:
1. Hyperion Omniriff
2. Killed to Death by Piracy
3. Banana
4. Frozen Piss 2
5. The Storm
6. Mountains of the Deep
7. Goblins Ahoy!
8. Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist
Austrian hard rock band VULVARINE is set to unleash
their new single "The Drugs, the Love and the Pain," from their
upcoming album "Fast Lane", out March 28, 2025 via Napalm Records. The track
combines punk attitude, hard rock grit, and heavy metal intensity, showcasing
soaring melodies and powerful riffs that reflect the chaos and resilience of
life. VULVARINE will also join the second leg of Thundermother’s Dirty &
Divine tour across Europe. The song explores the emotional roller coaster of euphoria
and chaos, ultimately conveying a message of hope and the transience of
feelings.
Wormholedeath proudly announces the release of
Veritas' new album "Silent Script" on March 21, 2025, available
worldwide as a physical CD through the Aural Music Webstore.
The hard rock/metal prowess of Veritas has teamed up
with Wormholedeath for the epic reissue of their acclaimed album "Silent
Script," which features 12 tracks of intense, heavy, and progressive metal
mastery.
Οι
έξι ως εδώ δίσκοι που έδωσε το σουηδικό αυτό σχήμα αποτελούν δύο ξεχωριστές
μουσικές και στιχουργικές τριλογίες με τα τρία πρώτα το ομώνυμο Bathory, The
Return..., Under the Sign of the Black Mark να είναι η επιτομή του Thrash ως
Black Metal και τα επόμενα Blood Fire Death, ειδικά το Hammerheart και τέλος
αυτό να είναι ένα νορδικο "saga" Epic/Viking Metal. Φτάνοντας στο
"Λυκόφως των Θεών" οι επιρροές πλέον είναι σχεδόν καθόλου οι Venom
αλλά εντελώς οι Manowar, όσον αφορά το στήσιμο της μουσικής και των στίχων. Ο
Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg, ψυχή και σώμα του ονόματος Bathory με τα
καθαρά εντελώς ήδη απ' το 1990 αλλά κάπως άτεχνα φωνητικά του μας μεταφέρει
πάλι στα μυθικά, παγωμένα και αφιλόξενα ιστορικά μέρη της πατρίδας του μέσα από
μελωδίες (με πολύ καλή παραγωγή σε σχέση με τα αρχικά άλμπουμ απ' τον πατέρα
του όπως αποδείχθηκε τον The Boss) και ατμόσφαιρες μαγικές και πάλι σε mid
tempo ρυθμούς, ίσως ένα bit πιο γρήγορα και με περισσότερο μουσικό όγκο απ' το
προηγούμενο Hammerheart. Τα εφέ όπως ο ήχος του ανέμου χρησιμοποιούνται
"μετ' επιτάσεως" σαν εισαγωγή σε αρκετά απ' τα κομμάτια του άλμπουμ,
μεταφέροντας τον ακροατή στα παγωμένα βουνά της Σκανδιναβίας και οι τίτλοι που
μέχρι κι σήμερα παραμένουν αγαπημένοι εδώ είναι το τεράστιο Prologue -Twilight
of the Gods-Epilogue-Through Blood by Thunder-Blood and Iron, Under the Runes,
To Enter your Mountain, Bond of Blood,Hammerheart (το κόλλημα να υπάρχει τίτλος προηγουμένου δίσκου σαν
τραγούδι σε επόμενη κυκλοφορία που ξεκίνησαν οι Led Zeppelin και που το είδαμεστους Manowar, κάνει κι εδω εμφάνιση)
ουσιαστικά δηλαδή όλο το άλμπουμ. Η συνέχεια για τον μυστικοπαθή Quorthon θα
έρθει μετά από ένα χρονικό διάστημα, αλλά τα πρώτα έξι άλμπουμ, είναι αυτά που
έμειναν στο συλλογικό ασυνείδητο της metal κοινότητας για πάντα.
English:
The end of the second trilogy.
The six albums released by this Swedish band so far
form two distinct musical and lyrical trilogies. The first three—“Bathory”, “The
Return…”, and “Under the Sign of the Black Mark”—represent the epitome of
Thrash as Black Metal, while the next ones, “Blood Fire Death”, especially “Hammerheart”,
and finally this one, present a Nordic "saga" Epic/Viking Metal. By
the time we reach “Twilight of the Gods”, the influences have shifted almost
completely from Venom to Manowar, both in terms of musical structure and
lyrics. Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg, the soul and heart of Bathory,
with his distinctive, yet somewhat raw vocals since 1990, once again takes us
to the mythical, cold, and unwelcoming historical lands of his homeland through
melodies (with significantly better production compared to the earlier albums, thanks
to his father, as it turns out—the Boss) and magical atmospheres, still
maintaining mid-tempo rhythms, though a bit faster and with a heavier musical
presence than “Hammerheart”.
Sound effects, like the sound of wind, are used
"with emphasis" as intros to several tracks on the album,
transporting the listener to the frozen mountains of Scandinavia. The titles,
which are still beloved to this day, include the massive “Prologue - Twilight
of the Gods – Epilogue”, “Through Blood by Thunder”, “Blood and Iron”, “Under
the Runes”, “To Enter Your Mountain”, “Bond of Blood”, and “Hammerheart” (the
recurring theme of including the previous album’s title as a song in the next
release, a tradition started by Led Zeppelin and later seen in Manowar, makes
an appearance here as well)—basically, the whole album. Quorthon’s mysterious
journey would continue after a while, but the first six albums are the ones
that have permanently etched themselves in the collective unconscious of the
metal community.
I first discovered the Italian power metal band WYVERN
(there are others with the same name in Italy and other countries) through the
compilation "Back to the Ancient Rage," which was offered by a heavy
metal magazine back in 2002. The band's history began in 1985, and they remain
active today, although their last release under this name was in 2010. That
album, "Lords of Winter," will be the focus of this article.
Unlike other bands that made a comeback in the 2000s,
WYVERN managed to retain almost all of the same musicians from their debut
album released two decades earlier in 1990, titled "The Red Flame of
Pain." Perhaps that's why their 2010 album does not differ musically from
their debut. On "Lords of Winter," we find Fausto Tinello on bass,
Fabrizio Bernardi on drums, Fabio Bonaccorsi on vocals, and Simone Ferrari on
guitars and keyboards, who is the new addition to the band's lineup.
The band's musical style can be described as European
power metal, with elements of speed metal and symphonic influences. They place
a strong emphasis on melody, which harmoniously coexists with the band's
dynamic moments. Clearly, there are influences from HELLOWEEN, but the band
also seems to expand their sound in the vein of their compatriots SKYLARK,
while also incorporating some references to the American metal scene.
The release is enjoyable and features standout
moments, such as the tracks "Lord of Winter," "Her Majesty Rage,"
"Ice Guardian," and "Out in the Rain." The vocals are
satisfactory but not particularly impressive. This may partly be due to the
nuances of English pronunciation, which can often challenge Italian singers.
Additionally, while the production is clear, it could benefit from more dynamic
intensity.
Overall, we have a respectable release that has its
moments, but it may not be something that will become a defining point in your
listening experience.
Η
ιστορία γνωστή: Κάθε μπάντα που σέβεται τον εαυτό τής κυκλοφορεί στην Ιαπωνία
τα άλμπουμ της με τη γνωστή ταινία Obi αλλά κυρίως με επιπλέον κομμάτια απ' τον
υπόλοιπο κόσμο. Εδώ οι τρεις φιλανδοι με τον Γερμανό ντράμερ και την Σουηδό
πληκτρά, μας δίνουν αρκετά κρυμμένα στούντιο κομμάτια απ' τις ειδικές
κυκλοφορίες τους που δεν υπήρχαν στις ευρωπαϊκές εκδόσεις των άλμπουμ τους. Will my Soul Ever Rest in Peace?, Falling into
Fantasy, τοσπιντάντο The Curtains are Falling, Requiem, It's A Mystery,
Why Are We Here?, Keep the Flame είναιτουλικόαυτόπουΕ, δενδιεκδικείκαιδάφνεςπρωτοτυπίας! Καλώς ή κακώς ο μέρες δόξας για αυτό το
όνομα συνυφασμένο με το ευρωπαϊκό Power Metal, είχαν ήδη αρχίσει να δύουν. Τα
επόμενα δύο άλμπουμ τους Elements part I & II θα σηματοδοτήσουν το οριστικό
τέλος.... έμπνευσης αφού οτιδήποτε μετά δε θα πλησιάζει και πολύ σε αυτό που
ξέραμε ως Stratovarius! Από εκεί και πέρα, μερικά ζωντανά ηχογραφημένα,b-sides από singles σαν το Hunting High and
Low ή την επανεκτέλεση του Cold Winter Nights κρίνονται συμπαθητικά. Το
υπόλοιπο υλικό όμως παρουσιάζει πιο πολύ ενδιαφέρον αφού περιέχει και διασκευές
σε κλασικό rock καιmetal υλικό σαν το
Kill the King τραγουδισμένο απ' τονκιθαρίστα Timo Tolki, αλλάκαι το
ζωντανά ηχογραφημένο I Surrender απ' τους Rainbow ή το Bloodstone από Judas
Priest.
English:
A mini-album... with 15 tracks!
The story is well-known: Every self-respecting band
releases their albums in Japan with the iconic Obi strip and, most importantly,
with additional tracks that don't appear on the European versions. Here, the
three Finnish members, along with their German drummer and Swedish keyboardist,
present us with a treasure trove of hidden studio tracks from their special
editions that never made it to the European releases. Tracks like "Will My
Soul Ever Rest in Peace?", "Falling into Fantasy," the upbeat
"The Curtains are Falling," "Requiem," "It's A
Mystery," "Why Are We Here?", and "Keep the Flame" may
not exactly be groundbreaking material. Unfortunately or not, the glory days
for this name, synonymous with European Power Metal, were already fading. Their
next two albums, "Elements Part I & II," would signal the
definitive end of their creative spark, as nothing that followed would come
close to what we once knew as Stratovarius!
Beyond that, some live recordings and b-sides from
singles like "Hunting High and Low" or the re-recording of "Cold
Winter Nights" are quite pleasant. However, the more intriguing content
includes covers of classic rock and metal songs, such as "Kill the
King," sung by guitarist Timo Tolkki, and the live rendition of "I
Surrender" by Rainbow, along with "Bloodstone" by Judas Priest.
Παρακαλείται
οποίος πήρε τα δόντια της Ύδρας να τα επιστρέψει.
Μετά
τρία καταιγιστικά άλμπουμ οι Omen είχαν μπεί στη μεγάλη κατηγορία του U.S.
Heavy & Epic Power Metal. Ο J.D. Kimball αφήνει τη θέση του τραγουδιστή και
το σχήμα βρίσκει αντικαταστάτη στον νεαρό τότε Coburn Pharr . Όπως βλέπετε
απ'το εξώφυλλο, τα πράγματα δεν έχουν πλέον μεγάλη σχέση με το πρόσφατο
παρελθόν. Το λογότυπο τους πήγε στην πάνω γωνία του κάδρου, το μοντέλο για
εσώρουχα και μαγιό δεμένο στο πέτρινο (ή μήπως μεταλλικό) εσωτερικόκάποιου ναού των Ίνκας δεν έχει τη γοητεία
της ένδοξης κόμπρας που φιγουράριζε στα πρώτα άλμπουμ, βέβαια η γοητεία της
είναι διαφορετική! Με άλλα λόγια, οι Omen στο τελευταίο άλμπουμ τους για τη
δεκαετία του '80 αλλά και για δέκα περίπου χρόνια, πάνε αλλού. Που αλλού; Στο
κλασικό, σκοτεινό αμερικανικό Power Metal σε ένα στυλ κοντά στους Metal Church
(η τραχιά φωνή του Pharr βοηθάει σ' αυτό!), Sanctuary αλλά σίγουρα πολύ μακριά
απ'αυτό που είχαν οι ως τότε οπαδοί τους σαν ηχητική εικόνα, οι συμβουλές του
Paul O' Neil παραγωγού και συνεργάτη των Savatage για μια πιο εμπορική στροφή
έγιναν πράξη. Οι διθυραμβικές επικές και μυθικές αναφορές δεν υπάρχουν στους
στίχους πλέον. Τώρα αν με ρωτήσετε τη γνώμη μου, ναι δε με χαλάει αυτό, ίσα ίσα
αν και προτιμώ τους επικούς Omen, η συγκεκριμένη απόδοση τους στα κομμάτια του
δίσκου αυτού στη συντριπτική πλειονότητα είναι μια χαρά. Λίγο η αρχή με το
πιάνο στο εναρκτήριο It's Not Easy με κάνει να αναρωτιέμαι, η διασκευή στο
Radar Love των Golden Earring ξενίζει από εκεί και πέρα όμως το γλέντι ξεκινά:
Escape to Nowhere, Cry for the Morning, Thorn in your Flesh, Poisoned (με την
παλιά αίγλη να φαίνεται έντονα σε αυτό), King of the Hill, No Way Out είναι
κομμάτια μεν διαφορετικά, αλλά όχι εκτός των Metal φορμών.
English:
Anyone who took the Hydra's teeth is kindly requested
to return them.
After three explosive albums, Omen had risen to the
elite tier of U.S. Heavy and Epic Power Metal. J.D. Kimball stepped down from
his role as lead vocalist, and the band found a replacement in the then-young
Coburn Pharr. As you can see from the album cover, things have taken a
different direction compared to their recent past. Their logo has moved to the
upper corner of the frame, and the model posing in underwear and swimwear
against the stone (or perhaps metallic) backdrop of some Incan temple lacks the
allure of the glorious cobra that adorned their early albums—though its appeal
is certainly of a different nature! In other words, with their final album of
the '80s, and for approximately a decade thereafter, Omen is heading in a new
direction. Where exactly? Towards classic, darker American Power Metal, in a
style reminiscent of Metal Church (thanks in part to Pharr's gritty vocals!),
and Sanctuary, but certainly far removed from the sound their fans had
previously associated with them. The producer Paul O'Neill, who collaborated
with Savatage, encouraged a more commercial shift, and this became evident. The
grand, epic, and mythical references that once populated their lyrics are no
longer present.
Now, if you ask me for my opinion, I don’t mind this
change at all. While I do prefer the epic Omen, their current approach on this
album is quite satisfactory. The piano intro of the opening track, 'It’s Not
Easy,' makes me curious, and the cover of 'Radar Love' by Golden Earring feels
a bit out of place. However, from that point on, the party truly begins: tracks
like 'Escape to Nowhere,' 'Cry for the Morning,' 'Thorn in Your Flesh,'
'Poisoned' (which strongly radiates their old glory), 'King of the Hill,' and
'No Way Out' offer a different flavor, but still remain well within the Metal
framework.
In the vibrant world of heavy metal and hard rock, few
names carry as much weight as Riot and Pretty Maids. With roots in different
corners of the globe—Riot from the hustle and bustle of New York City and
Pretty Maids from the picturesque landscapes of Denmark—these bands have each
carved out significant places in the realm of music. They share a commitment to
powerful melodies, energetic performances, and compelling themes that resonate
with fans of all ages.
Deep Roots in Heavy Metal
Riot: Power Metal Pioneers: Founded in 1975, Riot is often hailed as one of the
trailblazers of American power metal—a genre characterized by fast tempos,
soaring vocals, and intricate guitar riffs. Their 1988 album "Thundersteel" is
often regarded as a landmark in the genre, offering a rollercoaster of emotions
packed into catchy hooks and powerful rhythms. Riot’s music is not just about
heavy guitars; it’s about uplifting messages and a sense of unity, inviting
listeners to headbang and sing along in unison.
Pretty Maids: Masters of Melodic Metal: On the other side of the Atlantic, Pretty Maids took
shape in 1981, rising from Denmark’s flourishing heavy metal scene. Their
breakout album "Future World" (1987) is a testament to their ability to blend
hard-hitting rock with infectious melodies. With songs that you can scream
along to or lose yourself in, Pretty Maids manages to evoke feelings ranging
from empowerment to introspection, all wrapped in a captivating sound that
draws you in.
Longevity and Evolution in the Music Industry
Both Riot and Pretty Maids have stood the test of time
in an industry notorious for its ups and downs. After decades of creating and
performing, they've continued to grow, evolving their sound while staying true
to their roots. Lineup changes are commonplace in the music world, and both
bands have weathered their fair share. Riot experienced many changes over the
years, notably after the tragic passing of guitarist Mark Reale in 2012.
However, their music and spirit live on, passionately embraced by fans who keep
their legacy alive.
Pretty Maids has also navigated member shifts but has
remained strong, with founding members Ronnie Atkins and Ken Hammer at the
helm. Their commitment to writing and touring keeps the fire of their music
burning bright, even in a changing world.
Themes and Lyrical Depth
What truly sets both Riot and Pretty Maids apart is
their ability to tackle meaningful themes. Their lyrics often delve into
weighty topics like politics, human oppression, and personal struggles, making
their songs relatable on many levels. Riot’s anthems typically deliver messages
of resilience and hope, while Pretty Maids often explores the intricacies of
relationships and self-reflection, allowing fans to see pieces of their own
lives in the music.
Electric Live Performances
Both Riot and Pretty Maids aren’t just phenomenal in
the studio—they also know how to create a rock ‘n’ roll experience that fans
won’t forget. Their electrifying live performances are a celebration of heavy
metal, featuring hard-hitting riffs, soaring vocals, and an undeniable
connection with the audience. Whether they are playing at massive festivals or
intimate venues, their high-energy shows create an atmosphere that's hard to
replicate, leaving fans buzzing long after the last note fades away.
A Legacy of Influence
Despite not always being in the mainstream spotlight,
both Riot and Pretty Maids have left a lasting impression on the music
industry. They’ve inspired countless artists across the heavy metal and hard
rock spectrum, with new musicians often citing both bands as pivotal influences
in their own journeys.
Fans of both bands have kept the flame alive, creating
a devoted following that spans generations. Pretty Maids, in particular, has
developed a cult following, especially in Europe, where their classic albums
are cherished. Similarly, Riot’s "Thundersteel" remains a powerful anthem for
loyal fans, ensuring the band's music will never fade into obscurity.
Interesting Facts and Anecdotes
Riot's Early Influence: Riot’s innovative contributions can be felt even
today. They played a significant role in shaping the sound of American power
metal, influencing a wave of bands that followed their lead.
Ronnie Atkins’ Resilience: In recent years, Pretty Maids’ frontman Ronnie Atkins
has faced substantial personal challenges, including a battle with cancer. His
determination to continue performing and creating music shines as a beacon of
resilience, inspiring fans who share in his journey through both the dark times
and the triumphs.
Conclusion
Riot and Pretty Maids may have their roots in
different places and sounds, but their shared love for music, passion for
performance, and commitment to powerful storytelling unite them as icons in the
heavy metal world. Their enduring legacy is a testament to the impact of rock
music, demonstrating how it can forge connections, inspire change, and uplift
the human spirit. As they continue to influence new generations and bring their
energetic shows to audiences around the globe, Riot and Pretty Maids remind us
that the heart of heavy metal beats on—loud, proud, and full of life. Whether
through the thunderous riffs of Riot or the melodic charm of Pretty Maids,
their music will continue to resonate and leave an indelible mark on the lives
of fans everywhere.
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