CD

I had never heard of Aldo Giuntini or for that matter of the Giuntini Project yet its seems he’s an Italian guitar Wizardand has released three prior Giuntini Project albums between 1993 and 2006.

This German heavy metal band was formed by four friends: Michael Maaß (guitar), Sören Van Heek (drums), V.Leson (bass) and Sven D’Anna (vocals). This line up is still standing to this day what is a rarity to be honest, so they are a true group of musicians and much more important, friends. They have to be, otherwise they wouldn’t be around here for 24 years.

Formed back in 2004, Greece progressive metal band Until Rain released their debut ‘The Reign of Dreams’ in 2009 quickly followed by the EP ‘Pandemic”. Now 4 years later their second album ‘Anthem To Creation’ has seen the light of day. The eleven tracks presented here are characterized with a very complex and experimental structure consequently resulting in multiple spins to get customized. Obviously these guys are very talented and creative musicians and like to show this to the world.

The legendary Czech act Root, with Jiri ‘Big Boss’ Valter (also a founder of the Czech-Slovakian Church Of Satan), must be one of East Europe’s oldest and most influential bands. Together with, let’s say, Vader, Tormentor, Master’s Hammer, Behemoth and a couple of others, Root sort of metalized the musical expressions behind the Iron Curtain.

In between touring and recording albums with Dream Theater, frontman James LaBrie found time to release a new solo album titled ‘Impermanent Resonance’. After two albums with the group name MullMuzzler, this is his third album running under his own name. Not only did partner in crime Matt Guillory again take a leading role in the composing of the song material but he also handled all of the keyboards as well as backing vocals. Twelve tracks were recorded with twoi additional tracks for the limited digipack edition.  

Inmoria was formed in April 2008 by former Tad Morose drummer Dan Eriksson. Dan had been away from the music scene for about 10 years when he felt the need to start writing music again.

Mortal Throne Of Nazarene is / was Incantation’s second full album, after Onward To Golgotha, originally released via Relapse Records in 1994. I have no idea why, but Hells Headbangers are about to re-release this stuff with nothing additional at all, so I’m kind of disappointed (no bonus songs whatsoever???). Haven’t we all this stuff in our possession?

For more than fifteen years in meantime, the German label Iron Bonehead brings highly qualitative releases that dwell within the sleaziest spheres of underground-oriented Thrash / Black / Speed / Death Metal (the European answer on Hells Headbangers???). But as from a couple of years ago on, they did sort of conquer the hard-metallic worlds with an increasing number of releases that aren’t here but to please undersigned ear drums. Respect!

Boy Oh Boy, what a mistake I’ve made.  I should have listened to this album much earlier, because it’s damn good.  Mind you, it’s not on par with what must be Queensrÿche’s most successful and most influential album up to now, that is of course ‘Operation Mindcrime’, but it almost  reaches the same celestial heights. 

Stairway to heaven? With seventeen years between their album release of ‘America’s Least Wanted’ their back with a killer record ‘Straight Out Of Hell!’ The first song ‘Devil’s Paradise’ grabs you by the throat and it never lets go, verry heavy riffing and Withfield Crane blends right in with his vocals.‘You Make Me Sick’ is the second song on the album it’s a very laid back song to nod along with. The crunchy sound of the guitar makes the song.