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Opus
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2022 10:25 pm 
 

Dio - Holy Diver (1983)
The little guy was angry, so the revenge on Tony Iommi turned out to be one of the best albums ever.
Though the songs are quite disparate, from speedy to heavy to poppy, they all fit like a glove. And Vivian's guitar playing is just spectacular! 5/5
Isn't the cover also one of the best covers ever?

Here's Dio live 1984:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46dHRqfTC18


Dio - The Last in Line
Not angry anymore, so not as intense. The first four songs are classics, but then there's a serious dip in quality. One Night in the City, Evil Eyes and Mystery aren't any good. But Egypt redeems the album. 4/5
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Opus
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 15, 2022 12:43 am 
 

Dionysus - Sign of Truth (2002)
This is either not enough power metal or too much power metal. It's just middle of the road , and that's not very tetal, is it? I love the vocals of Olaf Hayer, and Johnny Öhlin is a fantastic rhythm guitar player, but the music is just standard power metal of the early 2000. 3/5

The best song is the one that isn't power metal at all, Walk on Fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IktNsbN0YTc
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Opus
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2022 7:00 pm 
 

Disillusion - Back to Times of Splendor (2004)
As if System of a Down wanted to be Opeth. And I say that as a good thing. This album is more interesting than it is good. There are lots of nice bits, but not as much nice songs.
With more listens this could possibly be a 4, but as of now 3/4

A typical song: Fall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWEAYDGwcmo
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Spiner202
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2022 10:16 am 
 

Opus wrote:
Dionysus - Sign of Truth (2002)
This is either not enough power metal or too much power metal. It's just middle of the road , and that's not very tetal, is it? I love the vocals of Olaf Hayer, and Johnny Öhlin is a fantastic rhythm guitar player, but the music is just standard power metal of the early 2000. 3/5

The best song is the one that isn't power metal at all, Walk on Fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IktNsbN0YTc

This is one of my favourite power metal records. Just catchy songs from start to finish. Not sure if you've heard their other two records, but I'd say they are less power metal-oriented. Still great albums though, especially Fairytales & Reality.

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Opus
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2022 10:47 pm 
 

Spiner202 wrote:
This is one of my favourite power metal records. Just catchy songs from start to finish. Not sure if you've heard their other two records, but I'd say they are less power metal-oriented. Still great albums though, especially Fairytales & Reality.

I remember I liked it better back when, but now it doesn't really do much for me songwise. I actually prefer Nation now. Who have apparently reformed. They had more of an honest and personal sound, despite all the Yngwieisms.
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Opus
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2022 11:22 pm 
 

Dispatched - Motherwar (2000)
They were known as Sweden's worst black metal band in the 90s. In 2000 they re-grouped and released this CoB-ish album, shock full of enthusiasm and just plain fun. 4/5

Not really a typical song, because it's just awesome: Motherwar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkuYcq7YlQ


Dispatched - Terrorizer (The Last Chapter...) (2003)
Now they wanted to be In Flames. Recorded at Studio Fredman, produced by Anders Fridén, complete with acoustic and folky bits. But no fun. 2.5/5

A typical song: Beneath the World of Chaos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooAGEdkHFFA
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Opus
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 11:21 pm 
 

Divine Sin - Winterland (1995)
I got this album because the current Morgana Lefay bassist is the singer, which is odd since he can't sing. His gruff vocals sound like a very, very strained Joakim Brodén and his cleans sounds like Messiah Marcolin swallowed Ian Astbury. The sound isn't too far from Morgana Lefay and a bit like Crescent Shield at times, but the songwriting is a mess. I'll write it off as a Morgana Lefay collectible. 2/5

A typical song: Memories
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4xu7xgvqvc
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Opus
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 23, 2022 7:50 pm 
 

Domine - Eternal Champion (1997)
Epic metal from Italy. Now I don't know either Elric or Dragonlance, so it's possible you'll get more out of this if you do. I don't get anything out of it.
Usually in metal it's the bass just following the guitar, but here I'd say it's the guitar following the bass. The bassist is the only decent musician in the band, sometimes reminding me a bit of Flint from Cirith Ungol. He's playing some good bass lines, and the guitarist could have done so much more around them. Unfortunately, he really sucks. So does the drummer. Morby has a good voice and a spectacular range, but he's off key all the time.
On top of that, the epicness of the songs is mostly lots of different parts bunged together. 2/5

A typical song: The Mass of Chaos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi2qFUm3Kkk


Domine - Dragonlord (Tales of the Noble Steel) (1999)
The drummer has been practicing. Now it's at least somewhat tight. But the songs are just too long, too repetitive and too boring. With boring riffs. 2.5/5

A typical boring song: Blood Brothers' Fight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTRB3ujrABE


Domine - Stormbringer Ruler - The Legend of the Power Supreme (2001)
Is there any difference between this and the previous album? I don't know. 2,5/5

A typical song: The Hurricane Master
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao58Xcb985I


Domine -Emperor of the Black Runes (2004)
The song building abilities are a lot better here, but one big problem still remains: the choruses lack punch. They are like just another verse, only a little better. Oh well, I'm done with Domine now. We end with a whopping 3/5.

A proper fist in the air anthem! True Believer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbaOAJ0uGks
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Spiner202
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 23, 2022 10:18 pm 
 

We have very different opinions of Domine :lol:

Although I agree that the debut is their weakest release. I like all of their stuff; it has a unique character that no other band channels. Their best songs (Thunderstorm, The Hurricane Master, True Believer, The Aquilonia Suite - Part I) are undeniably much better than the rest of their discography, but I find everything they've done to be a lot of fun.

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MetlaNZ
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 23, 2022 10:52 pm 
 

I'm a big fan of Domine, power metal with actual power in the riffs and songwriting department. Stormbringer Ruler and Emperor Of The Black Runes in particular are fantastic albums from start to finish. Really dig the final album Ancient Spirit Rising too.
Strange that you'd bother having almost all of their albums and not really like them. If I rated all of their albums as low as you, then they'd get the boot.

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Opus
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 24, 2022 11:05 pm 
 

MetlaNZ wrote:
Strange that you'd bother having almost all of their albums and not really like them. If I rated all of their albums as low as you, then they'd get the boot.

What can I say, I'm a collector.
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Opus
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 24, 2022 11:48 pm 
 

Dragonforce - Valley of the Damned (2003)
The first three songs are world class power metal. Starfire is a good enough ballad, but it drags a bit and the album never picks up again after that. It all sound samey towards the end.
The best bits by far on the album are the instrumental solo parts. Both the actual solos and the guitar melodies, which really lifts the songs. The worst bits are the verses. The vocal melodies are lacking and keeps repeating the same patterns. 3.5/5

Classic Dragonforce: Black Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvOfP5FF-Zs


Dragonforce - Sonic Firestorm (2004)
The exact same formula again! Three enjoyable songs, a ballad, then the rest just feel like fillers. it might have worked better if the vocals weren't so incredibly samey. Over all it's not bad per se, but it gets a bit tedious sitting through a whole album. 3/5
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Nocturnal_Evil
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2022 10:54 am 
 

I really love this thread and keeping up with your progress. I'd like to do the same thing one day, honestly. Some thoughts on what I've seen so far:

Opus wrote:
Dragonforce - Valley of the Damned (2003)
The first three songs are world class power metal. Starfire is a good enough ballad, but it drags a bit and the album never picks up again after that. It all sound samey towards the end.
The best bits by far on the album are the instrumental solo parts. Both the actual solos and the guitar melodies, which really lifts the songs. The worst bits are the verses. The vocal melodies are lacking and keeps repeating the same patterns. 3.5/5

Classic Dragonforce: Black Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvOfP5FF-Zs


Dragonforce - Sonic Firestorm (2004)
The exact same formula again! Three enjoyable songs, a ballad, then the rest just feel like fillers. it might have worked better if the vocals weren't so incredibly samey. Over all it's not bad per se, but it gets a bit tedious sitting through a whole album. 3/5


The first few Dragonforce albums with ZP were fucking amazing. Which three songs are you counting as good on Sonic Firestorm? In my opinion, there's at least five; six if you count the bonus track "Cry of the Brave."

Opus wrote:
Dark Moor - The Hall of the Olden Dreams (2000)It's like they listened to Rhapsody and Stratovarius and made a power metal template. Then they added all the necessary ingredients on top of each other. There's absolutely no dynamics here. Layered guitars, layered vocals, layered keyboards, in the verses, in the choruses, in the bridges, and all the bits in between. And I can't figure out if it's a drum machine or a real drummer playing an electronic kit. if it indeed is a real drummer, he manages to be as boring as a drum machine. 2.5/5


Dude, this band is fucking sick. All of their material with Elisa C. Martin is golden. I love the baroque sound they infuse into their tunes.
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Opus
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2022 10:38 pm 
 

Nocturnal_Evil wrote:
I really love this thread and keeping up with your progress.

Thank you! :)

Nocturnal_Evil wrote:
Which three songs are you counting as good on Sonic Firestorm? In my opinion, there's at least five; six if you count the bonus track "Cry of the Brave."

Same as on the previous album, the three first ones. Then it just becomes a blur.

Nocturnal_Evil wrote:
Dude, this band is fucking sick. All of their material with Elisa C. Martin is golden. I love the baroque sound they infuse into their tunes.

Funny you use the word "baroque", since the actual meaning is "too much of everything". :D
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Opus
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2022 10:51 pm 
 

Dream Evil - Dragonslayer (2002)
This is just a really solid heavy metal album, but that's to be expected when Snowy Shaw is involved. Despite really trying to be campy, the music is too good to write of as power metal nonsense.
It does get a bit too silly towards the end with Heavy Metal in the Night and Heavy Metal Jesus though, but I'll take it. 4/5

One of the great songs: The Prophecy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nw6_U-e9cI
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Opus
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 27, 2022 11:00 pm 
 

Dream Theater - Images and Words (1992)
Bought this album when it was released, but didn't get into it until years later. Had in my car and played it a lot and it slowly grew on me. Although I really like it, I think it's more interesting than it is good.There's so much to digest. I think the best songs here are the slow ones. Although the musicianship is of course top notch,
imo Petrucci carries this album. There's so much cool fills and licks throughout. 4/5

Metal needs more saxomophone: Another Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm7ntyycGbU


Dream Theater - Awake (1994)
Don't like this as much. Too much samples and odd soundbits, experimentation I guess. And what's with LaBrie's raspy vocals? It sounds like crap! 3/5


Dream Theater - Dream Theater (2013)
This album is grand. It's massive. It's massively grand. On the previous albums the songs where either heavy or melodic. Here every song is heavy and melodic. I also love all the Rush quotes. And I like Mangini's drumming much, much more. 6/5

The slow songs are still fantastic: Along for the Ride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp85GgcyESs
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Opus
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 31, 2022 10:17 pm 
 

E-Force - Evil Forces (2003)
I have no idea why I got this. I'm not a fan of thrash and I'm not a fan of Voivod. But as far as thrash goes, this is quite enjoyable. It sounds like a mix of early Death and Crowbar. Or a Pantera that is good.
The vocals are nice and varied, and I like the relentless drumming. 3/5

A typical song: Psychopath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pySqGPf3_os
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Opus
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 31, 2022 11:09 pm 
 

Edguy - Vain Glory Opera (1998)
This album is great through and through! Even the intro is good!
I never noticed how great Tobi's keyboard playing is. He's doing lots of cool stuff. 5/5

Who said power metal isn't heavy? No More Foolin'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgKUI-XycUE


Edguy - Theater of Salvation (1999)
Here Tobi tries to be Jim Steinman. He's not. Yet. 3/5

Like this: Land Of The Miracle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGCTqBGNGM4


Edguy - The Savage Poetry (2000)
Great songs on this one, except for the ballads. Edguy's ballads plain sucks! 4/5

One of my favourite songs: Hallowed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUVoKRf18fA


Edguy - Mandrake (2001)
This is peak Edguy! Fantastic songwriting. 5/5

A typical song: All the Clowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmNmsu_DuA8


Edguy - Hellfire Club (2004)
Here they go heavier than ever before, and it just doesn't suit them. The choruses are good enough, but it gets too one dimensional.
This could have been a 4, but thanks to Lavatory Love Machine it ends up 2/5. It just ain't funny!

A typical song: Mysteria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X7vc0ChS_s
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Thexhumed
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 2:30 pm 
 

I'm not gonna lie, I am a bit disappointed you didn't include Kingdom of Madness with a 6/5
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Opus
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 4:03 pm 
 

It's that good? Do I need to get it? I figured I was done with Edguy.
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Thexhumed
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 9:03 pm 
 

Opus wrote:
It's that good? Do I need to get it? I figured I was done with Edguy.


It's one of their earlier releases; not a fan favorite but certainly their most unique release. Imagine Edguy's sound being stripped down of all their power metal elements and letting only the "heavy metal" part, well, that's what Kingdom of Madness is.
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Opus
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 04, 2022 10:17 pm 
 

Eldritch - El Niño (1998)
Quite heavy prog metal from Italy. You might say it's standard prog metal, and you might be right, but I like standard prog metal!
I haven't looked into the lyrics, which you should, especially wit prog albums, but judging by the cover, it might be an interesting concept. A sign of quality is that the 52 minutes playing time just flies by. 4/5

A typical song: From Dusk till Dawn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLpK0EwrJA8


Eldritch - Cracksleep (2018)
Twenty years later, their eleventh album (El Niño was their third). Still heavy, a bit more catchy now. The singer has gotten better (though he was good before too) to the point where I thought it was a different person. They get an extra half point for having made a concept album about sleep. 5/5

A typical song: Reset
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdp23Mmk4gs
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Empyreal
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 04, 2022 10:43 pm 
 

Good to hear about Eldritch. Played Headquake some earlier this year. Didn't get around to the others - I'll try Cracksleep sometime.
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Chaosmonger
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 10:23 am 
 

Opus wrote:
Edguy - Theater of Salvation (1999)
Here Tobi tries to be Jim Steinman. He's not. Yet. 3/5

Like this: Land Of The Miracle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGCTqBGNGM4


oh c'mon, that's the only song that's like that on there

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Opus
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 12:51 pm 
 

Chaosmonger wrote:
oh c'mon, that's the only song that's like that on there

The only one that's blatant, but it's in the other songs as well.
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Opus
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 06, 2022 1:04 am 
 

Elegy - Supremacy (1994)
Singer Eduard Hovinga is spectacular! he sounds like a deranged Tony Harnell. In fact, this album sounds as if TNT heard Crimson Glory and decided to go all out metal, sometime between Tell No Tales and Intuition.
There are to any ballads and slow bits though. That brings the score down. I wish they had kept the speed up. 4/5

One of the fast songs: Windows Of The World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbVUGvM-Whc


Elegy - Principles of Pain (2002)
New singer and new guitarist here. Only original member left is the bassist. So it's pretty much a different band. But that should not be a problem music wise. What is a problem is that it does absolutely nothing for me. Singer is good, guitarist is good, everyone is doing a good job with the normal sounding songs. But I don't enjoy it, and I can't for the life of me put my finger on why. 2.5/5

A typical song: Under My Skin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IOHF6G8MRc
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Opus
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 1:00 am 
 

Enforcer - Diamonds (2010)
Loads of fun, this one! And it does seem like they are sincere about their retro metal, something I don't find a lot of these throwback bands are (looking at you Canada).
The bass playing is really good here. And I like all the NWOBHM quotes: lots of Maiden and Angel Witch, and even some Grim Reaper. And of course all the twin leads! What I don't particularly like are the vocals. They're too thin and shrill. 4/5

A typical song: Midnight Vice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z84R019CaY
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Spiner202
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 10:30 am 
 

How in the world are all the Canadian bands not sincere about what they're doing? There's no money in it and other than Striker opening two shows for Metallica, nobody in this country has ever gotten any recognition for it. Diamonds is obviously an incredible record, but I'm convinced that people dislike bands like Skull Fist because people tell them to.

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Opus
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 11:16 am 
 

Never said all Canadian bands. Only the ones I don't like. It's mostly the ironic mustaches and song titles like "Chained up in Chains" that bothers me.
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Opus
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 8:38 pm 
 

Enter the Hunt - For Life. 'Til Death. To Hell. With Love. (2006)
Progressive metal/rock and post-something with some Swedish veterans. As if Björk had joined Evergrey. It's quite good, and definitely interesting. But the drumming is very intense throughout the album, to the point where it gets obtrusive. I'm sure that's the point, but I don't like it. 2.5/5

A typical song:One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLsL0H5wblE
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Opus
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 08, 2022 11:30 pm 
 

Evergrace - Evergrace (2006)
Here's how to not metal. A whole album full of nothing. No aggression, no intensity, no speed, no heavy, just a lot of meh. These guys should have played pop instead. Or written poems. Or painted. Or whatever. 2/5

A fitting song: World of Nothingness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAVoAugCj18
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Opus
Metal freak

Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2002 11:06 am
Posts: 4266
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2022 12:47 am 
 

Evergrey - The Dark Discovery (1998)
This album won't make any "best debut album"-lists. It's biggest problem is that you just want to skip it and listen to any other Evergrey album. 2.5/5

A typical song: Beyond Redemption
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2CQazrGEJQ
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You could be listening to Edge of Sanity right now, but you're not!

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Opus
Metal freak

Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2002 11:06 am
Posts: 4266
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:23 am 
 

Evergrey - Solitude Dominance Tragedy (1999)
Bam! Tom finds his voice, both literally and figuratively. The first song, Solitude Within, is like the Evergrey manifesto: sadness and loneliness - and it's ok.
I also really appreciate the use of real violin and harp. I love Evergrey! 5/5

A typical song: Solitude Within
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh6c0dA07To


Evergrey - In Search of Truth (2001)
This is just a fantastic concept album about the descent into mental illness. I love everything about it. 5/5

Really no typical songs here, The Masterplan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVXKCXWTaSw
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Opus
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Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2002 11:06 am
Posts: 4266
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2022 9:48 pm 
 

Evergrey - Recreation Day (2003)
A bit more aggressive, a bit more "complex", every bit as good. Great bass playing too.
I used to be skeptical about the I'm Sorry-cover, but now I think it fits perfectly. 5/5

This gives me goosebumps, loads of them: End of Your Days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0fiLmfjRrg


Evergrey - The Inner Circle (2004)
Starting with the positive: the new drummer is great. Patrick Carlsson was good too, and played some really cool stuff, but this kid's got swing!
The negative: this album gets a bit mopey. 4/5

A typical song: In the Wake of the Weary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qXQy8qcrpg


Evergrey - Torn (2008)
What the flying fuck happened here?! The most horrendous nu-metal riffs strewn throughout. They did have the occasional questionable riff before too, but they were placed underneath the keyboard/piano and the typical Evergrey vocal melodies on top of that. Here the keyboards are turned down to pretty much non existence, and the vocal melodies are not good. 2/5

A not good song: Numb (Isn't that a typical nu-metal title?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZsdna8cykU
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Opus
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Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2002 11:06 am
Posts: 4266
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Fri Nov 18, 2022 12:00 am 
 

Evergrey - The Atlantic (2019)
I just recently found out Evergrey made a comeback to great form!
The title is really fitting, the songs are massive. But they are somewhat airy too, not as dense as before. Also Tom's voice is different, it's cleaner. And the solos are fantastic here! They guitar playing was always the "regular" guitar hero antics, but now Henrik Danhage (I presume) has re-invented himself. It's almost Jeff Beck style often times. 5/5

A typical song: Currents
https://youtu.be/JyWYSkoa1V0


Evergrey - Escape of the Phoenix (2021)
More of the same here, but not quite as good. A bit too many places with djenty riffing instead of melodies. 4/5

A typical song: Eternal Nocturnal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_1HBOBrWG0
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Last edited by Opus on Sun Nov 27, 2022 9:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Opus
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Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2002 11:06 am
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 12:09 am 
 

Excelsis - Kurt of Koppigen (1998)
Bargain bin Blind Guardian, from Switzerland. Horrible musicianship, horribly lame production, amateurish songwriting, a concept about some Kurt of Koppingen, and I sort of like it.
The singer has a decent voice, but sometimes he goes into this laughable falsetto. The guitarists are ok at riffing, but doesn't produce a single decent solo. The drummer is just lame, being so on an electronic drum kit. The keyboardist is a hack, playing the cheapest synth money could buy. The only one that doesn't outright offend me is the bassist.
I can't help but think that if these songs were recorded by actual Blind Guardian, this would be good. The songs aren't bad, and there is something charming about their musical stumblings. 3/5 for effort.

A typical song: Before The Storm
https://youtu.be/OEWR4uVYads
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Opus
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Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2002 11:06 am
Posts: 4266
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 10:52 pm 
 

Ezra Stone - Volume I (2004)
Here's the exact opposite of Excelsis: good musicians and bad songwriting. Or to be precise, they don't know what kind of music they want to play. Starts with a Metal Church sounding song followed by a Dio/Martin Sabbath sounding song. And then a full blown rap metal song! And so it continues, decent metal song, horrid rap metal song and so on.
Bought this album back in the day from the guitarist who was a regular on the Metal Rules board. Apparently, nothing came of this band. They did have potential, but this is unlistenable. 2/5

One of the good songs, The Horseman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F-ZC8QPFYY
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Opus
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Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2002 11:06 am
Posts: 4266
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 12:40 am 
 

It's Falconer week!

Falconer - Falconer (2001)
Stefan Weinerhall is the riffmaster if you ask me.
This album is perfect in every way. It's got everything I want in a metal album: riffs, melodies, a singer with personality and wild drumming. 6/5

An absolutely amazing song (they all are btw): Wings of Serenity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYMa0ehrPi4


Falconer - Chapters from a Vale Forlorn (2002)
They put more effort into arranging and song writing here, which is a good thing. The music is still great, but not as loose as before, and Mattias has settled in as not a metal singer, but a singer in a metal band. Make no mistakes, it still sounds fantastic, but it was more on the edge on the debut. 5/5

A typical song: Clarion Call, of course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iswq0SWBRFA
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Opus
Metal freak

Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2002 11:06 am
Posts: 4266
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:13 am 
 

Falconer - The Scepter of Deception (2003)
I never really listened to this album properly. I thought the change of singers would make it not good, but this is just about every bit as good as the previous albums. Kristoffer Göbel does a terrific job here. He's got a great voice, sounds like a mix of Mark Shelton and Harry Conklin, and I do believe he is adjusting to sound a bit like Mathias Blad.
The album has two flaws though: It lacks Mathias' vocals, there's no getting around that. I know it's unfair to compare the two, but when Mathias' guest vocals comes in, it elevates the song several levels.
Second flaw: it doesn't manage to be a proper concept album. Nothing in the music ties it together.
And the new guitarist adds absolutely nothing. 4.5/5

A typical song: The Trail of Flames
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3OOzFNvoY8


Falconer - Grime vs Grandeur (2005)
This is a pure power metal album. No folk here. And that's not a problem. There's still the incredibly catchy Falconer choruses, although some verses are a bit wonky.
There are some songs that aren't very good at all (I Refuse, Power, Jack the Knife), but others are clearly 4/5, so that would make this album 3/5, but, new guitarist Jimmy Hedlund's spectacular solo's adds another point. 4/5

A song with Göbel's best Mathias impression: Child of the Wild
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKCCnNUsbd4
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You could be listening to Edge of Sanity right now, but you're not!

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Thexhumed
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Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:26 pm
Posts: 1919
Location: Chile
PostPosted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:58 am 
 

Yes, Falconer is fantastic.
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