Primordial

 Today in 2007 Primordial released the album To the Nameless Dead

Dublin,Ireland Celtic/Folk/Black Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1987 (as Forsaken), 1987-present

One of a handful of Irish black metal bands making some noise in recent years, Primordial has developed a rather intriguing sound on their later works. While black metal guitars are the dominant feature, the overall style is more laidback and epic, with sprawling, slower riffs and inventive pounding drumming and vocals that rarely are of the typical black metal variety, but are more often a clean, midrange croon (predominantly on Spirit The Earth Aflame) or a slightly huskier growl (on Storm Before Calm). The melodies, at times slightly Celtic-laced, are spirited, sweeping and majestic -- excellent and fairly unique. Having just signed to Metal Blade, the best may be yet in store.

Metal Blade Records

A.A. Nemtheanga Vocals

Ciáran MacUiliam Guitars

Simon O'Laoghaire Drums

Pól MacAmlaigh Bass

Micheál O'Floinn Guitars

1. Empire Falls 08:02

2. Gallows Hymn 05:55

3. As Rome Burns 09:15

4. Failures Burden 06:37

5. Heathen Tribes 08:18

6. The Rising Tide 01:33 instrumental

7. Traitors Gate 06:49

8. No Nation on This Earth 08:13

54:42

Recorded during the summer of 2007 at Foel Studios, Wales.

Mastered at Hofa Studios, Karlsdorf, Germany.

Crystal Ball

 Today in 2007 Crystal Ball released the album Secrets

Horw, Lucerne, Switzerland Heavy Metal/Hard Rock

Status:Active

Years active:1995-1998 (as Cherry Pie), 1998-present

Each country is well known for a certain style and taste. This is true also for Switzerland. In fact one thing is sure: Swiss like to rock! With acts like GOTTHARD, KROKUS and CRYSTAL BALL the Swiss scene is among the finest and healthier around. CRYSTAL BALL have been rising to fame amongst the fans of hard and melodic sounds with their trademark mixture of melodic Hard Rock and Power Metal. "TimeWalker" is their new release, the fifth full length in the band's still brief yet intense history, and it includes many surprises. "TimeWalker" is a concept album with a journey through different historical events. Just listen to the opening track "Digital World", possibly the heaviest track ever recorded by Crystal Ball, which starts the journey in our time. Musically there is a big variety of styles ranging from the mid-tempo hymns of "He Came To Change The World", the majestic "Mozart Symphony" and the cheerful "Celebration". As on their previous release "Hellvetia", Crystal Ball worked again with producer Stefan Kaufmann (ex-Accept, U.D.O.), who helped creating a dynamic and powerful sound.

AFM Records

Hans "Hungi" Berglas Guitars

Marcel Sardella Drums

Scott Leach Guitars

Mark Sweeney Vocals

Guest/Session

Michael Bormann Bass, Vocals (backing)

1. Moondance 05:15

2. I Will Drag You Down 04:41

3. Minor Key 04:23

4. It's Not Love 03:26

5. Time Has Come 04:27

6. Secrets 03:18

7. Wings of Fire 03:18

8. Dreaming of You 03:59

9. Destiny 04:49

10. I'll Be Waiting 04:21

11. Face the Truth 04:40

12. Pretend You're Laughing 04:43

51:20

"Pretend You're Laughing" is a bonus track on the first edition.

Axxis

 Today in 2007 Axxis released the album Doom of Destiny

Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia,Germany Heavy/Power/Melodic Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1988-present

Axxis made a splash very early in their career, with their 1989 debut album Kingdom Of The Night selling over 100,000 copies in their native Germany, earning them an award for "Best Selling Debut by A German Rock Band". They have continued to excel in Europe and Japan, where their brand of metal (straddling the line between traditional 80's metal and melodic hard rock) remains a popular form of music.

AFM Records

Bernhard Weiß Vocals, Guitars

Marco Wriedt Guitars

Rob Schomaker Bass

André Hilgers Drums

Harry Öllers Keyboards, Guitars

Guest/Session

Lakonia Vocals

Lars Vollmer Saxophone

1. Voices of Destiny 01:15

2. Doom of Destiny (Arabia) 04:09

3. Better Fate 05:08

4. Blood Angel 04:41

5. I Hear You Cry 04:56

6. The Fire Still Burns 03:49

7. Father, Father 04:12

8. Revolutions 03:48

9. She Got Nine Lives 03:37

10. Devilish Belle 05:27

11. Astoria 05:08

46:10

Some versions of the album contain a bonus track entitled "Engel aus Hass.

Avantasia

 Today in 2007 Avantasia released the EP Lost in Space (Part 2)

Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate,Germany Symphonic Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 2000-2002, 2006-present

Avantasia is a running solo project for Edguy vocalist Tobias Sammet, initially gaining attention for the two-album epic called The Metal Opera. This is precisely what one might expect given the title and Sammet's background -- solid, expertly crafted German melodic speed/power metal with a grandiose and, well, operatic feel. Over the years Sammet has employed virtually every name vocalist to guest on Avantasia albums, including but not limited to David Defeis (Virgin Steele), Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation), Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray), Andre Matos (Angra/Angra), Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius), Rob Rock (Warrior), and others. It's been said countless times both on these pages and elsewhere: this form of metal is being done to death in Europe, but there are a few bands that deserve recognition above the rest for doing it better, and Avantasia qualifies in that regard.

Nuclear Blast

Tobias Sammet Vocals, Bass

Eric Singer Drums, Vocals

Sascha Paeth Guitars

Guest/Session

Michael "Miro" Rodenberg Keyboards, Orchestration

Jørn Lande Vocals (track 2)

Michael Kiske Vocals (track 2)

Amanda Somerville Vocals (tracks 1, 6)

Henjo Richter Guitars (lead) (tracks 2, 3, 4)

1. Lost in Space 03:52

2. Promised Land 04:51

3. Dancing with Tears in My Eyes (Ultravox cover) 03:53

4. Scary Eyes 03:32

5. In My Defence (Freddie Mercury cover) 03:58

6. Lost in Space (Alive at Gatestudio) 04:36

24:42

Avantasia

 Today in 2007 Avantasia released the EP Lost in Space (Part 1)

Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate,Germany Symphonic Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 2000-2002, 2006-present

Avantasia is a running solo project for Edguy vocalist Tobias Sammet, initially gaining attention for the two-album epic called The Metal Opera. This is precisely what one might expect given the title and Sammet's background -- solid, expertly crafted German melodic speed/power metal with a grandiose and, well, operatic feel. Over the years Sammet has employed virtually every name vocalist to guest on Avantasia albums, including but not limited to David Defeis (Virgin Steele), Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation), Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray), Andre Matos (Angra/Angra), Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius), Rob Rock (Warrior), and others. It's been said countless times both on these pages and elsewhere: this form of metal is being done to death in Europe, but there are a few bands that deserve recognition above the rest for doing it better, and Avantasia qualifies in that regard.

Nuclear Blast

Tobias Sammet Vocals, Bass

Eric Singer Drums, Vocals (track 6)

Sascha Paeth Guitars

Miro Keyboards

Guest/Session

Michael Kiske Vocals (track 7)

Jørn Lande Vocals (track 3)

Bob Catley Vocals (track 4)

Amanda Somerville Vocals (additional) (tracks 1, 4)

Volker Heintzen Watering can (track 6)

Henjo Richter Guitars (lead) (track 3)

1. Lost in Space 03:50

2. Lay All Your Love on Me (ABBA cover) 04:23

3. Another Angel Down 05:42

4. The Story Ain't Over 04:59

5. Return to Avantasia 00:47 instrumental

6. Ride the Sky (Lucifer's Friend cover) 02:55

22:36

Includes:

- Lost in Space (video clip)

- Lost in Space (making of the video clip)

- Photo Gallery + Poster

Atargatis

 Today in 2007 Atargatis released the albumj Nova

Regensburg, Bavaria,Germany Gothic Metal

Status:On hold

Years active: 1997-2010

The symphonic gothic metal band Atargatis was founded in 1997 in Regensburg, Germany. The term Atargatis represents the name of the Syrian goddess of existence. Atargatis - allegory for the creating power and the origin of life, for the urge for mystic experience, for the unfathomable and inscrutable, both outside of human spheres and deep within... The voice of Stephanie Luzie (also vocalist of the austrian gothic band Darkwell) is altering with a male dark voice (Lord Lornhold) while atmospheric keyboards and orchestral lines complete the varying sound of Atargatis. Groovy as well as aggressive though mostly very melodic parts are followed by gentle, solemn passages and are thus interweaved to a mystical sound material.

Massacre Records

Stephanie Luzie Vocals

Shadrak Drums

Michael "Lord Lornhold" E. Bass, Vocals

Azmo Guitars

Guest/Session

Tialupa Violin, Viola

Matthias Hechler Vocals (tracks 4, 8)

1. Intro 01:31 instrumental

2. Ebon Queen 04:44

3. Frozen Innocence 05:06

4. Riven 03:13

5. Stars Are Falling 05:39

6. Crucified (Army of Lovers cover) 04:13

7. Green Lake's Ground 05:24

8. Fever of Temptation 05:16

9. When the Ice Breaks 02:58

10. The Marching of the Fey 04:18

11. Firebird 04:03

12. Deliverance 02:48

49:13

Metal Inquisitor

Today in 2005 Metal inquisitor released the album Doomsday for the Heretic

Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate,Germany Heavy Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1998-present

Metal Inquisitor originated in the beginning of 1998, as Blumi and Witchhammer decided, to call a real Heavy Metal-Band into life. A short time later they found KronoS (Bass) and El Rojo at the vocal cords, as suitable comrade-in-arms. Middle of 1998 they retreated for a few weekends into their rehearsal room, in order to record three songs on four tracks, which was brought out in form of a demo tape. In 1999 they went to the nostalgic eight-track-studio "Overhead Project" of Joerg "Walli" Walldorf in Koblenz (Germany), in order to record two songs for a single, which in March 2000 under the title "Seven Inches for the Second Attack" has appeared. With the new member T.P., at the second guitar, they have already prepared for a powerful live-sound. At the beginning of March 2000 Witchhammer left the band due to time problems and they found the right successor in Havoc at the drums. In August 2000 a new Demo-Tape was recorded with the same old Four-Track-Equipment as the first Demo was made. After the good resonance's about all Releases Metal Inquisitor took the chance to get a record deal with Iron Glory-Label and released in June 2002 their first full-length Album called "The Apparition". The Reviews of the Album were from "good" to "great", so as the resonance's about the concerts from the following "The Apparition-Tour 2002/2003" through Germany and the adjoining countries too. After their last concert in August 2003 they went back into the rehearsalroom to begin the songwriting for the next album. The Concerts and Festivals in 2004 were absolute fantastic also. They've played among others at the "legendary" Festivals from Rock Hard and Keep It True. After finding a new Label, Hellion Records, Metal Inquisitor released their latest album "Doomsday for the Heretic" in november 2005.

Hellion Records

Blumi Guitars (lead), Lyrics (track 12)

El Rojo Vocals, Lyrics

Havoc Drums

T. P. Guitars (rhythm)

Kronos Bass

1. Recall of the Heretical Past 00:55 instrumental

2. Doomsday for the Heretic 05:50

3. Restricted Agony 04:04

4. Thane of Cowder 03:48

5. Star Chaser 04:17

6. Midnight Rider 05:10

7. Legion of Grey 02:18

8. Infamia 08:10

9. Logan's Run 04:28

10. M4-A1 04:37

11. Invader (Judas Priest cover) 03:42

12. Bad Boys Hardrock Police 04:45

52:04

Recorded and mixed from April to July 2005 at Toxomusic in Koblenz, Germany.