Today in 2010 Astral Doors released the album Testament of Rock - The Best of Astral Doors
Borlänge,Sweden Heavy/Power Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 2002-present
With power metal still enormously popular in Europe, it's nice to hear a band with a more traditional take on classic metal. Astral Doors formed in 2002 and debuted a year later with Of The Son And Father. Vocalist Patrik Johansson (a veteran of hard rock, having also sung for bands such as Lion's Share and Wuthering Heights) has a husky, powerful voice that is very reminiscient of Ronnie James Dio. Dio is also a fine reference point for the music, along with Rainbow and perhaps a bit of Deep Purple -- in other words, classic heavy metal with a faint 70's edge, due in no small part to Joakim Roberg's tasteful Hammond organ work. Of The Son And Father is very much a sum of its influences, but yet the album comes across as fresh and invigorating rather than stale and dated. Traditional metal fans will no doubt enjoy this band immensely.
Today in 2009 Månegarm released the album Nattväsen
Norrtälje,Sweden Viking/Black/Folk Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1995 (as Antikrist), 1995-present
After wisely discarding their original name, Antikrist, following their first month of rehearsal in late 1995, vocalist Svenne Rosendal, guitarists Jonas Almquist and Mårten Matsson, bassist Pierre Wilhelmsson, and drummer/vocalist Erik Grawsiö came to be known as Månegarm -- the vampire wolf of Norse legend that is prophesied to devour the moon when the time of Ragnarök submerges this world under the oceans! Needless to say, this moniker announced Månegarm's newfound commitment to Viking metal, which they proceeded to refine from their home base of Norrtälje, Sweden, over the course of a pair of demo recordings: 1996's Vargaresa (Wolf's Journey) and 1997's Ur Nattvindar, recorded after the installment of new bandmembers Jonny Wranning (vocals) and Markus Andé (guitar, replacing Matsson).
The second demo saw folk music elements gaining more ground within the band's complex sound, thanks to the addition of violins and female vocals in the studio, and it was this intrinsically Scandinavian new sound that landed Månegarm a contract with Displeased Records a short time later -- although they'd have to audition new singers once again, hiring Stockholm-based Viktor Hemgren, before starting work on 1998's official debut album, Nordstjärnans Tidsålder. The title, which translates to English as The Age of the Northstar, proudly proclaimed the group's Viking metal mission to a host of new fans, who eagerly embraced its striking marriage of black metal ferocity and native folk music, driven home yet again by the session female vocals and violins performed by Ymer Mossige-Norheim and soon to be permanent member Janne Liljequist, respectively.
But hanging onto their male vocalists continued to pose a challenge for Månegarm, so after firing their most recent frontman, Hemgren, halfway through the recording of their sophomore album, Havets Vargar (meaning Wolves of the Sea, in case you were wondering), it was decided that drummer Grawsiö would cope with all vocals for the album that would eventually emerge in the year 2000. This elicited no complaints from the band's faithful fans, so after taking a short break to recharge their creative batteries, the same lineup got to work on next full-length Dödsfärd (Death Journey), which was released in 2003 and boasted both a greater variety of tempos (sub-light speed ones, to be precise) and more clean vocals mixed in with lingering black metal croaks.
Both of Månegarm's now legendary demos were remastered and released on CD in 2004, and their fourth album, Vredens Tid (The Age of Wrath) arrived the following year, quickly being hailed as Månegarm's finest album thus far, and resulting in their first ever concerts on the European festival circuit that summer. Månegarm's next release -- a folk-infested EP entitled Urminnes Hävd (The Forest Session) -- marked the end of their relationship with Displeased, and the start of a new one with Swedish label Black Lodge, which quickly bore fruit in 2007 with the release of the group's sixth album, and arguably best yet, Vargstenen (Wolf Stone).
Today in 2008 Northern Kings released the album Rejoined
Finland Symphonic metal, power metal, progressive metal
Status: On Hold
Years active 2007 - 2010
One of those oddities that could only come about in a culture soaked heavily in the sounds of heavy metal, Northern Kings are a symphonic power metal supergroup. While that may not be an oddity on its own, what has made Northern Kings unique is that they are a symphonic power metal supergroup that exclusively plays covers. And to make it even more peculiar, the band covers songs that were decidedly not metal -- Tina Turner's "We Don't Need Another Hero," "I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight" by Cutting Crew, and "Brothers in Arms" by Dire Straits, to name a few. Northern Kings are comprised of four vocalists from some of the leading bands in metal -- Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica, Marco Hietala of Nightwish, Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto of Charon, and Jarkko Ahola of Teräsbetoni. Their first single, a cover of the aforementioned Tina Turner track from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, was a hit in Finland, and their debut album, Reborn, was released in October of 2007. The concept proved to be a success, as the debut full-length managed a Top Ten placement in the Finnish charts.
Warner Music Finland
Marco Hietala - vocals
Tony Kakko - vocals
Jarkko Ahola - vocals
Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto - vocals
with
Erkka Korhonen (of the Ari Koivunen band) - guitar[6]
Mirka Rantanen - Drums
Mikko P. Mustonen - Orchestrations
Two Finger Choir - Backing Vocals
Vili Olila - Piano, Keyboards
Erkki Silvennoinen - Bass
1"Training Montage" (Vince DiCola cover, from the film Rocky IV) - (Instrumental) - 3:36
2"Wanted Dead or Alive" (Bon Jovi cover) - (by Marco Hietala) - 3:56
3"Kiss from a Rose" (Seal cover) - (by all) - 4:56
4"A View to a Kill" (Duran Duran cover) - (by all) - 5:26
5"Nothing Compares 2 U" (Prince cover, although chiefly associated with Sinéad O'Connor) - (by Tony Kakko) - 6:51
9"I Should Be So Lucky" (Kylie Minogue cover) - (by Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto and Jarkko Ahola) - 4:51
10"Killer" (Adamski feat. Seal cover) - (by all) - 4:36
11"Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend" (Thin Lizzy cover) - (by Jarkko Ahola and Marco Hietala) - 7:36
12"They Don't Care About Us" (Michael Jackson cover) - (by Marco Hietala and Tony Kakko) - 4:46
Bonus track on the Japanese release.
13"They Don't Care About Us (Orchestral Edit)" (Michael Jackson cover) - (by Marco Hietala and Tony Kakko) - 4:46
iTunes bonus track
Rethroned is the second album by Finnish symphonic metal band Northern Kings. It was released on November 19, 2008, as a CD in Finland and to download via the European iTunes Store. Upon release, the album entered the Finnish charts at number 16.The album was released in Japan on February 25, 2009, with the Michael Jackson cover "They Don't Care About Us" as a bonus track. The iTunes edition included also the orchestral version of "They Don't Care About Us".
The first single and music video released off this album was the Seal cover "Kiss from a Rose" (originally from the soundtrack of the film Batman Forever).The album also includes two other movie-based tracks: "Training Montage" (from Rocky IV) and "A View to a Kill" (from the 1985 James Bond 007 film of the same title).
Today in 2007 Tarja released the album My Winter Storm
Kitee,Finland/Buenos Aires (Argentina)Symphonic Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 2004-present
Tarja Turunen is a Finnish lyric soprano singer, songwriter and composer. She is best known as the original member and the former lead vocalist of Finnish operatic/symphonic power metal band Nightwish, founded by herself, Tuomas Holopainen and Emppu Vuorinen in 1996. She was dismissed from the band after nine years, on October 22, 2005, through an open letter written by Holopainen, that was signed by the other members of Nightwish too. Turunen responded through another open letter, which was posted on her website in both Finnish and English.
Vertigo
Tarja Turunen Vocals, Piano
Doug Wimbish Bass
Alex Scholpp Guitars
Earl Harvin Drums
Torsten Stenzel Keyboards
Guest/Session
Martin Tillman Cello
Kiko Loureiro Guitars (acoustic) (track 19)
Izumi Kawakatsu Piano
Lili Haydin Violin
Tony Turunen Vocals (backing) (track 11)
Kid Crazy Keyboards (track 9)
Tea Tähtinen Vocals (backing) (track 11)
Daniel Presley Vocals (backing) (track 11)
1. Ite, missa est 00:27
2. I Walk Alone 03:53
3. Lost Northern Star 04:22
4. Seeking for the Reign 00:58
5. The Reign 04:07
6. The Escape of the Doll 00:32
7. My Little Phoenix 04:02
8. Die Alive 04:04
9. Boy and the Ghost 04:36
10. Sing for Me 04:16
11. Oasis 05:10
12. Poison (Alice Cooper cover) 04:01
13. Our Great Divide 05:05
14. Sunset 00:36
15. Damned and Divine 04:29
16. Minor Heaven 04:00
17. Ciarán's Well 03:37
18. Calling Grace 03:06
01:01:21
Recorded between 2006 and 2007 at verious studios: Grouse Lodge Studios, Westmeath, Ireland; Can del Sol, Ibiza, Spain; The Village, West Los Angeles, USA; Petrax Studio, Hollola, Finland; Rudolfinum, Prague, Czech Republic, Finnvox Studios, Helsinki, Finland; Remote Control Productions, Santa Monica, USA; Fusão Estúdios, San Paulo, Brazil; Sound Development AG, Zurich, Swiss; Jojo Music Studios, Stuttgart, Germany.
Mixed at Remote Control Productions, Santa Monica, USA.
Today in 2007 Nifelheim released the album Envoy of Lucifer
Dals Långed, Sweden Black/Thrash Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1990-Present
Nifelheim was formed in 1990 by Tyrant (bass/guitar), Demon (drums) and Hellbutcher (vocals). Soon they were also joined by guitarist Morbid Slaughter. Around New Years 92/93 the band made their first recording and released the legendary landmark of metal - "Unholy Death Demo". Reviewers were shocked! Nifelheim delivered music unheard of since the glory days of Venom, Hellhammer, Bathory and early Mayhem. Great reviews in mags and a massive underground word of mouth got the record labels interested.
The band signed with Necropolis Records and in 1994, after kicking out Morbid Slaughter they entered Studio Fredman to record their self titled debut album. The band is still banned from that studio... John Zweetsloot and Jon Nodtveidt from Dissection joined in to play guitar on the album that thoroughly crushed all competition. 1996 saw the band record a Vulcano-cover (featuring Goat ex. Satanized) on vocals for the Headbanger's Against Disco 7" series as well as participate on the Gummo movie soundtrack released by Polygram/London records.
In 1997 they recorded their second album - The Devil's Force. Once again a devastating blow to everything wimpy in the metal scene and once again with help by John & Jon. Of course it was greeted with great reviews worldwide, as Nifelheim once again showed how black metal was (and still is for that matter) supposed to be played! When the time had come to record a new album, Nifelheim discovered they had outgrown current label Necropolis Records, and therefore chose to go their own way, to get get a record company that could handle their demands in their evergoing mission to conquer the world.
After spending time out to write new songs, record tracks for Bathory and Motorhead tributes, look for a drummer, the band returned to the studio in March 2000 to work on their third release - Servants Of Darkness on new record label Black Sun Records. Their most brilliant piece of work to date! In May 2001 the band finally got a full line up and played their first gig ever as headliners at the 2heavy4you festival in Sweden. Since then Nifelheim have done a couple of deadly concerts in Europe to spread total death!
Regain Records
Hellbutcher Vocals, Songwriting
Tyrant Bass, Songwriting
Vengance from Beyond Guitars
Apocalyptic Desolator Guitars
Insulter of Jesus Christ! Drums
Guest/Session
Set Teitan Vocals (backing)
1. Infernal Flame of Destruction 04:14
2. Evocation of the End 02:18
3. Gates of Damnation 04:31
4. Claws of Death 05:02
5. Storm of the Reaper 04:15
6. Envoy of Lucifer 03:27
7. Evil Is Eternal 03:59
8. Raging Flames 04:18
9. Belial's Prey 04:24
10. No More Life 07:33
44:01
LP released in early 2008, first press limited to 500 copies. Comes in gatefold cover.
Recording information:
Recorded strictly analogue between the period of May 4 until June 28, 2007 at Ace Tone Studios, Stockholm.
Mastered at Tailormaid Mastering Studio, Stockholm August 4, 2007.
Today in 2007 Necromantia released the album The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven
Athens, Attica,Greece Black Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1989-present
Necromantia is probably Greece's most well-known black metal bands, as well as the main home for Magus Daoloth, arguably the most popular Greek metal figure of all time and who seemingly has had his hands in practically every other Greek band of note, as well as being of the guys in charge of the Black Lotus record label. The band essentially exists as a duo with various session players filling out the album lineups.
1. The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven 02:36 instrumental
2. Order of the Black Sphinx 05:55
3. For the Elder Magi: I - Eibon the Necromancer 07:07
4. Architecture of Exquisite Madness 04:54
5. Knights of the Black and White Eagle 05:25
6. The Invisible Empire 05:15
7. Hellseher 05:45
8. Les Litanies de Satan - Act II: From Hell 04:51
41:48
All music, orchestrations by Necromantia.
All lyrics by Necromantia except "Les Litanies de Satan - Act II: From Hell" (taken from "La-Bas" by J.K. Huysmans, translation by Brendan King, alterations by The Magus).
Recording information:
Recorded and mixed at Hell's Kitchen studio during July - October 2007.
Today in 2007 Gamma Ray released the album Land of the Free II
Hamburg,Germany Power/Speed Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1989-present
Gamma Ray ranks alongside Helloween and Blind Guardian as the most popular, and most influential, of the German speed/power metal bands playing today. The similarities between Gamma Ray and Helloween are, of course, not coincidental, as GR founder Kai Hansen played in Helloween in their formative years, leaving after that band's Keeper Of The Seven Keys pair of albums to pursue his own path. Originally he recruited Rob Halford soundalike Ralf Scheepers to sing, but Kai later decided he wanted to sing himself, as he did on the earlier Helloween albums.
Steamhammer
Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar
Henjo Richter - guitars, keyboards
Dirk Schlächter - bass
Dan Zimmermann - drums
Guest/Session
Lara Möller Vocals (choirs)
Wendy Teyssier Vocals (choirs)
Milan Schlächter Vocals (choirs)
Nadine Nottbohm Vocals (choirs)
Henning Basse Vocals (choirs)
1. Into the Storm (3:47)
2. From the Ashes (5:26)
3. Rising Again (0:27)
4. To Mother Earth (5:11)
5. Rain (5:16)
6. Leaving Hell (4:20)
7. Empress (6:22)
8. When the World (5:44)
9. Opportunity (7:14)
10. Real World (5:42)
11. Hear Me Calling (4:14)
12. Insurrection (11:33)
Total Time: 65:16
All songs arranged by Gamma Ray.
Recorded between May & September 2007 at High Gain Recording Studios, Hamburg.
Drums recorded by Tommy Newton
Mixed and mastered by Tommy Newton at Area 51 Studio, Celle.
Cover painting by Hervé Monjeaud.
Japanese bonus track:
13. Blood Religion (live version) (08:11) - recorded in Montreal, later released on "Hell Yeah!!! The Awesome Foursome" live album.
A video was made for "Into the Storm".
Land of the Free II is the ninth full length studio album by Gamma Ray. It was released on November 16, 2007 in Germany, November 19 in Europe, November 21 in Japan and January 15, 2008 for North America. To promote Land of the Free II, Gamma Ray joined Helloween on the 2007/08 Hellish Rock Tour. The song "Into the Storm" is available on the band's MySpace page and its music video on YouTube.
The first-edition CD, released as a Digipak, was limited to 30,000 copies.
