Minggu, 19 Oktober 2008

Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine

Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, formed in 1996 by Carcass guitarist Michael Amott along with Johan Liiva, both originally from the influential death metal band Carnage. The band has released seven studio albums, a live album (Burning Japan Live 1999), two DVDs and three EPs. The band was originally fronted by Johan Liiva; frontwoman Angela Gossow joined as lead vocalist in 2001. Arch Enemy, the brainchild of Michael Amott (Carcass, Carnage and Spiritual Beggars) was originally assembled when Michael Amott left Carcass. Guitarists Michael Amott and younger brother Christopher Amott (Armageddon) joined forces with vocalist Johan Liiva (ex-Carnage, Furbowl, Furbowl|Devourment) and then-session drummer Daniel Erlandsson (Eucharist) in what Michael Amott called "an attempt to merge melody with aggression and technicality."
The band's debut, entitled Black Earth, was released by the now defunct Wrong Again Records in 1996. It obtained a fair amount of success in Japan, achieving MTV rotation with their first single "Bury Me an Angel", as well as moderate success in Sweden. At this point, Arch Enemy was more of a "solo effort" than a full band: Michael Amott wrote all the songs himself, and even played bass guitar on the album, contrary to the album's liner notes, which listed vocalist Johan Liiva as handling bass duties. Amott later revealed that he had the credits listed that way to make the album seem more of a "band" effort. Many consider it to be the band's most aggressive album, a trait that was softened to some degree on its following releases, but never abandoned.

Tracks
# "Enter the Machine" – 2:02
# "Taking Back My Soul" – 4:35
# "Nemesis" – 4:12
# "My Apocalypse" – 5:25
# "Carry the Cross" – 4:12
# "I Am Legend / Out for Blood" – 4:58
# "Skeleton Dance" – 4:33
# "Hybrids of Steel" – 3:49
# "Mechanic God Creation" – 5:59
# "Machtkampf" – 4:16
# "Slaves of Yesterday" – 5:01

Details
.. Year: 2005
.. Label: Century Media
.. Country: Sweden
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.archenemy.net/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/archenemy
.. BUY ME: CD Universe
.. BUY ME: http://www.centurymedia.com/us/

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Arch Enemy - Anthems Of Rebellion

Anthems of Rebellion is the fifth studio album by the Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy. It is the second album to feature the vocals of Angela Gossow. This is the only Arch Enemy album to feature clean vocals. The clean vocals were sung by former Arch Enemy vocalist Michael Amott on "End of the Line" and "Dehumanization".
A music video was produced for the album's single, "We Will Rise," which saw moderate airing on Headbanger's Ball and Uranium. It featured a legion of people racing across a beach under a darkened sky. According to the band, one of the participants in the video hurt an ankle considerably in leaping off a large hill but, fortunately, did not sue. A video was also produced for Dead Eyes See No Future, which consisted of a live performance.

Tracks
1. "Tear Down the Walls (Intro)" –0:32
2. "Silent Wars" – 4:15
3. "We Will Rise" – 4:07
4. "Dead Eyes See No Future" – 4:14
5. "Instinct" – 3:37
6. "Leader of the Rats" – 4:21
7. "Exist to Exit" – 5:22
8. "Marching on a Dead End Road" – 1:17
9. "Despicable Heroes" – 2:12
10. "End of the Line" – 3:36
11. "Dehumanization" – 4:15
12. "Anthem" – 0:57
13. "Saints and Sinners" – 4:41

Details
.. Year: 2003
.. Label: Century Media
.. Country: Sweden
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.archenemy.net/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/archenemy
.. BUY ME: http://www.centurymedia.com/us/
.. BUY ME: CD Universe

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Demons & Wizards - Touched By The Crimson King

Demons & Wizards is a power metal band conceived as a side-project of the metal bands Blind Guardian and Iced Earth. It is made up of the vocalist for Blind Guardian, Hansi Kürsch, and the guitarist of Iced Earth, Jon Schaffer. Schaffer writes the music and Kürsch writes the lyrics. The band's line-up during the recording of their first album in 2000 also featured Mark Prator, who was the drummer on a few Iced Earth albums, and Jim Morris doing most of the guitar solos, Morris also having worked with Iced Earth in the past.
The original goal of the band was to forge the different musical styles of both Iced Earth's dark melodies and Blind Guardian's powerful vocals into one sound. In fact, according to the musicians, the band name is meant to describe the two styles: the self-proclaimed demon-like themes and sounds of Iced Earth and wizard-like themes and sounds of Blind Guardian (the moniker "Demons & Wizards" was inspired by Schaffer's wife always referring to him and Hansi as "Demons and Angels". Hansi always corrected her that it is more properly stated "Demons and Wizards", in reference to Uriah Heep's album of the same name). The band met with a fair deal of commercial success, though not as much as either of their individual bands. The idea for the band arose in the spring of 1997 when Kürsch and Schaffer wanted to make music together, after being friends for several years.

Tracks
1. "Crimson King" – 5:47
2. "Beneath These Waves" – 5:12
3. "Terror Train" – 4:46
4. "Seize the Day" – 5:22
5. "The Gunslinger" – 5:15
6. "Love's Tragedy Asunder" – 5:28
7. "Wicked Witch" – 3:32
8. "Dorian" – 6:36
9. "Down Where I Am" – 4:54
10. "Immigrant Song" – 2:28

Details
.. Year: 2005
.. Label: SPV
.. Country: Germany
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.demonsandwizards.de/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/demonswizards
.. BUY ME: CD Universe

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Helloween - Mrs. God

"Mrs. God" is a song by the German power metal band Helloween from their album Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy. The song is about the emancipation of women showing Helloween's sense of humour. It was written by the band's vocalist Andi Deris.

Tracks
1. "Mrs. God" - (2:55) (Deris)
2. "My Life For One More Day (edit version)" - (5:27)(Grosskopf/Deris) (Japan bonus track)
3. "Run (The Name Of Your Enemy)" - (4:11) (Gerstner/Deris)
4. "Mrs. God" (video) (bonus track, Japan)
** This is the Japanese version **

Details
.. Year: 2005
.. Label: Nuclear Blast
.. Country: Germany
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.helloween.org/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/helloween
.. BUY ME: CD Universe

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Royal Hunt - Paper Blood

Royal Hunt is a progressive metal band based in Denmark, founded in 1989 by keyboardist Andre Andersen. The band is known for creating melodic music with a progressive and symphonic flair. They have experienced several lineup changes throughout their history, and have recently acquired singer Mark Boals, who replaced former vocalist John West.

Tracks
- Break Your Chains
- Not my Kind
- Memory Lane
- Never Give Up
- Seven Days
- SK983
- Kiss of Faith
- Paper Blood
- Seasons Change
- Twice Around the World

Details
.. Year: 2005
.. Label: Magna Carta
.. Country: Denmark, Copenhagen
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.royalhunt.com/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/royalhuntmusic
.. BUY ME: Amazon
.. BUY ME: CD Universe

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Starbreaker - Starbreaker

In a word… magnificent!
That’s the first word that comes to mind when I try to describe FRONTIERS RECORDS latest recording artist STARBREAKER. Their self-titled debut release is absolutely astounding. So impressive, in fact, that I venture to say it’s one of the best overall releases I have heard in a long time. The band is fronted by TNT vocalist Tony Harnell whose vocals, as always, are tremendous… but be forewarned, this is not a typical release for this amazing singer. Although still very melodic, this CD is a lot more aggressive and edgier than anything else he has been involved with and should actually appeal to a much more broader audience than just his TNT, WESTWORLD, or MORNING WOOD fans. Part of the reason for this is the presence of producer Fabrizio Grossi who has worked with such artists as HOUSE OF LORDS, GLENN HUGHES and DAVE NAVARRO and also adds his powerful and unique bass playing to the album. Next, we come to guitarist Magnus Karlsson (LAST TRIBE) whose superior guitar playing and song writing ability is the perfect compliment to Tony Harnell. His powerful and gripping style is apparent throughout the CD and really adds a unique blend of melodic, grinding, and vigorous guitar work to every track. Finally, rounding out the band and bringing the whole thing together is veteran drummer John Macaluso who has not only worked with RIOT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, and ARK, but has also backed up Tony before on TNT’s “Realized Fantasies” CD from 1992.
The CD itself is tight to say the least. Lyrically, musically and conclusively, this CD is a richly composed gem, which will satisfy just about any true metal fan. Songs like “Die For You,” “Light At The End of The World,” “Crushed,” and “Lies” are among some of the more stand out tracks on the CD… but don’t get me wrong! There isn’t a throw away track on the CD. Every song is flavorful composition, which truly has to be heard to be experienced and fully appreciated. STARBREAKER’s debut release is yet another jewel in the crown of Tony Harnell and the rest of the band alike. And if you get a chance, there’s some rumor that although originally put together as sort of a side project for these musicians, the band will be performing some shows in support of the release. DO NOT MISS IT if they happen to play near you… who knows if you’ll get this kind of opportunity again!

Tracks
1. Die For You
2. Lies
3. Break My Bones
4. Crushed
5. Days Of Confusion
6. Transparent
7. Light At the End OF The World
8. Cradle To The Grave
9. Underneath A Falling Sky
10. Turn It Off
11. Dragonfly
12. Save Yourself

Details
.. Year: 2005
.. Label: Frontier Records
.. Country: Sweden/USA
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: http://www.lovesdyingwish.com/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/starbreaker
.. BUY ME: Amazon

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Pretty Maids - Offside

Pretty Maids is a heavy metal/AOR band formed in Horsens, Denmark, by Ronnie Atkins and Ken Hammer in 1981. Their sound can defined as something between Europe and Helloween. Over the years Pretty Maids have sold hundreds of thousands of records, but have never broken through in a major way, except locally in Japan during the 90s. They have supported such well known acts as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Saxon, and were also featured at the 1987 German version of Monsters of Rock where Metallica headlined along with Deep Purple.
As of 2007 Pretty Maids are still active, and a new album - Wake Up To The Real World - was released through Frontiers Records on November 10, 2006. The band have been touring their primary markets of Denmark, Sweden and Germany in 2007.

Tracks
1. Heartbeat From Heaven
2. Please Don't Leave Me
3. In the Minds of the Young
4. '39
5. Fly Away

Details
.. Year: 1992
.. Label: Columbia
.. Country: Denmark
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.prettymaids.dk/
.. Last.fm: www.last.fm/music/Pretty+Maids
.. BUY ME: Amazon

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Machine Head - From This Day

Machine Head is an American metal band, formed in 1992 in Oakland, California. Founded by singer and guitarist Robb Flynn and bassist Adam Duce, the band has been plagued by lineup changes since its inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn (vocals, guitar), Duce (bass), Phil Demmel (guitar), and Dave McClain (drums). Machine Head is one of the pioneering bands in the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Machine Head was formed by ex-Vio-lence member Robb Flynn. Flynn felt musically unfulfilled and requested to start a side project. When he was told he couldn't, he left the band and formed Machine Head in 1992 with Adam Duce, Logan Mader and Chris Kontos. Though the band's first album, Burn My Eyes, was a big success, Machine Head later had albums that earned the band accusations of "selling out". The band nearly disbanded in 2002 after its label, Roadrunner Records, dropped them from the roster due to poor album sales and controversy. The band resigned with Roadrunner soon after and have released two albums since then. In 2007, the band released The Blackening, which was seen as a return to form and earned Machine Head its first Grammy Award nomination.

Tracks
1. From This Day (edit)
2. Alcoholocaust
3. House of Suffering

Details
.. Year: 1999
.. Label:
.. Country: USA
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.machinehead1.com/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/machinehead
.. BUY ME: Amazon

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Kataklysm - The Mystical Gate Of Reincarnation

Kataklysm is a Canadian death metal band. They call their musical style "northern hyperblast" after an advertisement in M.E.A.T. magazine describing another band, Fear Factory, as "hyperblast". The term refers to the extremely fast blast beats that Kataklysm's drummer, Max Duhamel, fuses into the music.

Tracks
1. "Frozen in Time (Chapter I: Will Of Suicide)" – 7:23
2. "Mystical Plane of Evil (Chapter II: Enigma Of The Unknown)" – 5:31
3. "Shrine of Life (Chapter III: Reborn Through Death)" – 4:53
4. "The Orb Of Uncreation" – 3:13

Details
.. Year: 1993
.. Label: Nuclear Blast
.. Country: Canada
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.kataklysmrocks.com/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/kataklysm
.. BUY ME: Amazon

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Pretty Maids - Sin-Decade

Pretty Maids have been making music for over 20 years. Formed in 1981 by friends Ken Hammer and Ronnie Atkins, they were initially a cover band but soon started writing their own material and a self-financed demo resulted in a deal with the English record label Bullet Records. In 1983 Bullet Records released a six track EP, and further recognition was fuelled by great reaction to their UK tour the same year. Inevitably the band outgrew their label, and in 1984 signed to CBS Records, who re-released their self titled debut EP.
Their 1984 debut album Red, Hot and Heavy was a success, and the band really hit their stride with 1987's Future World which was recorded in New York with renowned producer Eddie Kramer. This was the album that saw the band define their sound, with typically aggressive rockers alongside more commercial, melodic moments.

Tracks
1. Running Out
2. Who Said Money
3. Nightmare in the Neighbourhood
4. Sin-Decade
5. Come on Tough, Come On
6. Raise Your Flag
7. Credit Card Lover
8. Know It Ain't Easy
9. Healing Touch
10. In the Flesh
11. Please Don't Leave Me

Details
.. Year: 1992
.. Label: Columbia
.. Country: Denmark
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: http://www.prettymaids.dk/
.. Last.fm: www.last.fm/music/Pretty+Maids
.. BUY ME: Amazon

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Machine Head - Supercharger

Machine Head finished touring for The Burning Red, and entered a studio with producer Johnny K to record Supercharger. Debuting at number 115 on the Billboard 200, the album was released on October 2, 2001. The album met the same criticism as The Burning Red, especially for the ever-present rapping vocals. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Borivoj Krgin stated Supercharger "is likely to disappoint everyone who is expecting the Bay Area quartet to return to the ultra-testosterone-charged sounds of their first two albums". Machine Head released a single for "Crashing Around You" as well as a music video. The video was released several weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and was banned from MTV for the depictions of falling buildings. Roadrunner Records, expecting to make a fair profit from album promotions, dropped the band's funding, causing Machine Head to leave the label. At the same time the band was leaving Roadrunner, Luster departed from the band for musical differences. Phil Demmel, who played alongside Flynn in Vio-lence, filled in as a temporary guitarist for several concerts in Europe. To complete contract obligations with Roadrunner, Machine Head released its first live album, Hellalive, which included several tracks with Demmel playing guitar. Although the band departed from the American portion of the label, Machine Head re-signed with Roadrunner International.
After Machine Head's European tour, Demmel returned to his family business and the band started writing together as a three-piece, while leaving a position open for Demmel. In March 2003, Demmel joined Machine Head as a full time guitarist and started writing with the band.

Tracks
1. "Declaration" – 1:11
2. "Bulldozer" – 4:35
3. "White-Knuckle Blackout!" – 3:14
4. "Crashing Around You" – 3:13
5. "Kick You When You're Down" – 4:01
6. "Only the Names" – 6:07
7. "All in Your Head" – 4:05
8. "American High" – 3:48
9. "Brown Acid" – 0:59
10. "Nausea" – 4:23
11. "Blank Generation" – 6:38
12. "Trephination" – 4:58
13. "Deafening Silence" – 5:33
14. "Supercharger" – 3:48
15. "Hole in the Sky" (Black Sabbath cover) - 3:32 [*]
16. "Ten Fold" - 4:52 [*]
17. "The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears [Live]" - 4:34 [*]
18. "Desire to Fire [Live]" - 4:37 [*]

Details
.. Year: 2001
.. Label: Roadrunner
.. Country: USA
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.machinehead1.com/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/machinehead
.. BUY ME: Amazon

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Kataklysm - Sorcery

Kataklysm was formed in 1992. At the beginning of their career they were mostly known for being one of the fastest, most chaotic metal bands. However, their music changed after Sylvain Houde left the band, and bassist/backing vocalist Maurizio Iacono took over Houde's vocal duties, and another full-time bassist was recruited. In 1998, the band released Victims of this Fallen World, an album which was noted as being a change in musical style from previous albums. The following album The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate), however, saw the band return to its previous style, though less chaotic and with a touch of thrash metal.
Drummer Max Duhamel is said to have been forced out of the band because of injuries. Eventually, Duhamel recovered from his injuries and participated on Kataklysm's ninth album, In the Arms of Devastation. Kataklysm's line-up has remained relatively stable compared to many other bands within the metal genre. The band only has one missing original member, Sylvain Houde. Drummers make out most of the band's "former members" list.

Tracks
1. "Sorcery (Kataklysm Part II)" – 4:57
2. "Mould in a Breed (Chapter I: Bestial Propagation)" – 6:13
3. "Whirlwind of the Withered Blossoms (Chapter II: Forgotten Ancestors)" – 5:18
4. "Feeling the Neverworld (Chapter III: An Infinite Transmigration)" – 5:54
5. "Elder God" – 4:00
6. "Garden of Dreams (Chapter I: Supernatural Appearance)" – 5:29
7. "Once... Upon Possession (Chapter II: Legacy of Both Lores)" – 2:38
8. "Dead Zygote (Chapter III: Dethroned Son)" – 5:07
9. "World of Treason (Instrumental Vibrations)" – 6:35

Details
.. Year: 1995
.. Label: Nuclear Blast
.. Country: Canada
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: www.kataklysmrocks.com/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/kataklysm
.. BUY ME: Amazon

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Pretty Maids - Scream

In the Year 2000 the Danish heavy rockers released the album Carpe Diem. A touch more melodic than their previous offerings - a fact that hasn't gone down too well with certain factions of their fan-base, but this is still a classic album which has all the Pretty Maids trademarks in abundance. In 2002, after the WTC attacks, Pretty Maids released their latest album Planet Panic which was a trip back to the heavier sides of their catalogue.In 2003 their management company Rock On went bankrupt due to some very unwise business moves in September 2002. This left Pretty Maids in a very bad financial situation and also left them with a lot of legal problems as well as lot of business and copyright mess. Lead guitarist Ken Hammer was struck by a heart attack on December 6th 2003. He has recovered completely and has been on stage numerous times since the incident. As of July 2005 the drummer since 1991, Michael Fast, decided to leave before the recording of Wake Up To The Real World - an album that was originally intended to be released in 2005, but the initial recordings was postponed to the summer of 2006. In April 2006 new drummer Allan Tschicaja (Royal Hunt, Kingdome Come) was announced as Michael Fast's replacement. In 2006, Morten Sandager (Mercenary) joined Pretty Maids, playing the keyboards.

Tracks
Rise
Scream
Psycho-Time-Bomb-Planet-Earth
This Love
Walk Away
No Messiah
In a World of Your Own
Don't Turn Your Sex on Me
Adrenalin Junkie
Anytime Anywhere

Details
.. Year: 1994
.. Label: Massacre Records
.. Country: Dennark
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: http://www.prettymaids.dk/
.. Last.fm: www.last.fm/music/Pretty+Maids
.. BUY ME: Amazon

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Pretty Maids - Screamin' Live

Tracks
Psyco-Time-Bomb-Planet-Earth
Rock the House
Rise
Walk Away
Scream
Yellow Rain
Sin-Decade
Savage Heart
No Messiah
Please Don't Leave Me
Lovegames
Future World
Red, Hot and Heavy

Details
.. Year: 1995
.. Label: Massacre Records
.. Country: Dennark
.. Bitrate: @ 256 kbps
.. Home-Page: Here!!
.. Last.fm: Here!!
.. BUY ME: Amazon

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Selasa, 07 Oktober 2008

Lacrimas Profundere - Fall, I Will Follow

Lacrimas Profundere is a German gothic metal band spearheaded by guitarist Oliver Nikolas Schmid, whose revolving door lineup rivals even Spinal Tap's (or Jethro Tull's) in terms of multiple musicians over the years. Founded in the Southern Bavarian municipality of Waging am See, circa 1993, Lacrimas Profundere debuted with 1995's ...And the Wings Embraced Us, featuring his brother Christopher Schmid on vocals, plus violinist Anja Hötzendorfer, flautist/keyboard player Eva Stöger, bassist Markus Lapper, and drummer Christian Greisberger. Despite such exotic instrumentation (for heavy metal at least), this and subsequent LPs like ...La Naissance d'un Rêve (1997), Memorandum (1999), and Burning: A Wish (2001), generally ran parallel with the doomy goth of mid-period Anathema, Katatonia and My Dying Bride. By comparison, subsequent efforts like Fall, I Will Follow (2002), Ave End (2004), and Filthy Notes for Frozen Hearts (2006), saw Lacrimas Profundere following in the footsteps of the bands cited above, plus the likes of Tiamat and Moonspell, in leaving many of their metallic tendencies behind in order to embrace more traditional gothic rock wholeheartedly. 2007 also marked the departure of Christopher Schmid -- the last remaining original band member, save his brother -- and the arrival of new singer Rob Vitacca, likely signifying additional changes to Lacrimas Profundere's sound and creative direction in the immediate future.
~ by Eduardo Rivadavia, Allmusic

Tracks
..for bad times
.. adorer two
.. lost
.. i did it for you
.. sear me pale sun
.. the nothingship
.. liquid
.. underyour....
.. ...and her enigma
.. fornever

Details
.. Year: 2002
.. Label: Napalm Records
.. Country: Germany
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.lacrimas.com/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/lacrimasprofundere
.. BUY ME: http://www.lacrimas-profundere.de/shopUK.php
.. BUY ME: http://www.lacrimas-profundere.de/shopUK.php

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Lacrimas Profundere - Memorandum

Tracks
01. Infinity
02. Helplessness
03. ... And How To Drown In Your Arms
04. Black Swans
05. Reminiscence
06. The Crown Of Leaving
07. All Your Radiance ...
08. The Embrace And The Eclipse
09. The Fate Of Equilibrium

Details
.. Year: 1999
.. Label: Napalm Records
.. Country: Germany
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.lacrimas.com/
.. MySpace: Here!!
.. BUY ME: http://www.lacrimas-profundere.de/shopUK.php
.. BUY ME: http://www.lacrimas-profundere.de/shopUK.php

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Lacrimas Profundere - Burning, A Wish

Germany's expansive Lacrimas Profundere have spilled forth an atmospheric, melancholic splattering of dark colors to the painted frame of metal. Staying true to their North European doom roots (à la early Theatre of Tragedy), the sextet has entered into the progressive doorways of gloom, currently transversed by the likes of Anathema, Katatonia, Entwine, and scant few others worth mentioning. Clearly, though, it is the aforementioned British dark rockers, Anathema, that Lacrimas have endeared themselves to, almost religiously, as each song is almost a reminiscent cavalcade of previous Anathema recordings. Especially prevalent are the Vincent Cavanaugh-esque vocals of Christopher Schmid, which permeate strikingly in the heart of each track, showcasing an impressive palette for such a young crooner. Whether it is the "Silent Enigma" rasps heard on "Solicitude, Silence" -- complete with the doom-laden musical craftsmanship "Silent Enigma" is notorious for -- or the desperately downtrodden Vincent Cavanaugh-meets-Aaron Stainthorpe-from-My Dying Bride tone of "A Summer's End," Anathema's influence is abundant. Add a touch of ethereal female vocals to accentuate the psychedelic doom tones, as in "2 Sec. and a Tear" or the "Eternity"-sounding, aptly titled opener "Melantroduction," and Lacrimas serve an appetizing musical dish every devotee of all things beautifully melancholic will swallow up. Sparse, shoegazer-ish Katatonia (circa "Discouraged Ones") guitars bring simplistic tracks like "Without" to lush, transcendent life. In fact, the whole album carries incredible weight with it, careful never to overindulge in musicality, sacrificing fierce showmanship for even more violent and blinding emotional pull. The guitarists provide feedback-driven, down-tuned walls of sound, as the rhythm section holds a patient, somber pace for the vocals to sound more stunningly painful. Not to be outdone is keyboardist Christian Steiner, who sneakily absorbed Paradise Lost's piano intro from "Enchantment" and crafted some fine original music for "Morning...Grey," which features a more prominent presence of female vocals -- enough to make any British doomster smile with glee. All this aside, one cannot go further without mentioning the standout track, "Adorer and Somebody." At first, the soaring chorus might seem flat or bitterly controlled, but upon initial listening, it becomes an enchanting journey through a subdued emotional explosion of loving remembrance. Christian's vocals weave together with the quiet female vocals quite erotically, as they yearn through the chorus, "and when you weep, I understand what you mean to me/I break into and for a while I die." Truly magical and subtle -- something missing from today's overt flashy metal scene. Props should go to Napalm for the impressive packaging and tasteful cover (a far cry from Napalm's recent string of notoriously nude or tasteless covers) of dark, grayish blues set against what appears to be a close-up of flowers. "Burning" is worth seeking out at all costs -- probably the finest release Napalm has put out in the past few years, and Lacrimas seem to be heading down the most fruitful of creative paths, as their future looks gloomily bright.
~ by Jason Hundey, Allmusic

Tracks
.. Melantroduction
.. Without
.. Adorer And Somebody
.. A Summer's End
.. Solicitude, Silence
.. 2 Sec. And A Tear
.. Lastdance
.. Morning... Grey
.. Diotima
.. Re-Silence

Details
.. Year: 2001
.. Label: Napalm Records
.. Country: Germany
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.lacrimas.com/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/lacrimasprofundere
.. BUY ME: http://www.lacrimas-profundere.de/shopUK.php
.. BUY ME: http://www.lacrimas-profundere.de/shopUK.php

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Destruction - Metal Discharge

Destruction was formed as "Knight of Demon" in Lörrach, Germany in 1982. The original line-up featured vocalist and bassist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer, drummer Tommy Sandmann, and guitarist Mike Sifinger. They soon changed their name to "Destruction" and released a demo titled Bestial Invasion of Hell in 1984. After this the group signed with Steamhammer Records and released an EP titled Sentence Of Death later that year.
Destruction released their first full-length album titled Infernal Overkill in 1985, followed by Eternal Devastation in 1986, Release from Agony in 1988, and Cracked Brain in 1990. In 1989, Marcel Schirmer was asked to leave the band due to creative differences and the group underwent a period of commercial deterioration. During the grunge explosion during the early to mid 1990s, the band lost their record label support and had to self-release and produce their own albums. In 1999, Schirmer rejoined and things began to look up for the band as they signed a record deal with Nuclear Blast. They then released three more albums; All Hell Breaks Loose in 2000, The Antichrist in 2001, and Metal Discharge in 2003. The band would then sign with AFM Records and release Inventor of Evil in 2005. The band's latest album, D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N., is to be released in August 2008. In early 2009 Destruction is scheduled to tour around North America.
Another album by Germany's long-running thrash legend. 'Metal Discharge' follows their previous two efforts. This is the US edition featuring a whopping seven bonus tracks, including cover versions of Iron Maiden, Metallica and The Exploited, plus four demo tracks.

Tracks
CD -- 1
.. the ravenous beast
.. metal discharge
.. rippin' the flesh apart
.. fear of the moment
.. mortal remains
.. desecrators of the new age
.. historical force feed
.. savage symphony of terror
.. made to be broken
.. vendetta

CD -- 2
.. killers (iron maiden)
.. whiplash (metallica)
.. u.s.a. (The Exploited)
.. bestial invasion (demo version '99)
.. the butcher strikes back (demo version '99)
.. nailed to the cross (demo '01)
.. metal discharge (demo '03)

Details
.. Year: 2003
.. Label: Nuclear Blast
.. Country: Germany
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.destruction.de/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/officialdestruction
.. BUY ME: CD Universe
.. BUY ME: n/a

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Faith And The Muse - Evidence of Heaven

Monica Richards, a native of Washington, DC, is a musician/artist/poet/scholar. She met William Faith in 1993 when her band, Strange Boutique, opened for Shadow Project in Norfolk, VA. Before starting Faith and the Muse, both had had experience in the gothic rock and post-punk culture of the '80s. Richards had sung for the band Strange Boutique, while Faith had performed with gothic/death rock icons Shadow Project, Christian Death, Mephisto Walz, and Sex Gang Children. Faith and the Muse was started in 1993 with Richards and Faith exchanging tapes while Richards was still living on the east coast. Shortly thereafter she moved to Los Angeles where the duo is still based. They recorded their debut album 'Elyria' in March 1994. Not content to sit on their laurels, the duo followed this up in 1995 with the concept album 'Annwyn, Beneath The Waves', a concept album based round Welsh mythology. The band would follow this up with an extensive touring schedule, playing with both with guest musicians as a full line-up and as an acoustic duo - the latter tour documented on the 'Vera Causa' album in 2001.
Their third album 'Evidence of Heaven', released in 1999, marked the end of the first creative phase of Faith and the Muse. They then modernised both their image and their overall sound, the result appearing on their 2003 album 'The Burning Season' - their first on Metropolis Records. Over the last ten years, they have toured extensively in mainland America and central Europe, and performed at major alternative events such as the Convergence (goth festival) 13 (usa) and The Whitby Gothic Weekend X (England). Their live performances feature a full band with a rotating line-up of live musicians.
Outside of the band, Faith and Richards are permaculture designers who are actively working to retrofit their home into a practical example of a sustainable suburban homestead.

Tracks
.. joy
.. scars flown proud
.. shattered in aspect
.. chorus of the furies
.. patience worth
.. dead leaf echo
.. haunted palace in 3 acts - porphyrogene
.. haunted palace in 3 acts - through the pale door
.. haunted palace in 3 acts - and laugh but smile no more
.. haunted palace in 3 acts - plague dance
.. haunted palace in 3 acts - denn die todten reiten schnell
.. haunted palace in 3 acts - importune me no more
.. haunted palace in 3 acts - reine la belle
.. haunted palace in 3 acts - old souls

Details
.. Year: 1999
.. Label: Neue Ästhetik Multimedia / Metropolis Records
.. Country: U.S.A.
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.mercyground.com/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/faithandthemuse
.. BUY ME: www.metropolis-records.com/artists/?artist=faith
.. BUY ME: www.metropolis-records.com/artists/?artist=faith

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Ill Nino - Confession

Ill Nino's second album, "Confession," is a much more personal album than their debut. Combining metal and Latin influences (I know this sounds strange, but trust me it works), this band has successfully produced melodic, heavy and beautiful songs. While I feel this is their most personal work, I don't like it as much as their previous album, "Revolution Revolucion." However, it's a treat to see that they didn't recycle that album and have come out with a newer and different sound while still maintaining a dark and heavy approach.
This is a really talented band on the metal scene, as they take their music to different levels. Their sound is very unique and they never sound like they're repeating the same old thing over and over again. The lead singer knows how to growl and sing with the best of them, and the guitars are absolutely amazing. What it all comes down to is that Ill Nino is a band with extremely talented people. It's clear that these guys always have different ideas going around, and they use that to their advantage. People who are more familiar with their debut may be a little let down by this album, as it isn't nearly as heavy. Don't get me wrong, the album is still very heavy, just not as much as "Revolution Revolucion." I really love the sound of this album and was not let down, although I can't honestly say that I prefer this album over the previous one. I can pretty much listen to the whole CD in its entirety, but I find myself skipping to my favorites rather than just letting the entire album play all the way through for the most part. The only downside of this album is that I don't find it has that punch or intensity as their first release, and it's not because of the different sound. Despite that, I still think it's a great album. My favorite songs are "te amo... I hate you," "how can I live," "unframed," "letting go," "two," "cleansing," "re-birth," "this time's for real," and "when it cuts." The one song I really dislike is "numb." It doesn't fit in with the rest of the album, and I always find myself skipping over it. In time, I may grow to like it. It has happened in the past. I just don't like the song right now. Other than that, I enjoy the rest of the songs.
"Confession" is a fine album from a group that has once again shown great promise. There's a lot of growth within this album, even though I feel that it isn't as powerful or as memorable as their debut. Ill Nino knows how to make great music and I look forward to seeing what they have planned next. If you're a fan of Ill Nino, then this is something to check out. If you haven't heard Ill Nino yet, then I strongly suggest picking up a copy of "Revolution Revolucion" and then checking out "Confession." Not a bad effort, if you ask me. I hope to see further progress from them in the near future. -Michael Crane

Tracks
.. te amo - i hate you
.. how can i live
.. two (vaya con dios)
.. unframed
.. cleansing
.. this time's for real
.. lifeless life
.. numb
.. have you ever felt
.. when it cuts
.. letting go
.. all the right words
.. re-birth
.. how can i live (spanish version)

Details
.. Year: 2003
.. Label: Roadrunner Records
.. Country: U.S.A.
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.myspace.com/illnino
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/illnino
.. BUY ME: Amazon
.. BUY ME: Roadrunner

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Deathstars - Synthetic Generation

With their debut-album "Synthetic Generation", Deathstars immediately made a name for themselves as an act that combined the attitude of the extreme metal underground with a more modern and dynamic expression than other dark rock acts. Both singles/videos - "Synthetic Generation" and "Syndrome" rotated hard on music- tv- and radio- channels all over the world and the success was of course followed by tours and festival-gigs. The debut was released by LED Recordings/Universal Music and Nuclear Blast outside of Scandinavia, but the band has now signed an european deal directly with the German based label Nuclear Blast.
"When the dark does what the dark does best - it's darkness! Let the dark do what the dark does best - let it be darkness!"
"CYANIDE"

Tracks
01. Semi-Automatic
02. Synthetic Generation
03. New Dead Nation
04. Syndrome
05. Modern Death
06. Little Angel
07. The Revolution Exodus
08. Damn Me
09. The Rape of Virtue
10. Genocide
11. No Light to Shun

Details
.. Year: 2002
.. Label: LED/S-56
.. Country: Sweden
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.deathstars.net/
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/deathstars
.. BUY ME: http://www.deathstars.net/includes/frame_table.php?page=shop&function=start
.. BUY ME: n/a

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Anathema - A Natural Disaster

Three years ago, Liverpool's former power metal act Anathema issued A Fine Day To Exit, a wildly experimental change in direction from their gloriously punishing doom excesses. The set was a lushly produced nod to bands who explored the melodic fringes of dark, futuristic rock & roll -- Radiohead, Coldplay. While it took off from the tempered strategies of Judgement and proved an interesting ride, it ultimately failed to captivate not only the band's faithful, but also to win any new fans; it was lost in its excesses and unclear in its direction. On A Natural Disaster, Anathema looks down the road further, this time glancing back once in awhile to its strengths, and hones its focus. The end result is the quartet's finest outing since Eternity, which it touches upon in its quest for emotionally expressive music that doesn't shun experimentation, with the lush textures of keyboards and spatial ambiences, but embraces them as part of an expansive, gripping, and all-encompassing rock sound. This is the kind of genre-toppling ambition that Radiohead has been seeking to fulfill for a couple of years (how odd that something they inspired is the very thing they cannot seem to grasp) where a marriage between the textures and esthetics of Pink Floyd meet the modern weariness of British Isles melancholy, and the deep melodic richness of after-it's-over pop. "Are You There" with its gorgeous female backing vocals traipsing through Vincent Cavanagh's resigned, yet yearning croon is buoyed by keyboards, mirage-like single string guitar lines, and airy echo chambers, which open onto a vista that is open and broken, where guitars and drums skitter and shimmer in the muggy warmth of its grief-wrenched body. The gurgling electric piano that ushers in "Balance" is merely the warning shot before a thudding drum allows Cavanagh's vocals to soar and swoop -- á la Thom Yorke at his most expressive and unpretentious -- all before a bank of whispering keyboards opens out onto a wail of guitar fury complete with overdriven riffs. The vocoders in "Closer" might be disconcerting for a moment, until they are woven into a braid of ethereally heavy atmospherics where Danny Cavanagh's guitars course through the middle, lifting up everything in their path. The feminine Celtic blues of Leon Douglas on the title track allows the vocalist a languid space in the wondrously silky, yet bleakly seductive din woven by the Cavanagh Brothers' guitars. Simply put, these Liverpudlians know how to make a dark rock album; it's full of alienation, honest emotion, tense, suffocating theater, and stunningly beautiful textures. These are songs of longing, separation, loss, and blissed-out agony, played by a band who have arrived at single-pointed concentration and turn their heaviness inside out, never forsaking it, yet weaving it seamlessly into a new incarnation that would win legions of new "alterna-rock" fans, if the punters were given a chance to hear it. Misery has never sounded this beautiful.
~ by Thom Jurek, Allmusic.com

Tracks
1. "Harmonium" – 5:28
2. "Balance" – 3:58
3. "Closer" – 6:20
4. "Are You There?" – 4:59
5. "Childhood Dream" – 2:10
6. "Pulled Under at 2000 Metres per Second" – 5:23
7. "A Natural Disaster" – 6:27
8. "Flying" – 5:57
9. "Electricity" – 3:51
10. "Violence" – 10:45

Details
.. Year: 2003
.. Label: Music For Nations
.. Country: England
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.listen.to/anathema
.. MySpace: www.myspace.com/weareanathema
.. BUY ME: Amazon
.. BUY ME: CD Universe (www.cduniverse.com)

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Crystal Ball - Hellvetia

Finally, a long wait is over; finally I got my hand on the new Crystal Ball album, "HELLvetia".
Since I heard their last effort, "Virtual Empire" for the fist time, I've been stuck in their music, and Mark Sweeney is a wonderful singer and his voice is bewitching.
I can't count every time I have got goose pimples when I heard great songs like, "Private Visitor", "Am I Free?" or "Hands of God". So the biggest issue before this release, will "Crystal Ball" keep up the good work they have done with the their past releases? Well, "HELLvetia" is no "Virtual Empire" that's for sure, but it's not easy to follow up a release like that. But it is a really good album, no doubt about that and Mark is as wonderful as always. And I know, after just a hand full of listening, that this album is going to be played a lot in my stereo.
"HELLvetia" is "Crystal Ball's" 4th full-length album and not the best, but the most solid one.
It starts with the title song, "HELLvetia" a really nice hymn, with a wonderful intro with birds and a nice little tune with some Swiss "jojking". And then does a lot of great songs follow, songs like "Forever And Eternally", which is one of the best on this release, but it don't have the bewitching effect that "Private Visitor" from "Virtual Empire" have. And the songs "My Life", "Opposites Attract", "Last Dance", Pictures of Love" & "Bird on a Wire". Yes, a lot of great Melodic songs, that surely will get to your head, but I still miss the "Private Visitor" follow up, but I'll have to do the best of it and listen to "HELLvetia" a lot of times more, maybe is it hiding somewhere on the album? This is still a solid release and I'm not disappointed with it, not even a little, it's just that's this one don't have THE song as many albums have today, and as I like very much, that there is one song, better than all the others that won't leave your head, never. But I guess I have to be satisfied with "Private Visitor" from the last release, and enjoy this one as much as possible, and that's gonna be easy with a solid album like this. For all of you that have missed these great Swiss guys, check them out; this is a nice Metal band, Melodic Metal, or Hardrock, chouse for your self. Luckily the labels have found them, 'cause I guess that a big label like Nuclear Blast should sign them if they didn't believe in them. And I believe in "Crystal Ball" too, 'cause I know that they will release a great release after a great release for me. Killing Songs: "Forever And Eternally", "My Life" & "Bird on a Wire" are the only that is better than someone else; otherwise it's a really solid album.
~ written by Malcolm

Tracks
01. HELLvetia
02. Forever And Eternally
03. My Life
04. Opposites Attract
05. Last Dance
06. Want It All
07. One Day At A Time
08. Pictures Of Love
09. Misery Needs Company
10. Bird On A Wire
11. Wasn't It Love
12. Seeing Is Believing [bonus]

Details
.. Year: 2003
.. Label: Nuclear Blast
.. Country: Switzerland
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.crystal-ball.ch/
.. MySpace: n/a
.. BUY ME: n/a
.. BUY ME: n/a

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Crystal Ball - Hard Impact

Tracks
1. Reincarnation
2. Soul Mate
3. Won't Bite
4. FM
5. Own Way
6. Queen of the Night
7. Crystal Ball
8. Never Surrender
9. Shine On
10. Step by Step
11. Passion
12. Stare at the Sun

Details
.. Year:
.. Label:
.. Country: Switzerland
.. Bitrate: VBR
.. Home-Page: www.crystal-ball.ch/
.. MySpace: n/a
.. BUY ME: CD Universe
.. BUY ME: Circuit City




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