JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 3/12/07

 

PRIMORDIAL / FOR THE NAMELESS DEAD

 

Primordial are an Irish band and their songs are epic, dark, moody, and evocative, which makes their brand of Pagan Death Metal sound all that much richer and gives them an almost organic, Folkish feel to them.

 

The sheer Metallic Power of “Empire Falls” is undeniable but the way the song is structured and the style of the melodies used throughout give it that mournful, reflective Celtic feel that is so unmistakable, like a mountain stream cascading over the rocks and being thrown in all directions.  Tracks like “No Nation On Earth” and “As Rome Burns” are just as enticing and take time to explore their musical potential and with a song title like “Gamow’s Hymn” you know what its going to sound like.

 

Overall this is a very powerful, different and interesting album that deserves your attention and if your looking for something that is out of you usual listening habits, this is a very good place to start.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.primordialweb.com/ & http://www.metalblade.de/

 

DOWNLOAD            “Empire Falls”

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 55 mins + 8 TRACKS

 

 

20 YEARS OF NUCLEAR BLAST / VARIOUS

 

This is an awesome compilation to celebrate Nuclear Blast’s 20 years in the business  of bringing Metal to the masses across the globe, over the years they have brought many a new band to the world of Metal and this compilation is huge by any standard.

 

There are 70 tracks across 4 CD’s and bring at least one track by every band on the current roster from old favourites like In Flames, Hypocrisy, Anthrax, Darkane, Soilwork, Dimmu Borgir and Exodus to newer bands like Ride The Sky, Scar Symmetry All Shall Perish, Deathstars and Sonic Syndicate and new signings like Nile, Threshold, Candlemass and my personal favourite Cathedral, all the tracks are killers and not one filler across the compilation and there is a version of this that has 2 DVD’s with it as well all for the price of a standard CD.

 

This is the ideal Xmas present for any serious Metal fan and would be welcome in any Christmas stocking and it’s a fine way to finish of the years long celebration of 20 years of Germany’s best label.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.nuclearblast.de/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 5 HOURS + 70 TRACKS, 4 CD’S

 

 

GAMMA RAY / LAND OF THE FREE II

 

It was 1988 when guitarist Kai Hansen split from the hugely successful Helloween and 19 years later the German Power Metal band are still going strong, unlike Helloween their albums have been consistently good and I fro one always look forward the hearing a new one.

 

The original Land Of The Free album came out in 1995 and was a concept album and 12 years later Gamma Ray decided to record a sequel and I have to say to my ears its just as good and if anything the music is better.  The CD kicks off in fine style with the thunderous “Into the Storm”, which sets the pace and show that the band are in no mood to take prisoners.  The 2^nd track “From The Ashes” is just as good and sound not unlike Iron Maiden at their best, “Leaving Hell” and the more commercial “Hear Me Calling” and “Rain” are pure Power Metal at its best and show Gamma Ray at their best.  The album concludes with an 11 minute epic called “Insurrection” that is Gamma Ray at their very best.

 

The CD is full of Modern Metal with high quality material and proves that Euro Metal is alive and kicking, look out for a tour very soon you know it will be good.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.gamma-ray.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 65 Mins  + 12 STUNNIUNG TRACKS