JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 24/3/08

 

 

STORMWARRIOR / HEADING NORTHE

 

And it came to pass that the band of brother in Metal, (know as Stormwarrior) set out on their 3rd voyage to conquer the Metal world in the name of the mighty Odin.  All enemies who heard their battle hymn’s were slain, as their sound was as powerful as a blow from the great Thor’s hammer and just as devastating, when others heard them, they were so moved they joined the Stormwarrior’s in their quest, not even Lokki possessed enough cunning to deter the Metal horde from their chosen task.  Their hearts were lifted when they listened to the tales of the elders that they sang about, songs such as “Metal Legacy”, “Iron Gods”, “Lions Of The North” and battle hymn “Remember The Oath”, the songs were so loud that they echoed in the great hall of Valhalla and the Gods Of Metal were pleased.  The tales of the Stormwarrior spread throughout the land and soon their will not be a soul alive or dead who does not know Stormwarrior’s name for they will continue travelling into the unknown until Ragnarok and the frost giants return.  So it is written, so it shall be done, in the name of Odin in the year known generally as two thousand and eight.

 

VISIT  http://www.stormwarrior.de/ for further enlightenment and tales of courage and bravery.

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 45 mins + 11 EPIC TRACKS

 

 

ZIMMERS HOLE / WHEN YOU WERE SHOUTING AT THE DEVIL…WE WERE IN LEAGUE WITH SATAN

 

Humour in Metal has been tried before, with varying degrees of success, Spinal Tap, Bad News and to some extent Wednesday 13 but for me most of the Metal content wasn’t real enough, apart from Wednesday 13th, until now that is with Zimmers Hole this could all change.

 

With Zimmers Hole the music is the main element and not the humour and when I tell you that the guitarist and bassist are both in Devin Townsend’s band Strapping Yong Lad you know its going to be good, if you’re not in the know if could easily taken as if it was real, which for me makes it even more interesting, as all the songs work on several different levels.  Songs like the lengthy for example, is a direct reference to Motley Crue and Venom but if you don’t know this it still works as a kick ass Metal song, second to none, “Hair Doesn’t Grow On Steel” is a very fine pastiche of the Real Metal genre that is so good it rivals anything that Manowar has done for quit6e some time, ”Devil’s Mouth” and “Flight Of The Knight Bat” are just as heavy but have that tongue in cheek humour that just add to the enjoyment and you can still enjoy the crushing riff and vocal screams on a normal level.

 

This is without doubt one of the most interesting CD’s its been my pleasure to listen to and I’m sure it will continue to make me smile for many a year as the band say in their song “We Rule The Fu**ing Land” and I for none am not going to argue with them, after all they are in with the boss.  You have to hear this and buy it as well, also listen out for; “1312”, “Fista Corpse” and “What’s My Name……Evil”.

 

WESITE         http://www.zimmershole.com/ & http://www.centurymedia.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 40 mins (Not Enough( + 11 TRACKS

 

 

IN FLAMES / A SENSE OF PUPROSE

 

Swedish Melodic Death Metal band In Flames return with another stunning album, they are one of the originators of the Gothenburg sound as such have now got this down to a fine art, with great riffs, and solid rhythms all under pinned with a sound sense of melody that helps to raise their songs about the bench mark.

 

There are no great surprise’s on this album just really great music that deserves to be heard songs like “Alias” demonstrate perfectly  what the band is all about, good songs that have a great sense of Melody and dynamics but know when to let rip with the crushing riffs like “Sleepless Again” or “I’m The Highway” demonstrate.  The tack “The Chosen Pessimist” is a lengthy 8 minutes plus song that stars off slowly and builds to an excellent, anthemic riff that has plenty of dynamics and has a rather nice symphonic backing in it as well.

 

If you like In Flames you will love this and I would be very surprised if this does not win them new fans, world domination can only be round the corner.  Listen out for: “The Mirror’s Truth”, “Sober And Irrelevant”, “Disconnected” and “Drenched In Fear” all of which are essential tunes.

 

WBSITE         http://www.inflames.com/ & http://www.nuclearblast.de/

 

TOTAL PLAYHING TIME = 49 mins + 12 TRACKS