“Hall Of Flames” by Edguy

Artist: EdGuy
Title: “Hall Of Flames”
Label: Locomotive Records
Release Date: 9/13/2005
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 8/10

If you are keeping yourself from following the major players in Heavy Metal these days you are probably still missing out on EdGuy. However if you have been smart and following the times you will already be well aware of this German Power Metal act led by Tobias Sammett. Since 1995 the band has been releasing well-crafted Metal to the listener and this 2 CD collection “Hall Of Flames” focuses on the music on the AFM Records label. My first exposure to EdGuy was on the live release “Burning Down The Opera” and at the time their music was difficult to get in the USA. Now that the group is on Nuclear Blast Records we have seen their latest efforts a little easier. This partnership with Locomotive Music and AFM allows potential fans the chance to absorb some of their earlier material. In addition to some classic tracks the band also gives you rarities, unreleased gems, live tracks and two videos. 21 songs in all make this a worthy compilation even without the added video clips.
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Therion @ B.B. King Blues Club (9/14/2005)

Logo - Therion

Artist: Therion
Venue: B.B. King Blues Club (New York, NY)
Opener: Beyond The Embrace
Date: 9/14/2005
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

It was only recently that I first heard the music of Therion and I was excited to discover that they were coming to perform for the very first time in the USA as a headliner. One of the stops on the tour would be a show at the one and only B.B. King Blues Club. I have lost count of the amount of great shows this venue has had over the course of the year and this one will definitely add to it. New York City always seems to be a highlight of any bands tour and even more so when it is their first time to the Country ever. Therion was scheduled to play as headliner for one of the nights of the popular ProgPower USA Festival.
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“Kings Of Damnation: Era 1998-2004” by Black Label Society

Artist: Black Label Society
Title: “Kings Of Damnation: Era 1998-2004”
Label: Spitfire Records
Release Date: 10/4/2005
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 8/10

Even though Zakk Wylde has left the Spitfire Records family he did release a total of seven albums under their banner. Five of these were with Black Label Society and the other two are Pride & Glory and Book Of Shadows. Resulting from that partnership was a lot of great guitar laden Metal and it spawned a legion of supporters for Zakk. It was a smart move of Spitfire to offer the fans a compilation based on these albums and it’s the perfect introduction to you should you be interested in knowing more about Black Label Society if you have not already been exposed to them. The material that Black Label Society doles out is pure and simple aggressive Metal. Their music trudges along with Doom-like qualities and has some similarity to Black Sabbath in riffing. Perhaps a lot of the BLS sound was influenced by all of the years Zakk worked along side Ozzy Osbourne. The Pride & Glory stuff has more of a heavy Southern feel to it. Almost as if Southern Metal was preparing to make a comeback. The samplings from Zakk’s time with this band are good and the CD itself is worth looking into. In the case of the BLS material they included a lot of the tracks that you would expect them to have and among them are my personal favorites of “Bleed For Me” and “The Blessed Hellride”. The gentler side of the New Jersey giant can be found on the tracks from “Hangover Music”. In addition to the recorded previously released stuff there are two new tracks to be found in “Doomsday Inc.” and “SDMF”. The new tracks continue along the natural progression of the band. Musicians who take part in the tracks are James Lomenzo (bass) and Craig Nunenmacher (drums).
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“Stratovarius” by Stratovarius

Artist: Stratovarius
Title: “Stratovarius”
Label: Sanctuary Records
Release Date: 9/13/2005
Genre: Power Metal/Heavy Metal
Rating: 6.5/10

Stratovarius has long been considered one of the Forefathers when it comes to Power Metal and the genre as a whole. This Finnish super group has found much of their work respected and admired by fans of the form and other bands as well. The melodic power metal they delivered is often difficult to surpass and over time it has changed here and there yet never really lost the edge that was the nature of the band. Like all things that are together for a long time there does comes some drama and the band faced inner demons and turmoil. This led to the breakup and formation of other groups. Timo Kotipelto went on to a solo career and released “Coldness” on Century Media Records while guitarist Timo Tolkki briefly replaced him with a female singer who’s name I could not recall. Eventually ties were repaired and the band was back doing what they did best together. Their newest release simply entitled “Stratovarius” is the result of this reunion. The record is very good at best but will surprise the staunchest Stratovarius supporter for it leans a little more on the commercial edge. Catchy numbers but nothing that will bring you to a power metal daze. In one sense it is a good move to stray from the brand of Metal that they have long recorded. With so many bands coming out these days, people are sampling all different areas of the music. If one band remains the same for too long, their music might be considered too repetitive and the same old thing. The reunited lineup is Timo Tolkki (guitar), Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jorg Michael (drums), Jari Kainulainen (bass) and Jens Johannson (keyboards).
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“Live In Las Vegas” by KISS

Artist: KISS
Title: “Live In Las Vegas: The Unseen Concert”
Label: Passport Video
Release Date: 4/2/2002
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 2/10

Over the years the band KISS has released a large number of video products and there is enough for all the fans to enjoy practically every video and incarnation that the band has had. Most of the releases have been fantastic while others have been lacking in only some minor areas. The KISS Army fan base is perpetual in their fostering of the original ideal of the band and is very hard to discourage. This release however lacks on almost all counts and will truly disappoint even the most ardent of fans. It is not only poorly laid out but does not give you anything more than four live performances. The band is the original lineup and this recording from 10/1999 pretty much features them before the dramas set in once again and lead to the lineup changes that would carry KISS forward. The four songs at the Las Vegas appearance are nothing you have not seen anywhere else a million times. Perhaps adding a few more tracks and some difference could have redeemed it but I doubt it. KISS themselves seem to be merely going through the motions on the video and look like they cannot wait to finish. The band appears in Destroyer-era costumes making this film from around the “Psycho Circus” or “Farewell Tour” time frame.
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Where Heavy Music & Pop Culture Collide


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