Tag Archives: female fronted metal

Music, Reviews

“The Forgotten Goddess” (re-release) by Echoes Of Eternity

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Artist: Echoes Of Eternity
Title: “The Forgotten Goddess”
Label: Metal Mind Productions
Release Date: 6/9/2015
Genre: Symphonic Gothic Metal
Rating: 4.5/5

Originally released in 2007 on Nuclear Blast Records, the debut album by Echoes Of Eternity was recently re-issued by Metal Mind Productions. The album now comes in a Digipak holder and features no additional tracks, so with that being the case my original thoughts on it remain the same. I have restated those views in the review that follows. The edition is limited to 2000 copies so diehards might want to act fast if interested in purchasing.

“Effective immediately the United States is joining its European allies in presenting quality female-fronted Symphonic Power Metal with a secret weapon called Echoes Of Eternity. EOE is truly a WMD (weapon of musical destruction) that will make those who believe this stuff can only come from Finland, Norway or elsewhere check that opinion at the door. This is a super-powered musical force with the stunning Siren Francine Boucher upfront delivering the goods as if her destiny was at stake. Right off the bat the group proves that they are a little different from the existing roster of such bands based on the manner in which the music is delivered. There is a machine gun technical presence where the drumming is concerned and this is perhaps due to Kirk Carrison working in numerous Death Metal projects with guitarist Brandon Patton before they went with the idea of a female led enterprise. The bass work is held down fluidly by Duane Cowan.
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Features, PiercingMetal Says

Arch Enemy’s Angela Gossow Resigns; The Agonists Alissa White-Gluz Joins

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My plan for St. Patrick’s Day today was to make it only an enjoyable and non-stressed filled time here at the PiercingMetal Command HQ since some rest was surely needed after a busy concert going weekend. The goal was to have the largest working of my time be focused on finding a big, tasty platter of Corned Beef and Cabbage and catch up on the Netflix. Then the press release from those find folks at Century Media Records hit the mailbox and all of the Internet Metal Journalists were set into high speed content creation mode. I’ve copied portions of the press copy for you to see and will add my own views to the mix at the closing. Be aware that this is ground breaking stuff here as if the title didn’t clue you in just a little bit.

Logo - Arch Enemy

In early June 2014, ARCH ENEMY will unleash their 9th studio album, War Eternal, worldwide via Century Media Records and Trooper Entertainment in Japan. With this upcoming release, the band will introduce a new member to their ranks: Alissa White-Gluz, former vocalist of Canadian extreme metallers THE AGONIST. Angela Gossow, who joined ARCH ENEMY in 2000 and made her debut on the now classic Wages Of Sin (2001), will be stepping down as front-woman and focusing on management, while Alissa takes her place.

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Angela Gossow comments:

“Dear ARCH ENEMY fans, this is not easy to tell you…I have decided to step down from being ARCH ENEMY’s voice of anger. After 13 years of pure fucking metal, 6 studio albums and countless tours through five continents, I feel the need to enter a different phase in my life, be with my family and pursue other interests. I will however remain business manager for ARCH ENEMY, and I will continue to develop my artist management roster. I am staying true to my heavy metal roots, just leaving the spotlight so to speak. I am passing the torch to the super talented Alissa White-Gluz, whom I’ve known as a dear friend and a superb vocalist for many years. I always thought she deserved a chance to shine – and now she’s getting it. Just like I got that chance back in 2001. I want to thank all ARCH ENEMY fans, our labels Century Media (worldwide) and Trooper Entertainment (Japan), our dedicated road crew, and in particular Michael, Daniel and Sharlee for their love and support throughout all these years. It’s been one hell of a ride! We conquered every situation, made it through thick & thin together in the most exciting and rewarding time of my life. Thank you all for being there with me on stage, in front of the stage, and backstage. You have touched my heart, and I hope I was able to give something back to you. I am grateful for the wonderful memories – I will cherish them forever! I am looking forward to the next decade of ARCH ENEMY madness! Right now I am listening through rough mixes of the new studio album and I am blown away! 2014 will see a renewed ARCH ENEMY at the top of their game. I am proud to be part of this ARCH ENEMY chapter, albeit in a different way – revving up the engines behind the scenes. I hope to see you in front of the stage; I will join you there this time. Let the killing begin, once again!”

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Features, PiercingMetal Says

Nightwish Says “Floor’s In!!!”

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Even though I am super stoked about the news I will definitely say “It’s About Time Nightwish!!!”. So for those who have been living under a rock, the band has just announced that not only has Floor Jansen been named as their full time lead singer but also that Troy Donockley and his ullieann pipes will become part of the group. The stuff in italics is copied directly from the Official Nightwish Page.

“Ms. Floor Jansen is a keeper. Also, we will be a six-piece band from now on, as Mr. Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes, low whistles, vocals) will become a full-time member of NIGHTWISH. Originally we were going to wait until 2014 to make a decision about the future line-up of the band, but the past year has clearly shown us that Floor and Troy are perfect matching pieces to our puzzle, and we are really grateful of the bond that has grown between all of us. We love you guys”.

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Floor Jansen w Nightwish @ Tuska Festival 2013

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Features, PiercingMetal Says

You Are Not Imaginaeruming Things; Nightwish & Anette Olzon Have Parted Ways

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nightwish, nightwish concert photos, anette olzon

Kind of shocking isn’t it. I know that I never expected any news like this, but let’s recap the story as it played out from the other day until early today. My Saturday morning on 9/29 was begun by coffee to wake me from the needed slumber after Down’s killer NYC show, when the Finnish Ambassador (my friend Sam in reality) sent a text to inform me that Anette Olzon had fallen ill, was in the hospital and that Nightwish had performed without her by using Alissa White-Gluz and Elize Ryd as Metal Understudies for lack of a better word.

The band wrote to the public saying:

“We were in hell today. Vocalist in a hospital. Show about to be cancelled… But nobody gave up an inch. With the help from the ladies Elize and Alissa from Kamelot we actually managed to pull of a relaxed and great show! The crowd doing the mass karaoke with the band playing was absolutely amazing. We were humbled and grateful at the same time. This is unity and help from friends and fans. Anette is already recovering thanks to the medical staff and whatever powers there exists. The shows will go on. We give our greatest respect to Alissa, Elize and the crowd in Ogden Theatre, Denver. You rule!!!”

My personal take on this was that the guys had no choice but to do the show because the amount of money to be lost would really compromise the efforts for a lot longer than any band wants to have happen. Remember a cancellation only finds the band themselves losing money but everyone else still must be paid out for their work. Since Kamelot had two capable female singers along for the tour, Nightwish was smart to ask both Alissa White-Gluz and Elize Ryd (from The Agonist and Amaranthe respectively by the way) to act as understudies for Anette. Sure the show would be a little looser than preferred but at least it would still happen and be something that kept the ball in motion and allowed Anette the chance to get back to necessary Metal fighting strength.

nightwish, nightwish concert photos, anette olzon
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Events, Reviews

Epica @ Gramercy Theatre (1/29/2010)

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Artist: Epica
Venue: Gramercy Theatre (New York, NY)
Opener: Threat Signal, Blackguard, Cypher Seer & Phoenix Reign
Date: 1/29/2010
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

“Design Your Universe” was the mantra being spoken by Dutch Symphonic purveyors Epica and this new album was being supported with a rousing tour and making a stop in good ole’ New York City. I was really happy to find Epica returning to the states for a tour because they have remained one of my very favorite of the whole Symphonic Operatic Metal bands that are out there and this interest of mine began with their “Phantom Agony” release back in 2004. The band has not been to this region for a tour since their last headlining gig which was in 2007 and sadly a very ill-attended event when it hit NYC. This surprised me as the bill was killer and found Visions Of Atlantis, Unexpect and The Agonist on the tour as well. Perhaps the free Ozzfest that had just been held was the cause for this, but either way that is a show long gone and now we move forward. Tonight’s gig at the Gramercy Theatre had sold out by the time the doors opened and the tour was following the adventures of Epica who were joined by both Threat Signal and Blackguard as the major bands with some warming the crowd up by local openers as they hit each city. Our gig found the likes of Cypher Seer and Phoenix Reign getting the people into the mood and here is how the night progressed for those who didn’t manage to secure a ticket.
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