Reviews

The Count of Monte Cristo is a novel written by the Frenchman Alexandre Dumas. Vanden Plas are hugely popular in France, and in that sense Napoleon's conspirator, the one who, for his own good, deftly settled scores with the stench of the…

Queensryche are putting out a sequel to the first part. The concept story is supposedly finally going to unravel. Nikki gets out of prison and sits holed up in his room, drowning in guilt over the murder of the nun Sister Mary. How will…

“The Geese and the Ghost” is the debut solo album from original Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips, who left the band after “Trespass” (1970) when his fear of live performance put him off continuing with

Andre Andersen, keyboardist of the Danish band Royal Hunt, along with two excellent melodic screamers, David Readman (Pink Cream 69) and Paul Laine, who put out two enviable solo albums and sang with the "hard rockers" Danger Danger, are…

Ambitious RPWL, or "the German Pink Floyd for the new century," are now coming out with their first "live" CD after only their third studio album. The band, which at first lived on stages by playing P

Satriani, as a soloist/composer, has often been accused of churning out contrived, instant-gratification musical forms, but "Super Colossal" proves the opposite.

In mid-1970, King Crimson were still stuck in the unenviable position left by the breakup of the original lineup that recorded the legendary debut "In the Court of The Crimson King" (1969). Of the original lineup, only two

Soundchaser is history, and as a nod to it Rage have penned a 20-minute epic suite, enriched with the sounds of the Prague "Lingua Mortis" orchestra, whom the band already worked with in the second half of the '90s

Duran Duran's reunion and new album, along with new records from U2, Depeche Mode and New Order, are part of a 2005 trend of reviving "new wave eighties" pop, and now Simple Minds have joined in, hitting back with an album like&scar

With "Abacab," Genesis finally steered into pop/new wave waters, and the result was one of their most commercially successful records, but in terms of pure musical quality, one of their worst. Ba

"Duke" is an interesting and unique record for Genesis in more ways than one, a kind of bridge between the band's two musical faces. It's the album where Genesis took the big step from progressive rock to pop, or rather the new wave of the…

"With "Duke", a huge hit worldwide and their first "gold" album on the UK charts, Genesis made a very good record. It sails successfully between prog and pop, and it still has enough progressive elements that it doesn't water down into a…

And indeed, there were only three left…After the departure of the brilliant guitar virtuoso Steve Hackett, Genesis didn't go looking for a new guitarist and instead decided that bassist Mike Rutherford would simply take over studio guitar…

The follow-up to the 2000 debut simply called "Conspiracy" radiates far more cohesion. The side project of Yes' indestructible bassist Chris Squire and guitarist Billy Sherwood (ex-Yes, World Trade), "inspired by conspiracy"

The year is 2004! This year marks 30 years since Judas Priest's debut "Rocka Rolla" (1974). Judas Priest, with the long-missed runaway Rob Halford back in the lineup, are this year busy preparing a new studio

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: May 11, 2004Compilation length: 303.03 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 10/10 The year is 2004! It's been 30 years since Judas Priest dropped their debut "Rocka Rolla" (1974). This year the band,…

This double live album from Genesis came out right before the departure of the irreplaceable (literally, the band never looked for a replacement) guitar virtuoso Steve Hackett. Most of the tracks were recorded at gigs in Paris, in the years

Seventh Key! Conceived purely as a studio project and a quiet wish to put out a solo studio album by Billy Greer. Yes! None other than Billy Greer, the superb bassist of the legendary Kansas, who this time teamed up

This is Seventh Key's second studio album. The 2001 debut got rave reviews, which puts its successor in a slightly awkward spot. Will it be worthy of the legacy, will it be even better, or will it just be a plain rerun of the debut? First…

The ideas were clearly boiling over. The follow-up to "the first one" tops the debut in every respect. The sound is deeper, the production even more cranked up, i.e. metalized.

I never would have guessed that, after just two studio albums, Seventh Key would come out with a "live" album. These guys are really on a roll! They decided to record a show, and the spot that suited them best was right on their home turf

Back in 1982, a four-piece of killer musicians already hit the bullseye with their debut, an album that clearly has its roots in seventies hard rock.

Saracen have risen from the dead and released their second studio album after more than 20 years. A great debut that critics welcomed with open arms and praised to the skies as a textbook blend of the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal" with…

"Wind & Wuthering" is the last true classic album the band ever made. Its overall ambience, as the cover also hints, is mysterious, autumnally romantic and countryside-idyllic,

Well, then. After listening to "Heavy Hitters," it seems Schenker has fallen into a full-blown cover-song mania. The Schenker / Davey Pattison collaboration and their two joint records “The Endless Jam” and “The Endless Jam Continues&r

Sunday, June 2, 1996, the day Alice recorded a show in San Lucas, Mexico. The gig went down at the famous Cabo Wabo Cantina, owned by Sammy Hagar. The original title was Viva Alice, but it was renamed A Fistful Of Alice. The album came…

If flying is just a wish for Helloween (the EP "If I Could Fly", 2000), Blind Guardian, unlike them, don't spend much time wondering whether they can fly or not. They just fly! "Fly" is remarkably short for the band

Genesis' first live album from 1973 was for a long time the only official document of a concert by the band's classic lineup with Peter Gabriel up front. It was recorded right at the band's creative peak, when their shows were a first-rate…

Tony O’Hora is the guy who sang with Praying Mantis on "Forever In Time" (2000) and "Nowhere To Hide" (1998). A music college teacher by day, after his recent departure from The Sweet he finally&scaro

Not long ago, the champions of heavy metal, Iron Maiden, dropped a brand-new DVD, a triple one this time, called Death On The Road. As already mentioned, the set comes with three discs; two of them hold the concert recorded on the Dance Of…

Without a doubt, this is the record where Genesis hit the creative peak of their "classic" era, and the one that set most of the standards for today's symphonic prog and neo-prog rock

A legendary double concept album that splits Genesis fans into those who hail it as the alpha and omega of all Genesis records and those who just can't make sense of it, much like fans of Yes (Tales From Topographic Oceans, 1973), Pink…

The brilliant Peter Gabriel left the band after the 1975 tour, right at the peak of their greatest creative stretch. The group's future didn't look too rosy to the remaining members, since someone as charismatic and

“Spirit Of Man” is the fifth solo studio album from Magnum frontman Bob Catley. Another excellent record, let me get straight to the point. It's Catley's heaviest to date, so there's less bombast in the production, it's the most…

Heh, heh, heh. Good old UFO with a brand-new live album. It was recorded at one of the shows in May 2004 in Germany. Really, really nice. There's no Michael Schenker on the album. Oh well. You just have to make peace with that. UFO radiate…

"The Darkness really have saved rock once again and shot a healthy dose of adrenaline into it."

The rabid, foaming-at-the-mouth "critics" were dying to get their hands on the second album from glam rockers The Darkness. In the hope of tearing it to shreds, of course. The lads from the north of England didn't disappoint the raging…

'The Magician's Birthday' sits at the very top for a lot of Uriah Heep fans. It doesn't lag behind its predecessor 'Demons And Wizards' one bit and, if anything, builds on it. On top of outstanding songwriting, grandiose atmosphere and…

In late spring 1970, the story begins of a new medium that profoundly shaped the development of the rock scene and, with its uniqueness, left an indelible mark on it forever. The eight songs are clearly distinct from one another as varied…

Label: Atlantic RecordsRelease date: February 19, 1971Production: Eddie OffordAlbum length: 40.56 minGenre: Progressive RockRating: 9.0/10 (for an English version, scroll down the bar)Aaaaaaa! Forgive me, but this review is going to…

Uriah Heep sure know what they're doing. First they put a spell on us with the dreamy Rainbow Demon, then they hit us with Easy Livin', carry us off into the clouds again with The Wizard, tweak our ears with Return To Fantasy, then five…

If 'Look At Yourself' (1971) was the record that laid the foundation of Uriah Heep's musical identity, then its follow-up, 'Demons And Wizards', is the crown jewel of Uriah Heep, the one that shines brightest of them all. With it, Heep…

Judas Priest were on the verge of catapulting themselves into the ranks of rock's immortals. "Killing Machine" captures the mindset of a band closing in on the peak of its powers, with incredible creative drive and the charged-up energy…

""Stained Class" now stares death dead in the face, straight through the eye sockets of the skull, and back in the day lyrics like that could genuinely cast a spell over a less grounded soul. On that front, Judas Priest truly signed a deal…

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: September 17, 1979Production: Tom AllomLength: 44.35 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 8.0 / 10 With five studio albums under their belt, the band finally hit the moment for their first live album.…

""British Steel" is the album that immortalized the name Judas Priest. Even today it's one of the most important albums in the history of heavy metal."

This is the fourth live release since the studio album Sonic Origami. The setlists on the live releases differ from one another, which is a nice bonus. At their most mature, Uriah Heep are inoculated against the "Iron Maiden syndrome".

This is the heavenly album that most music critics still rank among the greatest live rock albums of all time. Last day of the tour, last chance: they walked on stage on that Friday night, back in January 1973, and set Birmingham Town Hall…

"We've got a double CD in front of us. The first disc is the original live release of the album "Live At Last" from 1980. The second one has rare live cuts played between 1970 and 1977 on various stages and tours, with Ozzy on vocals, of…

That's how it's done. After the music critics tear you to shreds, you hit back even harder than with your first landing. With their second studio album, Uriah Heep showed incredible confidence and an unstoppable creative drive.

After the successful comeback with "Abominog" (1982), Uriah Heep stuck with the winning formula and put out another album very much in the same vein as its predecessor, in the same lineup: "Head First". "Head First" is an even more polished…

"Abominog" is a heavy AOR record of wonderfully polished, fluid rock compositions, with a full dose of melody and a proper dramatic edge. It's a great rock lesson for 1982, and with it Uriah Heep saved not just their name but also their…

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: April 8, 1977Production: Roger Glover & Judas PriestAlbum length: 40:07 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 8.5/10 The future looked shaky for Judas Priest. After "Sad Wings Of Destiny" (1976)…

"Look At Yourself" is heavier overall and pours out more energy than its predecessor "Salisbury". It's also the important record that more or less laid the foundation for the unique, instantly recognizable musical trademarks Uriah Heep have…

Label: Gull RecordsRelease date: 6. 9. 1974Production: Rodger BainAlbum length: 38.49 minGenre; Hard Rock/Heavy RockRating: 7.5/10 This record has very little of what we think of as classic Judas Priest. The band leaned toward…

Label: Gull RecordsRelease date: 23. 3. 1976Production: Jeffrey Calvert, Gereint "Max West" Hughes, Chris Tsangarides & Judas PriestAlbum length: 39.12 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 9.0/10 The debut 'Rocka Rolla' (1974) failed to…

"After two mediocre follow-ups to the successful debut, the one that turned what started as a mere side project, "Iron Savior", into an actual band of the same name in 1997, comes "Condition Red", easily the best release so far from these…

Label: SPV/SteamhammerRelease date: October 16, 1997Production: Glenn TiptonAlbum length: 58.13 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 8.0/10 I was genuinely shocked and totally devastated the first time I heard this record back in 1997. Over…

"Conquest" has a few bright moments, but taken as a whole it just doesn't convince on consistency. You can feel the guys weren't breathing for a common cause anymore, because the real chemistry simply isn't there. "Conquest" also marks the…

Label: SPV/SteamhammerRelease date: July 16, 2001Production: Glenn TiptonAlbum length: 70.44 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 7.5/10 "Demolition" is one of the most controversial albums to hit the metal scene in 2001. Controversial…

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: February 26, 1981Production: Tom AllomAlbum length: 37.42 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 7.5/10 After forging their steel to a fine edge on "Killing Machine" (1978) and "British Steel" (1980),…

"Through this fantastic blast of raw aggression and pure old school U.S. speed metal, you can feel the total enthusiasm of a band that, with its arrival on the metal scene and its unique approach, showed from the debut onward that there…

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: July 17, 1982Production: Tom AllomAlbum length: 38.42 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 9.0/10 "Screaming For Vengeance" (1982) was a 100% about-face from its predecessor "Point Of Entry" (1981). With…

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: January 4, 1984Production: Tom AllomAlbum length: 39:43 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 10/10 Personally, this is my favorite Judas Priest album. It's a brilliant follow-up to "Screaming For…

Label: Atlantic RecordsRelease date: 07.06.2005Production: John Petrucci & Mike PortnoyAlbum length: 75.46 minGenre: Progressive Metal "Octavaruim" is a "progressive Dream Theater-style" defined rock album from head to toe, and…

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: May 28, 1987Production: Tom AllomAlbum length: 74.00 min/95.27 min (2CD remaster 2001)Genre: Heavy MetalRating: 9.0/10 It's incredible what you can get a crowd to do, especially when you're Rob…

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: May 17, 1988Producer: Tom AllomAlbum length: 49:33Genre: Heavy MetalRating: 7.5/10 With a supersonic battle cry and a cannonade from the band's entire artillery, "Ram It Down" announces a return…

Label: Electra RecordsRelease date: 11.11.2003Production: John Petrucci & Mike PortnoyAlbum length: 68.19 minGenre: Progressive Metal Jaw-dropping! Shock. That much aggression from Dream Theater isn't exactly an everyday thing.…

"Sweet Freedom" kept the band at the top of the giant wave they'd stormed onto with "Demons And Wizards" (1972), and on which they kept riding boldly, with a full measure of creative enthusiasm and wild, untamed energy.

Label: Charisma RecordsRelease date: October 23, 1970Production: John AnthonyAlbum length: 42.56 minGenre: Progressive RockRating: 9.0/10 With "Trespass", their first proper prog record, the band took a massive step forward from…

"Firefly" is a true Uriah Heep classic, full of fantasy, stunning shifts in atmosphere and a brilliant knack for conjuring up magic through songs that are polished to perfection. A masterpiece for the ages that sadly never got the…

"With their birth, Riverside became an outstanding addition to the prog rock scene. They're marked by a completely their own voice, built on a fantastic knack for expressing emotion through a musical sermon."

"The title track Salisbury is basically a Uriah Heep manifesto of exceptional artistic ambition, instantly comparable to Pink Floyd's notorious Atom Heart Mother suite. They were a hair's breadth from breaking through into the ranks of…

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: April 14, 1986Production: Tom AllomLength: 40.58 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 7.5/10 Honestly, this record is hard to accept at all if you're weighed down by the Judas Priest name and the albums…

" Magic was born. "

Label: Columbia RecordsRelease date: September 3, 1990Production: Judas Priest & Chris TsangaridesAlbum length: 46:03 minGenre: Heavy MetalRating: 10/10 This is one of those special albums in heavy metal! The metal bible!…

Label: Frontiers Music Srl. Release year: 2005 Production: Fabrizio Grossi Album length: 52.27 min. Genre: AOR / Melodic Rock Starbreaker is an international project made up of superb musicians. I'll say it right off the bat: this…

With "Innocent Victim," Uriah Heep turned sophisticated, almost too smooth and light on the ear. The music lost its experimental edge, and the progressive moments of the Byron era were gone. Even as Heep went more and more pop, though,…

»Octavaruim« is a "progressive Dream Theater-defined" rock album from head to toe, but looking for "Images And Words" (1992) in it is plain silly! We can count ourselves lucky that the wreck unworthy of the band's name, &ra

The year was 1994 when the quintet from Kaiserslautern struck and heralded the rise of progressive metal on the old continent too. Five years after the debut of Dream Theater, who opened up entirely new paths of creation in the world of…

This collection of tracks was officially released only in Japan. But in the second half of the nineties it miraculously found its way onto the shelves of Slovenian shops too. Sadly, you can only order and buy this CD online these days. A…

RPWL? I haven't heard such a daft name in a long time. It's made up of the initials of the surnames of the (founding!) members of the band (Risettion Postl Wallner Lung). As if the lineup from the debut would last forever! Like hell it…

The guitar grandmaster has finally woken up with a proper new studio album, his first in six years. Let's take a closer look at why the record is really a résumé of everything Vai has already offered the public with his earlier releases.…

"King Of Fools" is an EP. Keeping the title track company are four songs the band decided to leave off the upcoming studio album. King Of Fools is a mid-tempo song that's nothing special in and of itself. It's a short melodic gem, polished…

A "Marvel"-tinged comic-book cover with a court jester lost in the vast expanse of outer space, riding a shark-toothed rocket, accompanied by an alien companion of the gentler sex, expresses

I was left speechless. This much aggression from Dream Theater isn't something that happens every day. So what the hell does the train of blackest thoughts have to offer? Let me first clear up something that really bugs me about Dream…

Guitarist Stephan Lill's serious health problems, which had doctors predicting he'd never be allowed to pick up a guitar again the way modern progressive metal demands, didn't stop the guys from getting their fourth release under one roof

It's incredible what you can whip a crowd into, especially when Rob Halford is the one on stage. Mass delirium, the people screaming in total ecstasy, just how magnetic the phantom Judas Priest were and what kind of magic

This one is no joke anymore. After all these years of a long music career, it's now crystal clear what kind of music Peter "Peavy" Wagner has a nose for. With the lineup shaken up and back to the classic trio, a new creative era has begun…

The Lizards are a band from New York. Unbelievable, because they play the purest-blooded form of classic hard rock, the kind laid down in the seventies by Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Free, so nothing but British rock giants, you can even…

As time ruthlessly marches on, Snapper Music is putting out another reissue of W.A.S.P.'s debut. What's new is a digipak sleeve and a seriously provocative, witty foreword. The only argument that actually gives me enough wiggle room and

UFO are back with a new record and another lineup change. Stylistically they're staying true to their tradition, but the lineup has gone through a full-on revolutionary rebirth. Keyboardist Paul Raymond has rejoined the band, and Ansley…

Steve Howe has once again thought of all the true devotees of his unique musical style! He's treated us to a third helping of home-"brewed" ditties. That's 21 songs that aren't really songs yet.&nbs

Apparently the band hit a particularly springy rock bottom of music-making with "Insanity And Genius", because "Land Of The Free" in 1995 was a complete turning point for them and catapulted them out of hell and straight into heaven. O

The follow-up to "Brave New World" (2000) got made, and it just can't fully convince. Musically Iron Maiden are still exactly what they've always been, but this time the new album actually suffers. The whole thing sounds hastily compos

With a supersonic battle cry and a cannonade from every piece of artillery the band has, "Ram It Down" announces a return to the roots within the first few moments. Heh, heh, where's the polished synth-driven melodizing? It's gone…

With "Through The Storm", the band has once again gone at it with its good old tried-and-true recipe. That is, classic primal melodic heavy metal. Classic, hm...well. The band was already riffing in the seventies, before the

The unrivaled maestro of singular musical visions and dimensions is back, carrying on his musical preaching exactly where he left off with the previous release "Attack!!" (2002). The lineup is practically unchanged, with the legendary

Helloween have made a more than obvious 180-degree U-turn into "reverse"! After two big names, Uli Kusch and Roland Grapow, left the ranks, "Rabbits Don't Come Easy" (2003) already hinted at it, of course. O&#

With "Spectrum," Steve Howe has added yet another new, musically wide-ranging solo album to his collection. His sons helped him out on the record again: Dylan on drums and Virgil on keyboards. Oliver Wa