Gamma Ray - Empire Of The Undead (2014)

More than twenty years ago when Helloween split Kai Hansen from their unit, it was actually the beginning of Gamma Ray, a band that will later supply the power metal world with many great songs. They are one of the band that defined the genre. Cut the story short, on their last four years of busy activities, since To The Metal! (2010), Skeletons & Majesties (2012), Kai Hansen and corps are back in business with full album, Empire Of The Undead. On the promotion blurbs, Kai Hansen promised more thrash metal vibe into it.

Strangely, the first track Avalon is kind of Iron Maiden mid tempo and lengthy story telling number. It is heavy, epic choruses and of course several minutes spend on solos improvisation. Not a bad opening at all. The riffs factory then back on Hellbent. This is none other than Gamma Ray classics, honestly, this even  reminds me  to the echo of Keeper of Seven Keys era. Pale Rider is rather humorous number, kind of mixing between oldies heavy metal riffs with glam metal singing style. With Kai Hansen on the vocals parts, this at least an interesting stuff to listen. Master of Confusion is another strong power metal feel with energetic vocal line. This follow by Empire of the Undead, a catchy song in the vibe of Judas or Save Us. There is only one contrasting point in the album, Time for Deliverance is a calm lamenting ballad.

On the whole, Empire Of The Undead has enough to satisfy fans whom may be letdown by Gamma Ray's latest previous albums. It's got Avalon, Hellbent, Master of Confusion and Empire of the Undead for recommendations. There also parts of album that playing variation of heavy metal from old Judas Priest-like track to ... well, Helloween. You can listen to the last track I Will Return as the compilation of cameos Gamma Ray wanted to put in. On the formation, Michael Ehre is the newest guy. As a quartet, all members are busy on their parts with significant duties. Beside the two dominating guitars, bassist Dirk Schachter also can be heard busy with his bass thumbing line.

Metal Harem class: ********** eight stars out of ten

Gamma Ray - Empire Of The Undead (2014)
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01. Avalon 09:21
02. Hellbent 05:22
03. Pale Rider 04:23
04. Born to Fly 04:31
05. Master of Confusion 04:54
06. Empire of the Undead 04:25
07. Time for Deliverance 05:10
08. Demonseed 06:38
09. Seven 05:07
10. I Will Return 06:55
11. Men, Martians and Machines (Live from the Final Studio Sessions) 3:5

Kai Hansen - guitars, vocals
Henjo Richter - guitars
Dirk Schlächter - bass
Michael Ehré - drums

Lord Symphony – The Lord’s Wisdom (2014)

No kidding, Indonesia is one of top country in the SE Asia region regarding music cultures. As a result, the Republic raised many hard rock and heavy metal bands to please the public interest. Indonesia has been home to '80s hard rock legends such as God Bless, then Slank and many others. On the metal disciples, Edane was the main force back in '90s. These bands, in my memories, were far away ahead of their region's comrades. For side infos, Indonesia not only excelled hard music, but the annual Jak-Jazz is a major Jazz festival in international caliber. With such great achievement, it's only natural to have the republic one or two Symphonic Metal bands. But wait a seconds, on closer look, is there any notable Indonesian's power metal or symphonic band? Unfortunately, eventhough Helloween was quite a legend in Indonesia, none of the local young talent seems able to nurtured a decent power metal band. This is quite a phenomenons, the root of the problem is the country taste seems has little room for 'technical' music. The first philosophy is easy listening and easy to play, street level song, that the audiences interested at. In simple saying, literally there are only two styles of bands in Indonesia, first is the combination of boy-bands + rock thus fall in the term of Indo-rock styles, and on the far far other end, there are Indo-underground scenes. On the later, they are so ultra extreme half-grown-up-kids mambo stereotype, that the majority of the bands will give you a rainbow puke for their quality!

Enter, Lord Symphony! Hail, the sacrificial son of Indonesia power symphonic metal. Perhaps the strongest force in the resurrection of the genre nowadays. Lord Symphony was power / speed metal band from Indonesia, their base in Center Java province. Their mission is to re-introduce power metal into the local audiences. Literally, this is not difficult, because the names of Rhapsody of Fire, Stratovarius, Helloween, Gamma-Ray, all well known in this fifth most populous country in the world. Lord Symphony naively cited that those are bands of their influence. Great! The Lord's Wisdom is their second released as far as information gathered here. This is an album 100% percent deals with European symphonic metal spirit. The cover album is the one that win me over, the twin candi referred to Indonesian rich Hindu-Buddhist Javanese civilization, which promised to be incorporated into their songs. Rumored told the cover artwork was by artist with Deep Purple portfolio.

Prelude: Enter the.... , is the power metal intro with obvious song title. Gate of Lord is the main teaser, the opening riffs is promising. The improvisation followed on is putting the band in the same leagues of their far European rival of the same music styles. This is a lengthy instrumental track actually, cool! With this track, the musical skill requirements examination for power metal is far behind passed by the members. The party seems over, but with the introduction of Devil's Emotion, it is actually just begin. The song again enjoyed enormous amount of sentimentalization intro before we introduced to their vocalist, Monk Bhodi, who voices is metallic rough, reminds us to Kai Hansen! The music comparison can be described as similar to Gamma Ray as well. Mirror is yet another catchy song, with unique synthesizer intro followed by twin riffs attack, the song is a little bit glam metal feel, but in the shower of double pedal drums. Earth Beneath the Sky is their serious epic number, started slow then ascending into metal blast. We got to listen the ability of their singer in cleaner voices. Of course it will not be symphonic metal without the triumphant overture, Magic Knight's Destiny, is traditional speed metal of the '80s. Save the Universe is a track where the band half down their speed. Then we reach the Interlude: Moment of Silence, another musical rest for the next chapter. It's a bit of over repetitive for the theme, so a little bit of patience is required. The remaining four tracks serves mostly the same musical styles as the first half of the album. We got interesting drumming demo in the Key to Heaven.

Lord Symphony step up from the Indonesian crowd by playing power metal, instead of the over exposed 'easy-listening' Indo-rock that has more money. The band is on the same level if the European power metal scene was used as point of references. Lord Symphony has all the potential, highly trained band members, and their song writing skills are adequate to move on. The Lord's Wisdom is rich in writing, killer twin guitars solos and riffs and precise drumming. Of course, as the band that just existed, there are number of homework that need to be addressed. First, the mixing quality. The Lord's Wisdom didn't seems enjoy the worth mixing quality and most of the guitar sounds actually sounds inconsistent for each songs. The Lord's Wisdom is several step behind their European's comrades in term of sounds. This album sounds like they are published in the '80s. Secondly, is the classic originality issue. As far as they are from European crowds, but the fact is Indonesian power metal fans already has enough of Rhapsody of Fire, Helloween and Gamma Ray, how about putting power metal with lots of Indonesian ethnic elements. This idea seems still hesitated to be implemented by Lord Symphony even though they are exactly in the epicentrum of Candradimuka. A lots of gamelans, angklung, or peasant' flute is to be expected with such cover album in front. Third, the technically vocalist character that need to be internationally standard to voices English spoken lyrics, and without traces of local accent. Overall, for power metal miles from Olympus, Lord Symphony had done great job. Congratulation for Indonesian power metal fans, support the band and bought this album!

Metal Harem New Talent Recommendation!

Lord Symphony – The Lord’s Wisdom (2014)
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01. Prelude: Enter the…
02. Gate of Lord
03. Devil’s Emotion
04. Mirror
05. Earth Beneath the Sky
06. Magic Knight’s Destiny
07. Save the Universe
08. Interlude: Moment of Silence
09. Down to Holyland
10. Eleven Keys
11. Key to Heaven
12. Kings Will Be Kings

Monk Bhodi - Voices
Fai - Lead Guitar
Fuad Monster- Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Black - Bass
Dani - Keys
Ujie - Drums

Hammerforce - Dostup Zakryt Доступ закрыт (2013)

Imagine that power metal got injected with new idea of blasting electronic synthesizer as their 2nd arsenal of voice. Hammerforce is unique heavy-power-progressive metal band from St. Petersburg Rusia. The first thing I need to point out is, this is the power band that utilized a serious amount of 'dance style' keyboard voices side by side with the lead guitar. As for the rest of their music, Hammerforce is simply a power metal band with faster tempo.

Just half a year behind, the band released their latest album "Access Denied" in early 2013. In the interview with Nikita (keyboardist/singer/producer to Hammerforce) last April, he promised to render the album "Access Denied" into Russian version. So, here we received a copy of Hammerforce latest release, "Dostup Zakryt". It's kind of slightly awkward to review the Russian version album into English language article, but we stand in the believe of "music metal is universal language" and go for it.

If you haven't read Metal Harem review on "Access Denied" , you no need. I'm going to re-phrase most of the song impression here, and added more as my knowledge on the album has grow better. Tvoya Voyna is the opener with that epic symphonic intro. At first it sounds like Kamelot-type of choir intro when only in 00:40 a modernist come in. Signature synthesizer voices redefined the song from traditional power metal into modern sounds, cross breeding metal and electronica. Listen to the middle break at 01:55 and enjoy awesome guitar solos afterward. Stereotipy is neo-classical in the intro, then this another power metal song completed with layered choir as backing vocal. And in this song at 02:11 we again presented with dance-riffs, right after the most muscular metal solos before-ward. Nikto is a more traditional galloping power metal song, although again updated to modernist right when the verses sung. Beglets is the peak of hip hop vs metal combination, this song simply said the combination is working! The other three compositions, Mass-Media with its blasting drum roll, Vtoraya Zemlya with its power metal riff and Smena Pokoleniy with its down tempo grooves, all give us the opportunity to dig in the detail the new innovation of metal Hammerforce offered to us. Finally, Razmyshleniya is the resting point, started with slow acoustic guitar intro, this track quickly developed into instrumental showcase of each instrumentalist creativity. The last track Dostup Zakryt is a rewind of their bombastic power-synthesizer metal tunes.

Another first thing to mentioned is, Dostup Zakryt stayed similar to their English theme (as Google translated indicated) and in this album it was Nikita Merzlyakov himself that duties on lead vocals, where the English version was done by Dmitry Yanovskiy. Again, I re-phrase, this is easily the most consistent fast and loud power metal album so far for this year. Because each of their song are consistently fantastic. The good things about their eclectic styles is, I believe it will attracts listeners from several disciplines. Gaining bits of respect from power metal camp, from progressive metal for their technical instrumentation element, from modernist - think of Dragonforce fanbase will also enjoy this, and even from detractor of dubstep and hip hop territory. The band is fresh and struggling to come out big from Russia, so if you think this review is over persuasive, well, it is! Grab the album fast.

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

Hammerforce - Dostup Zakryt (2013)
support the band and buy the album exclusively here:
Bandcamp: http://hammerforce.bandcamp.com/album/dostup-zakryt
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id690644507
CDBaby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/hammerforce6

1. Твоя Война / Tvoya Voyna 04:52
2. Стереотипы / Stereotipy 03:44
3. Никто / Nikto      05:17
4. Масс-медиа / Mass-Media 05:17
5. Беглец / Beglets 03:55
6. Вторая Земля / Vtoraya Zemlya 05:42
7. Смена Поколений / Smena Pokoleniy 04:16
8. Размышления / Razmyshleniya 03:53 (instrumental)
9. Доступ Закрыт / Dostup Zakryt 04:20

Ilya Kapralov - guitars, bass
Nikita Merzlyakov - keyboards, synths
Ilya Mamaev - guitars
Aleksandr "Ariets" Zhuchihin - drums
Dmitriy "Ian Breeg" Yanovskiy - vocals

Tommy Vitaly - Hanging Rock 2012

If you can make dream, that you are a guitarist of a metal band, preferable power metal... You are thinking about your next solo album, so what to do next? Hire the best singers on the planet to sing for you of course! Tommy Vitaly is the guitarist we are talking about, the Italian power metal shredder to be precise. He is/was in a band called Seven Gates. Forget the band for a while, earlier in 2012, Tommy released his ambitious Avantasian solo project. As can be seen from the singers listed below, some of best Avantasia-like singers are recruit just to scream out loud his notes. For accompaniment musician, Tommy simple hire Vision Divine bassist, Andrea Torricini and session drummer Kenny E.Edward aka. Rhino from various band of fame. This formation produced a second solo album for Tommy called Hanging Rock. The material is surprisingly wonderful. Some of '80 speedmetal / NWOBHM style, some neo classical shred and heavy metal in your door front.

Mats Leven suddenly transformed into '80 speed metaller ala Judas Priest with an opener song, Betrayer. Guitar riff are patent '80s style. Indeed, the sound is truly faithful to the original sound that will make you alert immediately about this album. The best track on the album, I think is no.2 Run with the Devil. A little pun to Stryper's To Hell with the Devil, actually the song very much spirit also in '80 heavy metal. Singer Carsten 'Lizard' Schulz are in service for this and his voice are absolutely brilliant for this song. And if you just don't remember, this is a guitarist solo album. Shredding parts and solos taking front view are expected. Come to Hands of Time we have Todd La Torre scream the high and low tunes for us. Also a very strong speed/heavy metal track that is, until Forever Lost. David Defeis of Virgin Steele contributed his magic voice in this acoustic ballad. One thing is Tommy has cleverly mixed each song to his singer, so a song like Forever Lost actually also very Virgin Steele in nature. Tommy also invited guitarist, Concerto Moon, Japanese neo classical guitarist, Norifumi Shima is duel with key-wiz Ferdy Doernberg in song Idol. Michele Luppi is serving this track and of course a catchy power metal plaftform was in the performed. Tommy also composed two instrumental track in the virtuoso style, Misanthropy and Hanging Rock. Then we still have surprises in Heavy Metal God where master David Shankle teach us who the king of Metal. Icewarrior then close this album with another power metal bang with Zak Stevens on the microphone.

Sure Tommy Vitaly is best disciples of Yngwie Malmsteen guitarship. He also has a good song composition that a fortune for us, being served by world class singer. This album simply mixed well recorded metal songs with good balance between song part and intended guitar parts, because this is simple a guitarist solo project. Andrea Torricini are busy with his bass line that listenable in each song, same thing to Rhino in his beat counting parts. The only miss is how short length the album is, only runs at 39 minutes because all the songs average at four minutes. This left us hope that Tommy will still got many ideas worth the wait for his next release.

Metalharem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Tommy Vitaly - Hanging Rock 2012
buy it here at Amazon

1.Betrayer (feat. Mats Leven on vocals)
2.Run with the Devil (feat. Carsten “Lizard"Schulz on vocals)
3.Hands of Time (feat. Todd LaTorre on vocals)
4.Forever Lost (feat. David Defeis on vocals)
5.Idol (feat. Michele Luppi on vocals, Norifumi Shima and Ferdy Doernberg solos)
6.Misanthropy
7.Heavy Metal God (feat. Carsten “Lizard” Schulz on vocals, David Shankle guitar solo)
8.Hanging Rock (feat. Ferdy Doernberg keyboard solos)
9.Icewarrior (feat. Zak Stevens on vocals)

Andrea Torricini Bass
Tommaso Vitali Guitars, Keyboards 
Rhino Drums

•Tommy Vitaly (SEVEN GATES) - Guitars
•Todd LaTorre (CRIMSON GLORY) - Vocals
•David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE) - Vocals
•Zak Stevens (CIRCLE II CIRCLE, ex-SAVATAGE) - Vocals
•Michele Luppi (THAUROROD, ex-VISION DIVINE) - Vocals
•Carsten Lizard-Schulz (EVIDENCE ONE, ex-DOMAIN) - Vocals
•Andrea "Tower" Torricini (ex-VISION DIVINE) - Bass
•Norifumi Shima (CONCERTO MOON) - Guitars
•David Shankle (DSG, ex-MANOWAR) - Guitars
•Ferdy Doernberg (Axel Rudi Pell, Rough Silk, Helloween) - Keyboards
•Kenny Earl Edwards (a.k.a. Rhino; HOLY HELL, ex-MANOWAR) - Drums

Razorwyre - Another Dimension (2012)

If you looking for a band with a bite of thrash metal and NWOBHM come listen to Razorwyre. The band homeland in New Zealand , but feel like predecessor of Iron Maiden blend with Metal Church kind of metal. Interestingly, the band prior name themselves as “Gaywyre”, uh oh and the first studio EP called… eergh, “Coming Out”. The respond to the EP was good and management decide to re-baptized them with a new name, fantastic name indeed, Razorwyre.

Come to listen the first track, The Conjuror (Shaman’s Wrath). The title subconsciously connected with Megadeth, and the riff and blitzing guitar actually has bite of Mustaine. The vocal singing was pure 80s spirit. It is an opening track act perfectly in a debut album. It is total mixed between early thrash scene and Iron Maiden, especially the wooh ooh in the ending of the song. Knight of Fire is a must have heavy metal theme song. Speed metal also a good term to describe this song. The riff with Mustaine’s Kill Em All style remind us well to the golden years. Fight or Be Fucked , yeah remember the band’s history? This is the third best song in a row, now with much more British sound, even bits of Blackmore and all its pentatonic solos. Nightblade is again something Iron Maiden Number of the Beast atmosphere. Another Dimension of Hell is finally something more about themselves and original, or at least I can’t find something obvious to referred.

The middle part now interlude by instrumental The Infinite, an very 80s NWOBHM scale and sounds. Of this later tracks of all heavy and thrash song, Wind Caller is recommended, it is more “something” than a generic thrash riff song.

Razorwyre sure able to gain many fans from both side of thrash, speed metal and NWOBHM. The sound mixing are greatly engineered with sound respectively referred to early 80s frequency. The singer Z.Chylde is wonderful, very Metal Church style and he sing something almost quartet pitch out of tune, but it is required to be like that. Guitarist and founding member Chris Calavrias and James Murray shred the album well with all tricks from the oldies to modern technique. Bassist and drummer played their parts with great reference to Iron Maiden and early Metallica. The album released on September 15, 2012, grab and air guitar-ed that.

Metalharem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Razorwyre Another Dimension 2012
buy it here

1. The Conjuror (Shaman's Wrath) 3:41
2. Knights of Fire 3:23
3. Fight or Be Fucked 6:26
4. Nightblade 4:42
5. Another Dimension of Hell 5:03
6. The Infinite 1:24
7. Desert Inferno 5:22
8. The Fort 4:44
9. Speed Warrior 4:15
10. Wind Caller 3:49
11. Hangman's Noose 3:37

Chris Calavrias- Lead Guitars
James Murray- Rhythm Guitars
Nick - Drums
Diamond Tim - Bass
Z Chylde – Vocals

Album cover with great reddish color tones:

Striker - Armed To The Teeth 2012

The huge land of Canada continued bring us new player in metal. Coming from Alberta, Striker is the band what we called speed metal, but they are very in between. They are build up from 80s spirit, so get the mind of NWOBHM, speed metal and Canadian influence such as Exciter, Anvil altogether in Striker menu. In this 2012 album, Armed To The Teeth, they strike well in combining all those elements in one album.

The first song, Forever is done in the spirit of double guitar attack and uncompromised ‘80s vocal tones. We quickly understand that their mixing actually try to recreate the ’80 sound as well. Musically, they discard most of complication in song structure and instead focus on their singing and guitar playing. Those songs that wrap naked without much make up can be heard in Let in Burn, Fight For Your Life, Feed My Fire, and All The Way. These are fresh speed metal music we can expected these year. In some song, Striker actually able to sneak in bits of interesting moment, such as intro in Lethal Force that build up into songs only after rounds of riff development. In Wolf Gang, we also get the neo classical licks incorporated into speed metal song. No slow tracks in this album, instead most of the songs are speed madness playground for the drummer.

Of course there are plenty of guitar solos recorded and suit for each song. Crunchy rhythm and vintage out of dated distortion are main frequency in harmonizing the song. Singer Dan Cleary put in effort in bringing the nostalgic speed metal scream. So, simply saying, Armed To The Teeth able to bring attention back to this seemingly unpopular genre back to life. Although majority done in straight forward three minutes songs, Striker also eager to try out another style that suitable to the composition.

Metalharem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Striker Armed To The Teeth 2012
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1.Forever
2.Let It Burn
3.Lethal Force
4.It Could Be Worse
5.Fight for Your Life
6.Land of the Lost
7.Wolf Gang
8.Feed My Fire
9.All the Way
10.Can't Stop the Rush

Dan Cleary - Lead Vocals
Ian Sandercock - Lead, Rhythm Guitar
Chris Segger - Lead, Rhythm Guitar
Dave Arnold - Bass
Adam Brown - Drums

Cover Artwork