UFO - Phenomenon (1974)

 This album is how I came to meet the legendary band called UFO and, eventually, how I came to love it. Phenomenon is a truly inspirational album for a large amount of bands who came after it, something we can understand by the covers some bands of the 80's used to make, like Iron Maiden and others...
 Full of calming melodies, arpeggios and lyrics about love, romance and daily life, Phenomenon has more than that to give to the listener. Those fantastic solos of Michael Schenker is the first thing that drew my attention, when I firstly listened to the album, full of feeling and a rock n roll "essence", and it's, pretty much, what makes this album special and what, at least, made me love it.
 Doctor doctor and Rock Bottom are the most popular songs of the record and the most dynamic ones, however, by listening only to those, someone cannot have a complete impression of what the album is about and the compositions it consists of. In a few words, this album has both rock n roll and calm/bluesy parts, something that makes it even more interesting.
 In addition, giving my opinion, Phenomenon is the album that gave UFO their musical identity, as by listening to the previous two albums and I haven't found them really satisfying, given that I firstly listened to Phenomenon. That, of course, is a matter of taste, so there's no need to be mentioned further.
 Finally, as mentioned before, UFO is a band which inspired some great bands and Phenomenon, if not their best, it's surely one of their best records and a great release in the history of Rock, so give it a try if you haven't already and, as always, better in vinyl, keeping the old ways alive!
Thank UFO for their music.
Album info: Wikipedia
Discography: Rockbox

Black Soul Horde - Tales of the Ancient Ones (2013)

 Here in Greece, traditional heavy metal has been always loved, worshipped and revered amongst metalheads. Our local scene has shown some really talented acts in the genre like Spitfire and Rust in the 80s and there is also a small epic metal resurgence that started during the last decade with bands like Sacral Rage and Battleroar to name a few. The Athenian band Black Soul Horde, follows in a similar direction but with one huge difference. Instead of adding doom or power metal elements to their music like most Greek epic bands do, these guys play straight up 80s heavy metal. I consider them to be a genuine child of Omen or Manilla road with epic lyrics, themes from fantasy or sword and sorcery works but Greek and Norse mythology as well. The production is nice and clean, although not too modern and the guitars sound great with melodies and riffs that stand up to those that the forefathers of the epic genre used to make back when heavy metal was in its days of glory. There is also a variety in the tempo between the songs, some being mid paced, perfect for singing along and others being fast enough for some intense banging. The band also seems to have found their own sound and although they are honoring their influences the songs do not sound recycled or predictable.
 In conclusion, Tales of the Ancient ones is one of the best Greek efforts I've ever heard during the last few years. Be sure to check them out. Heavy metal ρε μουνιά!

Facebook Page : Black Soul Horde Official

Manilla Road - Crystal Logic (1983)

 It has been long since we posted, but here's a come-back with a band and an album, which are considered a benchmark and a source of inspiration for not only Traditional Heavy Metal, but also for the Epic and Power Metal bands which came after it. Manilla Road rocking us from Wichita, Kansas since 1977, released a killer album called Crystal Logic back in 1983 that until now, it remains a greatly inspirational album for all those who follow the ways of Heavy Metal and not only.
 Lyrics about tales of warriors in fantastic realms, monsters, dreams and visions, come to connect perfectly with the epic and compelling riffs and characteristic vocals of Mark "Shark" Shelton, making the album a tale of forgotten lores and unsung heroes, keeping the attention of the lovers of such things completely drawn the whole time the record plays. Necropolis is the most popular song of the album and it's, pretty much, a song that gives the listener the idea of what they are going to listen to, a quick demonstration of what Manilla Road sound like and what lyrical themes they are mainly focused on.
 The artwork, once again, is what you would expect from a band of its genre back in the day, meaning a "poor" made artwork with not many features and details, unlikely the content of the record, which is really stunning. That's something to let us know that we shouldn't criticise from the outside, though, especially if it's for a Heavy band from the 80's, when the poor quality artworks seemed to be something like tradition...
 Concluding, I consider this album a great inspiration for me and it surely is in the list of my favorites, so I suggest you listen to it from the "Prologue" till the "Epilogue" if you haven't already, because it is really worth a try and, of course, better in vinyl, keeping the old ways alive!
Long live Mark "Shark" Shelton!
Album info here: Metallum Page
Discography: Rockbox