Winterhawk - Revival (1982)

 I heard this album for the first time 3 years ago or so...At first, I didn't really like it. The songs were too long for me, too 60's-70's blues riffs and solos for my tastes and -even though I was and still am a big rock n roll fan- nothing that could really draw my attention, so I left it on the corner and never listened to it. Until 3 or 4 days ago. I saw it while I was checking through my music library and decided to give it another go.
 The start of the "Intro" with those drumming and 70's prog riffs managed to draw my attention this time and through the next songs the feeling was getting better and better! Solid drumming, very well constructed guitar riffs and solos with great variety, from -as said before- 60-70's blues and rock (Can't See the Forest for the Trees), progressive rock (Intro, Sanctuary, Period of Change) like that extraterrestrial band carrying the name Rush and some touches that could even remind me of Eloy in "Future City". The riffs continue with an even greater range like hard rock and even heavy metal (Revival, Ace in the Hole [the vocals here change], Free to Live)  and here I have to say that I found that band searching for some neat Heavy Metal albums. The bass embraces the rhythm of those so well attached drumming and gives the listener the feeling of a well done composition that keeps going on and on without making them tired, as the rhythms always change and the solos are continuous!
 Last but not least, the voice of the singer is something remarkable as well, it reminds me of Rush's Geddy Lee and I cannot help but connecting it with Rush's "2112", especially every time that I listen to "Period of Change".
 That being said, the album is of course really really good and it can attract people from all those kinds of music I mentioned above. It is worth one, two or even three repeats. The only drawback (which cannot be clearly counted as one)? Some songs last long even though they could be shorter, in my opinion. It's not a problem, not to me anymore, it's just a matter of taste and how you are able to stick to a song and pay your attention to it.

 My fave songs from the album: "Intro", "Sanctuary", "Period of Change" (a bit more favorite than the others) and "Free to Live". Enjoy!
Band and album info: Rate Your Music
Download: Boneyard Metal

RIP Lemmy

It's still so hard for me to believe and accept it. Rest in peace, you, metal god Lemmy Kilmister! You will be always remembered! A BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR MUSIC.
People, today you should play Motörhead loud! Really loud!

Elder - Lore (2015)

 Back from another long hiatus! I'm back again with another masterpiece that came to our speakers this year. A majestic, carefully written and full of surprises album by the legendary Elder, that was released not only to confirm their potential (even though we have clearly seen that on the previous LPs and EP), but to fill us with more of the magical harmonies and the stomping riffs this band is able to come up with.
 Lore partially keeps the lyrical themes of the EP (Spires Burn / Release) that was released before it and strengthens it with more pomposity, making the album carry the name that would best describe it. It's like reading the lore of a mystical land, far away from something usual and common. The band makes sure to enrich those lyrics with a barrage of imposing riffs and captivating yet earthen melodies, that tend to impress -and not to weary the listener- until the very last minute.
 Compendium is the first song (and the first one released, I think) of the album, that gives us a first idea of what we are going to hear in what we are holding in our hands or looking at our screens. A melodic yet powerful song with long solos and beautifully matched riffs followed by Nick's voice, opening a way for our journey into that magnificent album called Lore.
 Legend, the next song, keeps up with a more calm pace for the most of its part, something that could remind us of the last songs of Dead Roots Stirring, but still in the way that Lore has been written, meaning longer solos and riffs, a more powerful voice and more sound effects.
 Lore comes to take the place of Legend and, giving my humble opinion, it is the strongest song in the album! Great melodies that if you close your eyes, they can take you to magical places, making you one with the story that unfolds through the lyrics. A great piece of art and something musicians who pursue the same style should admire.
Deadweight gives the listener the feeling that they're under the sea and the waves start to swallow them whole, slowly sinking in a dark abyss. The song escalates to a point that someone could feel it like tremendous waves crushing on a cliff, something that reminded me of Oceanic by Isis, in a similar but still very different way.
Spirit at Aphelion, the epilogue of this majestic album, keeps the same "spirit" as the previous ones. Powerful riffs, sound effects that bring you to another world and beautifully matched lyrics that create a farrago of something that could be described as heavenly!
 Coming to a conclusion, as I don't intent to prattle, this album is an utter piece of art that should be admired by the listeners and by the fellow musicians as well. I could write far more things about each one of the songs, but I would not like to spoil more than the less of those you are about to hear. Listen to the album (at least more than once), buy it and go see those guys live, because I dare say they must be the best of their kind.

The seeds we've sewn rising forth 

the sons of trite and jealous birth 

who wash their hands in blood and soil 

.a golden light an earthly toil

Sinoptik - 16/58 (2014)

 It's been a long looong time since our last post on this blog, but the return brings something promising!
 I was always curious about how it would be if Black Keys met with the stoner sound and what would be the result of it. Well, Sinoptik came as a surprise into my life to help me find out what it would be like and, damn, I was really happy from what I heard!
 Those crazy guys from Kiev, Ukraine  come with a truly promising debut album called 16/58, released later the previous year. The album moves around what I said above, a Black Keys sound mixed with stoner and psychedelic/spacey one, making it sweet for the ears and giving you what you would like to hear from a modern band following the old ways of rock!
 The songs are full of a variety of sweet and "dancy" tunes, which makes, me at least, want to dance and the other moment to bang my head around or do both at the same time! The lyrics are about loooove (not cheesy though, that's good) and running away from daily life, making a perfect match with the sound the band carries. "Bullet's Taste" and "16/58" are a sure repeat on your player, as by the moment you listen to them, you're going to love them. What's more to find in that album except its beauty, is a cover to Black Keys' "Gold on the Ceiling", giving us an idea from where the guys were inspired, even though it was already obvious for the Black Keys lovers! A nice cover though, truth be told.
 Coming to a conclusion, catchy tunes, sweet voice, beautiful groove and the great feeling of psychedelia is what this album and the guys from Kiev have to offer to you and you should be grateful about it, cause I'll be damned if I say that 16/58 is not a good album! Make sure to check it out and support them if you like them! I'm completely sure that this is only the beginning, and if this isn't a good start, then...I don't know anymore!

"...But maybe its only the radio-frequency noise from the solar wind and he simply went insane..."

You can find band info and download the album for whatever price you like here: Bandcamp

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