manosg
Emeritus

Reviews 172
Approval 99%

Soundoffs 1,166
News Articles 106
Band Edits + Tags 786
Album Edits 845

Album Ratings 4814
Objectivity 77%

Last Active 02-23-23 10:30 am
Joined 09-04-12

Review Comments 12,708

Average Rating: 3.41
Rating Variance: 0.41
Objectivity Score: 77%
(Well Balanced)

Chart.

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2024
Tarot (AUS) Glimpse Of The Dawn3.5
Castle Rat Into the Realm3.0
Blue Oyster Cult Ghost Stories3.0
Sum 41 Heaven :x: Hell3.0
Coffin Storm Arcana Rising3.5
The Wizards (ESP) The Exit Garden3.5
Achelous Tower Of High Sorcery3.5
Attic Return Of The Witchfinder3.0
Savage Oath Divine Battle3.5
The Black Crowes Happiness Bastards3.0
Midnight Hellish Expectations3.5
Judas Priest Invincible Shield3.5
Early Moods A Sinner's Past3.0
Loreena McKennitt The Road Back Home4.0
Sentry Sentry3.0
Solid epic metal debut by three ex-Manilla Road members, however it lacks that extra oomph in the songwriting department that would make it stand out from the crowd.
Haunt (USA-CA) Dreamers3.0
Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project3.5
Hands of Goro Hands of Goro3.5
Coltre To Watch With Hands... To Touch With Eyes3.5
North Sea Echoes Really Good Terrible Things3.0
Nemedian Chronicles The Savage Sword4.0
Monkey3 Welcome to the Machine4.0
Blaze Bayley Circle of Stone3.5
Writhen Hilt Ancient Sword Cult3.5
Cool little epic metal EP, with convincing atmosphere, good production and great execution. Really promising start.
The Obsessed Gilded Sorrow3.5
Steve Hackett The Circus and the Nightwhale3.5
Ihsahn Ihsahn3.5
Witchorious Witchorious2.5
Chapel of Disease Echoes of Light4.0
Dwarrowdelf The Fallen Leaves3.5
Lucifer (DE) Lucifer V3.5
Pirate Hymn Explorer3.5
Saxon Hell, Fire and Damnation3.5
Green Day Saviors3.0
Arcane Tales Until Where The Northern Lights Reign3.0

2023
Solitary Sabred Temple of the Serpent3.5
Paradise Lost Icon 304.0
March To Die Tears Of The Gorgon3.5
Varathron The Crimson Temple3.5
Laerion The Druid and the Moonlight3.0
High Spirits Safe on the Other Side3.0
Don't Drop the Sword Age of Heroes3.0
Coven Japan Earthlings3.0
Valdrin Throne of the Lunar Soul4.0
Helga (SWE) Wrapped in Mist3.5
Hitten While Passion Lasts3.5
Silverbones Brethren of the Coast3.0
Diviner Avaton3.5
Tarja Turunen Dark Christmas1.5
Tarja is immensely talented, but this is incredibly dull.
Super Sabbath Super Sabbath3.0
It obvious that these guys love Led Zeppelin and execute their formula with varying degrees of success. I was about to rate them lower, but then I realized their young age, so props to the young fellas for living the dream.
Green Lung This Heathen Land3.0
Angra Cycles Of Pain3.0
Tower Hill Deathstalker3.3
Fun album with interesting songwriting and execution for fans of European power metal.
Legendry Time Immortal Wept3.5
Sorcerer Reign of the Reaper3.5
Howling Giant Glass Future3.5
Atlantean Sword Realmwalker3.0
Duff McKagan Lighthouse2.5
On Thorns I Lay On Thorns I Lay3.5
Very atmospheric, featuring nice folk melodies/touches scattered throughout, but at the same time, anticlimactic. Definitely needs a lot of listens to form a solid opinion.
Amorphis Queen of Time (Live At Tavastia 2021)4.0
Goat Medicine3.5
Creeper Sanguivore3.5
Fun goth opera which brings to mind Meatloaf and The 69 Eyes, with a sprinkle of Savatage.
Roger Waters The Dark Side of the Moon Redux1.0
Heavy Load Riders Of The Ancient Storm3.3
The Magus Βυσσοδομώντας3.0
Socrates Drank the Conium Last Forever3.0
KK's Priest The Sinner Rides Again3.0
Graveyard (SWE) 63.5
Thurnin Útiseta4.0
Kerrigan Bloodmoon3.4
Exire Whom Does the Grail Serve?3.4
Sacro The End3.5
Dying Fetus Make Them Beg for Death3.5
Soen Memorial3.0
Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons Kings of the Asylum3.3
Lord of Shadows Echoes of Yore4.0
Ordalia Odes For Victory3.0
Alice Cooper Road2.5
Spanish Love Songs No Joy3.5
Tusmorke Hestehoven3.5
Owlbear Chaos to the Realm3.0
Castle Zagyx / Elffor Ungodly Mysteries3.5
Flight Echoes of Journeys Past3.0
Greta Van Fleet Starcatcher2.5
The Raven Age Blood Omen3.0
Stray Gods Olympus3.5
Lord Bakartia Daarkriistdraal3.5
Wytch Hazel IV: Sacrament3.0
Used to enjoy these guys' music so much, but nowadays it just seems preachy.
Cloak Black Flame Eternal3.5
This is great if you're in a Tribulation mood. Catchy riffs and convincing atmosphere.
Immortal War Against All3.5
Sacred Outcry Towers of Gold4.2
Shadows (CL) Out for Blood3.0
Wings of Steel Gates of Twilight3.7
Quality heavy metal with engaging songwriting and convincing execution that brings to mind Crimson Glory, Whitesnake, and Dio. This is clearly a very talented band fronted by a chameleon who sounds at times like Midnight, Rob Halford and David Coverdale.
Darklon The Redeemer3.4
Death of Giants Ventesorg3.0
War Dance Sons of Thunder3.5
Haunt (USA-CA) Golden Arm3.0
Blood Ceremony The Old Ways Remain4.0
Burning Witches The Dark Tower3.0
Enforcer Nostalgia3.5
Danava Nothing But Nothing3.5
Fires in the Distance Air Not Meant For Us4.0
Crimson Dawn It Came From The Stars3.3
Century (SWE) The Conquest of Time3.4
The songwriting is nothing to write home about, but these Swedes know how to play convincing traditional metal with enough hooks and a great atmosphere to keep your attention for several listens. Almost impressive.
Tanith Voyage3.3
Liv Kristine River of Diamonds3.0
Smoulder Violent Creed of Vengeance3.7
Blood Star First Sighting3.4
Jethro Tull RökFlöte3.0
The 69 Eyes Death Of Darkness3.5
Margarita Witch Cult Margarita Witch Cult3.5
Blazon Rite Wild Rites And Ancient Songs3.0
Once again, Blazon Rite nails the atmosphere and aesthetics, but the songwriting is average and utterly forgettable.
Metallica 72 Seasons2.5
Lots of Load/Reload elements, which is not a bad thing, but the songwriting is inferior and the album lacks even one song that will make me want to come back to in the near future. That being said, this is far from hot garbage, probably because Hetfield is one of the greatest metal songwriters of all time.
Overkill Scorched3.5
Red Rum Book of Legends3.0
Tribulation Hamartia3.8
Paul Gilbert The Dio Album3.5
It's easy to say that nothing can't go wrong when covering classics sung by the greatest metal vocalist and written by some of the greatest songwriters of all-time. However, this can't be far from the truth. Paul Gilbert does a great job of staying loyal to the classics while using his guitar instead of Dio's eternal voice, which results in slightly modernized versions of the originals. A very enjoyable listen by an immensely talented guitarist.
Witchtower Voyeur3.5
Cruachan The Living and the Dead3.2
Lana Del Rey Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd2.8
Shores of Null The Loss of Beauty3.7
Saxon More Inspirations3.0
Gatekeeper (CAN) From Western Shores3.5
Michael Krumins Infinity3.7
Norwegian Green Carnation guitarist Michael Krumins' venture into world music is successful and surprising at the same time. Some of the arrangements bring to mind those of Loreena McKennitt's on An Ancient Muse due to their strong Mediterranean flavor. A highly evocative and emotional listen.
MDXX MDXX3.4
Triumpher Storming The Walls4.0
Fair Of The Forgotten A Gaze Into Oblivion3.5
Promising slab of black metal with memorable riffs that combines melody with aggression.
Night Demon Outsider3.5
Suotana Ounas I3.3
Elysion Bring Out Your Dead3.0
Afsky Om Hundrede År3.5
Burden of Ymir Heorot3.2
Atmospheric folk metal that recites the tale of Beowulf. Features an array of nice melodies but the guitars don't have much punch and I am not a fan of how the accordion is incorporated.
Miley Cyrus Endless Summer Vacation2.5
Enslaved Heimdal3.7
Hole Dweller With Dreams of Hereafter2.5
Bastard Sword I3.0
Host IX3.5
Megaton Sword Might & Power3.3
Insomnium Anno 16963.5
Steel Panther On the Prowl2.0
Maybe it's just me, but this sounds extremely tacky and quite ridiculous, whereas in the
past it was funny. The music is okay, not poor by any means, but the overall experience is
boring.
Siena Root Revelation3.3
Westing Future3.4
If you are familiar with Slow Season, you already know what to expect from Westing, as this band consists of 3 ex-Slow Season members. This is straight Led Zeppelin worship with solid songwriting and performance.
Tetrasigil Forest Storm3.5
Enjoyable black metal from Finland with cool tempo changes and melodic riffs like only Finnish black metal bands can craft.
Hellripper Warlocks Grim and Withered Hags3.7
The Abbey Word of Sin3.0
Fredlos Fredlös3.8
Frozen Dawn The Decline of the Enlightened Gods3.0
Constantine Fables3.3
The atmosphere is convincingly pastoral, but the songwriting leaves something to be desired. Nevertheless, this is solid.
The Winery Dogs III3.3
Xandria The Wonders Still Awaiting3.3
DeWolff Love, Death & In Between3.0
Castlesiege The Council of Trees3.3
Cool dungeon synth with strong early '90s fantasy vibes.
Firienholt White Frost and Elder Blood3.3
Uriah Heep Chaos & Colour3.0
Extremely solid, yet unspectacular and quite linear. Having said that, Uriah Heep is the definition of "aging gracefully" and deserve much respect.
Marco Garau's Magic Opera Battle of Ice2.3
I enjoyed the previous album significantly more. Even though both of them are symphonic metal by-the-numbers, this one is less inspired and the vocals sound annoying and grating at times.
Ronnie Romero Raised On Heavy Radio3.3
Came into this one expecting nothing and had a blast. Ronnie does a great job on almost all tracks and the backing band doesn't sound too Karaoke-ish. Color me impressed.
Lord Mountain The Oath3.5
Very enjoyable old-school doom metal with a great atmosphere and catchy songwriting.
Twilight Force At the Heart of Wintervale3.3
Tribunal (CAN) The Weight Of Remembrance3.8
Katatonia Sky Void of Stars3.3
Sabaton Heroes Of The Great War2.5
Wuodan's Wunde Es Glimmt Empor Aus Ewger Nacht3.0
VV (FIN) Neon Noir3.0
Sons of Cult Back to the Beginning2.0
The Flower Machine Volume 53.5
Very well-performed and engaging psych rock that almost sounds as if it was pulled from a late '60s San Francisco basement.
Lucifer's Fall Children of the Night3.0
Prydain The Gates of Aramore3.0

2022
Runelord Doomsday Script2.5
Arrayan Path Thus Always to Tyrants3.7
Judicator The Majesty of Decay3.5
High Command Eclipse of the Dual Moons4.0
Great riffs and epic atmosphere, what more to ask?
The Riven Peace and Conflict3.5
Djevel Naa Skrider Natten Sort3.5
Freternia The Final Stand3.0
Risingfall Rise or Fall3.3
Antimatter A Profusion of Thought3.5
Munroe's Thunder The Black Watch3.7
Quality heavy/power metal that brings together the epic nature of Rainbow with the heaviness of Iron Maiden, Metal Church and Savatage.
Kampfar Til Klovers Takt 3.3
Doomocracy Unorthodox3.8
Boar's Hunter 1983 Autumn is Ending2.0
Therion Leviathan II3.0
Really safe, but still an enjoyable listen for those who dig Therion's Vovin era.
Worm Bluenothing3.0
Darkthrone Astral Fortress3.5
White Coven White Coven3.5
Solid melodic bluesy psychedelic rock with excellent female vocals. Only drawback is that it feels a bit longer than it is, but, other than that, this is great.
Joe Lynn Turner Belly of the Beast2.5
Spell (CAN) Tragic Magic3.5
Running Maiden Running Maiden3.2
Old-school heavy metal that brought to my mind Iron Maiden, Angel Witch and Stormwitch.
Ols Pustkowia3.5
Charons Claw Streets Of Calimport3.0
Draconic Regicide Shadowrealm3.5
Riot City Electric Elite4.0
A major improvement from the debut in every aspect and one of the best traditional metal albums of the past few years.
Red Hot Chili Peppers Return of the Dream Canteen2.5
There's nothing offensive going on with this album, but have some restraint ffs.
Sordid Blade Every Battle Has Its Glory3.0
Steel Arctus Master of War3.3
The Cult Under The Midnight Sun3.2
Old Sorcery Dragon Citadel Elegies3.5
Darkmage Tales From Solitude3.3
Brutal and raw, yet melodic and quite atmospheric.
Long Knife Curb Stomp Earth3.4
Arkham Witch Swords Against Death3.4
Hexed Pagans Rising3.0
Ellende Ellenbogengesellschaft3.8
Talas 19853.0
I'm not the biggest fan of the songwriting on here, which left me with almost nothing to remember, but, at the same time, can't deny the fact that this is fun and has some really tasty bass lines.
Kings of Mercia Kings of Mercia2.8
The songwriting is okay but I cannot stand the way the singer exhales all the time, even though his voice is pretty good. This thing almost ruined this album for me.
Intranced Intranced3.5
Really encouraging debut EP, containing quality heavy metal with plenty of hooks, nice melodies and great execution. Listen if you like Air Raid or Diamond Head.
Sonja Loud Arriver3.5
Dark Forest Ridge and Furrow3.5
Venom Inc. There's Only Black2.5
Cauldron Born Cold Steel for the Necromancer3.8
Sumerlands Dreamkiller3.5
Terra Atlantica Beyond the Borders2.5
Mournful Moon Rose Velvet Dynasty3.2
Solid Hellenic black metal with dungeon synth elements. Has a number of cool melodies and a convincing atmosphere, but nothing really feels special and I am not a fan of the vocals.
Ozzy Osbourne Patient Number 93.0
Certainly better than I expected and props to Ozzy for leaving behind the lifeless Ordinary Man. That being said, I still think that Patient Number 9 is too long for its own good and I am not a fan of the production.
Gargantuan Blade Gargantuan Blade3.5
Megadeth The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!3.2
Whitespade Whitespade3.5
This is described as "the album Bronze Records rejected in between Bomber and Ace of Spades", but it's so solid that I don't think that any record label executive could have rejected it. Midnight is a great student of rock and metal, and this is as good as Motorhead tribute gets.
Blind Guardian The God Machine3.3
The hooks are here and the songwriting is solid, however the album lacks the magic of Blind Guardian's '90s output and is marred by the average production and arrangements.
Grave Digger Symbol of Eternity3.3
I had really low expectations, but this is really fun and certainly a worthy addition to the long Grave Digger catalogue.
Lacrimas Profundere How to Shroud Yourself with Night3.0
Soilwork Overgivenheten3.5
I am almost oblivious when it comes to Soilwork's previous work, but this is really enjoyable. Full of hooks, catchy melodies and memorable moments.
Phantom Spell Immortal's Requiem3.7
A-Z A-Z3.5
As in Alder-Zonder or more probably Apple-Zebra.
Emilie Lorentzen Moersm​å​l3.5
I have no idea what Emilie is singing about on this one, but I certainly love the organic/pastoral sound. Listen if you like Myrkur's Folkesange.
Early Moods Early Moods3.5
Nice old-school doom that brings to mind the early days and bands of the genre.
Odysses Onwards Into Poseidons Fangs3.5
Cool slab of psychedelic bluesy rock. These guys know where it's at.
Aeternia The Quest3.0
Fellowship The Saberlight Chronicles3.5
Ironflame Where Madness Dwells3.3
Saor Origins3.3
Parish (UK) Parish3.1
Savage Master Those Who Hunt At Night2.5
Oathbringer Tales Of Glory3.5
Glorious slab of heavy metal with a strong epic vibe, that brings to mind a cross between Iron Maiden and Manilla Road with Tolkien lyrics.
Civil War Invaders3.3
Jorn Over the Horizon Radar3.0
Castle Zagyx Oath of the Dark Chivalry3.4
Kreator Hate Über Alles3.3
Lords of Triumph Lost Times3.0
Traditional doom metal that sounds like a mix of Black Sabbath, Paradise Lost and Type O Negative. Encouraging EP.
Adamantis The Daemon's Strain3.5
These guys continue to improve, as they deliver a solid slab of power metal with strong epic leanings with two impressive cuts in the form of "Dark Moon Goddess" and "The Daemon?s Strain (House Carpenter)".
Don't Drop the Sword Prelude to the Age of Heroes3.2
Cool Blind Guardian worship. These guys know how to write good songs that bring to mind the early days of the German bards. Glad to see that they have eliminated the extreme metal elements.
Riders of Rohan Riders of Rohan3.2
Pretty cool Tolkien-inspired proto-metal that brings to mind KISS, Iron Griffin and early-Judas Priest.
Septicflesh Modern Primitive3.5
Synteleia The Secret Last Syllable3.3
Ash of Ashes Traces3.5
A must-listen if you're into Bathory's viking era. This is more polished and less barbaric, but still slays.
Visions Of Atlantis Pirates3.3
These guys definitely have a knack for creating great melodies and, if you're into Within Temptation's The Silent Force, you'll probably have a blast. However, some moments are pure Eurovision, which is something I cannot stomach. All in all, a very good effort though.
The Gathering Beautiful Distortion3.5
Devil Master Ecstasies of Never Ending Night3.3
Midas (USA-MI) Midas3.5
Swordgleam Songs of Battle​-​Magic3.4
Kirk Hammett Portals3.0
Better than I expected, but still nothing special. Has more soul than the last Metallica though.
Jazz Sabbath Vol. 23.7
This does not only contain inspired renditions of Sabbath classics, but is also an excellent late-night listen.
Fer de Lance The Hyperborean3.3
Tribulation The Dhampir3.5
Dark and seductive. These guys can do no wrong.
Bergfried Romantik I3.2
Promising blend of hard rock and folk, with medieval tendencies, that brought to my mind a more polished/less freaked-out version of Iron Griffin. There is serious potential here.
Urferd Resan3.8
If you're looking for some really well-performed and convincing dark Nordic folk, don't miss out on this one. The mastermind behind Urferd is Daniel Beckman (Twilight Force), who is apparently extremely talented.
Axel Rudi Pell Lost XXIII3.0
Came here to write exactly the same thing as prnzokoshiro.
Hallas Isle of Wisdom4.0
It is always a pleasant surprise realising that bands are great students of music, and Hallas is a prime example of that. Really cool seeing them adding more prog elements and not having lost a step at the same time.
Joe Satriani The Elephants of Mars3.5
CobraKill Cobrator3.0
A nice blend of hard rock and heavy metal, with a strong glam metal scent and a few hooks. Enjoyable while it lasted but left me with nothing.
The Hellacopters Eyes Οf Oblivion3.5
The Hellacopters are back and they still got it. If you're looking for some energetic rock with plenty of hooks and a great sense of melody, look no further than Eyes of Oblivion.
Red Hot Chili Peppers Unlimited Love2.5
Luzifer Iron Shackles2.9
Elffor Arkaik II3.4
Initially, this sounded a bit linear and unspectacular, but it becomes better with each listen. One of Elffor's more solid dungeon synth releases.
Sakis Tolis Among the Fires of Hell3.7
Stray Gods Storm The Walls3.2
Iron Maiden worship done right. If you find the No Prayer for the Dying and Fear of the Dark era underrated, feel free to check this one.
Stone Axe Stay of Execution3.7
Steelballs The Neverending Fire3.2
Knight and Gallow For Honor and Bloodshed3.3
Promising traditional metal with a strong epic flavor. A bit uneven, especially on the "heavier" parts, but still enjoyable.
Arcane Tales Steel, Fire and Magic3.3
This ticks every box for non-originality in every aspect, but is still enjoyable. Hats off.
Sequestered Keep Sorcerous Steel3.3
Ghost (SWE) Impera3.5
On first listen, Impera felt really underwhelming, but this one seems to be a grower and for some reason it makes me want to come back.
The Midgard Project The Great Divide3.0
Purple Dawn Peace & Doom Session Vol II3.4
Echo Train Libation3.5
Solid psychedelic rock with Greek folk elements and seducing female vocals.
Scorpions Rock Believer3.2
Can't see myself jamming this one more than 2-3 times, but had a great time throughout its duration. Probably, best Scorpions since Crazy World.
Deathbell A Nocturnal Crossing3.5
This one hits that sweet doomy-Gathering spot, even though it's a bit heavier and more monolithic. If Mandylion is your favorite The Gathering release, you don't want to miss A Nocturnal Crossing.
Doublegeddon Geddon Dangerous4.0
Naxatras IV3.7
This is Naxatras' most organic and warm-sounding release, as it is influenced by Eloy and Pink Floyd. A perfect companion when you?re in a contemplative mood.
Sleepwulf Sunbeams Curl3.4
Anyone who enjoyed the band's debut, should definitely check this one as well. Pure Pentagram worship, but in a good sense. Easier said than done.
Ard Take Up My Bones3.8
Moonlight Sorcery Piercing Through the Frozen Eternity2.8
This one hits all the right notes when it comes to cover art, band name, and album title, but the music is quite unspectacular. If you want a quick symphonic black metal fix, give these guys a listen, but don't expect much.
Amorphis Halo3.8
Judging this album is not an easy task. On the one hand, you can blame Amorphis for sticking too close to their familiar sound or being too consistent for their own sake. On the other hand, Halo is a damn fine album, full of beautiful moments which is based on a sound no other band has managed to imitate. So, all in all, this is still a triumph imo, especially considering that it's the 14th release of the Finnish melodeath masters. At some point, we might realize that we've been taking greatness for granted for too long.
Greyhawk Call of the Hawk3.3
Knight's Oath II2.5
The songwriting and instrumentation are solid, but the vocals are almost a deal-breaker. I understand that these guys are trying to achieve an arcane epic metal vibe, but this is not the way to go.
Saxon Carpe Diem3.4
Jethro Tull The Zealot Gene3.0
Steve Vai Inviolate3.5
On first listen, this felt really underwhelming, but since then it has grown on me a lot. Solid songwriting, with a lot of positive vibes and interesting ideas.
Ashes of Ares Emperors And Fools3.2
Blind Sun Under Them Stones3.0
Tony Martin Thorns3.0
The songwriting is a bit pedestrian, but Tony Martin still got them pipes. Definitely worth a listen, if you're into Martin-Era Sabbath.
Ilium (AUS) Quantum Evolution Event3.2
The cover art screamed Cauldron Born at first glance, but this is much less dissonant and more melodic. These guys know how to play solid melodic power metal, and this album just made curious to check an LP of theirs.
Maule Maule3.2
Energetic heavy metal that brings to mind a rawer (and less talented) Iron Maiden, with solid songwriting and great guitarwork. Unfortunately, the vocals are quite average and unnecessarily over the top, to the point that I had to decrease the volume a number of times. Other than that, this is really enjoyable.
Power Paladin With the Magic of Windfyre Steel2.8
There is nothing really wrong about this album, but at the same time everything is so safe, calculated and formulaic. If you're into a European power metal mood, this might do the trick for you. However, this sounds like something that would work better in a live setting as part of a festival, for example.
Moongates Guardian The Wind Over Dale3.0
Jamming the new Moongates Guardian on the first day of every new year has become somewhat of a tradition.
The Silent Wedding The Ego Path3.5

2021
Elffor Kaosaren Mendi Odoltsuetan3.2
Solid yet unspectacular atmospheric black metal with symphonic elements.
Elminster Durin, Father Of Dwarves2.8
Medieval dungeon synth that is not bad, but lacks direction and variety. Good for background music.
Strixskog Land of Cursed Spells3.3
Great blend of dungeon synth and heavy metal with nice dynamics that make the overall overall highly engaging and quite interesting.
Guild Of Lore The Spine Of Night3.3
Wolftooth Blood & Iron3.0
Wish I could enjoy this band more, but the music feels a bit simplistic and bare bones. Nonetheless, if you're in the mood for some cool proto-doom metal with Ozzy-esque vocals, feel free to check these guys and they might do more for you.
I Myrkri Bag Skyggernes Slør3.5
Atmospheric black metal with a nice edge and rawness.
Morgul Blade Fell Sorcery Abounds3.3
Interesting take on traditional metal with black metal elements, that brings to mind what Abbath is trying to do with I, or even Tribulation, but this is definitely closer to more traditional forms. Certainly atmospheric, but the songwriting and the riffs leave something to be desired.
Deep Purple Turning to Crime3.0
I won't even pretend that I'm familiar with more than half of the originals on here, but can't deny that I had a good time listening to the album. Nevertheless, I can't see myself jamming it again in the future.
Black Label Society Doom Crew Inc.3.0
Opera Diabolicus Death on a Pale Horse3.8
I don't know if this qualifies as a rock opera, but it certainly is theatrical af. Opera Diabolicus bring together the symphonic elements of Therion, with the dark atmosphere of King Diamond and a pinch of aggression a la Nevermore, as they weave an excellent horror tale. One of the biggest issues today is that we don't give music the time it deserves; if you're not in the mood to jam this one repeatedly and let yourself be drawn into the story, just don't bother at all. Otherwise, you're in for a treat.
Eternity's End Embers of War4.0
Excellent power metal which combines technicality with solid songwriting.
Bruce Springsteen The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts4.2
The level of energy on here is immense. This is the equivalent of Live After Death.
Der Weg Einer Freiheit Noktvrn4.0
This is so good that its highlights are borderline emotionally draining. Amazing rhythm section as well.
Khemmis Deceiver3.0
Really don't get the hype about these guys. Not a bad album, but nothing seems to grab me.
Stormkeep Tales of Othertime3.8
An homage to black metal's golden days, and it's as good as the cover art suggests.
Galaxy (AUS) On the Shore of Life3.5
Urdol Ur Seven Portals To The Arcane Realms3.5
If you're into a Summoning mood, but don't want to jam the same stuff again and again, Urdol Ur is an excellent alternative. These guys really know how to craft quality epic black metal, and Seven Portals to the Arcane Realms is a perfect example of that.
Belore Artefacts3.3
Doesn't bring anything new to the table, but this is still some solid atmospheric black metal with folk elements and epic leanings.
Tower Shock to the System3.5
Nothing more to add here, other than Sarabeth Linden's vocals are pure fire and some of the best you've heard on a traditional heavy metal album.
Black Soul Horde Horrors From The Void3.8
Fen Walker Fare Thee Well Battle Winds3.0
Wish I enjoyed this one a bit more. It's certainly varied and atmospheric, but I'm not a big fan of this type of electronic dungeon synth. Nonetheless, this definitely warrants a few listens.
Crazy Lixx Street Lethal2.5
Maybe I'm not in the mood, but this sounds like the weakest Crazy Lixx until now. Uninspired with average songwriting, and a chore to listen to.
Sarke Allsighr2.5
Worst Sarke. The atmosphere is kinda there, but the lack of interesting riffs makes this a boring listen. Not a poor album by any means, but zero replay value.
The Night Eternal Moonlit Cross3.5
A great alternative if you're into an Unto Others mood but looking for something with more traditional metal elements.
Fever Dog Alpha Waves3.7
Came out of nowhere and rocked my ass. If you're into well-executed '70s hard rock with space and prog elements, don't miss out on this one.
Various Artists Bow to Your Masters Volume Two: Deep Purple!2.7
Sometimes it clicks, most times it doesn't, and there are a few moments where the outcome is cringeworthy. Worth a listen if you're a Deep Purple fan, otherwise don't bother. Now I've come to think of it, maybe the best thing about this one is the cover art.
Marissa Nadler The Path of the Clouds3.5
Very relaxing and soothing. A must-listen, regardless of taste in music.
Joe Bonamassa Time Clocks3.0
A pleasant listen which is good for background music, but lacks any serious emotion that would make me come back for more.
Running Wild Blood on Blood3.3
Another solid effort with no weak tracks besides "Wild, Wild Nights", which I find hard to digest from a band like Running Wild. All in all, Rock 'n' Rolf has done a great job once again.
Emily Scott Robinson American Siren3.5
Doesn't matter if you're not so much into country, because this is some solid emotional music.
1914 Where Fear and Weapons Meet4.0
Instrumentally this is some pretty great blackened death, but reading the lyrics is a must in order to fully feel the effect of this album. Atmospheric and cinematic.
Shadowland (USA-NY) The Necromancers Castle3.5
Solid traditional metal with great female vocals, memorable vocal lines and enough hooks to keep the listener's attention throughout. Sounds genuinely vintage as well.
Dream Theater A View from the Top of the World3.5
Another great DT effort, and if you think that these guys are predictable, you haven't heard enough of this. What I really enjoy from this album, is that Magini finally sounds interesting, and even though the shorter tracks are okay, the s/t track is a beast and a hell of a ride.
Cradle of Filth Existence Is Futile3.5
The late-career comeback continues, but this is not as strong as the previous two albums.
Seven Sisters Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt.13.5
Lana Del Rey Blue Banisters3.5
Santana Blessings And Miracles1.5
Not terribly bad but soulless, and this might be the worst offense when it comes to a Santana album. Everything here seems like it's on autopilot, to the point where I wonder what is Santana's actual input.
Alcatrazz V3.0
It just feels weird to listen to an Alcatrazz album without Graham Bonnet, even though Graham supposedly will release an LP at some point with his version of Alcatrazz. Other than that, the songwriting here is a bit trite, but the guitar playing is fire and worth the price of admission.
Wooden Fields Wooden Fields3.5
Proper soulful '70s hard rock that brings to mind a more controlled/less psych Jimi Hendrix, early-Blues Pills, and Three Seasons. These guys know where it's at, and if you're a fan of fuzzy melodic hard rock, you'll definitely have a good time jamming Wooden Fields.
Gelure The Candlelight Tomes3.8
KK's Priest Sermons of the Sinner3.2
If you're into Judas Priest, you'll enjoy this one as well - simple as that. Of course it sounds exactly like Judas Priest, it's K.K. Downing, he's a founding member of Priest and contributed in shaping their sound.
Sombre Arcane Realmsong3.5
From the cover art to the logo, everything about this one screams Forgotten Realms, and this is exactly what it is; a mental trip to a magical land.
Unto Others Strength3.5
Runeshard Shadowbane3.3
Cool little symphonic metal album with heavy use of keyboards. Brings to mind Bal Sagoth, with its over the top/bombastic sound. As good as the debut EP, but this one lacks the element of surprise. Very enjoyable though.
Anoice The Hidden Forest3.8
Very soothing, puts you in a contemplative mood. This is music for looking outside your window.
Tales of the Old The Book of Chaos3.2
Blazon Stone Damnation3.5
Ancient Empire Priest of Stygia3.0
Checks all boxes of good USPM, but at the same time it's too safe and formulaic to be great. Nonetheless, it's an enjoyable listen.
Withered Land The Endless Journey2.5
Great cover art, but the music sounds exactly like you imagine your standard mid-tempo atmospheric black metal.
Dragonbreath The Awakening3.3
Quality traditional metal with good songwriting for fans of Dio, Iron Maiden and Manilla Road.
Portrait (SWE) At One with None3.5
Quite enjoyable with great melodies and sweet guitarwork all around. Seriously doubt that I will be jamming it more that 3-4 times though.
Pathworn Pilgrim Beauty Of The Bitter Coast3.3
Atmospheric dungeon synth, inspired by Morrowind. This is a Guild Of Lore side project, so you know that it's good no matter what.
Iron Maiden Senjutsu3.5
The Night Flight Orchestra Aeromantic II4.2
These guys are pure fire and Aeromantic II could have been successful even if it was released during AOR's golden period. This album gets better with each listen.
Auri II - Those We Don't Speak Of3.3
If you're up for some cinematic Celtic folk with pop touches, II - Those We Don't Speak Of might do the trick for you. This is really relaxing and evocative and can't help but think that the vocals bring Anneke van Giersbergen to my mind.
Frost-Rimed Iron The Fire of Conquest3.8
Osi and the Jupiter Stave3.5
Very organic and warm with a nice Western feel throughout.
Eld Varg One Man Army2.7
Mentalist A Journey into the Unknown3.0
Fun but unspectacular European power metal, that brings to mind Helloween and Blind Guardian.
The Bridge City Sinners Unholy Hymns4.0
This is one of those albums you didn't know you needed. Excellent folk/bluegrass, with dark lyrics and a siren on vocals. What's not to like?
Chamber of Unlight Realm of the Night3.5
Symphonic black metal that bites. Excellent, if you're in a '90s black metal mood.
Knight's Oath Knight's Oath3.0
Encouraging debut of old-school heavy metal with epic leanings and a good sense of melody.
Vale Minstrel Red Wyvern Tower3.3
Very relaxing and easy to listen, but I have deducted a couple of decimals as I don't see a sense of development compared to the debut.
Anadune The Rise of Gondolin3.2
Very atmospheric Tolkien-inspired dungeon synth, with a certain charm. Wish it was a bit longer though.
Luther Allison Montreux 19763.5
Glemte riker Vi fulgte ravnene3.3
Engaging and atmospheric old-school dungeon synth.
Cimmerian Fury Moghcorb the Mangler2.0
Even though this is atmospheric and mysterious, it hasn't got much else going on. The songwriting lacks direction and the whole thing sounds old-school in a bad way.
Yngwie Malmsteen Parabellum3.0
Much better than I expected, especially on the parts where he doesn't sing. Apart from his voice and some production issues, this is actually pretty enjoyable, as his playing is impressive.
Flame, Dear Flame Aegis3.4
Expected more tbh, both in terms of quantity and quality, as the EP was really promising. The first half of the is essentially the EP, while the second half is more acoustic but blends seamlessly with the first side of the album. Nonetheless, if you're into some Atlantean Kodex-reminiscent epic doom with strong female vocals, you'll enjoy this one.
Musk Ox Inheritance 3.5
Vaelastrasz The Age of Defias3.0
Atmospheric with a video game quality, but nothing to write home about.
Dream Troll Realm of the Tormentor3.0
Really uplifting and "happy" heavy metal with a lot of hooks and an '80s cartoonish atmosphere. Props to these guys, but doesn't do much for me, other than being a fairly pleasant listen and nothing more than that.
Ceres (USA) Tyrant's Rise3.3
Solid, honest heavy metal with epic leanings, that brings to mind Omen, Iron Maiden and Manilla Road.
Eldingar Maenads3.5
A treat, if you're into the mid-'90s mid-tempo black metal of bands like Rotting Christ and Septic Flesh. Love the interludes as well.
Rose City Band Earth Trip3.5
Very dreamy and relaxing, ideal for enjoying the sun in the summer.
Darkthrone Eternal Hails3.5
These guys can do no wrong. They have incorporated various influences to their sound and delivered another album that sounds so Darkthrone.
Reinforcer Prince of the Tribes3.8
Pure Blind Guardian worship, but as long as the songwriting is so good and the vocals so fire, idgaf. As fun as it gets.
Lucifer's Hammer (CL) The Trip3.2
Fun NWOBHM with great melodies, and this time I can listen to some Rush elements which differentiate this one from the previous albums. Once again a solid effort by the Chileans.
Helloween Helloween3.5
I have no idea whether I'll be listening to this one 6 months from now, but it's more than solid and very enjoyable. Props to them.
ASKII Hegelburg at Night3.5
Very tranquil and Oblivion-esque in the best possible way. Perfect for a nighttime listen.
Blazon Rite Endless Halls of Golden Totem3.0
This definitely a decent slab of epic heavy metal, but doesn't support these guys' status as one of the most hailed underground outfits. Nonetheless, it is certainly promising as it contains a few nice melodies and an overall convincing atmosphere.
Cirith Ungol Half Past Human3.5
These guys cannot disappoint. Not a big fan of "Route 666" and "Brutish Manchild", even though they're not bad at all. "Shelob's Lair" and "Half Past Human" is where it's at though.
Dunbarrow Dunbarrow III3.8
A must-listen for fans of Witchcraft and Graveyard, Dunbarrow III is a solid slab of proto-doom metal that brings to mind Pentagram's First Daze Here.
Jorja Chalmers Midnight Train3.5
Puts you in a dreamy state with its hazy '80s atmosphere.
Monster Magnet A Better Dystopia3.0
If you think that ?indfucker is one of Monster Magnet's best albums, chances are that you'll enjoy this one too. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of either albums, but A Better Dystopia will give the listener the opportunity to become accustomed with lesser-known cool bands like Dust, Jerusalem and Josefus, among others.
Khirki Κτηνωδία3.5
Stellar debut that brings together heavy rock, with a punk attitude, and Greek folk. Engaging songwriting, catchy melodies and lots of energy. Really interested in seeing how this band evolves.
Myles Kennedy The Ides of March2.8
Not a poor album by any means, but tame, unspectacular and anticlimactic. Had a good time listening to it, but I can't see myself jamming it again.
Liv Kristine Have Courage Dear Heart3.2
If you enjoyed Vervain, you'll probably like this one as well. Features Tommy Olsson who was also on Theatre of Tragedy's Agis.
Edu Falaschi Vera Cruz3.8
A must-listen for fans of Angra, and one of the best power metal albums of 2021.
Fragment Soul Axiom Of Choice3.8
Lucid Sins Cursed!3.5
Engaging and well-performed occult doomy rock for fans of early Witchcraft.
Ewig Frost Aïn't No Saïnt3.5
The very definition of fun, and an extremely solid filthy punk 'n' roll album.
Steelbourne A Tale As Old As Time3.5
Something might be rotten in the state of Denmark, but it certainly isn't Steelbourne, as these guys know how to play exciting traditional metal a la Judas Priest with a strong epic flavor. This is an excellent debut.
Gary Moore How Blue Can You Get3.5
This is just further testament that Gary Moore is easily one of the greatest bluesmen ever. When he goes into that slows blues mode ("Living With The Blues", "How Blue Can You Get", "Love Can Make a Fool of You"), he is just unbeatable. Overall, this is great with only one misstep in the form of "Looking at Your Picture", which reminded me of his dreadful late-'90s output.
Gojira Fortitude3.5
Really enjoy the '90s vibes and the Sepultura influence on this one.
Ungfell Es Grauet3.5
DIM (CA) Compendium Reliquiae3.0
Nice slab of medieval dungeon synth. Atmospheric, but the songwriting didn't draw my attention all that much; like something is missing.
Stygian Fair Equilibrium3.6
Definitely a step up compared to Nadir. The melodic approach is better here, the songwriting is tighter, and the sweet melancholy is still present. This is very enjoyable and quite memorable.
Blacksmith Tales The Dark Presence3.2
I am a bit on the fence with this one. On one hand, I love the concept that has to do with ancient history and, as with anything Italian, it has a certain charm. On the other hand, it's a bit anticlimactic and didn't leave me with much to remember. Can't rule out that this might be a grower though.
Ringare Thrall of Winter's Majesty3.5
Nice blend of ambient and atmospheric black metal which transports the listener to a fantastic setting similar to the one in the album cover.
Pandora Space Amazon3.7
Such a great slab of glam/proto-punk, which brings together many different influences from David Bowie and the New York Dolls, to The Who and Led Zeppelin. Solid rhythm section, a very talented vocalist, and a guitarist who loves equally Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend, make up for a very enjoyable effort which was recorded live in studio and released in 1974.
Greta Van Fleet The Battle at Garden's Gate3.2
This is pretty good, to the point where the songwriting and overall atmosphere make up for the comic vocals. Actually, as long as I don't see these guys perform, I really enjoy their music. Kudos to them for living their dream.
The Vintage Caravan Monuments3.7
These guys know where it's at. The groove is strong and the guitar solos are pretty good. Color me impressed.
The Strange Seeds Plant3.3
If you're up for some organ-heavy hard rock with soulful vocals, give these guys a change and you won't regret it.
Heavy Feather Mountain of Sugar3.8
If you're disappointed by the music direction of Blues Pills, you should check this one. Solid psych/blues rock that retains its punch and has a garage-y feel. One of my favorites from this year.
Blaze Bayley War Within Me3.5
The Limit Caveman Logic3.5
A combination of early Pentagram and The Stooges results in Bobby Liebling's best album since Be Forewarned.
Crystal Winds Return to the Dark Age3.0
Unspectacular yet solid traditional heavy metal with epic leanings.
Old Wizard Old Wizard II3.5
Redhorn Gate Sires of Old3.3
Maybe it's just me, but even though this is nice, it just doesn't draw my attention as much as other DS releases.
George Tsalikis Return to Power3.0
Cool heavy/power metal with stellar execution, but average songwriting and production. Enjoyable, but left me with almost nothing.
Servants To The Tide Servants To The Tide3.3
Promising epic doom in the vein of Atlantean Kodex, Solstice and While Heaven Wept. Even though the execution here is very good and the songwriting engaging, this kind of music needs great vocals, which is something that the album lacks.
Zach Schottler Trouble On The Water3.0
Cool slab of rock with '70s influences which sometimes becomes quite emotional, while other time sounds a bit whiny. An enjoyable experience overall, but I cannot see myself jamming it again in the feature.
Saxon Inspirations3.2
If you still haven't figured out that Saxon can't disappoint, this is further proof. Lots of expected choices and a couple of surprising ones (Hold the Line, See My Friends), make up for a very enjoyable covers album.
Lunar Shadow Wish to Leave3.0
Great guitars, but appalling vocals and terrible thin production (what is wrong with the drums?). The songwriting is just okay and the atmosphere is convincing, but I expected more from Lunar Shadow's third album.
Knights of Nvrul Sword of Äonheart2.5
Unfortunately, this falls under the category of promising album art, but disappointing content. That doesn't mean that it's a downright poor dungeon synth album, as it's quite atmospheric and dreamy. However, it just doesn't contain enough melodies to keep the listener's attention and, at the end, it feels longer that it is.
Lana Del Rey Chemtrails Over The Country Club2.5
Blackmore's Night Nature's Light2.8
Still on the fence about this one. On one hand, I don't consider it a comeback by any means, as it's just okay without any real standouts when you look at Blackmore's Night's discography. On the other hand, it's enjoyable without embarrassing moments and easy to listen. The instrumentation is simpler than previous LPs, but once again, Blackmore's ability to craft great melodies is apparent. Anyway, I don't see myself jamming the entire album more that just a few times in the future, but much respect to Ritchie for still writing and releasing good music.
Ken Hensley My Book Of Answers3.0
Even though I'm not the biggest fan of this album, I'm glad that one of the most underrated and significant rock artists closed his career with a song like "Suddenly".
Warrior Path The Mad King3.5
They say that you have a lifetime to prepare your first album but only a specific period of time for its follow-up. Unfortunately, this is something that is apparent on The Mad King, as the songwriting here is less exciting that the debut and a bit repetitive. Nonetheless, this is still a great slab of epic power metal, featuring the legendary Daniel Heiman on vocals.
A Compendium of Curiosities Heaven Feels Like Floating Around in a Golden City3.3
Very dreamy and atmospheric with a dronish quality that makes this one great background music while working.
Wynter Arvn Abysses3.3
Sweet neofolk with great atmosphere but mediocre songwriting.
Empyrium Über den Sternen 4.0
Anneke van Giersbergen The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest3.0
This is really hard for me to rate because it's Anneke's most personal record and you can feel that she's put her heart into this. On the other hand, I've never been a big fan of her acoustic work and this is as acoustic as it gets. So, I can't follow her in the path that she's taken and don't think that I'll give this more than 2-3 spins throughout the year.
Goblintropp The Last March of the Goblin Troop3.5
Very atmospheric and engaging dungeon synth with strong Mortiis vibes.
Kanonenfieber Menschenmühle3.7
Marco Garau's Magic Opera The Golden Pentacle3.2
If you're up for some symphonic power metal with all the cliches but very good execution, you will have a great time. Marco Garau is Derdian's keyboard player, so this is quite similar with early Derdian as well. All in all, an enjoyable listen.
Ithildin A Long​-​Expected Party3.0
Cool little Tolkien-inspired dungeon synth with little variation, but an overall relaxing atmosphere.
Causam Doomsday Rapture3.0
Melodic black metal with a post-apocalyptic theme that brings nothing new to the table but still is pretty enjoyable.
Sur Austru Obârşie3.5
Castle Zagyx Doors to the Battlefields of Ertbe3.8
Beleriand February2.5
This is definitely atmospheric and I'm down with the operatic vocals. However, the songwriting is quite linear and samey, which makes the album feel longer than it actually is.
Dungeontroll Mournful Melodies of Ophior's Grotto3.2
Very relaxing and great as background music, but I don't think that it can keep me interested if I'm not doing anything else while listening to it.
Tribulation Where the Gloom Becomes Sound4.0
So atmospheric and seductive, it hurts. Amazing sense of melody with sneaky quality leads.
Yoth Iria As The Flame Withers3.3
Therion Leviathan2.3
This one sounds like bits and pieces from previous albums, but with mediocre songwriting and average vocals. Leviathan is by no means an awful listen, but at the same time, most songs lack any real sense of direction or development, as they start rather abruptly, feature a couple of old tricks that Christofer Johnsson has in his bag, and that's it. This LP was supposed to be full of hits, according to Johnsson, but it feels more like a failed attempt to please fans who expect Therion to release a new Theli.
The Dead Daisies Holy Ground3.3
A bit run-of-the-mill, but still pretty enjoyable. It boggles my mind how Glenn Hughes can still sing like that.
April Rain Mirror of Ether3.3
Cool instrumental post rock with a nice sense of direction, but left me with the feeling that it lacks more stand out/memorable moments that would make the experience less linear.
Pearl Charles Magic Mirror3.3
Love the ABBA and Fleetwood Mac vibes on this one.
Need Norchestrion: Α Song For The End3.5
This is great if you're in a Fates Warning contemplative prog metal mood.
Michael Schenker Group Immortal2.8
Blind Golem A Dream of Fantasy2.8
Pure Uriah Heep worship. Even though the execution is fine, the songwriting is a bit tame and the album has a runtime of 70 minutes, which is way too long for what these guys have to offer.
Moongates Guardian Till the Wind of the Morning3.0
Moongates Guardian have released much better albums but this is still some solid atmospheric black metal for fans of Summoning.

2020
Briton Rites Occulte Fantastique2.5
Even though I'm a fan of For Mircalla, this didn't do much for me, as it sounds like a bunch of recycled early doom metal riffs with boring songwriting and lousy production. Or maybe I'm not in that mood right now.
Oublieth Mornelance3.5
This is really atmospheric and mystical. Wish it was as amazing as the cover art though.
Possessed Steel Aedris3.4
Cool Canadian steel, even though I expected something better by these guys, as a result of their EPs. Better songwriting would help, and the same applies for the drums which could be less in the background resulting in a somewhat harmless sound.
walden Winterreise3.3
Really cool atmospheric folk, with a lot of sweet Mediterranean vibes. A little more material and a few more less dark passages would make this one even more enjoyable for me.
Spellmaster Unearthed Arcana2.8
Not bad by any means, but this is quite average heavy/power metal which is saved due to its epic flavor.
Miley Cyrus Plastic Hearts3.0
Eternal Champion Ravening Iron3.7
Less immediate than The Armor of Ire, but still a great album of barbaric epic metal. The production is better here but I guess that the more midtempo material can put off some listeners. Other than that, its duration, along with the fact that "War at the Edge of the End" is an older track, is somewhat concerning, especially because it took them four years since their debut to release this one.
Witchwood Before the Winter3.8
The Italians are still one of the best kept secrets in modern rock, and I can't figure out why, because their output is easily better than many of their contemporaries. Those who want to jam an amalgam of Uriah Heep, Jethro Tull and Deep Purple, with touches of The Black Crowes and an Italian finesse, are in for a treat.
AC/DC Power Up3.0
Ecclesia De Ecclesiæ Universalis3.5
Nice slab of epic doom, with a few modern touches. Really enjoy the whole religious theme and, with an improved songwriting, I can easily see these guys becoming one of the better modern epic doom bands.
Fates Warning Long Day Good Night3.5
A slow burner and a really diverse and moody album. Further testament that Fates Warning is pure class.
Glacier (USA-OR) The Passing of Time3.0
As much as I wanted to enjoy this one more, because Glacier deserves much more love on here, The Passing of Time is just okay. It is definitely nice and well-performed traditional metal but nothing seems to pop out after 3-4 listens.
Steel Arctus Fire and Blood3.0
Very promising debut of heavy/power metal with influences from German power metal and also bands like Manowar and Savatage. The songwriting is tight and the singer, who brings to mind Bruce Dickinson, does a great job. You can tell that these guys are really excited about what they're doing, but at the same time, this leads to some errors. For example, the album is supposed to be centered around a main character but the lyrics, which would help a non-native English speaker get into the story, aren't on Bandcamp. Also, the duration is a bit on the low side. However, this band seems to have the potential to release something really good in the future.
Wytch Hazel III: Pentecost3.7
Them (INT) Return to Hemmersmoor2.8
Despite the band name, this isn't a King Diamond rip off, as the music here is far less complex than KD, which is not bad at all. However, with the exception of some nice melodies and vocals, this is quite boring especially as the LP progresses.
Guild Of Lore Autumn Bohollow3.6
Guild Of Lore proves once again that, not only is one of the premier dungeon synth acts, but also one of the most consistent. Autumn Bohollow follows on the footsteps of Autumn Macabre, so if you enjoyed that album you'll enjoy this one as well.
Leaves' Eyes The Last Viking2.0
It's sad that this band has become somewhat of a joke and their albums become gradually worse. The Last Viking contains unmemorable riffs (if not just chugging), muddy comic growls, weak female vocals, and much less catchy folk melodies than previous LPs. To make things worse, this is 64-minutes long and feels even longer. Ugh, just change the name already, unless you hire someone named Leave of Liv again.
Adamantis Far Flung Realm3.2
A nice blend of US and European power metal, with a good sense of melody. These guys seem to have improved from their EP, and if they keep improving, we might have something really good in our hands in the future.
Wobbler Dwellers of the Deep4.3
October Falls Syys3.5
Very tranquil and atmospheric listen. Mikko Lehto's bare bones approach here is ideal, as the lush guitars suit perfectly the sound effects and create a feeling of coziness. This is perfect, when all you want to do is sit and watch the bad whether.
Bruce Springsteen Letter to You3.5
Came into this one expecting very little, and boy was I wrong. Putting aside his age, Bruce sounds great on here and the songwriting is interesting enough to hold your attention throughout. Hats off to the Boss.
Armored Saint Punching the Sky3.3
This is more than solid and quite fun, but at the same time a bit unspectacular. Nevertheless, I had a great time jamming it and can see myself coming back again to it in the future.
Nightstryke Storm of Steel3.0
Solid Finnish steel with a great sense of melody, which is expected from its country of origin. Very enjoyable, but doesn't warrant repeated listens. However, if they improve their songwriting, these guys can surprise us in the future.
Legendarium Reign in Repose3.0
Weird case of an album where the cover art brings to mind Atlantean Kodex, but the content is a mix of punk and NWOBHM. The tame vocals will definitely put some people off, but you get the hang of them after a while, and the instrumentation is quite addictive. This is probably a grower.
Blue Oyster Cult The Symbol Remains3.2
After listening, and watching, the video clips of the first two singles, I had zero expectations. But this turned out fine, as these guys sound like they're having a great time - something evident by the sheer number of "oohs" - and I also had a good time jamming this one. Their catchy vocal melodies are here, and the album works even better on the darker tracks. Much respect to these legends.
Isengard Vårjevndøgn3.0
I don't know if this is serious or Fenriz making fun of everyone, but there are definitely a few good ideas here and riffs that some modern stoner bands would kill for.
Vrorsaath Under Vast Dreamskies2.5
Other than the great cover art and the atmosphere, this doesn't have much going on. Nonetheless, it's a somewhat enjoyable DS/black metal combination.
Spellbook (USA-PA) Magick & Mischief3.0
This is quite enjoyable but also slightly disappointing because "Amulet/Fare Thee Well" reveals some significant potential which is not realized on any of the other tracks on here. Otherwise, these guys can create some cool melodic metal that brings to mind Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple and Night Demon from the more modern bands.
Sacred Outcry Damned For All Time4.2
Dwarrowdelf Evenstar3.0
I like the concept and cover art, but, overall, it feels kinda anticlimactic and left me with almost nothing to remember.
Lost Tales Sketches along the Strath1.5
I have no idea what the artist is trying to accomplish here, which is probably the main reason that I got no enjoyment out of this album. The production is awful, probably in an attempt to create a sincerely vintage/dreamlike experience, but the only thing it achieves is to diminish some of the very few nice melodies on here. Overall, a disappointing DS album.
Goditha Goditha - The Rock Opera3.5
First couple of listens didn't draw my attention, but I have to admit that Goditha has grown on me. This is one of the first Greek rock operas and if you give it the time it deserves, read the lyrics and immerse yourself into it, it is very rewarding. Convincing atmosphere and an array of singers with different tones so you can understand the change in characters. All in all, an excellent effort.
Fox Sailor Myths & Legends3.5
Adventurous epic ambient that would make a great soundtrack for a fantasy series.
Derek Sherinian The Phoenix3.0
Even though I'm a fan of Sherinian and some of the participants on here, this didn't do much for me, as it feels more like an exercise or music for musicians, rather than actual songs. Other than that, there are some good ideas and parts scattered throughout.
Dragonrider Scepter of Domination2.7
Right when I was about to say that I discovered one of the few power metal albums with dragons on the cover that suck, this became somewhat interesting. However, these guys need to work on the songwriting and production, in order to release something that demands more listens.
Winters Verge The Ballad of James Tig3.3
Very well performed symphonic power metal, with a great sense of melody. What this album lacks in order to be considered special imo, is a couple of songs that will truly stand out. Other than that, this flows seamlessly.
Cruthu Athrú Crutha2.0
My most significant takeaway from this one is realizing how hard it is to play quality traditional doom metal. You can feel that these guys are big fans of the traditional doom metal bands, but at the same time, the songwriting and their performances are quite poor. This is by no means an offensive listen, but for me, it was a snoozefest.
Zakk Sabbath Vertigo3.5
Really good rendition of the classic Black Sabbath s/t album. The band's performance is great and very close to the originals, and what might surprise you is the similarity between Zakk and Ozzy's voices. All in all, a really enjoyable album.
Archana Boreal Worcs2.8
This is quite cool as background music but, overall, it isn't as evocative like the more successful DS releases. Nonetheless, it would work great as an RPG soundtrack.
The Atomic Bitchwax Scorpio3.5
Great balls-out heavy rock with an array of catchy riffs and cool solos. You can count on this one to have a good time.
Metallica S&M23.3
The performances are obviously very solid, but I would have loved to hear some deeper cuts, as half of the songs on here are also on S&M. I'm not a big fan of the classical pieces either. The highlights for me are the Death Magnetic tracks and "All Within My Hands".
John Petrucci Terminal Velocity3.5
Not the biggest fan of guitar albums, but this is very good. You can listen to his usual Dream Theater stuff, some more upbeat material ("Happy Song"), and even jazz rock elements that brought to my mind Santana. Overall, the happy nature of the album and the variety of material, make this one a very enjoyable listen.
Brimstone Coven The Woes of a Mortal Earth2.8
Was a big fan of their debut, but I don't know what has happened to these guys. There are some catchy riffs here and there, and an, overall, nice groove. However, the songwriting is kinda stale, the solos aren't there and the vocals are flat.
Blues Pills Holy Moly!3.3
Deep Purple Whoosh!3.0
Black Angel Kiss of Death3.0
Cool gothic rock for fans of The Cult and The Sisters of Mercy, with elements of rockabilly. Good sense of rhythm, combined with nice guitarwork.
High Spirits Hard to Stop2.8
The mastermind behind High Spirits, Chris Black, is clearly very talented with an array of projects playing different music. This is some interesting hard rock with a number of hooks and influences from Thin Lizzy, which however becomes very commercial at points for my taste. All in all, enjoyable but didn't leave me with much.
Valkyrie (USA-VA) Fear3.5
I'm not sure about the lifetime value of this one, but as long as it lasts it's very enjoyable. Those who are into stoner rock and Pentagram should definitely give this one a shot.
Firienholt The Lady of Light3.5
This guy knows how to create engaging dungeon synth with atmospheric black metal elements.
Ensiferum Thalassic3.3
This is your typical feelgood folk/power metal which is good while it lasts, but has a limited replay value.
Acid Moon and the Pregnant Sun Speakin' of the Devil3.5
If you're into the summer of love and the San Francisco sound, this might be your jam. The Israeli outfit has crafted a really enjoyable offering that sounds convincingly retro. I'm more of a fan of their straightforward sound, which these guys have really developed, rather than their experimental/jammy passages that need some work. More female vocals would make this one even more uplifting and catchy, but overall, this is a great debut.
Spell of Unseeing Weaving Light & Shadow3.2
Emotional and atmospheric dungeon synth which needs a few listens in order to sink in. Sounds much cleaner than your typical DS.
Solomon Kane Die By The Sword2.8
Blend of AOR and prog rock. Songwriting is okay, but the overall product is too polished for my taste.
Falconer From A Dying Ember3.3
Even though I knew Falconer by name, it took me almost 20 years to check one of their albums, and as it turns out, this is their swansong as they're disbanding. These guys know how to write catchy tunes with memorable melodies, as they blend seamlessly folk with power metal. What felt odd at the beginning, was the vocalist's relaxed approach which is quite unusual for this style of music, but it definitely gives a certain character to the band. All in all, a very enjoyable effort.
Stygian Crown Stygian Crown2.5
I'm supposed to love this stuff, but the songwriting is a bit boring and I'm not crazy about the vocals either. However, if you're a fan of Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus, give Stygian Crown a shot and you might enjoy them more than me.
White Tower Terminator2.5
This is nice if you're in an Accept mood, but unless these guys improve their songwriting, I can't imagine myself checking an entire LP of theirs.
Butterfly Doorways of Time3.5
The cover screams Uriah Heep, but the music is straightforward riffy hard rock with heavy nods to KISS and maybe Alice Cooper. Solid songwriting and a great listen overall, if you want to jam something else besides the classics.
Operus Score of Nightmares3.6
Fine slab of symphonic power metal with unusually low amount of cheese, compared with other bands in the genre, despite the highly theatrical vocals. Great songwriting and impeccable execution make up for a very enjoyable listen.
Rose City Band Summerlong3.5
Love the warm, positive atmosphere of this one, and I get a lot of J.J. Cale vibes which is always a good thing.
Vale Minstrel Warden Of The Vale3.5
Very relaxing medieval dungeon synth which creates successfully an ethereal atmosphere and images like the one on the cover art.
Crystal Skull Ancient Tales2.8
Decent heavy/speed metal which shows some promise, but the songwriting is so "ordinary" that gives this one almost zero replay value.
Greyhawk Keepers of the Flame3.3
If you're into '80s heavy metal and bands like Judas Priest, Dio, and Manowar, this is your shit. These guys know how to write great songs and create an epic and fun atmosphere.
Midnight Dice Hypnotized3.5
Quality traditional metal with a great sense of melody and engaging songwriting even on the longer songs.
Witchsteel Mountain of the Red Flame3.3
Great cover art and an, overall, very atmospheric offering. The spoken parts complement the solid songwriting, transporting the listener to an epic setting.
Sophia (Dungeon Synth) death bows his head and gently weeps​.​.2.3
As the title suggests, this is so sad that even death gently weeps?. So if you're in a depressive DS mood, then this might be just the right thing for you. However, I'm not in that place right now, which might be the reason that I didn't enjoy this one.
Sorcerer Lamenting of the Innocent3.5
And the curse of the third album strikes again! Not really, because Lamenting of the Innocent is still a great album, but it was doomed from the beginning since the chances of it being as good as Sorcerer's first to LP's were slim. However, some of the songs on here, especially on the second half, seem to drag on which makes this album a chore at some points. Nonetheless, it's Sorcerer and as such, it rules.
Alestorm Curse of the Crystal Coconut2.5
I guess this is one of those cases where you just get or don't get it. Even though I don't get it, I can't deny that there are some cool melodies here and there, as well as some catchy and memorable moments.
Grave Digger Fields Of Blood3.0
I had almost zero expectations from this one, but this is not the reason that I found it quite enjoyable. It seems that writing about the Highlands has rejuvenated the Germans, and songs like "The Heart Of Scotland" and "Lions of the Sea"are among Grave Digger's best recent material.
Wolftooth Valhalla3.4
Catchy Sabbathian riffs in epic package. Quite derivative but still ass-kicking.
Firewind Firewind3.0
This is well-executed and professional heavy/power metal, but at the same time, it feels like it's missing something to really put it over other similar releases. Gus G's performance is once again the highlight here, but I'm not really fond of the vocals. Better songwriting and a bit more character would have made this one much more enjoyable for me.
Paradise Lost Obsidian4.0
After Medusa, I was almost sure that Paradise Lost would move towards a different direction, but I was uncertain of the specific direction. I love how they decided to put out some more melodic material which brings to mind their glory days.
Snowspire A Spire Enshrouded3.2
If the cover art reminds you of Guild of Lore, that's because it's been done by GM Ingsmith who has also participated in one song here. Other than that, this is some pretty atmospheric winter synth that is successful in conveying a consistent cold and dark feeling, although it's a bit monotonous at times.
Lord Orots Latzineko Erresumaren Itzulera3.5
Very engaging and atmospheric medieval dungeon synth with fitting cover art. The songwriting is interesting enough to keep the listener's interest throughout.
Green Carnation Leaves Of Yesteryear3.5
This is really good, atmospheric and emotional, with some elements that bring to mind Amorphis.
Ondal's Wisdom The Forbidden Lore of Arcane Magic3.3
The first half of this one is a bit dark for my taste, but the second half is where it's at for me. Overall, this is quite atmospheric and engaging dungeon synth that flows seamlessly.
Moaning Silence A Waltz into Darkness3.7
If you think that Forever Autumn and Tuonela are two of the best atmospheric metal albums released in the late '90s, and that Crystal Tears is a hidden gem, you'll love A Waltz into Darkness.
Murgrind The Power of Yourself (EP)3.7
Very atmospheric and engaging, with a great sense of direction. Amazing flow too, for a 17-minute track.
Arida Vortex Riders of Steel3.2
Solid power/heavy metal which is even better when some neoclassical elements appear. The album is pretty good but left me with little to remember or the will to jam it repeatedly. Nevertheless, it's a very good effort that can become very enjoyable with some tweaks.
Octobeast Menace from Below3.2
I have (an extremely flawed) theory based on which an album that starts with sounds of the sea or horses cannot disappoint. Fortunately, Menace from Below is one of those albums as it's atmospheric and grandiose at times, while its songwriting is quite engaging and cinematic.
Axel Rudi Pell Sign of the Times2.5
This is quite enjoyable but at the same time really predictable and safe. Johnny Gioeli's vocals are very fitting, the atmosphere is cool and Axel's playing is always a treat if you're a fan of Ritchie Blackmore. However, this has been done several times before, which means that there is no reason for me to jam this album again.
Cirith Ungol Forever Black3.7
The Wizar'd Subterranean Exile3.5
If you're a fan of these guys, you'll probably enjoy this one quote a lot, as the album contains healthy doses of arcane proto-doom and heavy metal. The dreamy atmosphere, courtesy of masters like Pagan Altar, makes this one an evocative listen. However, be forewarned: the vocals are an acquired taste.
1000MODS Youth of Dissent2.5
These guys obviously wanted to change their sound by adding more grunge elements to their heavy rock, something evident from the songwriting on here and the fact that they decided to record the album in Seattle with a producer who was worked with bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. However, I'm not a big fan of the sound and this is the main reason that I didn't enjoy the album. So, props to the band for trying to grow, but it's not my cup of tea.
Nemedian Chronicles Nemedian Chronicles3.2
Blind Guardian's next album is supposed to be a return to their mid-'90s era. Until then, these guys are a good substitute and this EP a promising start.
Danzig Danzig Sings Elvis1.0
Good lord, as if Skeletons wasn't enough, now this.
Early Moods Spellbound3.0
Cool proto-doom with great riffs and a nice hazy atmosphere.
Scriba Aeternitatis Forgotten Chronicles3.3
Atmospheric dungeon synth with a strong medieval/neoclassical flavor.
Moontowers Crimson Harvest2.0
I'm usually a sucker for epic metal, but this is really raw and not in a good way. Any good riffs are buried behind the poor vocals, and the only thing that these guys seem to have achieved is the epic atmosphere.
Poppet To Break the Cycles Obscene2.0
Weird dungeon synth that feels like it's going nowhere most of the time.
Jazz Sabbath Jazz Sabbath3.5
Great jazz renditions of classic Sabbath cuts. Everything sounds so smooth and unforced, which underlines the success of this project led by Adam Wakeman.
Werendia Folkvandringen3.2
What garas said. This is all good and all, but, at the same time, it's very repetitive, quite linear and left me with very little desire to jam it again.
Joe Satriani Shapeshifting3.4
Gloom (SVK) Awaken3.5
Slovakians Gloom play a brand of gothic metal that brings to mind mostly HIM and Amok-era Sentenced, and their third release is their best yet as it contains their most mature songwriting along with improved vocals.
Sleeping Village (USA) Holy Water3.5
This might be total Sabbath worship, but these guys are such good students and songwriters that have managed to make a very enjoyable record with a great sense of groove and plenty of hooks. Bonus points for the audible bass and the guitar tone.
Archana Archana's Tales3.0
This is quite tranquil and atmospheric but the songwriting isn't very engaging and sometimes feels that it lacks a certain direction. Nonetheless, its calm nature makes it a good companion while working.
Dua Lipa Future Nostalgia3.0
Lost Legacy In the Name of Freedom2.5
Huge fans of bands like Metal Church and Vicious Rumors will probably enjoy this one. I found it a bit unspectacular and boring, even though there are some nice riffs here and there and a couple of catchy vocal lines.
Myrkur Folkesange3.7
This one feels like a trip to the great outdoors, over tall mountains, frosty lakes, and misty forests. The major protagonist here is Amalie Bruun and her beautiful voice that shines like the Northern Lights. More importantly, the album doesn't sound forced, but rather natural and organic.
Guild Of Lore Wandering Tales3.5
Winterstead came out of nowhere and maybe set the bar too high, so my first reaction was a bit lukewarm. However, Wandering Tales is solid and quite enjoyable.
Siena Root The Secret of Our Time3.0
Least inspired Siena Root right here. Even though the album is still enjoyable, its main selling point is the performance of the vocalists, while the songwriting is somewhat flat or even average/poor on the closing track.
Kalameet The Age of Fire3.6
This is supposed to be heavily influenced by Dark Souls, and even though I have never played the game, I enjoyed the album greatly, as it's very atmospheric and varied.
VV (FIN) Gothica Fennica Vol. 13.0
Lord Of Light Morningstar3.7
If you're into '90s prog/power metal, this is going to be a treat for you. Great sense of melody and focused songwriting, with a clear direction and flow.
Bone Church Acid Communion3.2
Cool stoner rock with solid songwriting, catchy riffs, but almost zero replay value. Still more than most bands can accomplish.
Black Sword Thunder Attack March of the Damned3.8
This is such a treat for fans of Lordian Guard and Warlord! The songwriting feels as if it comes straight from Bill Tsamis' drawer. For those who aren't familiar with the aforementioned bands, Black Sword Thunder Attack play a brand of epic heavy metal with a very dreamy atmosphere and minor melodies. The guitars are in the forefront but the keyboards play a very significant role. The vocals might be a deal-breaker for some, but they are really important in creating this dreamy/obscure atmosphere. If these guys manage to create an LP as engaging, we will be up for something really special.
Smoulder Dream Quest Ends3.5
Smoulder prove again that they have improved significantly from their debut EP and have found their sound. Two new songs tha could have easily been included on the band's LP and a great cover of Manilla Road's "Cage of Mirrors".
Solitary Sabred By Fire & Brimstone3.5
Solid heavy metal with a strong epic flavor for fans of Manowar and Cauldron Born. A great alternative, if you want to jam something else than the usual stuff.
Fer de Lance Colossus2.8
I'm programmed to love this stuff but something about this album just doesn't bode well with me. Maybe it's the vocals or the songwriting that doesn't feel that engaging. However, these guys have managed to create an epic atmosphere, which is an important feat and makes this one a promising debut.
Dexter Ward III3.5
If you love Iron Maiden, Dio, Manowar, and Axel Rudi Pell, then this is your jam. Songs about metal, dragons, wizards make this a very enjoyable listen, and I only found the vocals slightly underwhelming.
Barbarian King Barbarian King3.5
Sleepwulf Sleepwulf3.4
This is basically Pentagram-worship from the band's First Daze era. However, these guys do it so well and Sleepwulf is such an enjoyable listen, that it doesn't matter.
Rory Gallagher Check Shirt Wizard - Live In '774.3
If Calling Card is your favorite Gallagher LP, then you should check this live album which comes from concerts in support of the aforementioned classic. This is Rory in his prime with the same lineup as on Irish Tour '74, so you know you're in for a treat.
Shadowkiller Dark Awakening2.8
As someone who enjoyed the band's previous album, this one sounds very safe, stale and unspectacular. There's no denying that the vocals are pretty good and that there are some nice riffs here and there, but, overall, the songwriting is very samey which leads to a linear experience.
The Night Flight Orchestra Aeromantic3.7
White Crone The Poisoner3.5
A very enjoyable slab of traditional heavy metal with adventurous songwriting that features great female vocals with lots of character. If you're into Dio, Iron Maiden or Rainbow, you'll probably enjoy this one a lot. Bonus points for the audible bass playing which was expected taking under consideration Lisa Mann's background.
Biff Byford School Of Hard Knocks3.5
Compared with other legendary elder statesmen who still release music, this screams artistic value. School Of Hard Knocks, for the most part, could have been a Saxon album but Biff decided that it's time to put out his first solo LP. Why? Because he can and because now that Lemmy is not around anymore, he's the most honest dude in metal.
Throne of Iron Adventure One3.0
Cool energetic NWOBHM which borders on early thrash at some points. This is quite raw, but not in a bad way. However, the vocals will be an issue to some. These guys seem to have something good going, so with a couple of improvements, they might be able to offer something really enjoyable in the future.
Ozzy Osbourne Ordinary Man1.5
I'm not so much bummed by the poor songwriting or the awful production, but by the fact that this album lacks any character or soul. Ozzy could have collaborated with Gus G or Zakk Wylde, but instead relied on someone who has worked with Justin Bieber and Post Malone. In addition, some of the guest appearances are downright awful as well. Anyway, the respect towards Ozzy is granted but considering that this might be his last LP, this is not the way to go.
Demons and Wizards III3.0
This is better than I expected, but still really unspectacular. The biggest takeaway is that we get to listen to Hansi once again on some aggressive material, and there are some good riffs here and there. However, this is way too long for its own sake.
H.E.A.T. H.E.A.T. II3.2
Cool glam for fans of Firehouse, Whitesnake and Motley Crue, or Crazy Lixx from the more modern bands. The execution is great and the songwriting solid, but the album is slightly uneven as some of the songs are not very memorable.
Gullinbursti Mythical Metallurgy3.6
One of the best dungeon synth releases I've heard all year. Gullinbursti does a great job at creating a mythical dimension similar to the one in the cover.
Vision of Choice Mistress Of The Gods2.5
A blend of traditional, speed and US metal. After jamming this one repeatedly, it has left me with absolutely nothing, as the songwriting is quite trite and the vocals subpar.
Ihsahn Telemark3.5
Didn't expect to enjoy this one so much. The covers are pretty good but what makes this one such an interesting listen is the way Ihsahn fuses non-black metal elements to the original songs. Great effort.
King Mountain Doomed Man Blues3.3
Very enjoyable bluesy stoner rock with a southern flavor. Even though it sounds like your typical Greek stoner rock, the level of execution and songwriting is solid.
Ironflame Blood Red Victory3.5
Ironflame is, by now, synonymous with quality heavy metal that brings to mind Iron Maiden's simpler material, with a touch of epicness that can be found in '90s European power metal. This LP is less energetic than the debut, with more mid-tempo material, but has a more anthemic vibe.
Kanseil Cant del corlo3.5
Beautiful acoustic folk with solid songwriting and attention to detail. This is a concept album based around the four seasons and as the LP progresses, the mood changes as well. The album didn't do much for me initially, but grew with repeated listens.
Fogweaver Spellwind3.3
This is really relaxing and puts you in a hazy, almost dreamlike, state. However, as garas noted, it's too samey and a bit linear. Nonetheless, a great listen.
Witchtower Witches' Domain3.5
One day, I will get tired of all the NWOBHM worship. Today is not that day. Witchtower are largely influenced by Iron Maiden of the first two albums, and their solid songwriting makes this a very enjoyable listen. However, Witches' Domain is definitely a step-down compared to the band's debut, which makes me wonder where could the Spaniards go from here.
Moukeprabbeli To Venture Beyond3.0
Just a 13-minute EP of engaging dungeon synth with enough changes in order to keep the listener's attention. Very encouraging effort which makes me interested in checking a full release by this act.
RivetSkull Trail of Souls3.0
Cool traditional/doom metal that brings to mind a lighter version of Heaven and Hell's The Devil You Know. Not too bad, but nothing special either, even though these guys can offer something really enjoyable with improved songwriting. The cover of "Gates of Babylon" doesn't offer anything of significance and it would be better if it was left out.
Dawn of Solace Waves3.2
Quite smooth melodeath/gothic metal with a great sense of melody and nice vocals. Even though the songs are quite meticulous and the atmosphere convincingly gloomy, the album felt a bit linear and longer than it actually is. However, this might just be me and fans of Insomnium may enjoy it much more.
Ironsword Servants of Steel3.8
Marko Hietala Pyre Of The Black Heart2.5
Even though Pyre Of The Black Heart doesn't contain a downright awful song, it is salvaged by a few good melodies and a couple of nice songs. For the most part, it is tame and unspectacular. The sequence from "For You" to "I Dream" is painful, before the album ends on a high note(?) with "Truth Shall Set You Free".
Magnum The Serpent Rings3.0
If there's such genre as unoffensive rock, Magnum are its kings, and I mean that in the best way possible. Their music is well-crafted, easy to listen, contains a variety of nice melodies, and the band has managed from the very beginning to find a good balance between progressive rock and AOR. At the same time, everything is so harmless. Nonetheless, much respect to those guys for still going strong after so many years and for their consistency.
Khand The Sage of Witherthorn3.5
The music here blends so well with the dreamy artwork.
Isles of Mars Isles of Mars3.3
These guys know their shit. Their music is rooted back at the dawn of the '70s where psychedelic rock was turning to hard rock, but they also have some proto doom elements courtesy of bands like Atomic Rooster and Leaf Hound. All in all, a very encouraging debut EP.
Brothers Of Metal Emblas Saga3.8
A must-listen for fans of epic power metal. These guys' sound is close to that of Sabbaton while some melodies are reminiscent of Blackmore's Night. The subject matter revolves around Norse mythology, whereas the female vocals may bring to your mind Amy Lee. Only drawback for me is the male growls but they are not enough to seriously impact the overall experience. All in all, a great effort.
Rage Wings of Rage3.2
I'm pleasantly surprised by this one. There is a great sense of melody and catchiness on here, with a few nods to Rage's golden era. Unfortunately, the album didn't leave me with anything to remember but I do have the will to jam it again.
Kawir Adrasteia3.5
A great effort which will please fans of Exilasmos, as the two albums are quite similar. The Greek black metal act has reduced their folk elements and focused on creating more aggressive songs, a normal approach considering the album's subject matter which is basically revenge and women who kill.
Hell Bruizes Gasoline3.2
This is quite interesting, as these guys are comfortably moving between punk, stoner and garage rock, meaning that there is enough variety to keep you interested. If only they manage to release a longer album and work on their songwriting a bit more, we might have something really good in the future.
Haunt (USA-CA) Mind Freeze3.0
The songwriting is fine, the guitars are great, and there are definitely some catchy choruses on here. However, the vocals are weak, and everything feels safe and quite forgettable.
Yoth Iria Under His Sway3.3
Just the names on here are enough to raise expectations. The original bass player of Rotting Christ and Varathron, joins forces with Magus from Necromantia and the outcome is some pure '90s Greek black metal with nods to Necromantia and even modern Rotting Christ.
Arrayan Path The Marble Gates to Apeiron3.5
Great execution and solid songwriting, but it left me with very little to remember, which is quite important in power metal. If you're into Axel Rudi Pell and want to hear something heavier with less neoclassical leanings, this might be for you.
Alcatrazz Born Innocent3.0
Surprisingly solid and enjoyable with an array of great solos, and Graham Bonnet is simply amazing considering his age. Album could benefit from a little trimming though.

2019
Pastor Unveil3.2
A nice slab of stoner and doom metal with a cool '70s vibe (think of Fraction or demo Pentagram) which was fun while it lasted but it left me with absolutely nothing.
Stygian Fair Nadir3.2
Nice slab of heavy/progressive metal that brings to mind Heir Apparent at times with its sweet melancholy. Can't say I'm crazy about it but it's cool while it lasted.
ESTOC Chapter I3.3
Cool medieval dungeon synth for fans of Fief. The music is engaging and the dreamy atmosphere makes you feel like you're roaming green pastures on a horse.
Fief V3.8
Fief is quality and V is yet another excellent release which transports you successfully into a medieval setting.
Stormwarrior Norsemen3.3
Really fun power/speed metal with a few hooks and a good sense of melody, but the vocals aren't up to par with the instrumentation and I guess that they will be a deal-breaker for some. A few more folk elements and melodies would help in making the songs more catchy as evident by the album's closer.
Osi and the Jupiter Nordlige Rúnaskog3.7
A very atmospheric listen with a natural feel. Parts of it are meditative while other are evocative and put you right in the middle of an ancient forest.
Church of the Cosmic Skull Everybody's Going to Die3.2
Even though not exactly my style, this is quite uplifting, melodic and quirky, with a number of catchy vocal lines.
Dusk (AT) The Toll3.2
Cool balls-out heavy metal which brings to mind Danzig and The Cult. The female vocals are pretty good, but these guys need to work on their songwriting and provide some variety, in order to offer us something special.
Angel Sword Neon City3.2
An improvement over their debut in terms of songwriting but the vocals are still close to terrible.
Great Master Skull and Bones3.8
At first, the vocals sounded a bit tame for the subject matter, but once the Running Wild influence wore off, I managed to enjoy this one very much. The band's music isn't as heavy as that of the originators of the genre, Running Wild, but that's a good thing because this way they managed to differentiate themselves and offer what is a really fun album with solid songwriting and a number of addictive melodies and hooks.
Quayde LaHue Love Out Of Darkness3.0
I have to admit that I'm really disappointed and misjudged the potential of these guys which was evident on their two EPs. Their songwriting on here is not really engaging - there is even one downright poor song ("Before The Storm") - and you only get glimpses of their potential scattered throughout the album. It took them more than two years after their last EP in order to release their first LP and it seems that they haven't developed their songwriting chops at all. Too little, too late.
Gods and Punks And the Celestial Ascension2.8
There are definitely some good ideas and bits and pieces here, but overall, the music seems to lack a certain direction which results in a less engaging listen. There are moments when you hear a good melody, but at the same time the songs could have been way shorter. Also not a fan of the vocals, as the reason these guys use this effect is to minimize the negative effect of the nasally vocals. Good guitars though.
Blind Guardian Legacy of the Dark Lands4.0
The rating for this one is downright awful. With a little bit of imagination, this is pure magic.
Angel Witch Angel of Light3.3
Solid album once again with quality NWOBHM and a cool gothic vibe, as expected by these guys. There is no "Dead Sea Scrolls" here, but, overall, this is quite consistent.
Gondar Sword of Gondar2.5
Nice atmosphere, but the songwriting is mediocre and the album, overall, is quite trite.
The Wild North Welcome To​.​.​. The Wild North3.0
Nice americana with strong Springsteen vibes. Cool while it lasted but I don't see myself jamming it again in the future.
Legendry The Wizard and the Tower Keep3.8
These guys know how to make quality epic metal. Their long-winded compositions bring to mind Manilla Road but I can definitely sense some '70s vibes which can be traced back to Uriah Heep. Apart from the interesting songwriting, the great guitar playing makes the songs flow really nicely and the entire album a very atmospheric listen.
Sarke Gastwerso3.7
A very atmospheric listen which brings to mind Celtic Frost but differentiates itself with the clever use of synths and the sparse female vocals which truly provide an unexpected element to the album.
Wotan The Song of the Nibelungs3.8
If you're okay with extra-long epic metal operas, then this has a lot to offer. However, it's too much to take into one sitting and that's not only due to its runtime (almost 110 minutes), but also due to the vocal approach which at points becomes even weirder when the idiosyncratic male vocals are accompanied by female operatic ones. Nevertheless, don't give up on this album, as it features a genuine epic cinematic feeling, and becomes better with each listen.
Cradle of Filth Cruelty and the Beast - Re-Mistressed4.5
Savage Master Myth, Magic and Steel2.8
Expected to enjoy this one more but the songwriting is worse than the band's first two albums and the vocals are sometimes a bit cringey. Also, the "epic" closing song shows that Savage Master are not ready to write longer songs yet. Nonetheless, the genuinely vintage atmosphere which brings to mind Warlock and the fun moments here and there, are a couple of the album's redeeming features.
Orodruin Ruins of Eternity3.0
Nice slab of traditional doom metal which brings to mind Trouble and Pentragram with guitar solos that are influenced by Sabbath's Vol. 4 era. The outcome is quite enjoyable, but left me with little to remember and no desire to jam this one again in the near future.
Airbourne Boneshaker3.5
Anyone who is familiar with these guys, already knows that they sound just like AC/DC. So if you're not into the Australian legends, don't bother checking this one. Other than that, Boneshaker is energetic, engaging and ass-kicking.
Cirith Ungol I'm Alive4.2
Guild Of Lore Autumn Macabre3.7
A worthy successor of Winterstead, Autumn Macabre might be lacking a track like "Winter Riders" but it's overall atmosphere is convincingly spooky and even has an '80s horror vibe at parts (check "Mouth Of The Murky Abyss"). The album flows seamlessly with engaging compositions that don't lack imagination and have a characteristic Guild Of Lore sound.
Don't Drop the Sword The Wild Hunt3.0
A really good alternative if you're into an early-Blind Guardian mood but don't want to jam the same stuff again and again (not that it's a bad thing). The songs are catchy and memorable, and I would prefer it if they didn't use extreme elements at all.
Ray Alder What The Water Wants3.0
Alder's vocals are great as expected, but the instrumentation just doesn't do justice to them. Having said that, I can definitely see myself jamming this one again in the future as I enjoyed its melancholic nature.
The Southern River Band Rumour & Innuendo3.3
Feel-good hard rock by a group of guys who have a knack for writing great melodies. Nothing new under the sun but this is very well-performed and perfect when you're in the mood for some sweet hard rock.
Midnight Force Gododdin2.5
Although Midnight Force's debut seemed promising, this feels quite disappointing. It's almost as if these guys haven't developed at all, as Gododdin's traditional metal is very generic, undeveloped and quite sloppy. Yes, the atmosphere is genuinely vintage, there are some nice guitars here and there, and when these guys manage to make things click ("Over the Phantom Sea"), the outcome is pretty good. But, overall, the album left me with nothing to remember and no desire to revisit it.
Nightstalker Great Hallucinations3.3
I have to admit that I'm pleasantly surprised by this one, since As Above, So Below wasn't the band's most inspired album and I was afraid that these guys were on decline. However, this is an overall solid effort with an array of great tracks such as the one-two punch of "Sweet Knife" and "Sad Side Of The City" or the two closing tracks. Argy's vocals are awesome as always, the guitars are very well-done (great tone), and bonus points go to the audible groovy bass. Dope, poker, Nightstalker.
Grendel's Syster Myrtle Wreath / Myrtenkranz3.5
Highly interesting mix of epic metal and early doom, with a heavy folk flavor. I guess this might be a hit-or-miss case for some people due to how quirky it is, but it is sincere and has a genuinely epic atmosphere.
The Neptune Power Federation Memoirs of a Rat Queen3.3
Great rock 'n' roll attitude and feel by these guys. The songwriting on here is good but nothing too special which becomes even more evident as the best songs on here are easily their covers of the Motorhead classics "Killed By Death" and "I'll Be Your Sister" as bonus tracks. Of course, covering Motorhead so well is an important feat by itself. Overall, this is an enjoyable listen.
Wind Rose Wintersaga3.3
This is really fun and the cover art blends with the music nicely but it didn't leave me with much or the desire to jam it more than 4-5 times. Nonetheless, if you're into symphonic power metal with strong epic tendencies and enjoy bands like Wintersun and Ensiferum, you'll probably get your kicks from this one.
Various Artists (Metal) Jobcentre Rejects Vol 2 - Ultra Rare NWOBHM 1980​-3.4
This is a bit average around the middle, but the first half and the last couple of tracks make up for a very enjoyable compilation of obscure NWOBHM songs. The guys at Jobcentre Rejects have done a great job of finding those tracks.
Opeth In Cauda Venenum3.5
Villagers of Ioannina City Age of Aquarius4.0
I have to admit that, initially, Age of Aquarius felt kinda underwhelming. That was mainly because of my increased expectations and the fact that the guys decided to differentiate from Riza by cutting down on the folk elements (and instruments) and focused more on the post side of their music. Nevertheless, once Age of Aquarius started to sink in, it gave more with each listen as it revealed its progressive nature which in turn makes it a bold step for Villagers of Ioannina City, as there is a possibility that with this album they might alienate part of their fanbase. Therefore, this LP is less immediate than its predecessor but more mature and will probably bring more fans outside Greece as it doesn't contain Greek lyrics at all. All in all, a great effort.
Ancient Kings Camelot2.8
These guys are from Italy and play symphonic power metal. So, if bands like Rhapsody and Ancient Bards come to your mind, you know more or less what the music sounds like here. However, the songwriting isn't as engaging, which hurts the unoriginal content. Nevertheless, there are some good moments in the form of nice melodies, guitar leads/solos and vocal lines, which make Camelot an enjoyable listen.
Atlantean Kodex The Course of Empire4.2
Time will tell, but this might be an epic metal classic. The songwriting is very engaging and completely justifies the duration of the songs, the melodies are memorable, and the atmosphere is convincing. Also, what distinguishes these guys is that they go the extra mile by putting serious effort on their lyrics. Only thing I don't love here is the production.
Ghost (SWE) Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic3.7
Redhorn Gate Demo I-II-III3.3
Engaging old-school dungeon synth with a nice sense of melody and direction that could have easily been the soundtrack of an RPG.
Mausoleum Wanderer Kabal of the Ashuvrahqt'Aild: A Rasataalian Advent2.0
Much like its title, and despite its short runtime, this album is a drag as a result of the repetitive repetitive songwriting.
Lana Del Rey Norman Fucking Rockwell!3.5
HammerFall Dominion2.9
HammerFall do their thing as well as they can in 2019 and Dominion is certainly not a bad album. At the end of the day though, it's quite unimpressive and doesn't make me want to jam it more than 2-3 times.
Twilight Force Dawn of the Dragonstar3.5
A fine piece of cheese. The songs are enjoyable and catchy, and the production is seminal for this type of music. If you're up for some silly symphonic power metal, then this will not disappoint.
The Kentish Spires Sprezzatura3.0
Maybe it's just me and I'm not in the mood for these guys these days, but this didn't excite me as much as their debut. It's still some good Canterbury prog rock, but on here, The Kentish Spires sound like your local rock band who is too good for playing in pubs but never made it out of them.
Antioch Antioch IV: Land of No Kings3.5
Solid Canadian steel that brings to mind Judas Priest on steroids, with a few hints of Iron Maiden and some Accept. The songwriting is interesting enough to keep your attention and the execution is stellar. A great alternative if you want to jam some balls-out heavy metal.
Guild Of Lore Storm Haven3.6
On my first few listens, I was kinda disappointed by this one, mainly due to my lofty expectations because of Guild Of Lore's debut. However, Storm Haven is a very atmospheric and convincing listen which also flirts with neofolk and features engaging songwriting that transports you successfully to an imaginary dark fishtown.
Sellsword ...Unto the Breach3.5
Cool power metal with lots of symphonic elements (think of something like the power metal version of Bal Sagoth) and a strong epic flavor. The bombast might put some guys off, but there is a cinematic aspect to Sellsword's music that really blends nicely with what they're trying to do. Great stuff.
Sabaton The Great War3.0
European power metal by the numbers. The songs are catchy with nice melodies and choruses, but left me with almost nothing. Overall, it's an enjoyable listen but with limited lifetime value.
Wizened Tree Rock n Roll from Tocantins3.2
The Brazilians definitely know how to play cool stoner rock and can mix it up, as they combine slower with more hard rocking moments. If they continue to work on their craft and improve their production, they will be able to release something really good in the future.
Kryptos Afterburner3.5
Solid slab of traditional heavy metal which draws influences from Accept and Judas Priest, like Notrap noted, while it emits vibes of modern Kreator or Rotting Christ. These guys know how to write interesting songs with catchy riffs, and their mix of old-school metal and harsh vocals works like a charm.
Concilium No Sanctuary2.5
Love the cover art but, unfortunately, the music is not as good here. Essentially, Concilium sounds like Smoulder with inferior songwriting and less interesting riffs which make up for an overall unexciting offering. There are some good ideas here and there, and the female vocals are good, but these guys really need to work on their songwriting if they are going to release a solid epic doom record.
Vaelastrasz The Birth of Naxxramas3.5
A bit repetitive, but, overall, this is quite atmospheric, evocative, and arcane.
Gygax High Fantasy3.5
Gygax have been doing the same thing since their first LP, which is the same thing that Thin Lizzy have already done a million times. And yet, High Fantasy is very fun and warrants repeated listens on the first day you discover it because I'm not so sure I'll be jamming it a month from now. That being said, props to those guys for keeping the Thin Lizzy spirit alive and for being such good songwriters.
Black Horse Rebellion Vol 1 - The Freedom Sessions2.5
These guys play doomy stoner rock which is quite okay but not my style, as I find it a bit boring and stale. Nonetheless, if you're into that style, you should check them out.
Skelator Cyber Metal3.5
Skelator have perfected their formula and Cyber Metal is yet another slab of solid speed metal/NWOBHM which brings to mind the fastest moments of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest (Helloween too) but sounds a bit rawer than the aforementioned legends.Needless to say, this is fun as hell.
Timo Tolkki's Avalon Return To Eden3.2
A nice comeback by Timo Tolkki, who on Return to Eden delivers some solid European power metal with serious positive vibes and an array of cool guests. Some parts will bring Avantasia to your mind, but the album overall is quite consistent, as the plethora of different vocalists doesn't work against its cohesion. Anneke van Giersbergen fanboys (like myself) should definitely check "Hear My Call".
Ravensire A Stone Engraved in Red3.5
As expected, these guys deliver once again solid power/epic metal with a strong barbaric flavor. Memorable riffs, catchy vocal lines and an overall strong songwriting, make A Stone Engraved in Red a very enjoyable listen.
Dwarrowdelf From Beneath the Fells3.8
Pretty dreamy and epic dungeon syth, perfect when working, daydreaming or reading a book. The music is very atmospheric and engaging and brings to mind The Lord of the Rings.
Winter Eternal Realm Of The Bleeding Shadows3.5
Solid slab of melodic black metal from Greece. The audible bass provides a nice warm tone, while the vocals might bring to mind legendary Rotting Christ's Sakis. The acoustic instrumental The Promise provides an Agalloch-esque vibe, while these guys also go into Burzum mode on "A Tearful Song". All in all, a great effort.
Alan Catton Tales from the North Sea Strand3.4
Solid acoustic folk with Celtic elements. Melancholic and relaxing.
Darkthrone Old Star3.7
These guys simply cannot faulter. Almost every one of their album rips and Old Star is not an exception.
Visigoth Bells of Awakening2.9
Just a couple of good songs which could have been included on their last album, but I don't really see the point in releasing a two-song EP. Visigoth will have to do much more to support their place as one of the premier traditional metal acts.
Tanith In Another Time3.3
Cool retro hard rock, with Satan's Russ Tippins on guitar and vocals, which brings to mind Wishbone Ash. The songwriting, albeit nice, is nothing to write home about and the female vocals need a lot of work as they sound quite amateurish but not in a good way. However, there are certainly some very good guitar harmonies and catchy moments, and great tracks like "Book of Changes' and "Dionysus".
Lykantropi Spirituosa3.0
Although Lykantropi's debut created significant promise, Spirituosa didn't do as much for me. The band still focuses on that late '60s San Francisco sound which blends psychedelia with folk and rock, but the songwriting here didn't feel as engaging as on their debut. Nonetheless, this is quite enjoyable and really good as a summer jam.
Rose City Band Rose City Band3.4
Really evocative and comforting. A great listen during a warm day.
Diamond Head The Coffin Train3.5
Gin Lady Tall Sun Crooked Moon3.3
With their 4th LP, Gin Lady transport us to the California scene of the '60s, which means a mix of psychedelic rock and country elements. Tall Sun Crooked Moon is a relaxing listen that is ideal for the summer and is consistently solid until the end.
Pythia The Solace of Ancient Earth2.5
This is not bad by any means but it's your standard symphonic metal with female vocals. There are no hooks, no memorable moments or anything else that would make the album stand out or give it some lifetime value. As such, it's good for while it lasts but doesn't make you want to jam it repeatedly.
Duel Valley of Shadows3.3
Cool vintage heavy rock with catchy riffs, nice guitar leads and fitting vocals. I can't imagine spinning this one often, but I won't lie, it's great for as long as it lasts and especially if you're in a balls-out rock mood.
Skanska Mord Blues from the Tombs3.5
An enjoyable slab of heavy blues rock which sometimes leans towards stoner and others towards doom metal. The album features very good guitar playing and fitting vocals. You might get some early Black Sabbath or Danzig vibes from this one.
Big Big Train Grand Tour3.8
Great prog rock inspired by Genesis. There is a strong English scent on this one and a sweet melancholy scattered throughout. The arrangements are meticulous and the songwriting is interesting enough to keep the listener's attention despite the length of some songs.
Grimgotts Dragons of the Ages3.5
This is seriously fun and silly, with a number of epic and catchy moments. If it wasn't somewhat samey and a bit tiresome, it would be impressive. Overall though, Grimgotts' sophomore effort is a solid slab of symphonic power metal, recommended to those who love bands like DragonForce and Sonata Arctica.
Amulet The Inevitable War3.3
Cool traditional heavy metal which brings to mind a stripped-down version of Iron Maiden like the one on No Prayer for the Dying and Fear of the Dark but with a more epic flavor, or even Hell (UK) for those who are familiar with this underrated band. The vocalist is definitely influenced by Bruce Dickinson and there are some sweet guitar leads here and there. I'd wish the final outcome was as great as the cover art, but if these guys work on their songwriting more, some day it will be.
Crazy Lixx Forever Wild3.3
Having jammed one Crazy Lixx album is like having checked all of them, and by extension, if you're remotely familiar with hair metal, you already know how this sounds. However, these guys are great students of the genre and their songwriting is really good, making Forever Wild a very enjoyable listen.
The Bridge City Sinners Here's to the Devil3.5
Salvacion Keep Up the Fire2.8
An energetic and fun slab of heavy metal with speed metal elements and some gang vocals. The highlights of the album are mostly due to the guitarwork but these guys need to work on their songwriting and production (especially the sound of the drums).
Midnight Priest Aggressive Hauntings3.4
Quality Portuguese steel with obvious influences from Mercyful Fate. The performances of the members are very good but these guys to work on their songwriting.
Unto Others Mana3.5
Even though this is quite solid and features short and to the point songwriting, it hasn't clicked with me as much as the EP, maybe because it lacks a track with the quality of "Can You Hear the Rain". Nevertheless, it's consistently good and doesn't feature a bad song. Highly recommended to fans of In Solitude and Beastmilk.
Arch/Matheos Winter Ethereal4.2
Whitesnake Flesh and Blood3.2
A serious improvement over the misstep that The Purple Album was, Flesh and Blood contains solid doses of sleazy blues rock that bears the seal of Whitesnake. "Heart Of Stone" could have easily been included in one of the band's albums during their heyday. Much respect to David and I apologize for doubting you.
Vultures Vengeance The Knightlore3.5
Solid traditional metal with strong epic tendencies and a horrible mix. These guys are influenced by numerous NWOBHM bands like Iron Maiden and Angel Witch, along with epic metal titans such as Manilla Road and Omen. The songwriting is interesting and the guitars are great with interesting riffs and great leads. All they need is to fix their production issues, work on their songwriting even more, and we might have something special on their next release.
Pulver (DE) Kings Under the Sand3.0
Cool Maiden-esque heavy metal but I'm not too crazy about the vocals and even though I had a good time jamming the album, it left me with almost nothing to remember.
Monasterium Church Of Bones3.7
If you love Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, and Solstice, you'll probably enjoy this one a lot. The songwriting is solid and the album has some cool lyrics as well, even though the highlight here is the array of riffs.
Various Artists (Metal) Compendium of Metal Vol. 123.3
Pretty cool collection by Metal On Metal Records that contains a lot of bands which you can feel that love heavy metal and brings to mind simpler eras when we discovered new acts through these collections. Overall, the album which contains NWOBHM, epic doom and even black/thrash metal, is very enjoyable and even contains some more well-known bands like Attacker, Midnight Priest and Arkham Witch. Recommended, if you're in the mood for some obscure balls-out heavy metal.
Smoulder Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring3.8
Vargrav (FIN) Reign In Supreme Darkness3.7
Bat Axestasy3.3
Good old speed metal fun with punk tendencies that brings to mind early Metallica and Exodus, with a signer that sounds similar to Venom's Cronos.
Enforcer Zenith2.5
As part of their natural evolution, Enforcer seem to have moved from their speed metal days into a more hard rock territory. This is not a knock by itself, but it tends to be when it is not accompanied by sufficient songwriting. As such, the album tends to be quite dull for the most of its duration, since Enforcer haven't mastered this sound and play far from their strengths.
Blazon Stone Hymns of Triumph and Glory3.5
This is as fun as it gets. As you can easily understand by the band's name, this is pure Running Wild worship and it's so well-done that even Rock 'n' Rolf would be happy with it. Jamming Hymns of Triumph and Glory, watching Black Sails and playing Monkey Island 2 is a day well-spent.
Pyoveli No Speed Limits2.3
Energetic speed/thrash metal which brings to mind early Slayer and is right on the verge of being sloppy. How much you'll enjoy this one, depends on how trve you are I guess.
Elffor Dra Sad III (Beneath the Uplands of Doom)3.3
One thing is certain, Elffor can create a majestic and mystical atmosphere and this is apparent once again on Dra Sad III. A bit repetitive but really enjoyable nonetheless.
Old Sorcery Strange and Eternal3.5
Eerie and engaging dungeon synth that has a strong arcane flavor. Great stuff but wouldn't expect less from Old Sorcery.
Haze Mage Chronicles3.3
Really cool stoner rock that which sounds as if prime Danzig traded the satanic theme for a more traditional stoner one.
Challenger Turned to Dust2.5
Encouraging EP of traditional metal with speedy moments by the Slovenians who need to work on making their songwriting a bit less formulaic. However, the guitars on here are great and so is the level of energy.
Flame, Dear Flame The Millenial Heartbeat3.5
The Riven The Riven3.5
The comparisons with Blues Pills and their first LP are unavoidable and yet this is really enjoyable due to the solid songwriting and the great performance by each member. If you were disappointed by Blues Pills' sophomore effort, you should check The Riven.
Pharlee Pharlee3.3
Nice slab of energetic heavy rock with ballsy female vocals a la Grace Potter. The songwriting is solid but these guys need a lot of work in order to be compared with their influences. Nonetheless, a very enjoyable listen.
Eluveitie Ategnatos3.3
I love the folk side of this one but the melodeath one sounds too mundane, like nothing pops out. However, all those great folk melodies all eventually make Ategnatos a really enjoyable listen.
Ezra Brooks Gods, Men, and Death3.3
Barbaric heavy metal inspired by USPM for those who dig bands like Cauldron Born and Borrowed Time.
Manowar The Final Battle I2.0
As much as it pains me to admit, The Final Battle I is an overall poor effort. Most of it is not offensive, with "March of the Heroes Into Valhalla" being a nice introduction to the album, "Blood and Steel" an average track, representative of modern Manowar, and "Sword of the Highlands" an okay track I guess. But combine the mediocrity of these songs with the awful "You Shall Die Before I Die" which features vocals by DeMaio, and what you have is an album that screams lack of inspiration.
Overlloud Splendor Solis3.0
Cool heavy metal which is strongly influenced by Iron Maiden and Bruce Dickinson's solo material. Nothing new under the sun, but the combination of solid songwriting with a very good sense of melody and the modern touches, makes this one an enjoyable listen.
Yngwie Malmsteen Blue Lightning2.5
Blue Lightning, probably, sounds like you expect it to sound. When the album was announced, I was surprised to read that it was going to be a blues LP. In reality though, it is Malmsteen's interpretation of the blues, meaning that he fuses those rock staples with his blistering fast playing and fireworks. The outcome is an overall enjoyable listen with zero replay value which has its fair share of good moments but also features an overblown approach which, eventually, doesn't benefit the originals.
Magic Circle Departed Souls3.5
These guys know how to deliver old-school doom metal that brigs to mind Witchfinder General, or in other words, heavy metal a la Black Sabbath's Vol. 4. Infectious grooves are supported by catchy melodic riffs - part of the overall great guitarwork - and soulful vocals. Still early to say how it holds up to their second album.
Midnight Dice Midnight Dice3.5
Midnight Dice consists of former Satan's Hallow members minus their main songwriter, and it suffices to say that the remaining members landed on their feet. Their debut EP contains engaging traditional metal with hard rocking elements and great female vocals.
Guild Of Lore Leaving Winterstead3.0
A step down compared to the very promising debut, as this one lacks the adventurous nature and song structure that Guild of Lore showed us it can offer. Therefore, the tracks are quite repetitive, a bit stale, and some sound effects last much longer than they should. Nevertheless, this is still very atmospheric and cozy and some of the melodies are beautiful. I am certain that Guild Of Lore's next release will top this one.
Iron Griffin Curse of the Sky3.3
Even though their self-titled EP revealed very few virtues, Curse of the Sky is a fine slab of proto-metal with a strong epic flavor. The bare-bones instrumentation brings to mind Pentagram and Pagan Altar with a few hints of Blood on Ice-era Bathory, while the lyrics look like they have been taken from Conan the Barbarian or Manowar?s Into Glory Ride. The performance of multi-instrumentalist Oskari Rsnen (also Mausoleum Gate), albeit sufficient, is the least impressive element here. The focus is on the solid songwriting, the hazy production which provides a sense of obscurity and, most of all, new vocalist Maija Tiljander. She is the main reason that Iron Griffin?s debut is a much improved affair compared to the aforementioned EP, even though, admittedly, she has a tendency to go over the top sometimes. Nonetheless, she is perfect for this style of epic proto-metal with lyrics regarding swords and sorcery, battles, and tales of valor. The vintage production makes Curse of the Sky sound genuinely like a forgotten cult album from the time of Heavy Load, Brocas Helm and Gotham City. However, where the album fails to impress is on the guitar-playing, which apart from a few great acoustic passages that provide a well-suited medieval flavor, much work is needed; Curse of the Sky would benefit greatly from better solos, improved playing and certainly much more punch.
Cellar Darling The Spell3.8
This is the perfect substitute for those who long the best days of The Gathering as in essence, it sounds like a modernized version of Nighttime Birds which is not only due to Anna Murphy whose vocals sounds like they are directly influenced by Anneke van Giersbergen. Lots of vocal hooks, memorable moments, a great sense of melody and most of all, solid songwriting.
Green Lung Woodland Rites3.7
These guys' debut EP revealed their potential and Woodland Rites is an even stronger affair of doom/heavy metal a la Black Sabbath and Witchfinder General. The songwriting here is more varied and engaging than their EP (they even go into a semi-prog mode on "May Queen"), and the occult elements are very well-done.
Ringare Where Cold Dwells And Winter Once Lay3.3
Mysterious dungeon synth with a genuine cold feeling. Despite the tracks' length, they are quite interesting and engaging.
Twisted Tower Dire Wars in the Unknown3.3
Traditional, ballsy metal which stays very close to the genre's trails but still manages to be very enjoyable due to the solid songwriting.
Ex Libris ANN - Chapter 2: Anastasia Romanova3.2
Cool symphonic metal with good operatic female vocals, courtesy of Dianne van Giersbergen (also, ex-Xandria). If Nightwish and Epica are among your favorite bands, you'll probably enjoy this one.
Borg The Triumph of Spring3.5
Even though this is categorized under dungeon synth, it is more like a solid slab of medieval music, like garas has written. At times, it brings to mind Aion by Dead Can Dance, while on others, Blackmore's Night's renaissance stuff. What makes it really enjoyable is that it sounds really honest and regardless of genre, this is a great listen if you're into the aforementioned bands.
Witchlords Demons in the Dark3.3
It's always nice to discover a band which plays early European power/speed metal that is influenced by the likes of Helloween, Blind Guardian and Running Wild. These guys have a nice cult vibe and keep their songs short and sweet. Unfortunately, their ideas are marred by the awful production which makes listening to this one a bit of a chore and almost impossible to enjoy it in high volume.
Twin Temple Twin Temple (Bring You Their Signature Sound....3.5
Warrior Path Warrior Path3.8
Quality epic metal from Greece with one of metal's best modern voices and great production courtesy of Bob Katsionis. Nonetheless, the highlight of the album is undoubtedly Andreas Sinanoglou's songwriting which owes a lot to Iron Maiden (first and foremost), Manilla Road and American power metal. I just hope Andreas hasn't used all of his tricks on this album because the bar has been set pretty high.
Sanhedrin (USA-NY) The Poisoner3.7
Bringing together '70s heavy rock with doom metal and various other elements, The Poisoner is a diverse affair which combines engaging songwriting with great female vocals.
Booze Control Forgotten Lands3.3
These guys definitely know how to write good traditional metal inspired mostly by Iron Maiden. Their all-around performance is pretty good, with great guitar work and a knack for creating really nice melodies. However, I would love to listen something that sets them apart from your usual traditional metal band and would eventually make their music more memorable.
Rhapsody of Fire The Eighth Mountain3.7
Traveler (CAN) Traveler3.8
Dream Theater Distance Over Time3.5
Finally, a good comeback by Dream Theater who apart from a high level of musicianship show some emotion. The run from "Fall into the Light" to "At Wit's End" is particularly enjoyable.
Pounder Uncivilized3.0
Cool energetic heavy metal with lots of catchy moments and nice melodies. Despite its positive traits though, it didn't leave me with the desire to jam it again in the future.
Birdstone Seer3.5
Heavy, dirty and raw, this sounds like a more doomy and less psychedelic version of Fraction's Moon Blood.
Rotting Christ The Heretics3.3
Some might say that The Heretics reeks of stagnation and that these guys play once again within their comfort zone, but the songs are good, the melodies are strong and the album has replay value.
Ville Valo and Agents Ville Valo and Agents2.0
SkeleToon They Never Say Die2.5
A power metal adaptation/concept album of the 1985 family movie The Goonies, is somewhat of wet dream for anyone who had the privilege of watching the film in their youth. And yet, They Never Say Die still fails to deliver, as a result of its trite songwriting which lacks enough hooks and memorable moments. Essentially, the music contained in the LP is based on a european power metal platform (think of Avantasia), which means that it's energetic and bombastic. In addition, the utilization of different vocalists doesn't impact the consistency negatively and there are a few fun moments here and there with nice uplifting melodies. However, as a whole, They Never Say Die could and should have been much better.
Beast In Black From Hell With Love3.5
About Wizards Wizards About2.0
Even though these guys' Black Sabbath meets space rock sound is enjoyable, the songwriting leaves a lot to be desired. The songs are monotonous without many hooks and I'd like this one to have been much more groovy. Lastly, the album would benefit from a production with a bit more oomph.
Sandstorm Time To Strike3.5
These guys are, justifiably, advertised as '80s heavy metal but what draws me to their music, is the UFO elements in the riffing (just listen to the beginning of "Hymn to the Hell Knights" which brings to mind UFO's "Rock Bottom). Apart from that, they have a good sense of melody and have created a cool little horror atmosphere which blends really well with the instrumentation. Great effort.
Avantasia Moonglow3.7
Within Temptation Resist1.5
Can't say that I'm extremely surprised by the direction of this band on this one, but still this is way too dramatic for my liking. Within Temptation have finally removed every suspicion of metal from their music and have become a full-blown pop act. I can see why someone who enjoys pop might like this one and I'd never demand from an artist to release the music fans demand. Nevertheless, even though Resist is not an offensive listen by any means, it does absolutely nothing for me.
Metallica Helping Hands…Live & Acoustic at The Masonic3.3
Metallica, for a long time now, have been better at covering other bands' material compared to writing their own. In fact, I'd go as far as characterizing them as one of the best in that. So how well have they interpreted their own stuff here? Well, sometimes it works better than others even within the same song such as in the verse and chorus of "The Four Horsemen", but overall, they have done a great job and the same applies for the four cover songs ("When A Blind Man Cries", "Please Don't Judas Me", "Turn The Page", "Veteran of the Psychic Wars"). They have fused their music with country or western elements, something which provides nice differentiation from the original versions, the guitar work is great (brings to mind some guitars on Load) and Hetfield's vocals are solid. All in all, great job as expected.
Bonzai Seeds To Roots3.3
Very well-performed stoner metal for fans of Kyuss. The guys here have a great groove and their songwriting is good. If they continue to work and improve their songwriting, we might have something special in the future.
King Diamond Songs for the Dead Live4.0
Excellent live album by KD. To a point, this one renders In Concert 1987: Abigail useless, as it contains Abigail in its entirety, plus 3 songs from Them, 2 from The Eye, and 1 from Conspiracy and Fatal Portrait, respectively. Of course, the two Mercyful Fate songs are an added bonus, as well. The band's performance is excellent, LaRocque's solos are impeccable and Kind Diamond, despite his age, is as solid as ever. We needed a properly recorded King Diamond live album, and Songs for the Dead Live does not disappoint.
Rival Sons Feral Roots2.8
I cannot deny the fact that these guys have the ability to produce good bluesy rock with a US essence, a la Led Zeppelin and The Black Crowes, but there is something that doesn't appeal to me that much. Maybe it's because everything sounds quite predictable and by the book or the lack of a song that would really stand out. Nevertheless, Feral Roots was a pleasant listen, albeit one I will never come back to, even though I can see why people are digging this album.
Horizon (ESP) Pigs2.9
This has the attitude, the riffs and the atmosphere, but the songwriting is so trite that it doesn't make me want to come back. So, it's enjoyable while it lasts but nothing more which is not a knock at all.
Spillage Blood of Angels2.3
Biker rock with doomy elements that brings to mind bands like The Obsessed or Saint Vitus which is unfortunately a bit uninspired and as a result feels forced and quite longer than it actually is. The outcome is an album that is not offensive but is quite boring.
Stronghold Guardian Westward3.0
Cool medieval dungeon synth with sparse black metal vocals. It is definitely atmospheric, feels epic and you can see that this guy has put a lot of work in this project, as he has embellished the LP with great artwork and a nice video. But the great similarity to Summoning will affect the replay value of this one, unless Stronghold Guardian further improves his songwriting.
Velvet Tears Old World2.0
Fantasy ambient that brought to my mind the atmosphere of some German prog/space rock bands like Eloy or Nektar, even though I might be tripping. Not an offensive listen but quite boring, despite its short run time, repetitive and not so inspired.
Moongates Guardian The Last Ship3.0
With Moongates Guardian, you always know what you're gonna get, which is atmospheric black metal with dungeon synth elements, directly influenced by Summoning. Therefore, what varies on each album is the quality of songwriting. The Last Ship is not among their best efforts, but it's still an enjoyable listen with various catchy melodies and a convincing middle-earth atmosphere.

2018
Mors Certa The Ever​-​Turning Wheel3.0
The medieval vibes are always a plus and I also enjoy the mysterious atmosphere here, but apart from those two, The Ever?-?Turning Wheel, despite its name, is a fairly linear experience.
Sabire Gates Ajar3.5
Catchy blend of punk and heavy metal with emphasis on the metal side, which brings to mind bands like Tank and WASP with some Motorhead-esque riffs. Finally, despite the cover art which might make you expect something more epic or barbaric, this is quite sleazy.
Guild Of Lore Winterstead3.7
One of the best ambient albums I heard this year, as it has a genuine archaic/mystical feeling and is very evocative. Very atmospheric and perfect for this season, Winterstead is the perfect soundtrack if you are in a cabin at a remote village while snowing.
Venom Storm The Gates1.5
Came into Storm The Gates expecting very little but still, this is very underwhelming. Boring riffs, childish lyrics and poor songwriting make up for an abysmal album which I would never jam in full if it wasn't by Venom. If after this one you want to jam, for some reason, something that resembles Venom and is not awful, Venom Inc. is a better alternative.
Various Artists (Metal) Jobcentre Rejects3.5
Great compilation of unknown NWOBHM tracks/bands. Definitely worth a listen from fans of this sound.
Runelord The Battle for Greatness3.0
This LP is further testament to how much of a great student and fan of heavy metal Ced is. The Battle for Greatness might not be anything special or groundbreaking, but it still is balls-out heavy metal with some good melodies and fist-pumping rhythms with a nice epic flavor. m/
Threads of Fate A Funeral for the Virtuous3.0
Nice slab of symphonic metal with great instrumentation and melodies that create a convincing and quite dramatic atmosphere. However, the harsh vocals bring this down for me as, apart from being quite generic, they impact negatively the album's beautiful moments. However, fans of '90s symphonic/gothic acts should check these guys out as they might turn into something really good in the future.
Fief IV3.7
Excellent slab of medieval dungeon synth with a very dreamy atmosphere which makes it a perfect companion while looking outside your window. Fief is one of the premier DS acts and IV provides further proof for that.
Mark Knopfler Down the Road Wherever3.3
Mark Knopfler has a knack for creating music that one can easily listen and enjoy in a variety of circumstances, and Down the Road Wherever is further proof for that. The laid-back atmosphere that brings J.J. Cale to one's mind can be found here as well and Mark's blend of the blues, jazz, funk and americana is tasteful as ever. However, the duration of the album combined with some less successful tracks might make this LP a bit of a tiresome listen to some.
Saboter Architects of Evil3.5
Frozen Land Frozen Land3.5
When I initially came across this band, and without having heard any of their songs, I expected an Iced Earth derivative, due to their moniker. However, this leans heavily towards '90s Euro-power metal, similar to bands like Stratovarious and Sonata Arctica. The music is uplifting and catchy, and the songwriting is solid enough to keep you interested throughout its duration.
Burning Witches Hexenhammer3.5
A really interesting take on traditional heavy metal with a modern twist. The comparisons with Judas Priest are inevitable but since the British legends have written the playbook for playing great heavy metal, that's not a bad thing. Cool guitars, interesting songwriting and plenty balls-to-the-wall moments.
Adamantis Thundermark3.0
Honest traditional metal EP that reveals some potential for this US outfit. The epic touches are nicely done and the songwriting is good enough to keep the listener's attention. Better songwriting, vocals and guitar solos would help but this is a promising debut EP.
Antimatter Black Market Enlightenment4.0
Lethean The Waters Of Death3.5
Promising epic doom metal in the vein of Solstice and Atlantean Kodex. The female vocals are a nice touch, and with a few improvements here and there and a bit more engaging songwriting, their sophomore effort might be special.
Iron Heade Enter the Dungeon3.0
When it comes to traditional heavy metal, you gotta trust the Chileans. Admittedly, having heard bits and pieces of this before, I expected to enjoy the LP more, not that Maiden-esque heavy metal with epic tendencies is going to disappoint heavy metal fans. However, one can feel that the album is the product of serious love about all things metal and for this, I can only feel respect about these guys.
Precious (USA) A Promise3.0
Atmospheric dungeon synth with a medieval flavor and a classical feel. I don't get a feeling that it's something special but it does deserve a couple of listens and it's only 20 minutes.
Blood Curse Sorceress3.2
Blood Curse play no-frills, simple and at times a bit amateurish traditional metal. However, this is so fun and addictive that if you're a fan of heavy metal you're gonna have a ball.
Iagon Tome of the Crystal Wizard3.2
Hazy dungeon synth which is enjoyable by itself but, I suppose, will be much better as the soundtrack of a D&D game. Iagon knows how to create an atmospheric offering and I am looking forward to a longer album than Tome of the Crystal Wizard by him.
Elderwind The Colder The Night4.0
Can't believe this one took me so long to check. Absolutely beautiful with an array of amazing melodies and a very natural feel.
Sacral Rage Beyond Celestial Echoes4.0
Orion's Reign Scores of War3.5
Even though modern symphonic power metal is not my thing, I really enjoyed this one because it combines the merits of the aforementioned genre but at the same times is not as cheesy as your typical symphonic metal. Of course, there are lots of keyboards but the guitars are audible as well and the overall product reminds Rhapsody but with less quirkiness.
Dog Slayer Sacred Eye2.5
The combination of the silly band name and the all-over-the-place cover art might make you think that these guys play death or thrash metal. However, their brand of heavy metal with a strong hard rock flavor is not bad at all and reveals some potential, should they work on their songwriting and performance in the future.
Heir Apparent The View from Below3.8
Whyte Diamond Scream in the Dark3.0
Very encouraging debut EP by these youngsters. Their NWOBHM brings to my mind the latest Enforcer album as it has a dark/melancholic vibe, probably due to the vocal style. The twin guitars are well-done and I am certain that, with time, these guys can be even better.
Eric Clapton Happy Xmas3.2
All in all, a really nice Christmas album with a bluesy feel only brought down by the long runtime and the atrocious rendition of Jingle Bells. Apart from those two issues, Eric does a good job of infusing Christmas music with a cool blues vibe and conveys a sense of coziness like listening to traditional stories by an older and respected person.
Professor Black I am the Rock3.2
This is probably a homage and a tribute to one of the greatest bands of the planet, and as such I salute Professor Black. In addition, Professor Black has managed to recreate the Motorhead sound as successfully as possible, which is also something that members of other bands out there would give their left ball (or both of them) for. Now, even though this is a fairly enjoyable listen, I can't see myself jamming it often and it also proves what an amazing vocalist Lemmy was for this style of music, as the weakest point on this album is easily the vocals.
Hammer King Poseidon Will Carry Us Home3.3
Despite the lack of originality, Poseidon Will Carry Us Home is a great option when you're up for some Maiden-esque traditional/power metal. There are plenty of catchy choruses, balls-out moments and the guitar playing is great.
Billy Gibbons And The BFG's The Big Bad Blues2.0
Regardless what Billy Gibbons does, he is a legend. However, The Big Bad Blues is far from his finest work as it consists of mid tempo blues quite similar to ZZ Top but the album ends up being quite boring and feels longer than it actually is.
Slash Living the Dream3.2
Joe Bonamassa Redemption3.5
Another great effort by Joe Bonamassa, Redemption brings seamlessly together a variety of different styles from Chicago to Brit blues. A nice deal of variety as well among uptempo and more emotional tracks, and one of the highlights of his career in "Self-Inflicted Wounds".
Uriah Heep Living the Dream3.5
Uriah Heep on this album are the definition of "aging gracefully". Coming into this one, my expectations where quite low but these guys have found a sound that they are really comfortable with and their songwriting follows that. The music here is, as as expected, hard rock with progressive leanings that brings to mind modern Deep Purple. Of course, the use of keyboards is extensive and Bernie Shaw's vocals are impressive especially considering this age. On the downside, there are moments that hint to the band's back catalog and the album seems to drag a bit. However, those aren't enough to reduce what is a great achievement by these legends.
Satan Cruel Magic3.7
Satan are like Wesley Snipes on Demolition Man; they have been brought out of suspended animation and since then, they kick ass relentlessly. Their brand of heavy metal is furious, catchy and their twin guitar attack quite underrated. In addition, their vocalist's performance is still top notch and adds one more memorable aspect to Satan's music.
Rosslyn Soul in Sanctuary2.3
Much respect to these young fellas for trying to play pure traditional heavy metal. You can feel that they are really trying and they have also nailed the element of creating a convincing atmosphere of mystique. However, apart from those two, there aren't really much more going on in their favor. The songwriting sounds like a simpler version of Mercyful Fate with some hints of Running Wild, and their performance leaves much to be desired. As a result, the overall outcome is somewhat amateurish but not in a good way. Nonetheless, if they really work on their craft, improve their songwriting and add some good guitar solos, we might have something good in the future.
Amplified Heat Madera2.3
Energetic psychedelic rock with bluesy elements and a jam nature which brings to mind a less guitar oriented version of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Unfortunately, the songwriting isn't strong and the vocals need work as well.
Ashbury Eye Of The Stygian Witches3.7
These guys don't play vintage rock, they are true '70s hard rock warriors. Those who are familiar with their amazing debut, already know what to expect; great twin guitar sound with brilliant harmonies and leads a la Wishbone Ash, evocative vocals, and an overall epic atmosphere. Ashbury needs much more love.
Ice Sword Dragon Magic3.5
This is brimming with potential but still needs some work in the songwriting department as far as song duration is concerned. In addition, the production leaves something to be desired and didn't love the occasional blast beat. However, the album contains some top-notch heavy/power metal with nice vocals and a genuinely barbaric/epic flavor. If Ice Sword manage to improve, we may have something special in the future.
Beggars (GR) The Day I Lost My Head3.5
This album represents a major step-up for these guys, as they finally worked on their songwriting and managed to produce a very enjoyable slab of heavy bluesy rock that borders on stoner at times. During its 41 minutes, The Day I Lost My Head features diversity by mixing energetic with mid-tempo songs, plus a slower one as a closer. If they manage to further improve their songwriting, work on their lyrics and write a few good solos, I can definitely see them rivaling most modern heavy rock bands.
Witchfyre Grimorium Verum2.3
Energetic NWOBHM which brings to mind bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio and a number of less-known NWOBHM acts. The instrumentation and songwriting are good, even thought there are some points that need work like the tempo change on "No Rest For the Witched" which sounds forced and a bit amateurish. However, the vocals are so poor to the point were I wonder if I can take this album seriously. They are all over the place, there is a poor Kind Diamond impression (even a Dave Mustaine one on "Behind the Wall"), the pronunciation is iffy and on top of that they are too high in the mix. I seriously hope these guys can do something about the vocals because otherwise they sound as if they have something going.
Dame Silu de Mordomoire Ordeals3.7
Atmospheric dungeon synth that blends medieval, dark ambient and new age elements. Very engaging songwriting and an overall admirable work for a debut.
Villain (CAN) Villain3.5
Is it the arrival of Kawhi Leonard or something else? Regardless, Canadian metal bands are on a roll lately, and Villain are no exception. Their debut EP, despite its cover which brings to mind something more barbaric, contains great doses of melodic heavy metal that sounds like a cross between NWOBHM and hair metal.
The Preacher Burn My Soul1.5
Damn this is bad. These guys are trying to play traditional heavy metal with an edge but they have neither the talent nor the ability to do so, at least for now. The instrumentation is extremely basic, the songwriting is almost non-existent and those vocals need so much work both in terms of technique and pronunciation that are beyond criticism.
Carriage Visions3.5
The Kentish Spires The Last Harvest3.7
Having its roots deep into the Canterbury scene, The Last Harvest feels like a walk in the English countryside. The soundtrack to the said walk, consists of longer as well as more catchy tracks that include an array of horns, keys, fitting drumming, and soulful vocals. The Last Harvest is quirky, evocative and has a distinctive character.
Ultra Raptor Ültra Raptör2.5
Goofy heavy metal which may bring Liege Lord or Running Wild to your mind but apart from being energetic, it doesn't have much to offer besides having a track with the awesome title "Cadillacs and Dinosaurs" of course.
Rough Spells Modern Kicks for the Solitary Witch3.2
Energetic and gritty hard rock from Canada. The band knows how to write good riffs and they also have a knack for creating a convincing atmosphere. But it would be great to see them working on their sound a bit more by adding some interesting guitar leads and solos. Additionally, their singer has a nice voice but she uses her upper register a bit too often and I would like to listen her mixing it up a bit more.
Shadowkiller Guardians Of The Temple3.5
Great slab of energetic power metal which has its roots on Blind Guardian and Iced Earth. Really good vocals that are not over the top, engaging songwriting, and an array of catchy riffs.
Wytch Hazel II: Sojourn3.8
Amazing leads, very fitting vocals and a dreamy atmosphere. These guys emit a genuine retro/archaic feeling which is comparable to legends Pagan Altar, even though stylistically they are quite different. Their influences come from bands like Wishbone Ash and Thin Lizzy, and there are times where you might get a Kansas vibe as well. However, Wytch Hazel have their own identity which makes them one of the most successful hard rock bands today.
Immortal Northern Chaos Gods3.5
Ancient Empire Eternal Soldier3.4
Solid US heavy/power metal which has its roots somewhere in-between Iced Earth, Iron Maiden ("I, Alone") and Jag Panzer among others, but Ancient Empire have their own unique style. The songwriting is interesting with plenty of hooks and catchy melodies and the vocalist has a nice gruff and tone. The music is quite bare-bones but energetic and quite refreshing if you want to listen to some modern power metal.
The Night Flight Orchestra Sometimes The World Ain't Enough3.8
Really nice AOR LP which is deeply rooted in the pop rock that was released between 1975 and 1985. There are some catchy melodies throughout and even disco grooves on tracks like "Paralyzed" and "Pretty Thing Closing In" which are two of my favorites as they emit a GTO: Vice City that I thoroughly enjoy. Compared to previous efforts, this one is more keyboard-oriented which is not a bad thing at all, unlike the album's duration. Goes without saying that this is ideal during summer.
Stormwitch Bound to the Witch3.0
Good, honest heavy metal from a band who never got the recognition it deserved. The songwriting is your standard traditional heavy metal as it was forged by bands like Judas Priest, Saxon, Satan and Diamond Head, among others. The album contains some nice hooks, great guitar leads and riffs, and an overall good sense of melody. However, even though the LP is extremely consistent, nothing seems to really stick out, which leads to an enjoyable listen but not much more. Nevertheless, it is more than a pleasure to see bands like Stormwitch alive and kicking, as well as maintaining the NWOBHM flame alive.
Unto Others Don't Waste Your Time3.7
One of the most interesting albums of the year! A mix of traditional and gothic metal that brings to mind the vibes of late-Paradise Lost albums but with a more metal sound. There are plenty of hooks and memorable melodies, and "Can You Hear The Rain" is easily one of my favorite tracks of the year. If these guys manage to release an LP that further expands this EP, we will be up for something special.
Habitants One Self3.5
If you're up for some really good melancholic post rock with poppy elements and you're a fan of The Gathering, you will enjoy One Self. Rene Rutten is one of the most underrated '90s guitarists and his ability for creating atmospheric music is once again prevalent on here. However, the album - as Trifolium noted - is indeed samey and the vocals are one dimensional, but the reasonable duration doesn't make this one feel like a chore.
Byrhtnoth Brethren To The Fire Trumpets2.5
Love the artwork and how atmospheric this album is, but apart from those two there aren't a lot of things going on. The Summoning vibes are cool and there are a few black metal vocals here and there, however, Brethren To The Fire Trumpets is too same-y, linear, and lacks progression. As a result, the album is a nice listen but stale and without significant replay value.
Battleroar Codex Epicus3.5
Thomas Nation Battle of the Grumbles2.0
A somewhat unsuccessful and trite effort of blending folk and dream pop which results in a rather flat, unspectacular and plodding album. The idea is nice but unfortunately the execution is poor.
Ghost (SWE) Prequelle4.2
Whether you like Ghost or not, their biggest accomplishment is that bands like these guys bring new fans to rock and metal and help those genres remain popular. In terms of music, this is the album of theirs that I enjoyed the most probably due to the strong Blue Oyster Cult elements and the medieval aura because of the subject matter. All in all, a great effort.
Isatha Tavaszi Szel2.0
Some really interesting folk melodies cannot save what is a rather sloppy slab of folk metal. The songwriting shows that this band has some potential as there are definitely some catchy melodies and the female vocals are nice albeit unimpressive, but what ruins this EP is the band's choice to have so harsh growls that bring to mind death metal and simply do not fit what Isatha is trying to achieve with their folk elements.
Don Airey One Of A Kind3.5
Don Airey is not only a living legend and probably the rock keyboardist with the most impressive body of work, but also an amazing player. On One Of A Kind you will listen classic hard rock which sounds quite fresh and has elements from Deep Purple, Rainbow, Gary Moore and Nazareth. The songwriting is interestingly more focused on hard rock than progressive rock (as one might expect) which was a really nice surprise for me and Airey's performance is excellent. The guitar playing is equally fine and my only slight concern is the vocals which I'm sure that I will enjoy in due time. A little bonus is on the second disk where Don and his band play a few classics live and the performance is very good. Long live Don.
Lord Vigo Six Must Die3.0
A nice blend of traditional doom metal and NWOBHM with epic tendencies which brings to mind bands like Witchfinder General and Pentagram, i.e. doomy bands with a nice sense of melody and groove. Everything is well-done and the band seems to be on the right path but after listening to this one a couple of times, I have neither the desire to jam it again nor can I remember any riffs or catchy moments. That doesn't mean that the album isn't fun but Lord Vigo should work on their songwriting if they want to create something that will stand the test of time.
Friendship (NO) Ain't No Shame 3.7
Evil-Lÿn Disciple of Steel3.5
These guys know how to play traditional heavy metal with obvious influences but at the same time avoid the pitfall of sounding like a derivative. Great melodies, anthemic vocal lines, excellent twin guitars and a fitting production make up for an ass-kicking heavy metal LP.
Age of Taurus The Colony Slain2.3
This album has to be the blueprint of how you can destroy perfectly okay music with an absolutely horrendous vocal approach. This doesn't mean that the band's vocalist has am awful voice, but doom metal needs a grittier approach with a certain bravado instead of the flat one utilized by these guys. Apart from that, Age of Taurus fuse their Candlemass/Trouble doom with NWOBHM elements reminiscent of Angel Witch and provide an interesting and very atmospheric sound. However, I cannot enjoy it because of the vocals, which makes me wonder how the band, the producer and anyone else who listened to this album never questioned the vocal approach...
Michael Schinkel's Eternal Flame Smoke on the Mountain3.0
Melodic neoclassical metal with some AOR and bluesy elements. The songwriting brings to mind Yngwie Malmsteen (Mark Boals and Goran Edman do guest vocals on four tracks), but the guitar playing is more reminiscent of Ritchie Blackmore. Overall, a really good LP but Axel Rudi Pell has done this thing much better so I'm not so sure I'll be jamming this again in the future. However, it feels really nice seeing such stuff getting released nowadays.
Toledo Steel No Quarter3.5
Encouraging debut LP containing healthy doses of energetic traditional british metal with influences from bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Satan and even Mercyful Fate. The twin guitar assault is the highlight of No Quarter as these guys know how to write memorable riffs that keep listeners interested. As far as modern NWOBHM is concerned, this is one of the more solid releases.
Amorphis Queen of Time4.5
These guys just can't disappoint. On first listen, this one felt kinda safe and as if it played too much into the band's comfort zone. However, Queen of Time is dense and rich, combining seamlessly multiple layers and elements. The songwriting is as solid as ever and the melodies are once again excellent. Makes you look forward to their next LP.
Loreena McKennitt Lost Souls3.5
Lords of Black Icons of the New Days2.8
Unfortunately, Lords of Black have not made a real progress compared to their previous effort and sadly their songwriting chops are far less than their unquestionable individual talent. Ronnie Romero is one of the better heavy metal vocalists at the moment (even though he goes overboard with his Dio-esque gruff) and guitarist Tony Hernando delivers some great solos, but the songs aren't memorable, the production is "plastic" and - once again - the album is far too long for its own good. I really had high expectations by these guys but their brand of heavy/power metal just doesn't feel special to me.
Lachrymose The Unseen3.2
Well performed gothic/doom with interesting female vocals that features good songwriting and brings to mind acts like Draconian and Tristania. The Greeks have done a really good job in constructing a solid EP but their music lacks the crescendos that would elevate it.
Manacle (CAN) No Fear to Persevere3.5
Solid debut EP by these Canadians whose speed metal brings to mind early Fates Warning and Queensryche. The songwriting is really strong even though a couple of the songs could do with a bit of trimming while the vocalist might bring Michael Kiske to your mind. The production is also very well-done with a genuine retro feeling and I love the guitar tone. Overall, this is really promising.
Aura Noir Aura Noire3.0
This is a good LP that has all the elements that Aura Noir are known for but with much more filler than in the past which accounts for 1/4 of the album. Their weakest effort until now.
Varathron Patriarchs of Evil4.0
Riot V Armor of Light3.0
Despite the fact that it is energetic and boasts a few anthemic moments, Armor of Light is just good and fairly samey as a result of the unwarranted use of double bass drumming. It is evident at this point that Mark Reale's absence is really important for this band. Nevertheless, the vocals are very good and as a whole, this is a fun experience with limited replay value.
Gatekeeper (CAN) East of Sun3.0
Gatekeeper is one of the hottest epic metal bands at the moment and, despite their great influences which range from Manilla Road and Omen to Cirith Ungol and Atlantean Kodex, I just can't place them next to bands like Visigoth and Eternal Champion or even upcomers like Dream Troll. The main reason is their songwriting which lacks catchiness and makes their album feel longer than it actually is. However, they do emit a genuine epic feeling and if they work on creating some more memorable moments, they may make some noise in the future.
Riversea The Tide3.5
Solid neo prog with great melodies and an all-around convincing mellow/melancholic atmosphere that brings to mind Marillion. I also get some Pink Floyd and Judgement-era Anathema vibes but this might be just me. Overall, a great effort but I'd love to hear some more guitar solos as I think that they would make the album a bit more varied and emotional.
Smoulder The Sword Woman3.0
Traditional epic doom metal with female vocals that brings to mind bands like Solitude Aeturnus and Pagan Altar as it conveys a genuine archaic feeling. These guys (and girl) definitely need to improve their songwriting and technique (the guitar solo on "The Sword Woman" is not too hard and yet it sounds a bit amateurish), however, their debut EP is promising.
Night Flowers Wild Notion4.0
Listening to Wild Notion while a gentle summer breeze blows in through my open window is nothing short of a complete experience. Or is Wild Notion that summer breeze that carries with it images of past summers and summers to come? Night Flowers' debut is a solid dream pop affair not only because of its instrumentation and songwriting, but mostly due to the images, smells and feelings it evokes so vividly. And just like the summer, the album ends before you know it.
Salems Lott Mask of Morality1.5
Glam rock without hooks, catchy guitars and memorable moments. Add to those the awful vocals and atrocious production and you have a very poor album that tries to take itself quite serious but fails miserably.
Maverick Cold Star Dancer3.5
Great stuff. This one's got every element that any good glam album should have; it's catchy, memorable, has sweet melodies, cool guitar playing, and a really good vocalist.
Runelord A Message from the Past2.8
This is another one of Cederick Forsberg's projects (Rocka Rollas, Blazon Stone) and by now, it is obvious that the man is a great student of heavy/power metal. He has a knack for writing catchy melodies and interesting heavy metal but I am afraid that his willingness to participate on a number of projects is making him spread himself too thin. Anyway, this is traditional balls-out heavy metal with some elements of power metal similar to Manowar, Grave Digger and Accept, and even though has its moments, it is nothing special.
Stygian Oath Stygian Oath3.3
Well performed traditional metal with solid songwriting and epic tendencies. These guys have a knack for creating memorable riffs and the high pitched vocals are, fortunately, not overdone. Most of all, their sound sounds honestly retro and epic.
Lucifer's Hammer (CL) Time is Death3.3
Well-performed NWOBHM with obvious influence by Iron Maiden but solid songwriting in order to remain a very enjoyable listen. These guys can write catchy riffs and create a convincing atmosphere which sounds genuinely vintage.
Rocka Rollas Celtic Kings2.5
Really wanted to enjoy this one more and have huge respect for what these guys are doing but the mediocre songwriting just doesn't do it for me. Celtic Kings sounds like a second rate Judas Priest/Running Wild speed/power metal LP which is very energetic and at times really fun but, overall, is average. Almost every song may have its moments with respect to an interesting riff or lead, but Rocka Rollas need to work more in writing good songs rather than a fun melody here and there.
Judicator The Last Emperor4.0
This is total Blind Guardian worship but it doesn't reduce the overall experience as the songwriting is extremely solid and also because Blind Guardian haven't written similar material in the last 20 years or so. Judicator have a great sense of melody, which is translated in infectious vocal lines and catchy guitar harmonies. The subject matter of the album adds an extra layer of epicness, and it has to be noted that Hansi Kursch participates in one track ("Spiritual Treason"). This is Judicator's best album to date.
Grand Delusion On the Line3.0
Groovy stoner rock with doom metal elements that sounds like a cross between Grand Magus and Pentagram.
Cleophuzz Wizard of Phuzz3.0
Well-performed psychedelic stoner rock with great guitar tone and interesting songwriting. However, there are moments where the songs tend to drag a bit and feel quite repetitive. All in all, an encouraging debut.
Freedom Hawk Beast Remains3.5
Great slab of modern retro rock with solid songwriting, nice vocals and an array of catchy riffs. The production is pretty warm without unnecessary amounts of fuzz - which is a really nice way of hiding one's incompetence to play good music - while these guys' blend of hard rock is quite straightforward with only some elements of desert rock. All in all, a great effort.
Borealis The Offering2.8
Progressive power metal with really strong vocals in the same vein as Symphony X and Evergrey. There are some fine tracks here such as closer ?The Ghosts of Innocence?, but overall this is not an engaging listen as it tends to be uneven and a bit uneventful. The songwriting features some nice melodies and hooks but at the end doesn't leave you with much or the desire to listen to this LP repeatedly.
Axel Rudi Pell Knights Call3.3
Anyone who is familiar with Axel Rudi Pell knows what to expect from the veteran axeman by now; hard rock with AOR and neoclassical tendencies that brings to mind a mix between Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen. However - and even though there is a feeling of deja vu throughout the album - Axel is so talented that once again provides us with a very enjoyable effort that doesn't lack great guitar leads, solid songwriting and an overall epic atmosphere. Of course, it wouldn't be an Axel Rudi Pell LP if there wasn't any fat that could be trimmed but overall, this is a really good release with an albeit limited replay value.
Monster Magnet Μindfucker3.4
Significantly less spacey and trippy compared to Last Patrol, ?indfucker is a straightforward, high energy affair influenced by the late '60s Detroit rock scene and bands like MC5 and The Stooges. Regardless which side of the band one likes though, this is still a very rewarding listen. Dave can do no wrong.
Ulvesang The Hunt3.2
Definitely features some nice guitarwork but overall I feel that it lacks a certain focus and atmosphere that I am looking from my neofolk.
High Reeper High Reeper3.5
It's a great pleasure when you discover that there are still bands out there who can play ballsy proto-metal/doom/stoner without the need to hide their lack of talent behind idiotic amounts of fuzz. These Italians pray to the temple of Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus and Pentagram but have the chops to write great songs with plenty of hooks, riffs and groove.
Gygax 2nd Edition3.3
If Thin Lizzy had never happened, these guys would be the shit. They are well-rehearsed, have writing chops, their sound is tight and have a knack for creating catchy melodies. However, everything is based on Thin Lizzy and even though I had a great time listening to this album, I can't see myself returning to it again.
Sojourner The Shadowed Road3.7
Very atmospheric and absolutely beautiful. The tin whistle provides and extra layer of stunning melodies, and I get a strong '90s vibe at points which is a huge plus for me.
Stonewitch The Midnight Tales3.5
Fine blend of NWOBHM, hard rock and doom metal with elements of Iron Maiden, Angel Witch, Pagan Altar, Black Sabbath, etc. A bit amateurish at times but the songwriting is solid with plenty of hooks and nice melodies.
Runeshard Dreaming Spire3.5
The Watchers Black Abyss2.9
Groovy heavy rock with influences from Ozzy-era Sabbath and grunge elements. Enjoyable but I seriously doubt I will be jamming this again in the future.
Judas Priest Firepower3.7
If this is where it ends for Judas Priest, I'll be more than content. Containing elements from various stages in their discography and an amazing performance by Rob Halford, Firepower will go down not only as a surprising comeback but also one of Priest's more solid efforts. Albums like this one attract new metalheads and this is Firepower's biggest achievement.
Killer Boogie Acid Cream3.3
Various Artists Bow to Your Masters Volume 1: Thin Lizzy3.3
Although they haven't deviated significantly from the originals, most bands have done a really good job in covering some classic Lizzy tunes.
Svartanatt Starry Eagle Eye3.7
Don't let the cover art fool you into thinking that Svartanatt are a Lynyrd Skynyrd rip-off because these guys are influenced by the likes of Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy with some hints from MC5, and might bring to your mind Graveyard. The guitar playing ows a lot to Ritchie Blackmore and the album is full of catchy songs and memorable melodies. Lastly, "Wolf Blues" is not only the bluesier track of the album but also one of the best rock tracks of this year.
Michael Schenker Fest Resurrection2.5
Resurrection certainly has its moments, some great guitar riffs and leads, and a nice groove but ultimately it is quite bland and unimpressive. Michael Schenker might be a guitar god but listening to this album is somewhat of a chore despite its reasonable running time.
Rota Fortunae Solstice4.0
A tranquil and melancholic journey that evokes images of falling leaves and rain, Solstice is an improvement compared to Vespers. The use of cello is a very welcome addition and a step in the right direction as it provides an extra layer and accents the great songwriting. Add some piano, maybe some rain effects, violins on your next 6-minute track and the world will talk about the new Rota Fortunae album.
Sequestered Keep The Vale of Ruined Towers3.7
Well-executed dungeon synth with a strong medieval flavor. There is enough variety to keep the listener's attention and a genuinely epic yet soothing atmosphere. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys Fief.
Midnight Force Dunsinane3.5
Very encouraging debut of epic NWOBHM. The album has a genuine vintage feeling but sometimes borders on raw/underdeveloped.
Armored Dawn Barbarians in Black2.8
I have massive respect for bands who are trying to keep the traditional metal spirit alive and Armored Dawn is one of them. However, their heavy/power metal doesn't do much for me as it lacks a certain charm or character and their songwriting, even though features some nice ideas and pounding choruses, isn't anything to write home about. Nevertheless, it's always a pleasure to come across guys who are striving to write quality metal and should they improve on their weaknesses, these guys can release a much better album.
Untamed Land Between the Winds3.5
Is there such a thing as spaghetti black metal? These guys have a similar approach to Summoning and Caladan Brood but use native american influences and melodies. As a result, their blend of black metal is quite unique and personal but still feels familiar. Very interesting debut.
Green Lung Free the Witch3.3
A bit by the numbers, but solid stoner/doom EP with a great sense of groove, adequate catchy riffs, nice songwriting and just the right amount of fuzz. Very encouraging debut.
Heavatar Opus II - The Annihilation2.0
Heavy/power metal with neoclassical tendencies and a few classical melodies which features poor songwriting, average performance and average production. A bit fun at times but overall, poor.
Angra Ømni3.0
This is by no means a bad album, but lacks that special Angra magic that is present in the band's best efforts.
Visigoth Conqueror's Oath3.8
Traditional metal with a strong epic flavor of the highest order. Visigoth, on their second offering provide us with a much more focused effort which includes tighter songwriting with a better sense of direction and great melodies. The songs are memorable and the vocal layering brings to my mind that of Blind Guardian and even though nobody even approaches the German bards on that department, Visigoth's vocalist is amazing at what he does. Many people compare these guys with Manowar but to me they're closer to Cirith Ungol, Omen and even Pagan Altar. Overall, this album is a step towards the right direction and puts Visigoth among the best acts of modern traditional metal.
Saxon Thunderbolt3.0
Saxon is one of the most honest bands in the history of heavy metal. Once again, what you get here is solid yet unspectacular no frills heavy metal that lacks spectacular highlights or extreme lows. The album's short run time contributes in making it an enjoyable listen and there is also a touching tribute to Motorhead in the form of "They Played Rock and Roll". Overall, a decent LP but I seriously doubt I will be jamming it in the future.
Therion Beloved Antichrist3.5
Dream Troll The Witch's Curse3.7
These guys seem to be getting better with each release. Their brand of traditional heavy metal is full of catchy melodies and nice harmonies, while their songwriting seems to keep improving as they can hold the listener's attention even on longer tracks. Only thing that's bugging me is that I'd like them to sound just a tad heavier but, regardless, this is a very enjoyable EP. Of course, the cover art is all sorts of awesome as well bringing to mind '90s action video games.
Keys of Orthanc Dush agh Golnauk3.3
Nicely done Tolkien-inspired black metal which separates itself from Summoning and their imitators by emphasizing more their black metal elements and guitars compared to keyboards and ambient melodies.
Orphaned Land Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs2.0
I cannot deny the fact that this sounds like the product of serious labor but for the most time it sounds so polished, harmless and overproduced that it loses all its fun. Yes there are some good melodies here and there and this is quite enjoyable at times but the vocals are incredibly/annoyingly melodramatic and the overall feeling I get is like this is the soundtrack of a middle eastern love story. In addition, most tracks sound so harmless like they were prepared for the Eurovision Song Contest or like this is cheesy ethnic music performed with metal instruments. Those vocals though, damn...
Tribulation Down Below4.0
Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons The Age Of Absurdity2.8
Well-performed biker rock with enough catchy choruses and riffs and - maybe contrary to most expectations - does not sound 100% like Motorhead, with the exception of a couple of tracks. The level of enjoyment will probably vary by how much you enjoy US rock/metal and acts like Alter Bridge or Stone Sour. Personally, I am not a big fan so this is probably a reason that I didn't love this one. However, I can't deny the fact that it's got its fair share of fun and props to Phil for remaining active and creative.
Merlin The Wizard3.5
Very entertaining slab of psychedelic doomy heavy rock with a great feel for groove. The addition of saxophone as a lead instrument at places is a really nice touch, as it enhances the psych effect. Great job by these guys.
Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa Black Coffee3.5
Great blues/blues-rock by one of the best female blues voices today. Bonamassa has allowed Beth Hart the necessary room to shine and with a couple of exceptions (the monotonous "Joy" and "Addicted") she delivers a blistering performance. Overall, the first side of the album is quite stronger but you won't find many modern blues LPs better than this one.
Witchcryer Cry Witch3.0
In a few years' time, I will be expecting to see how many of these female fronted occult retro rock bands will still be alive and kicking. Personal opinion, not too many. The atmosphere is nice, the vocals are good and nothing sounds bad about Cry Witch. Those who adore Avatarium and Jex Thoth will probably enjoy Witchcryer, but at the end of the day this is just another nice female fronted occult retro rock LP with not much to add to an already saturated genre.
Savage Machine Abandon Earth3.7
Hard-hitting power metal which trades cheese and symphonic elements for a gritty thrashy approach. Savage Machine's main influences are Iced Earth of the Something Wicked era and Somewhere Far Beyond-Blind Guardian but without the impressive imagery. The reasonable running time is also a sign of solid judgement from the band's side as it helps the album stray even more from numerous bloated modern power metal LPs.
Black Label Society Grimmest Hits3.0
Old Wolf Faustian Mass2.9
No frills traditional heavy metal with great twin guitar attack but lacks in the songwriting department and needs much better vocal melodies. However, these guys seem to be in the right path and, if they improve, their next effort might turn some heads.
Leaves' Eyes Sign of the Dragonhead2.5
Joe Satriani What Happens Next3.0
Hazy Sea Cargo Incognito2.9
Fuzzy stoner rock with a few Greek folk melodies and a strong '70s vibe in the guitar playing. However, it almost feels that these guys will go as far as the inspired playing of their lead guitarist takes them as, overall, their songwriting isn't anything to write home about.
Magick Touch Blades, Chains, Whips & Fire2.7
Entertaining hard rock which ranges from Thin Lizzy territory ("The Great Escape") to '80s hair metal and sleaze ("Siren Song"). The cover art gave me slightly different vibes than the ones contained in the LP as I expected a more epic approach from the Norwegian power trio which is only evident on the album's title track. Overall, the level of songwriting isn't that high in order to provide some replay value and the loud production - a mistake that a lot of modern hard rock bands do - does not help either. Overall, an enjoyable listen but not much more even though there is potential.
Moongates Guardian Leave The Northern Mountains3.8
Atmospheric black metal inspired by the Lord of the Rings. What can possibly go wrong? Well, a lot of things, but how many times have you been disappointed by a metal album that starts with the sound of a horse neighing (or even better, a horse?s hooves)? The music here sounds like if it?s cut from the same mold as a lot of Summoning tracks, meaning that it is based on catchy keyboard melodies and build on that with black metal vocals, spoken word passages and some traditional atmospheric metal instrumentation. Granted, some may find the strong Russian accent on the spoken passages a bit cheesy but think of it as part of the theatrics (like on Dracula movies) and the majestic journey that Moongates Guardian seem to take us while we are transported into Middle Earth.
Virgin Steele Seven Devils Moonshine1.5
Seven Devils Moonshine is a 5-CD box set which consists of two reissues (The Book Of Burning and Hymns To Victory), and three albums with material recorded in 2017-2018. However, the new material is limited to the first two new albums, as the third one contains re-recordings of Virgin Steele songs with orchestra and some cover versions of classic songs. Now, the Ghost Harvest - Vintage LPs are mostly DeFeis meowing over some piano melodies with only some interesting guitar solos here and there by Pursino. It is sad to see the current state of Virgin Steele, which moves further from the glorious past of the band with each release.

2017
Zel Agganor Rise of the Black Star3.5
Great symphonic black metal which is directly influenced by Bal-Sagoth but features solid songwriting in order not to be considered a cheap imitation. The use of synths is heavy but the guitars are also high in the mix which helps the music retain its aggressiveness. Lastly, this is the first installment of a five-chapter symphonic metal saga of tales of a darkly mystical fantasy realm.
Osterweg II3.5
Cool eastern European folk with strong medieval flavor and pagan atmosphere.
Headbanger First to Fight2.9
Energetic and fun old-school heavy metal which borders on thrash but, overall, this is too samey and linear for my liking. Definitely some positives on here which make this album a relatively enjoyable listen, but I cannot see this one having a significant replay value. Would be nice if the band mixed it up a bit and came up with better riffs on their next release.
Purple Dino And Now What​?​!3.5
Second album by the Greek Jurassic bards and the cover art may be misleading, as these guys are not your typical day-in-the-sun-with-bbq-and-beer stoner rock band. They fuse their sound with '90s grunge influences, some punk passages ("Her Ride") and even progressive tendencies. That doesn't mean that you can't have fun while listening to the LP or that it doesn't groove, as the entire offering features really nice vocals and very good guitar playing. Lastly, the production is ideal for a heavy rock album with clear yet warm sound.
Crom When Northmen Die3.3
An interesting mix of Viking-era Bathory and power metal which also sounds at times like post-2K Amorphis. Even though the overall offering is interesting, it is too long for its own good and the vocals might put some guys off. Nonetheless, an enjoyable listen.
Wrathblade God of the Deep Unleashed3.5
Really good epic metal, if you're in a Manilla Road mood.
Van Morrison Versatile3.3
Van Morrison at his age and with a resume as impressive as his, has literally nothing to prove. Versatile, his 38th studio release, comes only 3 months after Roll With The Punches and consists mainly of covers while only six compositions are his and one of those is from Poetic Champions Compose. Nevertheless, he infuses them with his inimitable flair and style which makes the overall offering quite enjoyable. Granted, Versatile doesn't have the emotional depth of some of his previous albums but its jazzy, laid-back atmosphere still has a lot to offer to Van Morrison fans.
Jess And The Ancient Ones The Horse and Other Weird Tales3.3
Jess And The Ancient Ones' brand of psychedelic rock is deeply rooted on the summer of love which is always a good thing. The instrumentation combined with the female vocals might bring to mind Jefferson Airplane (or the latest Avatarium LP) and there are some hints of The Doors as well, but overall, these guys (and girl) cannot be considered derivatives. All in all, a very good album but I would love a few more memorable and rocking moments.
Legendry Dungeon Crawler3.7
Tyfon's Doom Emperor's Path3.5
Tyfon's Doom play nothing new on Emperor's Path but they are such good apprentices that their blend of NWOBHM, speed and US power metal is so enjoyable that the apparent lack of originality simply does not downgrade the overall experience. The album's replay value remains to be seen and most probably will be low but those who love '80s metal will have a blast with all the tasty leads on Emperor's Path.
Black Sabbath The End (Live)4.0
Sorcerer (ARG) Incantation3.5
Surprisingly solid EP containing generous doses of power/prog metal with epic tendencies. These guys sound like a cross between early-Fates Warning and early-Queensryche and needles to say, the outcome is impressive for an obscure act like the Argentinians.
Greta Van Fleet From the Fires3.0
The band's biggest influence is Led Zeppelin and they certainly don't hide that while their singer does - for the most part of the album - his best impression of Robert Plant. However, the songwriting is solid and the album is quite fun if you don't mind the fact that the overall product is derivative. Enjoyable but with limited replay value.
Vhaldemar Against All Kings3.3
Decent power metal which even though offers practically nothing new, is still quite enjoyable due to the solid songwriting and the short duration which is just below the 40-minute mark. The influences that these guys draw range from Hammerfall and Manowar with some Rage in-between. The guitar playing is the backbone here but the vocals and production leave something to be desired.
Stonila Between Two Worlds3.4
Groovy instrumental rock from Greece that includes some folk-ish melodies. Great guitar tone and a few uplifting parts. The album is certainly enjoyable but it would help if the band developed some of their ideas even further in order to create an even more personal identity.
Beast In Black Berserker1.5
There are albums that are silly but fun, catchy, well-written and have substance. This is cheesy, uninspired and over the top music that might be good for the Eurovision contest.
Communic Where Echoes Gather2.8
Good prog/power metal which technically is at a high level but lacks serious substance or emotion and feels longer than it actually is. Cannot deny the great guitarwork but, overall, this is not my cup of tea.
Serenity Lionheart3.0
Symphonic power metal concept album about Richard the Lion-Hearted which is fairly well-written and performed but too cheesy for my liking. The vocalist might bring to your mind Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica) and the band can definitely create really good melodies which unfortunately border on Eurovision some times. All in all, a good listen but expected more.
Evertale The Great Brotherwar3.2
European power metal with epic tendencies and influences from Grave Digger, some Running Wild and mainly Blind Guardian. Essentially, the album is very similar to Blind Guardian's first two LPs without the LOTR references, Hansi's amazing vocals and Guardian's solid songwriting. Nevertheless, if you're tired of jamming Battalions of Fear and Follow the Blind, give this one a shot and you will not regret it.
Sorcerer The Crowning of the Fire King4.2
Ten Years After A Sting In The Tale3.3
Ten Years After play within their comfort zone but this is no knock at all as these guys' knowledge of blues rock is as good as anyone's in this business. A Sting In The Tale is best served with a shot of bourbon in your favorite bar/pub.
Vuur In This Moment We Are Free - Cities3.0
Voivod and LouBreed's soundoffs are pretty accurate and describe more or less my feelings. However, the most important thing here for me is that Anneke is on her best form since if_then_else and despite the fact that the instrumentation is not my cup of tea, this is an LP that I can see myself returning to often.
Hallas Excerpts From a Future Past3.8
Quality proto-heavy metal with progressive tendencies which brings to mind the less heavy moments of Uriah Heep, early-Jethro Tull, some Wishbone Ash or maybe a couple of obscure - but still awesome - bands from the early '80s such as Ashbury and Winterhawk. Nevertheless, the emphasis here should not be on the instrumentation per se but at the hazy, dream-like experience these guys create on this magical journey of an album. As good as retro rock gets.
Savage Master Creature of the Flames3.2
Quite formulaic occult NWOBHM with great riffs and ballsy female vocals.
Air Raid Across the Line2.8
Melodic heavy/power metal with some neoclassical tendencies which brings to mind Yngwie Malmsteen's work with Alcatrazz and Steeler but less inspired or interesting. Well performed but has no replay value for me.
Palantir Lost Between Dimensions3.7
One of the best power metal releases of the year. It is so hard to find really good post-2K power metal with reasonable production that is not over the top and bloated like hell. Palantir bring to mind a few late '90s European power metal bands with their down to earth approach which is based on adventurous songwriting with progressive elements and is reminiscent of Nocturnal Rites and Lost Horizon. The band knows how to write great melodies and combine them with good vocals. Only thing that I would like to see from these guys is slightly more guitar-driven songs but overall this is more than encouraging debut.
Quayde LaHue Day of the Oppressor4.0
Hands down one of the best modern rock bands and albums. Drawing influences from Pentagram, KISS, UFO, Thin Lizzy and Diamond Head, and fronted by a female vocalist who oozes rock, the Washington-based four-piece has to be one of the best kept secrets in heavy rock today. Day of the Oppressor is enough to give you an idea about those guys? energetic, infectious and superbly performed brand of music. When Quayde LaHue become the next best thing in the underground rock scene, remember where you first read about them.
Van Morrison Roll With The Punches3.5
The blues are far from notes on paper; it's all about soul and nobody knows that better than Van Morrison even though it took him 37 LPs to release his first truly blues album. Most of the material consists of covers of old blues standards and Van the Man does a great job of delivering some convincing performances while he is accompanied by an array of notable musicians including Jeff Beck and Paul Jones. Great stuff.
Cradle of Filth Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness of Decay4.0
On Cryptoriana ? The Seductiveness of Decay, the masters of Victorian gothic horror built on everything that made Hammer of the Witches such a revelation, expanded on those ideas, and created a less instant but deeper and more developed offering.rThe guitarwork is among the best among Cradle of Filth?s discography and Dani?s vocals are once again solid, while the reduced number of shrieks makes the album an appropriate starting point for potential new listeners. Smerda and Shaw brought new life to a classic formula, infusing it with an array of brilliant riffs and solos while contributing to one of the most guitar-driven albums in the band?s career. Actually, if one could transport Cryptoriana right between Cruelty and the Beast and Midian, it would make sense.
Lucid Dreaming The Chronicles Pt. II3.0
This is one of the most confusing power metal albums I have checked lately. On the one hand the instrumentation which is a mix between power/heavy metal is pretty good but at the same time, the vocals remind those of trained karaoke singers; and the thing is that the music here is vocals-driven. However, there are some great guitar solos, a few hooks and an overall unrefined yet somewhat infectious nature. In addition, the entire album is based on Lloyd Alexander?s The Chronicles Of Prydain - pentalogy of children's high fantasy Bildungsroman novels - so I guess those who are into those books will enjoy more this album.
Travelin Jack Commencing Countdown3.7
On first glance, Commencing Countdown screamed Love It To Death due to the cover arts' similarity and indeed, Alice Cooper is one of the German outfit's influences. However, this is not their only influence as one can spot KISS, UFO and Budgie elements on Travelin Jack's sound. Overall, this is some pretty solid riff-driven heavy rock with ballsy female vocals which doesn't last more than it should and seems to have a reasonable replay value. Fans of Blues Pills and Royal Thunder should definitely check these guys (and girl) out.
Arch Enemy Will to Power2.8
Considering the lineup of the band on this release, someone would expected much more. That is not to say that Will to Power does not have its fair share of good moments, catchy riffs and an overall nice vocal performance, but as a whole it is rather generic, mediocre and eventually, too long for what it is. Nevertheless, it is a pleasant experience which unfortunately, for me, doesn't have any replay value.
Sanhedrin (USA-NY) A Funeral for the World3.3
Energetic NWOBHM/speed metal with ballsy female vocals and elements from Black Sabbath, Spiritual Beggars, early-Maiden, etc. The album is really fun and provided that this band works more on their songwriting, their next effort might raise a lot of eyebrows.
Blazon Stone Down in the Dark3.5
Blazon Stone is the apotheosis of the foreseeable. You know what you are getting and the whole album feels like a deja vu but still everything is so enjoyable that the band's rather formulaic approach is not an issue. For those who haven't figured out by the band name and the cover art what music these guys play, it is a mix of power and speed metal with plenty of hooks, pirates and anthemic choruses which is directly influenced by Running Wild. Needless to say, fans of the legendary band and aforementioned genres are in for a treat.
Numenor Chronicles from the Realms Beyond3.7
Interesting blend of melodic black and power metal with a strong epic flavor. The guitarwork is excellent and when this one clicks, it slays. Unfortunately, the black metal parts are somewhat trite and the harsh vocals have no character. However, when these guys are using the black metal elements just as a supplement to the power metal stuff, the contrast works greatly.
Stygian Fair Into the Coven2.9
Into the Coven is an encouraging slab of traditional heavy metal with some solid guitar playing but overall is raw but not in a good way. Stygian Fair would need to improve significantly in order to release something truly worthwhile.
Night Raft of the World3.0
The Swedish outfit combines NWOBHM with melodic rock in a way that brings to mind a mellower Judas Priest or a less AOR Horisont. Even though the songwriting is interesting, it is not dynamic enough and lacks some punch which makes the LP lose steam and replay value. The band has some interesting dual guitar work which does provide a nice backbone but an improvement will be needed in a future release in order to create a really strong offering.
Motorhead Under Cover3.0
This is one of those albums I'm very on the fence about because when I jam its songs I'm having a great time and everything sounds great. However, from the cover art to the fact that each song, with the exception of "Heroes", has been previously released, screams cash grab and Motorhead has been the absolute opposite of that. Therefore, I cannot deny the fact that I enjoyed the album but there is no way I am going to pay and reward anyone who is behind this release which would have never seen the light of the day while Lemmy was alive.
Paradise Lost Medusa3.5
Ruby The Hatchet Planetary Space Child3.0
Pagan Altar The Room of Shadows4.0
Attic Sanctimonious2.7
This is basically King Diamond worship without the solid songwriting, the hooks and amazing stories that KD has released through the years. In addition, the album's duration is way to long for its own good. Overall, the album is not bad and the instrumentation is nice but if we take under consideration the extreme similarity factor, this is just above an average effort.
Hell Fire Free Again3.5
Energetic, riff-driven speed metal/NWOBHM a la early-Iron Maiden, Raven, Blitzkrieg and Diamond Head. Overall, the songwriting is really solid as these guys have a knack for creating really nice melodies while the audible bass is also a pleasant surprise which enhances the retro effect. Closing of the album with a ballad that begins in a Scorpions-esque manner but develops into a traditional power ballad is again a good choice. My only concern is whether these guys can continue to evolve their sound and maybe write a couple of epics that would make them something more than just a very enjoyable act.
Venom Inc. Avé3.3
Ave is surprisingly solid but at the same time slightly confusing. On the one hand, it is probably Venom's best offering since At War with Satan but on the other, it would undoubtedly benefit from some serious editing and trimming. Album opener "Ave Satanas", "Dein Fleisch" and "Preacher Man" consist a fairly representative sample of great tracks that could have easily been 2-3 minutes less each. However, there is no denying that Venom Inc.'s debut is a very enjoyable blend of classic/speed/thrash metal with a sinister vibe that is traditionally present on every Venom LP. There is a fine balance between aggression and groove, while Mantas and Abaddon are at the top of their game. The production is quite clean, which takes some of the edge off, but at the same time provides a needed modern flavor. Apart from the long runtime, which does not impact the enjoyment so much but will decrease the replay value of the album, Ave is a nice addition to the Venom catalog.
Accept The Rise of Chaos3.3
Anyone who has heard of Accept, already knows what this album contains; balls-out, hard-hitting, aggressive '80s heavy metal with hints of hard rock that, on the band's newer material, may bring to mind AC/DC. Therefore, the real question has to do with the level of execution, which in this case is solid even though The Rise of Chaos might be Accept's weakest release since they reunited. However, this doesn't mean that this isn't an enjoyable LP with some great riffs by Mr. Wolf Hoffmann and a strong vocal performance. Nevertheless, I am afraid that it might not have the same lifetime value as Blood of the Nations or Stalingrad.
Lana Del Rey Lust For Life2.8
Anubis (Fr) Cradle of Civilization3.5
Calling Cradle of Civilization simply dungeon synth would be inaccurate. The sound on here can be described as ambient/synth with strong Egyptian vibes and a dungeon feeling, as if being on an Egyptian tomb or playing Prince of Persia (OG version, of course). A definite recommendation if you need a fresh take on dungeon synth.
Alice Cooper Paranormal3.0
A surprisingly solid effort by Alice Cooper who sounds like he has aged really well and still manages to release pretty good hard/sleaze/glam rock. There is an emphasis on melody and the fact that the album lasts only 40 minutes contributes in making it a rather easy listen.
Soltri The Rising of the King Arthur3.5
Beautiful, medieval-influenced dungeon synth that somewhat lacks variety but lasts only 27 minutes so it doesn't become a tiresome listen.
Necromandus Necromandus3.5
Necromandus is a highly interesting case of a band almost like countless others who had the talent but never made it. The significant difference, however, is that these guys finally made it almost 45 years after releasing their unofficial debut. Formed in the '70s, they were discovered and supported by legendary guitarist Tony Iommi who helped them record Orexis of Death and actually played on the album's title track. Necromandus is actually the band's original debut even though it features only the original drummer since every other member of the initial lineup has passed. Featuring a beautiful album cover, the LP consists of modernized proto-metal with a nice twist in the form of progressive touches and of course various blues elements. The vocalist will bring to mind Ozzy Osbourne of the Vol.4/Sabotage era and the guitar playing is very good as well. It would be very interesting to listen to these guys move towards a heavier sound, like Pentagram for example, as I strongly believe that they have what it takes to pull it off.
Tower of Babel (MA) Lake of Fire3.4
Very good slab of heavy/power/neo-classical metal/rock in the vain of Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen with a few hints of '90s Riot. The instrumentation is very strong with some excellent riffs, solos and leads and the songwriting is quite engaging. However, the vocals are way forced and overdone as they give the impression of Dio suffering from constipation after having eaten ice-cream which creates that funny gargling sound when you speak. Overall, this is quite promising but the singer's approach might be a deal breaker for some.
Blind Guardian Live Beyond the Spheres3.7
At this point, Blind Guardian is practically synonymous with blistering live performances. Live Beyond the Spheres is not as magical as Live or Imaginations Through the Looking Glass and the absence of Stauch behind the drum set does show even though Frederik Ehmke does a very good job. However, they present us with a complete setlist and the live performance feels like a party and a compilation of their better moments. In addition, the band has managed to incorporate a few songs from their last albums quite successfully and the audience is participates in a meaningful manner. Overall, another testament by one of the greatest metal acts ever.
Stone Sour Hydrograd2.5
For what this album tries to achieve, one can call it successful. It contains some nice melodies and vocal lines, a few catchy riffs, and for background music it is a fairly good choice. However, it is so polished, radio-oriented and harmless that rubs me the wrong way. Nevertheless, this might just be me.
Moongates Guardian Where Many Paths And Errands Meet3.4
New EP from the resilient Moongates Guardian and even though it seems that their formula has remain unchanged, the album is still very enjoyable. Despite their lack of progress which might turn some listeners off, Where Many Paths And Errands Meet is an atmospheric journey into black metal and the world of Lord of the Rings. The music feels genuinely epic and these guys have a knack for writing catchy tunes. Very good effort once again.
Manilla Road To Kill a King3.3
Not as great as previous efforts due to songwriting and lyrically, this is also more down to earth than older material. However, it is still a solid release for Manilla Road fans and interestingly, it is also the band's best produced album which gives me hope for future releases.
Possessed Steel Order of the Moon3.7
The Canadians had already proven on their previous EP that they have the ability to write killer traditional heavy metal with a strong epic flavor. The dual guitars and fitting vocals combine for some of the most enjoyable modern true metal. The only question now is whether these guys can write an LP as effective.
The Father of Serpents Age Of Damnation2.5
Gothic death-doom that brings to mind early-Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride. The vocalist's growls might bring to mind Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis) while the use of violin is also quite reminiscent of My Dying Bride. However, the above are just an indication of the band's brand of music because overall Age Of Damnation is a plodding if not highly flawed affair which is somewhat saved by its atmosphere and some interesting guitar leads/riffs here and there. This results into an unnecessary long album which feels even longer. Nevertheless, if The Father of Serpents work on their songwriting a bit more and manage to produce a more streamlined sophomore effort, they might be able to surprise us as they seem to be good students of the death-doom scene of the '90s.
Iced Earth Incorruptible3.5
Flying Dutchman Flying Dutchman3.4
A highly interesting and refreshing case of a band which plays pirate-themed metal but is not 100% influenced by Running Wild. Flying Dutchman's sound is very much influenced by Iron Maiden with some hints of Grave Digger and even punk on "Chase The Sun". Nevertheless, album highlight "Flying Dutchman - In The Night Of The Living Dead" bears the seal of Running Wild more than every track on the EP which of course isn't a bad thing. These guys (and girl on vocals) seem to be on the right path and with much effort and sacrifices they may be able to release a solid heavy metal LP in the future.
Anathema The Optimist2.5
To state that The Optimist consists of poor songs or it is an awful album would be inaccurate. However, Anathema have found a formula which works for them and allows them to write beautiful songs but at the same time everything feels so safe, harmless and calculated. Is their music emotional? It feels like it but to me it is only superficial because emotional music is not calculated or so linear. Are their songs beautiful? They are cute but lack any serious substance that would elevate them. Most of all, this is not what Anathema used to mean. It almost feels that they are afraid to progress or they lack the necessary inspiration. People nag all the time about bands who refuse to change throughout the years and guess what. Congrats Anathema, you are now in the company of legends such as Motorhead, AC/DC and Running Wild; not too shabby.
London Grammar Truth is a Beautiful Thing3.7
Truth is a Beautiful Thing, even though slightly front-loaded, is full of memorable vocal melodies. Hannah Reid?s performance is easily worth the price of admission as she shines upon the minimal soundscapes created by the instrumentation. Overall, London Grammar's sophomore effort is an atmospheric and emotional trip that is both introspective and uplifting.
Walpyrgus Walpyrgus Nights3.2
Walpyrgus Nights is an interesting blend of NWOBHM and punk, similar to what Famous Monsters-era Misfits would play if they were an Iron Maiden cover band. There are also some Thin Lizzy elements, mostly due to the dual guitar leads and solos. Overall, the album contains more hooks than Chris Paul's tackle box after a second round playoff exit and if Walpyrgus improve their songwriting, we might have something special in our hands on their next LP.
Jorn Life on Death Road3.3
A successful blend of metal and AOR with a modern flavor. Those who are familiar with Jorn, already know what this album contains; traditional heavy metal/hard rock reminiscent of Dio, AOR in the vein of Whitesnake and quite a few anthemic moments. Jorn's performance is great as always and my only beef with the LP is that even though it's a fun listen, it doesn't make me want to jam it repeatedly.
The Ferrymen The Ferrymen3.0
Despite the promising line up, The Ferrymen's debut is a good albeit unspectacular effort. The brand of power metal/hard rock with prog tendencies these guys play brings to mind Dio's solo material, sometimes Symphony X or maybe Yngwie Malmsteen's more commercial moments. The elephant in the room is of course vocalist Ronnie Romero's similarity to Dio which is a given but Ronnie has his own style and is a very competent vocalist even though he tends to overdo it with his gritty/gravely approach. In addition, the songwriting is quite generic and the production makes the music sound even more run of the mill which is worsened by the unnecessary long album duration. Nevertheless, the band has a great sense for melody and instrumentally/vocally The Ferrymen are more than competent. In a nutshell, I would love a follow-up that is less generic, sounds warmer/less "plastic" and definitely listen to a less gritty Romero. Until then, I seriously doubt I will jam The Ferrymen's debut more than 3-4 times.
Half Gramme of Soma Groove is Black3.4
Half Gramme of Soma's latest offering definitely does what its title promises; it grooves. The Greeks' brand of stoner leans more towards a heavy space rock sound which is energetic and melodic and is dominated by the two guitars and the vocals. However, the album feels longer that it actually is and as much as it grooves, the guys haven't perfected their sound to the point were it doesn't feel kinda stale at some points. As fun as the overall experience is, I am not sure about the album's lifetime value.
Danzig Black Laden Crown2.5
Avatarium Hurricanes And Halos3.3
Avatarium's third effort finds them wondering more in '70s heavy rock/prog territories rather than
producing a doom metal sound. Hurricanes And Halos is influenced by the likes of Uriah Heep
(hence the increased use of the Hammond), Deep Purple ("Into The Fire / Into The Storm") and even
Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell such as on the heavy "Medusa Child" with the unexpected mid-section.
However as good as the album is, it somewhat falls behind in the songwriting department which
makes me wonder if I will find myself in the mood to jam it repeatedly in the future.
Alestorm No Grave But the Sea2.7
No Grave But the Sea is a fun listen but does not feature the necessary level of songwriting in order to warrant repeated listens or a significant lifetime value. Instrumentally, it sounds like a mix between Running Wild and Skyclad with an emphasis on anthemic choruses and catchy melodies. Overall, it might be a great choice for a symposium which is not a bad thing at all.
Legionnaire (FIN) Dawn of Genesis2.7
Traditional heavy metal which is influenced by the likes of Brocas Helm, Omen, maybe early-Maiden and some Manilla Road. I like the bare bones approach and the barbaric feeling that they're trying to achieve, but the Finns have a lot of work to do in the songwriting department. Most of the songs are undeveloped and the vocalist - who might bring to your mind King Diamond's low registers - doesn't help either. I respect these guys' spirit so I will be expecting their sophomore effort and really hope they amaze me.
Siena Root A Dream of Lasting Peace3.3
Chronomancy Age of Chivalry3.2
Encouraging EP which signifies Chronomancy's shift towards a more traditional epic metal sound rather than the power metal of their debut. The music is very atmospheric with some symphonic elements due to the use of keys. The band seems influenced by the likes of Virgin Steele and Manowar with some hints of the Italian power metal scene of the '90s. Even though the final offering is quite solid, the band still needs to work on their songwriting in order to create a more dynamic and varied album which will help make their music more adventurous and interesting.
Ironflame Lightning Strikes the Crown3.8
An excellent take on modern power/speed metal with traditional heavy metal elements. The instrumentation is influenced by the likes of Iron Maiden, Dio and mid-'90s Euro-Power metal which means that the music is guitar driven, and equally melodic and beefy. The vocals are one of the album's highlights and might bring Bruce Dickinson to your mind based on the delivery rather than the tone though. What makes Lightning Strikes the Crown an even more impressive accomplishment is the fact that everything is composed and performed by Andrew D?Cagna (Brimstone Coven, bass) bar the guitar solos. If Andrew manages to release an even better sophomore effort than this one, we may be talking about one of the better modern traditional metal albums of the last years.
Abkehr In Asche3.0
Morass of Molasses These Paths We Tread3.4
Morass of Molasses' brand of stoner rock includes influences from blues rock, desert rock and sludge. When these guys are in the zone like on "Wrath of the Aphrodite", they're almost irresistible as they have a knack for creating groovy fuzzy riffs. However, this is not the case for the entire album which is what makes it a somewhat inconsistent experience. However, if they build on their strengths, they might release something special in the future.
Below Upon a Pale Horse3.5
Very interesting slab of melodic/epic doom metal with instrumentation that brings to mind Nightfall/Ancient Dreams-Candlemass and vocals that are reminiscent of Tad Morose's Urban Breed or even Michael Kiske. The songwriting is excellent as the album is very atmospheric and grand, while the vocals bring a power metal flavor which makes the offering less monolithic than your typical doom. The only thing which remains to be seen is how Upon a Pale Horse will age and whether it will make me want to jam it in the future.
Dream Troll The Knight of Rebellion3.4
Goofy, cheesy, quite formulaic but still very enjoyable. The Knight of Rebellion is a mix of traditional and power metal with epic tendencies which shows a band on the right path. Dream Tr?ll's debut is very promising, the riffs and ideas are certainly there but I would like to see these guys working even more on making their sound slightly heavier.
The Wizards (ESP) Full Moon in Scorpio3.8
One of the best proto-metal albums I had the pleasure of checking lately. The band's influences vary from KISS and Thin Lizzy to Pentagram and Danzig. The level of songwriting is very high and keeps the listener's attention at a very high level throughout the album's duration.
Highland Loyal to the Nightsky3.9
Excellent second wave black metal with a few elements of frantic thrash that brings to mind Absu and Gorgoroth. There is some variety with a couple of mid-tempo tracks but Loyal to the Nightsky is essentially a storm of riffs that grabs you from the very first seconds and does not let go until the end. Only complaint is that it could have been trimmed slightly but that doesn't impact negatively the overall experience.
Wormwitch Strike Mortal Soil3.5
Riffy blackened thrash with a rock 'n' roll attitude, crust elements and some nice slow and mid-tempo parts. Overall, this is a very solid effort with some variety that sometimes similar material lacks. Provided that these guys improve their songwriting on their next effort and continue to build on the variety department, we might enjoy a killer sophomore LP.
Slaegt Domus Mysterium3.7
Very good combination of black metal and NWOBHM/rock. These guys do a great job of blending the different elements in order to create music which contains melody/hooks and has a dark atmosphere.
Fazerdaze Morningside3.8
You know an album is going to be special when from the very first seconds it takes you places and makes you reminisce on various memories. Amelia Murray's dreamy vocals and fairly simplistic yet very effective instrumentation make up for a highly evocative listen which may arouse positive feelings but are a product of frustration and anxiety once you read her lyrics. Overall, Morningside is an emotional and rather cathartic trip.
Lykantropi Lykantropi3.7
As Voivod already mentioned, Lykantropi differentiate themselves by focusing more on the lighter side of the '70s San Francisco psych movement that owes a lot to bands such as Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, among others. In addition, the band's debut exudes a genuinely vintage odor with its warm sound which only adds to the overall experience. Very promising debut.
Mean Mother No Rest For The Wasted2.9
Mean Mother play straightforward hard rock with punk and sleaze elements. Even though their music is rather enjoyable and definitely recommended for a casual listen, it fails to be more than that. The songwriting is average, the riffs aren't memorable enough and No Rest For The Wasted just doesn't make the listener want to jam it repeatedly.
Ice Giant Ice Giant0.5
In order for a retro album to be enjoyable, the execution has to be almost impeccable. Unfortunately for American heavy metal outfit Ice Giant, this is not remotely the case. Everything is abysmal. The guitar playing is sloppy with uninspired riffs and bad solos, the drumming is all over the place or sounds not in sync such as on "The Tale of Rawonam" and the vocals are childish. The album actually sounds worse than a demo and closer to what high school kids would play in their garage during their initial gatherings.
Skyclad Forward into the Past3.4
New installment by the originators of folk metal (a term whose meaning somehow changed over time), and a surprisingly solid effort. As a whole, one can listen to a variety of different riffs in terms of influences, even though the LP leans less towards metal than we have become used to by Skyclad. However, the melody is always there and it seems that Georgina's fiddle will never become trite. Nevertheless, even though the album doesn't include really weak moments - bar "Last Summer's Rain" maybe - it feels longer than it actually is, despite its short duration. However I am happy that at this point in their career, these guys can write songs like "Change Is Coming" and especially "Words Fail Me".
Galley Beggar Heathen Hymns3.7
Very well-composed electric acid/psychedelic folk. There is an emphasis on creating a dreamy and hypnotic atmosphere with a slightly loose instrumentation. The band draws influences from classic acts such as Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and Donovan among others but these guys (and girls) have developed their own sound. The album features some variety by utilizing medieval-type melodies such as on "Lorelei" or different instruments and a bacchanalian atmosphere like on the trippy "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme". Overall, a very interesting slab of modern (?) folk.
Puta Volcano Harmony of Spheres3.3
Puta Volcano's sophomore effort finds them improving their sound compared to their debut. Their music is a blend of grunge, stoner and psychedelic rock and is characterized by their female vocalist who uses her voice as an extra instrument. The songwriting is quite catchy and energetic but the extend to which one enjoys the album probably depends by how much s/he digs the distinctive vocals.
Shotgun Valium The Story Of Frank Tranquill3.4
Fuzzy stoner/heavy rock which might sound like your typical stoner but that doesn't take away the fact that the German power trio is well-rehearsed and the guys know how to play. There are influences from bands like Orange Goblin and The Atomic Bitchwax and I think I hear some grunge elements even though it might be my idea. I'd love to see Shotgun Valium working more on their brand of stoner and their songwriting in order to create more memorable songs.
Dimmu Borgir Forces of the Northern Night4.0
Imposing, epic, dark and atmospheric. Forces of the Northern Night is a perfectly rehearsed live album which includes Dimmu Borgir's performances in Oslo and Wacken with The Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Choir and the National Czech Symphonic Orchestra and the Schola Cantorum choir, respectively. Half of the setlist comprises of their recent material which might be a turnoff to some older fans but those who are not discouraged will be treated to an awesome audiovisual experience. Dimmu's music is perfectly combined with that of the orchestra and choir and results in a cinematic performance which is even more impressive after the sun no longer rises.
Atlantean Kodex The Annihilation of Bavaria4.0
The title of this live album is very fitting, as it absolutely slays. The Annihilation of Bavaria serves not only as a testament of Atlantean Kodex's stellar live performances but also as a gateway to the Germans' music.
Strikelight Beyond The Afterglow3.3
Traditional metal with some epic tendencies that might bring to mind Warlord, Iron Maiden or Diamond Head on the more groovy and dynamic moments. Overall, the songwriting is good but the lack of originality should warrant perfect execution in order for an album such as this one to be special. However, this is an enjoyable listen for any '80s metal enthusiast.
Crazy Lixx Ruff Justice3.7
Solid glam/sleaze with a few hints of AOR that features plenty of hooks, a great sense of melody and harmonic vocals. The music is influenced by the likes of classic '80s acts like Bon Jovi, Ratt, Def Leppard and Firehouse, among others. Even though originality is not one of the LPs selling points, this is a great take on the glorious hair metal days and an excellent alternative for when you had too much Big Guns (if it's ever possible...).
Night Demon Darkness Remains3.5
Night Demon once again do a great job of mixing their NWOBHM influences with some Thin Lizzy reminiscent moments but this time around the Diamond Head elements are less than on their debut. The audible bass is also a very welcome addition and the same can be said for their tempo changes. Overall, a very good effort and it is worth to mention that their singer/bass player is also the bassist for legendary band Cirith Ungol.
Hellripper Coagulating Darkness3.7
Hellripper might not be reinventing the wheel but on Coagulating Darkness delivers some incredibly fun and catchy black/speed metal. The music is energetic, full of memorable riffs and, with a duration of less than 30 minutes, the album finishes before you know it. Perfect for a beer or two.
Blue Iverson Hotep3.0
Speed Queen King of the Road3.3
Solid speed metal which brings to mind a less heavy Kill 'em All-Metallica with hints of early Iron Maiden. Despite the fact that the overall offering is nothing new under the sun, its addictive riffs, good songwriting and energy make it an enjoyable listen with limited replay value.
Paladine Finding Solace3.5
Very encouraging debut by the Athenian power metal act. Their music is influenced greatly by the golden era of power metal (mid-'90s) and more specifically by the German scene and bands like Blind Guardian, Heaven's Gate and Iron Savior. There is also a strong epic flavor courtesy of Manowar and a few classic metal elements reminiscent of Judas Priest while, overall, there is a strong sense of melody. Lastly, the production needs to be more powerful (not over-polished though) and the album does feel a bit tiresome towards the end.
Ulver The Assassination of Julius Caesar3.2
Royal Thunder WICK3.3
Deep Purple inFinite3.5
Amken Theater of the Absurd3.5
Highly energetic thrash with influences from the Bay Area and german acts like Kreator, Sodom and Destruction. The solid songwriting and proper runtime contribute in making Theater of the Absurd an interesting and engaging listen. The production is also a plus as it emits a raw feeling and the audible bass is a nice touch.
The Obsessed Sacred3.8
At this point of his career, Wino is like a less popular/less revered Lemmy as he is one of the most important living figures in the world of rock/metal. Sacred is not your typical doom metal record as it's sleazy, injected with generous doses of blues and biker rock and sprinkled with some punk. It is really surprising that Wino even at this stage of his career has so many quality riffs in him which help in making this album feel that it last less than it actually does.
Heavy Sentence Protector / Darkest Hour3.5
Filthy rock 'n' roll with NWOBHM influences and loads of potential. These guys just get it and everything on this little EP just sounds very natural. If they manage to release an LP and build on what they seem to have here, prepare for something special.
Elffor Dra Sad3.3
Dark medieval dungeon synth which emits a certain sense of grandeur but tends to be over-repetitive at points. Overall, a convincing effort but not easy to digest and would benefit from some editing and trimming.
Satan's Hallow Satan's Hallow3.7
Body Count Bloodlust3.3
Mastodon Emperor of Sand3.5
Thermate Black Desert Highway3.3
Black Desert Highway is the second EP by the Finnish stoner act and they seem to be heading the right way. Their brand of stoner is characterized by fuzzy guitars, desert aesthetics and a melodic approach that is influenced by the heavy rock of the '70s. When they have their groove going such as on "Pipe Dream" their music is very enjoyable but their slower sections or songs ("The Last Stand") need some work. Maybe the addition of a hammond organ would help improve the aforementioned sections. Overall, this band has potential.
Fragile Vastness Perception3.7
Very well-performed progressive rock with pop elements and a sense of experimentation which brings to mind the shift of gothic bands at the end of the '90s towards more electronic music. The song structure is adventurous without being too complex and the female vocals are very fitting and reasonably constrained. Overall, a great effort which would be better if it included a few more emotional crescendos.
Troubled Horse Revolution on Repeat3.0
Revolution on Repeat is a slightly frustrating listen due to its positives rather than deficiencies. Variety is a feature which is often missing from retro-rock albums but is present here and the band's brand of garage rock is tight and energetic. However, the songwriting isn't at the necessary level in order to make the album more than just a fun listen and elevate it to the point where it justifies repeat listens.
Steel Panther Lower the Bar3.3
Alastor (SWE) Black Magic3.0
Valhalore Voyage into Eternity3.7
A fusion of folk, viking, symphonic and melodeath that leads to an addictive and epic album. The band uses both growls and clean vocals but what really makes their music enjoyable is the folk elements and melodies which are successfully integrated to their brand of metal.
The Devil and the Almighty Blues II2.8
Really wanted to enjoy this one more but I feel that, for the most part, it lacks a certain direction and almost every track feels like it is linear and longer than it should be. The atmosphere kinda saves the day but these guys neither do the blues nor the fuzzy/psych thing good enough to warrant repeated listens. Don't care that the overall offering is quite simplistic but I expect better riffs and a variety of memorable moments in such cases.
Kalmankantaja Demonwoods3.2
Mothership High Strangeness3.0
Lunar Shadow Far from Light3.5
Very well performed traditional metal with influences from Angel Witch due to atmosphere and other NWOBHM acts such as Iron Maiden and Saxon. The German outfit also uses some extreme metal elements but very sparingly. There is a strong epic flavor, while each song takes its time in order to fully develop. Two elements though that might alienate some listeners are the aforementioned song length and the singer's voice.
Argonath Journey to the Otherworld2.8
Chevalier A Call to Arms3.3
Pretty encouraging debut EP by the Finnish metal act which contains well composed speed/heavy metal. The addition of female vocals makes the final offering more interesting, even though the band has to keep working on creating catchier moments/melodies. Overall, this is a more than decent effort which has a convincing '80s sound.
Disharmony (GR1) Goddamn the Sun3.6
Having formed in the early '90s, Disharmony disbanded in 1995 having released only three demos and an EP. Goddamn the Sun is the Greeks' debut LP and it includes all those elements that characterized Greek black metal bands 25 years ago. Overall, the music is reminiscent of that of early Rotting Christ and Varathron with emphasis on melodies, a distinctive occult atmosphere and mid-tempo song structures. The drumming in particular is pretty good but the band could have avoided the unnecessary album introduction, the starting 1:30 minutes of "Third Resurrection" and have worked a bit more on the production by making the bass a bit more audible and lowering the vocals.
Blaze Bayley Endure And Survive (Infinite Entanglement Part II)3.5
Very enjoyable blend of traditional/power from the eternally underrated Blaze Bayley. His vocals sound a bit off at the first couple of tracks but the album gets progressively better and feels like it lasts less than it actually does. The LP is quite varied as well with some tracks being more elaborate and less straightforward plus a couple of slower songs.
Doomocracy Visions & Creatures of Imagination3.8
Quality epic doom metal that even though brings to mind legendary bands like Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus, has its own strong and unique character. The eastern influences - which are used sparingly - fuse the Greek act's music with the necessary spice, while Jim Morris of Morrisound Studios helps in forming a heavy but balanced sound. The highlight of the album is the vocalist's amazing performance which is coupled by the strong songwriting and the convincing atmosphere.
Grima Tales of the Enchanted Woods3.0
Sanctuary Inception3.8
This is essentially the prequel to Refuge Denied as 7 of its 9 tracks were included in Sanctuary's debut back in 1987. Given that the album contains demo versions of these songs, there are slight differences which don't take away anything from the album's value. The sound quality is much better on here, the performances are more dynamic and there are also two tracks that didn't make it on Refuge Denied. Overall, Inception is a fine LP of power/thrash and a very welcome addition to the Sanctuary catalog.
Bloodbound War of Dragons3.0
Dragons on the cover, dragons on the album title, dragons in the song titles and use of every cliche in the symphonic metal book but somehow War of Dragons is a rewarding listen. Bloodbound are proven very good apprentices and still manage to release a fairly enjoyable album on which everything sounds as if it's been played before. Fans of Rhapsody, HammerFall and Sabaton will probably have a blast. Cynics beware, the amount of cheese on here will cause you stomachache.
Amorphis An Evening with Friends at Huvila3.8
Arduini/Balich Dawn of Ages3.7
Quality epic doom with progressive tendencies by guitarist Victor Arduini (ex-Fates Warning) and Argus vocalist Brian Balich. Arduini and Balich both shine with their performance and the songwriting which is influenced by the likes of Rainbow, Martin-era Black Sabbath and Solitude Aeturnus among others, is solid. The long duration of the songs and album make Dawn of Ages a somewhat demanding yet rewarding listen. ?Beyond the Barricade? is not only the longest track of the LP but a highlight as it feels shorter than the 17 minutes of its runtime.
Universal Hippies Dead Hippie's Revolution3.5
Great doses of instrumental heavy/stoner rock from the desert of Greece. The album is full of groovy riffs that might bring to some listeners' minds Nightstalker. The Greek folk melodies really enhance the overall experience even though at some points there is a slight feel of repetition. Overall a very strong effort which is recommended to those stoners who enjoy some groove to their music.
Faery Ring Leech and Wort3.0
Cnoc An Tursa The Forty Five3.0
Middle of the road folk metal which is not bad but fails to engage the listener and ends up being quite forgettable. The concept is very interesting as Cnoc An Tursa draw influences from their Scottish heritage but the album is not consistently great. Unfortunately, this is a step down compared to the band's debut
Witherfall Nocturnes and Requiems4.0
Progressive metal with neoclassical inclinations that features solid songwriting, fitting vocals that are not over the top, and very interesting guitar playing that brings to mind Yngwie Malmsteen at times. Only complaint is that some of the songs could have been a bit shorter but otherwise, a very promising debut.
Horisont About Time3.5
Horn Turm am Hang3.0
Kreator Gods of Violence3.5
Eldamar/Dreams of Nature Split2.5
Atmospheric black metal without much inspiration which cannot be saved by some pretty melodies here and there and feels much longer that it actually is.
Firewind Immortals3.0
Sadness Otro2.0
Need Hegaiamas: A Song For Freedom3.5
Lancer Mastery3.0
Wolfchant Bloodwinter3.0
Sepultura Machine Messiah3.4
Ancient Voice Око Карпат ​/ ​The Eye of Carpathian2.0
Thunderlord Conqueror2.3
Thunderlord's brand of traditional heavy metal with a barbaric feel does contain a few interesting ideas but overall is too raw and underdeveloped for its own good, specially on vocals. Nevertheless, there are moments that reveal some potential which means that the band's sophomore effort might be a significant improvement.
Moongates Guardian Let Horse Be Bridled, Horn Be Sounded!3.5
Even though I am not a fan of exclamation marks on album covers, I am glad that the beautiful artwork made me check this one. On Let Horse Be Bridled, Horn Be Sounded!, one will find quality atmospheric black metal heavily influenced by The Lord of the Rings which brings to mind Summoning (of course). There are spoken word passages, ambient moments and most of all a very convincing atmosphere. Despite the fact that it feels that there is one band for each copy of LOTR sold, Moongates Guardian's latest effort is a highly addictive offering if you are in the mood for some atmospheric metal.

2016
Embargo Mighty Killer Ant3.5
Very encouraging debut EP by the Greeks including great doses of instrumental heavy/stoner rock. There are influences from Kyuss and Nightstalker as far as the guitar tone is concerned. Most surprising is the fact that Mighty Killer Ant is a product of a group of guys who still go to school which makes this band very promising.
Hermodr The Howling Mountains3.0
Witchtower Hammer of Witches4.0
Quality NWOBHM that sounds like a slightly less energetic Diamond Head, Tygers of Pan Tang or a simpler early-Iron Maiden. The songwriting is interesting with plenty of hooks in the form of guitar leads and riffs, while the vocalist might bring to mind Paul Di'Anno due to his delivery. Overall, a great effort.
Uli Jon Roth Tokyo Tapes Revisited - Live In Japan4.0
If I was to characterize this album with just one word, it would be surprising. It is surprising how Roth managed to recreate the magic of a classic live album and the only element that separates this performance from the original Tokyo Tapes is the eternal voice of Klaus Meine. The setlist is more complete, the arrangements/instrumentation is as good and I dare to say that if Klaus Meine was handling the vocal duties, this would be superior to Tokyo Tapes. Uli Jon Roth's band is perfectly rehearsed and the guitar hero's performance is impeccable despite his age. It takes a special artist to make a song like "Fly to the Rainbow" sound as mystical as 32 years ago but Uli is a true shaman.
Quayde LaHue Quayde LaHue3.5
Slightly raw and garage-y heavy rock that is equally influenced by the heavy atmosphere of Pentagram and the dual guitar work of Thin Lizzy. The rhythm section is tight, the riffs bring to mind KISS, the female vocals have a lot of potential and the songwriting is interesting enough to keep the listener's attention.
The Rolling Stones Blue and Lonesome3.0
Ranger Speed & Violence3.5
Rota Fortunae Vespers3.5
Fief II3.4
Very well-composed dungeon synth that separates itself from the norm of the genre by being less dark and more dreamy. The artist makes use of a variety of instruments and the music goes even to baroque territory. Overall, this is an evocative trip to hills and forests rather than cold dungeons.
Astral Winter Forest of Silence3.0
Devilment Devilment II - The Mephisto Waltzes3.0
Metallica Hardwired...To Self-Destruct2.0
Quicksand Dream Beheading Tyrants3.0
Hard Days Hard Days3.5
Great doses of well-performed vintage hard rock with soul influences, that brings to mind Deep Purple of the Coverdale/Hughes-era. Great use of organ, distinctive vocals, very interesting songwriting and the Uriah Heep touches are always welcome.
Stalker Satanic Panic3.5
Very encouraging debut by the New Zealanders which contains healthy doses of energetic, interesting, well-written, well-performed and ultimately authentic speed metal. Might bring to mind Exciter or Ranger.
Witchtrap Trap the Witch3.5
Trees of Eternity Hour of the Nightingale3.8
Satan's Fall Metal of Satan2.5
Typical '80s metal worship with influences from heavy, speed and power metal. Instrumentally the album is adequate with a few catchy riffs and interesting solos but the songwriting is quite trite and the vocals are subpar; especially the falsettos are ridiculous but not in a good way.
Deathspell Omega The Synarchy of Molten Bones3.5
Esben and the Witch Older Terrors3.0
Moon Coven Moon Coven3.5
Great debut by the Swedish outfit, playing quality psychedelic/stoner rock. The emphasis is on creating a hypnotic/doomy atmosphere by using the vocals as an extra instrument and by creating atmospheric, melancholic soundscapes.
Glenn Hughes Resonate3.0
Blazon Stone War of the Roses3.5
As the band name and album cover suggest, Blazon Stone are directly and hugely influenced by Running Wild. This means that they play speed/power metal with emphasis on melodic galloping riffs and even though listening to War of the Roses feels like a deja vu of some sort, it doesn't take away from the fact that it's a very enjoyable experience. The songwriting is interesting with plenty of hooks and catchy melodies, while the highlight of the album is undeniably its infectious riffs. Nevertheless, if you cannot stand the fact that these guys are in essence Running Wild copycats, this album might not be for you.
Blazon Stone Ready for Boarding3.0
Tardigrada Emotionale Ödnis3.8
Tardigrada play a brand of atmospheric depressive black metal that even though is not anything new under the sun, it is performed at a very high level. Even though Emotionale Odnis is 60 minutes long, it easily draws you into its world and feels much shorter. In addition, the album consists of 5 interludes and 5 tracks that are at least eight and a half minutes long which provides consistency on one hand and the opportunity for the band to fully develop their ideas on the other. The tortured vocals might put some listeners off but they fit the overall mood. Overall, an excellent debut.
Principality of Hell Sulfur & Bane3.0
Wardrum Awakening3.5
Enemy of Reality Arakhne2.5
Khemmis Hunted3.5
Blackdust Blackdust3.0
Darkthrone Arctic Thunder3.5
Waldgefluster Ruinen3.0
Agatus The Eternalist3.0
Joe Lynn Turner The Sessions1.5
One of the most enjoyable albums I've had the pleasure of listening recently! Despite (or simply because of) the array of legends that participate on here, such as Steve Lukather, Michael Schenker, and Steve Morse, the album ends up as a mishmash and a wank fest. The drums are loud, the guitars are loud and pretentious, while Joe Lynn Turner is filling every imaginable space the music has to breathe, with his voice. The ahs and oos are everywhere and Joe does his best imitation of Brian Johnson and Bruce Dickinson as the album consists of covers from bands like Queen, The Doors and Iron Maiden! The outcome is downright hilarious on tracks like "Two Minutes to Midnight", "Hellraiser" and "Back in Black", which actually adds a fun value to the album. Every participant is playing his instrument non-stop, which makes me wonder if the producer (if there is one) had any saying in the artistic process of the album. Highly recommended!
Nightstalker As Above, So Below3.3
Leonard Cohen You Want It Darker4.2
Suicidal Tendencies World Gone Mad3.5
Altar of Oblivion Barren Grounds2.5
Opeth Sorceress2.5
Winterfylleth The Dark Hereafter3.0
1000MODS Repeated Exposure to​.​.​.3.5
Airbourne Breakin' Outta Hell3.0
Those who have checked the Australians more than 5 minutes know what to expect; AC/DC boogie rock with plenty of hooks, catchy choruses and a solid rhythm section. Breakin' Outta Hell is one of their best efforts as it features good songwriting, lots of energy and is recommended while having a pint or two. However, its replay value will probably suffer unless you're a fan of the band, which lowers its rating to a very respectable value.
Kansas The Prelude Implicit2.5
Marillion Fuck Everyone and Run (F E A R)3.7
A very emotional approach about the shit our modern society has to deal with. The themes which are prevalent on here are those who affect millions around the globe such as inequality, patriotism and immigration among others. Instrumentally, the album is dominated by Mark Kelly's keys and Steve Hogarth's vocals with Steve Rothery creating the soundscapes in which these two guys shine. A variety of melancholic moments and a few cathartic ones create an experience that is more appreciated during the evening or late at night.
Witchunter Back on the Hunt3.0
Very good sophomore release by the Italians, containing equal doses of traditional and speed metal. By nature, the music they play has been covered thousands of times before but their performance is at such a level which makes the overall offering enjoyable. Interesting cover version of "Achilles Last Stand" as an album closer.
Sumerlands Sumerlands3.0
Ghunzul To The North​.​.​.2.5
Apart from the awesome cover art and song titles, this one doesn't have much going on. Granted, Ghunzul deliberately went for a less-is-more approach, probably in order to create an ideal background which isn't distracting, so I might need to approach this one differently. Maybe if it was the soundtrack to a video game, it would have been much more enjoyable. But then again, I have found that great dungeon synth works great even by itself.
Iron Woods Gods and Men3.5
Pagan metal with a genuine epic atmosphere. There are some great melodies on here but the instrumentation still has an edge which helps Gods and Men avoid becoming extremely cheesy.
Imbaru Vigias3.0
Tranquil neo-folk with a sincere natural feeling, but the songwriting is quite pedestrian.
Svvamp Svvamp3.0
Very promising debut with some excellent doses of blues rock and influences from bands like Cream, Led Zeppelin and Free. However, despite its short duration it's uneven as some of the tracks are filler material. Nevertheless, if this band works on maintaining their strong points and improving/eliminating their weak moments, we might have something really good.
Druadan Forest The Loremasters Time3.5
Prophets of Rage The Party's Over2.5
Running Wild Rapid Foray3.5
Considering that this is the 16th album of a band with more than 30 years of experience, Rapid Foray sounds energetic and catchy. Rock'n'Rolf knows how to write memorable riffs and anthemic choruses, while the band sounds in pretty good form. Only drawback is that most of the album - if not everything - sounds familiar but that doesn't make the offering less enjoyable. Probably the band's best album since The Rivalry.
Twilight Force Heroes of Mighty Magic3.5
Desert Near the End Theater Of War3.0
Overall, a solid thrash effort with death metal touches which is negatively affected by the samey songwriting of the first half. A slightly alternate song sequence might have helped but given that this LP is the last part of a trilogy and a concept album, maybe it was not possible. However, these guys have proven once again that they can write pretty good music and now that they are free from the burden of closing the trilogy, they might be able to release a full LP that is more varied.
Darkher Realms3.5
Hellbringer Awakened from the Abyss3.5
Hermodr Past the Quiet Forest2.5
Marsh Dweller The Weight of Sunlight2.5
Necromancing the Stone Jewel of the Vile3.0
Palace of the King Valles Marineris1.5
Hammers Of Misfortune Dead Revolution3.0
Witherscape The Northern Sanctuary3.5
Cradle of Filth Dusk and Her Embrace - The Original Sin4.0
Spellcaster Night Hides the World3.5
Interesting mix of traditional metal with melodic guitar leads a la Iron Maiden, and thrash tendencies with riffing that brings to mind Metallica or Iced Earth. Spellcaster began as a thrash metal band, but Night Hides the World is mostly an ode to '80s heavy metal. The vocals might remind to some that of Ghost even though the highlight of the album is the guitarwork. Overall, a great effort with solid songwriting.
Onirism The Well of Stars3.5
A very interesting blend of black metal and new age. The new age instrumentals provide beautiful and melancholic passages whereas the melodic black metal outbreaks create the necessary dynamics which work in favor of the music.
Fates Warning Theories of Flight4.2
Blues Pills Lady In Gold3.0
Forteresse Thèmes pour la Rébellion3.0
Denner/Shermann Masters of Evil3.0
Grey Wolf Glorious Death3.5
Barbaric heavy metal from the Brazilians, with influences from Manowar, Manilla Road and Iron Maiden. Highly recommended for when you want to wear your fur speedo and swing your sword.
Frozen Sword Frozen Sword2.0
Red Hot Chili Peppers The Getaway3.0
Misfits Friday The 13th1.5
Terra Tenebrosa The Reverses3.0
Silverbones Wild Waves3.0
From the very first seconds, one can understand that this is essentially Running Wild worship. Every riff is taken from the Rock'n'Rolf playbook and despite the blatant copy, the album is very enjoyable. Especially, the guitar-work is on a high level with memorable melodic galloping riffs and harmonies which results in a very convincing atmosphere. However, where Wild Waves fails almost miserably is on the vocal department, as the delivery is very clean and tame for the subject matter of the LP. Overall, a very encouraging effort.
Rage The Devil Strikes Again3.0
Motorhead Clean Your Clock3.5
Volbeat Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie2.0
Quite fun rock and all but without substance. There's an emphasis in creating catchy tunes and everything is well-performed but the overall offering lacks soul. It almost feels like everything is crafted in order to achieve recognition from a wide audience as possible. The music isn't awful per se and might even make for good background while doing home improvements, for example. Nevertheless, the nature of the songs is such that has no replay value for me at all.
Yngwie Malmsteen World On Fire1.5
Norns Pazuzu3.4
Pretty standard Finnish black metal which even though doesn't do much to separate itself from the standards of the genre, is very enjoyable. There is a sense of melody throughout the album and the songwriting is catchy and interesting. Next step for Norns would be to release an equally interesting LP.
Suicidal Angels Division Of Blood3.5
The Order Of Israfel Red Robes3.0
Lacuna Coil Delirium3.0
Mistur In Memoriam3.5
Lord Vicar Gates of Flesh3.0
Sojourner Empires of Ash3.5
Eric Clapton I Still Do3.0
I Still Do is a worthy addition to Slowhand's long catalogue simply because it doesn't try to do more than it's required from a 71-year old bluesman at this point of his career. Eric Clapton, even more than a performer might be a student of the blues, so it's not surprising that the main body of his latest offering comprises of covers from different blues styles. Taking under consideration Eric Clapton's age and recent health issues, retirement might just be around the corner after every new LP he releases. However, with age comes wisdom and on I Still Do we can listen to a man who feels comfortable in his own skin and this feeling is exactly the album's redeeming quality.
Thangorodrim Taur​-​nu​-​Fuin4.0
Destruction Under Attack3.0
Wendess MMXXIII3.0
The Black Furs Doomed Blues3.0
Planet Of Zeus Loyal to the Pack3.0
Vektor Terminal Redux4.5
Dreams of Nature Magic Transcendence2.5
A mix of black metal and ambient which brings to mind Elderwind. However, the songwriting isn't as interesting or inspired which makes this album somewhat linear. Nevertheless, there are a few redeeming features such as some very tranquil passages and parts that create dynamics which help Magic Transcendence not become an unpleasant listen.
Eternal Alchemist Demon Summoning3.5
Very encouraging debut by the German black metal outfit with melodic guitar riffing.
Emily Jane White They Moved in Shadow All Together4.0
Rainbow Monsters of Rock - Live at Donington 19802.5
In essence, a cash grab which is probably released due to Rainbow's recent reunion. The production is very subpar and the setlist quite poor as it features material from Down to Earth but the band manages to omit "Love's No Friend". Nevertheless, the album is saved by Blackmore's performance and a solid rendition of "Stargazer".
Santana Santana IV3.0
Zakk Wylde Book of Shadows II3.5
Quite long for its own good and a bit samey but overall a great effort. Even though Zakk Wylde is known for his shredding, Book of Shadows II is an acoustic affair with a few electric passages mostly on his emotional solos. Heavily influenced at times from the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, this is a blend of southern rock, folk and Americana. The mood is laid-back and melancholic and Zakk's vocals fit the music quite well. Overall, one of Wylde's better efforts and as good as the first installment of Book of Shadows.
Red Wizard Cosmosis3.2
Groovy heavy/stoner rock which is influenced by Vol. 4-Black Sabbath and brings to mind acts like Orange Goblin or The Sword. The singer's voice brings to mind Kyuss' John Garcia which is not a bad thing but contributes to the formulaic nature of the album which eventually left little to my mind. Overall, a solid effort but I doubt if I will jam this one in the future.
Dark Funeral Where Shadows Forever Reign3.0
Beastmaker Lusus Naturae2.0
Amon Amarth Jomsviking3.3
Blood Ceremony Lord of Misrule3.0
Judas Priest Battle Cry3.5
Judas Priest are still a force to be reckoned with, as this live album shows. Pretty credible performance from each member of the band despite some slight hiccups from Rob Halford. Nevertheless, the Metal God remains one of the best frontmen due to his presence and aura. The setlist is very good boasting classics such as "Beyond the Realms of Death" and "Victim of Changes", while three songs are from Redeemer of Souls. Lastly, the twin guitar attack is as great as ever and Richie Faulkner seems to have formed a successful cooperation with Glenn Tipton.
King Goat Conduit3.5
Rimfrost Rimfrost3.5
Moongates Guardian The Eagle's Song3.0
Spiritual Beggars Sunrise to Sundown4.0
Vredehammer Violator3.5
BUS The Unknown Secretary3.5
Lords of Black II3.5
Very well performed power metal with hard rock, traditional and melodic metal tendencies. The highlight of the album is easily the performance of vocalist Ronnie Romero who joined Ritchie Blackmore in Rainbow's resurrection during this summer's shows. One of the drawbacks is the somewhat formulaic nature of the songwriting which, combined with the duration of the album, may tire some listeners. However, this is a very encouraging effort and with a few improvements the band might be able to release something special in the future.
Accuser The Forlorn Divide3.0
Aggressive and energetic blend of thrash metal and hardcore. Although it's well-performed, it slightly lacks in the songwriting department which leads in a somewhat tiresome listen.
Diamond Head Diamond Head3.5
Oceans of Slumber Winter4.0
Ripper (CL) Experiment of Existence3.5
Validor Hail to Fire2.0
Gimmicky heavy metal with generous power metal doses similar to that of Manowar. The songwriting fails to catch the listener's attention, the vocals are quite poor and, despite the participation of Bob Katsionis, the guitars fail to impress. Overall, Hail to Fire feels a bit amateurish and its only redeeming feature is its high level of energy.
Galdur Age of Legends3.0
Hitten State of Shock3.5
Destroyer 666 Wildfire3.5
Anthrax For All Kings3.0
Last In Line Heavy Crown3.0
Thangorodrim Towers of the Teeth2.5
Gehennah Too Loud to Live, Too Drunk to Die4.0
The Record Company Give It Back To You2.0
Rotting Christ Rituals2.5
Striker Stand in the Fire3.0
Ravensire The Cycle Never Ends3.5
Fleshgod Apocalypse King3.0
Eldamar The Force of the Ancient Land3.0
Hyperion (SWE) Seraphical Euphony3.5
Angel Sword Rebels Beyond the Pale3.0
Excellent instrumentation but poor vocals on this very encouraging debut by the Finnish old-school metallers. The instrumentation combined with the fitting production has a very genuine traditional metal sound but the singer who brings to mind Pasi Koskinen (ex-Amorhis) is almost a deal breaker. Overall, a high 3.
Barak Tor Wizards of Morcar3.0
Cauldron In Ruin3.0
The Gathering TG25: Live at Doornroosje4.0
Hexvessel When We Are Death2.5
Dream Theater The Astonishing2.8
Billion Dollar Babies Chemical God2.0
Lethal Steel Legion of the Night3.5
Encouraging debut by the Swedes. High quality NWOBHM with lots of galloping and influences from Heavy Load, Gotham City, Jonah Quizz and of course Iron Maiden. The vocals might bring to mind Paul Stanley (KISS) whereas the lyrics deal with fantasy themes.
Brimstone Coven Black Magic3.5
Black Wizard New Waste3.5
The Howling Void The Triumph of Ruin2.5
Prejudice Reborn Lord of Light3.0
Enjoyable US metal with influences from Metallica of the Reload period and a vocalist who strongly reminds James Hetfield. Interesting songwriting and fairly good performance by the band members. Middle-eastern elements ("Prejudice") and punk nods ("Dante's Inferno") provide the necessary variety.
Tarot (AUS) Reflections3.7
Great slab of had rock which sounds like a less doomy Pagan Altar. The most important aspect of the album is that it transports you to a dream-like setting with its hazy atmosphere. The guitar playing is excellent with some brilliant leads, but I'm not crazy about the vocals.
Simo Let Love Show The Way2.5
Abbath Abbath3.5
Gygax Critical Hits3.5
Thin Lizzy worship done the right way. Melodic hard rock with dual guitar leads, catchy riffs and decent solos. "Draw Breath" might also be one of the best rock tracks of the year. Nevertheless, the lack of originality is bound to affect its lifetime value negatively.
Megadeth Dystopia2.5
Black Sabbath The End2.5
Baphomet's Blood In Satan We Trust3.5
Filthy speed rock 'n' roll with satanic lyrics that is heavily influenced by the likes of Motorhead and Venom. Only drawbacks are the (obvious) lack of originality and very high compression to the point were it makes Death Magnetic sound like an analog recording.
Vulture (DE) Victim to the Blade3.5
Very encouraging throwback debut ep containing quality speed metal and a blistering cover of Judas Priest's "Rapid Fire". The songs are based around catchy riffs while the vocals remind Agent Steel. Recommended for fans of Ranger.
Frozen Ocean The Prowess of Dormition3.0
Nine Treasures Wisdom Eyes3.5
Lascar Absence2.5
Eternal Champion The Armor of Ire3.8

2015
Danzig Skeletons1.5
Sorcerer Black3.5
Magic Circle Journey Blind3.5
Diviner Fallen Empires4.0
Queen A Night at the Odeon – Hammersmith 19754.0
Manimal Trapped in the Shadows3.0
Paradise Lost Symphony for the Lost3.0
Steelwing Reset, Reboot, Redeem3.5
Great blend of speed, nwobhm and a bit of thrash that leads to an extremely fun album. Interesting
vocal approach and an array of infectious riffs despite the long running time of some of the
songs. The second half of the album is slightly weaker than the first.

Favorite track: "Ozymandias" due to the Mercyful Fate/King Diamond flavor.
Wailin Storms One Foot in the Flesh Grave3.5
Highly energetic and with a distinctive garage-y scent, One Foot in the Flesh Grave brings the Danzig vibes hard. Hard to place it under just one genre, the listener can find elements ranging from doom, the blues, stoner and punk.
Darkest Era Gods and Origins3.0
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Letters from the Labyrinth2.5
Mirror (CYP) Mirror3.5
Quality hard rock with influences from Rainbow, Scorpions and UFO with lots of catchy riffs and solid songwriting.
Archarus Render Unto Archarus3.9
It is such a refreshing experience when a band uses its influences as a road map and creates music which has its own identity. Render Unto Archarus with its awesome cover art and fantasy lyrics is influenced by Black Sabbath ("San Sabado" is such a nod to "Hole in the Sky"), NWOBHM, stoner and doom metal, and never lets go right from the beginning. The music is based on infectious grooves and is riff-driven with interesting drumming and fitting vocals; a modern comparison would be The Sword. If these guys manage to build on their formula and improve, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
The Spirit Cabinet Hystero Epileptic Possessed3.0
Various Artists (Metal) Sweet Leaf – A Stoner Rock Salute To Black Sabbath3.0
On Thorns I Lay Eternal Silence3.3
New album from the Greek outfit which remained in the shadows for far too long. The good news is that the band seems to have returned to their late '90s gothic death/doom sound which was probably the peak of their creativity and for those who are already familiar with them, the female vocals and violin are still an important element of their music which gives emphasis on creating atmospheric soundscapes. The extend to which one enjoys Eternal Silence will depend on Maxi Nil's vocals (which admittedly I'm not a big fan) and the fact that this album is deeply rooted on a sound which reigned almost 20 years ago. All in all, a very good effort and once On Thorns I Lay shake their rust off, they might be able to do even better.
Avatarium The Girl With The Raven Mask3.0
Billy Gibbons And The BFG's Perfectamundo1.0
It's not the fact that Billy Gibbons plays Afro-Cuban, which is unusual for him, but the overall quality of the songs that make this album so poor. Boring songwriting, silly effects (both on vocals and instrumentally), "plastic" production and sparse guitar licks that have been played millions of times before are only some of the drawbacks of the album. Far from Perfectamundo...
Weeping Silence Opus IV Oblivion4.0
Julien Baker Sprained Ankle3.5
Kari Rueslatten To the North3.0
Havukruunu Havulinnaan4.0
Monster Magnet Cobras and Fire (The Mastermind Redux)3.5
Satan Atom by Atom3.5
W.A.S.P. Golgotha2.5
Old Man's Will Hard Times - Troubled Man3.5
Death Dealer Hallowed Ground3.0
Sarsen Sarsen2.5
David Gilmour Rattle That Lock3.5
Blackmore's Night All Our Yesterdays2.5
My Dying Bride Feel the Misery3.5
Horisont Odyssey3.0
Mephorash 1557 - Rites of Nullification2.5
Breitenhold The Inn of Sorrowing Souls3.5
Sand Snowman Tell the Trees It's Autumn Again3.5
Slayer Repentless3.0
Speedtrap Straight Shooter3.5
Black Trip Shadowline3.5
Iron Maiden The Book of Souls4.0
Leaves' Eyes King Of Kings3.5
Black Tongue The Unconquerable Dark1.5
Amorphis Under the Red Cloud4.0
Accelerator Accelerator3.5
Pentagram Curious Volume3.5
Motorhead Bad Magic3.5
Ghost (SWE) Meliora3.0
Rainbow Denver 19793.0
Wallachia Carpathia Symphonia3.5
Fine slab of atmospheric black metal by this underrated act. The EP contains one new song and two reworked versions of two tracks that can be found on their 1996 demo and 1999 debut.These guys combine successfully their symphonic elements with a great feel for melody which makes this EP a very enjoyable listen.
Rata Blanca Tormenta Electrica3.0
Throaat Black Speed3.0
Sons of Huns While Sleeping, Stay Awake2.5
Cradle of Filth Hammer of the Witches4.0
Horacle Dead Eyes Revelations3.5
Terminus (UK) The Reaper's Spiral3.0
Virgin Steele Nocturnes of Hellfire & Damnation2.5
Demon Lung A Dracula2.5
Doom metal with an occult concept. There's an emphasis on creating a morose atmosphere but, with the exception of a few interesting riffs, the album is not so interesting.
Exarsis The Human Project3.5
The Night Flight Orchestra Skyline Whispers3.0
Darkology Fated To Burn3.0
Art of Anarchy Art of Anarchy2.5
Paradise Lost The Plague Within4.0
Helloween My God-Given Right2.5
Kings & Beggars Rota Fortunae3.8
European early and folk music that is recorded nowadays usually suffers because it sounds forced, safe, cheesy and made for a specific audience. This sounds honest and original and this is why it rules.
Valkyrie (USA-VA) Shadows3.5
Cain's Offering Stormcrow2.5
Over-dramatic and lyrical power metal that doesn't escape from the inefficiencies of the genre. A few good melodies here and there don't suffice and provide overall and average experience.
Spettri 2973 La Nemica Dei Ricordi3.5
Whitesnake The Purple Album2.5
Ancient Cult Goddess of Solitude3.0
Obsequiae Aria of Vernal Tombs3.5
Hammer King Kingdom Of The Hammer King3.5
Demon Eye Tempora Infernalia3.5
Witchwood Litanies from the Woods3.5
Great vintage rock with influenced from bands like Uriah Heep, Jethro Tull and Deep Purple. Only significant drawback is it's unnecessarily long duration as some of the tracks seem to drag on.
Luciferian Light Orchestra Luciferian Light Orchestra3.0
Bell Witch Four Phantoms3.0
Stormride Stormride3.0
Monolord Vænir3.0
Naxatras Naxatras3.0
Jaded Star Memories From The Future3.5
Nomans Land Last Crusade2.5
Mount Hush Low And Behold!3.5
The Atomic Bitchwax Gravitron3.5
Kontinuum Kyrr3.0
Kiske / Somerville City of Heroes2.5
Tribulation The Children of the Night3.5
Monophonics Sound of Sinning3.5
Lancer Second Storm3.5
Royal Thunder Crooked Doors3.0
The Wizards (ESP) The Wizards3.2
Very encouraging debut containing healthy doses of heavy bluesy rock. Nevertheless, The Wizards, despite their evident potential, still haven't found their sound yet as the overall offering is pretty much Danzig worship, which of course is not a bad thing. However, the best was yet to come.
Puta Volcano The Sun3.0
Beggars (GR) Devil’s Highway2.5
Katavasia Sacrilegious Testament4.0
Medhelan The Minstrel's Fireplace Tales3.5
Very atmospheric, engaging and well-composed dungeon synth that could have easily been the soundtrack to a great adventure game.
Inculter Persisting Devolution3.5
Highly intriguing old-school extreme thrash with influences from Destruction, Sodom and Kreator. The fact that the oldest member of the band is only 19 years old, makes Inculter one of the most promising acts in the modern thrash metal scene.
7-Odds People Wanna See3.0
Wino And Conny Ochs Freedom Conspiracy2.5
Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock Spirit on a Mission2.5
The Gentle Storm The Diary3.5
Sorcerer In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross4.3
Nocturnalia Above Below Within3.7
A great blend of blues and psychedelic rock with a sweet melancholic atmosphere and vocals that might bring to your mind Chris Cornell.
Ironsword None But the Brave3.5
Mark Knopfler Tracker3.3
An introspective and emotional LP, Tracker has elements of celtic, country, folk and even blues that might bring J.J. Cale to one's mind. A very relaxing listen, suitable for those who daydream and enjoy looking outside their window.
Galar De Gjenlevende3.5
Marina Froot3.5
Never thought that I would enjoy so much something like this, but the solid songwriting that features plenty of hooks and Marina's character make up for a very rewarding listen.
Clawed Forehead My Domain3.5
Ranger Where Evil Dwells4.0
Crimson Swan Unlit3.0
Melechesh Enki4.0
Enforcer From Beyond3.5
Sacral Rage Illusions In Infinite Void3.5
Desert Near the End Hunt for the Sun3.5
Leather Nun america (US) Buddha Knievel3.0
Europe War of Kings3.0
UFO A Conspiracy of Stars2.5
Dorthia Cottrell Dorthia Cottrell4.0
Evil Invaders Pulses of Pleasure3.5
Elder (USA-MA) Lore3.5
Crypt Sermon Out of the Garden3.5
Ruby The Hatchet Valley of the Snake3.0
Bio-Cancer Tormenting The Innocent3.5
Black Star Riders The Killer Instinct3.0
Scorpions Return to Forever2.0
Macabre Omen Gods Of War - At War4.0
One of the best albums of 2015. Quality black/epic metal with obvious influences from Bathory combined with elements from Greek heroes, Rotting Christ. Instrumentally, Gods Of War - At War is at a high level but it also impresses lyrically with stories revolving around Greek mythology and the loss of loved ones.
Murgrind Inheritor of the Forest Throne3.5
Very atmospheric and not amateurish at all with a variety of "instruments" and an epic ambiance which distances the album from a large number of dungeon synth LPs that sound too restrained for their own good.
The Parlor Mob Cry Wolf3.5
Manilla Road The Blessed Curse3.5
The Blessed Curse lacks the immediate nature of Crystal Logic and catchy tunes in the form of "Necropolis" or "Divine Victim", but those who persevere will find redeeming qualities and tracks that will stand the test of time. In particular, the Middle Eastern sound of "Tomes of Clay" and the potential classic "The Muses Kiss" are two such works. As a whole, Manilla Road's 17th release is probably the most upbeat LP since Mysterium, and for the band's standards, one of their better-produced efforts. It doesn't have the thrashy elements of The Deluge and features a variety of acoustic passages. Even though the songwriting is once again solid, what really stands out is Shelton"s guitar playing. In addition, its running time, clocking at more than 90 minutes, will be deemed as overwhelming by some and doesn't make checking the album out in one listen easy.
Blind Guardian Beyond the Red Mirror3.0
Night Demon Curse of the Damned4.0
Visigoth The Revenant King3.5
Venom From the Very Depths2.0
Trial (SWE) Vessel3.5
Orden Ogan Ravenhead3.0
Mondo Drag Mondo Drag3.5
Demolition Train Unleash the Hordes3.0
Lori Llyn Motherland3.5
Medieval folk with a pagan feel that sounds genuine and natural with quite a few highlights. Great female vocals add to an all around very enjoyable experience.

2014
AC/DC Rock or Bust3.0
White Arms of Athena White Arms of Athena2.5
Doctor Smoke The Witching Hour3.5
Monster Magnet Milking The Stars3.5
Villagers of Ioannina City Zvara​/​Karakolia EP3.5
Anguish (SWE) Mountain3.0
Slow Season Mountains3.5
Skelator King of Fear3.5
A slice of NWOBHM with moments of speed metal which is influenced by the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Accept with some hints of Dio. The vocalist sounds like a cross between Dickinson and Halford (maybe some Kiske on some high notes) which is a positive of course, while the riffs are melodic and memorable. Pure, honest heavy metal. The lack of originality does not reduce significantly the overall experience.
Crazy Lixx Crazy Lixx3.6
Sleaze/glam metal in the vein of Skid Row and Motley Crue. Even though the band's approach is extremely by the numbers, the album is still a very enjoyable listen due to the hooks, melodies and anthemic choruses. Besides the lack of originality, another issue is the brick-walled production which needs to be addressed on any subsequent release.
Pink Floyd The Endless River3.0
Setting aside the reasons this album was released (money-grabbing, etc.), it neither adds or detracts anything from Pink Floyd's myth. Overall, it's kinda average with some moments of brilliance but a lot of times it seems that the music is a bit stale without a clear direction.
Spiders Shake Electric3.5
Thy Darkened Shade Liber Lvcifer I: Khem Sedjet3.5
Pohjast Matused3.3
Pretty good - albeit simple - blend of traditional/doom/viking metal that exudes a genuine epic feeling which is always a good thing when it comes to this style of metal. Wish the music was as awesome as the cover art though.
Crobot Something Supernatural3.0
Liv Kristine Vervain3.7
Liv Kristine drops her electro, pop and symphonic tendencies and delivers an album that could have been released after Theatre of Tragedy's Aegis. Beautifully crafted gothic rock with few doom elements and a haunting vocal performance by Liv.
Half Gramme of Soma Marche au Noir3.5
Mausoleum Gate Mausoleum Gate3.0
Witchtower Witchtower3.5
These guys have really studied Di'Anno-era Maiden and their songwriting is almost entirely based on that with some dark elements courtesy of Angel Witch. However, their songs are highly addictive to the point where the obvious influence doesn't matter that much. Just listen to "Don't Turn Off the Lights".
Doomocracy The End Is Written3.5
Deaf Dealer Journey Into Fear4.0
Joe Bonamassa Different Shades of Blue3.2
As much as I consider this one a very enjoyable listen, I feel that it's one of his weakest releases due to the fact that Joe after a long time had to write an entire album without any covers. As a result, the songwriting is nice but it seems that it's not as mature or developed as it can be considering Joe's talent. Bonamassa's playing is as always excellent but I would love a little less groove and a bit more blues.
Oado Life Era3.5
iamthemorning Belighted3.5
Geezer Gage3.5
Black Demon Rites Motmänniskan2.0
The Sabbathian Ritual Rites3.5
True to their name, these Norwegians prove that they are great students and know how to play good heavy/doom metal a la Black Sabbath. The level of originality is practically non-existent but they make up for it with solid songwriting and very fitting female vocals which make this little EP a very enjoyable listen.
Wolf Devil Seed3.0
Hessian (USA-ME) Bachelor of Black Arts3.5
Solstafir Otta3.5
Burn the Sun Crack of Dawn4.0
Astral Doors Notes from the Shadows3.3
Well performed heavy rock/power metal in the vain of Dio and Black Sabbath. The band's vocalist is surely going to bring Dio to a lost of listeners' minds but he has a style of his own and he is supported by a very good guitar player who might remind you Ozzy's Jake E. Lee.
The Order Of Israfel Wisdom3.5
Opeth Pale Communion3.5
Midnight No Mercy for Mayhem4.0
Johnny Touch Inner City Wolves3.0
Sumerlands The Guardian (demo)3.5
Principality of Hell Fire & Brimstone3.5
Accept Blind Rage3.5
Eric Clapton The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale3.5
A very fitting tribute to one of the greatest bluesmen of all time with a number of legends participating such as Mark Knopfler, Willie Nelson and Tom Petty.
Blues Pills Blues Pills4.0
Solitary Sabred Redemption Through Force3.5
Judas Priest Redeemer of Souls2.5
Buckethead Hold Me Forever (In memory of my mom)4.0
Musk Ox Woodfall4.0
Chronosphere Embracing Oblivion3.0
Crosswind Vicious Dominion3.5
Anathema Distant Satellites3.5
Saor Aura4.0
Twilight Force Tales of Ancient Prophecies3.5
Very encouraging power metal debut by the Swedes. Melodic and epic, recounting stories about forests, dragons, elves and swords. A must-listen for fans of Rhapsody.
Burzum The Ways of Yore3.0
Uriah Heep Outsider2.5
1000MODS Vultures4.0
Arkan Sofia3.5
Ranger Shock Skull3.5
Three Seasons Grow3.5
Greenleaf Trails And Passes3.5
Epica The Quantum Enigma3.5
Killer Be Killed Killer Be Killed3.0
The Golden Grass The Golden Grass3.5
Battleroar Blood of Legends3.5
Santana Corazón2.0
Dwellers Pagan Fruit3.5
Rodrigo y Gabriela 9 Dead Alive3.0
Not a bad album by any account but lacks the enthusiasm of 11:11 and Rodrigo y Gabriela. The instrumentation is not as impressive as the duet's previous efforts but this is not the problem with the album. The improvisations sound rehashed and the songwriting could have been better.
Salem's Pot ...Lurar Ut Dig Pa Prarien3.5
Ancient Bards A New Dawn Ending2.5
Decided to jam this one based on a review and some comments, and expected a huge epic journey. Instead, what I got was symphonic power metal with pop female vocals, some nice melodies, an overall happy atmosphere and an offering which is definitely the product of serious labor but doesn't do much for me personally. If Kamelot and Epica are two of your favorite bands, you will probably enjoy this one. For all the rest, you've been warned.
Planet Of Zeus Vigilante3.5
Triptykon Melana Chasmata3.5
Ian Anderson Homo Erraticus3.5
Todd Terje It's Album Time3.0
Villagers of Ioannina City Riza4.5
If my head explodes one of these days, it'll be because of these fukers. Incredible psychedelic/stoner with strong influences from Northern Greece.
Steel Panther All You Can Eat3.0
Dio This Is Your Life3.5
Ainulindale Nevrast3.5
The Graviators Motherload3.5
Noble Beast Noble Beast3.5
The Socks The Socks3.5
Motorpsycho Behind the Sun3.5
Morbus Chron Sweven3.5
Empire of the Moon Πανσέληνος3.5
Dark Forest (UK) The Awakening3.5
Interesting slab of melodic heavy metal in the vein of Iron Maiden. The instrumentation is excellent and the songwriting interesting, but the average vocals lower the overall experience.
The Hotelier Home, Like NoPlace Is There3.5
Nudity Astronomicon3.4
Combining elements from '70s hard rock, psychedelic and even new wave, Nudity is an interesting case of a band which draws influences but ends up with something which is not derivative. Astronomicon is an enjoyable album for fans of the aforementioned genres and probably indie rock, even though it lacks a wow factor.
The Wounded Kings Consolamentum3.5
Swords Of Numenor Of Times Forgotten2.0
Expected more by looking at the cover art but this is pretty much medieval-influenced dungeon synth that feels quite stagnant, like it misses a certain direction. The melodies aren't memorable or atmospheric enough and even though there is an effort to make the overall offering sound a bit dark, it really sounds unconvincing.
The Gorlons The Gorlons3.5
Blues Pills Live At Rockpalast3.5
Yumi Zouma Yumi Zouma3.5
Manowar Kings of Metal MMXIV3.5
Kowai Dissonance3.4
Very well-performed gothic/symphonic metal in the vein of Within Temptation before they decided they want to play Eurovision metal(?). The dutch outfit may rank low in the originality department but they have a knack for writing beautiful melodies and they know how much they should stretch a song. Their female vocalist deserves special mention as she doesn't make the mistake of being too dramatic or going over the top. All in all, a pretty credible effort which should appeal to fans of older Within Temptation.
Djam Karet Regenerator 30173.5
Scythia ...Of Conquest3.0
Marblewood Marblewood3.5
Dang Tartarus: The Darkest Realm3.5
Demon Eye Leave The Light3.5
Ethereal Riffian Aeonian3.5
Black Magic Wizard's Spell3.5
Axel Rudi Pell Into the Storm3.0
The Vintage Caravan Voyage3.5
Lizardia Lizardia3.5
Iced Earth Plagues of Babylon3.0
Wolfbane Wolfbane3.5
Dark blend of NWOBHM and early doom in the vein of Angel Witch, Pagan Altar and Witchfinder General. The album is a compilation on demo tracks that were recorded in 81-82 but released in 2009 so the outcome is a bit raw. However, that doesn't take away anything from the basic but catchy riffs, the prominent bass and the amateurish yet fitting vocals.
Deep Purple Live in Graz 19753.5
Various Artists (Progressive Rock) Cumbias Chichadelicas-Peruvian Psychedelic Chicha3.9
Really sexy combination of surf rock with Peruvian folk and great use of brass instruments/percussion.
Don Airey Keyed Up3.3

2013
Tuber Desert Overcrowded3.5
Black Sabbath Live... Gathered in Their Masses4.0
The Delegators All Aboard3.5
Leaves' Eyes Symphonies of the Night2.7
Hell (UK) Curse and Chapter4.0
Ravensire We March Forward3.5
Quality epic heavy metal with plenty of galloping, lyrics about battles and anthemic moments. Solid songwriting for a guitar driven album with numerous addictive riffs.
Complete Freedom Proverbial3.5
Avril Lavigne Avril Lavigne1.5
Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 22.5
Avatarium Avatarium4.0
Wardrum Messenger3.5
Corrections House Last City Zero2.0
gift of gods receive3.0
Debut EP from legendary Darkthrone frontman Nocturno Culto. The music is far from the sound of second wave black metal, with influences that are traced to the beginning of the '80s such as Venom and Motorhead. The music is riff-driven, with a gruff approach on vocals but overall it's nothing really special.
The Gathering Afterwords1.5
Borrowed Time Borrowed Time4.0
An excellent debut by a criminally underrated Detroit-based band. Borrowed Time play traditional/speed metal influenced by various NWOBHM acts such as Angel Witch and Iron Maiden (on their longer tracks), while there's also a flavor of Manilla Road throughout. The vocals are on a high level but what really shines is the dual guitar playing with inspired leads and catchy riffs. Lastly, the production is not overpolished, in order for the music to transmit a genuine vintage feeling. As good as modern heavy metal gets.
Black Trip Goin' Under3.5
Motorhead Aftershock3.5
Monster Magnet Last Patrol3.8
Ruler Rise to Power3.7
It is such a rewarding experience to stumble upon a band who wears its influences on its sleeves but doesn't copy them blatantly. Ruler play traditional metal which is based on Iron Maiden, early-Queensryche, early-Fates Warning, Heavy Load and Warlord but might even bring to mind Rainbow or even Yngwie Malmsteen (guitar work on "...In Conspiracy"). The songwriting is solid which makes the album feel shorter than the 48 minutes it lasts.
Black Soul Horde Tales Of The Ancient Ones3.5
Fans of NWOBHM should really listen to this one. Excellent instrumentally with epic atmosphere and a great production.
Electronomicon Unleashing the Shadows3.5
Deep Purple Perfect Strangers Live3.0
Wolfheart Winterborn3.0
Alter Bridge Fortress2.5
Earthless From the Ages3.0
Argus (USA-PA) Beyond The Martyrs3.5
Atlantean Kodex The White Goddess (A Grammar Of Poetic Myth)3.5
Bloody Hammers Spiritual Relics3.5
Fates Warning Darkness in a Different Light3.5
Horisont Time Warriors3.0
Lorde Pure Heroine3.0
Agnes Obel Aventine4.0
Anneke van Giersbergen Drive3.0
Anathema Universal3.0
Dream Theater Dream Theater3.0
Blazon Stone Return to Port Royal3.5
Carcass Surgical Steel3.5
Ranger Knights of Darkness4.0
Gorguts Colored Sands3.5
Haken The Mountain3.0
Vali Skogslandskap4.0
Avenged Sevenfold Hail to the King3.2
Rainbow Black Masquerade3.5
Ulver Messe I.X-VI.X4.0
Witherscape The Inheritance3.5
Lingua Mortis Orchestra Lingua Mortis Orchestra feat. Rage3.5
A truly great album. This is how Rage's XIII should have sounded.
Queensryche Queensryche3.0
Jex Thoth Blood Moon Rise4.0
Death Dealer Warmaster3.0
Blackmore's Night Dancer And The Moon2.5
Deafheaven Sunbather1.5
Atma Weapon Dark Tower3.0
Black Sabbath 134.0
Megadeth Super Collider2.0
Estas Tonne Internal Flight4.0
This is amazing if you're in a contemplative mood. Very relaxing and atmospheric.
Dio Finding the Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 19863.5
Leprous Coal3.0
Enshine Origin3.5
Hexvessel Iron Marsh3.5
Old Witch Come Mourning Come3.0
Nosound Afterthoughts4.0
Iymrya Tale Of Fallen Throne3.0
The Wizar'd Ancient Tome of Arcane Knowledge3.5
Cool traditional doom with a strong occult flavor that brings to mind Pagan Altar. The vocals can be a turn off for some though.
Amorphis Circle3.0
Wolf People Fain3.5
Purson The Circle and the Blue Door3.5
Deep Purple Now What?!3.5
Queensryche Frequency Unknown (Tate's Queensryche)1.5
The Night Watch The Night Watch4.0
Kadavar (DE) Abra Kadavar3.5
Spiritual Beggars Earth Blues3.5
Trvth Black Horse Plague3.5
Ghost (SWE) Infestissumam3.0
Warlord The Holy Empire4.1
Wardruna Runaljod - Yggdrasil3.5
Persefone Spiritual Migration2.0
Renaissance Grandine il Vento3.0
Estrangement Belong Beneath3.0
Fister Gemini2.0
Timo Tolkki's Avalon The Land of New Hope1.5
Vocal-driven symphonic metal, even though I'm not so sure I can even call this metal. Nevertheless, this is not the major flaw of the album simply because of the over the top, incredibly dramatic/whiny vocal performances which is exactly what you do not expect from a vocal-driven album. Even the keyboard and guitar solos on "To the Edge of the World" are pretty poor and are performed by Derek Sherinian and Timo Tolkki respectively. Timo Tolkki can do so much better than this.
Universe 217 Never3.5
Bon Jovi What About Now1.5
Enforcer Death By Fire3.5
Jimi Hendrix People, Hell, and Angels3.0
Rotting Christ Kata Ton Demona Eaftou3.5
Tribulation The Formulas of Death3.5
Darkthrone The Underground Resistance3.5
Steven Wilson The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)4.0
Saxon Sacrifice3.0
Stratovarius Nemesis3.0
Caladan Brood Echoes Of Battle4.0
Bullet for My Valentine Temper Temper1.0
Pinnick, Gales and Pridgen Pinnick, Gales & Pridgen3.0
Misfits DEA.D. ALIVE!2.0
Newsted Metal2.5
Moongates Guardian Oath of Feanor3.0
If you have started checking these guys' stuff from a latter point, this is going to be a surprise for you. Instead of their Summoning-influenced brand of atmospheric black metal, this is straight up dungeon synth which is quite well-done but at the same time, some tracks feel that they go on for more than they should. A good effort but the best was yet to come.
Tzimis Panousis OBI - OBI - BI3.5
Johnny Winter Live At The Fillmore East 10-3-704.0
Virtue We Stand to Fight3.0

2012
Green Day iTRE!2.0
Air Raid Night of the Axe3.0
Elderwind The Magic of Nature3.5
Angantyr Forvist3.5
Green Day iDOS!1.0
Graveyard (SWE) Lights Out3.5
Aerosmith Music from Another Dimension1.5
Judicator King of Rome3.2
Energetic power/speed metal with direct influences from Blind Guardian that features solid songwriting which distinguishes it from being a cheap imitation. For a debut, this is really good albeit not as developed in order to be something special, but the vocalist's potential is very evident.
The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza Danza IIII: The Alpha - The Omega1.0
Manowar The Lord of Steel3.0
My Dying Bride A Map of All Our Failures4.0
KISS Monster1.5
Fogalord A Legend to Believe in2.9
Nice guitarwork, really good melodies but average songwriting make up for an enjoyable power metal album which feels longer than it actually is. These guys seem to know what they are doing, so provided they work on their songwriting and the vocalist improves dramatically his pronunciation, they might be able to offer something solid in the future.
The Gathering Disclosure2.5
Green Day ¡UNO!1.5
To-Mera Exile3.0
Witchcraft Legend3.5
Armonight Tales From the Heart2.0
Hexvessel No Holier Temple3.5
Liv Kristine Libertine2.5
Liv's attempt at pop rock is far from awful but there isn't much to enjoy here. Her voice is great as always but the album feels kinda linear, tame and there aren't many catchy or memorable moments overall. Kate Bush's "The Man With the Child in His Eyes" is a nice surprise here and even though it sounds almost 100% like the original, Liv does a really good job covering it.
Head of the Demon Head of the Demon3.5
Atmospheric doom metal with influences from Celtic Frost. Strong epic flavor backed by strong guitar work and some sparse vocals. Emphasis is placed on creating a dreamlike state with hypnotic, repetitive rhythms.
Lord Fist Spark for the Night (demo)3.5
Energetic heavy metal with a genuine NWOBHM vibe that brings to mind a less-developed Diamond Head. There's an array of great riffs and the songwriting is interesting enough to jam this one a couple of times in a row.
Nightstalker Dead Rock Commandos4.0
Excellent stoner album from the masters that brings to mind bands such as Monster Magnet and Spiritual Beggars.
Toundra III4.0
Visigoth Final Spell3.0
Korpiklaani Manala2.0
Chapel Satan's Rock 'N' Roll4.0
Energetic, fun and well played black 'n' roll. A tribute to bands like Venom, Motorhead and Bathory that is bound to be enjoyed by metalheads. Highly recommended to fans of Midnight - No Mercy for Mayhem.
Om Advaitic Songs4.0
Methadone Skies Enter The Void3.5
Black Sabbath Iron Man — The Best of Black Sabbath3.5
Jorn Bring Heavy Rock to the Land3.5
Blues Pills Bliss3.5
Zodiac A Bit of Devil4.0
Medieval Steel The Anthology of Steel4.0
Paradise Lost Tragic Idol3.5
Anathema Weather Systems4.0
Woods of Ypres Woods 5: Grey Skies and Electric Light2.5
Angel Witch As Above, So Below3.3
Successful comeback by these guys with a number of solid tracks and a great one in the form of "Dead Sea Scrolls".
Wrathblade Into the Netherworld's Realm4.0
Christian Mistress Possession3.5
Great album containing heavy rock/proto-metal. This sounds as if the evolution of heavy metal stopped with bands like Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Dust, Sir Lord Baltimore, etc. Therefore, this is not technically heavy metal rather than heavy psych/hard rock.
Buckethead Electric Sea3.5
Lana Del Rey Born to Die3.3
Anneke van Giersbergen Everything Is Changing3.5
Three Seasons Understand The World3.5

2011
Aquilus Griseus3.5
Metallica Beyond Magnetic3.0
Lionize Superczar and the Vulture3.5
Lord 13 20133.5
Even though nothing new under the sun this is a very well played stoner rock album.
Vektor Outer Isolation4.0
Midnight Satanic Royalty3.5
My Dying Bride The Barghest o’ Whitby3.5
Deep Purple Live at Montreux 20113.0
Slash Made In Stoke 24/7/113.0
Lou Reed and Metallica Lulu1.0
Steel Panther Balls Out3.0
The Rolling Stones Brussels Affair3.5
Iced Earth Dystopia3.0
Myrath Tales of the Sands3.5
Dark Forest (UK) Dawn of Infinity3.0
Adrian von Ziegler Wanderer3.4
Dungeons and dragons ambient music or in other words, an alternative soundtrack for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The album consists of three 20-minute tracks which describe a wanderer's life in the forest in the morning, the evening and during the night. Overall, Wanderer is an enjoyable listen and pretty good for background music but my gripe with it is that it sometimes feels like it is not going anywhere specifically.
Antichrist (SWE) Forbidden World3.5
Great blackened thrash with an old-school vibe and influences from early Sodom, Kreator and Slayer. Riff driven with frantic drumming and fitting vocals. Not anything new but energetic and fun.
1000MODS Super Van Vacation4.0
Opeth Heritage3.5
Dream Theater A Dramatic Turn of Events3.0
Leprous Bilateral3.5
Planet Of Zeus Macho Libre3.5
Egonon Risveglio3.5
Black Veil Brides Set the World on Fire1.0
Amorphis The Beginning of Times3.3
My Dying Bride Evinta2.5
Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats Blood Lust3.5
Gentleman's Pistols At Her Majesty's Pleasure3.5
Deep Purple Phoenix Rising3.5
Hugh Laurie Let Them Talk3.5
Uriah Heep Into the Wild3.0
Leaves' Eyes Meredead3.0
Graveyard (SWE) Hisingen Blues3.8
Demonaz March of the Norse3.0
Traditional heavy metal with a strong epic flavor, interesting guitar work and good songwriting. The material is more influenced by the likes of Manowar and Bathory and has very little similarities to Immortal, while it cannot be considered as black metal by any means. Solid overall but a bit trite.
Havok Time Is Up2.5
Whitesnake Forevermore3.0
Weeping Silence Theatre of Life3.0
Wolfchant Call Of The Black Winds3.0
Blackmore's Night Autumn Sky2.5
Some good ideas here and there, a few uplifting moments. I'd say it's an average album. Definitely not their best, most probably their worst.
Yoke Shire Awakening Celtic Spirits3.5
The hardest thing for me when it comes to celtic folk is to make it sound sincere. Listening to Awakening Celtic Spirits, I imagine myself in an Irish pub or the countryside and this is the album's biggest achievement.

2010
Rata Blanca En vivo Teatro Gran Rex 2003 con Glenn Hughes3.5
Motorhead The World Is Yours3.5
Agalloch Marrow of the Spirit3.5
Manowar Battle Hymns MMXI2.0
Metallica Live at Grimey's2.0
Loreena McKennitt The Wind That Shakes The Barley3.5
Heaven and Hell Neon Nights: 30 Years of Heaven and Hell - Live at Wacken4.0
Cradle of Filth Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa2.0
Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 19874.0
Virgin Steele The Black Light Bacchanalia2.5
Monster Magnet Mastermind3.0
Ghost (SWE) Opus Eponymous3.0
Joe Satriani Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards3.5
There's a reason Satch is the top-selling instrumental artist, and that reason is that he can write great music which evolves around the song itself and memorable melodies.
Buddy Guy Living Proof3.5
Dimmu Borgir Abrahadabra3.4
A couple of clunkers do not make Abrahadabra a less enjoyable or fun experience. The instrumentation is very well arranged and performed and the songwriting is pretty catchy especially on tracks like "Gateways", "Chess with the Abyss" and "Dimmu Borgir". Nevertheless, those who seek for a dark and heavy experience might find this one a bit too clean and harmless.
Santana Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics2.0
Metallica Six Feet Down Under2.0
Therion Sitra Ahra2.5
Liv Kristine Skintight2.5
Spiritual Beggars Return to Zero3.0
Axel Rudi Pell The Crest3.0
Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and Axel Rudi Pell's overlong albums which sound suspiciously like each other. Nevertheless, all of them are enjoyable to varied degrees because the man knows how to write good music and play great guitar with a strong epic flavor like on the first Rainbow albums.
Accept Blood of the Nations4.0
Iron Maiden The Final Frontier3.5
Tales of Medusa The Fatal Wounding Gaze3.5
This is one of those albums that gained a legendary underground status partly because it's really hard to find in physical form and nothing is known about this band, besides that they're from Canada. Apart from that, it contains some solid arcane epic doom with great instrumentation and so and so vocals.
Lord Lovidicus The Forges Fire3.0
Diamond Head Live at the BBC3.5
Blind Guardian At the Edge of Time3.5
Black Veil Brides We Stitch These Wounds1.0
Bret Michaels Custom Built1.0
Danzig Deth Red Sabaoth3.5
Ozzy Osbourne Scream2.0
Grace Potter and The Nocturnals Grace Potter and The Nocturnals3.0
Hypnos 69 Legacy4.0
Anathema We're Here Because We're Here3.5
Toundra Toundra (II)3.5
Best part of the album is the last track "Byzantium" which is highly emotional and dramatic at times. Without this track the album would be a 3 for me.
Enforcer Diamonds3.5
CocoRosie Grey Oceans3.5
SIG:AR:TYR Godsaga4.0
Bullet for My Valentine Fever1.5
Stormzone Death Dealer3.5
Solid slab of old school heavy metal by the Northern Irish act . Great vocals and impressive guitar work with excellent leads, riffs and interesting solos. There are some similarities to more well-known bands like Saxon or even the later days of Thin Lizzy but, overall, the album is not a derivative. Lastly, there are plenty anthemic and bombastic moments that make this a very enjoyable listen.
Hole Nobody's Daughter1.0
Briton Rites For Mircalla3.5
For fans of doom metal, riffs and cheesy horror movies.
Jeff Beck Emotion & Commotion3.0
The Tallest Man on Earth The Wild Hunt4.0
Winterstorm A Coming Storm3.8
How can you go wrong when there is an eagle, a mountain and sea on the cover art? Well, you can but this is some fine mix of power metal and folk with emphasis on the power metal elements. The guitar playing is inspired by Kai Hansen and the vocals are very fitting of the music, never going over the top. All in all, post-2K power metal rarely gets that good.
Darkthrone Circle the Wagons3.5
My Sleeping Karma Tri3.3
Well-performed instrumental stoner with a few nice riffs but everything sounds too safe which leads to a slightly tame album. The lack of very memorable moments and crescendos contribute in making Tri feel samey and like it lasts longer that it actually does.
Slash Slash2.0
Samsara Blues Experiment Long Distance Trip3.5
Scorpions Sting in the Tail3.0
Theatre Of Tragedy Addenda3.0
Jimi Hendrix Valleys of Neptune3.0
Rotting Christ Aealo3.8
Sade Soldier Of Love3.3
Found this one a bit better than Lovers Rock, due to its minimal and mellow nature, even though Sade's voice leaves something to be desired.
White Wizzard Over The Top3.5

2009
Vektor Black Future4.0
Slayer World Painted Blood2.5
Nirvana Live at Reading4.0
KISS Sonic Boom2.0
Lynyrd Skynyrd God & Guns2.0
Immortal All Shall Fall3.5
Theatre Of Tragedy Forever Is the World3.5
Megadeth Endgame3.5
Ensiferum From Afar3.5
Rodrigo y Gabriela 11:114.5
Leaves' Eyes Njord3.0
Fit for Rivals Steady Damage2.0
Praying Mantis Sanctuary3.0
This one has the characteristic AOR/hard rock sound of Praying Mantis, the new singer is pretty good and, as a whole, it is certainly an enjoyable listen. However, the songwriting is not as solid as the band's best moments.
Dream Theater Black Clouds and Silver Linings3.7
Amorphis Skyforger4.0
Steel Panther Feel the Steel3.5
Marilyn Manson The High End of Low1.0
Skyclad In the... All Together2.5
Green Day 21st Century Breakdown1.5
The Gathering The West Pole3.0
Fairyland Score to a New Beginning3.4
A really nice example of symphonic power metal done right. Despite the band's name, the cheesiness is held to a normal amount and the epic tendencies help in creating an album with many hooks and an overall uplifting atmosphere. As mentioned, the latter-Blind Guardian and Rhapsody influences are apparent but, at the same time, Fairyland's songwriting is solid enough to provide some replay value. Overall, great stuff.
Heaven and Hell The Devil You Know4.0
Powerwolf Bible of the Beast2.5
Wolfchant Determined Damnation1.5
Leonard Cohen Live in London4.2
Mesmerizing live show by Mr. Cohen and his band. Leonard is as smooth as it gets and his band (instrumentalists and backing singers) are extremely professional and yet deliver an emotional performance. A great gateway into Leonard Cohen's music as well.
Mastodon Crack the Skye3.5
My Dying Bride For Lies I Sire3.5
Land Of Kush Against The Day3.0
Thin Lizzy Still Dangerous4.3
Death (USA-MI) ...For the Whole World to See3.5
Tribulation The Horror3.5
Nightstalker Superfreak3.5
Black Sabbath 1969 Demo2.5
Rata Blanca The Forgotten Kingdom3.0
Descent hard rock/power metal album influenced by Rainbow with Doogie White (ex Rainbow) on vocals.
The Last Drive Heavy Liquid2.5
Estas Tonne Bohemian Skies3.0
Dark Nightmare The Human Liberty3.0
Solid debut from the Greeks containing quality heavy/epic metal with inherent limitations including the vocals (mostly pronunciation) and production. Nevertheless, the songwriting is on a very good level.
Horisont Tva Sidor Av Horisonten3.5

2008
Coprophagia Shitty Life1.0
Jeff Beck Live At Ronnie Scott's4.2
Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy2.0
The Who The Who at Kilburn: 19774.0
Loreena McKennitt A Midwinter Night's Dream3.0
Cradle of Filth Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder2.0
AC/DC Black Ice2.0
Santeria Year of the Knife3.5
Darkthrone Dark Thrones and Black Flags3.0
Amon Amarth Twilight of the Thunder God3.0
Demi Lovato Don't Forget1.0
Uli Jon Roth Under A Dark Sky3.5
Gary Moore Bad For You Baby3.5
Defeater Travels2.0
Mommy and daddy issues complimented by not awful songwriting. Overall, a more cheesy album than Dragonforce could craft due to the dysfunctional family story described on here. Props to the band for closer "Cowardice" though.
Skelator Time of the Sword Rulers2.7
Aggressive mix of heavy/power/speed metal with thrash elements that even though features good riffs and nice songwriting, is pretty raw and unrefined but not in a good way. The overlong duration pushes the overall offering further more towards the average territory.
Metallica Death Magnetic3.5
Blood on the Dance Floor It's Hard to Be a Diamond...1.0
Motorhead Motorizer3.5
Fatal Violence Ashes Tell No Tales3.5
Blackmore's Night Secret Voyage3.2
This is quite enjoyable, even though the main reason for jamming it is if you have gotten tired or their previous albums.
Coldplay Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends1.5
Judas Priest Nostradamus2.5
Grand Magus Iron Will3.0
Bret Michaels Rock My World1.0
Opeth Watershed4.0
Uriah Heep Wake the Sleeper3.0
Monika Avatar3.5
The Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound When Sweet Sleep Returned3.5
Whitesnake Good To Be Bad2.5
Iced Earth Enter the Realm of the Gods3.5
The tracks are legendary and the band performs pretty well on almost all of them. Only dud is the cover of Black Sabbath.
Firewind The Premonition3.5
The Middle East The Recordings of the Middle East3.5
Enchanter Defenders of the Realm3.7
US metal that flies under the radar with an epic ambiance and progressive tendencies that brings to mind early Queensryche and Fates Warning. Highly recommended.
Agalloch The White3.5
Eluveitie Slania4.0
The Gathering A Noise Severe3.5
Credible performance by the band which goes for a harsher sound on the second part of the album. Anneke is solid overall but sounds her usual self after the first five tracks and a bit tired at places. Nevertheless, her performance on the last couple of minutes of "Travel" is incredible and the Chilean crowd is pretty good.
Amberian Dawn River Of Touni3.5
Saint Deamon In Shadows Lost From the Brave3.0
These guys have a really good sense of melody but they lack in the songwriting department. So, even though I had a good time jamming this one, it left me with almost nothing in terms of riffs or memorable moments. Apart from that, this is some nice guitar-oriented power metal with good production which will keep you good company if you decide to jam something new instead of the power metal classics.
Estas Tonne 13 Songs of Truth3.0
Iced Earth The Crucible of Man2.5
Not a bad album per se but lacks certain elements that make other Iced Earth albums great. It is not as inspired as older material, the riffs aren't very memorable, and various parts sound forced. There is an emphasis in mid-tempo arrangements in order to create an epic atmosphere and a sense of grandeur but this turns the LP into a linear experience. The second half is somewhat better but that doesn't say a lot. Overall, a very average effort even though one of its faults is the Iced Earth name on the cover and what we have come to expect from this band.
Toundra Toundra3.5

2007
Monster Magnet 4-Way Diablo3.0
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Live at Monterey4.0
Graveyard (SWE) Graveyard3.5
Ulver Shadows of the Sun4.0
Darkthrone F.O.A.D.3.5
David Gilmour Remember That Night (Video)4.5
Mark Knopfler Kill To Get Crimson3.2
I've yet to find a poor Mark Knopfler album. The man's playing is so good and he always creates an emotional atmosphere with his solos/leads and underrated vocals. Kill To Get Crimson is no exception but the album's duration combined with the lack of variety, make this a rewarding yet flawed offering.
Megadeth That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires4.0
Amorphis Silent Waters4.0
Loreena McKennitt Nights From the Alhambra4.5
Mesmerizing live performance by one of the best female artists.
Heaven and Hell Live From Radio City Music Hall4.0
Diamond Head What's in Your Head?2.0
Darkthrone NWOBHM3.0
Uaral Lamentos A Poema Muerto2.5
Elffor Into The Dark Forest - Remastered4.0
Dark and majestic ambient with a medieval flavor. The music is not overly repetitive and there are scarce screaming vocals about battles, ghosts and magic. Overall, a very atmospheric effort.
Dream Theater Systematic Chaos2.5
Airbourne Runnin' Wild3.0
Danzig The Lost Tracks of Danzig3.0
Bloodbound Book of the Dead3.0
Ozzy Osbourne Black Rain2.0
Gary Moore Close As You Get3.5
Gary Moore is simply unbeatable on the slower, more blues-at-night tracks. His more uptempo/shuffle ones don't do much for me but songs like Checkin' Up on My Baby really elevate this album to an overall great experience.
Scorpions Humanity: Hour I2.0
Paradise Lost In Requiem4.0
Black Sabbath Live at Hammersmith Odeon4.0
Wolfchant A Pagan Storm3.5
Black Sabbath The Dio Years4.0
Saxon The Inner Sanctum3.5
Good old Saxon delivering the goods once again. Great guitars, Biff sounds as awesome as always and the songwriting is pretty solid with plenty of hooks and a couple of memorable tracks.
Machine Head The Blackening3.5
Neil Young Live at Massey Hall 19714.0
Trouble Simple Mind Condition3.5
Manowar Gods of War3.0
Echoes of Eternity The Forgotten Goddess2.5
Rotting Christ Theogonia3.5
Therion Gothic Kabbalah3.5
Deep Purple Live at the NEC 19932.0
Predatur In Your Garden3.4
Torsofuck As Semen Blends with Rot1.0
Spermswamp Extreme Cream1.0
Dream Theater Made in Japan2.0
Just listen to LaBrie's attempt to imitate Gillan's scream on "Strange Kind of Woman". I dare you...
The Hoochie Coochie Men feat Jon Lord Danger. White Men Dancing3.5
Daemonia Nymphe Krataia Asterope3.5
Dremora Martyrs3.0
Iced Earth Framing Armageddon2.5
Almost all Iced Earth albums contain certain elements which are almost always present and the the success of each LP depends on the degree of their execution. Unfortunately, Framing Armageddon does not feature many interesting or catchy riffs, the drumming is not as good as on The Glorious Burden and on top of that, it is somewhat bloated which makes it a tiresome listen.
Alabama Thunderpussy Open Fire3.0

2006
Pagan Altar Mythical & Magical4.0
Emancipator Soon It Will Be Cold Enough4.0
Warning Watching from a Distance4.0
Brand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me2.5
The Beatles Love4.0
Loreena McKennitt An Ancient Muse4.3
JJ Cale & Eric Clapton The Road To Escondido3.5
Very relaxing and smooth, and honestly, better than most of Eric Clapton's discography. A must-listen for fans of J.J. Cale.
Joanna Newsom Ys4.0
I Between Two Worlds3.5
The Who Endless Wire2.5
My Dying Bride A Line of Deathless Kings3.5
Manowar The Sons of Odin3.5
Buckethead Crime Slunk Scene3.3
Virgin Steele Visions Of Eden3.0
Blind Guardian A Twist in the Myth3.0
Motorhead Kiss of Death3.0
Iron Maiden A Matter of Life and Death4.0
Paris Hilton Paris1.0
Guthrie Govan Erotic Cakes4.0
Slayer Christ Illusion3.5
Body Count Murder 4 Hire1.5
Chrome Division Doomsday Rock 'N Roll3.0
Diamond Head It's Electric2.0
Rodrigo y Gabriela Rodrigo y Gabriela4.0
Rainbow Live in Munich 19774.5
The Head Cat Fool's Paradise3.0
Fool's Paradise is essentially a collection of rock and roll staples performed by this supergroup which was fronted by Lemmy. Overall, The Head Cat's rendition of the songs is pretty close to the originals and the album sounds to me more like the outcome of three guys who are paying homage to their roots while having a good time. Nothing special, but it's always nice to listen to Lemmy singing those classics which makes the LP an enjoyable listen.
Gary Moore Old New Ballads Blues3.5
Second consecutive solid album by Mr Gary Moore. His return to the blues have benefited him greatly while his guitar tone is incredible as always. If the album was 10 minutes less it would have been even better.
The Gathering Home3.0
Tony Martin Scream2.8
As much as I love Tony Martin's voice, this is really pedestrian/run-of-the-mill heavy metal with painfully mediocre songwriting that left me with nothing.
Blackmore's Night The Village Lanterne3.5
The last (and hopefully not final) great album by the duo with several shining moments in Ritchie's playing and classic Blackmore's Night tracks in the form of "25 Years", "Faerie Queen", "St. Teresa" and emotional instrumentals such as "The Messenger" and "Village Dance".
Theatre Of Tragedy Storm3.0
Amorphis Eclipse3.5
Liv Kristine Enter My Religion2.8
Pentagram First Daze Here Too3.5
David Gilmour On An Island3.5
This is very relaxing and evocative, one of those albums that are better enjoyed while reading a book on your balcony or backyard. Its consistency might seem as lack of differentiation to some, but overall, this is a very atmospheric listen.
Darkthrone The Cult Is Alive3.5
Bruce Springsteen Hammersmith Odeon London '754.0
Sibylle Baier Colour Green3.0
Darkthrone Too Old, Too Cold3.0
Glenn Danzig Black Aria II1.5
Jeremy Soule Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Soundtrack4.0
Buddy Guy Messin' With The Kids3.5
AC/DC Rare, Rarer, Rarities2.0
Omnia Pagan Folk3.8
Siena Root Kaleidoscope3.6

2005
Prussian Blue The Path We Chose1.0
Wolfchant Bloody Tales of Disgraced Lands4.0
Green Day Bullet In A Bible3.0
Motorhead BBC Live & In-Session3.5
Riverside Second Life Syndrome3.0
Ozzy Osbourne Under Cover1.0
Wolfmother Wolfmother2.0
Diamond Head All Will Be Revealed1.5
Manegarm Vredens Tid3.5
HIM Dark Light1.5
The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang3.0
Opeth Ghost Reveries4.0
Witchcraft Firewood3.5
Very well-crafted retro rock that has its roots on Pentagram. The similarities to the legendary American act don't stop on the songwriting but can be traced to the voice and technique of the vocalist who brings to mind Bobby Liebling. Great production job as well that makes the album sound genuinely vintage.
Leaves' Eyes Vinland Saga3.0
The Muggs The Muggs3.8
Extremely well-performed energetic blues rock which is influenced aesthetically by the Detroit scene and bands like The Stooges or MC5. Nevertheless, the emphasis is on bluesy guitar riffs and the album does not disappoint as Danny Methric delivers an array of catchy riffs and delicious licks. Probably, as good as retro rock gets.
Valient Thorr Total Universe Man2.5
Demons and Wizards Touched by the Crimson King3.0
Spiritual Beggars Demons3.5
Coldplay X&Y2.0
Dream Theater Octavarium3.0
Ian Anderson Ian Anderson Plays The Orchestral Jethro Tull4.0
Bruce Dickinson Tyranny of Souls3.5
Mortal Love I Have Lost3.0
Iron Mask Hordes of the Brave3.8
This is some great neoclassical/power metal which brings to mind Yngwie Malmsteen with vocals that are reminiscent of Jorn Lande. Needles to say, the album rules and my only complaint is that after some point it felt a bit tiresome.
Black Bonzo Lady Of The Light4.0
Deep Purple Live in Stockholm 19704.5
Excellent MKII recording that encapsulates all the elements that made Deep Purple one of the best live acts of all-time. Recommended for those who appreciate long jams and improvisations.
Sirenia Sirenian Shores2.5
John Petrucci Suspended Animation3.5
Judas Priest Angel of Retribution3.0
High on Fire Blessed Black Wings2.5
Draconian Arcane Rain Fell4.0
Antestor The Forsaken3.5
Putting aside the silly unblack metal tag, this is a great album of symphonic black metal with great melodies, very good female vocals courtesy of The 3rd and the Mortal's Ann-Mari Edvardsen and the great Hellhammer on drums. There is an epic feeling throughout and the band maintains a nice balance of cheesiness and heaviness. Nevertheless, I didn't even dare to look up the lyrics.
Deep Purple Rapture of the Deep3.5
Theatre Of Tragedy Inperspective2.0
Northwinds Chimeres3.0

2004
2Pac Loyal to the Game1.5
John Sykes Bad Boy Live!3.5
Putting aside the obvious claims that "Is This Love?" and "Please Don't Leave Me" sound better with Coverdale and Lynott on vocals respectively, this is a very enjoyable live album and a hell of a party by an amazing guitar player.
Queen Queen on Fire: Live at the Bowl4.0
Jethro Tull Nothing Is Easy4.0
Tsjuder Desert Northern Hell4.0
Prussian Blue Fragment Of The Future1.0
3 Inches of Blood Advance and Vanquish3.0
Predatur mean3.7
Pagan Altar Lords of Hypocrisy4.0
Cradle of Filth Nymphetamine3.5
Saxon Lionheart3.0
Converge You Fail Me2.0
Green Day American Idiot3.5
Rotting Christ Sanctus Diavolos3.0
Mastodon Leviathan3.0
Dio Master of the Moon3.2
Leaves' Eyes Lovelorn3.5
Metallica Some Kind of Monster2.0
Gary Moore Power of the Blues3.5
A return to form and a strong release after a weak four album run. A great blues album overall with a very solid performance by Gary Moore.
Motorhead Inferno3.5
Blind Guardian Imaginations Through the Looking Glass4.5
Therion Sirius B3.0
Therion Lemuria3.5
Pagan Altar The Time Lord3.5
Thurisaz Scent of a Dream4.0
An atmospheric journey by a band whose sound is deeply rooted in the mid-'90s doom/gothic/black metal sound. The songwriting brings to mind Opeth and the soundscapes are similar to Amorphis or sometimes early-Anathema. Lastly, the duration of the album is perfect as it leaves you wanting more which is always a good thing.
Wolfchant The Fangs of Southern Death (demo)3.0
Rodrigo y Gabriela re-Foc3.5
Haggard Eppur Si Muove4.0
Buckethead Population Override2.5
Aerosmith Honkin' on Bobo2.5
The Gathering Sleepy Buildings:A Semi-Acoustic Evening4.0
Axel Rudi Pell Kings and Queens3.2
There is something that doesn't allow me to love this one as much as his previous albums and the reason is that the epic element is not as prevalent on here. With the exception of "Legions of Hell", "Sailing Away" and "Sea of Evil", I just don't get the epic vibes of his earlier stuff and his poppy tracks are not really special as well. However, Axel is a guitar wizard which means that there are still a lot of elements to enjoy that make this one an enjoyable melodic hard rock LP.
Orphaned Land Mabool (The Story of the Three Sons...)4.0
My Dying Bride Songs of Darkness, Words of Light3.5
Estas Tonne Dragon of Delight, Vol​.​II3.5
Wuthering Heights Far from the Madding Crowd3.0
Persuader Evolution Purgatory3.5
This is pretty cool power/thrash, but slightly overrated at the same time. Those who love early Blind Guardian will definitely enjoy Evolution Purgatory but the songwriting leaves something to be desired.
Phil Collins Finally... The First Farewell Tour3.5
Complete set covering numerous classic songs but, overall, the album lacks the energy and magic of Serious Hits? Live!. Nonetheless, a very enjoyable listen.
Metallica The Unnamed Feeling2.0
Danzig Circle of Snakes2.0
Deep Purple New Live & Rare (1969-71)3.5
The classic Purple lineup provide an overall great yet inconsistent performance. The first half of the album is classic Purple at their best whereas the second half is sub-par for their capabilities.
Autumn Rain Melancholy Seven Steps to Infinity3.5
Vali Forlatt4.0
Riverside Out of Myself4.0
Monster Magnet Monolithic Baby!3.5
Nightstalker Just A Burn4.0
Scorpions Unbreakable2.5
Iced Earth The Glorious Burden3.5
Domine Emperor of the Black Runes4.0
Lucifer Was Blues From Hellah3.0
Nightmare (COL) High Speed Venom3.5
Poor lyrics but solid instrumentation and songwriting make up for a very enjoyable listen. Exciting traditional heavy metal with speed tendencies that becomes even more impressive considering the amateurish nature of the album.
Darkthrone Sardonic Wrath3.5
Witchcraft Witchcraft3.0
Skyclad A Semblance of Normality2.5
Not a bad album per se but Skyclad without Martin is like food without spices; good but with no edge.
Angra Temple of Shadows4.2
It is very rare to find post-'90s power metal albums that are so good but then again Angra is not your typical power metal act, as evident even from the band's debut. Temple of Shadows still includes all the elements that made Angra a sensation such as the brilliant guitar work, the exotic touches that have their roots in the Brazilians' heritage and the progressive tendencies. However, this LP is a bit heavier than their '90s work and the vocals - that may bring Bruce Dickinson to one's mind - are of course not as strong as Andre Matos'. Nevertheless, Temple of Shadows contains interesting ideas which are well executed and result in a very strong offering which feels shorter than it actually is.
Forgotten Tales All the Sinners3.8
While listening to All the Sinners, I can?t help but wonder if these guys would have been much bigger if they were from Germany and this album was released in the mid to late ?90s. This is a fine slab of female-fronted European power metal which seems to be influenced by the likes of Gamma Ray, Edguy, Rhapsody and Stratovarious but still retains a fair amount of character in order to avoid being characterized as a cheap imitation of the aforementioned bands. The female vocals are not over the top, the keyboards are used in a clever manner, the guitarist does not prioritize speed over catchiness, there are some great and memorable melodies, and an overall punch to this band?s sound that makes the album lean towards heaviness rather than cheesiness. Lastly, the music has a medieval flavor which makes this a great listen for those who appreciate an epic touch to their power metal.
Trobar De Morte Nocturnal Dance of the Dragonfly4.0
From the cover art to the title and the music itself, this one takes you places and when that happens, an album is special even though it's just 12 minutes of pure medieval folk bliss.
Siena Root A New Day Dawning3.3
2003
The Beatles Let It Be… Naked 5.0
Dream Theater Train of Thought3.5
Anathema A Natural Disaster4.0
Jethro Tull The Jethro Tull Christmas Album3.0
Deep Purple Bananas3.0
Iron Maiden Dance of Death3.5
Torsofuck Erotic Diarrhea Fantasy1.0
Human Fortress Defenders of the Crown3.5
Drudkh Forgotten Legends3.5
Uli Jon Roth Metamorphosis3.5
Misfits Project 19502.0
Fairyland Of Wars in Osyrhia3.6
This is some pretty cool ambitious symphonic metal with great melodies, nice atmosphere and interesting songwriting which brings to mind Rhapsody. The album also has a variety of details which will make you jam this one repeatedly and the folk elements help in distinguishing this band from the Rhapsody copycats.
The Gathering Souvenirs3.0
Deep Purple The Essential: Deep Purple1.5
Steely Dan Everything Must Go2.5
Metallica St. Anger1.5
This album represents the worst period in Metallica's career and we don't even need to watch the documentary "Some Kind of Monster" in order to understand this.
Amorphis Far from the Sun3.0
Blind Guardian Live4.5
Wizard Odin4.0
Quality power metal with influences from Manowar, Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray, from a sadly underrated band. This is a concept album that revolves around Norse Mythology and has a strong epic flavor. Excellent guitar work, great job on the story and good a good singer who stays on his comfort zone by avoiding over the top vocals.
Summoning Lost Tales3.5
Opeth Damnation4.5
Bathory Nordland II3.0
Cradle of Filth Damnation and a Day2.5
Darkthrone Hate Them3.5
Rory Gallagher Wheels Within Wheels3.5
Lost Horizon A Flame to the Ground Beneath3.5
DragonForce Valley of the Damned3.0
Masterplan Masterplan3.0
Kamelot Epica4.0
Twelfth of Never Things that Were4.0
Deep Purple Live in San Diego 19742.0
Machine Men Scars and Wounds3.0
Doomsword Let Battle Commence3.5
Doom metal with a strong epic flavor and lyrics about vikings, battles and Odin. Instrumentation is all about heavy riffs that create a hypnotic rhythm along with the plodding drumming. The spirit of Bathory's Hammerheart is all over the album in a positive manner along with Candlemass of course.
Blackmore's Night Ghost of a Rose3.8
For some reason, for years I perceived this album as significantly inferior compared to the three that precede it. However this is not the case at all, as despite its runtime, Ghost of a Rose is solid throughout, with the best tunes being the medieval ones.
Sepultura Roorback2.0
HIM Love Metal3.5

2002
Yngwie Malmsteen The Genesis2.0
The compilation consists of songs recorded in 1980 with the sound quality of a demo. There are certainly a couple moments of brilliance but overall, this is almost purely guitar showoff with vocals performed by Malmsteen that make Uli Jon Roth sound like Freddie Mercury.
Howard Shore The Two Towers5.0
Manilla Road Mark of the Beast3.5
Reverend Bizarre In The Rectory Of The Bizarre Reverend3.5
Bathory Nordland I3.5
Opeth Deliverance4.0
Paradise Lost Symbol Of Life3.5
A somewhat return to a heavier form and a mix of Paradise Lost's then modern sound with hints of their 1993-95 era. The album contains a number of hooks in the form of riffs and vocal melodies which make it an addictive listen and make it feel that it lasts less than it actually does.
Fleetwood Mac The Best of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac4.0
Johnny Cash American IV: The Man Comes Around4.0
Spiritual Beggars On Fire3.5
Manilla Road Spiral Castle4.0
Iron Maiden Beast Over Hammersmith4.5
Mortal Love All the Beauty...3.5
Rotting Christ Genesis3.0
Buckethead Electric Tears4.0
Autumn's Grey Solace Within the Depths of a Darkened Forest4.0
Trespassers William Different Stars4.0
Gary Moore Scars2.5
Cradle of Filth Live Bait for the Dead3.0
Queens of the Stone Age Songs for the Deaf3.2
Estas Tonne Black and White World3.5
Great flamenco music with exceptional violin and guitar.
Firewind Between Heaven And Hell3.5
Red Hot Chili Peppers By the Way3.0
Dream Evil Dragon Slayer3.3
Cradle of Filth Lovecraft & Witch Hearts3.5
Manowar Warriors of the World3.0
Nocturnal Rites Shadowland3.6
Shadowland is a fine specimen of European power metal with excellent musicianship which includes some impressive guitar-work and a vocal approach which is very smooth and fitting. On this LP, Nocturnal Rites have retained their influences but have increased their personal touch which has resulted in a darker and heavier album than in the past.
Tommy Lee Never a Dull Moment1.0
Empyrium Weiland4.0
Dio Killing the Dragon3.5
Eminem The Eminem Show3.0
Sentenced The Cold White Light3.5
Andy Timmons That Was Then, This Is Now4.0
Against Me! Reinventing Axl Rose3.5
Iron Maiden Rock in Rio4.0
Rhapsody of Fire Power of the Dragonflame3.5
Blind Guardian A Night at the Opera3.5
Norah Jones Come Away with Me3.5
Anathema Resonance 22.5
Pentagram First Daze Here (The Vintage Collection)4.7
The Doors Bright Midnight - Live In America3.5
Dream Theater Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence4.0
The Gathering Black Light District3.5
Danzig 7:77 - I Luciferi2.5
Agalloch The Mantle4.0
In Gowan Ring Hazel Steps Through A Weathered Home3.5
Theatre Of Tragedy Assembly1.5
Dark Moor The Gates of Oblivion3.5
Motorhead Hammered2.5
35007 Liquid3.0
Without Face Astronomicon4.0
Freedom Call Eternity3.5
Immortal Sons of Northern Darkness3.5
Santana Shaman2.0
Santana's attempt towards a Supernatural 2.0 starts off nicely but eventually fails miserably to lead to a successful outcome. The first half of the album has a few nice moments of commercial radio rock with Carlos' trademark solos and latin influences. However, everything eventually crumbles under the weight of less than mediocre material that makes the album an unpleasant experience and makes it feel like it lasts even more than the 76 minutes of its duration.
Deep Purple Live in Denmark 19724.4
Absolutely blistering live album by Deep Purple less than a month before the release of Machine Head (you can listen to Ian Gillan introducing "Highway Star" as a song which will open their live shows in the future). In terms of performance, this lies somewhere between the jam heavy Live in Stockholm 1970 and the more refined Made in Japan. The mixing is slightly weird in the beginning with the vocals and drums being quite loud but that doesn't really ruin the experience as Gillan and Paice are on fire. Of course, Blackmore and Lord are at the peak of their abilities exchanging solos and as the show progresses we can listen to the underrated Roger Glover playing some great lines. An additional detail which works in favor of this LP, is that it was recorded during a single show which presents to the listener a genuine early-'70s Deep Purple live. Lastly, a rare live rendition of "Fireball" is included which is an added bonus.
John Mayall Stories3.5
John Mayall rarely seems to disappoint and even though Stories is a bit on the long side, it is still a very enjoyable listen. "The Mists of Time" rises beyond each and every track on the album, so if you're a fan of the blues, don't miss out on that one.
Airged L'amh One Eyed God3.7
Very well-performed epic metal which is equally barbaric and melodic. There are moments where I get some Manilla Road vibes and the folk/acoustic passages are a great addition.
Doomsword Resound the Horn4.0
Metal Inquisitor The Apparition3.5

2001
Pentagram Sub-Basement3.0
Death Live in Eindhoven3.5
Howard Shore The Fellowship of the Ring4.5
My Dying Bride The Dreadful Hours4.0
Grand Magus Grand Magus3.5
Jorn Worldchanger3.3
Well-performed hard rock with pop-ish melodies which brings to mind first and foremost post Slide It In-Whitesnake. It is not just the fact that Jorn's voice is very reminiscent to Coverdale's but the songwriting is similar as well. However, these guys have less hair metal tendencies and are somewhat heavier.
Ozzy Osbourne Down to Earth2.5
Anathema A Fine Day to Exit3.0
Bathory Destroyer of Worlds1.0
Therion Secret of the Runes3.8
Elusive Destination Zero4.0
Whatever this one lacks in originality, more than makes up in songwriting. Elusive's influences are clear (Sisters of Mercy/The Cult), but their performance is that good that eventually makes Destination Zero an excellent and quite underrated album. This is how Paradise Lost on Host or Theatre of Tragedy on Aegis would have loved to sound.
Tristania World of Glass3.0
The Strokes Is This It3.0
Anathema Resonance3.0
Evergrey In Search Of Truth4.0
Slayer God Hates Us All2.5
Darkthrone Plaguewielder3.5
Deep Purple This Time Around: Live in Tokyo3.0
A bit uneven but with some great moments from the MK IV lineup. Bad production on first songs make Bolin's guitar not audible enough but there are also some great improvisations.
Twisted Tower Dire The Isle of Hydra4.0
Quality heavy metal with engaging songwriting, a great sense of melody and awesome guitar playing.
Slipknot Iowa1.5
Bjork Vespertine3.5
Judas Priest Demolition1.5
maudlin of the Well Bath2.5
Lost Horizon Awakening the World4.0
Blue Oyster Cult Curse of the Hidden Mirror3.0
Tool Lateralus4.0
Buddy Guy Sweet Tea2.5
Megadeth The World Needs a Hero2.5
Wizard Head of the Deceiver3.0
Insania Sunrise in Riverland4.0
A great alternative when you want to jam something different than the power metal classics, Sunrise in Riverland is a great slab of Euro-power metal which will bring Stratovarius, Helloween and Edguy to your mind. The neoclassical moments provide a nice flair and this is the very definition of a feel-good album. Granted, originality is not these guys' strong card (check "Beware Of The Dragons" to spot a part taken from "Hotel California"), but still, this is a very enjoyable effort.
Deep Purple Live in Paris 19754.0
Rammstein Mutter4.0
Amorphis Am Universum3.2
Sepultura Nation2.0
Gary Moore Back to the Blues3.0
Aerosmith Just Push Play2.0
Beyond Twilight The Devil's Hall of Fame3.5
Opeth Blackwater Park4.2
Lacuna Coil Unleashed Memories3.0
Ensiferum Ensiferum3.5
Iced Earth Horror Show3.0
Blackmore's Night Fires at Midnight3.7
Paradise Lost Believe In Nothing2.0
Danzig Live on the Black Hand Side2.5
Savatage Poets and Madmen3.5
Manilla Road Atlantis Rising3.5
Saxon Killing Ground3.0
Lacrimas Profundere Burning: A Wish4.0
Ever wandered how Alternative 4 would sound with Aaron Stainthorpe on vocals? Wonder no more because Lacrimas Profundere are here. Burning: A Wish is so genuinely melancholic and well-written that convinced even me - an unfair judge of any post-1999 gothic/doom - that there is some hope in finding solid gothic/doom metal outside of the '90s. Some might say that the final outcome is too safe or similar to its influences and that does play a role on my rating but it certainly does not influence negatively my enjoyment or the fact that this album transported me to my youth.
Freedom Call Crystal Empire3.7
Quite by-the-numbers Euro-power metal influenced mainly by Helloween, but at the same time features solid songwriting and is extremely fun.
Uli Jon Roth Legends of Rock (Live at Castle Donington)3.2
I'm not a big fan of live albums with all-star casts, but this is quite enjoyable. The Uli Jon Roth songs are my favorite moments on here followed by the UFO tracks, but the Cream songs are unspectacular.
Ataraxia Suenos3.5
One of the most important elements in medieval folk is how genuine the music sounds, and, fortunately, this album nails this aspect. Highly atmospheric.
Pendragon (UK) Not of This World4.0
HIM Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights3.5

2000
Crystal Eyes In Silence They March3.5
How do you judge a badly produced album with a weak drum sound, almost inaudible bass and a singer whose vocals are an acquired taste or even a make or break point? In the case of Crystal Eyes, everything is saved by the magnificent melodies and the brilliant guitars. Right when you are ready to dismiss In Silence They March as a hoax, a beautiful riff, a lead or a catchy chorus pops up and makes everything so much better. The music is influenced by the likes of Helloween, Running Wild, Judas Priest with a few hints of Manowar. If only every element of this LP was as strong as its songwriting...
Virgin Steele The House of Atreus: Act II4.5
Sade Lovers Rock3.0
The drop in songwriting quality compared to the previous albums is more than noticeable, but Sade's voice is enough to make this an enjoyable release.
Uli Jon Roth Transcendental Sky Guitar4.3
Avantasia The Metal Opera4.0
Monster Magnet God Says No3.5
Cradle of Filth Midian4.5
Internal Void Unearthed3.0
Slash's Snakepit Ain't Life Grand2.5
Theatre Of Tragedy Musique2.0
Acid Mothers Temple La Nòvia3.0
Halford Resurrection3.5
Scorpions Moment of Glory2.5
Rotting Christ Khronos3.0
Garden of Shadows Oracle Moon4.0
Spiritual Beggars Ad Astra4.0
Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes Live At The Greek4.2
High-octane live performance which comprises mostly of Led Zeppelin covers and -rdespite the fact that to some it might seem blasphemous - can rival any Led Zeppelin live release. The Black Crowes are an incredible backing band who play the classic Zeppelin tracks to perfection, while Jimmy Page delivers old-school solos that kids these day can only dream of.
King Diamond House of God3.5
Alice Cooper Brutal Planet3.0
Iron Maiden Brave New World4.5
Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP3.5
Majestic Trinity Overture4.0
Blaze Bayley Silicon Messiah (as Blaze)3.5
Motorhead We Are Motorhead3.0
Trail Of Tears Profoundemonium3.0
Black Label Society Stronger Than Death2.5
Rage Against the Machine Renegades3.5
Immortal Damned In Black3.0
Tsjuder Kill For Satan3.0
Axel Rudi Pell The Masquerade Ball3.6
Axel Rudi Pell doing what Axel Rudi Pell does. In a few words, melodic heavy rock with neoclassical tendencies and an epic flavor which borrows many influences from early Rainbow but sounds a bit more commercial. The album is excellent on the longer songs such as the title track or "Night and Rain" but Axel tends to overdo it some times by stretching some of the songs more than necessary. Special mention should be made regarding the vocalist's performance which is reminiscent of Dio but not in a bad way. Overall, a great experience which could have been even better with less fat.
Dio Magica3.5
Dio's return to form, after two really subpar albums in Angry Machines and Strange Highways. Apart from the better lineup marked by the change of Tracy G with Craig Goldy and the return of the underrated Jimmy Bain, Magica is more ambitious and epic than previous Dio offerings. Being part of a trilogy, Dio's intention was to release the second and third part of this one but he ascended to Valhalla before he started working on them.
Deep Purple Days May Come and Days May Go3.0
AC/DC Stiff Upper Lip4.0
Steely Dan Two Against Nature3.5
Demons and Wizards Demons & Wizards3.8
Deep Purple Live at the Royal Albert Hall3.5
Therion Deggial3.5
The Gathering Superheat3.8
Dio Holy Dio: A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio4.1
Hands down the best Dio tribute album boasting a ridiculous amount of awesome bands from Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray to Fates Warning and Solitude Aeturnus. Every song is covered in a respectful manner but each band infuses it with its own identity which gives the material a fresh breath of new air. The LP contains several highlights and feels like it lasts less than it actually does. Do not miss out on this one.
Dead Meadow Dead Meadow3.0
The Gathering if_then_else3.5
Deep Purple The Very Best Of Deep Purple3.0
Limp Bizkit Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water1.5
Nightstalker The Ritual3.5
The Hellacopters High Visibility3.5
Forest Silence Winter Circle3.5
Dark and convincing ambient with some black metal vocals and whispers. The album feels like a walk through a dark forest during heavy snowfall or like being alone in a cabin while watching the snow at night.
Running Wild Victory2.5
Skyclad Folkemon3.5
Deep Purple Extended Versions2.5
In the Woods... Three Times Seven On A Pilgrimage4.0
Mayhem Grand Declaration of War3.5
Chaostar Chaostar3.0
HammerFall Renegade2.5
Not an awful listen by any means but this is pretty average in every level. The songwriting is different than its two predecessors as it contains less hooks and catchy melodies which is what made Hammerfall stand out initially. In addition, the whole thing ends up sounding too repetitive, harmless and at the end of the day slightly boring.
Mob Rules Temple of Two Suns3.5
Great melodies overall and a very enjoyable European power metal album with some progressive leanings.
Barry White The Ultimate Collection4.0
Music for making babies. You don't even have to listen to this more than once.

1999
HIM Razorblade Romance3.5
Cradle of Filth From the Cradle to Enslave3.0
Methods of Mayhem Methods of Mayhem1.0
Burzum Hlidskjalf3.5
Taake Nattestid Ser Porten Vid3.5
Guns N' Roses Live Era '87-'933.5
Metallica S&M3.7
Morifade Possession of Power3.5
This is somewhat by the numbers European power metal, but at the same time it's quite enjoyable due to the solid songwriting and the impeccable execution.
Dream Theater Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory5.0
Evereve Regret2.5
Opeth Still Life4.5
My Dying Bride The Light at the End of the World3.5
Gary Moore A Different Beat1.5
Type O Negative World Coming Down3.5
Jaaportit Kauan koskematon3.5
Tristania Beyond the Veil3.5
KISS Psycho Circus2.0
Orange Goblin Time Travelling Blues3.5
Megadeth Risk1.5
Albert King In Session4.5
Rory Gallagher BBC Sessions4.0
Katatonia Tonight's Decision3.0
Pentagram Review Your Choices3.0
Blackmore's Night Under a Violet Moon4.0
Empyrium Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays3.5
Ozric Tentacles Waterfall Cities3.0
Slipknot Slipknot2.0
Testament The Gathering2.5
Anathema Judgement5.0
Santana Supernatural3.0
Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication3.5
The Atomic Bitchwax The Atomic Bitchwax3.0
Lacuna Coil In a Reverie3.5
Paradise Lost Host3.3
On Thorns I Lay Crystal Tears3.5
Children of Bodom Hatebreeder4.0
Phil Collins Big Band A Hot Night In Paris3.5
Black Label Society Sonic Brew2.5
Iced Earth The Melancholy EP3.2
Manowar Hell on Stage4.0
Amorphis Tuonela4.1
Gamma Ray Power Plant4.0
Rotting Christ Sleep of the Angels3.5
Motorhead Everything Louder Than Everyone Else4.0
What is impressive about this live album is that it was recorded and released after the worst three album run in the band's history. Nevertheless, Motorhead are so good live and this is such a solid performance that even the weakest tracks sound excellent.
White Skull Tales from the North3.7
Just by looking at the cover art, reading the title and knowing that this album contains stories about Odin, the Vikings and Asgard, sets you in the right mood. However, White Skull's fierce and uptempo brand of power metal which brings to mind bands like Grave Digger and Running Wild, is solid enough to support all the above. Nevertheless, bear in mind that the female vocalist is an acquired taste as she sounds like the female version of Chris Boltendahl (Grave Digger) who also is doing guest vocals on this LP. Overall, great stuff if you're in an epic/fantasy mood.
Nevermore Dreaming Neon Black3.5
Lake of Tears Forever Autumn4.5
Danzig 6:66 Satan's Child2.0
Solaris (HU) Nostradamus Book of Prophecies4.0
Corvus Neblus Chapter I - Strahd's Possession3.5
Corvus Neblus was Macabre Omen's dungeon synth project and I must say that I was immediately drawn by the beautiful artwork. This is old-school dungeon synth which is very atmospheric, majestic, evocative and quite varied. In essence, the album is the soundtrack to a D&D adventure and this is felt throughout. Overall, a very enjoyable offering.
Lacrimosa Elodia4.0
Virgin Steele The House of Atreus: Act I4.0
Spirit Caravan Jug Fulla Sun4.0
Scorpions Eye II Eye1.5
Purple Overdose Reborn4.0
Rage Against the Machine The Battle of Los Angeles3.8
Madder Mortem Mercury3.0
Immortal At the Heart of Winter4.0
Secret Stairways Turning Point3.5
Very well-composed ambient which sounds less dark and more ethereal. Lots of mysterious, relaxing and bright moments on here. The clear production and the variety of melodies contribute in making Turning Point an engaging listen.
In the Woods... Strange in Stereo3.5
W.A.S.P. Helldorado3.5
Drawn A New World?4.0
Control Denied The Fragile Art of Existence3.5
Nightfall Diva Futura3.0
Wizard Bound by Metal3.5
Mortiis The Stargate3.5
Novembre Classica3.5
Saxon Metalhead2.5
Grave Digger Excalibur4.0
Dunwich (ITA) Eternal Eclipse of Frost3.0
Interesting blend of symphonic metal, gothic and classical music. Not as consistent and well made like Therion or Lacrimosa but still highly enjoyable at times.
Darkthrone Ravishing Grimness4.0
Domine Dragonlord3.5
Skyclad Vintage Whine4.0
Vinnie Moore The Maze3.5
Michael Schenker Group The Unforgiven3.2
Nocturnal Rites The Sacred Talisman3.7
Very well-performed euro-power metal which is driven by catchy guitar riffs and vocals that are, pleasantly, not over the top. There is an emphasis on melody, while the lack of keyboards gives the album a nice old-school vibe. The epic/heroic atmosphere is definitely a plus as well as the few moments where the songwriting goes down a more neoclassical path that may bring to mind Yngwie Malmsteen.
Angelo Perlepes' Mystery Tales...3.5
Tripes Μέσα Στη Νύχτα Των Άλλων3.7
Kreator Endorama3.2
Agalloch Pale Folklore4.0
Dimmu Borgir Spiritual Black Dimensions4.0

1998
The Snakes Live in Europe4.0
Checking out a band that plays live Whitesnake songs might be the last thing that you need right now, but The Snakes' lineup is impressive (Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, Jorn Lande and Don Airey, among others) and their performance is fire.
Metallica Garage Inc.4.0
2Pac Greatest Hits4.0
The Gathering How to Measure a Planet?4.5
Refused The Shape Of Punk To Come3.0
Black Sabbath Reunion3.5
My Dying Bride 34.788%... Complete2.0
Sepultura Against2.0
Manu Chao Clandestino3.5
Fates Warning Still Life3.5
The Haunted The Haunted3.5
Macbeth Romantic Tragedy's Crescendo4.0
Excellent gothic metal album (with beauty and the beast vocals) that reminds early Theatre of Tragedy.
Rhapsody of Fire Symphony of Enchanted Lands4.0
Jon Lord Pictured Within3.5
King Diamond Voodoo3.0
Axel Rudi Pell Oceans of Time4.1
Marilyn Manson Mechanical Animals1.0
Death The Sound of Perseverance4.5
Bruce Dickinson The Chemical Wedding4.2
Paragon of Beauty The Spring2.5
Uriah Heep Sonic Origami2.5
Theatre Of Tragedy Aégis4.0
Opeth My Arms, Your Hearse3.5
Manilla Road Live by the Sword: The Very Best of Manilla Road3.0
Anal Cunt Picnic of Love1.0
Iced Earth Something Wicked This Way Comes4.3
Whitesnake Starkers in Tokyo3.5
Evereve Stormbirds4.0
Anathema Alternative 44.5
Monster Magnet Powertrip4.5
Slayer Diabolus in Musica2.5
Deep Purple Abandon1.5
Grave Digger Knights of the Cross4.0
Massive Attack Mezzanine4.0
Cradle of Filth Cruelty and the Beast4.0
Beseech ...from a Bleeding Heart3.5
Therion Vovin4.3
Blind Guardian Nightfall in Middle-Earth5.0
Judas Priest Priest, Live & Rare3.5
Cannibal Corpse Gallery of Suicide3.5
Virgin Steele Invictus3.5
Savatage The Wake of Magellan4.0
The Kovenant Nexus Polaris4.5
One of the greatest black metal albums of the '90s that combines amazing keyboard melodies with memorable riffs, brilliant songwriting and very fitting female vocals by Sarah Jezebel Deva. Featuring symphonic elements, progressive structures and even hints of power metal, Nexus Polaris is a unique trip that sounds as fresh today as the time it was recorded.
Iron Maiden Virtual XI3.2
Rage XIII3.0
Rage has gone too far with this one. Too melodic for its own good. It has its ups but its downs are definitely more.
Septicflesh A Fallen Temple3.0
Liv Kristine Deus Ex Machina2.5
Tristania Widow's Weeds4.0
Nashville Pussy Let Them Eat Pussy4.0
Neutral Milk Hotel In the Aeroplane Over the Sea3.5
Pagan Altar Volume 14.0
Falkenbach ...Magni Blandinn Ok Megintiri...4.0
Nightwish Oceanborn4.0
Katatonia Discouraged Ones3.5
Running Wild The Rivalry3.5
Variation and differentiation are two terms unknown to the realm of Running Wild. However, the high level of songwriting is enough to hold the listener's interest even though the album is a bit on the long side. Once again, Rock 'n' Rolf & Co. deliver solid power/speed metal with enough melody and hooks.
The Sins of Thy Beloved Lake of Sorrow3.5
R.L. Burnside Come On In3.0
Blue Oyster Cult Heaven Forbid3.0
Junior Wells Blues Hit Big Town (1953-1954)4.0
Mediaeval Baebes Worldes Blysse3.5
Worldes Blysse is very successful in transporting the listener to a medieval setting with its solid vocal work and the simple yet effective percussion. For fans of Loreena McKennitt and Dead Can Dance's Aion.
Spiritual Beggars Mantra III3.5
Yngwie Malmsteen Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra3.0
Skyclad Outrageous Fourtunes3.5
Motorhead Snake Bite Love1.5
Shadow Gallery Tyranny3.5
James Byrd Crimes of Virtuosity4.0
Chroma Key Dead Air For Radios3.0
Whiplash Thrashback4.0
Active Member Oi Mythoi tou Valtou4.0
Balance of Power Book of Secrets3.5
Skullview Legends of the Valor3.5
Quality, albeit a bit trite, heavy/power metal with a strong epic flavor. Songwriting is tight while the music is guitar driven, with audible bass and solid drumming. The vocalist seems to be influenced by Dickinson and Halford even though, needless to say, quality-wise he isn't close. Nevertheless, the final product is very enjoyable and certainly recommended for fans of Omen, Slough Feg, Battleroar and early Manowar, of course.
Wind of the Black Mountains Sing Thou Unholy Servants3.5
HammerFall Legacy Of Kings3.0
Sacred Steel Wargods of Metal2.5
Old-school power/speed metal with epic tendencies and a "true" image similar of Manowar. However - and despite its awesome cover - the album is average, as the songwriting is quite bland, the lyrics poor, and the epic nature is only depicted on the artwork.
Joe Lynn Turner Hurry Up and Wait2.5
Darkwoods My Betrothed Witch-Hunts3.5
Atmospheric Finnish black metal with sensible use of keyboards by Tuomas Holopainen (Nightwish) and catchy riffs. I initially checked the album because of the cover art but this is a very enjoyable listen.
Horna Kohti Yhdeksän Nousua3.0
Labyrinth Return to Heaven Denied4.0
Praying Mantis Forever in Time4.0
Coming into this one and having checked only Time Tells No Lies, I expected something different than the melodic/pomp rock of this album. However, I am not disappointed at all, as Forever in Time contains amazing melodies, many memorable choruses, great twin guitar solos, and a variety of sweet vocal harmonies. This is severely underrated.
Axehammer Lord of the Realm3.5
Obscure heavy metal which sounds like a louder version of Judas Priest and Saxon. Flashy guitars and fantasy lyrics complete what is, essentially, a solid EP with a bunch of demos (last 3 tracks) that seal the deal. Lastly, on "Axehammer", I was almost sure that Chris Boltendahl was doing guest vocals but it seems that's not the case.
The Snakes Once Bitten3.5
A little-know project of Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody (both Whitesnake) with mighty Jorn Lande on vocals. As you can easily understand by the participants and the band's moniker, this leans heavily towards Whitesnake and the songwriting is interesting enough to keep your attention.
...and Oceans The Dynamic Gallery of Thoughts3.5
Very atmospheric symphonic black metal with a palpable '90s essence, but the vocals are a bit goofy at times.
Valar Towards the Great Unknown3.5
Very atmospheric and engaging Tolkien-inspired dungeon synth.
Decadence (GR) A Beheaded Winner and Fragrances ff Happiness4.0
A very atmospheric and dreamlike journey fusing neofolk and neoclassical with a strong gothic flavor that could have been created and released only in the mid to late '90s.

1997
John Sykes 20th Century2.3
One of the heaviest John Sykes releases. In a few words, it is a bland rock effort by an otherwise super talented guitarist.
HIM Greatest Love Songs Vol. 6663.5
Metallica Reload3.0
Sacred Steel Reborn in Steel2.5
How much you dislike this one, depends on how much you enjoy cult heavy metal.
Ozzy Osbourne The Ozzman Cometh3.0
Riot Inishmore3.5
Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions4.5
KISS Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions1.0
Judas Priest Jugulator1.5
Rhapsody of Fire Legendary Tales3.7
Haggard And Thou Shalt Trust the Seer4.5
Saxon Unleash the Beast3.5
Theatre Of Tragedy A Rose for the Dead3.5
Rotting Christ A Dead Poem4.5
Fu Manchu The Action is Go3.5
John Sykes Loveland3.0
Loreena McKennitt The Book of Secrets4.5
An amazing album that anyone should listen to at least once regardless of taste in music.
The Rolling Stones Bridges to Babylon3.0
Bewitched Pentagram Prayer4.0
Dream Theater Falling into Infinity3.5
Buena Vista Social Club Buena Vista Social Club4.0
Afro Cuban All Stars A toda Cuba le gusta3.5
Genesis Calling All Stations1.5
Paradise Lost One Second3.8
Gamma Ray Somewhere Out in Space4.0
Limp Bizkit Three Dollar Bill Y'all1.5
HammerFall Glory To The Brave3.5
Motley Crue Generation Swine2.0
Megadeth Cryptic Writings3.7
blink-182 Dude Ranch3.5
Deep Purple Live at the Olypmpia '963.5
Ibrahim Ferrer Buena Vista Social Club Presents...4.0
Very upbeat with not a dull moment and an overall great atmosphere.
The Gathering Nighttime Birds5.0
Gary Moore Dark Days in Paradise2.0
Dimmu Borgir Enthrone Darkness Triumphant4.0
Amorphis My Kantele3.5
Acrimony Tumuli Shroomaroom4.0
Stratovarius Visions4.5
Foo Fighters The Colour and the Shape3.5
John West Mind Journey3.0
Nice slab of melodic/neoclassical metal. If you get your kicks from Malmsteen's Rising Force, you might enjoy this one.
Limbonic Art In Abhorrence Dementia4.0
Jimi Hendrix First Rays of the New Rising Sun3.5
Angizia Das Tagebuch der Hanna Anikin3.0
Within Temptation Enter4.0
Andi Deris Come In From The Rain3.0
Andi Deris' solo debut contains mostly hard rock with only a couple tracks of bringing to mind Helloween. The album works better on its more melodic/AOR moment rather than the heavier ones but, overall, it is quite enjoyable.
Ragnarok Arising Realm3.5
Muddy Waters His Best: 1947 to 19554.5
Symphony X The Divine Wings of Tragedy4.0
Zounds The Curse of Zounds + Singles3.5
Body Count Violent Demise: The Last Days2.5
The Offspring Ixnay on the Hombre3.5
Jamiroquai Travelling Without Moving4.0
Aerosmith Nine Lives2.5
Nightfall Lesbian Show3.5
Bruce Dickinson Accident of Birth3.5
Blackmore's Night Shadow of the Moon4.0
Mithotyn In the Sign of the Ravens4.0
Nightwish Angels Fall First3.5
Fates Warning A Pleasant Shade of Gray4.0
Arcturus La Masquerade Infernale4.0
Discipline (USA) Unfolded Like Staircase4.0
Santana Live At The Fillmore '683.5
Orange Goblin Frequencies from Planet Ten4.0
Days of Yore The Mad God's Wage3.0
Instrumentally, this is some brilliant power/speed metal with epic lyrical themes. However, the vocals are irritating and the album is too long for its own good.
Leviathan (USA-CO) Scoring The Chapters3.5
Lacrimosa Stille3.5
Whitesnake Restless Heart2.5
Burzum Daudi Baldrs2.5
Iron Savior Iron Savior3.5
The Hellacopters Payin' the Dues3.5
Domine Champion Eternal3.5
Venom Cast in Stone3.0
Immortal Blizzard Beasts3.5
Rage End of All Days4.0
Destroyer 666 Unchain The Wolves4.0
Skyclad The Answer Machine?3.5
Very melodic folk rock with heavy use of the violin. Not as heavy but more mellow, with the exception of Oui Avant-Garde a Chance, than previous albums with emphasis on creating catchy and repetitive melodies.
Emperor Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk4.0
Deicide Serpents of the Light3.0
Grabesmond Mordenheim3.0
Lake of Tears A Crimson Cosmos3.5
Misfits American Psycho3.0
Graveland Following the Voice of Blood3.8
Great slab of viking metal with a great sense of melody and a convincing atmosphere. A bit samey and on the long side, though.
Cauldron Born Born of the Cauldron4.2
A landmark of underground epic speed/power/thrash metal which at times sounds like the rude cousin of Psychotic Waltz and early-Fates Warning. The song structures are quite intricate, there is an array of great riffs and the vocals are ideal for the subject matter.
Kreator Outcast3.0
Necrophobic Darkside4.0
Emperor Reverence3.0

1996
Diabolical Masquerade Ravendusk in my Heart3.5
Belle and Sebastian If You're Feeling Sinister3.0
Anathema Eternity4.0
Yngwie Malmsteen Inspiration3.0
Overall, a very good effort that unfortunately fails not on the parts where Yngwie does a bit too much, but on those where he made the material heavier without particular success. For example, Pictures of Home and Demon's Eye suffer because they work better with a bluesy sound, whereas a metal version makes them sound "plastic" and mechanical. Among the highlights are "Gates of Babylon" and "Child in Time" that feature an epic atmosphere and an incredible Malmsteen solo respectively.
Slipknot Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.1.5
Danzig Blackacidevil1.0
Darkthrone Goatlord3.5
Phil Collins Dance Into the Light2.5
Motorhead Overnight Sensation3.5
My Dying Bride Like Gods of the Sun3.5
King Diamond The Graveyard4.0
Dio Angry Machines2.0
Manowar Louder Than Hell3.5
Cradle of Filth Dusk... and Her Embrace4.5
Heavenwood Diva4.0
Rotting Christ Triarchy of The Lost Lovers4.5
Type O Negative October Rust4.0
Theatre Of Tragedy Velvet Darkness They Fear5.0
Bewitched Diabolical Desecration3.5
Therion Theli4.0
Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged4.0
The Black Crowes Three Snakes and One Charm2.5
Aura Noir Black Thrash Attack4.0
Zakk Wylde Book of Shadows3.5
Marduk Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered3.5
Paramaecium Within the Ancient Forest4.0
Metallica Load3.3
Slayer Undisputed Attitude2.5
Bathory Blood on Ice3.5
Stratovarius Episode3.5
Amorphis Elegy4.0
George Michael Older3.0
Uli Jon Roth Sky of Avalon – Prologue to the Symphonic Legends3.5
This is quite different than the Uli we've come to expect from Scorps and Electric Sun, and yet it
doesn't strike me as something odd, but rather natural progression for this guitar legend. For
those who haven't jammed his solo work, this is top-notch emotional classical/symphonic rock.
Velour 100 Fall Sounds3.5
Cradle of Filth Vempire or Dark Faerytales in Phalluste 4.2
Blind Guardian The Forgotten Tales3.5
Rage Against the Machine Evil Empire4.0
Edge of Sanity Crimson4.0
Miles Davis Ballads and Blues3.5
Sepultura Roots2.5
Garmarna Guds Speleman4.0
Excellent nordic folk which sounds equally pastoral and modern.
Helloween The Time of the Oath3.0
In Flames The Jester Race4.0
Draconian Shades of a Lost Moon3.5
Dark Funeral The Secrets of the Black Arts3.0
Fugees The Score3.5
The 3rd and the Mortal Painting on Glass4.0
Camel Harbour of Tears3.5
Darkthrone Total Death3.5
Deep Purple Purpendicular3.5
Iced Earth The Dark Saga4.0
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Eve and Other Stories3.5
Deep Purple California Jamming4.0
Grave Digger Tunes of War4.0
Ulver Kveldssanger4.0
Rage Lingua Mortis3.8
Excellent combination of orchestra and metal which consists of tracks from Black in Mind with the exception of "Lingua Mortis Medley". The songs have been reworked in order to fit with the orchestra and everything works great to the point where I prefer these versions to the original ones even though I am biased by the fact that this was the album the got me to Rage back in 1996 when this was groundbreaking due to the aforementioned combination. The major drawback of the album is the poor production which brings the orchestra to the forefront and buries every instrument and especially the drums. However, given the album's release date and the fact that the mix of metal and orchestra wasn't a thing back then, the production issues are justified.
Spiritual Beggars Another Way to Shine4.0
Psychotic Waltz Bleeding4.0
Estatic Fear Somnium Obmutum4.0
Jason Becker Perspective4.0
It's very rare to come across an album in this genre without any wankery and with lots of emotion.
Nightstalker Use4.3
A couple of odd tracks are not enough to downgrade what is an excellent stoner album.
Scorpions Pure Instinct2.0
Angra Holy Land4.3
Porcupine Tree Signify3.5
Moonspell Irreligious4.0
Pekel Mannen Van De Maas3.5
Morgana Lefay Maleficium3.5
Bruce Dickinson Skunkworks3.0
Scald Will of the Gods is Great Power3.5
Skyclad Irrational Anthems3.5
The Hellacopters Supershitty to the Max!3.0
Skyclad Oui Avant-Garde a Chance3.5
A Canorous Quintet Silence of the World Beyond3.5
Gehennah King of the Sidewalk3.5
Allegiance (SWE) Hymn Till Hangagud3.5
Grotesque In the Embrace of Evil4.0
Diafana Krina Έγινε Η Απώλεια Συνήθειά Μας4.0
A monument of Greek rock music and one of the most unique albums/bands of the Greek scene. The combination of poetic lyrics with heavy guitars and a gothic/post-punk/alternative arrangement was not only a novelty in the Greek scene back in mid-90s, but gave voice to a voiceless part of the youth who wanted to express themselves in a different manner than the mass. Music that you live not just listen.
Limbonic Art Moon In The Scorpio4.5
Deviser Unspeakable Cults4.0
Obsecration The Inheritors Of Pain3.5
A representative mid '90s blend of death and doom metal with a gothic feeling sprinkled in some parts. The music is mostly midtempo which makes the LP fairly accessible. There is a morbid feeling throughout the album which is backed by the singer's deep guttural vocals, while the use of the keyboard provides a sense of mystique. Produced by Necromantia's Magus Wampyr Daoloth.
Depressive Silence Depressive Silence II4.0
Darkwoods My Betrothed Autumn Roars Thunder3.0
Pendragon (UK) The Masquerade Overture3.5
John Renbourn Lost Sessions3.0
Relaxing folk by the eternally underrated John Renbourn which brings to mind Led Zeppelin's III at times. It's nothing special but it's still an entertaining listen with some beautiful melodies.
Tripes Κεφάλι Γεμάτο Χρυσάφι3.5
HIM 666 Ways to Love: Prologue3.5
Monstrosity Millenium4.0
Katatonia Brave Murder Day3.5

1995
Dark Tranquillity The Gallery4.5
Queen Made in Heaven3.5
Ozzy Osbourne Ozzmosis3.5
Savatage Dead Winter Dead4.0
The Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness3.5
Anathema The Silent Enigma3.5
Summoning Minas Morgul4.0
Yngwie Malmsteen Magnum Opus3.0
A definite upgrade from The Seventh Sign, Magnum Opus is again a blend of neoclassical and commercial rock/metal with a flavor of power metal. The biggest flaws of the album are the song placement along with the subpar vocal performance. The strongest material can be found on the second half with only "Vengeance" being a strong track on the first half. Nevertheless, "Fire in the Sky" alone is worth the price of admission.
Gehenna Seen Through the Veils of Darkness3.5
Green Day Insomniac3.5
Annihilator King of the Kill4.0
Fleetwood Mac Time2.5
Iron Maiden The X Factor2.8
Joe Satriani Joe Satriani3.3
Funeral Tragedies3.5
AC/DC Ballbreaker3.0
Down NOLA4.5
Dream Theater A Change of Seasons4.0
Red Hot Chili Peppers One Hot Minute3.5
Nightfall Athenian Echoes4.0
The Gathering Mandylion5.0
Immortal Battles in the North3.5
Saxon Dogs of War2.0
Fleurety Min Tid Skal Komme4.0
Foo Fighters Foo Fighters3.5
Isengard Høstmørke2.5
Bon Jovi These Days3.0
Marillion Afraid of Sunlight3.0
Black Sabbath Forbidden1.5
Carcass Swansong4.0
Bathory Octagon1.0
Gary Moore Blues For Greeny4.0
Gamma Ray Land of the Free4.5
Rage Black In Mind4.0
Opeth Orchid4.0
Oasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory?4.0
Used to hate this one back in the day mainly because of how overplayed "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back in Anger" were, and also as a metalhead you're supposed to shit on albums like this one and bands like Oasis. Love it today, as it contains great tunes but also because it's one of those albums that transport me so efficiently in the mid-'90s.
Conception In Your Multitude4.0
Paradise Lost Draconian Times4.0
King Crimson THRAK2.5
Iced Earth Burnt Offerings4.0
Stratovarius Fourth Dimension3.0
Blind Guardian Imaginations from the Other Side4.2
In the Woods... Heart of the Ages4.0
Death Symbolic4.5
Monster Magnet Dopes to Infinity4.5
Summoning Lugburz3.0
Mad Season Above3.5
2Pac Me Against the World4.0
Slash's Snakepit It's Five O'Clock Somewhere3.5
Ulver Bergtatt - Et eeventyr i 5 capitler4.0
Theatre Of Tragedy Theatre of Tragedy4.2
Anathema Pentecost III3.5
Chris Isaak Forever Blue4.0
Rainbow Stranger in Us All4.0
Therion Lepaca Kliffoth3.0
Dissection Storm of the Light's Bane4.3
Raw and melodic, atmospheric and aggressive. Featuring excellent songwriting and almost perfect execution, this has all the traits of a classic black metal album.
Sorcerer Sorcerer3.5
Virgin Steele The Marriage of Heaven and Hell: Part II4.0
Running Wild Masquerade3.5
Deicide Once Upon the Cross4.0
Motorhead Sacrifice1.5
Shadow Gallery Carved In Stone2.5
Primordial Imrama3.0
Tristitia One with Darkness3.5
Goo Goo Dolls A Boy Named Goo3.0
My Dying Bride The Angel and the Dark River4.5
Joe Lynn Turner Nothing's Changed2.0
Uriah Heep Sea of Light3.0
Trouble Plastic Green Head3.0
Lake of Tears Headstones3.5
Active Member To Megalo Kolpo3.5
Varathron Walpurgisnacht3.5
Mortiis Keiser Av En Dimensjon Ukjent4.0
King Diamond The Spider's Lullabye3.5
Carpathian Forest Through Chasm, Caves And Titan Woods3.0
Darkthrone Panzerfaust5.0
Necromantia Scarlet Evil, Witching Black4.0
Depressive Silence The Darkened Empires3.5
Wongraven Fjelltronen3.5
Ta Xylina Spathia Pera Ap' Tis Poleis Tis Asfaltou3.0
Grave Digger Heart of Darkness3.5
Storm Nordavind3.5
HIM This Is Only the Beginning3.5
At the Gates Slaughter of the Soul3.3
Skyclad The Silent Whales of Lunar Sea3.5
Meat Loaf Welcome to the Neighborhood3.0
Mork Gryning Tusen Ar Har Gatt3.5

1994
Orphaned Land Sahara3.0
Megadeth Youthanasia3.0
Deep Purple Come Hell or High Water2.0
Nirvana MTV Unplugged in New York4.5
The Black Crowes Amorica3.5
Pentagram Be Forewarned3.5
The 3rd and the Mortal Tears Laid in Earth3.5
Tiamat Wildhoney4.5
Gorgoroth Pentagram3.5
Korn Korn2.0
Rotting Christ Non Serviam3.8
Danzig Danzig 43.0
Dream Theater Awake4.2
Bathory Requiem2.0
Slayer Divine Intervention2.5
Corrosion of Conformity Deliverance3.5
The 3rd and the Mortal Sorrow3.5
Eric Clapton From The Cradle3.3
Stratovarius Dreamspace3.5
Impellitteri Answer To The Master3.8
Ass-kicking neo-classical metal which brings to mind Yngwie Malmsteen's more song-oriented stuff. Chris Impellitteri can absolutely play his ass off but he's quite constrained, which is a nice surprise for a guitarist as talented as him, and focuses more on the riffs. Rob Rock's vocals also contribute to making this one a very enjoyable listen.
Body Count Born Dead2.5
Amorphis Tales from the Thousand Lakes4.5
Enigma The Cross of Changes4.0
Demolition Hammer Time Bomb2.5
Portishead Dummy4.0
Machine Head Burn My Eyes3.5
Motorpsycho Timothy's Monster3.0
Everything But the Girl Amplified Heart4.0
The Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge2.5
Helloween Master of the Rings3.5
The Prodigy Music for the Jilted Generation4.0
Kyuss Welcome to Sky Valley4.0
Darkthrone Transilvanian Hunger4.5
Emperor In the Nightside Eclipse4.0
Pride and Glory Pride and Glory3.0
BBM Around The Next Dream3.5
Yngwie Malmsteen The Seventh Sign2.5
A big step down from the previous album that fails mostly on the mellower moments due to their blandness and subpar vocal performance. Bearing in mind what was happening at Yngwie's life at the moment, the mediocreness of the LP is understandable. However, there are some very good moments that are based on Malmsteen's riffs and solos. Best track: "Crash and Burn".
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Let Love In4.0
Cannibal Corpse The Bleeding4.0
The Offspring Smash4.5
Cathedral Statik Majik3.5
Pink Floyd The Division Bell4.0
Tetsu Inoue Ambiant Otaku4.0
Running Wild Black Hand Inn4.3
Addressing the elephant in the room, Black Hand Inn is indeed a typical Running Wild album which contains more or less the exact same formula since 1987 with the exception that is more focused on heavy and less on speed metal. Therefore, what matters is the level of execution which on here is at a very high point. Is this the best Running Wild LP? Well, you can certainly make a case for it. The guitar riffs and leads are as inspired and catchy as ever, the songwriting keep the listener's interest despite the its duration, Rock 'n' Rolf's vocals are great and not too loud, and the only element that is average is the drumming. This is certainly a very enjoyable and fun heavy metal album in the vein of Accept, Judas Priest and Grave Digger.
Pantera Far Beyond Driven2.0
Solitude Aeturnus Through the Darkest Hour3.5
Samael Ceremony Of Opposites4.0
Cradle of Filth The Principle of Evil Made Flesh3.5
Gehenna First Spell3.5
X-Wild So What!3.3
A nice blend of Running Wild and Accept, which is pretty natural considering the background of the band members. For most of its duration this is pretty good, but a shorter runtime would be nice.
The Notorious B.I.G. Ready to Die4.0
Green Day Dookie4.0
Enslaved Vikingligr Veldi3.5
Black Sabbath Cross Purposes3.0
Alice in Chains Jar of Flies3.5
Symphony X Symphony X3.0
Landberk One Man Tells Another3.5
Loreena McKennitt The Mask and Mirror4.0
Virgin Steele The Marriage of Heaven And Hell: Part I4.0
Skyclad Prince of the Poverty Line4.5
Septicflesh Mystic Places of Dawn3.5
Savatage Handful of Rain3.0
Marillion Brave3.0
Rata Blanca Entre el Cielo y el Infierno2.5
Mortiis Ånden Som Gjorde Opprør4.0
Vauxdvihl To Dimension Logic4.0
Bruce Dickinson Balls to Picasso3.0
Amboss Those Who Have Lost The Right To Exist3.5
Mayhem De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas4.5
Thou Art Lord Eosforos3.5
Great blend of black (mostly) and death metal from an all-star band featuring Necromayhem (Rotting Christ) and The Magus (Necromantia), among others. There's a strong mystic vibe throughout that becomes even stronger when the sound is fused from elements and rhythms that bring to mind the Greek folklore. Lastly, the album's sound is closer to Rotting Christ's early releases and can be described as a mix of Thy Mighty Contract and Septic Flesh's Mystic Places of Dawn.
Wicked Lady Psychotic overkill3.5
Satyricon The Shadowthrone4.0
Burzum Hvis Lyset Tar Oss4.0
Nightstalker SideFx3.0
Various Artists Nativity in Black - A Tribute to Black Sabbath2.5
Dimmu Borgir For All Tid3.5
Yanni Live at the Acropolis4.5
I am not very familiar with Yanni's music but this didn't prevent me from enjoying greatly this mesmerizing and captivating live album. In terms of performance, this is clinical but still very passionate.
Tripes Κράτα Το Σόου Μαϊμού4.0
One of Greece's definitive rock bands, provides us with a best-of live set up until that time, and proves its credentials as an amazing live act.
Jamiroquai The Return of the Space Cowboy4.0
Pro-Pain The Truth Hurts3.5

1993
Snoop Dogg Doggystyle4.0
Metallica Live Shit: Binge & Purge4.5
Guns N' Roses The Spaghetti Incident?1.5
Sleep Sleep's Holy Mountain3.0
Rotting Christ Thy Mighty Contract3.5
Phil Collins Both Sides2.5
This is not bad by any means, but it's quite placid as it consists mostly of laid-back songs which make the album feel even longer than it actually is.
Grave Digger The Reaper3.5
Dio Strange Highways2.5
Iron Maiden A Real Dead One3.5
Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell3.5
Very rarely a sequel is as good as the original, but this is one of the rare cases. Bat Out of Hell II is bombastic, theatrical, cheesy and as fun as it gets.
Motorhead Bastards3.5
Immortal Pure Holocaust4.0
Paradise Lost Icon4.0
Nirvana In Utero4.0
Scorpions Face the Heat2.5
Conception Parallel Minds3.5
Fight War Of Words3.5
X Japan Art of Life4.0
Type O Negative Bloody Kisses4.0
Necrophobic The Nocturnal Silence4.0
Burzum Det Som Engang Var4.0
U2 Zooropa2.5
Deep Purple The Battle Rages On...2.0
The Gathering Almost a Dance1.0
4 Non Blondes Bigger, Better, Faster, More!3.5
Gary Moore Blues Alive4.0
Mercyful Fate In the Shadows3.0
Death Individual Thought Patterns4.0
Jamiroquai Emergency on Planet Earth3.5
Bjork Debut4.0
Diamond Head Death and Progress2.5
Helloween Chameleon2.5
Blur Modern Life Is Rubbish3.5
Stratovarius Twilight Time3.5
Monster Magnet Superjudge3.5
My Dying Bride Turn Loose the Swans4.0
Savatage Edge of Thorns4.0
Therion Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas3.0
Iron Maiden A Real Live One3.0
Blind Guardian Tokyo Tales4.0
Thought Industry Mods Carve the Pig3.5
Virgin Steele Life Among the Ruins2.5
A few hooks here and there but this isn't really a Virgin Steele album as we are accustomed to. More hard rock and hair metal than epic metal.
Burzum Aske3.0
The Beloved Conscience3.0
Accept Objection Overruled3.0
Cathedral The Ethereal Mirror4.0
Anathema Serenades3.5
Pro-Pain Foul Taste of Freedom3.5
Darkthrone Under a Funeral Moon4.0
Deep Purple The Deep Purple Singels A's and B's4.0
Sepultura Chaos A.D.3.5
Dissection The Somberlain4.0
Saviour Machine Saviour Machine I4.0
Red Dawn Never Say Surrender4.0
Easily one of the best AOR albums you haven't heard.
Sax Moravske Narez4.0
Highly recommended for fans of Aspid - Extravasation.
Aspid Extravasation4.0
Danzig Thrall-Demonsweatlive3.5
Livin' Blues The Early Blues Sessions 1967-723.0
Rage The Missing Link3.0
Crush Kingdom of the Kings3.5
Greek heavy/power metal with solid musicianship but somewhat subpar vocal performance and average production.
Phantom (USA-NY) Cyberchrist3.5
Skyclad Jonah's Ark3.0
Entombed Wolverine Blues3.5
Spina Bifida Ziyadah3.5
Mortiis Født til å Herske3.5
Ritual (UK) Valley of the Kings3.0
Count Raven High On Infinity3.5
Mythic Mourning in the Winter Solstice3.0
Satyricon Dark Medieval Times3.5
Oracle As Darkness Reigns4.0
Ta Xylina Spathia Ksessaloniki3.0
Fenriz' Red Planet Engangsgrill1.0
Pendragon (UK) The Window of Life4.0
Greg Joy Celtic Secrets3.7
Very well-performed Celtic folk. Really relaxing and sounds quite sincere, which is an issue with this kind of music.
Glenmore Materialized3.4
This was released in 1993, but sounds like it came out with a delay of 4-5 years. Solid melodic heavy metal/hard rock with glam leanings that brings to mind the best of the glam scene.
Tripes Εννιά Πληρωμένα Τραγούδια3.5
Aerosmith Get a Grip3.0

1992
Sade Love Deluxe4.0
Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine5.0
Amorphis The Karelian Isthmus3.5
Manowar The Triumph of Steel4.0
Alice in Chains Dirt3.0
Brian May Back To The Light3.5
Vocals leave something to be desired, but instrumentally this is pretty good and the songs are interesting. There are definitely moments on here that will bring Queen to your mind, but this is all Brian May and needs more love.
Cannibal Corpse Tomb of the Mutilated4.0
Roger Waters Amused to Death3.5
Bolt Thrower The IVth Crusade4.0
Ugly Kid Joe America's Least Wanted3.5
The Gathering Always3.0
Solitude Aeturnus Beyond the Crimson Horizon4.0
Motorhead March Or Die3.0
Darkthrone A Blaze in the Northern Sky4.5
The Beach Boys Summer in Paradise1.0
W.A.S.P. The Crimson Idol4.0
Danzig Danzig III: How The Gods Kill4.0
Joe Satriani The Extremist4.0
Dream Theater Images and Words4.7
Megadeth Countdown to Extinction4.0
Immortal Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism4.0
Kyuss Blues for the Red Sun4.0
Blind Guardian Somewhere Far Beyond4.7
James Brown Love, Power, Peace4.0
Black Sabbath Dehumanizer3.0
Faith No More Angel Dust3.5
Queen Live at Wembley '864.0
My Dying Bride As the Flower Withers3.0
KISS Revenge2.5
Saxon Forever Free2.0
The Black Crowes The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion4.0
Iron Maiden Fear of the Dark3.7
Gary Moore After Hours4.0
Hardline Double Eclipse3.3
Very good melodic hard rock, featuring Johnny Gioeli, Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo. Even though it's quite generic, it's very enjoyable and the songwriting is solid.
Skyclad A Burnt Offering for the Bone Idol3.5
Annie Lennox Diva3.5
Tiamat Clouds3.5
Paradise Lost Shades of God3.5
Body Count Body Count2.5
Demolition Hammer Epidemic of Violence4.0
Burzum Burzum3.5
Pantera Vulgar Display of Power3.5
McAuley Schenker Group M.S.G.2.5
MSG move even more into hair metal inventory and provide their most average record, which is not saved by a few moments of greatness here and there.
Yngwie Malmsteen Fire & Ice3.5
Yngwie Malmsteen injects to his music the most neoclassical elements since Rising Force. However, his songwriting is still on a really high level and songs like "C'est La Vie", "The Final Curtain" and the title track are some of the best of his career. The stronger body of work is located in the middle and some fat could have definitely been trimmed which results in an unnecessarily long album.
Pearl Jam MTV Unplugged4.0
Glenn Danzig Black Aria2.0
Running Wild Pile of Skulls3.5
Tori Amos Little Earthquakes2.5
2Pac 2Pacalypse Now3.0
Therion Beyond Sanctorum4.0
Anglagard Hybris4.0
Root The Temple in the Underworld3.0
Tzimis Panousis Ο Ρομπέν των Χαζών3.5
The Offspring Ignition3.5
Trouble Manic Frustration3.5
Manilla Road The Circus Maximus2.0
Lacrimosa Einsamkeit3.0
Stella Maris Stella Maris3.0
Holy Soldier Last Train3.6
Quality glam/melodic rock which brings to mind the likes of Skid Row, White Lion, Cinderella and Firehouse. There is more emphasis on the melodic/radio-friendly element rather than the sleaze and overall, this is a more consistent effort than the band's debut. What makes Last Train especially enjoyable is the combination of the great vocals with the solid songwriting (mainly of the first half). Fans of glam/hair/AOR should definitely check this one.
Masters of Reality Sunrise on the Sufferbus3.8
Calling Sunrise on the Sufferbus a stoner or a hard rock LP would be slightly limiting as it includes a variety of different genres and influences. Overall, the album is blues rock at its core but has a loose mid/late '60s vibe which is probably due to the presence of the legend that is Ginger Baker. The music is quite varied from the boogie of "She Got Me" to The Beatles-esque "Jody Sings" or the Yarbirds-meet-Cream in the '90s "Ants in the Kitchen". Overall, there is a light-hearted atmosphere which is very apparent on "T.U.S.A."; essentially a rant by Baker regarding the American's inability when it comes to making a good cup of tea. Lastly, special mention should be made regarding the sound of drums which is unusually high in the mix but doesn't take away anything from this album because Baker's performance is top-notch.

1991
Green Day Kerplunk3.5
Cathedral Forest of Equilibrium3.5
Sorcery Bloodchilling Tales3.5
No frills old school death metal with a raw but fitting production. Atmospheric with great riffs and strong vocals but somewhat basic drumming.
Michael Jackson Dangerous3.5
Not as solid as Thriller or even Bad, but its highs are brilliant.
Gamma Ray Sigh No More3.5
Talk Talk Laughing Stock3.0
Voivod Angel Rat3.5
Iced Earth Night of the Stormrider4.5
Genesis We Can't Dance3.0
A step down compared to Invisible Touch, but still an enjoyable listen containing solid pop songs. Its biggest flaws are, maybe, its running time and the Genesis moniker on the cover.
My Bloody Valentine Loveless2.5
Ice Cube Death Certificate3.5
Thergothon Fhtagn-nagh Yog-Sothoth3.0
Enya Shepherd Moons4.0
Fish Internal Exile3.5
Death Human4.5
Slayer Decade of Aggression4.5
Savatage Streets: A Rock Opera4.2
Soundgarden Badmotorfinger3.5
Nirvana Nevermind3.5
Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik4.0
Guns N' Roses Use Your Illusion II4.0
Guns N' Roses Use Your Illusion I4.0
Dire Straits On Every Street3.5
Atheist Unquestionable Presence4.5
Buddy Guy Damn Right, I've Got the Blues3.5
Pearl Jam Ten4.2
Cypress Hill Cypress Hill3.5
Metallica Metallica4.0
Massive Attack Blue Lines3.5
Sarcofago The Laws of Scourge4.0
Anacrusis Manic Impressions4.0
Morbid Angel Blessed Are the Sick3.5
Convulse World Without God3.5
Cannibal Corpse Butchered at Birth3.5
Skid Row Slave to the Grind3.5
Marillion Holidays in Eden3.0
Lynyrd Skynyrd 19912.7
This is by no means a poor album and the female choir definitely adds a nice flavor to Lynyrd Skynyrd's brand of southern rock. However, the songwriting just isn't strong enough to compete with previous efforts and produce a song which could stand the test of time like on Skynyrd's older material.
Badlands Voodoo Highway3.5
Bathory Twilight of the Gods4.5
Ice-T O.G. Original Gangster3.9
Melvins Bullhead3.5
Luther Vandross Power Of Love3.2
Temple of the Dog Temple of the Dog4.0
Heathen Victims of Deception4.0
Sepultura Arise4.5
Helloween Pink Bubbles Go Ape2.0
Great White Hooked3.5
Motorhead 19163.5
Vicious Rumors Welcome to the Ball3.5
Queen Innuendo3.5
Saxon Solid Ball of Rock3.0
Alice Cooper Hey Stoopid3.0
Uriah Heep Different World2.0
At the Gates Gardens of Grief3.5
Skyclad The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth3.5
Loreena McKennitt The Visit4.0
Richie Sambora Stranger in This Town3.5
Coroner Mental Vortex4.0
Heavens Gate Livin' In Hysteria3.5
Running Wild Blazon Stone3.8
A solid successor to Death or Glory, Blazon Stone is a slightly slowed down affair compared to previous releases, probably in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience. This along with the smooth production makes the album lose some edge but it contains quality power/speed metal with an emphasis on catchy riffs and memorable choruses. Overall, Blazon Stone does not include the level of songwriting of Port Royal or the ambitious scope of Black Hand Inn but is released right in the middle of Running Wild's golden era which makes it a definite success and a very enjoyable listen.
Michael Bolton Time, Love & Tenderness1.0
Michael Bolton, Al Bundy has something to say to you...
Monster Magnet Spine of God4.0
Fates Warning Parallels4.0
Rata Blanca Guerrero del arco iris3.5
Ozzy Osbourne No More Tears3.5
Veni Domine Fall Babylon Fall4.0
Conception The Last Sunset3.0
Paradise Lost Gothic3.5
Cirith Ungol Paradise Lost3.5
Lacrimosa Angst3.0
Darkthrone Soulside Journey3.5
Marduk Fuck Me Jesus3.0
The Chieftains The Bells of Dublin4.0
One of my favorite Christmas jams. Gives you the impression of being in the company of friends you just met in an Irish pub.
Venom Temples of Ice3.4
Second album with Demolition Man and a very pleasant surprise. More groovy that its predecessor, it contains thrashy tracks and lots of midtempo/melodic moments (for Venom standards) which is where this album excels. The production is more polished than their previous stuff and the bass slightly more prominent, which works in favors of the LP. The cover version of Deep Purple's "Speed King" is also a surprising but nice addition before the closing title track which is among the album's highlights.
Johnny Winter Let Me In3.5
Ian Gillan Toolbox3.5
The Icemen Rest In Peace3.5
Armored Saint Symbol of Salvation4.0
Energetic, full of hooks and with a great performances from all band members, this is actually one of the most fun albums you'll hear.

1990
Seventh Angel The Torment3.5
Whitney Houston I'm Your Baby Tonight3.0
Iced Earth Iced Earth3.0
King Diamond The Eye4.0
Deep Purple Slaves and Masters3.5
Slayer Seasons in the Abyss4.0
Blind Guardian Tales from the Twilight World4.2
Iron Maiden No Prayer for the Dying3.5
AC/DC The Razors Edge3.0
Megadeth Rust in Peace5.0
Annihilator Never, Neverland4.0
Firehouse Firehouse3.5
Steve Vai Passion and Warfare3.5
Judas Priest Painkiller4.5
Scorpions Crazy World3.0
Demolition Hammer Tortured Existence4.0
Anthrax Persistence of Time3.5
Black Sabbath Tyr3.3
Queensryche Empire4.0
Cannibal Corpse Eaten Back to Life3.5
Pantera Cowboys from Hell4.0
Mother Love Bone Apple3.5
The Black Crowes Shake Your Money Maker4.0
Deicide Deicide4.0
Depeche Mode Violator3.0
Entombed Left Hand Path4.0
Danzig Danzig II: Lucifuge4.5
Artillery By Inheritance4.0
Dio Lock up the Wolves3.0
Bruce Dickinson Tattooed Millionaire3.0
Rory Gallagher Fresh Evidence3.5
Ice Cube AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted4.0
Fleetwood Mac Behind the Mask2.2
Bathory Hammerheart4.5
Gary Moore Still Got The Blues4.0
Eric Johnson Ah Via Musicom3.5
Robert Plant Manic Nirvana2.0
Not awful by any means, but incredibly boring.
Gamma Ray Heading for Tomorrow3.0
Death Spiritual Healing4.0
Atheist Piece of Time4.0
Paradox Heresy4.0
Running Wild Wild Animal3.3
Solid EP that contains four tracks recorded during the Death or Glory sessions. The quality of the songs, with only "Tear Down The Walls" being quite average, shows the band's level of inspiration at the time. The audible bass gives a tasty extra layer to the songs. A must-listen for Running Wild fans.
Paradise Lost Lost Paradise2.0
The Obsessed The Obsessed3.5
Vaya Con Dios Night Owls4.0
Motorhead The Birthday Party3.5
Mystic Force Shipwrecked with the Wicked3.5
Fields of the Nephilim Elizium4.0
Sanctuary Into the Mirror Black3.5
Rata Blanca Magos, Espadas y Rosas4.0
Great outing from a band whose guitar player's excellent performance strongly reminds of Ritchie Blackmore.
Steelheart Steelheart3.0
Raw Silk Silk Under The Skin3.5
Corny AOR from the Greeks that lacks severely in production but is not short on great ideas.
James Byrd Atlantis Rising4.0
Trouble Trouble4.0
Warrior Soul Last Decade Dead Century4.0
Manilla Road The Courts of Chaos3.5
Suicidal Tendencies Lights...Camera...Revolution4.0
Merciless The Awakening3.5
Obituary Cause of Death4.0
Yngwie Malmsteen Eclipse3.5
Yngwie Malmsteen writes first and foremost proper songs and incorporates his shredding into them, which makes Eclipse a very enjoyable album. The album is without a doubt influenced by the hair metal movement but that doesn't stop Yngwie from producing quality material. Best tracks, "Judas" and "Faultline".
Chris Poland Return to Metalopolis3.5
Kryst the Conqueror Deliver Us from Evil2.5
Phil Collins Serious Hits… Live!4.0
Phil Collins performing live some of his best solo material in his prime. That should be enough
for you.
Tripes Τρύπες Στον Παράδεισο3.6
Public Enemy Fear of a Black Planet4.0
Sodom Better Off Dead3.5

1989
Pestilence Consuming Impulse4.0
Savatage Gutter Ballet5.0
Rush Presto3.0
Running Wild Death or Glory4.2
Iron Maiden Maiden England '884.5
Phil Collins ...But Seriously3.5
From the more upbeat songs like "Hang in Long Enough" and "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" to the softer "Another Day in Paradise" and the cathartic "I Wish It Would Rain Down", ...But Seriously is further proof that Phil Collins had the Midas touch as far as creating brilliant poppy songs back in that era.
Morbid Saint Spectrum of Death4.0
Blind Guardian Follow the Blind4.0
Yngwie Malmsteen Trial by Fire: Live in Leningrad4.0
Not only a great live album but a compilation of Malmsteen's most classic period. Solid performance by the band on which Yngwie definitely shines with his incredible playing and impressive soloing. A brilliant exhibition of shredding leads to a very fun album fusing hair metal and neoclassical accompanied by a strong Joe Lynn Turner vocal performance.
Joe Satriani Flying In A Blue Dream3.5
Overkill The Years of Decay4.0
Ice-T The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What Yo3.6
KISS Hot in the Shade1.0
Candlemass Tales of Creation3.5
Aerosmith Pump3.0
Soundgarden Louder Than Love3.5
Helstar Nosferatu4.0
Motley Crue Dr. Feelgood3.5
The Rolling Stones Steel Wheels2.5
King Diamond Conspiracy4.0
Although this was the first KD I bought, it took me some time to appreciate it. Unfortunately, it's the last album with Mikkey Dee but it's all killer and it might feature the best production on any Kind Diamond LP.
Watchtower Control and Resistance3.5
Sarcofago Rotting3.5
Tony Banks Bankstatement2.5
Considering that Steve Banks and Steve Hillage played on here, this is pretty boring. Not awful, but leaves you with almost nothing.
Alice Cooper Trash3.5
King's X Gretchen Goes to Nebraska3.5
Kreator Extreme Aggression4.0
Dream Theater When Dream and Day Unite3.0
Sabbat (UK) Dreamweaver4.0
Queen The Miracle3.0
Stratovarius Fright Night3.0
Morbid Angel Altars of Madness4.0
Badlands Badlands3.5
The Cure Disintegration4.5
Sepultura Beneath the Remains4.0
Blue Murder Blue Murder3.8
Autopsy Severed Survival3.5
Kingdom Come In Your Face3.8
Black Sabbath Headless Cross3.7
The time will come when people realize that this is a really good album and listen to it for what it is, instead of looking for past glory or having Master of Reality in their minds.
Annihilator Alice in Hell4.0
W.A.S.P. The Headless Children4.0
The Cult Sonic Temple3.8
Yngwie Malmsteen Odyssey4.0
Sodom Agent Orange4.5
Whitesnake Slip of the Tongue3.5
Accept Eat the Heat2.0
Skid Row Skid Row4.0
Loreena McKennitt Parallel Dreams4.0
Steve Morse Band High Tension Wires3.4
Despite Steve Morse's resume and the word "tension" in the album's title, High Tension Wires is mostly a laid back affair. In addition, labeling the music on here as progressive would be a stretch as most tracks are rather short with not much room to develop into something adventurous. However, this is a very good slab of instrumental guitar music that features diversity in the form of various influences, melodies and moods with some eclectic and emotional moments.
Titan Force Titan Force4.0
Exodus Fabulous Disaster4.0
Fates Warning Perfect Symmetry4.0
Toxik Think This4.0
De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising3.5
Heir Apparent One Small Voice3.5
Godflesh Streetcleaner2.5
Attack Destinies Of War3.5
Danger Danger Danger Danger3.0
Great White ...Twice Shy3.0
Venom Prime Evil3.0
A bit samey but thrashes well. Includes a descent cover of Megalomania too.
Marillion Seasons End3.5
Gary Moore After the War3.5
Oliver Magnum Oliver Magnum4.0
Uriah Heep Raging Silence2.0
Stone No Anaesthesia!4.0
Axxis Kingdom of the Night3.0
Cloven Hoof A Sultan's Ransom3.0
Wolfsbane Live Fast, Die Fast3.3
Wolfsbane is full of energetic heavy metal with elements of AOR (due to its lyrics), hard rock and punk. Essentially, it is a NWOBHM LP which was released a few years after the movement's golden days. Either way, it is an enjoyable listen but nothing really special even though Blaze Bayley's performance on here is solid.
Annie Haslam Annie Haslam3.0
zion Thunder From the Mountain3.2
Looking at the cover art, I expected something more epic, similar to Yngwie Malmsteen. Nonetheless, this leans towards AOR/hair metal which sounds similar to bands like Def Leppard, Skid Row and Whitesnake, with Christian lyrics.
Chris Rea The Road To Hell3.0
Chris Rea's voice and silky guitar tone make this one a really chill listen, but sometimes too chill for its own good.
Leatherwolf Street Ready3.5
McAuley Schenker Group Save Yourself2.7
This is pretty good up until the poppy material begins, which is almost half of the LP. Nonetheless, the guitar playing is great overall.
Saraya Saraya3.3
This is really enjoyable if you're into the late '80s glam/sleaze sound fused with some Aerosmith elements, or even Doro's solo material. Good songwriting, great female vocals, and excellent execution.
Debbie Harry Def, Dumb & Blonde2.5
Steve Stevens Atomic Playboys3.0
Cro-Mags Best Wishes3.5
Steve Jones Fire and Gasoline3.5
Sounds like a lost album from The Cult, which is always a good thing.

1988
Guns N' Roses G N' R Lies3.5
Candlemass Ancient Dreams3.5
Manowar Kings of Metal4.5
The Waterboys Fisherman's Blues4.0
Soundgarden Ultramega OK3.0
Vendetta Brain Damage3.5
Roxette Look Sharp!3.2
Syd Barrett Opel3.0
Sieges Even Life Cycle3.5
Darkthrone A New Dimension3.5
Omen Escape to Nowhere2.5
Escape to Nowhere's major flaw is probably the Omen moniker on the cover. Produced by Paul O'Neill, it sounds more like a poor man's Hall of the Mountain rather than the power/epic metal one might expect from Omen, which makes it even harder to digest. In addition, the songwriting isn't anything to write home about which results in a rather mediocre LP.
Forbidden Forbidden Evil3.5
Ozzy Osbourne No Rest for the Wicked2.0
Enya Watermark3.5
Bon Jovi New Jersey3.5
The Jeff Healey Band See the Light3.8
Jeff Healey's guitar playing is fiery and soulful as at times he sounds like Alvin Lee while on other ones he brings Stevie Ray Vaughan to my mind. The fact that he plays with the guitar on his lap allows him to play fast but with precision and he is not afraid to opt in for the extra note. Overall, a very enjoyable blues album.
Helloween Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II4.0
Metallica ...And Justice for All4.7
Death Leprosy4.0
Europe Out Of This World3.5
Marty Friedman Dragon's Kiss4.0
N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton4.0
Danzig Danzig4.2
King Diamond ''Them''3.5
Slayer South of Heaven4.5
Blue Oyster Cult Imaginos3.5
Deep Purple Nobody's Perfect3.0
In a Ritchie Blackmore interview, which I read recently, he stated that the best Deep Purple live recording isn't Made in Japan but this one. Nevertheless, what we get here is simply decent performances of live staples, accompanied by newer (at the time) material as the album was recorded during the The House of Blue Light tour. Needless to say, the album isn't on par with Purple live classics but has its moments plus a very good performance by Ian Gillan who, unfortunately, was never the same again.
Motorhead No Sleep at All3.5
Typically high energy live by the masters with material ranging from their classic era to Rock 'n' Roll and Orgasmatron. Not an essential live album by any means, but still very enjoyable and worth a listen.
Impellitteri Stand in Line3.4
Even though Impellitteri hasn't found his sound yet - this sounds like a Malmsteen/Alcatrazz amalgam - Stand in Line is still a very enjoyable listen with great guitar playing and Graham Bonnet on vocals.
Big Daddy Kane Long Live The Kane4.0
Saxon Destiny3.0
Even though this album is quite cheesy and repetitive at some times, it is quite enjoyable and definitely better than their previous 2 releases.
Bobby Brown Don't Be Cruel3.5
Pantera Power Metal3.5
Cinderella Long Cold Winter3.5
Cloven Hoof Dominator2.5
Blind Guardian Battalions of Fear4.0
Judas Priest Ram It Down2.0
Sade Stronger Than Pride4.0
Poison Open Up and Say... Ahh!3.5
Queensryche Operation: Mindcrime4.5
Luther Vandross Any Love3.8
Iron Maiden Seventh Son of a Seventh Son5.0
L.A. Guns LA Guns3.5
Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman4.0
Riot Thundersteel3.5
The Beatles Past Masters, Vol. 13.5
Ian Gillan Accidentally on Purpose2.5
Megadeth So Far, So Good... So What!3.0
AC/DC Blow Up Your Video2.0
Scorpions Savage Amusement3.5
Running Wild Port Royal4.5
Vio-Lence Eternal Nightmare3.5
Num Skull Ritually Abused3.5
Deathrow Deception Ignored4.0
Scanner Hypertrace3.5
May-Linn May-Linn3.5
Rata Blanca Rata Blanca3.0
Bathory Blood Fire Death4.5
Kingdom Come Kingdom Come3.0
Good Led Zeppelin cover band. Their singer's bedroom must be full of Robert Plant's posters.
Dead Moon In The Graveyard3.5
Virgin Steele Age of Consent3.5
The Last Drive Heatwave4.0
Excellent blend of rockabilly, punk and surf rock from a sadly underrated Greek band.
Attacker The Second Coming3.5
Brocas Helm Black Death3.0
Purple Overdose Exit #43.5
Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back4.0
Realm Endless War4.0
Liege Lord Master Control3.5
Pestilence Malleus Maleficarum4.0
Crimson Glory Transcendence 4.0
Manilla Road Out of the Abyss3.5
Lita Ford Lita3.3
This is pretty fun, catchy and rather enjoyable when you're in the mood for a melodic (or poppy) approach to hard rock. Lita's vocals are great and there are plenty of hooks and memorable melodies on here that give this album a somewhat long-lasting replay value.
Mephisto Mephisto3.0
Opprobrium Serpent Temptation4.0
Jason Becker Perpetual Burn3.5
ARTCH Another Return3.5
Strong epic flavor with a Maiden-esque instrumentation and a singer whose performance brings to mind Bruce Dickinson, is what this obscure Norwegian band offers. For most part, the album contains quality heavy/power metal while there are parts where the music borders on thrash. Overall highly recommended as apart from the aforementioned, the album reeks of honest, pure metal.
Deadly Blessing Ascend From The Cauldron3.3
US metal with nice riffs and air-raid vocals that reeks of old-school. The music is somewhere between speed, thrash and early power metal which means it is very energetic with some epic and fantasy tendencies but there is always a sense of melody. Overall, great album but can't see myself returning to it very often.
Van Morrison and The Chieftains Irish Heartbeat4.0
The fact that Van Morrison can do no wrong is well documented throughout the years and what remains each time is to experience what this genius has to offer. Irish Heartbeat is the outcome of Van's collaboration with The Chieftains, a band which has transported successfully so many listeners to green landscapes and this LP is no exception. With the exception of two tracks, the album consists mainly of traditional Irish classics which are very accessible, and Van's vocals are on the forefront. Of course, the instrumentation is impeccable, which makes Irish Heartbeat feel like a breeze of fresh cold air like the one sweeping the Irish land and mountains.
Zed Yago From Over Yonder3.7
Great slab of traditional metal a la Accept with excellent female vocals, although anyone who is familiar with Jutta Weinhold's voice expected no less. "Rebel Ladies'" riff made me wanna jam Scorpions' "Coast to Coast".
Fates Warning No Exit4.0

1987
Black Sabbath The Eternal Idol3.0
Candlemass Nightfall4.5
Venom Calm Before the Storm2.0
Savatage Hall of the Mountain King4.3
Bonfire Fireworks3.5
Joe Cocker Unchain My Heart3.0
Exodus Pleasures of the Flesh2.5
KISS Crazy Nights1.5
U.D.O. Animal House3.5
Kreator Terrible Certainty3.5
Red Hot Chili Peppers The Uplift Mofo Party Plan3.0
Shok Paris Steel and Starlight4.0
Overkill Taking Over3.5
Vicious Rumors Digital Dictator4.0
Rush Hold Your Fire3.0
Motorhead Rock 'N' Roll3.5
Warlock Triumph and Agony3.5
Van Morrison Poetic Champions Compose4.2
One of the most underrated and eventually better albums in Van Morrison's vast catalog. Poetic Champions Compose oozes of maturity and quality. Van Morrison through the years has reinvented himself by adding more celtic influences and instruments, and even though Poetic Champions Compose sounds different than his earlier material, it is still based on the same emotional foundations.
Metallica The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited3.5
Mayhem Deathcrush3.5
Pink Floyd A Momentary Lapse of Reason3.0
Def Leppard Hysteria3.5
Aerosmith Permanent Vacation3.0
Cacophony Speed Metal Symphony3.0
Guns N' Roses Appetite for Destruction5.0
Testament The Legacy4.0
Great White Once Bitten....3.5
Rory Gallagher Defender3.0
Mercyful Fate The Beginning4.0
Marillion Clutching at Straws4.0
Judas Priest Priest...Live!4.0
King Diamond Abigail4.5
Whitesnake Whitesnake4.0
Diamond Head Am I Evil4.0
This is basically Borrowed Time with a slightly rawer and less poppy production, plus a couple of extra tracks. Mostly a matter of preference which version one prefers but this is still killer material.
Ozzy Osbourne Tribute4.0
Death Scream Bloody Gore3.5
Manowar Fighting the World3.5
Death Angel The Ultra-Violence4.0
Pretty Maids Future World3.5
Fleetwood Mac Tango in the Night2.5
The Cult Electric4.0
Omen Nightmares3.0
Anthrax Among the Living3.0
Gary Moore Wild Frontier3.0
Agent Steel Unstoppable Force3.5
Helloween Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I4.0
Necrophagia Season of the Dead4.0
Deep Purple The House of Blue Light3.0
Grim Reaper Rock You To Hell4.0
Enya Enya (The Celts)3.3
Dio Dream Evil4.0
Tripes Πάρτυ Στον 13ο Όροφο3.7
Deathrow Raging Steel3.5
Sepultura Schizophrenia4.0
Paco de Lucia Siroco4.0
Running Wild Under Jolly Roger3.5
Loreena McKennitt To Drive the Cold Winter Away3.5
Infernal Majesty None Shall Defy4.0
Bathory Under the Sign of the Black Mark4.0
Pentagram Day of Reckoning4.0
Manilla Road Mystification4.0
Armored Saint Raising Fear3.5
Spitfire (GR) First Attack3.5
Sodom Persecution Mania4.0
The Sisters of Mercy Floodland4.0
Chastain The 7th of Never3.5
Liege Lord Burn to My Touch3.0
Jethro Tull Crest of a Knave2.5
Apocrypha (USA-AZ) The Forgotten Scroll4.0
Great slab of US/neoclassical metal with noteworthy vocals that brought to my mind Dickinson on No Prayer for the Dying and Fear of the Dark, but with a lower register. Technical but still solid as far as songwriting is concerned.
Stormwitch The Beauty and the Beast3.0
Uneven album due to the pop metal influenced tracks of the first half. However, when the band decides to play some European power metal, they do it successfully. Also, "Tears by the Firelight" sounds like the blueprint of several power metal ballads.
Morbid December Moon3.5
Poison (DE) Into the Abyss3.5
Sarcofago I.N.R.I.4.0
Sarissa Demo 19873.5
Joe Satriani Surfing With The Alien3.0
Feels more like a guitar workshop rather than an album. This is definitely technically proficient, features a variety of interesting effects and avoids the pitfall of being a wank fest. However, as a non-guitar playing individual, I found it slightly boring despite its short run time.
Messiah Extreme cold weather3.5
The Cure Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me3.5
Angus Warrior of the World3.5
At this point, and with the abundance of forgotten gems on YouTube, it is no secret that cover art plays a significant role when it comes to checking an album, for me. Warrior of the World with its action-adventure Golden Axe Warrior vibes on the cover art, is a solid traditional/epic metal release by the dutch outfit, Angus. With influences from bands such as Saxon, Accept and Dio, an emphasis on melody and a short runtime, Warrior of the World is a nice fix when you're in need for some '80s heavy metal.
McAuley Schenker Group Perfect Timing3.0
Perfect Timing is not exactly a poor album but it's nothing special either which by Michael Schenker's standards is underachievement. For this album, Michael Schenker cooperated with Robin McAuley and the result is average hair metal that lacks the sparks, the hooks, the performance and the songwriting we got to expect from the German axeman.
Northwind Mythology3.5
Greek mythology with a hard 'n' heavy approach. Older generations of Greeks consider this one a masterpiece and I can see why, even though I don't agree. This is too good, considering the time it was released and the available means back then in these guys' country of origin. The music is influenced by the likes of Deep Purple, Scorpions and UFO but has a distinct epic flavor as evident by the subject matter of the songs. Overall, this is great but the poor production holds it back.
Luther Allison Serious3.5
Celtic Frost Into the Pandemonium3.5

1986
Tesla Mechanical Resonance3.5
Venom Eine Kleine Nachtmusik2.5
Bruce Springsteen Live 1975-19854.3
Possessed Beyond the Gates3.5
Saint Vitus Born Too Late4.0
Slayer Reign in Blood4.5
Steeler (DE) Strike Back3.5
Omen The Curse3.5
Iron Maiden Somewhere in Time5.0
W.A.S.P. Inside the Electric Circus3.5
Fifth Angel Fifth Angel3.5
Yngwie Malmsteen Trilogy4.3
Malmsteen's true Magnum Opus that blends seamlessly his neoclassical side with the hair metal tendencies that were about to be brought even more to the surface with the next two albums. By hiring a better vocalist than Jeff Scott Soto (not too hard tbh), Yngwie focuses on his songwriting side and provides classics such as "You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget" and of course, "Queen in Love". However, there are still jaw-dropping solos and instrumentals such as the emotional "Crying" and "Trilogy Suite Op: 5" which might bring to mind "Far Beyond the Sun" from his debut. Those who love his instrumental side, might prefer Rising Force but in terms of a song-oriented album, Trilogy is the maestro's masterpiece.
Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet4.0
Motorhead Orgasmatron3.5
Cinderella Night Songs4.0
Tankard Zombie Attack3.5
Megadeth Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?4.0
Savatage Fight for the Rock2.0
The Smiths The Queen Is Dead4.0
Dark Angel Darkness Descends4.0
Candlemass Epicus Doomicus Metallicus4.5
Genesis Invisible Touch3.5
A product of its time, Invisible Touch is a great pop album with an excellent first half. Unfortunately, it loses some steam after "In Too Deep", but it's further testament that Phil Collins can write catchy music even in his sleep.
Queen A Kind of Magic2.5
AC/DC Who Made Who3.0
Sodom Obsessed by Cruelty3.5
Accept Russian Roulette3.0
Ozzy Osbourne The Ultimate Sin3.5
Judas Priest Turbo2.5
The Rolling Stones Dirty Work1.5
Voivod RRRÖÖÖAAARRR3.0
Metallica Master of Puppets5.0
Rainbow Finyl Vinyl3.5
King Diamond Fatal Portrait3.5
Black Sabbath Seventh Star3.0
Zeno Zeno3.7
Zeno Roth, was Uli Jon Roth's brother and boy there's talent in that family. Zeno's playing is less flashy than Uli's, as he plays a more traditional form of hard rock that was prevalent in the '80s, but he is an excellent songwriter and on this album he works with a solid singer. Most of you may know him from "Don't Tell The Wind", a song that Uli plays in his concerts, but this is solid overall with other standouts like "Sent By Heaven".
Vulcano Bloody Vengeance4.0
Saxon Rock the Nations2.5
Saxon's attempt to sound like Van Halen is average at best.
Flotsam and Jetsam Doomsday for the Deceiver3.5
Destruction Eternal Devastation4.0
Fates Warning Awaken the Guardian4.0
Turbo Kawaleria Szatana4.0
Angel Dust Into the Dark Past3.5
Cirith Ungol One Foot in Hell3.0
Exumer Possessed by Fire4.0
Crimson Glory Crimson Glory3.5
Samhain November-Coming-Fire3.5
Sepultura Morbid Visions3.0
Tarot Spell of Iron4.0
M.A.R.S. Project: Driver3.5
Manilla Road The Deluge4.5
Vinnie Moore Mind's Eye3.5
Stryper To Hell With the Devil3.0
Virgin Steele Noble Savage3.0
Diamond Head Behold the Beginning3.5
Kreator Pleasure to Kill4.0
Panther Panther3.0
Elixir The Son of Odin3.5
Sword Metalized4.0
Europe The Final Countdown3.5
Sacred Blade Of the Sun + Moon4.0
Great White Shot in the Dark3.0
Powerlord The Awakening3.5
English Dogs Forward into Battle3.5
Stormwitch Stronger Than Heaven3.5
Well crafted traditional metal with influences from NWOBHM and early power/speed. For fans of Accept, Iron Maiden and Helloween.
Queensryche Rage for Order4.0
Onslaught The Force4.0
Exciter Unveiling the Wicked3.5
Necronomicon (DE2) Necronomicon3.5
Heir Apparent Graceful Inheritance3.5
Johnny Winter 3rd Degree4.0
Johnny Winter can do no wrong. This is his final, and best imo, album for Alligator and features great execution of his signature material.
Tredegar Tredegar2.8
Afrika Bambaataa and The Soulsonic Force Planet Rock3.5
David Lee Roth Eat 'em And Smile3.5
Battlezone Fighting Back3.5
Cro-Mags The Age of Quarrel4.0

1985
Whitney Houston Whitney Houston3.0
Blue Oyster Cult Club Ninja2.5
Accept Metal Heart3.5
Stormtroopers of Death Speak English or Die4.0
Helloween Walls of Jericho4.0
Bathory The Return of the Darkness and Evil3.5
Sade Promise4.3
The Sisters of Mercy First and Last and Always4.0
Anthrax Spreading the Disease4.0
Rush Power Windows3.5
Celtic Frost To Mega Therion4.0
The Doors The Best of The Doors4.0
The Cult Love3.5
Kreator Endless Pain3.5
Iron Maiden Live After Death5.0
Mike and the Mechanics Mike + The Mechanics2.5
Utterly forgettable, as it lacks any great melodies. More suitable for background music.
Omen Warning of Danger4.0
Razor Evil Invaders4.0
KISS Asylum1.0
Stevie Ray Vaughan Soul to Soul3.0
Yngwie Malmsteen Marching Out3.2
Slayer Hell Awaits4.0
Gary Moore Run for Cover3.5
Red Hot Chili Peppers Freaky Styley3.5
Celtic Frost Emperor's Return3.5
Saint Vitus Hallow's Victim4.0
Dio Sacred Heart3.5
Weird Al Yankovic Dare To Be Stupid3.5
Hallows Eve Tales of Terror3.0
AC/DC Fly On The Wall2.5
Scorpions World Wide Live4.0
Marillion Misplaced Childhood4.5
Megadeth Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!3.0
Pantera I Am the Night2.0
Savatage Power of the Night3.0
Dire Straits Brothers in Arms3.5
Alcatrazz Disturbing the Peace2.5
Exodus Bonded by Blood4.0
Helloween Helloween EP3.5
Blessed Death Kill or Be Killed3.5
Possessed Seven Churches4.0
Chastain Mystery Of Illusion3.5
Interesting songwriting and plenty of hooks on Chastain's debut which includes '80s heavy metal with female vocals and neoclassical inclinations. At times, the album might bring Malmsteen's Trilogy to mind, while the production is mediocre. Of course, the selling point of the album is David T. Chastain's masterful guitar-playing which includes some mesmerizing solos coupled by Leather Leone's fierce vocal performance that sounds like a crazed female version of Dio.
Kate Bush Hounds of Love4.0
Pentagram Pentagram4.0
Phil Collins No Jacket Required3.5
For a certain stretch in the '80s, Phil Collins was a very busy man releasing both solo and Genesis albums. No Jacket Required leans more on Collins' mellow and R&B side, as it includes staples like "Take Me Home", "One More Night", "Sussudio" and "Don't Lose My Number". Of course, it wouldn't be a Phil Collins LP if there wasn't some filler, but overall this is further testament of his great songwriting abilities.
Aerosmith Done With Mirrors2.5
Venom Possessed2.5
Black Knight Master of Disaster3.5
Melodic heavy metal with epic tendencies and influences from bands like Warlord, Black Sabbath and Candlemass. First few tracks feature female vocals, which is a pleasant surprise given the time of the album's release, but definitely provide a certain charm. Very good guitar work with well-timed leads and solid songwriting.
Manilla Road Open the Gates4.0
Loreena McKennitt Elemental4.0
Saxon Innocence is No Excuse2.5
IQ The Wake3.7
Great slab of neo-prog heavily inspired by Genesis and Marillion, with vocals that bring to mind Robert Smith.
Santana Beyond Appearances2.3
Yikes. Santana goes full synth, and this is as forgettable and as average as it gets.
Savage Grace Master Of Disguise3.5
W.A.S.P. The Last Command3.5
Running Wild Branded and Exiled3.5
Clannad Macalla2.5
Tytan Rough Justice3.0
Blitzkrieg A Time Of Changes3.5
Uriah Heep Equator1.5
John Fogerty Centerfield3.0
Magnum On a Storyteller's Night3.5
Joe Lynn Turner Rescue You3.0
Metal Sword Harder Than Steel3.0
Typical 80s heavy metal release with elements from power, thrash and NWOBHM reminding bands such as Anvil, Warlock and Accept.
Armored Saint Delirious Nomad3.0
Trouble The Skull3.5
Tripes Τρύπες3.5
Whiplash Power and Pain4.0
Dokken Under Lock and Key3.5
Glacier (USA-OR) Glacier4.0
Stormwitch Tales Of Terror4.0
Emerald (NED) Down Town3.0
Ratt Invasion of Your Privacy3.5
Onslaught Power from Hell4.0
Crystal Knight Crystal Knight3.0
Attacker Battle at Helm's Deep3.5
Old school heavy that borders on power and speed metal. Influences from acts such as Accept, Iron Maiden and Riot, and vocals that might bring Metal Church to some listeners' minds. In addition, great guitar-work and fantasy themes make Battle at Helm's Deep a very enjoyable album for fans of traditional metal.
Electric Sun Beyond The Astral Skies3.0
Compared to Electric Sun's previous LPs, this one is lighter and more positive as it was recorded during a period where Uli was in a happy place and in fact the album was dedicated to Martin Luther King. In addition, the entire offering feels like a rock opera (might as well be) and even though it is enjoyable, it is not my personal favorite due to all the above. Nonetheless, it's Uli so it's a must-check.
Liege Lord Freedom's Rise3.7
Underrated slab of US metal with epic tendencies and great, audible bass. Fans of Cirith Ungol and Manilla Road will enjoy this one.
Johnny Winter Serious Business3.2
Far from Johnny Winter's best material, but this is still some solid, uplifting Chicago blues record.
China Crisis Flaunt The Imperfection3.7

1984
Running Wild Gates to Purgatory3.5
Leonard Cohen Various Positions3.2
Rough Cutt Rough Cutt2.5
Twisted Sister Stay Hungry3.5
Slayer Live Undead3.5
Deep Purple Perfect Strangers2.5
Omen Battle Cry4.0
Scorpions Gold Ballads3.5
Yngwie Malmsteen Rising Force3.5
AC/DC '74 Jailbreak3.5
Manowar Sign of the Hammer3.5
Warlord And the Cannons of Destruction Have Begun...3.5
Cocteau Twins Treasure3.5
The Cult Dreamtime3.5
Mercyful Fate Don't Break the Oath4.0
Iron Maiden Powerslave4.5
Destruction Sentence of Death3.5
W.A.S.P. W.A.S.P.4.0
Voivod War and Pain3.0
Slayer Haunting the Chapel3.5
Jag Panzer Ample Destruction4.0
Griffin (USA-CA) Flight of the Griffin2.5
Sade Diamond Life3.5
Metallica Ride the Lightning4.5
Pantera Projects in the Jungle1.5
Dio The Last in Line4.5
Basil Poledouris Conan The Destroyer4.0
What is best in life? Obviously, Conan the Barbarian's soundtrack, but this comes close.
Prince Purple Rain4.5
Celtic Frost Morbid Tales4.0
Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A.3.7
Steve Vai Flex-Able2.0
Absolutely boring album which fails to engage the listener due to the poor songwriting that borders on irritating on tracks like "Little Green Men" and "The Boy/Girl Song". If this was an Yngwie Malmsteen LP, people on here would rate it at least one point less.
Stevie Ray Vaughan Couldn't Stand the Weather4.0
Bob Marley and The Wailers Legend4.5
Sodom In the Sign of Evil3.5
Gary Moore We Want Moore!4.0
Venom At War with Satan3.5
Saxon Crusader3.0
Rush Grace Under Pressure3.5
King Crimson Three of a Perfect Pair2.5
Savatage The Dungeons are Calling3.0
Marillion Fugazi4.0
Dire Straits Alchemy: Dire Straits Live4.0
Hellhammer Apocalyptic Raids3.5
Queen The Works2.0
Scorpions Love At First Sting4.0
Europe Wings of Tomorrow3.0
The Smiths The Smiths4.0
Whitesnake Slide It In4.0
Van Morrison Live At The Grand Opera House Belfast4.0
Manowar Hail to England4.5
David Gilmour About Face3.0
As with every David Gilmour album, there are moment of pure brilliance on here. However, About Face, albeit enjoyable throughout its duration, is quite forgettable and doesn't leave you with much to make you want to visit it again.
Saint Vitus Saint Vitus3.5
Van Halen 19844.0
This is probably the VH album I return to most, even though I'm not the biggest fan of the band. However, the combination of solid songwriting and commercial appeal is highly successful here, with some great tunes like Jump, Panama, Hot for Teacher and I'll Wait.
Hanoi Rocks All Those Wasted Years3.5
Cloven Hoof Cloven Hoof3.0
Judas Priest Defenders of the Faith4.0
Laaz Rockit City's Gonna Burn2.5
Trouble Trouble/Psalm 94.0
Tysondog Beware of the Dog3.5
KISS Animalize1.0
Metal Church Metal Church4.0
Meat Puppets Meat Puppets II4.0
Medieval Steel Medieval Steel4.0
Lee Aaron Metal Queen3.0
Cheesy but quite enjoyable female fronted hair metal.
Paul Chain Detaching from Satan4.0
Bathory Bathory3.5
Stormwitch Walpurgis Night3.5
Cirith Ungol King of the Dead4.2
Evil (Dnk) Evil's Message3.5
Great old-school heavy metal EP with very good guitar work and vocals that bring to mind Iron Maiden's Paul Di'Anno.
Dokken Tooth and Nail3.5
Queensryche The Warning3.5
Tank Honour and Blood3.5
Dark Age (US) Dark Age3.5
Jethro Tull Under Wraps1.5
Great White Great White3.0
The Rods Let Them Eat Metal3.0
Ratt Out of the Cellar3.5
Tokyo Blade Night of the Blade3.5
Warlock Burning the Witches3.5
Armored Saint March of the Saint4.0
Johnny Winter Guitar Slinger3.0
Alphaville Forever Young3.0
Fates Warning Night on Brocken3.5
Brocas Helm Into Battle4.0
Osiris (BH) Myths and Legends4.0
Q5 Steel the Light3.5
Chariot The Warrior3.5
Quality NWOBHM with epic tendencies and great guitar-playing that brings to mind Thin Lizzy albeit a bit a heavier. The band brings to mind the underrated Tygers of Pan Tang, as it provides driving/energetic heavy metal on this obscure little gem.
Crucifixion (UK) Green Eyes3.5
Just a 3-song EP but I'll be damned if I don't realize by this small sample how unfortunate we are that this band didn't record a full album. Released right at the end of the NWOBHM movement, Green Eyes contains straightforward, energetic heavy metal which features awesome songwriting, great guitar playing, very fitting vocals and a really tight rhythm section. A cult gem.
Witch Cross Fit for Fight3.3
Nicely executed heavy metal that brings to mind bands like Riot, Judas Priest and Mercyful Fate. There are several catchy melodies and an overall obscure/cult atmosphere that gives this one extra points.
Survivor Vital Signs3.5
Parasite (SWE1) Parasite3.3
Really good EP of traditional heavy metal which was released a bit too late, considering that the NWOBHM movement was in its decline. Nevertheless, and despite the poor production, the atmosphere of the album combined with the nice riffs is what makes this one an enjoyable listen.
Weird Al Yankovic In 3-D3.5
Philip Bailey Chinese Wall3.0

1983
Ozzy Osbourne Bark at the Moon3.0
Accept Balls to the Wall4.0
Slayer Show No Mercy4.5
Gary Moore Victims Of The Future4.0
Grand Funk Railroad What's Funk?2.0
Misfits Earth A.D./Wolf's Blood4.0
The Rolling Stones Undercover2.0
Only suitable for background music. Not awful but at the same time doesn't convey any emotion or possess any attributes that would make this album have longer lifetime value apart from one listen.
Blue Oyster Cult The Revölution by Night2.0
Mercyful Fate Melissa5.0
Andreas Vollenweider Caverna Magica3.0
Thin Lizzy Life4.0
Alcatrazz No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll3.5
Cyndi Lauper She's So Unusual3.8
The two eternal jams on here are the most well-known songs for a reason, but this is solid overall and a very enjoyable pop album.
Genesis Genesis3.2
If you enjoy Phil's solo stuff and wouldn't mind a flavor of prog, then this is really enjoyable. If you detest poppy Genesis, there's very little to like here.
Heavy Load Stronger Than Evil3.5
Motley Crue Shout at the Devil3.5
KISS Lick It Up3.0
Diamond Head Canterbury2.5
Michael Schenker Group Built To Destroy2.5
Queensryche Queensryche EP4.0
AC/DC Flick Of The Switch3.0
Black Sabbath Born Again2.0
Raven All for One3.5
Metallica Kill 'Em All5.0
Gary Moore Dirty Fingers2.5
Manowar Into Glory Ride4.0
Stevie Ray Vaughan Texas Flood4.0
Pantera Metal Magic1.5
Motorhead Another Perfect Day4.2
Satan Court in the Act2.5
Dio Holy Diver5.0
Bob Marley and The Wailers Confrontation3.5
Iron Maiden Piece of Mind4.0
Weird Al Yankovic "Weird Al" Yankovic3.5
Holocaust (UK) Live (Hot Curry & Wine)4.0
Anvil Forged in Fire3.5
David Bowie Let's Dance3.5
Feelgood and catchy af. The first three tracks set the mood, but the rest of the album is no slouch.
Savatage Sirens3.5
Warlord Deliver Us4.0
Saxon Power and the Glory3.5
Pink Floyd The Final Cut3.5
Quiet Riot Metal Health3.5
Thin Lizzy Thunder and Lightning3.5
Marillion Script for a Jester's Tear4.0
Journey Frontiers3.5
Def Leppard Pyromania4.0
The Enid Something Wicked This Way Comes3.5
Lita Ford Out for Blood2.0
Rainbow Bent Out of Shape3.0
Manilla Road Crystal Logic4.0
Grim Reaper See You In Hell3.5
Sledgehammer Blood On Their Hands4.0
Yes 901252.5
Exciter Heavy Metal Maniac3.5
Lady Killer Lady Killer3.0
Peter Tosh Mama Africa4.0
Excellent album with engaging songwriting and a great sense of melody.
Virgin Steele Guardians of the Flame3.0
Ashbury Endless Skies4.0
Uriah Heep Head First3.0
Witchfinder General Friends Of Hell3.0
Steeler Steeler3.5
Van Morrison The Inarticulate Speech of the Heart3.0
Wild Dogs Wild Dogs3.0
Krokus Headhunter3.5
Armored Saint Armored Saint 3.5
Savage Loose 'N Lethal3.5
Magnum The Eleventh Hour3.5
Stevie Nicks The Wild Heart3.5
OZ Fire in the Brain3.6
An undisputed '80s metal cult classic, Fire in the Brain stands in the middle of NWOBHM and the point where bands were starting to play a faster version called speed metal, of course. OZ's sound might sound slightly typical (or even dated) now, but back then their dark image and instrumentation which was similar to that of early-Grave Digger, early-Running Wild and Accept with a touch of Mercyful Fate must have been pretty cool. Interesting info: The hand on the cover belongs to Tomas Borje Forsberg who is none other than Quorthon. His father (Stig Borje Forsberg) produced the first OZ albums.

1982
Black Sabbath Live Evil3.5
Winterhawk Revival4.0
Virgin Steele Virgin Steele3.0
Metallica Metal Up Your Ass3.5
Ozzy Osbourne Speak of the Devil2.5
Mercyful Fate Mercyful Fate5.0
Whitesnake Saints and Sinners3.0
Phil Collins Hello, I Must Be Going!3.5
Overall enjoyable but somewhat lacking lacking compared to Face Value. "I Don't Care Anymore" is easily one of my favorite tracks of his though.
Night Ranger Dawn Patrol3.5
Prince 19994.0
KISS Creatures of the Night3.0
Accept Restless and Wild4.0
Marvin Gaye Midnight Love3.5
Michael Schenker Group Assault Attack3.5
Diamond Head Borrowed Time4.0
Dire Straits Love Over Gold4.5
Twisted Sister Under The Blade2.5
This might sound dated and cliche nowadays but I doubt it was when it was released, even though this is not the problem for me. The main problem is the songwriting which doesn't keep me hooked, the guitar solos aren't anything to write home about and I would certainly preferred if it was a bit heavier.
Kate Bush The Dreaming3.5
Simple Minds New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)4.0
Brilliant melodies, big sound and an overall very addictive listen.
Rush Signals3.5
The Cure Pornography3.5
The Who It's Hard2.0
Gary Moore Corridors Of Power3.5
Manowar Battle Hymns3.5
Aerosmith Rock in a Hard Place2.0
Judas Priest Screaming for Vengeance3.5
Demon The Unexpected Guest3.5
Fleetwood Mac Mirage2.5
King Crimson Beat3.0
Raven Wiped Out3.5
The Alan Parsons Project Eye in the Sky3.5
Queen Hot Space2.0
Riot Restless Breed3.0
Basil Poledouris Conan The Barbarian4.5
Camel The Single Factor2.7
If you somehow completely forget that this is a Camel album, then there are some redeeming features in the form of nice melodies and an overall relaxing atmosphere.
Rory Gallagher Jinx3.5
Bruce Springsteen Nebraska3.5
Saxon The Eagle Has Landed4.0
Anvil Metal on Metal4.0
Toto Toto IV3.5
Blue Oyster Cult Extraterrestrial Live3.8
An excellent live album which was recorded during the tour in support of Fire of Unknown Origin. Besides the older material and Robbie Krieger's participation on "Roadhouse Blues", Extraterrestrial Live contains an extended version of the classic "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" that is one of the highlights on here. A must-listen for BOC fans.
Scorpions Blackout4.0
Iron Maiden The Number of the Beast4.5
Uriah Heep Abominog3.0
Asia Asia3.0
Christian Death Only Theatre of Pain3.5
Motorhead Iron Fist4.0
Hughes/Thrall Hughes/Thrall3.0
Aldo Nova Aldo Nova3.5
Deep Purple Live in London4.0
Rainbow Straight Between the Eyes2.5
Meat Puppets Meat Puppets2.5
Witchfinder General Death Penalty4.0
Tank Filth Hounds of Hades3.0
Gillan Magic2.0
Y&T Black Tiger3.0
Led Zeppelin Coda2.5
Misfits Walk Among Us4.0
Budgie Deliver Us from Evil2.3
Magnum Chase the Dragon3.5
Van Morrison Beautiful Vision3.5
Jethro Tull The Broadsword and the Beast3.0
Vassilis Papakonstantinou Φοβάμαι...4.0
Diamond Head Four Cuts3.5
O Pavlos Sidiropoulos and Oi Aprosarmostoi En Lefko3.0
Santana Shango2.5
Voltz Knight's Fall4.0
Bad Brains Bad Brains3.0
Axe Witch Pray for Metal3.3
Really nice Judas Priest-influenced heavy metal with a Scandinavian flavor. Even though these guys are heavily influenced by the British legends, they still add their own touch, have a good sense of melody, good riffs and a nice raw edge.
Werwolf Creation3.5
Symphonic prog that might bring to your mind bands such as Renaissance, Curved Air and Camel with some kraut and space elements that are reminiscent of Eloy. The arrangements are interesting and quite atmospheric, while the female vocals remind those of Annie Haslam but they're not as good (of course). Overall, an enjoyable listen.
Glory Bells Dressed in Black3.5
An interesting slab of Swedish traditional metal which is equally influenced by NWOBHM and late '60s/'70s hard rock as expressed by Led Zeppelin. The emphasis here is on creating an epic rather than occult atmosphere which was prevalent on a few NWOBHM albums. In addition, the music is riff-driven and kinda reminds me of early-Riot, which is always a good thing. All in all, an enjoyable underground metal album.
Venom Black Metal4.0

1981
Venom Welcome to Hell3.7
ZZ Top El Loco2.0
AC/DC For Those About To Rock We Salute You3.2
Thin Lizzy Renegade3.5
KISS Music from "The Elder"1.0
Ozzy Osbourne Diary of a Madman3.5
Black Sabbath Mob Rules4.2
Rush Exit...Stage Left4.2
Don't know why it took me so long to properly sit down and listen to this one, but it's brilliant as expected. Performances are fantastic throughout.
Saxon Denim and Leather4.2
Picture Heavy Metal Ears2.5
King Crimson Discipline3.5
Genesis Abacab2.7
Not a poor album, but lacks the hooks and standouts of the subsequent two LPs.
Michael Schenker Group MSG3.7
Heavy Load Metal Conquest3.5
Typically great old school heavy metal with lyrics revolving around fantasy themes and metal, addictive riffs and catchy melodies.
The Rolling Stones Tattoo You2.5
Tygers Of Pan Tang Crazy Nights3.0
Los Jaivas Alturas de Machu Picchu4.0
Stevie Nicks Bella Donna4.0
Def Leppard High 'N' Dry4.0
Foreigner 43.5
Poppy hard rock that even though borders on cheese, has a variety of hooks and catchy moments. Highlights such as "Juke Box Hero", "Urgent", "Girl on the Moon" and "Waiting for a Girl Like You" lift the album. Lastly, even though Lou Gramm's vocals aren't anything spectacular, they fit the music perfectly and are one of the reasons that make 4 a very enjoyable experience
Motorhead No Sleep 'til Hammersmith4.5
Motorhead show today's "heavy" bands how it's done live. Fast, heavy, drenched with sweat, high energy rock n roll from the masters. All rock fans should listen to this album at least once in their lives.
Blue Oyster Cult Fire of Unknown Origin4.2
Demon Night of the Demon3.5
Starts out well with occult-themed NWOBHM but ends up as a traditional heavy metal album. Could have been much better.
Journey Escape3.4
"Don't Stop Believin'" really lifts the album but, overall, this is a solid AOR offering with great melodies, memorable moments and a really strong vocal performance by Steve Perry.
Motley Crue Too Fast for Love2.5
Roky Erickson The Evil One3.5
Van Halen Fair Warning3.5
Whitesnake Come An' Get It3.5
Holocaust (UK) The Nightcomers4.0
Tygers Of Pan Tang Spellbound4.0
The Who Face Dances2.5
Accept Breaker4.0
Judas Priest Point of Entry2.5
Rush Moving Pictures4.2
Iron Maiden Killers4.5
J.J. Cale Shades3.5
J.J. Cale's brand of blues makes it almost impossible to dislike any of his material, provided that you're up for a soothing experience. Once again, the album contains Tulsa blues in the familiar J.J. Cale relaxed manner with no fillers (the album's short run time plays a role of course). Try jamming "Cloudy Day" on a rainy day.
Phil Collins Face Value3.5
Phil Collins has a knack for writing great pop tracks and Face Value is a solid example of that. Nevertheless, this album also displays his inconsistency, as overall it is an uneven effort which contains classics like "In The Air Tonight" and "The Roof Is Leaking" really good ones such as "I Missed Again" and "This Must Be Love" and a fair amount of filler. However, that doesn't take away the fact that this is a very enjoyable listen.
Diamond Head Diamond Lights3.5
These guys have on a 4-track ep more sweet riffs than other bands in an entire discography. Highly recommended for fans of Diamond Head.
Socrates Drank the Conium Breaking Through2.0
Samson Shock Tactics3.5
Riot Fire Down Under4.2
Budgie Nightflight2.5
An average album for Budgie's standards with influences from Saxon and Scorpions.
Praying Mantis Time Tells No Lies4.0
Extremely catchy and melodic NWOBHM with excellent guitar work and great drumming.
Raven Rock Until You Drop3.5
Stray Cats Stray Cats3.5
Santana Zebop!3.0
R.L. Burnside Sound Machine Groove3.5
How can you even rate with the use of a number someone who pours his heart and soul? In terms of sincerity this is as genuine as it gets. Just a man and his guitar with very support from other instrumentalists, and everything sounds as if it's in one take (it probably is). Check "Jumper Hanging Out on the Line", this is as blues as the blues get.
Toto Turn Back3.0
Eloy Planets4.0
While listening to Planets, one may feel like time has stopped in the '70s for progressive rock. Well, almost because the sound of keyboards give some hints of early '80s, but contrary to other prog bands who changed their sound to fit the '80s with little or great success, Eloy maintained their signature sound and differentiated it only slightly. Compared to earlier LPs, Planets is more energetic, lush and maybe more expansive with "Queen of the Night" having some orchestral elements and "At the Gates of Dawn" being the New Age track of the album. Besides the solid songwriting, the amazing keyboards and the fretless bass make Planets one of the strongest albums in Eloy's discography.
Clientelle Destination Unknown3.8
One of the best NWOBHM releases I haven't heard. This one combines a punk rock attitude with the riff-based approach of Budgie. Highly recommended.
Dixie Dregs Unsung Heroes3.8
Eclectic, diverse, engaging and fun as hell jazz fusion!
Mistreater Hell's Fire3.5
If you think that Pentagram's First Daze Here is one of the best albums you ever heard and that Dust's Hard Attack is a hidden gem, you'll probably enjoy this one.
Electric Light Orchestra Time3.5
Meat Loaf Dead Ringer3.7
Camel Nude3.3
Buddy Guy Stone Crazy!4.0

1980
Queen Flash Gordon2.0
Deep Purple In Concert 1970-19723.5
REO Speedwagon Hi Infidelity3.2
A fine slab of AOR containing some of REO Speedwagon's most well-known songs.
Motorhead Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers3.0
Motorhead Ace of Spades5.0
Whitesnake Live... In the Heart of the City3.5
Dire Straits Making Movies4.2
Thin Lizzy Chinatown3.5
Bruce Springsteen The River3.7
Talking Heads Remain in Light2.5
Prince Dirty Mind3.7
Short and very fun, shows how talented Prince was at such a young age.
Diamond Head Lightning to the Nations5.0
Even though considered a great album, for some strange reason I had never heard it as NWOBHM wasn't my favorite genre. Great riffs, tight rhythm section and excellent vocals. I have to say that it's as great as The Number of the Beast, Strong Arm of the Law, etc.
Gillan Glory Road3.5
Without Gillan, this is just an okay hard rock album, but with Ian in almost top form, this is further proof that his solo work is quite underrated.
Ozzy Osbourne Blizzard of Ozz3.5
Phil Lynott Solo in Soho2.5
Stevie Wonder Hotter Than July3.5
Dead Kennedys Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables4.0
Kate Bush Never for Ever4.2
Once again Kate proves that she's a chameleon, apart from a creative songwriter, as she changes her voice in accordance with the needs of each song.
Saxon Strong Arm of the Law4.5
AC/DC Back In Black4.0
Van Morrison Common One3.5
Michael Schenker Group The Michael Schenker Group3.8
Michael Schenker is so underrated it hurts. Of course, he didn't do much to help his amazing talent but The Michael Schenker Group is hands down the best MSG release and an album that influenced a whole generation of guitarists as it contains a great all-around guitar performance accompanied by good vocals and solid songwriting.
Deep Purple Deepest Purple4.0
Black Sabbath Live at Last2.5
Queen The Game3.5
The Rolling Stones Emotional Rescue2.5
Blue Oyster Cult Cultösaurus Erectus3.0
Bob Marley and The Wailers Uprising3.5
Accept I'm a Rebel3.0
Jeff Beck There and Back3.3
Gary Moore G-Force2.5
KISS Unmasked2.0
Saxon Wheels of Steel4.2
Black Sabbath Heaven and Hell5.0
The Cure Seventeen Seconds3.0
Iron Maiden Iron Maiden4.5
Judas Priest British Steel4.0
Cirith Ungol Frost and Fire3.5
Scorpions Animal Magnetism3.5
Genesis Duke3.8
A definite improvement over ...And Then There Were Three..., and an album that I find myself coming back with increasing frequency. The melodies are catchy, the songwriting is solid, and there are also some prog tendencies. Excellent.
Van Halen Women and Children First3.0
Angel Witch Angel Witch4.0
Whitesnake Ready An' Willing3.5
Jimi Hendrix Nine to the Universe2.5
Ramones End of the Century3.3
Uriah Heep Conquest1.5
Witchfynde Give 'em Hell3.5
Rainbow Difficult to Cure3.0
Def Leppard On Through the Night3.5
Grover Washington, Jr. Winelight4.0
Budgie Power Supply3.0
Less melodic than their previous effort and a step forward overall.
Quartz Stand Up and Fight3.5
Tzimis Panousis Disco Tsoutsouni4.0
Rush Permanent Waves4.0
Angel Witch Sweet Danger3.0
Tygers Of Pan Tang Wild Cat3.0
Socrates Drank the Conium Waiting For Something3.0
Waiting For Something lacks the truly progressive arrangements or the bluesy character of Socrates' previous albums and as a result is painfully mediocre and tame.
Jethro Tull A2.5
Asia Minor Between Flesh And Divine3.5
Johnny Winter Raisin' Cain3.5
Manilla Road Invasion3.0
Eloy Colours3.5
A natural transition from Silent Cries and Mighty Echoes, Colours is again a solid offering of spacey prog which sees Eloy stray from their Pink Floyd roots a bit, compared of course with what has preceded this album. The combination of guitar and keyboard creates a feeling of floating in space while this is probably one of the most accessible efforts by Eloy.
Electric Sun Fire Wind3.7
Uli Jon Roth can do no wrong, and even though his vocals are an acquired taste, his genius guitar playing that brings together Hendrix, Krautrock and neoclassical tendencies, is enough to make Fire Wind an excellent listen.
Steely Dan Gaucho3.5
Folque Fredlos3.7
Just by looking at the cover art, you know that this is going to be great. The Norwegian outfit isn't afraid to venture to Fairport Convention territories, but the most enjoyable parts of the album are those that are soaked with Norwegian folk elements. If you're into '70s folk, don't miss out on this one.

1979
Motorhead On Parole3.0
Pink Floyd The Wall3.5
The Specials Specials3.5
Iron Maiden The Soundhouse Tapes3.5
Aerosmith Night in the Ruts2.5
Motorhead Bomber4.0
The Police Reggatta de Blanc3.0
Fleetwood Mac Tusk3.5
Bob Marley and The Wailers Survival4.0
Gillan Mr. Universe3.5
Molly Hatchet Flirtin' With Disaster3.5
Toto Hydra3.5
Status Quo Whatever You Want3.0
Tony Banks A Curious Feeling3.5
Judas Priest Unleashed in the East4.0
Rory Gallagher Top Priority4.0
Chris de Burgh Crusader4.0
Leonard Cohen Recent Songs3.0
ZZ Top Degüello3.5
Led Zeppelin In Through the Out Door2.5
J.J. Cale Five4.0
Excellent album by a sadly underrated bluesman. JJ Cale's laid-back approach to the blues makes this man's music almost always enjoyable.
Van Morrison Into the Music3.5
Rainbow Down To Earth3.5
AC/DC Highway To Hell5.0
This is AC/DC at their peak and most mature, as the album combines amazing songwriting with a high level of energy and execution. Each song on here has its merits but the t/t, "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)", "Night Prowler" and of course "Touch Too Much", are a bit better than the rest. Special mention should be made regarding the amazing production of Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who provides the blueprint of how sleazy hard rock should sound.
Neil Young Rust Never Sleeps4.5
Mick Taylor Mick Taylor3.3
Blue Oyster Cult Mirrors2.0
Dire Straits Communiqué3.5
Misfits Horror Business3.5
KISS Dynasty2.0
Saxon Saxon4.0
Whitesnake Lovehunter3.5
Thin Lizzy Black Rose: A Rock Legend4.0
The Knack Get the Knack2.0
Motorhead Overkill5.0
Van Halen Van Halen II3.5
Scorpions Lovedrive5.0
Peter Green In the Skies3.5
Legend (USA) From the Fjords3.5
Misty in Roots Live at the Counter Eurovision 793.5
Riot Narita3.8
Energetic and well performed rock/metal that essentially sounds like a US version of NWOBHM. The songwriting is tight with plenty of hooks and catchy melodies by the underrated Mark Reale while Guy Speranza oozes of attitude and is very fitting for this kind of music. Overall, the most fun album in Riot's discography along with Fire Down Under.
Nazareth No Mean City4.0
Jethro Tull Stormwatch3.5
Electric Sun Earthquake4.0
Blues Pilz Eyes Don't Lie3.5
Accept Accept3.0
UFO Strangers in the Night4.5
Santana Marathon2.5
Bob Dylan Slow Train Coming2.5
Arachnoid Arachnoid3.0
Eloy Silent Cries and Mighty Echoes4.0
Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings4.0
The Hand of Doom Poisonoise3.5
A cool mix of punk and proto-metal. At times, this one brings to mind The Clash, while on others KISS. The vocals will be a turn off for some, but the songwriting is engaging enough and this band has a very good sense of melody, so if you don't like the vocals, there is still a lot to take here.
Peter Tosh Mystic Man3.5
A slow-burner compared with other albums in his discography, but still a rewarding listen with a surprising song.

1978
Emerson Lake and Palmer Love Beach1.5
The Doors An American Prayer3.5
Kate Bush Lionheart3.8
Even though Lionheart is considered a serious drop in quality compared to The Kick Inside, that's not the case. Granted, it doesn't feature a song like "Wuthering Heights" but it has it's fair share of great tracks and is quite consistent with only a misstep around "Fullhouse" and "In the Warm Room", before it picks up again towards the end. More importantly though, it is a great trip to Kate Bush's magical world.
Queen Jazz3.0
The Police Outlandos d'Amour3.5
The classics on here are classics for a reason. Most of the other tracks aren't as memorable.
Eric Clapton Backless3.5
Mostly laid-back blues with emphasis on melody, which brings to mind the great JJ Cale. One of Clapton's better solo efforts.
Rush Hemispheres4.5
Toto Toto2.5
AC/DC If You Want Blood You've Got It4.5
Whitesnake Trouble3.0
Judas Priest Killing Machine4.0
Dire Straits Dire Straits4.0
Neil Young Comes a Time3.0
Rory Gallagher Photo-Finish4.0
Santana Inner Secrets2.5
Gary Moore Back On The Streets3.0
Black Sabbath Never Say Die!2.0
Ramones Road to Ruin3.5
Gene Simmons Gene Simmons1.5
Whitesnake Snakebite3.0
Solid debut that is worth a listen just because of the cover of Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City". While the absolute focus is on Coverdale's strong voice, be aware that the album contains its fair amount of average material.
Blue Oyster Cult Some Enchanted Evening3.5
Styx Pieces of Eight3.5
The Who Who Are You3.0
Johnny Winter White, Hot & Blue4.0
Molly Hatchet Molly Hatchet4.0
Elvis Costello This Year's Model3.5
The Rolling Stones Some Girls3.0
Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous5.0
Misfits Bullet3.5
UFO Obsession4.0
AC/DC Powerage4.5
Rainbow Long Live Rock 'n' Roll4.5
Genesis ...And Then There Were Three...3.0
Roger Glover Elements3.0
Bob Marley and The Wailers Kaya3.5
David Coverdale Northwinds3.0
Patti Smith Easter3.5
Kate Bush The Kick Inside4.2
Kate Bush's debut is not only a brilliant album but an incredible achievement, considering that she was younger than 20 years old when it was released and even younger when she wrote the songs. Being backed by almost the entire The Alan Parsons Project also played a role, as the music here has strong progressive leanings, while Kate's youthful voice provides an extra layer of charm. Overall, a consistently brilliant and atmospheric journey.
Judas Priest Stained Class4.0
Van Halen Van Halen4.0
Bruce Springsteen Darkness on the Edge of Town4.0
Blondie Plastic Letters3.5
Jethro Tull Heavy Horses4.0
Uriah Heep Fallen Angel2.0
Gotic Escenes4.0
Scorpions Tokyo Tapes4.0
Budgie Impeckable2.5
Much more melodic and softer than their previous releases. Even the damn cat looks like it
has suffered a stroke!
Parliament Motor Booty Affair2.5
Pavlos Sidiropoulos and Spyridoula Flou4.0
Sorcery (US) Sinister Soldiers3.0
Interesting but raw psych/hard rock with elements of proto doom.
Ted Nugent Double Live Gonzo!3.5
Bob Dylan Street Legal3.0
Nina Simone Baltimore3.0
Yes Tormato3.0
Gilgamesh Another Fine Tune You've Got Me Into3.3
Relaxing jazz fusion from the Canterbury scene which is quite accessible. The music is led by the electric piano with some tasteful guitar leads which leads to a very pleasant listen especially during nighttime.
Warren Zevon Excitable Boy4.2
This one just strikes a chord with me. Is it the beautiful melodies or the memorable choruses? Is it something deeper? I have no idea, but Excitable Boy feels comforting and sincere, which is enough for me.
Frankie Beverly and Maze Golden Time of Day3.5
David Gilmour David Gilmour3.5
Van Morrison Wavelength3.0

1977
Jackson Browne Running on Empty3.8
Such an emotional trip and an insight to the struggles of touring. The blend of folk, country and blues is very successful on this one, which makes Running on Empty an effortless but rewarding listen.
Ramones Rocket to Russia3.5
Eric Clapton Slowhand4.0
Blue Oyster Cult Spectres3.5
Uriah Heep Innocent Victim3.5
Leonard Cohen Death of a Ladies' Man2.0
Queen News of the World4.0
Genesis Seconds Out4.3
Lynyrd Skynyrd Street Survivors4.0
KISS Alive II3.5
Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols4.5
Starcastle Citadel3.0
Very watered down album compared to their great debut.
Ian Dury New Boots and Panties!!3.5
Motorhead Motörhead4.0
Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell3.5
Billy Joel The Stranger4.0
Camel Rain Dances3.0
Thin Lizzy Bad Reputation4.0
Pat Travers Putting It Straight3.5
Rush A Farewell to Kings4.5
Iggy Pop Lust For Life3.5
Dennis Wilson Pacific Ocean Blue4.0
Johnny Winter Nothin' but the Blues3.5
What the title says. This is essentially Johnny fronting Muddy Waters' band in a full-blown blues album that lacks the rock leanings of his previous efforts.
Rainbow On Stage4.0
Styx The Grand Illusion3.5
KISS Love Gun3.5
Neil Young American Stars 'n Bars3.0
Bob Marley and The Wailers Exodus4.5
UFO Lights Out3.5
Alice Cooper Lace and Whiskey2.5
Little Feat Time Loves a Hero3.0
Judas Priest Sin After Sin4.0
Steely Dan Aja4.0
Brand X Moroccan Roll3.5
AC/DC Let There Be Rock4.5
Iggy Pop The Idiot3.5
Deep Purple Last Concert in Japan1.0
Foreigner Foreigner3.5
Some of the finest Foreigner cheese right here. A must-listen for any AOR fan.
Justin Hayward Songwriter2.5
Ramones Leave Home3.5
Fleetwood Mac Rumours4.5
Uriah Heep Firefly3.0
David Coverdale White Snake3.0
Pink Floyd Animals4.5
David Bowie Low4.0
Muddy Waters Hard Again4.5
Jethro Tull Songs from the Wood4.0
Big Joe Turner Things That I Used to Do4.0
Parliament Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome3.5
Starcastle Fountains of Light3.5
Anthony Phillips The Geese and the Ghost4.0
FM Black Noise4.0
Scorpions Taken by Force4.5
Hank Crawford Tico Rico4.0
One of the easiest jazz albums to get into. Highly recommended for those who want to branch out.
England Garden Shed3.5
Paice, Ashton & Lord Malice In Wonderland3.0
Aerosmith Draw the Line3.0
Van Morrison A Period Of Transition3.0
Steve Miller Band Book of Dreams3.5
Renaissance Novella3.5
The John Renbourn Group A Maid in Bedlam4.0
Riot Rock City3.5
The Saints (I'm) Stranded3.5
Santana Festival2.5
Yes Going for the One3.5
The Runaways Queens of Noise3.2
Eloy Ocean4.0
The Mysterious Flying Orchestra The Mysterious Flying Orchestra3.5
The combination of that band name and cover art, makes this a must-check. Other than that, this is some chill funky jazz fusion which is performed by a number of different session musicians and is directed by John Coltrane?s producer, Bob Thiele.
Annie Haslam Annie in Wonderland3.2
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young CSN3.5

1976
Genesis Wind & Wuthering4.0
Queen A Day at the Races4.0
Kansas Leftoverture4.0
KISS Rock and Roll Over3.0
The Enid In The Region of the Summer Stars4.0
Tommy Bolin Private Eyes3.0
Rory Gallagher Calling Card4.5
Patti Smith Radio Ethiopia3.5
Thin Lizzy Johnny the Fox4.0
Deep Purple Made In Europe2.0
Bob Seger Night Moves4.0
Great LP from one of the most underrated songwriters with no weak moments. "Night Moves" is an eternal jam and one of the best tracks to enjoy on a hot summer night.
Electric Light Orchestra A New World Record3.5
Frank Zappa Zoot Allures3.5
Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life4.5
Black Sabbath Technical Ecstasy3.0
AC/DC Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap4.0
The Stills-Young Band Long May You Run3.0
Boston Boston3.5
Parliament The Clones Of Dr. Funkenstein3.0
J.J. Cale Troubadour3.5
Grand Funk Railroad Good Singin', Good Playin'3.5
Ryo Fukui Scenery4.0
Alice Cooper Alice Cooper Goes to Hell3.0
Uriah Heep High and Mighty2.0
Blue Oyster Cult Agents of Fortune3.5
Rainbow Rising5.0
Ramones Ramones4.0
AC/DC High Voltage4.5
Not only a hard rock classic but the very embodiment of badassery. The band's songwriting is almost at its peak with an array of classics, the guitar tone is impeccable, Bon Scott is attitude personified, and the lyrics are simple but do the trick. If you don't like this album, stop listening to hard rock now.
Aerosmith Rocks3.5
Ashra New Age of Earth3.5
Steve Miller Band Fly Like an Eagle3.5
UFO No Heavy Petting3.5
Jeff Beck Wired3.5
The Alan Parsons Project Tales of Mystery and Imagination 4.0
A dreamlike experience and a very atmospheric album that benefits from an amazing production.
Led Zeppelin Presence3.5
Bob Marley and The Wailers Rastaman Vibration3.5
The Rolling Stones Black and Blue3.0
Rush 21124.5
Camel Moonmadness4.5
Thin Lizzy Jailbreak4.5
Judas Priest Sad Wings of Destiny4.5
Robin Trower Long Misty Days3.5
KISS Destroyer3.5
Johnny Winter Captured Live!4.0
Heart Dreamboat Annie3.5
ZZ Top Tejas3.0
Genesis A Trick of the Tail4.2
Starcastle Starcastle4.5
Lynyrd Skynyrd Gimme Back My Bullets3.5
Leslie West The Leslie West Band3.5
Quality hard rock with exceptional guitar playing. Wouldn't expect anything less from Leslie West.
Elvis Presley The Sun Sessions3.5
Bob Dylan Desire4.0
Far East Family Band Parallel World3.0
Renaissance Live at Carnegie Hall4.5
Jethro Tull Too Old To Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young To Die!3.5
Jon Lord Sarabande3.5
Druid Fluid Druid3.5
Finch (NL) Beyond Expression4.0
Horslips The Book of Invasions: A Celtic Symphony4.0
Santana Amigos3.0
Uneven album which contains one of Santana's finest moments (Europa), a typically great song (Dance Sister Dance) and an interesting gypsy tune in the form of Gitano. At the same time the funky tunes (Let Me, Tell Me Are You Tired, Let It Shine) are bringing the album down by providing very little in terms of songwriting or even guitar playing.
Scorpions Virgin Killer4.0
Budgie If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules2.5
The riffs and the aggression just aren't there.
Eagles Hotel California3.0
Socrates Drank the Conium Phos4.0
Max Romeo War Ina Babylon3.5
Grand Funk Railroad Born To Die2.5
Ian Gillan Band Child in Time2.5
Eloy Dawn4.0
Roger McGuinn Cardiff Rose3.0
Climax Blues Band Gold Plated3.0
Pascal Duffard Dieu est Fou3.0
Peter Tosh Legalize It4.0
Bunny Wailer Blackheart Man3.5
Point Blank (US) Point Blank4.0
An excellent mix of gritty blues rock and southern rock with influences from ZZ Top. Very energetic with interesting songwriting, great guitar playing and fitting vocals.
Steeleye Span Rocket Cottage3.5
Dimitris Poulikakos Μεταφοραί Εκδρομαί Ο Μήτσος4.0
On one of the most emblematic and significant Greek rock albums, Dimitris Poulikakos blends hard rock, blues, folk, jazz and comedy in a manner similar to Frank Zappa. The instrumentation is very interesting - and quite unusual for a Greek artist - and the lyrics masterful.
Livin' Blues Blue Breeze3.5
This is quite different than their previous output, as it sounds more modern and less like the classic blues of their first albums. Still very good.
Y&T Yesterday and Today3.5
Catchy, energetic US heavy rock with plenty of hooks. Recommended to fans of Montrose.
Ragnarok (SWE) Ragnarok3.8
Very tranquil and organic prog. Has a really warm tone.
Steely Dan The Royal Scam4.0
Symphonic Slam Symphonic Slam3.7
Bombastic symphonic rock that brings to mind a more down to earth version of Emerson, Lake and Palmer or The Alan Parsons Project. Very well-performed, includes David Stone (Rainbow - Long Live Rock 'n' Roll).
Wishbone Ash Locked In3.0

1975
AC/DC T.N.T.4.0
Parliament Mothership Connection4.0
Keith Jarrett The Köln Concert4.5
Brilliant, a must-check regardless of taste in music.
Styx Equinox3.2
Queen A Night at the Opera4.5
Scorpions In Trance4.5
Neil Young Zuma3.5
Patti Smith Horses4.0
Chris de Burgh Spanish Train and Other Stories3.5
Jimi Hendrix Midnight Lightning3.0
Tommy Bolin Teaser4.0
Deep Purple Come Taste the Band3.5
The Who The Who by Numbers3.5
Van der Graaf Generator Godbluff3.5
Rory Gallagher Against The Grain3.0
Steve Hackett Voyage of the Acolyte4.0
Rush Caress of Steel3.5
Ted Nugent Ted Nugent3.5
Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here5.0
Thin Lizzy Fighting4.0
KISS Alive!4.0
Foghat Fool for the City3.5
Grateful Dead Blues for Allah3.5
The Frankie Miller Band The Rock3.8
Solid blues rock with great songwriting and soulful vocals. For fans of Bob Seger and Free.
Rainbow Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow4.5
The Allman Brothers Band Win, Lose or Draw3.5
Black Sabbath Sabotage4.7
Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac4.0
UFO Force It3.5
Lou Reed Metal Machine Music1.0
Bob Dylan and The Band The Basement Tapes3.5
Neil Young Tonight's the Night3.5
Elf Trying To Burn The Sun3.0
Uriah Heep Return to Fantasy3.0
Hawkwind Warrior on the Edge of Time4.0
Rick Wakeman The Myths and Legends of King Arthur...4.0
An atmospheric tour de force that indeed transports the listener right into the The Myths and Legends of King Arthur. This could have easily been the soundtrack of a theatrical play as it has such a cinematic nature and some of the arrangements are so lush. It is amazing how Wakeman conveys the feats of every character with notes such as on "Merlin the Magician" or "Guinevere". A great progressive album.
ZZ Top Fandango!3.0
Steve Hillage Fish Rising4.0
Aerosmith Toys in the Attic3.5
Camel The Snow Goose4.5
Lynyrd Skynyrd Nuthin' Fancy3.5
Joan Baez Diamonds and Rust3.0
Bob Seger Beautiful Loser3.7
A turning point for Bob Seger and his steeping stone to stardom, Beautiful Loser is one of his most consistent efforts. "Katmandu" and "Nutbush City Limits" are the two rockers on here but the rest of the material is more mellow and introspective - maybe expressing his frustration about life on the road and not being famous outside Michigan yet but this is where the album excels.
KISS Dressed to Kill3.5
Jeff Beck Blow by Blow4.0
Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti3.5
Rush Fly by Night4.0
Gotta love the balls-out energy and the Led Zeppelin influences on here. Probably the most fun Rush album.
Alice Cooper Welcome To My Nightmare4.0
Angel Angel4.0
Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks4.0
Jethro Tull Minstrel in the Gallery4.5
Budgie Bandolier4.0
Bruce Springsteen Born to Run4.5
Renaissance Scheherazade and Other Stories4.5
Chris Squire Fish Out of Water3.5
Druid Toward the Sun4.5
Yezda Urfa Boris4.0
Chango Chango3.5
Roger Glover The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast3.0
Livin' Blues Live '754.0
Amazing blues rock live performance. If you are a fan of the genre, I highly recommend it.
Armageddon Armageddon3.5
Finch (NL) Glory of the Inner Force4.5
Maxophone Maxophone4.0
Los Jaivas Los Jaivas4.0
Harmonium Les Cinq Saisons4.0
Moxy Moxy3.5
Robin Trower For Earth Below4.0
Journey Journey3.5
Eloy Power and the Passion3.5
Steeleye Span Commoners Crown3.5
Black Sheep (USA-NY) Black Sheep3.5
Very well-performed blues rock by a band who features vocalist Lou Gramm (Foreigner) that brings to mind Free, Bad Company and the bluesier moments of Foreigner.
Mahogany Rush Strange Universe3.5
Enjoying Frank Marino's work has to do a lot with how one feels about his similarity to Jimi Hendrix and more specifically his mellower/more psychedelic side. I don't have any issues with it, which is one of the reasons that I enjoy Strange Universe so much. Putting that aside, Mahogany Rush's third LP is a sweet psychedelic trip which, as Robbit noted, works better as a whole rather than jamming individual songs.
David Byron Take No Prisoners2.5
Byron's voice is great, and there are a few good moments, but overall this is quite boring and utterly forgettable.
Steely Dan Katy Lied4.0
Doc Watson Memories4.0
Dionysis Savvopoulos 10 Chronia Kommatia4.0

1974
Deep Purple Stormbringer4.0
Grand Funk Railroad All the Girls in the World Beware!!!2.0
Johnny Winter John Dawson Winter III3.5
Genesis The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway4.3
Queen Sheer Heart Attack4.0
Thin Lizzy Nightlife3.5
Scorpions Fly to the Rainbow4.0
Bob Marley and The Wailers Natty Dread4.0
KISS Hotter Than Hell3.0
The Rolling Stones It's Only Rock 'n' Roll3.5
King Crimson Red4.0
Gene Clark No Other4.0
Van Morrison Veedon Fleece4.2
Kansas Song for America3.5
Lynyrd Skynyrd Second Helping4.0
Stevie Wonder Fulfillingness' First Finale4.0
Judas Priest Rocka Rolla3.0
Jackson Browne Late for the Sky4.0
Hawkwind Hall of the Mountain Grill4.0
Supertramp Crime of the Century4.0
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band The Impossible Dream3.5
Leonard Cohen New Skin for the Old Ceremony4.0
Robert Wyatt Rock Bottom3.5
Rory Gallagher Irish Tour '744.5
Neil Young On the Beach4.0
Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Boulevard3.5
The Amboy Dukes Tooth fang & claw3.5
Grateful Dead From the Mars Hotel3.5
Alusa Fallax Intorno Alla Mia Cattiva Educazione3.5
Uriah Heep Wonderworld3.0
Wishbone Ash There's the Rub4.0
Buffalo Only Want You For Your Body4.0
Steely Dan Pretzel Logic4.0
Frank Zappa Apostrophe4.0
UFO Phenomenon4.2
Fenton Robinson Somebody Loan Me A Dime4.0
If you dig the blues, this is an album you need to listen now. Excellent Chicago blues, on par with the best (BB, Wells, Muddy, etc.) with elements of jazz.
Pavlov's Dog Pampered Menial3.5
Blue Oyster Cult Secret Treaties4.5
Focus Hamburger Concerto4.0
Richard and Linda Thompson I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight3.5
Elf Carolina County Ball3.0
Sweet Sweet Fanny Adams3.5
King Crimson Starless and Bible Black3.0
Queen Queen II5.0
Bad Company Bad Company4.0
Grand Funk Railroad Shinin' On3.0
Robin Trower Bridge of Sighs4.5
On Bridge of Sighs, Robin Trower provides his own interpretation of Hendrix and James Dewar brings to mind Paul Rodgers. That combined with strong songwriting and an array of great guitar solos, make up for an amazing blues rock LP.
Camel Mirage4.5
Rush Rush3.0
Aerosmith Get Your Wings3.5
Kansas Kansas3.5
KISS KISS4.0
Deep Purple Burn4.5
Mick Ronson Slaughter on 10th Avenue2.8
Sounds like David Bowie, but without Bowie's character or songwriting.
Johnny Winter Saints & Sinners4.0
Barry White Can't Get Enough3.7
Solid overall with two of Barry White's biggest hits.
Strawbs Hero and Heroine4.0
Bob Dylan Planet Waves2.5
Dr. John Desitively Bonnaroo3.0
Ry Cooder Paradise And Lunch3.0
Between Dharana4.0
Renaissance Turn of the Cards4.0
Lucifer's Friend Banquet4.0
J.J. Cale Okie4.0
Barclay James Harvest Everyone Is Everybody Else3.5
Yes Relayer4.0
James Brown Hell3.5
Budgie In for the Kill!4.0
Alice Coltrane Illuminations2.0
Triumvirat Illusions On A Double Dimple4.0
Son House The Real Delta Blues3.5
Luther Allison Luther's Blues4.0
Gentle Giant The Power and the Glory3.5
Yonin Bayashi Ishoku-Sokuhatsu4.0
Santana Borboletta3.0
The James Cotton Band 100% Cotton3.0
Jethro Tull War Child3.0
Harry Chapin Verities and Balderdash3.5
Utopia Todd Rundgren's Utopia4.0
Joni Mitchell Court and Spark3.0
Toots and The Maytals In The Dark4.0
Atlanta Rhythm Section Third Annual Pipe Dream3.5
Baker Gurvitz Army Baker Gurvitz Army3.0
Blops Locomotora3.5
Eloy Floating3.5
Albert King I Wanna Get Funky3.5
As a whole, this album is slightly different than Albert's classic material, as the sound has been fused with strings and a horn section. This results in some soul and funk elements that add well though. However, the best track of the album might as well be "Crosscut Saw" which is more of a classic Albert King tune.
Gigymen Gigymen3.5
These guys seem to be equally influenced by Fairport Convention and The Beatles. However, their folk side is much more interesting that their pop rock one which is nice but nothing special.

1973
Yes Tales from Topographic Oceans4.5
Wings Band on the Run4.0
Black Sabbath Sabbath Bloody Sabbath4.0
James Brown The Payback4.0
Alice Cooper Muscle of Love3.5
Emerson Lake and Palmer Brain Salad Surgery3.5
Rory Gallagher Tattoo4.0
Nektar Remember the Future3.5
Cockney Rebel The Human Menagerie3.0
Bob Marley and The Wailers Burnin'4.0
Montrose Montrose3.5
Grateful Dead Wake of the Flood3.5
Genesis Selling England by the Pound5.0
The Who Quadrophenia4.0
Billy Cobham Spectrum4.0
Lynyrd Skynyrd Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd4.5
Thin Lizzy Vagabonds of the Western World3.0
Bruce Springsteen The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle4.0
Eric Clapton Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert4.5
Gentle Giant In a Glass House4.0
Buckingham Nicks Buckingham Nicks3.5
Uriah Heep Sweet Freedom3.5
The Rolling Stones Goats Head Soup3.5
Marvin Gaye Let's Get It On3.5
Barry White Stone Gon'3.5
Stevie Wonder Innervisions4.3
Buffalo Volcanic Rock3.5
Electric Light Orchestra On the Third Day3.5
Van Morrison Hard Nose The Highway4.0
The Allman Brothers Band Brothers and Sisters3.5
A great blend of southern rock and blues, which includes two of the most well-known songs by these guys, in "Ramblin' Man" and "Jessica". Actually, this is the album where Dickey Betts shines.
New York Dolls New York Dolls3.8
ZZ Top Tres Hombres4.0
Carlos Santana & John McLaughlin Love Devotion Surrender4.0
Queen Queen3.0
Golden Earring Moontan3.5
Pink Fairies Kings of Oblivion4.0
The Doobie Brothers The Captain and Me3.8
Learned about these guys from "Long Train Runnin?', but these guys are so much more as they can easily move between southern rock or blues a la "The Thrill is Gone" on "Dark Eyed Cajun Woman". This is arguably their best album and a really soulful trip.
Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells3.0
Bob Marley and The Wailers Catch A Fire4.5
Hawkwind Space Ritual4.0
Wishbone Ash Wishbone Four3.5
Gary Moore Grinding Stone3.0
Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy4.0
Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon5.0
King Crimson Larks' Tongues in Aspic3.5
Mahavishnu Orchestra Birds of Fire4.0
Tower of Power Tower of Power4.0
Camel Camel4.0
Alice Cooper Billion Dollar Babies3.5
Rory Gallagher Blueprint4.0
Steely Dan Countdown to Ecstasy4.0
The Stooges Raw Power4.0
Blue Oyster Cult Tyranny and Mutation4.0
John Martyn Solid Air4.0
Roy Buchanan Second Album4.0
Excellent blues album from a seriously underrated guitarist.
Aerosmith Aerosmith3.0
Bruce Springsteen Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.4.0
Bob Dylan Dylan2.5
The Mothers of Invention Over-Nite Sensation3.5
Sweet Smoke From Darkness To Light4.0
Deep Purple Who Do We Think We Are3.5
Socrates Drank the Conium On the Wings3.5
Budgie Never Turn Your Back on a Friend4.5
Icecross Icecross3.5
Renaissance Ashes Are Burning4.5
Chicken Shack Unlucky Boy3.5
Paul Butterfield's Better Days Paul Butterfield's Better Days3.5
For those of you who love the blues and Paul Butterfield's harmonica this is highly recommended.
Akritas Akritas3.0
Captain Beyond Sufficiently Breathless3.5
James Brown Black Caesar4.0
Carmen Fandangos in Space4.0
Jan Akkerman Profile3.5
Johnny Winter Still Alive And Well4.0
The Incredible Bongo Band Bongo Rock3.0
Jan Akkerman Tabernakel4.0
Santana Welcome3.0
Greenslade Bedside Manners Are Extra3.5
John Prine Sweet Revenge4.0
Grand Funk Railroad We're An American Band3.0
Jethro Tull A Passion Play4.0
Planxty Planxty4.0
Howlin Wolf The Back Door Wolf4.0
Dr. John In the Right Place3.5
Rick Wakeman The Six Wives of Henry VIII4.0
Alphataurus Alphataurus3.5
Robin Trower Twice Removed From Yesterday3.5
Eagles Desperado3.5
Rick Derringer All American Boy3.0
Kostas Tournas Eternal Fields [Απέραντα Χωράφια]3.5
Julian Jay Savarin Waiters on the dance4.0
Eloy Inside3.5
Black Oak Arkansas High On The Hog3.0
REO Speedwagon Ridin' the Storm Out3.3
An enjoyable listen but uneven with the t/t being the standout, this is far from the REO Speedwagon that is being played on the radio as it has a more bluesy/americana sound that brings to mind bands like Eagles or The Doobie Brothers.
Simon Stokes & The Black Whip Thrill Band The Incredible Simon Stokes & The Black Whip...3.5
An entertaining slab of dirty blues rock with country elements that is quite theatrical and brings a lesser shock rock version of Alice Cooper to my mind or even Frank Zappa with the band's approach on here.
Ringo Starr Ringo3.0
As good as the weaker cute Beatles material, without the rest of the amazing songs propelling almost each of their albums to legendary status. Still enjoyable though.
The Undisputed Truth Law of the Land3.5
Great selection of well-known and lesser-known soul songs, that makeup a very enjoyable listen. The album contains the original version of "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone".
Free Heartbreaker3.2
Ken Hensley Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf3.5
Spirogyra Bells, Boots and Shambles3.7
Granicus Granicus4.0
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Solar Fire4.0

1972
Frank Zappa The Grand Wazoo4.0
Deep Purple Made in Japan5.0
Deep Purple Machine Head5.0
Gnidrolog Lady Lake4.0
Gentle Giant Octopus3.5
Hawkwind Doremi Fasol Latido3.5
Lou Reed Transformer3.0
Focus Focus 34.0
Uriah Heep The Magician's Birthday3.5
Joni Mitchell For the Roses3.5
Stevie Wonder Talking Book4.0
Alice Cooper School's Out3.0
Santana Caravanserai4.0
Genesis Foxtrot4.0
Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill4.5
Ten Years After Rock & Roll Music to the World3.5
An enjoyable slab of bluesy rock that brings to mind Johnny Winter's blues rock material. Not the best TYA but very enjoyable.
Black Sabbath Vol. 43.8
Yes Close to the Edge4.5
Grand Funk Railroad Phoenix3.0
Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii4.0
Sandy Denny Sandy4.0
The Pentangle Solomon's Seal3.5
The last studio LP by the classic line up. Instrumentally, this is similar to the band's previous efforts albeit a bit less lush and more downbeat and introspective - maybe a hint that The Pentangle was starting to fall apart. However, this is still great medieval inspired brit folk which is very suitable during autumn days while watching falling leaves.
Elf Elf3.5
The Doors Full Circle1.5
Jimmy Cliff The Harder They Come OST4.0
Excellent compilation of songs coming from reggae staples of the 1967-72 period. Actually, only the s/t track was written specifically for the album while just the half of it is written and performed by Jimmy Cliff who starred in the movie of the same name. Other notable artists included are The Maytals and Desmond Dekker.
Emerson Lake and Palmer Trilogy3.5
Van Morrison Saint Dominic's Preview4.0
The Jeff Beck Group Jeff Beck Group2.5
This album could have been much better if Jeff Beck actually played more and was in the forefront. Instead, on a lot of occasions the band turns him into a rhythm guitarist which is frustrating.
David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars4.0
Pink Floyd Obscured by Clouds3.5
The Doobie Brothers Toulouse Street3.0
Free Free at Last3.5
Uriah Heep Demons and Wizards4.0
Rory Gallagher Live In Europe4.0
The Rolling Stones Exile on Main St.3.5
Donny Hathaway Live4.0
Elton John Honky Chateau3.0
ZZ Top Rio Grande Mud3.5
Wishbone Ash Argus4.5
Jim Croce You Don't Mess Around With Jim4.0
Thin Lizzy Shades of a Blue Orphanage2.0
Stevie Wonder Music of My Mind3.0
November 6:e November3.7
Nick Drake Pink Moon4.0
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Manfred Mann's Earth Band3.5
Neil Young Harvest3.5
The Allman Brothers Band Eat a Peach4.0
Blue Oyster Cult Blue Öyster Cult3.5
Luther Allison Bad News is Coming4.0
Zarathustra (GER) Zarathustra4.0
Budgie Squawk3.5
Steeleye Span Below the Salt4.0
Strawbs Grave New World4.0
Dust Hard Attack4.0
Bodkin Bodkin3.5
Livin' Blues Rockin' At The Tweed Mill4.0
Livin' Blues Bamboozle4.0
Captain Beyond Captain Beyond4.5
Twenty Sixty Six and Then Reflections!4.0
Great album, equally progressive and psychedelic. And those dinosaurs...
Night Sun Mournin3.5
Morgan Nova Solis3.5
Dr. John Dr. John's Gumbo4.5
Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges Clube da Esquina3.5
Scorpions Lonesome Crow3.0
Paladin Charge!4.0
Warhorse (UK) Red Sea3.5
Jerusalem (UK) Jerusalem4.0
Paul Simon Paul Simon2.5
Trapeze You Are the Music...We're Just the Band4.0
Mom's Apple Pie Mom's Apple Pie3.5
J.J. Cale Really3.0
Socrates Drank the Conium Taste of Conium4.0
Dark Round the Edges3.5
Creedence Clearwater Revival Mardi Gras1.5
Jade Warrior Last Autumn's Dream4.0
Toots and The Maytals Funky Kingston4.0
Stealers Wheel Stealers Wheel3.0
Necromandus Orexis of Death3.5
Green Bullfrog Green Bullfrog3.5
Crowbar (CAN) Heavy Duty2.5
Mythos (GER) Mythos2.5
Peloma Mpokiou Πελόμα Μποκιού3.5
Nektar A Tab in the Ocean3.5
Curved Air Phantasmagoria3.5
Eugene Carnan Eugene Carnan3.5
Energetic and raw hard rock with influences from Blue Cheer and Black Sabbath and a psychedelic aura. Having recorded in two days, everything is practically performed live in studio.
Renaissance Prologue3.5
Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick5.0

1971
Aphrodite's Child 6664.5
King Crimson Islands2.5
Bang Bang3.5
Rory Gallagher Deuce4.0
Yes Fragile4.0
The Kinks Muswell Hillbillies3.5
Genesis Nursery Cryme4.0
Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV4.5
Pink Floyd Meddle4.5
Alice Cooper Killer4.0
Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits (CBS)4.0
The Doors Other Voices2.5
The Jeff Beck Group Rough and Ready3.0
Cactus Restrictions4.0
Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice create a thunderous duo on this one. As good as their debut.
Uriah Heep Look at Yourself4.5
Focus Focus II4.0
Van der Graaf Generator Pawn Hearts4.0
Jimi Hendrix Rainbow Bridge3.5
Curtis Mayfield Roots4.0
This is so good that you don't have to be into soul to enjoy. Speaks to your heart.
T. Rex Electric Warrior3.0
Judee Sill Judee Sill4.0
Santana Santana III5.0
John Lennon Imagine3.5
Fleetwood Mac Future Games3.0
Deep Purple Fireball5.0
Grand Funk Railroad E Pluribus Funk4.0
Wishbone Ash Pilgrimage3.5
The Beach Boys Surf's Up3.5
The Who Who's Next4.5
New Riders of the Purple Sage New Riders of the Purple Sage3.5
Atomic Rooster In Hearing of Atomic Rooster4.0
Howlin Wolf The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions4.0
Black Sabbath Master of Reality4.5
The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East4.5
MC5 High Time4.0
Todd Rundgren The Ballad of Todd Rundgren3.5
Emerson Lake and Palmer Tarkus3.5
Rory Gallagher Rory Gallagher4.5
Marvin Gaye What's Going On4.0
Paul McCartney Ram4.0
Rod Stewart Every Picture Tells A Story3.5
Johnny Winter Live Johnny Winter And4.0
Graham Nash Songs for Beginners3.5
The Doors L.A. Woman4.5
The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers4.5
From the amazing songs, to the Andy Warhol cover art, everything screams classic here. The album's more well-known songs like "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses" are downright classics, but there are no weak moments here, as even the deeper cuts such as "Sister Morphine" and "Dead Flowers" (one of my personal favorites) are very strong. During that era, The Stones could do no wrong and there's no better proof of that than Sticky Fingers.
Caravan In the Land of Grey and Pink3.5
The Groundhogs Split3.5
Blackfeather At The Mountain of Madness3.5
The Doobie Brothers The Doobie Brothers3.5
Grand Funk Railroad Survival3.5
Pluto (UK) Pluto3.5
Leonard Cohen Songs of Love and Hate4.0
Jimi Hendrix The Cry of Love3.5
Mungo Jerry Electronically Tested3.5
Carole King Tapestry4.5
David Crosby If I Could Only Remember My Name3.5
Yes The Yes Album4.0
Barclay James Harvest Once Again3.5
Uriah Heep Salisbury4.0
Egg The Polite Force3.0
UFO UFO 2: Flying3.5
ZZ Top ZZ Top's First Album4.0
Janis Joplin Pearl4.0
Van Morrison Tupelo Honey4.0
Edgar Winter Edgar Winter's White Trash2.5
Spring Spring3.0
Fuzzy Duck Fuzzy Duck4.0
Funkadelic Maggot Brain2.5
Memphis Slim Blue Memphis4.0
Excellent Chicago/jump blues with Peter Green on lead guitar.
Black Widow Black Widow3.5
Flower Travellin' Band Satori4.0
Savoy Brown Street Corner Talking3.0
Okay blues rock but nothing special, nothing pops out particularly. Savoy Brown have released much better albums.
Jethro Tull Aqualung4.5
Dust Dust3.0
James Brown Hot Pants3.5
McChurch Soundroom Delusion3.5
Weed Weed3.0
Joni Mitchell Blue4.5
Corpus Creation a Child4.0
Life (DEU) Spring3.5
Dr. John The Sun, Moon and Herbs4.0
Humble Pie Rock On4.0
Some excellent doses of blues rock. Features guitarist Peter Frampton.
Budgie Budgie3.5
Fields (UK) Fields3.5
Ten Years After A Space in Time4.0
Alice Cooper Love It To Death4.0
Epitaph (DE) Epitaph 3.5
Suck Time To Suck3.5
Bob Marley and The Wailers Soul Revolution3.5
Hawkwind In Search of Space4.0
Link Wray Link Wray3.5
Orang-Utan Orang-Utan3.5
Socrates Drank the Conium Socrates Drank the Conium3.5
J.J. Cale Naturally4.0
America America4.0
Leaf Hound Growers of Mushroom4.0
Brainticket Cottonwood Hill3.0
Fraction Moon Blood4.5
Aretha Franklin Young Gifted and Black4.0
Comus First Utterance4.0
Genre-hopping, experimental, trippy and genuinely scary. The combination of folk/prog/psych with
crazy lyrics create a schizophrenic and dreamlike atmosphere.
Shelagh McDonald Stargazer4.0
Singer-songwriter folk with brilliant vocals and instrumentation. Melancholic and emotional.
Skid Row (IRE) 34 Hours2.5
Jan Dukes de Grey Mice and Rats in the Loft3.5
McLuhan Anomaly4.0
Sitting Bull Trip Away3.5
Spirogyra St. Radigunds4.0
Stark Naked Stark Naked3.5
Nektar Journey to the Centre of the Eye4.0
Three Man Army A Third of a Lifetime4.0
Toad Toad3.5
Thundermother No Red Rowan3.5
Stud Stud2.5
Unfortunately, the atmosphere that is created by the cover art and the beginning of the album is not maintained throughout its duration. The albums starts promising, with a few interesting folk melodies and guitar strums but ends up in some pretty mediocre hard rock/blues improvisations.
The Woods Band The Woods Band3.5
Lively folk in the same vein as Steeleye Span, Planxty or Fairport Convention. Contains a number of lively melodies but its biggest advantage is the genuine countryside feeling.
Farm Farm3.3
Cool blues rock with some psych touches. Not the obscure gem that some claim, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Kahvas Jute Wide Open3.4
This is one of those albums that are trapped between the end of the flowery '60s era and the evolution of hard rock that took place in the early-'70s. As a result, Wide Open consists of healthy doses of psychedelic rock with a hard edge and a nice groove.
Mahavishnu Orchestra The Inner Mounting Flame4.3
Gracious This is... Gracious!!4.0
Bonnie Raitt Bonnie Raitt3.3
The Dog That Bit People The Dog That Bit People3.5
An enjoyable blend of folk, heavy rock and Beatles-esque pop.
Fuchsia Fuchsia4.0
Beggars Opera Waters Of Change3.5
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young 4 Way Street4.0

1970
Creedence Clearwater Revival Pendulum3.5
Van der Graaf Generator H to He, Who Am the Only One3.0
Wishbone Ash Wishbone Ash4.0
Derek and the Dominos Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs5.0
Sir Lord Baltimore Kingdom Come3.5
Bo Hansson Music Inspired by Lord Of The Rings3.5
Vashti Bunyan Just Another Diamond Day4.0
Ten Years After Watt3.5
Not the best Ten Years After album, but a solid affair which focuses more on the blues rock sound of the band with very few psychedelic elements.
Free Highway3.5
Gentle Giant Gentle Giant3.5
The Kinks Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround4.0
George Harrison All Things Must Pass4.0
King Crimson Lizard4.0
Van Morrison His Band and the Street Choir3.5
A step down compared to his two previous masterpieces, this one is more R&B influenced too.
David Bowie The Man Who Sold the World3.5
Minnie Riperton Come To My Garden3.5
Trapeze Medusa4.0
Amon Duul II Yeti4.0
Grateful Dead American Beauty3.5
Spirit Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus4.5
Elton John Tumbleweed Connection3.5
Frank Zappa Chunga's Revenge3.5
Great guitar work and one of Zappa's most accessible efforts. Whole album is dedicated to groupies.
Genesis Trespass4.0
Bob Dylan New Morning3.5
Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin III4.5
Pink Floyd Atom Heart Mother3.5
Emerson Lake and Palmer Emerson, Lake & Palmer3.5
UFO UFO 13.0
Cat Stevens Tea for the Tillerman4.0
The Allman Brothers Band Idlewild South3.5
Black Sabbath Paranoid5.0
Fleetwood Mac Kiln House2.0
Santana Abraxas4.5
B.B. King Live in Cook County Jail4.0
Excellent live performance with on of the best renditions of "The Thrill Is Gone". Only complaint is that the crowd doesn't get much into it.
The Rolling Stones Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!4.0
Atomic Rooster Death Walks Behind You4.0
Neil Young After the Gold Rush4.0
Creedence Clearwater Revival Cosmo's Factory3.5
Canned Heat Future Blues4.0
Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen3.5
T2 It'll All Work Out in Boomland4.0
The Doors Absolutely Live3.5
The Stooges Fun House4.5
Humble Pie Humble Pie3.8
Excellent slab of heavy rock with some psych elements. A turning point in Humble Pie's discography, as this is where their music became heavier.
Cactus Cactus3.5
A pillar of heavy metal. While jamming this one, you can feel why Carmine Appice was a big influence for a number of well-known drummers and how he helped in shaping heavy metal drumming.
Traffic John Barleycorn Must Die3.5
Free Fire and Water4.0
Grand Funk Railroad Closer To Home4.0
Bob Dylan Self-Portrait2.5
Deep Purple Deep Purple In Rock5.0
Uriah Heep Very 'eavy... Very 'umble4.0
Uriah Heep Uriah Heep4.0
The Pretty Things Parachute3.0
Fotheringay Fotheringay3.5
A must for anyone who remotely enjoys British folk rock. The album features Sandy Denny on vocals, and it's the first one she released after leaving Fairport Convention. Sandy's delivery is sublime, and the music features some jazz and progressive leanings that provide a nice flavor.
The Who Live at Leeds4.5
King Crimson In the Wake of Poseidon4.0
The Beatles Let It Be4.2
Josefus Dead Man3.5
Jethro Tull Benefit3.5
Elton John Elton John4.0
Dr. John Remedies3.0
Joni Mitchell Ladies of the Canyon4.0
Al Stewart Zero She Flies3.3
Nice slab of folk that sounds like a less-psych version of Donovan.
Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys4.5
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Deja Vu4.0
Mountain Climbing!4.0
Van Morrison Moondance5.0
Rodriguez Cold Fact4.0
The Beatles Hey Jude4.0
Black Sabbath Black Sabbath5.0
The Doors Morrison Hotel4.0
Grateful Dead Workingman's Dead4.0
James Taylor Sweet Baby James3.5
Simon and Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water4.0
MC5 Back In The USA3.5
Livin' Blues Wang Dang Doodle3.5
Junior Wells Southside Blues Jam4.0
Another excellent Junior Wells album featuring Buddy Guy on guitar and pianist's Otis Spann last studio appearance.
Nosferatu Nosferatu4.0
Black Widow Sacrifice3.5
It's a Beautiful Day Marrying Maiden3.0
Very folky, a bit psych, and eventually significantly inferior compared to the debut.
Willie Dixon I am the Blues4.0
Jeronimo Cosmic Blues3.5
Exuma Exuma4.0
Culpeper's Orchard Culpeper's Orchard3.5
Lucifer's Friend Lucifer's Friend3.5
Mayfield's Mule Mayfield's Mule3.5
James Brown Sex Machine4.5
Hands down one of the best live performances ever. Serves also as an excellent platform to those who want to become familiar with James Brown's music.
Little Feat Little Feat3.0
Trapeze Trapeze3.5
Bob Marley and The Wailers Soul Rebels3.5
Sweet Smoke Just A Poke4.0
Quatermass Quatermass3.5
Ten Years After Cricklewood Green4.0
One of the best Ten Years After LPs blending perfectly their blues rock platform with the psychedelic and even jazzy elements. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a godly track like "Love Like A Man" on here.
Gypsy (U.S.) Gypsy4.0
Warpig Warpig4.0
Gospel Oak Gospel Oak3.5
Bloodrock Bloodrock 23.0
Johnny Winter And3.5
Edgar Winter Entrance2.5
Shawn Phillips Second Contribution3.5
Antonio Carlos Jobim Stone Flower3.5
Randy Newman 12 Songs3.0
Forest (UK) Full Circle3.5
Interesting stab of psychedelic folk with quite a few British medieval elements.
Killing Floor Out of Uranus4.0
Excellent blend of psychedelic and blues rock. Highly energetic with exceptional guitar playing and drumming.
Roy Harper Flat Baroque And Berserk4.0
Frijid Pink Frijid Pink3.5
John Renbourn The Lady and the Unicorn3.5
Stray (UK) Stray4.0
Peter Bardens The Answer4.0
Sainte Anthony's Fyre Sainte Anthony's Fyre3.0
Stone The Crows Stone The Crows3.0
Looking at the lineup, I expected something more, but this is just good blues rock with jammy tendencies that ends up being sloppy sometimes.
Stephen Stills Stephen Stills3.8
This is part of the four albums released by CSNY after []Deja Vu[/i], which show how talented and inspired they were back then. As such, its sound is really close to that of the aforementioned album and also features performances by legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr and Booker T. Jones.
Twink Think Pink2.5
This is supposed to be a hidden gem, so by all means, feel free to check it. To me it sounded simply like some average psychedelic fol/rock.
The Guess Who American Woman3.5
Taste On the Boards3.5
Aretha Franklin Spirit In The Dark3.7
Sweet Pain Sweet Pain3.5
This one hits that sweet spot of the late '60s blues/psych combination. Groovy and laid-back.

1969
Grand Funk Railroad Grand Funk4.0
The Rolling Stones Let It Bleed4.0
Fairport Convention Liege and Lief4.0
Deep Purple Concerto for Group and Orchestra2.5
The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground3.5
Creedence Clearwater Revival Willy and the Poor Boys3.0
The Allman Brothers Band The Allman Brothers Band4.5
Humble Pie Town and Country3.0
Johnny Winter Second Winter4.0
The Pentangle Basket of Light4.0
Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin II4.5
Super Black Blues Band Super Black Blues3.8
This is exactly what the title suggests and features blues legends Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker and Otis Spann. If you don't like this one, you can stop listening to the blues altogether.
King Crimson In the Court of the Crimson King4.5
The Kinks Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)3.5
Free Free4.0
The Beatles Abbey Road5.0
The Band The Band4.0
Fleetwood Mac Then Play On3.5
Janis Joplin I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!4.0
Grand Funk Railroad On Time3.5
Fleetwood Mac The Pious Bird of Good Omen4.0
Highly recommended for fans of blues rock. Peter Green is one of the most emotional guitar players and it shows on this compilation.
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band Trout Mask Replica1.5
Donovan Barabajagal3.0
The Stooges The Stooges3.5
Creedence Clearwater Revival Green River4.0
Blind Faith Blind Faith4.0
Jethro Tull Stand Up4.0
Santana Santana4.0
Humble Pie As Safe As Yesterday Is3.5
The Doors The Soft Parade3.5
Tim Buckley Happy Sad3.5
Fairport Convention Unhalfbricking4.0
Grateful Dead Aoxomoxoa2.5
Pink Floyd More3.0
Deep Purple Deep Purple3.5
Procol Harum A Salty Dog3.0
Johnny Winter Johnny Winter5.0
The Jeff Beck Group Beck-Ola4.0
Steve Miller Band Brave New World3.0
John Lennon Wedding Album1.0
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Crosby, Stills and Nash4.0
The Who Tommy4.0
Neil Young Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere4.0
Muddy Waters After the Rain4.0
John Lennon Unfinished Music No.2: Life with the Lions1.0
Sly and The Family Stone Stand!4.0
The Moody Blues On the Threshold of a Dream3.5
Joe Cocker With a Little Help from My Friends3.5
Leonard Cohen Songs From a Room4.0
Dusty Springfield Dusty in Memphis3.0
Free Tons of Sobs4.0
Genesis From Genesis to Revelation2.5
Steamhammer Steamhammer3.5
Great blues rock with jazz elements. The guitar playing is the highlight of the album with interesting licks and solos while the vocals bring to mind Peter Green. Overall, the LP reminds early Fleetwood Mac.
MC5 Kick Out the Jams4.0
Grateful Dead Live/Dead4.5
Johnny Winter First Winter3.5
The Beatles Yellow Submarine2.5
Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin4.5
Joseph (USA) Stoned Age Man3.5
James Brown Say It Loud, I'm Black And I'm Proud4.0
Livin' Blues Hell's Session3.5
Arzachel Arzachel4.0
Moondog Moondog3.5
Frank Zappa Hot Rats4.0
High Tide Sea Shanties4.0
Morgen Morgen4.0
Dr. John Babylon3.0
Earl Hooker Two Bugs And A Roach3.5
Brewer and Shipley Weeds3.5
Spooky Tooth Spooky Two4.0
Creedence Clearwater Revival Bayou Country4.0
Savoy Brown Blue Matter4.0
Aphrodite's Child It's Five O'Clock3.5
Black Cat Bones Barbed Wire Sandwich4.0
Sonny Boy Williamson Bummer Road4.0
Schizofrenia Taste of Blues3.0
Bob Dylan Nashville Skyline3.0
Quintessence (UK) In Blissful Company4.0
It's a Beautiful Day It's a Beautiful Day4.0
An excellent album. The first half is more relaxed and flowery whereas the second is more psych. The addition of violin compliments greatly the overall sound of the album.
Head Machine Orgasm3.5
Joni Mitchell Clouds3.5
Howlin Wolf The Howlin' Wolf Album4.0
Townes Van Zandt Townes Van Zandt4.0
East of Eden Mercator Projected3.5
Dionysis Savvopoulos To Perivoli tou Trellou4.5
Shocking Blue At Home3.5
Climax Blues Band Plays On3.0
Martha Velez Fiends & Angels3.5
Great doses of blues rock with catchy melodies and a strong vocal performance by Martha Velez. However, this album must be checked as it includes performances by legends such as Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Paul Kossoff and Mitch Mitchel among others.
Taste Taste3.5
This is some solid blues rock by an artist that could do no wrong, but Rory hasn't found his sound here yet, as the music is influenced by the likes of Cream and Jimi Hendrix.
Fairport Convention What We Did on Our Holidays3.3
People who know Fairport Convention from Unhalfbricking and especially Liege & Lief, are gonna be surprised by this one, as its closer to the american side of folk. Nonetheless, there are hints of development and the album is pretty good.
Billy Preston That's The Way God Planned It3.5
Ten Years After Ssssh4.0

1968
Deep Purple The Book of Taliesyn3.0
The Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet3.5
The Beatles The Beatles4.0
The Kinks The Village Green Preservation Society3.5
Neil Young Neil Young3.0
Harry Nilsson Aerial Ballet4.0
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Electric Ladyland4.5
Steppenwolf The Second3.5
Donovan The Hurdy Gurdy Man4.0
Van Morrison Astral Weeks5.0
Deep Purple Shades of Deep Purple2.5
Booker T. and The MGs Soul Limbo3.0
Fleetwood Mac Mr. Wonderful3.5
Big Brother And The Holding Company Cheap Thrills3.5
Blue Cheer Outsideinside3.5
Heavy, loud and equally fuzzy and trippy. This is the link between Cream and Black Sabbath, or more correctly, MC5 and Pentagram, if the latter had released their debut back in the early '70s.
The Moody Blues In Search of the Lost Chord3.0
Grateful Dead Anthem of the Sun2.5
The Doors Waiting for the Sun4.0
The Band Music from Big Pink4.0
Jeff Beck Truth4.0
Creedence Clearwater Revival Creedence Clearwater Revival4.0
Pink Floyd A Saucerful of Secrets3.5
John Mayall Bare Wires3.5
Iron Butterfly In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida4.0
Aretha Franklin Aretha Now4.0
Cream Wheels of Fire4.0
Vanilla Fudge Renaissance3.0
Bloomfield, Kooper and Stills Super Session4.0
The Zombies Odessey and Oracle4.5
Simon and Garfunkel Bookends4.0
Joni Mitchell Song to a Seagull3.5
The Electric Flag A Long Time Comin'3.5
Fleetwood Mac Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac4.0
Otis Redding The Dock of the Bay4.0
Vanilla Fudge The Beat Goes On2.0
Taj Mahal Taj Mahal4.0
The Velvet Underground White Light/White Heat2.0
Aretha Franklin Lady Soul4.0
The Incredible String Band The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter3.5
Blue Cheer Vincebus Eruptum4.0
Buddy Guy A Man & The Blues4.0
Dr. John Gris-Gris3.5
Procol Harum Shine On Brightly4.0
B.B. King Lucille4.0
Buddy Guy This is Buddy Guy!4.0
Gun Gun4.0
Johnny Winter The Progressive Blues Experiment3.5
Steppenwolf Steppenwolf4.0
Excellent doses of blues rock, Steppenwolf is so much more than "Born to Be Wild". Listen to "The Pusher" and "The Ostrich".
St. John Green St. John Green3.5
The sound of a trip gone bad. LSD infused psych album by an obscure LA based band.
Canned Heat Living The Blues3.5
Aphrodite's Child End Of The World3.0
Canned Heat Boogie With Canned Heat4.0
H.P. Lovecraft H.P. Lovecraft II3.5
The Savage Resurrection The Savage Resurrection3.5
The Millennium Begin3.5
Merle Haggard Mama Tried3.5
Sam Gopal Escalator4.0
Iron Butterfly Heavy3.0
Fairport Convention Fairport Convention2.5
Only reason to check this one, as far as I'm concerned, is to see how Fairport Convention changed their sound through the years. This is miles behind their more well-known material, as it contains american folk and psych, compared to the electric brit folk of their latter albums.
Jethro Tull This Was3.0

1967
Leonard Cohen Songs of Leonard Cohen4.3
The Who The Who Sell Out3.0
The Rolling Stones Their Satanic Majesties Request3.0
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Axis: Bold as Love4.5
Donovan A Gift From A Flower To A Garden4.0
The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour4.5
Kaleidoscope (UK) Tangerine Dream3.5
The Moody Blues Days of Future Passed3.5
Buffalo Springfield Buffalo Springfield Again3.5
Gandalf Gandalf3.5
John Mayall The Blues Alone3.0
The Doors Strange Days4.5
Scott Walker Scott3.0
The Kinks Something Else by The Kinks3.5
John Mayall Crusade4.0
Big Brother And The Holding Company Big Brother And The Holding Company3.5
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band Safe As Milk3.0
Frank Zappa Lumpy Gravy Primordial1.5
Pink Floyd The Piper at the Gates of Dawn2.5
Vanilla Fudge Vanilla Fudge3.5
Tim Buckley Goodbye and Hello4.0
Bee Gees Bee Gees 1st3.5
Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign4.0
The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band4.5
Procol Harum Procol Harum4.0
Moby Grape Moby Grape3.5
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Are You Experienced4.5
Magic Sam West Side Soul4.0
Top quality Chicago blues that swings between uptempo moments and soulful cuts. Magic Sam's performance is emotional on the slower tracks and electric on the more playful ones. Lastly, it has that nice "live" feeling that a blues album can benefit from greatly.
Love Forever Changes4.0
Grateful Dead The Grateful Dead3.5
The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground & Nico4.0
Aretha Franklin I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You4.0
John Mayall A Hard Road4.0
The Rolling Stones Between the Buttons3.5
The Doors The Doors5.0
Cream Disraeli Gears4.5
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band The Resurrection Of Pigboy Crabshaw4.0
The Mothers of Invention Absolutely Free3.5
The Byrds The Byrds' Greatest Hits3.5
Laura Nyro More Than a New Discovery3.0
Jefferson Airplane Surrealistic Pillow4.0
Van Morrison Blowin' Your Mind3.5
Bob Dylan John Wesley Harding3.5
Country Joe And The Fish Electric Music for the Mind and Body3.5
Donovan Mellow Yellow4.0
Nina Simone Nina Simone Sings the Blues4.0
Nina Simone High Priestess of Soul3.5
The Left Banke Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina4.0
Ten Years After Ten Years After3.5

1966
The Who A Quick One3.0
Cream Fresh Cream3.5
The Animals Animalism3.5
The Kinks Face to Face3.0
Simon and Garfunkel Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme4.0
The Mamas and The Papas The Mamas and The Papas3.5
Donovan Sunshine Superman4.5
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band East West3.5
The Yardbirds Yardbirds (Roger the Engineer)3.0
The Beatles Revolver5.0
John Mayall Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton5.0
Wayne Shorter Speak No Evil4.0
The Beach Boys Pet Sounds4.0
Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde4.5
The Rolling Stones Aftermath3.0
The Mamas and The Papas If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears3.5
Simon and Garfunkel Sounds of Silence3.5
John Lee Hooker The Real Folk Blues3.0
The Mothers of Invention Freak Out!4.0
Bert Jansch Bert and John3.5
Junior Wells Electric Blues Chicago Style Vol.14.5
One of the finest Chicago blues albums. Including tracks from Hoodoo Man Blues as well, Wells and Buddy Guy deliver some fine tunes.
Skip James Today!3.5
Mississippi John Hurt Today!3.5
Nina Simone Wild is the Wind4.0

1965
The Beatles Rubber Soul4.0
The Who My Generation3.5
Jackson C. Frank Jackson C. Frank4.0
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Paul Butterfield Blues Band4.0
Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited5.0
The Beatles Help!4.0
The Yardbirds For Your Love4.0
The Byrds Mr. Tambourine Man4.0
Them The Angry Young Them3.5
The Beach Boys Today!3.5
Bob Dylan Bringing It All Back Home4.5
Thelonious Monk Solo Monk4.0
Excellent nighttime listen and a great introduction to Thelonious Monk's music.
The Graham Bond Organisation The Sound of '653.5
A great blend a jazz and the blues with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce on drums and bass respectively.
John Coltrane A Love Supreme4.0
B.B. King Live at the Regal4.0
Sonny Boy Williamson The Real Folk Blues4.0
Junior Wells Hoodoo Man Blues5.0
Bob Marley and The Wailers The Wailing Wailers3.0
Nina Simone Pastel Blues4.5
Wes Montgomery Bumpin'4.0
Phil Ochs I Ain't Marching Anymore4.0
Nina Simone I Put a Spell on You4.0

1964
The Beatles Beatles for Sale3.0
Bob Dylan Another Side of Bob Dylan3.0
The Beatles A Hard Day's Night4.0
Jerry Lee Lewis Live at the Star Club, Hamburg4.0
Bob Dylan The Times They Are A-Changin'3.5
Otis Redding Pain in My Heart3.5
Davey Graham Folk, Blues & Beyond4.0
John Lee Hooker Original Folk Blues3.5

1963
The Beatles With the Beatles3.5
Various Artists A Christmas Gift For You4.0
Produced by the legendary Phil Spector and including performances by artists such as Darlene Love and of course The Ronettes, this is one of the greatest Christmas albums. Only reason this does nothing to you, is you either hate Christmas or Christmas music.
Bob Dylan The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan3.5
James Brown Live At The Apollo4.0
The Beatles Please Please Me3.5
John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman4.0
Dexter Gordon Our Man in Paris3.5
Dave Van Ronk Dave Van Ronk, Folksinger3.5
Miles Davis Quiet Nights3.5

1962
Booker T. and The MGs Green Onions4.0
Ben E. King Don't Play That Song3.5
Bob Dylan Bob Dylan3.5
Howlin Wolf Howlin' Wolf4.0
John Coltrane Ballads4.0

1961
Bobby Bland Two Steps from the Blues3.5
B.B. King My Kind of Blues4.0

1960
Thelonious Monk At The Blackhawk4.0
You don't even have to be a jazz fan to love this live performance.
Charles Mingus Blues & Roots4.0
Wes Montgomery The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery3.5
T-Bone Walker T-Bone Blues3.5
B.B. King King of the Blues3.5
Lightnin' Hopkins Autobiography in Blues3.5
Miles Davis Sketches of Spain4.0

1959
Chuck Berry Chuck Berry Is on Top4.0
Miles Davis Kind of Blue4.5
Willie Dixon Willie's Blues3.5
Art Blakey Moanin'4.0
Howlin Wolf Moanin' in the Moonlight4.0
Ray Charles The Genius of Ray Charles4.0

1958
Little Richard Little Richard4.0
Champion Jack Dupree Blues From the Gutter3.7
Piano blues with boogie-woogie elements and a genuine blues joint feeling. The instrumentation is fairly basic but the blend of piano, alto sax, drums and guitar is very effective. Lastly, the lyrics are not only hard-hitting but also controversial on some songs bearing in mind the release date of this LP.
John Coltrane Blue Train4.0
Bo Diddley Bo Diddley3.5
Miles Davis Ascenseur pour l'echafaud OST4.0

1957
Little Richard Here's Little Richard4.0
Miles Davis 'Round About Midnight4.0

1956
Elvis Presley Elvis Presley4.5
B.B. King Singin' The Blues4.0

1955
Frank Sinatra In The Wee Small Hours4.0
Victor Feldman Suite Sixteen3.5
Bing Crosby Merry Christmas4.5

1940
Woody Guthrie Dust Bowl Ballads4.0

1902
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor4.0

1897
Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 134.0

1893
Antonin Dvorak Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 1784.5

1889
Antonin Dvorak Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88, B. 1634.0

1880
Pyotr Tchaikovsky Fantasy-Overture: Romeo & Juliet, TH.424.0

1877
Antonin Dvorak Stabat Mater, Op. 58, B.714.0

1876
Pyotr Tchaikovsky Swan Lake, Op. 204.5

1869
Johannes Brahms 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 14.0

1865
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Symphony No.1 in E minor, Op. 14.0

1843
Felix Mendelssohn Die erste Walpurgisnacht, Op. 604.0

1830
Hector Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique4.0

1824
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 1254.5

1808
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 674.0

1803
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 363.5

1788
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 5504.0

1785
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 4674.0

1721
Johann Sebastian Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 10504.0
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