It was over 20 years ago that I heard a certain album called “Wishmaster” by a then little known band called Nightwish. Thinking back, that was my first experience of Symphonic Metal with an operatic female singer, something a wave… Continue Reading →
I’ve been known to mention that many Italian Symphonic Power Metal bands throughout the years have a tendency towards the theatrical and the flamboyant when I’m reviewing those kind of bands. Yes, it was a style that Rhapsody (of Fire)… Continue Reading →
Italian Progressive Symphonic Metal band Degrees Of Truth seem determined to take full advantage of their new home on Scarlet Records. After two previous albums (one in 2016 and another in 2019), they’ve re-energised themselves with a new vocalist and… Continue Reading →
Greek Heavy/Power Metal band The Silent Rage are back after a lengthy break of seven years, with the weighty follow-up to their impressive debut “The Deadliest Scourge” and as you might expect with such a gap between albums, there have… Continue Reading →
If you’ve ever listened to Dope Stars Inc. and thought “man, I wish that was a bit heavier”, then boy do I have a band for you: DSI’s compatriots, Reasons Behind. Now, I love Victor Love and Associates, and I… Continue Reading →
Evermore’s 2021 debut “Court Of The Tyrant King” was no doubt one of the best self-released Power Metal albums of that year. Deservedly it earned them a record deal with Scarlet Records and this well-established Italian record label is an… Continue Reading →
Setting out on longboats to Lindisfarne back in 2012 it would appear these Italians somehow thought they had Viking heritage when they started out with their debut EP. Since then they have steered their way through Midgard, Ragnarok, wars and… Continue Reading →
I first encountering Finnish Melodic Power Metal band Excalion way back in 2007 with what I now know to be their second album (their first with Limb Music). It was a solid, decent album, with plenty of good guitar and… Continue Reading →
It’s been quite a while since I locked horns with Hatesphere. Once one of my favourite bands, the high point for me was their 2005 album “The Sickness Within”. This latest album, which is their 11th full release, actually has… Continue Reading →
It’s taken just three albums for Frozen Crown to lift themselves undeniably into one of Italy’s best and highly regarded Power Metal bands. After a find-your-feet, yet still impressive debut, two more albums of fantastic songs driven by the dual… Continue Reading →
Not sure how I swiped some symphonic metal from under Mr Barker’s nose but I did. I was intrigued by these fifteen year plus Italian veterans because I genuinely hadn’t a clue about them but they started as a Death… Continue Reading →
It’s always a pleasure to hear when a band switches a couple of members, finds their own sound and throws an album out there with renewed intent and focus. It would be a real shame right now if I said… Continue Reading →