BATTLE HELM

Rhapsody Of Fire “Live – From Chaos To Eternity” 2CD (AFM Records)

Italian symphonic power metal kings Rhapsody Of Fire have been going since the early 90s when the new wave of power metal began, rising to their peak when their material was defined as ‘film score’ metal and involving such luminaries as Christopher Lee! However the last few years have been tumultuous, not in least due to the departure of founder guitarist Luca Turilli, who formed his own namesake version of the band! In many ways this monster 24 track double live album is a strategic move for the band, if anything reassuring the fans and the metal scene in general of Rhapsody Of Fire’s health as well as its rich legacy. The other thing that is immediately noticeable is how loud the album is – at times you’re wondering who is loudest, Rhapsody Of Fire or their fans?! Again, this may be deliberate as the band have always been noted for their perfectionist musicianship so this time they may be wanting us to see the real band – not that messrs Staropoli and Lione need worry, if there were any technical faults they certainly went unnoticed by me cos I was simply too engrossed in the ecstasy of their stupendous performance! All the classics are there from ‘Dawn Of Victory’ to ‘Holy Thunderforce’ to ‘Triumph Or Agony’, along with solos from pretty much everyone in the band, although they are wisely timed so the momentum and energy of the show doesn’t wane. Most of all, the reason why this is an excellent release for the band is that it vividly captures their live performance and you literally feel the band are in front of you, surrounded by a thousand fans also screaming in rhapsody!

Death Dealer – “War Master” (Steel Cartel Records)

Searing metal that takes no prisoners! Death Dealer are the new super group made up of MANOWAR’s ex bad boys Ross The Boss and Rhino, together with CAGE’s Sean Peck, Stu Marshall (DUNGEON, EMPIRES OF EDEN) and Mike Davis (HALFORD, LIZZY BORDEN). Playing louder than loud metal this is a high octane cross between early Anthrax, Judas Priest and Manowar! There really is no let up on songs like ‘Never To Kneel’, ‘Hammer Down’ and ‘Liberty Or Death’ as Sean Peck’s crescendo vocals collide with Rhino’s relentless steam hammer drumming and are burned by the twin firebrand guitars of Stu Marshall and the man himself – Ross The Boss! Balancing the raw power comes his amazing melodies with that unmistakeable guitar tone, along with an epic feel giving Death Dealer one helluva sound. Despite playing in different bands over the years worldwide all five veterans are brimming with energy and passion – it’s almost like a virgin band with completely OTT performances making “War Master” a pure US metal inferno!!!

Witchfynde – “The Lost Tapes Of 1975″ (Vyper Records)

Another band given fame thru Lars Ulrich’s NWOBHM collection with their 1980 album “Give ‘Em Hell”, truth be told this British band had been going since 1975 well before heavy metal had probably been invented as a term! Comprised of vocalist Steve Bridges, lead guitarist Montalo, bassist Andro Coulton and drummer Gra Scoresby who went on to record their aforementioned debut, Witchfynde’s beginnings were very different although typical of their time comprising mid 70s heavy Brit rock mixed with the remnants of psychedelia and prog from the early 70s judging by the likes of the exotically titled ‘Madame Noname’, and especially in Bridges hypnotic vocals on the epic 10 minute ‘Slowdown’ and Montalo’s far out soloing on ‘Valkyrian Ride’. Dug out from the crypts by Coulton, “The Lost Tapes Of 1975″ is the original 5 track master tape recorded in a one take session brought back to life thanks to the re-mastering of Belladona’s Dani Macchi (who also happens to be a lifelong Witchfynde fan!). Together with a 1977 2 track master including an unreleased version of ‘Tetelestai’, this really does take us back thru the mists of time as many of today’s sounds and even styles can be heard in the pioneering sounds of a band who way ahead of their time. A definite collectors item for Witchfynde fans, early occult / doom rock fans and anyone into the 70s wanting an original slice of it hear – tape stretching an’ all!

Tom Keifer – “The Way Life Goes” (Warner Music)

During the 80s, Cinderella were one of the biggest hair rock bands around grossing multi platinum albums and their videos receiving heavy airplay on MTV. Fronting them was founder Tom Keifer, who successfully led the band – until he lost his voice owing to vocal paresis. Thereafter began the slide as labels dropped the band and were reluctant to sign them as Keifer’s voice continued to manifest sporadic health issues. Despite this Cinderella continued to tour where they could but it would not be until 2009 that Keifer’s voice was certified as 100%, by which time the band were being marketed on their legacy. Amazingly, this solo album has been something Keifer has had on the go since 2003 but is the first new studio material since 1994 from either himself or his band! Listening to “The Way Life Goes” I’ll answer the million dollar question straight away: Tom’s voice has indeed healed and is 100%! Given songs like ‘Cold Day In Hell’ are on par with the power of Cinderella, whilst the piano closer of ‘You Showed Me’ is actually quieter, my guess is that any vocal flaws would be immediately noticeable so this is a brave move for Keifer indeed. As for the next million dollar question the answer is yes, it is pretty close to Cinderella although leaning generally towards acoustic country rock rather than stadium rock, although the kick ass ‘Mood Elevator’ is definitely old school Cinderella! Gone is the hairspray and the pretty boy pouts, but Tom Keifer has returned the seasoned rocker with classic Americana branded into his rawhide rock.

Bai Bang – “All Around The World” (AOR Heaven)

These Swedish glam rockers formed back in the 1989 based on the dream of main man vocalist Diddi Kastenholt. Inspired by music of that time Bai Bang pretty much followed suit to the likes of Danger Danger, Motley Crue, and LA. Guns along with their ‘hairspray’ look which still remains the same along with their motto to party on! Arguably the first glam / sleaze band in Sweden, and of the traditional genre, they were not part of the more modern “New Wave of Swedish Sleaze” that spawned the likes of Crashdiet, Hardcore Superstar etc. Bai Bang’s music is about good time rock n roll and their sound reflects that from Diddi’s rock star vocals to their melodic rock out riffs. If that wasn’t enough they add in the singalong cow rock harmonies of Bon Jovi and stadium rock anthems of Def Leppard on shake it out songs like ‘Everybody Everywhere’, ‘Raise Your Hands’ and ‘Get It On’. In some ways Bai Bang really are a throwback to the cock rock days of the 80s, but hey, the album title says it all as these guys really have been all over but clearly they still are party favorites with their catchy seasoned brand of glam hard rock n roll!

King & Country – “Mountains” EP (www.facebook.com/kingandcountryband)

Formed in the valleys of South Wales comes this youthful pop rock band formed only 2 years ago. With an aptly titled EP, King & Country’s sound is as big as it is beautiful. Ashley Taylor’s teen vox and the band’s soulful harmonies contrast brilliantly with their raw power and rhythm on songs like ‘One For The Weekend’, ‘Cherish What You Have’ and ‘Not Alone’. Inspired by their natural surroundings of landscape and countryside, the band take hard Brit rock and pop influences along with lighter indie elements to produce this eye catching EP that resonates both muscle and majesty in its pull. Already selling out UK college halls, King & Country are now garnering national radio airplay and should make a worthy addition to the Welsh music scene.

CPT KRONOS
”The Invocation”
(Violent Journey)
I do not know how much comics these Finns have read but CAPTAIN KRONOS is a really cool band name anyway as it is a cool super hero name too. What I wouldn’t give to be the God of time, to have the ability to stop and shift time and with that the power to make people like a band’s music

NECROCURSE
”Grip Of The Dead”
(Pulverised)
This is somewhat of a Swedish all star line-up with people from Runemagick and Nifelheim joining forces in creating some really cool old school metal.

NONSUN
”Good Old Evil”
(-)
I have absolutely no idea what this band is all about. This is my first encounter with them which makes it a bit scary to approach it. You don’t know if you’ll end up feeling cheated out of your time or if you won’t be able to put it down.

OCTOBER TIDE
”Tunnel Of No Light”
(Pulverised)
OK, this is a band that I’ve been aware of since day one but haven’t checked out for various reasons. But as we’ve entered 2013 and almost gotten to half time I see no reason why not to do so now.

OPRICH
”Birdless Heavens”
(Casus Belli Musica)
Another band that is totally unknown to me. And as per usual I approach this band with a completely open mind set. You never know when you’ll stumble upon another great act.

OVEROTH
”Kingdom Of Shadows”
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Just from looking at the artwork for this album I’ve come to expect this to be death metal. Yeah, you shouldn’t judge an album by its cover but sometimes it is hard not to do so. This one has a cover that screams death to me.

REVELATION
”Inner Harbor”
(Shadow Kingdom Records)
I remember REVELATION from back in the early 90s when I found a record they released on Rise Above. Along with Dream Death these chaps were my introduction into doom metal that wasn’t Candlemass.