Getcha Rocks Off

defender_of_the_faith wrote:

Can you do a review of Helloween's Better Than Raw? I'm thinking of purchasing it used but i'm not sure yet.

Um...no. Haha. But I can tell you that the album is killer. It's my second favorite album by them. I think it's a pretty universally loved album by Helloween fans, too.

Eyesore wrote:

defender_of_the_faith wrote:

Can you do a review of Helloween's Better Than Raw? I'm thinking of purchasing it used but i'm not sure yet.

Um...no. Haha. But I can tell you that the album is killer. It's my second favorite album by them. I think it's a pretty universally loved album by Helloween fans, too.

What Eyesore said... except that it's my FIRST favorite by them. BETTER THAN RAW rules. If you are a Helloween fan, then you must buy now.

Thanks alot!

So this album can really hold its own along side the Keepers albums?

defender_of_the_faith wrote:

So this album can really hold its own along side the Keepers albums?

This is probably considered Heresy in some Helloween fan circles but I'd say the BETTER THAN RAW disc smokes the KEEPERS albums.

Fat Freddy wrote:

defender_of_the_faith wrote:

So this album can really hold its own along side the Keepers albums?

This is probably considered Heresy in some Helloween fan circles but I'd say the BETTER THAN RAW disc smokes the KEEPERS albums.

It does. I've always felt the first two Keeper albums were overrated. There's too many stinkers on each album.

I disagree wholeheartedly with the Keepers albums being overrated, and the stinkers found on each album. Each song is pure gold, especially on part 2. The only song that i could classify as a "stinker" on a Keepers album would be A little Time from part 1. Nonetheless, it's still a great track!

No way. Each album has at least two songs that simply aren't good. "Rise And Fall" is one of the worst songs the band has ever written. Not saying I dislike either album, and I surely don't discount their legendary status or influence on metal. But considering I got into Helloween after those albums came out, I simply can't get on board with their supposed greatness. They each have some killer tunes, but overall I don't consider them great albums. In fact, I think everything from the Deris-era (not including the covers album) blows the two Keeper albums away.

My opinion, of course. And I know it's likely not shared by many (or anyone else, for that matter).

I dont agree with you at all, but whatever, to each his own. I find rise and fall to be hilarious!

Anyways, so are you only reviewing albums by more obscure bands so you can pique the interest of people who otherwise might not have heard em? ...With a few exceptions here and there

defender_of_the_faith wrote:

I dont agree with you at all, but whatever, to each his own. I find rise and fall to be hilarious!

Anyways, so are you only reviewing albums by more obscure bands so you can pique the interest of people who otherwise might not have heard em? ...With a few exceptions here and there

Well, I generally like to review albums by bands that you don't see reviewed everywhere. When I get my site up and running I'll be reviewing everything in my collection, or at least discussing each album. I won't do full-blown reviews for each; that would take me ages!

Right now, however, I review what is sent to me mostly, with the ocassional review by a band of my choosing, like Before The Dawn. I'm doing to new Ultimatum now, too.

Eyesore wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

defender_of_the_faith wrote:

So this album can really hold its own along side the Keepers albums?

This is probably considered Heresy in some Helloween fan circles but I'd say the BETTER THAN RAW disc smokes the KEEPERS albums.

It does. I've always felt the first two Keeper albums were overrated. There's too many stinkers on each album.

I always thought KEEPER PART I was pretty solid all the way thru, but KEEPER PART II haS more than a few bombs on it. I always hated "Rise and Fall," and "Dr. Stein" (which was released as a single back then) is just too dang goofy for me.

I'd still take either of those discs over PINK BUBBLES GO APE or CHAMELEON though. (Hate... CHAMELEON... so... MUCH!!!!)

Gamma Ray has been more consistent that Helloween throughout their career. Eyesore, would you please be so kind as to review Land of the Free part 2 fore me? I've got part one, love it, and i would like to know if part 2 is a worthy successor.

defender_of_the_faith wrote:

Gamma Ray has been more consistent that Helloween throughout their career. Eyesore, would you please be so kind as to review Land of the Free part 2 fore me? I've got part one, love it, and i would like to know if part 2 is a worthy successor.

I think Helloween has done nothing but great things since Deris joined the band. I love every album from Master Of The Rings on.

I don't own Land Of The Free II yet. I think it comes out here in the US later this month.

DARKWATER - CALLING THE EARTH TO WITNESS (Progressive Metal)


A while back I picked up Dreaming Awake by Sweden's Harmony through the trading website lala.com. It was a blind pick-up, but I was pretty impressed with the album. The band played a brand of power metal with a slight progressive edge, one that on the surface reminded me of Circus Maxiumus, but lacked that heavy progressive sound. The band Darkwater, consisting of four of the five members in Harmony, takes the progressive banner and raises it high. What Harmony is only on the surface, Darkwater is that through and through. They don't break the mold that bands like Zero Hour and Wastefall and the aforementioned Circus Maximus create, but they do reinforce it.

Calling The Earth To Witness is Darkwater's Ulterium Records debut, having only released one song prior, in 2004, on a compilation called The Sweet…According To Sweden. The album is nine songs deep (one being a short intro), and clocks in at just under sixty-nine minutes. "All Eyes On Me"—preceded by the short intro "2534167"—sets the progressive metal bar high; crushing guitar and drum work (very solid, heavy tones on both), powerful vocals with thick, lush harmonies, subtle keyboard flourishes that create depth, outstanding lead work, and—most importantly—brilliant songwriting. "Again" and "Habit" step up next and land a perfect one-two combination, with the latter pushing the thirteen-minute mark, showing a more dynamic and experimental style. Darkwater doesn't deviate from this heavy progressive style on the whole of the album, but they do add some different elements from song to song to keep things fresh: the short piano ballad "The Play, Pt. 1," the keyboard heavy and aggressive "Shattered," a little acoustic guitar work and a cappella on "Tallest Tree."

While not breaking new ground, Calling The Earth To Witness is a formidable album in the field of progressive metal. While so many bands of this genre have too many loose ends flapping around while they try too hard to create something "progressive," Darkwater manages to keep things compelling and dynamic without getting sloppy. It's not always easy to make something memorable and tasty when so many ingredients are used, but Darkwater will both satisfy and keep you hungry for more.

Rating: 90/100
Website: http://www.darkwater.se
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/darkwaterofficial
Downloads: Tallest Tree (Clip), Shattered (Clip)

Auntie Saxon wrote:

I know Eden from Aesma Daeva, she used to be in "All the Pretty Horses".

My best friend in third grade (Doug Wild) did some of the production work for ATPH at one time.

I think Earl Root was part of the ensemble for this Aesma Daeva CD.

And most importantly, when I ordered this CD from John Prassas, it came from Hudson WISCONSIN, the return label showed the band as headquartered there. So I need you to tell uncle Saxon that, and if you could beat him over the head with a big piece of cheese at the same time, I'd appreciate it.

Can you review some Skyclad, specifically Prince of the Povery Line?

Lol guess not

Never even saw that reply. But no, I can't review that one. I have 20 albums to review as it is, and I'm way behind schedule.

Do you get paid to review?

defender_of_the_faith wrote:

Do you get paid to review?

Nope. Well, sort of; I get free CDs.

That's pretty cool. So bands just mail you their cds? How does it work?

defender_of_the_faith wrote:

That's pretty cool. So bands just mail you their cds? How does it work?

You build relationships with labels/bands. If not you, then the webzine you work for, and then the central contact for the zine ships out CDs to the reviewers.

Ohhhh cool

Eyesore wrote:

DARKWATER - CALLING THE EARTH TO WITNESS (Progressive Metal)

Great review. So much so I think I will check this band out. You can definitely write.

journeyman wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

DARKWATER - CALLING THE EARTH TO WITNESS (Progressive Metal)

Great review. So much so I think I will check this band out. You can definitely write.

Damn. I just shipped off the promo with a lala trade. I would have sent it to you. Ulterium records sends promos in cardboard sleeves. =(

Great album, though. Do check it out.