COMP SWAP XI - The reviews

Royal Hunt - Hard Rain's Coming, The First Rock.
Meh. Never liked them. Too much keyboards and that choirs. And in general.

Dark At Dawn - Baneful Skies, The Alliance
Why, why there are no CD's of them in my modest collection. The better side of power metal. Mighty, in your face, take-no-prisoners attitude with necessary mellow moments inclusions being accompanied of great musical pattern. Whats not to like.

Eldritch - No Direction Home, Everything's Burning
Know them - love them. First two albums are the only ones I have, and these two songs are heavier than the material represented on my CDs. "Everything's Burning" doesn't move me in any way, but the other one is way more enjoyable.

Darkseed - Disbeliever, Cosmic Shining
Great. Love it. Their mixture of genres sure does the job. Retaining traditional, more melodic but more often than not boring and unimaginative at the same time, they add darker, more extreme approaches achieving the sound very pleasant to these ears.

Cydonia - Land of Life, Beyond Time.
I can't say that I didn't like them, but for sure I'm not blown away. Cydonia have all the the key elements, but something is missing. Some parts are great, others are tolerable, as a whole - okay. Bonus for electronic inclusions in 2nd track.

Vanishing Point - Once a Believer, Surrender
Still not impressed with them. They are of those kind of bands I like when playing, but after the songs fades...
Mellow parts and solo sections I'm a sucker for though, and in this field these guys deliver.

Power of Omens - Test of Wills
I love progressive metal. No, I adore it. But only if more bands would sound like Fates Warning, making an emphasis on emotional content rather than technical multidimensional structures. One does not simply can make 20 minutes long song, which will grab your attention the entire length. And again, some parts are just brilliant, reminding me the greater sides of Ryche and already mentioned (best band ever) Fates, while others annoy me with crazy twists and turns of musical pattern. It's like I'm starting to enjoy a melodic piece of art and the drummer decides he needs to add some extravaganza moment. I still am not sure whether I like the song or not. Perhaps if listened enough times to get used to it, I'll explore the true greatness of the band. But at first there's a need to complete the mosaic.

And you forgot to include Domine songs, so I'll return soon with deep thoughts about the subject.

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

Kelidian - The Ghost of Icarus, Requiem of Light
There's a topic about this band in which praises are sung. I questioned myself if they really are that good, but was always too lazy to spend 5 minutes on youtube. Cause they play power metal. It appears that yes, they definitely are that good. Maybe even slightly better.
I'm positive I can't find anything bad about their music. Bye bye stipend.

Your stipend's safe - both of Keldian's albums can be downloaded for free: www.keldian.com

Well sir, I'm glad the comp had many morsels of goodness for you, and I am much gratified and humbled by what you had to say about my lil ol' Florida band. Can't wait for everyone to hear the record.

I'll see what I can do about those Domine songs, with my computer having done teh suicide. I think I can send from my phone, which my life is on for the time being.

There is youtube, so I can listen them easily.

Downloaded the rest of the songs on the phone and will be completing my review.

I really dug my "cherry poppin" experience with this lil' compilation trip. In the past, my non-participation scenario involved the aspects of not trading and lack of interest in reading reviews by those who did.

I enjoyed reading others reviews as much as the anticipation of hearing "new" music from the person that I was paired up with. It made me realize the following.....1) How out of touch I was with bands putting out good music in a flavor appealing to me. 2) Preconceived
notions as to what some members would compile and send was shot down in flames. and 3) I was "wrongly" concerned with trying to impress another with how many "unknown gems" i could throw at them instead of doing what I did. Which was merely a musical snapshot of inside my head the day I made the disc.

So the next time the board jumps on this endeavor, I am in. I am not afraid to say that even as reluctant as I was in doing this. James had fun

I'm planning on working on my reviews this weekend. I'm still in the process of familiarizing myself with the material on Leo's comp.

Wurthless wrote:

I'm planning on working on my reviews this weekend. I'm still in the process of familiarizing myself with the material on Leo's comp.

I should have yours up by Monday too

Addy must not have liked my second disc

I just rec'd 2 cds from Witchfinder. It'll take a week or so to get through them both a few times.
I'll get the reviews up shortly after that.

Micha have forgotten me

I also dropped the ball and haven't gotten around to sending out my second disc, life kind of got in the way. Hopefully I can find time to crank it out in the next couple days.

kmorg wrote:

Micha have forgotten me

I didn't forget, I got busy with school, finals, group projects and one fantastic lady. Disc one is going up now and disc 2 will be up this afternoon. I apologize for this taking so long.

Here is disc one of my Swap with Kmorg. It is appropriately titled Hard and Heavenly. I sincerely apologize that it has taken so long, but here you go!

Recon – Lost Soldier

I remember seeing this album at the local Christian Bookstore back in the day when I first started buying albums, unfortunately I never got around to picking it up. I wanted it then, still want it now. This particular track reminds a bit of Sacred Warrior meets Kiske-era Helloween, primarily in the vocals, with a heavy euro-metal influence.

Messiah Prophet – Master of the Metal

I heard this track previously on a HM podcast and I love it! Hearing it again on this comp puts this album firmly on my “needs” list. While listening to this song right after I got the track, my kids were asking to listen to it.

Sacrament – Blood Bath

I have this album, but to my knowledge, I have never listened to it all the way through. This is a solid slab of brutal thrash. This is not one of those albums that I listen to unless I am in the mood for some brutality and mayhem. That being said, I will definitely be re-visiting this album, as the musicianship is phenomenal.

Sacrificium – Canvas

This track is a solid slab of aggressive death-metal. I am not a big fan of this genre, but I really like what I hear on this track and I will be checking out more from this band for sure.

Teramaze – Without Red Hands

I have this album as well, but for some reason I can’t get into it. However, I like this track quite a bit, I just wish the album was more like this track.

Holy Saint – Christ is the Answer

Horns UP!! I love me some classic metal!! I had never even heard of these guys before this comp, but I like what I hear. This track is filled with tasty licks, lead breaks, some killer bass fills and great vocals. I must have this album!

Eden – Need Somebody

The first time through this track I thought it sounded a bit like old L.A. in the glory days. The riff in this song is pure sunset strip (pre-glam explosion). This song is fantastic! It reminds me a bit of old Ratt. I did a little searching for more info on this band and found out the majority of the guitar work was performed by none other than Rex Carroll of Whitecross fame. No wonder this track feels like an old friend.

Flagship – You Are

Another band that I have never heard of. It sounds like Christian Lijegren of Narnia fronting Queen, but then again, not really. It is hard to describe, but I like it. The riffs and keyboard wankery make for a unique sound. This track also has some pretty big prog influences. In short, if the rest of the album sounds like this, I want it. While this is not an album that I would spin a lot, it is one to kick back and enjoy.

Jerusalem – Risen

Oh Yeah! A blast from the past right here. When the local Christian bookstore converted their demo tapes to CD’s, they sold their open cassettes for something like $2 each if I remember correctly. But, that does not matter, what does matter is that I bought this album as a blind buy, along with a bunch of others (Die Happy, Deliverance, X-Sinner, etc.), because I thought that the logo was cool looking. When I pressed play I was NOT expecting this all. I was floored. The more that the tape ran on, the more I loved this album. I literally played this cassette until it fell apart. From that first snare roll in the into, I cranked this one up and sang along word-for-word. Thanks Kmorg for putting this one on here. I really need to get this album again, as I had totally forgotten about this gem.

Place of Skulls – Blood of Jesus

Quite simply, I love this band. I want this e.p. in a bad way. This song is sludgy and heavy and pure PoS with those simply brilliant lyrics that are pure gospel.

Sardonyx – Paracletos

Sardonyx is another one of those bands that I have heard of, but never heard. I have wanted to get this album for quite a long time based on the demo’s from iTunes. Now that I have a whole track in my possession, they moved up the want list like a rocket. They remind me a bit of Thresher in the production and sound. I love the early Christian Thrash scene.

Joshua – Only Yesterday

YES! YES! YES! Rob Rock! I had another Joshua tape back in the day and I was not into it, so I did not have my hopes up for this track. Then those angelic pipes let loose. Even with the keyboards, the guitar did not get stepped on, but rather stands on its own. Simply put, this song ROCKS!! Pun intended. This is a solid slab of Hard Rock that I want.

Battalion – Don’t Wait

And here is another band that I have never heard of before. This is fantastic! I cannot find out anything about this album, but I love this song. I need this one too.

Balance of Power – Shelter Me

I have heard of BoP and I have even heard a few tracks but have not pulled the trigger on any albums yet. Now I know where to start. I love this style of proggy-metal, and this song is brilliant. This song has that balladesque quality but is so much more. I have pressed ‘repeat’ on this track more times than I can count.

Liberty n’ Justice – For Better or For Worse

Great song! I enjoy a good, well written ballad and this is a prime example of what a ballad should sound like. Period. This album is on my list as my son loves this album, so I may have to buy 2 copies now.

David Benson – Holy Psychotherapy

Another gem that I already own. I bought this album after hearing this track, and I spin it every so often. It is solid start to finish.

Betrayal – Ichabod

This is the one song on the entire first disc of the comp that I have heard before and did not like at all. This track is growing on me, especially after I have gotten into more of the crossover thrash like the Crucified and Suicidal Tendencies. The more that I listen to it, the more that I am really starting to like it. I am seriously starting to consider owning this album, because the more that I listen, the more that I find things to like about this song.

Six Feet Deep – Struggle

Here is another trip down memory lane. I bought this album and The Road Less Traveled at the same time at Camelot Music in Portland, OR, while doing my Army Entrance processing right after high-school. I listened to the other album a lot more than this one, but at the time, I was heavily into industrial metal like Argyle Park, Mortal and Circle of Dust, so unfortunately I don’t remember a single track off of either album. I probably traded them off to get something else, but after hearing this track, they are both albums that I need to re-purchase badly. Just solid crossover thrash with a heavy groove.

Again, my apologies to Kmorg for taking so long on the review. This comp is FANTASTIC, and I want the stuff that I don't already have.

I will have Disc 2 done this afternoon and a solid slab of fantastic metal it is.

Wow, killer write up! Looks like I nailed it ;-)

Btw, it is our very own Shawn Pelata singing on that Liberty 'n' Justice track

"Shelter Me" is my favorite BoP song.

tohostudios wrote:

"Shelter Me" is my favorite BoP song.

Mine too! With One Voice right behind it.

kmorg wrote:

Wow, killer write up! Looks like I nailed it ;-)

Btw, it is our very own Shawn Pelata singing on that Liberty 'n' Justice track

as in the Shawn of Fire? That guy has a great voice!

Anytime that you send me classic Christian Metal, it will score every time. I honestly had no clue that the early Christian metal scene had so much rich history in it, until I started hanging out on here. An absolutely fantastic comp that still sees many a regular spin.

And the second disc from Kmorg... Let's get it on!

Disc 2: From Norway with Metal.
First off, let me say, I am not familiar with most of these bands at all. Secondly, I have not listened to this disc nearly as often as the first disc, but there are some really good tracks on this comp. I found plenty to like about this disc, with not a bad track in the mix. I have really enjoyed hearing the new tunes.

Artch – The Metal Life

This track rides that very fine line between the Power and Traditional metal genre’s and these guys do it well. I like this track quite a bit. The guitar tones are crunchy and heavy and the riffs gallop like a herd of stampeding horses. This is not speed for the sake of speed but rather there are plenty of tempo changes that add to the quality of the song and keep you listening.

WitchHammer – The smurf-for-hire of Babylon

This track is AWESOME! But then, I really love those songs that start out really slow and mellow and then slowly build up in to a pounding driving metal song. The singer’s voice has an accent to it, but that actually adds to the appeal and sound of the band, and does not prevent one from understanding the lyrics. I like this track quite a bit, and I want to check out more by these guys for sure.

Equinox – Stop!

This is another one of those sleepers that starts out with a mellow intro and then gets rolling! I really dig this band. The singers voice is really gruff and raw but totally understandable, and the band has a ton of groove. Each instrument is heard clearly and the guitars are heavy, without being down-tuned. I dig this band quite a bit.

Triosphere – Driven

This is one of my favorite tracks on this comp. Helium high vocals, speedy tempos, and wailing guitar solos. This song is not in any way power metal, but is just pure high speed metal. I definitely want this album!

Carnivora – The Masters and their Slaves

I really like this band as well, although the band name threw me for a loop. I was expecting some brutal death or something like that. I really like the slow tempo of this song, as the music creates a mood that the lyrics totally capture. I will be checking more out by these guys for sure.

Communic – Flood River Blood

This song starts out with a pummeling riff that segues into a mellow verse and then puts the balls back in it during the chorus. The one thing that makes this track difficult to listen to is that during the chorus the singer sings at a different speed than the music and specifically the riff. It makes for an odd sound. Other than that small detail, I really dig this band.

Conception – Gethsemane

Great proggy-metal! This track has lots of tempo changes that flow together very well to create a journey that is all tied together by the lyrics. I really want this album!

Circus Maximus – Namaste

This is a very modern sounding proggy-metal band. The music is great, but the singer sings through a filter that makes his voice sound almost eerie during the verse and hits the high notes during the chorus. It has that DT vibe running through it all but without the technical wankery that makes DT so difficult to listen to. All together a fantastic band that I want to get more of.

ARK – Resurrection

I have this album already and it is solid!

Griffin – Unbreakable

I like this track but I think that these guys could use a little groove in the sound. There is just something missing that I can’t quite put my finger on. Great riffs, vocals and the guitar tone is fantastic.

Jorn – Black Morning

I really like this song, just a good hard bluesy rocker. This song has a ton of emotion in the vocals and lyrics. I definitely would not call it metal by any stretch. I like what am hearing here, and I will definitely be checking out more of his stuff.

Oceans of Time – Walls of Silence

This song is pure classic power metal with a heavy prog-vibe that sounds to me like a huge Symphony-X influence. I like this band quite a bit. The keyboards are not overkill, but blend well with the music. Even the singer reminds me a bit of Russell Allan , but not as harsh. This is a must have band.

Pagans Mind – Intermission

A good solid metal tune and I really like the guitar tone. The interplay between the guitar riff and the drummer is what makes this track stand out on this comp. I need to check out more of these guys for sure.

Blood Tsunami – Internal Final Carnage

These guys sound like Arch Enemy’s own offspring, very similar but enough of a difference to set them apart. This is pretty good melodic death metal that is well executed.

Susperia – Devil May Care

This song is interesting. I am not really sure how to describe Susperia though. A bit of goth inspired doom music meets Disturbed in the vocal delivery, perhaps? This track is ok, but usually I just hit the skip button on this track.

In Vain – On the Banks of the Missippi

The first time through this track I was trying to figure out what is going on, but after listening to it a few times, I think I have it locked in. These guys are prog-metal with some very heavy death-metal influences in a way that I have nothing to compare them to. I really like this song quite a bit, and I need to get this album.

All-in-all, Kmorg put together some fantastic compilations that just lightened the wallet quite a bit. A good variety that flows pretty well together. I will trade with him again if given the chance.

Thanks again, Micha! Glad I could turn you onto a few bands. Do you like Extol? Then In Vain is a must! I believe that most of the members in the band are Christians as well.

kmorg wrote:

Thanks again, Micha! Glad I could turn you onto a few bands. Do you like Extol? Then In Vain is a must! I believe that most of the members in the band are Christians as well.

I have 1 Extol album and 1 e.p. I don't listen to them very often, but I like them quite a bit.

Here is my review for the Comp Swap cds I rec’d from Witchfinder. I rec’d 2 discs and pulled them blindly and listened to them without knowing the bands or songs, etc so none of my biases would affect whether I liked a song or not. I won’t be too in-depth as I’m sure if you know of these bands you already have an opinion. This is actually for disc 2 as that is the one I pulled out first……

Gypsyhawk---Hedgeking
Gypsyhawk—Frostwyrm
Good, solid straight-up metal with a lot of melody. Kinda has that 80’s LA scene type ‘boogie’ or groove to it. Fun listen. Not sure I could do entire cd of them.

Hellfueled—Midnight Lady
Wow. Really like this song! Very much has “Vol. 4/Master of Reality” Black Sabbath vibe in the vocal melody and delivery. Definitely have to check out more. Since listening to this I read some stuff about them. Most people seem to compare them to solo Ozzy or Zaykk Wilde. I personally don’t hear it. I would not like them if that is true. I need to hear more from them. This song was infectious as I kept humming this melody for the rest of the day.

Heretic—Enemy Within
Heretic—Time Runs Short
Great metal. I love Mike Howe’s vocals. I first heard him in Metal Church’s Blessings in Disguise (saw him on that tour). Need to get my cassette of this on cd!!

Holy Grail—Dark Passenger
I really like Holy Grail. Great traditional metal. I haven’t heard this song but recognized his vocals. Very good song. Got to find their first cd now.

Huntress—Off with her Head
Good straight-up metal with “high attitude” female vocals. She reminds me a lot of the singer for Ignitor.

Icarus Witch—(We Are) the New revolution
The vocalist kind of reminds me of Paul Stanley at times. Good (very) melodic metal. Like this song. Not sure I could sit through an entire album of this but I definitely want to check out more from them (I’ve read that their earlier stuff is a little more heavy) to hear more of them. As I do like melodic metal (ie Burning Point, Tad Morose, Circle II Circle, etc).

Killers—Impaler
Never heard of this band. The vocalist reminds me of somebody. Not really sure who though. Nice, up-tempo metal (reminds me of the Grave Digger cd I have—as I remember it). Definitely will check out more from these guys.

Laaz Rockit—Last Breath
Laaz Rockit—Fire in the Hole
Ahhh, Laaz Rockit. Knew this when it first started. Haven’t heard this for many many years. One of those thrash bands that I had on cassette way back when but never got the cd version (like Gothic Slam, Wrathchild America, Wrath, etc). Good thrash metal.

The Last Vegas—The Other Side
By name alone, I probably would have never checked out this band. Is this considered “sleeze”? It definitely has that 80’s LA scene boogie/groove. It has the chorus where I can see everyone yelling out in a bar or party, etc. Not really my thing.

Mpire of Evil—Hell Spawn
Mpire of Evil—Metal Messiah
Never heard of this band either. Pretty good traditional metal that has a little more aggression to it. The second song has the exact same vocal melody and timing of delivery in the verses and chorus as Judas Priest’s Rapid Fire. (I think) At least that is what struck me as I was listening to this. I may have to play them back to back.

Nightshade--Blood and Iron
Never heard of this band either. This song starts with a “modern/recent Iron Maiden” type vocal melody and then goes into a very Saxon-ish sounding song. I though this may have a Saxon song I have not heard until I looked to see who it was. Very infectious song. Can listen to this song over and over.

Overall, GREAT comp of traditional metal. Will definitely be spinning this one quite often.
Thanks to Witchfinder.

allthingsmetal wrote:

Here is my review for the Comp Swap cds I rec’d from Witchfinder. I rec’d 2 discs and pulled them blindly and listened to them without knowing the bands or songs, etc so none of my biases would affect whether I liked a song or not. I won’t be too in-depth as I’m sure if you know of these bands you already have an opinion. This is actually for disc 2 as that is the one I pulled out first……

Gypsyhawk---Hedgeking
Gypsyhawk—Frostwyrm
Good, solid straight-up metal with a lot of melody. Kinda has that 80’s LA scene type ‘boogie’ or groove to it. Fun listen. Not sure I could do entire cd of them.

Hellfueled—Midnight Lady
Wow. Really like this song! Very much has “Vol. 4/Master of Reality” Black Sabbath vibe in the vocal melody and delivery. Definitely have to check out more. Since listening to this I read some stuff about them. Most people seem to compare them to solo Ozzy or Zaykk Wilde. I personally don’t hear it. I would not like them if that is true. I need to hear more from them. This song was infectious as I kept humming this melody for the rest of the day.

Heretic—Enemy Within
Heretic—Time Runs Short
Great metal. I love Mike Howe’s vocals. I first heard him in Metal Church’s Blessings in Disguise (saw him on that tour). Need to get my cassette of this on cd!!

Holy Grail—Dark Passenger
I really like Holy Grail. Great traditional metal. I haven’t heard this song but recognized his vocals. Very good song. Got to find their first cd now.

Huntress—Off with her Head
Good straight-up metal with “high attitude” female vocals. She reminds me a lot of the singer for Ignitor.

Icarus Witch—(We Are) the New revolution
The vocalist kind of reminds me of Paul Stanley at times. Good (very) melodic metal. Like this song. Not sure I could sit through an entire album of this but I definitely want to check out more from them (I’ve read that their earlier stuff is a little more heavy) to hear more of them. As I do like melodic metal (ie Burning Point, Tad Morose, Circle II Circle, etc).

Killers—Impaler
Never heard of this band. The vocalist reminds me of somebody. Not really sure who though. Nice, up-tempo metal (reminds me of the Grave Digger cd I have—as I remember it). Definitely will check out more from these guys.

Laaz Rockit—Last Breath
Laaz Rockit—Fire in the Hole
Ahhh, Laaz Rockit. Knew this when it first started. Haven’t heard this for many many years. One of those thrash bands that I had on cassette way back when but never got the cd version (like Gothic Slam, Wrathchild America, Wrath, etc). Good thrash metal.

The Last Vegas—The Other Side
By name alone, I probably would have never checked out this band. Is this considered “sleeze”? It definitely has that 80’s LA scene boogie/groove. It has the chorus where I can see everyone yelling out in a bar or party, etc. Not really my thing.

Mpire of Evil—Hell Spawn
Mpire of Evil—Metal Messiah
Never heard of this band either. Pretty good traditional metal that has a little more aggression to it. The second song has the exact same vocal melody and timing of delivery in the verses and chorus as Judas Priest’s Rapid Fire. (I think) At least that is what struck me as I was listening to this. I may have to play them back to back.

Nightshade--Blood and Iron
Never heard of this band either. This song starts with a “modern/recent Iron Maiden” type vocal melody and then goes into a very Saxon-ish sounding song. I though this may have a Saxon song I have not heard until I looked to see who it was. Very infectious song. Can listen to this song over and over.

Overall, GREAT comp of traditional metal. Will definitely be spinning this one quite often.
Thanks to Witchfinder.

Glad you liked it! By the way, the reason that Killers vocalist sounds familiar is their vocalist is Paul Di'anno. Mpire of Evil is basically the Venom lineup that had Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan on vocals.

I think in the future it might be interesting to upload these compilations and share the link with everyone, so we could all listen to each other's compilations, to let the group share their opinions. I think that could provide more opportunity for discussion.

Just a thought.

It can be easily done through dropbox I think, making a HoM folder with the access to all the participants and putting there your comps.

Back to topic, now I can see why OCI forgot to include Domine songs, cause they are very average for my ears and would definitely made the comp worse a little.