Comp Swap

kmorg, if you want to do it, I'll be your trade partner. That way we both know we'll get reviews.....

I don't think I have time to do all the matching of names and such. But what the heck, let's do our private little swap, eh?

Sounds good to me, I'll PM.

Well good for you two then

Olafsto wrote:

Well good for you two then

Olafsto, if you want, I'll trade with yourself ?

Locky wrote:

Olafsto wrote:

Well good for you two then

Olafsto, if you want, I'll trade with yourself ?

GREAT!!!
I`ll PM you tomorrow, off to bed now

Finally I have finished also the review for the last CD of the compilation of Excat33. Because I traveled a lot the last time I did not managed to finish it earlier.

Stan bush - The Touch
The opener of this compilation sounds a little bit dusty. Typical 80s AOR catchy tune with charismatic vocals.

Lechery - Rise with Me
The second title is much better. It is a midtempo title with good riff attacks and a catchy chorus. This is a first tip for my want list.

Masterplan – Heroes
The next one is a classic masterpiece. Heroes from the debut of Masterplan. I have nothing more to add, just marvelous.

Kreyson - No Blue Skies
I never heard of this band before. It is a cool speed metal tune, the vocals could be a little bit stronger for my taste. Of course it can’t keep up with the predecessor on this compilation.

Riverside - Reality Dream
This instrumental is a progressive Rock title with Metal influences. It ranges somewhere between Pink Floyd and maybe Dream Theater with a melancholically and meditative mood.

Skiltron - By sword and shield
This one is another highlight of the compilation – a straight into the face hit of Folk Metal with a good production. I never heard of this band before, but I think this can be a good add to my want list.

Winds - Convictions and Contradictions
The next one is a tough progressive title that took a while until I got into it.

White Wolf - The Wolf
Straight Rock ‘n Roll, straight riffs, good solos, good chorus, enough power and a lot of fun. – what do you want more?

Sacrum - The Dream Prisoner
This one is a Prog Metal with skilled musicians, especially the guitar player and the drummer sounds good for me. On the other side the band sounds like a clone of Dream Theater, but not as good at the original.

Scanner - Terminal Earth
This is good Speed Metal with exciting riffs. I have to put some Scanner to my want list.

Avantasia - The Toy Master
Then another masterpiece on the compilation. The Toy Master is not the most representative one from the current Avantasia album, but it is Alice Cooper at his best. Brilliant.

Beyond Fallen - The Dominance
Another excellent band that I never heard of. They remind me a little bit to the music of Judas Priest. If the rest of their music is as good as this song, they must be added to my want list.

Cypher Seer - V.666
This very melodic title with very original vocals. Very dynamic with catchy melodies. This is another band from that I would like to hear more of.

Pathosray - Scent of Snow
Again a very good song from a band I’ve never heard before. It is a mixture between Power Metal an Progressive Metal with some symphonic influences.

Unicorn – Vampyrial
The finish of this compilation is very good, it is now the sixth excellent song in a row. It is again a very melodic and catchy song from a band that I never heard before. I wonder where Exact33 finds all these excellent music.

Sabaton - Primo Victoria
The last song is again a masterpiece – powerful drums, strong vocals and catchy melodies.


After we finished the reviews of the first compilation, Exact33 and I agreed to make a second round with 3 additional compilations. I underestimated a little bit the energy for reviewing so many compilations. All compilations that Exact33 did where equally good. The last one started a little bit weaker, but worked it out with the last seven excellent songs in a row.

Exact33, do you have any thoughts about the last 3 cdrs that I sent you?

Kmorg & Spectrefate, are you two gonna review your swap discs here too ? I was thinking that myself and Olafsto would.

Sure, why not. We just have to get our butts in gear and do this thing!

Got your discs Olaftso, I'll post up reviews in the next couple of days.

I will be reviewing kmorg's when I get them. But there's no rush.

I`m soon posting review part one Locky. Glad you got my discs.

So, I've listened through disc one of Spectrefate's 3 disc mp3-CD. I gotta hand it to the Spec, he sure have a broader taste in music then me, and this is a compilation in the truest meaning! And although I didn't like everything, I appreciated every song he wanted me to hear!

Disc One:

Enslaved - Entroper

I'm familiar with this band, but I still had to look twice when the song started. It actually sounded quite nice, and stuff. A little electronic in sound, but much more straight forward hard rock then I expected. Then the black metal goon started to sing, and they lost me. Black Metal and me seldom equals a great match.

Morgana Lefay - Grand Materia

I actually own this album, but it's not on my website yet. This is a GREAT song, and I think I put it on a compilation disc for someone else on this board once. This is power metal, without the fluff!

Bad Moon Rising - Hands On Heaven

This was a "surprise". A band I knew nothing about, I'd just heard the name in passing. They reminded me of Shout and Tamplin. Melodic hard rock at it's finest. Do they always sound this good?

The Donnas - It's on the Rocks

Another familiar band that I have not sunk my teeth into, yet. Carrying the torch after bands like Vixen and The Runaways, these donnas (pun intented) knows how to rock my... eh... socks? We might meet again, ladies!

Voivod - Killing Technology

I know, I know, I should own some Voivod! And this is a classic track from a classic album. But I have to confess that these Canucks never did all that much for me. It's just too spacey! Some parts are great, but others, meh....

The Billion Dollar Babies - Too Young

Another I-knew-the-name entry. Aptly titled after the classic Alice Cooper album, this is a band I really should have some albums from, as should any fan of 70's hard rock!

Hydrogyn - Blind

A female fronted hard rock band I haven't even heard about, 'til now! Hydrogyn is a little softer around the edges than The Donnas, but they still rock like the best of 'em! Nice melodic, 80's tinged hard rock! Gotta love it!

Twelfth Gate - Deisre Brings

Progressive/melodic death/doom?? I get an Into Eternity light vibe here, and the singer sounds a lot like Bruce Dickinson! The song is maybe a tad anonymous, but if I ever come across this band, I'll check them out further.

Manitou - Fools In Control

Finland! was the first thing that popped into my mind when hearing this!! And upon further investigations, that was correct. Imagine a blend of Thunderstone and Sentenced! Pretty cool actually! Melodic, yet gloomy.

The Codex - Raise Your Hands

More melody, this time from Sweden. I have to hand it to the Spec, he sure did a great job picking bands I was almost totally unfamiliar with! The Codex might be labeled progressive, but at the same time they are very melodic, not unlike A.C.T. or XsaviourX. Raise Your Hands is a killer song, with some great hooks, and I must check this bands music more!

Last Crack - Speak The Ocean

And here comes the sleaze! I think I used to own an album from these guys, but sadty this sort of music seldom does much for me. Arttie has tried to convert me for years. I like what I hear, but I just don't feel the need to revisit this.

Tyrant - Too Late To Pray

This one I think I already own, but have not yet listened to! lol This is Heavy Metal, capital H and M! Tyrant were an underground favorite, and quite an underrated act.

Bad Religion - All Fantastic Images

Another good thing about Spec's compilation is the diversity. Now, pop/punk and me are like apples and cactuses; NO MATCH! And even though I have been to a concert with this band, they do nothing at all for me. Punk should be nitty, gritty, dirty and dangerous. Not clean cut and grandma-approved! That said, I like Green Day.... go figure.....

The Great Kat - Pagannini's 24th Caprice

I never got around buying any of this speed metal solo-kitten's albums when she was around. Too bad, as she is one of a kind!! Top cheeze, but there is no denying she could shred!

Joan Jett - Light Of Day

Ah, a total classic! The movie was ok, and this song even better. It's werid though in that it is sort of a cover song, as Bruce Springsteen wrote it, but he didn't perform it himself 'til after Joan Jett had a minor hit with it. Sort of like Prince and "Nothing Compares 2 U".

Temple Of Blood - Illusion Of Control

Great American old school blend of thrash metal and power metal. Yes, I own this too!

Olafsto's Comp.
CD 1.


Communic - Watching it all Dissapear

This is the first time that I've heard Communic and Olafsto is giving these guys more plugs than you'd fine in a hardware shop and from listening to this one track I can see why. I do know that this band has had the Tag of Nevermore clones around their necks for some time now and personally from just listening to this track I'd nearly go so far to say that this is better than most of the Nevermore material that have graced these ears. One band that I must investigate into more. (Taken from the album "Waves of Decay" 2006)

Mercenary - Isolation

I always stayed away from this band as they were/are labeled a Melodic Death Metal band that that genre never really appealed to me but this song is excellent, it's far from Death Metal, Melodic Power Metal is more like it. Musically this is a great performance from all concerend too and while clocking in at 6 mintues it's as good as having sex 3 times with the woman ! (taken from the album "Arctitect of Lies" 2008)

The Bones - Mighty Touchdown

Ahh Punk Rock N' Roll, this is what wet dreams are made of, the Dropkick Murphy's come to mind even down to the vocals, it brings a fookin' tear to my eye (headbanging to this and hit corner of laptop .......) this is a band I must investigate more. (taken from the album "Burnout Boulevard" 2007)

Artch - Another Return

Very solid '80's Metal, the vocals give me a strong Thor (Can) vibe, It so happened that I bought this same CD lately (still to arrive) and this track has only made be more anxious to hear the album. (taken from the album "Another Return to Church Hill" 1989)

Cornerstone - Mother of Mercy

More Danish Metal, Damn it, Olafsto sure does love his Sandinavian Metal. Doogie White handles the vocals on this (and all the Cornerstone albums I think) and the man has a fair set of lungs which makes this a pleasure to listen to, Most of these bands on this Comp fall in to the same bracket and that is, I've heard of most of them in the past but I never heard anything by them, I don't download stuff just for the hell of it, if I did then yeah of course I would have heard these fella's before. This band WILL be one that I'll check out more of. (taken from the album "Two Tales of One Tomorrow" 2007)

Wuthering Heights - Longing for the Woods

OK Olfasto, tell the truth, you must be getting commission from the Danish department for the Arts & Music ...... this is the third Danish band so far (Merenary & Cornerstone being the other two), What we have here is some Danish Folk/Power Metal (with a Banjo thrown in for extra amusement) which at times reminds me of Falconer. On vocals is the amazing Nils Patrik Johansson from the band Astral Doors who just makes this song his own. (Taken from the album "Far From the Madding Crowd" 2004)

Hanoi Rocks - Street Poetry

I haven't kept up to date with Hanoi Rocks in years (well since their material from the '80's, I haven't heard any of the three latest albums) but going on this song alone the guys (Munroe & McCoy) ain't lost anything over the years and still sound good. (taken from the album "Street Ready" 2007)

Beautiful Sin - Lost

Female fronted Melodical Power Metal from Norway, Musically I was expectings some sort of Gothic/Opera style of Vocals but this is like something Doro or Veronica Freeman (Benedictum) could be seen involved in, the song "Lost" it's self is so familar to me but I can't put my finger on it, surrounding the vocalist is a group of high caliber musicians from bands like Gamma Ray, Masterplan & Pagan's Mind, and now on top of that Carl-Johan Grimmark of Narnia has been added to the ranks (taken from the album "The Unexpected" 2006)

Incrave - Shattered

Swedish Power Metal band that preform a solid/typical song but the vocals just don't do it for me, I'd have no interest in furthering my knowledge of these guys. (taken from the album "Dead End" 2008)

Brother Firetribe

What a bleedin' band name, can it get any worse ? well at least these Swedes know how to play and they play some very decent classic rock so don't let the name fool you (the band was first call "False Metal", these guys are idiots when it comes to band names) Emppu Vuorinen of Nightwish fame is in this band (taken from the album "Heart Full on Fire" 2008)

Sabaton - In the Name of God

I love this band although they sound similar from song to song at times, I hadn't heard this song in a long long time (must take out the album again) but there I was singing Primo Victoria when it was playing but that may be just me ...... So hands up who doesn't like these Power Metallers ? (taken from the album "Attero Dominatus) 2006

Danny Vaughn - Miracle Days

Sweet lovin' Jaysus what the fook is this crap ? Danny Vaughn want's a kick in the nuts so hard that he'll think twice before recording a follow up to this shite, the only good thing about this song is that it ran out of space at the end of the CD so I didn't have to endure too much of it. (taken from the album "Traveller" 2007)



Overall Disc 1 was very good & contained alot of bands that I had never bothered checking out over the past decade or so, Communic, Mercenary & the Bones are the top three (in no order) on this CD, will they remain there after disc 2 ? tune in and find out.




CD 2 review to come soon (must go to doctor first and see if eye can be fixed)

Check out the discs I sent you, man. Communic and Mercenary are probably one them...somewhere.

Eyesore wrote:

Check out the discs I sent you, man. Communic and Mercenary are probably one them...somewhere.

50 odd discs ......

I like that Witchbreed CD alot,

Locky wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

Check out the discs I sent you, man. Communic and Mercenary are probably one them...somewhere.

50 odd discs ......

I like that Witchbreed CD alot,

Great EP! And their upcoming album is being done by Waldemar Sorychta, so it should be awesome.

Thanks for the review Locky, glad you liked most of it. No love for Danny Vaughn??
Oh well I guess he`ll live .
I think this comp swapping is great, you get to check out a lot of new bands and also get to know eachother a little better.
Locky`s 3 CD`s has been spinning a lot in my car lately.

CD 1:

FIREWIND - BETWEEN HEAVEN & HELL.
I just started to look into this band after all the hype around their new one.
I now own Allegiance and The Premonition.
This is from their first album and the singer is different than now. I actually like this one a little better. Great start!!

SAINT DEAMON - MY JUDAS
New band to me, but a famliar voice. If the rest of this album sounds this good it will be mine!!! Better than Highland Glory if this is the standard..

FORTE - FADING AWAY
This band has been on my check out list a long time.
Typical US Power, the song is ok but not as good as I had hoped for, maybe my expectations were a little too high.

THUNDERSTONE - ME, MY ENEMY
Finnish Power Metal is all good in my book, and Thunderstone are among the leaders imo. Don`t own this album but will buy it if the price is right..

E.V. LOUD - GRAVEYARD SHIFT
Never heard of this band, but this song is really killer..
Sounds very 80`s to me but I dont know if this is a newer band?
A very pleasant surprise

GODIVA - PEDAL TO THE METAL
Very traditional sounding Heavy Metal. And who does`nt like that??
Not groundbreaking or original, but a good listen

PENNYWISE - LOOK WHO YOU ARE
Hm, this is a little different, fast, melodic some sort of punk...
The more I listen to this song the more I like it, may have to look closer into this band..

EMERALD - HARD TO BE TRUE
WOW, this sounds great, my fav track so far.
Great melodic power metal with a vocalist I really like. Will buy this one for sure!

HEADLESS CROSS - SERVANT TO YOUR DEATH
British Thrash, this band should be more known. I have never heard of them, but this sounds like a band with great potential. Someone give them a deal if they are still around.

EXODUS - CLIMB BEFORE THE FALL
A reminder of what Exodus should sound like.
Someone please shove something down their current "singers" throat, so that he never again will open his loud mouth..

KORY CLARCE - GOT ME RUNNING
So this is the new Trouble vocalist?
New to me, but this is good sounding Hard Rock. But in Trouble, hmmmm??
Anyway like the song and could definitely listen to more of him..

IMPELLITERI - ANTI SOSIAL DISEASE
Another band I`ve been meaning to check out for years. Sounds a bit different than I expected, is this a typical song from them?
I have seen them compared to Rainbow, but this one sounds nothing like that to me. Not that I don`t like it.

FALCONER - BUSTED TO THE FLOOR
Ha ha, good to see another Falconer fan.
Great band, I`m a huge fan of a little bit of folk in my Metal..

to be continued.......
Ok, let`s finish round one

ASKA - NUMBER FIVE
Another unknown band to me. I guess they can be described as traditional Heavy Metal. Catchy tune, the vocalist sounds great, he reminds me of someone, not sure who. Good one.

BRITNY FOX - PAIN
Love their first three albums. Never got around to buy Springhead Motorshark that this track is taken from. This song sounds a bit different than early BF, but I definitely like it. Will proparbly look out for this album.

DIVIDER - SERVES YOU RIGHT
More news. Where the hell do you find all these demo bands Locky?? Do you have an undergound radar?? Thrash from Sweden this time. Killer tune.. Gets better the more I listen to it!!

FALKIRK - TWO OF A KIND
Melodic Heavy Metal from France... Another good tune.
My want list is way to long as it is, but this band are very close to being added.. Great guitarwork.

GUN BARREL - PARTY IN THE HALL OF FAME

Must be the ultimate party tune for any metal fan!!!!

HOLY MOTHER - LIVIN` ON LUCK
What a great way to end this disc.
Driving, catchy, intense Heavy Metal. Not familiar with this band either. That may have to change!!

Was not sure what to expect from Locky`s comp as I didn`t know all that much about the man`s collection. But this has been a very positive experience.. Lots of new band that are right up my alley. Also very pleased with the diversity of it..
My top choise from disc one is EMERALD followed by SAINT DAEMON, PENNYWISE, HEADLESS CROSS, DIVIDER, HOLY MOTHER in no order..
And Locky, you should write more reviews, there are too little humour in most reviews, but your review of my comp had me laughing the whole way through.....
That`s one, more to come

Good review and good comp!!


Locky - did you get that Emerald from Stormy?

scottmitchell74 wrote:

Locky - did you get that Emerald from Stormy?

No man, I had bought the Emerald CDs not long after they came out for the label, that song is from the "Calling the Knights" album from 2002 on Shark Records. I haven't got the Debut CD "Rebels of the Time" 1999 yet, a tricky little bastard to nail down. Is Stormy selling some of the latter albums ?

Calling the Knights - 2002
Forces of Doom - 2004
Hymns to Steel - 2007 (This contains an excellent cover of the Crimson Glory track "Azreal").

if you haven't already you should give this band a try

the vocalist is one short little f**ker, but he has some lungs.

He sells Hymns of Steel.

He is short!!! Looks almost like a "little person". Wonder how tall he is?

Alrighty, if someone wants to set up a swap, I'd be open to doing up some discs and slapping a review together. Been kinda wondering lately about doing another one of these anyway.

Of course, the person I'm sending to is gonna either have to like thrash or they'll be LEARNING to like thrash....

Olafsto wrote:

FORTE - FADING AWAY
This band has been on my check out list a long time.
Typical US Power, the song is ok but not as good as I had hoped for, maybe my expectations were a little too high.

What album is this one from? I've never thought there guys were typical, except maybe on Rise Above, their last album. Great band, either way.

Olafsto wrote:

PENNYWISE - LOOK WHO YOU ARE
Hm, this is a little different, fast, melodic some sort of punk...
The more I listen to this song the more I like it, may have to look closer into this band..

If you like punk at all, Pennywise is one of the best you'll find. Like Bad Religion, they've not strayed far from their roots over the years, but they're a fantastic band.

Eyesore wrote:

Olafsto wrote:

FORTE - FADING AWAY
This band has been on my check out list a long time.
Typical US Power, the song is ok but not as good as I had hoped for, maybe my expectations were a little too high.

What album is this one from? I've never thought there guys were typical, except maybe on Rise Above, their last album. Great band, either way.

Yip it's on Rise Above

Locky wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

Olafsto wrote:

FORTE - FADING AWAY
This band has been on my check out list a long time.
Typical US Power, the song is ok but not as good as I had hoped for, maybe my expectations were a little too high.

What album is this one from? I've never thought there guys were typical, except maybe on Rise Above, their last album. Great band, either way.

Yip it's on Rise Above

Yeah, that's their more typical album. Very good, though.