Comp Swap VI - The Reviews

Quote :

07. Line of Fire - Live & Let Go
Great song, but the vocalist sounds plain aweful......
Never heard LoF, but this is right up my alley, so i may have to buy this one too.

My life is complete...I have been included on a homemade comp CD...

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Quote :

07. Line of Fire - Live & Let Go
Great song, but the vocalist sounds plain aweful......
Never heard LoF, but this is right up my alley, so i may have to buy this one too.

My life is complete...I have been included on a homemade comp CD...

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Quote :

07. Line of Fire - Live & Let Go
Great song, but the vocalist sounds plain aweful......
Never heard LoF, but this is right up my alley, so i may have to buy this one too.

My life is complete...I have been included on a homemade comp CD...

see and I am boosting sales!!!

Alex

exact33 wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Quote :

07. Line of Fire - Live & Let Go
Great song, but the vocalist sounds plain aweful......
Never heard LoF, but this is right up my alley, so i may have to buy this one too.

My life is complete...I have been included on a homemade comp CD...

see and I am boosting sales!!!

Alex

Yay! More money for the label!!

exact33 wrote:

are you the Olafsto?

.
Did you think disc 3 pushed me off a cliff??
More reviews to come soon...

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

exact33 wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Quote :

07. Line of Fire - Live & Let Go
Great song, but the vocalist sounds plain aweful......
Never heard LoF, but this is right up my alley, so i may have to buy this one too.

My life is complete...I have been included on a homemade comp CD...

see and I am boosting sales!!!

Alex

Yay! More money for the label!!

Don`t you have copies to sell yourself?

No...they are planning to re-press it with 3 bonus tracks once the new one is ready and I'll have about 75 of those to sell...but I only got like 10 of the original...

Ok.
Time to review disc 2 from exact33

01 Sabaton - Ghost Division.
Great start to this disc! I own all Sabaton albums, this is from their latest.
Don`t like it quite as much as their previous two, but still a great album.

02 Revolution Renaissance - I Did It My Way
So this is Timo Tolkki`s new band. I`ve read a lot of reviews slamming this album, but this song is not bad. Something i will buy if i can find it at a good price..

03 Pertness - Seven Times Eternity
More Power Metal. This is a great song. Again the band is new to me, Alex knows his melodic Power Metal

04 Quantum Fantay - Pete
Pling plong pling plong, random bird singing, pling plong, synth overkill...

05 Communic - On Ancient Ground
YES YES YES!!!
This makes me happy .
This band is from my own little norwegian village.. I love them, and they truly deserve all the great reviews they are getting..
Glad to see that you Americans are getting into them!!!

06 The Poodles - Metal Will Stand Tall
What a great party song this must be!!
Metal that makes me wanna dance, lots of fun if i`m in the right mood for it..

07 Journey - Change for the better
Never listened to much Journey. Very American sounding Rock/AOR..
I like it, but it doesn`t get me running out to buy all their albums. Need to hear some more.

08 The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Sister Surround
Heard this song on the radio in the past, but not familiar with the band.
listenable, but not something i will buy..

09 Timeless Miracle - Into the Enchanted Chamber
Wow, more top class Power Metal, good use of keys in this one, very majestic and epic sounding, great melody and vocals. Perfect..

10 The Codex - Raise Your Hands
Great voice, the song sounds a bit like somthing you have heard a thousand times, but quality playing and the vocals makes it above average..

11 Driver - Fly Away
Heavy Metal the way i like it!!!
Surprisingly little talk of this release in magazines and on the internet..
I have ordered a copy from Metal Heaven and can`t wait!!
One of the best projects Rob Rock is involved in imo

12 The Poodles - Night of Passion
You really like them Swedish Poodles Alex .
Even my wife and teenage daughters liked this, not sure if that`s good or bad....

13 Weed - Before I Die
Another one that has escaped me.
Absolutely great song, must look for this one.
Must have played this track ten times in a row now, I`m blown away!!!

14 Ozzy - Stayin`Alive
Another one of Sharons great ideas i guess..................

Favorites from this disc:
Communic
Weed
Driver

Here is disc 4 from Phoenix:

1) Athena-Soul Sailor- After listening to almost three disc of power metal bands, I have realized that I am not a fan of this genre. I was always curious to look into this genre, so I grateful for this oppurtunity to do so, now to the first song. Great vocalist on this song, a little dramatic for my taste but I suppose that is kind of vocals this genre calls for, overall solid song reminds me a little of Dream Theatre

2) Lizzy Borden-Tomorrow Never Comes-Lizzy's Alice wanna be stage shows have always turned me off, but I here to review the song not his stage performance, so here we go. I actually like this song, cruncy little rocker from Mr. Borden, where Lizzy breaches the gap between a more accessible sound and his underground roots.

3) Beautiful Sin-Take me Home-Opens with a keyboard riff that than slams head first into a heavy riff. Another power metal fronted by a female vocalist, who sings it in a very straight forward fashion unlike her male counterparts. She does not over power the song and will be band I will look into some more.

4)Heavenly-Spill Blood on Fire-A classicly inspired keyboard intro, a power metal band with a more melodic twist. What Kansas would sound like if the blew back as a power metal band.

5)Avantasia-The Story Aint Over-A metal opera. Nice opening, excellent vocal performance. The lyrics are meant to fit in to whatever the story line is and makes sense I am sure in the context of the album. Good song but I felt like I walked in the middle of the play.

6) Place Vendome-I Will be Waiting-Michael Kiske's more melodic project. Lyrics are very tradition type of love song something I could imagine Lou Gramm singing when he was in Foreigner. Very Good

7) and Pink Cream 69- Shame and the Spirit-I have avoided this band for years due to their stupid name. Pink Cream 69 sounds like one of those sexual aids they sell in the back of porno magazines promising you instant growth. Lucky their music doesnot suck, and had good songwriting, excellent singing, and I have a feeling if they had a better name and management they would have been a famous band during the alternative nation 90's.

9) Luca Turilli-Rider of the Astral Fire-Surprise another power metal band. Great musicianship, but this didnot stand out from the pack, expect for the interesting vocal arrangement with the orchestration.

10) Wizard-Betrayer-Another power metal band, they were ok, very talented but not my cup of tea.

11) Human Fortress-Lord of Earth and Heavens Heir-Opens with a male choir. Another power metal band but very unique in their vocal and musical arrangement. Very symphonic.

12) Ten-We Rule the Night-They donot even rule this comp CD. I hated the lyrics, I hated the arrangements, I just hated it.

13) Michael Kiske-When the Sinner-Another melodic outting from Me. Kiske. Great song with great lyrics, a class act.

14) Manticora-Cantos-Another power metal band, very talented and if I was into power metal I would be tapping my feet like a Republican senator at a public restroom, but not into this genre, but I have to acknowledge their talent.

15) Silent Force-Point of No Return-Very cool interplay between keyboards and guitars but again not my preferred genre.

16) DBX-I want to be a Squirrel-I would have settled if they instead had wanted to be good.

Quote :

09 Timeless Miracle - Into the Enchanted Chamber
Wow, more top class Power Metal, good use of keys in this one, very majestic and epic sounding, great melody and vocals. Perfect..

Olafsto - The whole thing is that good! It's my favorite Album of this Century!

Dat Beautiful Sin disc is da bomb.

(dat statement would make more sense if you had dee album)

And PC69 is easily one of my top 5 favorite bands.

Did you ever receive that mess I sent ya, Toho?

I'll review yours as soon as the cobwebs clear.

SAXON1500 wrote:

Did you ever receive that mess I sent ya, Toho?

I'll review yours as soon as the cobwebs clear.

Yes I did. Cool concept. Haven't listened to much yet as work has been really hectic lately (they laid off 250 people and the survivors have to pick up the slack).

And I have a "Children Of The Sun" story of my own...

scottmitchell74 wrote:

Quote :

09 Timeless Miracle - Into the Enchanted Chamber
Wow, more top class Power Metal, good use of keys in this one, very majestic and epic sounding, great melody and vocals. Perfect..

Olafsto - The whole thing is that good! It's my favorite Album of this Century!

Thanks Scott, if the rest is that good, it will be mine for sure!!

Olafsto wrote:

scottmitchell74 wrote:

Quote :

09 Timeless Miracle - Into the Enchanted Chamber
Wow, more top class Power Metal, good use of keys in this one, very majestic and epic sounding, great melody and vocals. Perfect..

Olafsto - The whole thing is that good! It's my favorite Album of this Century!

Thanks Scott, if the rest is that good, it will be mine for sure!!

it is that good. one of the undiscovered gems in the whole power metal universe!

Alex

First set of reviews for PRD's comps (I've grouped them together and am going thorugh each song in order of apearance):

Tarot-I Rule=Howl: The band that features Nightwish's Marco is quite impressive. I believe his vocals have done nothing but get better and better and the music is pretty decent as well. Definatly will check out more of these guys. 4/5=4/5

Pyramaze-Ancient Words Within: One of my favorite songs from Legend Of The Bone Carver. 5/5

Headhunter-Unhuman World: Pretty decent power metal, nothing origional but then again noting in this genre really is. This is more along the lines of real power metal than the usual stuff though. 3.5/5

Sentenced-Farewell=Cross My Heart: Love this band. I was a little deturbed when they changed their sound after Amok, but the new sound quickly grew on me. I'm missing Frozen and The Cold White Light so I never heard these songs before. 5/5=5/5

Virgin Steele-Noble Savage=Victory Is Mine: I was well aware of this power band from a while back. For some reason I never got any of their albums (except The House Of Atreus Act 1 which was some time ago-I ended up selling it off). Sounds like I need to seriously think about picking up something from them. 4.5=5/5

Helloween-Paint A New World: I love Gambling With The Devil and this song is one of the best from that album. I don't really go for the Global Warming mumbo jumbo, but the music is whats the most important and this song delivers. 5/5

Mob Rules-Meet You In Heaven=Coast To Coast=Pray For Sunlight: Meet You In Heaven is one of many great songs off of Among The Gods. I'm missing the first 3 albums from them so Coast To Coast and Pray For Sunlight are new to me, no suprise that they are good songs. 5/5=4.5/5=5/5

Gotthard-Master Of Illusion=The Call: I'm new to these guys and only have the Domino Effect which was enough for me to want to explore these guys further. These two songs are good songs, unfortunatly I'm already familiar with them. 4/5=5/5

Nocturnal Rites-End Of Our Rope: Another song I'm familiar with. The only NR I'm not familiar with is the older material. 5/5

Vision Divine-Send Me An Angel: I'm familiar withe the last two albums from these guys and like them quite a bit. This is an older song with Fabio on vocals and futher proof that I need to find the older albums. 5/5

Viper-Rebel Maniac: This is a different kind of power metal than what I'm used to. The begining seemed to lack any real melody but melody started to show through. Not quite sure what to think of these guys and would have to hear more songs to make any decisions on whether to persue them or not. 3/5

Prong-Avoid Promises: After Prong called it quits years ago I was already moving away from the music of my pre-coversion to Christianity (I have sinced stated to re-incorporate the music back, including old Prong). I didn't pay much attention when they re-formed. While this is not a bad song, it's just not the Prong I'm familiar with and I'm not sure I will persue more. 3.5/5

Bassinvaders-We Live: All bass band is unusual but not too bad. I recognize one of the vocalis as the guy from Firewind. 4/5

Kamelot-The Inqusitor: Kamelot is one of my favorite band and I'm only missing the pre-Kahn albums and one Kahn album. This is a good song, not one of my favorites though. 4/5

Hollow-Can You Hear Me: Good classic metal right here and something worth checking out in the future. 4/5

Grave Digger-Highland Tears: A great power/speed legend and one I fullly plan expanding on. The album this song was on is one the only ones I have from them (that and 25 To Live). 4.5/5

Grand Magus-Like The Oar Strikes The Water=Wolf's Return: Not familiar with these guys but I like what I hear. The first one is a bit anti-religious but that is the nature of a lot of metal, at least the music is good. 4/5=4/5

Ark-Burn The Sun: I know this band released two albums with the awesome Jorn. This song tells me that I need to secure these albums. Great prog metal with great vocals, who could ask for more? 4/5

Gamma Ray-From The Ashes=Real World: Any power metal fan knows Gamm Ray. I just got into these guys back in 2003 but I do have plans to get more. The one from last year was very enjoyable and I understand the older ones are even better. The best of disc (Blast From The Past) tells me this is true. Both these songs are from the album I have. The only thing I don't like is the chorus from Real World, but Kai is entitled to his opinion. Besides, when singing along I've figured out a way to change the lyrics to my satisfaction. 4/5=5/5

Cage-Psychogtically Derranged: I've been on the lookout for these guys ever since I saw an article for Hell Destroyer in Heaven's Metal. The biggest guitarist I've ever seen (makes our own Ultmetal look small). The vocalist is great and this song makes me want to hear more. 4.5/5

Dimmu Borgir-Sympozium: I love the big orchestral sound these guys present unfortunatly the hatred towards Chrisianity is a bit of a turn off. If I can find their ablums cheap, I might pick some up (besides, can't understand most of what they say anyways). 5/5

Kreator-Under A Total Blackened Sky: I liked the album Coma Of Souls when I had it about 10 years ago (I want to recapture it) and also the song Violent Revolution. The other material I heard from them is hit and miss with me, but I'm still on a look out for something that pleases my ear. This song is not bad though, I need to see which album this comes from. 4/5

Quote :

Cage-Psychogtically Derranged: I've been on the
lookout for these guys ever since I saw an article for Hell Destroyer
in Heaven's Metal. The biggest guitarist I've ever seen (makes our own
Ultmetal look small). The vocalist is great and this song makes me want
to hear more. 4.5/5

Hell Destroyer = My #1 in 2007! And that dude is the biggest guitarist I've ever seen as well!

After a short break, here is more:

Tyran Pace-Under A Total Blakcened Sky: Classic metal that is quite impressive. If I'm not mistaken the vocalist is Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear fame. Definatly something to keep my eye out for. 5/5

Symphorce-Inside The Cast: Like Brainstorm these guys have a greal power metal sound with a hint of gothic overtones. I only have Become Death and I quite like it. 5/5

Synergy-Midnight Madness: Female fronted power metal with a classic feel to it. This is a great song and I will definatly look for more. 5/5

Roland Grapow-Reaching Higher: With Helloween and Masterplan you know your in for a treat with Roland present. His solo material is closer to Helloween than Masterplan. Great song and worth checking out more. 4.5/5

Adagio-Fire Forever=Inner Road: More good power metal (plenty on these comps). I like the vocals and the accented (not overbearing) keys in the music. The second song is much heavier than the first and much more impressive. 4/5=5/5

Evil Masquerade-Good Day To Die: More good power metal. This has a little more prog feel to it. Call me impressed and I will keep my eyes out for these guys. 4.5/5

Millenium-Power To Love: Great harmonizing vocals open this song. The rest of the song is good to. Another in a long line of bands to get, especially with the mighty Jorn. 5/5

Magnum-On A Storyteller's Night=The Spirit: I love the songs I've heard from them so far and these songs tell me I need to find the older stuff. Bob Catley has a geat voice. 5/5=5/5

Wolf-Meet Me At Midnight: Back with the power metal but again this song is still good (I don't get tired of power metal real easily). I like the vocalist of this band. 5/5

Yngwie Malmsteen=Damnation Game: The legendary Yngwie and The Ripper, a killer combination. This is a good song and another to add to my want list. 5/5

Morgana Lefay- My Funerals Calling: I discovered this band the way I discovered Grave Digger, by looking through some metal wallpapers (great album covers). The Difference is I have yet to hear these guys...until now. I like this a lot and it is pretty origional (I don't know of any other band that sounds like this). I will need to get something from these guys. 5/5

Divine Heresey-This Threat Is Real: Dino's band just doesn't have the charm of Fear Factory. Not bad, but nothing special. 3/5

Rage-One Step Ahead: Great classic metal and worth checking out. 5/5

Savage Circus-Between The Devil And The Sea: This guy sound so much like Hansi, I can't believe that it is not. This is closer to old BG but not exactly a copy except for the guitar sounds and the vocalist. 5/5

Symphony X-Seven: One of my most favorite bands these days (I'm only missing the debut and Damnation Game) and they are just as awesome live. Russel Allen is one of the best vocalists and the other members are more than capable. 4.5/5

Freedom Call-United Alliance: I've heard some good things about these guys and came close to picking them up (though for some reason I haven't). This song tells me that I should pick something up eventually. The only part of this song that is annoying is the "We Are Freedom Call" which distracts from an otherwise great chorus. 4/5

Conception-Cardinal Sin: You'd think with Roy Kahn behind the mic, I'd love this band. Unfortunatly, his voice seems off here thought the music ain't too shabby. I prefer him in Kamelot, but I may get something from these guys in the future. I feel that this is a band that takes some multiple listens to appreaciate. 3.5/5

Firewind-Maniac: While most people hate this cover, I actually like it. Beats the hell out of the origional 5/5

Athena-Soul Sailor: This makes me think of a stripped down Rhapsody. I like the vocalist and the song is above agerage. 4/5

Lizzy Borden-Tomorrow Never Comes: A classic metal band that I have overlooked for far too long. This song tells me that that must stop now. 5/5

Beautiful Sin-Take Me Home: Another female fronted power metal band (nice to see them in something besides symphonic and goth bands for a change). Worth checking out for sure. 5/5

Heavenly-Spill Blood On Fire: This is another great classic/power metal band and one more to look out for. 5/5

Avantasia-The Story Aint Over: Great string intro into a great song. This tells me that I need to get the Avantasia EPs, because this song supurb. Great vocal presence by Bob Catley here. 5/5

Place Vendome-I Will Be Waiting: A change here with some melodic hard rock. I understand the vocalist is the same guy who replaced Deris in PC69. Love his voice and this song. 5/5

Pink Cream 69-Shame=The Spirit: Nice segue into this. This is a band I really want to get a hold of. I love melodic rock and these guys are REALLY good. 5/5=5/5

Luca Turilli-Ride The Astral Flame: Great guitarist, great composer, and one of my personal favorites. I need to get the album before this. 5/5

Wizard-Betrayer: A fine platter of speed metal mixed with power. So manny great bands in my favorite genres, I wonder if I will ever catch up with a collection like PRD's. 4/5

Human Fortress-Lord Of Earth And Heavens Heir: Love this band, love this album , and love this song. Shame they didn't keep this vocalist because he sets them apart from the rest. 5/5

Ten-We Rule The Night: Great song and it's worth checking out more. This seems like melodic hard rock and that is a genre that I am increasingly loving by the day. 5/5

Michael Kiske-When The Sinner: Unusual song from the former Helloween vocalist, but it didn't take me long to get into it. I would have to hear some more samples, but I might aquire one of his albums someday. 4.5/5

Manitcora-Cantos: I have two albums from these guys (one which has this song) and they are very good. The vocalist is a bit of an aquired taste but at least not a clone of your typical power band. 5/5

Silent Force-Point Of No Return: D.C. Cooper's band is most definatly on my radar. 5/5

DBX-I Want To Be A Squirrel: Not much into punk so this song is fairly enjoyable. Might be worth picking up if I find it cheap. Funny song title. 3.5/5

Heaven's Gate-On The Edge: More classic isnpired power metal with a unique voclaist (a good way to set them apart from the rest). 4/5

Labyrinth-Ther Is a Way: Already aware of this band and I will keep them in mind. The vocalist is somewhat generic but very capable and the music is more subdued than other power metal bands (if I remember correctly, the band's founder doesn't really like that term-understandable because this goes beyond power metal). 5/5

Kotipelto-Knowledge And Wisdom: With the vocalist from Stratovarius I should expect good power metal and that is what I get. 4.5/5

Masterplan-Keep Me Burning: My favoirte song from MKII. The new vocalist at first sounded like Jorn, howerver, after further listening Jorn just has something that is unmatched. 5/5

Time for a break, I'm only a little over half way through.

Into Eternity-Keep Me Burning: These guys are a smorgisboard (sic?) of extreme metal. My favorite feature is the clean vocals. The guy has a wicked falsetto that is more impressive live. An awesome song by an awesome band. 5/5

Evergrey-Recreation Day: These guys are awesome. I have Recreation Day and Inner Circle, but I'm always on the lookout for other albums. 5/5

Allen/Lande-Truth Of Our Time=Will You Follow: Two of the best metal vocalists ever with a guitarist whose propensity for melody and you have melodic metal gold. 5/5=5/5

Shaman-Reason: This seems like an interesting combination of power metal and goth metal (similar to Sentenced). 4.5/5

Revolution Renaissance-I Did It My Way: I recognize the vocalist as the great Tobias Sammet. This I understand is built on the ashes of Stratovarius and the debut features two other distinguished vocalists. Great music and one to look out for. 5/5

Powerquest-Never Again: Generic yet good power metal. 3.5/5

Destruction-Devolution: Brutal thrash metal kind of bores me these days but these guys are pretty damn good. 4/5

Dark Moor-The Chariot: This female fronted power metal band has been on my wantlis for a while but I haven't found any CDs yet. The male vocals are just as good as the female's, someting that doen't happen often. 5/5

Keldian-The Last Frontier: I've seen these guy's albums before but never picked them up. With this song I must reconsider doing so. 5/5

Pagan's Mind-Spirit Starcruiser: I've heard of these guys before but never sough anything from them. That will change anfter hearing this song. 4.5/5

Entwine-Surrender: Good melodic metal right here. Just another to add to the ever growing list. 4.5/5

Circle II Circle-Chase The Lies: Love Zak Stevens and I love CIIC. The most recent album didn't grab me right away but it has grown on me. Burden Of Truth is still their best IMO though. 5/5

Anger-Scream Your Heart Out: Why cant't I be more picky about music. This is another one that impresses me and needs to be added to my want list. 4/5

Andre Matos-Letting Go: I understand this vocalist has been part of many groups (including Avantasia-which is where I recognized his name from). Great vocalist and another great power metal song. 4.5/5

Edguy-Wings Of A Dream: Love Edguy and since there are many albums I still need to get from them, this is a song I have yet to hear (not quite true, on Hall Of Flames there is a version of it on disc 2-I usually only listen to disc 1). 5/5

Hammerfall-Last Man Standing: There are stil quie a few albums I need to get from them (I had most but got rid of them in 2000 for some reason that eludes me now). This song is on one of those albums. I really like Hammerfall so there is no suprise that I like this song. 4/5

Jorn-Black Sons=Out Of Every Nation: Now that his albums have reached American shores I need to get more. I only have the best of and covers albums. Awesome vocals by the always reliable Jorn. 4.5/5=4.5/5

HIM-Soul On Fire: I've avoided this band due to their trendiness (that wierd symbol is EVERYWHERE). That seems like a mistake if the rest of the music is like this song. Their music is easy to find new and used so it should be no problem getting anything from them. Great goth metal with a modern feel. 4/5

Throne Of Chaos-The Window=Wait=Pervertigo: I like this. Great power metal with unique vocals and a unique sound. Nice touch with the harsh vocals on the last song. 4.5/5=4.5/5= 5/5

Sodom-Buried In The Justice Ground: Can't be a metal fan without at least knowing about this band. I meet the minimal requirement but have never heard anything til now. I always thought they were a somewhat brutal thrash band. While there are elements of that here, it is much better than your typical brutal thrash. 4/5

Notre Dame-X-Masquerade: Interesting intro into an odd but interesting song. I recongize Snowy Shaw's voice from Gothic Kabbalah. I can't really describe this song but me likey. 5/5

Lake Of Tears-So Fell Autumn Rain: Beautiful cello introduction into a great goth metal song. I've heard of these guys before but never sought them out. That changes with this song. 4.5/5

Diamond Head-Out Of Phase: A NWOBHM legend that was a huge influence on Metallica. Interesting song but nothing that grabs me too hard. Makes me wonder what thier other material sounds like. 3/5

Turisas-To Holmgard And Beyond: I've heard good things about thses guys on HOM and I can see why. Great folkish battle music and fun to listen to. 5/5

Rawhead Rex-Mr. Hyde: Strange name but pretty good power metal. 3.5/5

Squealer-Friends For Life: Another odd name with pretty good music. 3.5/5

Wolfsbane-All Or Nothing: Blaze Bayley does indeed sound better away from Maiden (thoug I actually liked him). A bit happy sounding but still pretty decent. 3.5/5

Poison Black-Soul In Flames: Being a fan of later Sentenced, I am aware of this band and they are on my radar. This song makes me hunger for more. Kind of a progressive Sentenced. 5/5

Skyclad-The Dischanted Forest=Think Back And Lie Of England: A great folkish sounding band. I understand they are pioneers in folk metal. I need to check these guys out. 4/5=4.5/5

Stormwarrior-Heading North: Speed metal with a capital S. Vocalist sounds very familiar but I never heard him before and I can't say exactly who he reminds me of. Pretty damn fine song. 4.5/5

Tad Morose-Another Time Around: Another band I've heard good things about but have yet to explore. That will change now, great power/prog. 4/5

Primal Fear-Fighting The Darkness: One of the best songs off of New Religion. 5/5

Pheonix Reign-Masquerade Angel=Transendt: Of course PRD would send smaples from his own band (a band who's samples have piqued my interestd-like most other member's bands I've fallen behind on getting anything). This is a pretty good set of female fronted power metal songs with a unique sound. The guitar work is most impressive and the drums and bass are pretty darn good as well though a little low in the mix. 4.5/5=4.5/5

Iron Savior-The Omega Man: Another band I'm familiar with but I have yet to get anything. High quality power metal with an awesome and unique vocalist. 5/5

Exodus-A Lesson In Violence: Thrash legends Exodus are still very good although not as catchy as they used to be. My only problem with them is the lyrics and general attitude of Gary Holt (in inerviews he seems to be a bit of an idiot and a jerk). I prefer to stick with the older albums (I have Fabulous Disaster-my favorite-and Pleasures Of The Flesh). I plan on getting the other two classics but that'd probly be it. Still a good song though I tire of brutal thrash these days. 3.5/5

Grip Inc.-Silent Stranger: I am familiar with Dave Lombardo's band after Slayer but have never checked them out til recently. I have the first two and am sorry I waited so long. I will later aquire the last two. A shame about the vocalist. 4/5

Beyond Twilight-Shadowland: Tight prog metal with a Jorn-like vocalist (of course it is Jorn himself). A great sound and awesome melody. I must get these guys. Words can't describe the awesomness of this song. Wonder what their current voclist sounds like. 5/5

Elvenking-Pagan Purify: I have definatly heard of these guys and have seen their albums before. Next time I might pick something up. Good folk influenced power metal. 4/5

Wicked Marays-Johnny=Wathcing Over: Unusual power metal but very infectious. Love the chorus on the first song. These guys are begging for me to explore them futher. 5/5=4.5/5

Bob Catley-Blinded By A Lie: When I first heard him on Avantasia (I Don't Believe in Your Love), I thought he was Jorn. That told me that this was a guy to explore further. His voice doesn't shine as much with Magnum but his solo stuff does. A fine melodic hard rock song. 5/5

Headstone Epitaph-Victory: Classic metal and very impressive. I will keep an eye out for these guys. 4.5/5

One more disc (16 songs left) but I must take another break (I can't recall the last time I've typed so much.

I have probably 75% of those songs. I'm surprised because I thought PRD's tastes were a lot different than mine.

BTW, Rawhead Rex is a horror movie/story by Clive Barker.

Brainstorm-Shivas Tears: I am only familiar with the last two albums from these guys so this song in new to me. This is quite an awesome song so it looks like my course of action in obtaining Branistorm albums is to move bacwards. I started with Downburst and then Liquid Monster and now it looks like Soul Temptation will be next. 5/5

Nostradamus-Hymn To These Lands: I came across one of their albums in a bus station music store in Europe (might have been Italy of Spain, I can't remember) but I passed it up for Running Wild-Black Hand Inn. In retrospect it was a good choice. Running Wild is a classic speed metal band and I needed to be introduced to them. Not to say these guys aren't good because they are. But in comparison to RW, they are fairly generic. 4/5

Almah-Take Back Your Spell: This is some pretty good prog metal very similar to Angra. Probably due to them sharing the same vocalist. This is a fine song. 5/5

Lana Lane-Night Falls: I have been introduced to this fine female vocalist and her music through a Limb compilation. I have been on the outlook for her albums for a while now and this song makes me want even more. This song is beautiful and majestic while maintaining a classic metal sound with slight symphonic sensibilities. 5/5

David Redman-Without You: I've heard this song on Toho's comp as well and I already have this guy on my wantlist along with the other band he fronts (PC69). 4.5/5

Andi Deris-1000 Years Away: I was a aware of Deris having a solo album but I forgot about it. With this song I will be on the lookout for this. Great melodic rock coupled with one of my favorite vocalists. 5/5

Artension-Area 51: I have been on the lookout for these guys for some time. Really awesome album covers (see previous statement about LeFay and Grave Digger). This is slightly cheesey prog metal but I love that kind of stuff and this song is no different. 4.5/5

Dreamquest-Dreamquest: Luca Turilli's other solo project is well known to me. Great music and a great song with a lovely female voice. 5/5

Dream Evil-Break The Chains: I was introduced to these guys in an MP3 comp form Century Media. I liked what I heard but forgot about them. This puts them back on my radar. This is good modern power metal though more heavy than the usual fair-closer to real power metal really. 4.5/5

Grim Reaper-Night Of The Vampire: Though one of the more overlooked 80s band, these guys are very good. Probably overlooked due to their butt ugly vocalist, but he is good and that is what truly matters. This is great NWOBHM syled classic metal. 5/5

Riot-Thundersteel: I know I need to get some albums from this classic metal legend though I have yet to find their CDs anywhere (I know I need to utlize the internet more but I'm more of a want it now kind of guy-besided right now with budgetary issues the only way to do online purchases is through snail mail). This is quite and awesome song and from what I understand is an essential metal album. 5/5

Lullacry-Without The Dreamer: I love women, asthetically and audiolly (yeah, I made up a word-can't think of the proper word to use). This has a very pretty female vocalist and makes me want to find something from these guys soon. Great gothic tinged melodic metal. 5/5

Timmo Tolkki-Key To The Universe=I Believe: I was origionally turned off by Timmo's anti-religious whining but now that I know he is a complete loon I can overlook it. Besides this is great melodic metal though much more subdued than Stratovarius. The first song features the legendary Kiske and he delivers well. The other song is quite good (despite me not agreeing with the lyrics-which should always take a backseat to the music). Timmo's voice is pretty pleasant on this U2 sounding song. 4.5/5=4.5/5

Iron Fire-Warrior Of Steel: Great modern power metal right here. I really like the guy's voice and the melody in the chorus is heavily infectious. 5/5

Scanner-Wizard Force: The comps end with a great classic metal song. Never heard of these guys before but it sounds like I'm missing out. A great way to end these comps. 4.5/5

Great comps PRD, it is obvious that your tastes are very much along the lines of mine (though many songs I sent you missed their mark-I hope the next batch I sent you is more satisfactory). This involved a lot of typing and if I sound like I'm repeating myself a lot, it's just because I'm not much of a wordsmith. I will be going to Virgin Megastore to day with the intent of buying 10 CDs. This coupled with the other comps I received will be my guide in what albums I'm going to buy. This is much better than blind buying and I want to thank all those involved for giving me some music to chew on. Stender, I heard your comp and enjoyed it quite a lot (you have given me lot's of Christian bands to search for-which is something I needed) but it might be next week when I do the review because my wrists are stiffening up on me something fearce. I think I'll sit out next Comp Swap because I have gotten enough comps to last for all the previous swaps (Toho, Spectrefate, PRD, Stender, and Deathcult's from last time-not to mention another one comming from Toho and some more from PRD, luckily I won't need to do any extensive reviews for those two-though I will let them know what I thought, though in not so many words as those above).

And I still haven't mailed the random comp or PC69 comp DB.

Now I've been overwhelmed with work and a probable root canal.

Sounds like you could use a break anyway...

Quote :

Andi Deris-1000 Years Away: I was a aware of Deris having a solo album but I forgot about it. With this song I will be on the lookout for this. Great melodic rock coupled with one of my favorite vocalists. 5/5

I might be able to help you with the Deris solo albums DB.

I have both of them. This song is off the more obscure one (currently going for about $18 plus shipping on Amazon. Cheapest I found on Ebay was 5.99 plus $3 shipping). Since I don't really like either one, I'm open to offers.