Spring may not have sprung yet in most of the Northern Hemisphere, but it certainly has in the music world. Record companies are getting product out in the hopes of getting your cash before the summer. While all of them are off at SWSX this week, I am sifting the through the oodles of stuff they have sent me and having the great pleasure of re-acquainting myself with some older, forgotten, almost-huge classics. But more of that next week.

CD Reviews

Ancara: Beyond the Dark

With the help of the lads from Nightwish, this lot has produced quite an impressive second album. This is Euro-powermetal at its best. Its quality and comes from a certain level of talent that seems to be prevalent in Europe these days. There are so many damn good bands out there; the nuances between the great and the merely decent is getting rather hard to determine. Included on this disc are two bonus tracks: "Burn in Hell" live and the full version of "The World." The live track gives you a good idea of what this lot is like live. There are a couple of videos available on their website.

Crash Romeo: Gave me the Clap

You can get from the band's name and the title of the album what type of stuff you find on here. Sneering, tongue-in-cheek sleaze rock. These guys do it for the laughs, the booze, and the babes. It's smirk rock that you put on and sit back to enjoy. It has got hints of Fall Out Boy and the LA sleaze rock of the late 80s. Some would even mention Blink 182 but I wouldn't want to insult this lot. They have the songs and the vibe to go far. In an genre full of wannabes; these guys rise above the heap. Check out the title track and smile.

Fires of Babylon: s/t

Christian power metal with biblical themes you say? At first this is a bit off-putting to a heathen like me; well, the concept is at least. I need not have worried because this lot do power metal in the Iron Maiden vein with all the pomp & circumstance needed. This is a great bit of Maiden-esque prog-tinged power metal circa. "Somewhere in Time" quickly gets under your skin. There is a hint of Queensryche as well, especially on the track "Revolution Coming". This is the type of metal that I rather like. I can listen to it all day. Some mock the whole power-metal genre, but those who do are missing a treat.