Diamond Head: Canterbury re-release
This is yet another re-release from Metal Mind. This time as part of their series on the legendary and massively under appreciated Diamond Head. The nine original tracks are augmented by one extended track, a live track and an interview with Andy Pebbles. While not necessarily the classic Diamond Head album, this certainly is one you might want to find in your collection because no matter what, you have to say Diamond Head do quality. It's no shock that Lars Ulrich was such a big fan and covered so many Diamond Head tracks with Metallica. Not essential, but having all of Diamond Head in your collection isn't a bad thing.
Edenbridge: My Earth Dream
Yet another female led goth-tinged album which is rather good but not exceptional. On this version you get two bonus tracks totaling almost 20 minutes including 'My Earth Dream Suite" and the 12 minute "Complete my Earth Dream". This is not as good as Tarja voiced Nightwish, but repeated listens are very rewarding. I plan to give this more time to see where it stands in the pantheon of similar music. If you like the genre and are looking for something new, then this album will be right up your street. I cannot quite decide whether it's better than the latest Nightwish release or not. Anyway it's certainly worth checking out. The quality of the songwriting and musicianship is indisputable.
Brother Firetribe: Heart Full of Fire
This is a Scandinavian bit of fun with it's soul firmly sat in the 80's era of classic rock and its tongue placed firmly in cheek. The fact that this is a side band of several of the leading lights of the Nordic heavy rock scene shows you the indisputable talent that exists in those lands. Just for good measure Anette Olzon Nightwish's new front woman appears on the title track "Heart Full of Fire". This version of the CD contains the bonus track "Two Hearts Beat as One". If you like your 80's heavy rock played with oodles of talent and no pretentiousness whatsoever, then this is worth seeking out. It's a pretty fun ride.
MSG: In the Midst of Beauty
Genius guitarist and full time nutter Michael Schenker and Gary Barden have teamed up with heavyweights Don Airey, Neil Murray, and Simon Phillips to produce one of the best Schenker albums in over a decade if not more. Take Gary Barden's voice which reminds me of non classic Asia and Don Airey's keyboard playing to produce an album that sounds like a combination of Rainbow, Asia, and Alkatraz. It's really quite surprising how good this album is. There are no dogs and quite a few highlights, starting from the opening track "City Lights". It is nice to see Schenker return to such good form. This is well worth seeking out.
Article comments
1 - ashfatsuha
The band is "helloween" not 'Halloween'