Well spring has arrived here in the UK and the live scene is starting to pick up again. Not to be left out, I pop out, and with my crew in tow, caught an upcoming act of some distinction, but first the CDs in my review case.
CD Reviews
Altaria: Divine Invitation
This is a mid-priced release, which is very much as it stands so far for the band who at the end of 2006 lost their vocalist. They are now joined by ex-Terrorwheel man Marco Lupenero. This was following a great year where they toured with some of the best of the European metal scene including Doro and Eurovision winners Lordi. As it's a bit of a compilation, it could be said to be attractive to only those already in the know. For instance, new listeners might not give a toss about the seven demo tracks contained herein which don't really add much.
However, you might be interested to hear a member of Nightwish (on the first five tracks including "Fire and Ice") and Sonata Artica appear on various tracks of the CD. Overall it's proggy-tinged Euro power metal done well, if not anything terribly spectacular. If you want an introduction to the band for a low price, then have a listen. It will be interesting to see what this line-up will produce with their forthcoming album.
Bloodhound: Book of the Dead
This new band of melodic power metallers with Michael Bormann of Jaded Heart and Bonfire on vocals can't be all bad, it has to be said. Bormann's scratchy vocal style adds something different to this type of music. Normally this type of band either has a screamer or a grunter, but Michael has quite a deal of melody in his voice, no matter what he is singing. There are definite touches of Gamma Ray here and even a touch Iced Earth on tracks like "Into Eternity". There is even one of those wonderful galloping metal tracks in the form of "Turn to Stone". Oh yes, and there is a bit of pure Maiden on "Seven Angels".
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