Another rush of music from the various sources in the lead-up to summer as my virtual and real piles get bigger by the day. Another varied collection today, but first I have to mention the welcome return of Jorn Lande to Masterplan. On the basis of the new single “Far from the End of the World” the band is back on form.
Nightmare: Insurrection
These guys are French and have been around in one form or another since 1979. What they play is heavy metal, that on this release tends toward the power metal type. Joe Amore, who played drums for the band in the 80s, has a Jorn Lande (Masterplan et al) sound to his voice, which lends itself to the music. Masterplan is a good place to start if you want a feel for what this sounds like.
This is epic power metal with a melodic quality that is common in the European version of the genre. While this album does not necessarily break any new ground, it's certainly a competent effort. It has the right amount of soaring vocals, guitar solos, and epic music breaks. These guys opened for Def Leppard in the day, so they certainly have some history. It's possible to say they were power metal before the genre existed.
However you cut it, this is a great power metal album from France. It's good to see the band back and keeping up with the pack. In this column we welcome our power metal from where ever it might hail from.
Heavenly: Carpe Diem
This is one catchy record, big choruses and hands in the air type lyrics. The lameness of the cover is in sharp contrast to the quality of what lies therein. It's cheesy and lacks a certain camp flair more apt for the music. If you ever wondered what it would be like if Queen were more power metal than pop rock, then this is band for you. At other times it sounds like Styx in their prime, circa Paradise Theater and yes there are Meatloaf-isms about as well.
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