Tag Archives: 2009

Stream of Passion – The Flame Within (2009) – Review

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Here is a band that improves with the past? Or should we say they decline as they move forward into the future?

Well, first I reviewed Stream of Passion‘s newest album A War of Our Own – newest meaning 2014 – and it didn’t impress me too much. So in desperation, I turned to some older stuff this band produced.

And … BINGO!

The band’s second studio album The Flame Within really delivers a much better brand of Progressive Metal. And it exceeds expectations on that scale. The band recovered nicely, after having been treated somewhat shabbily by Arjen Lucassen… [...] Click to raid more!

Epica – Design Your Universe (2009) – Review

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Well, is it better than the other records or is it not? After Consign to Oblivion I grew a bit wary of what I was going to find in this Pandora’s box that this band usually delivers. Much to my relief, Epica‘s fourth studio album Design Your Universe is probably one of the better records – previous and past. It kind of sounds like a mix between Delain, Within Temptation and Nightwish fueled by top quality vitamins. They actually quite shamelessly erred on the latter’s territory.

But seriously, this is probably one of the most authentic and complex albums this side of The Phantom Agony.… [...] Click to raid more!

Train – Save me, San Francisco (2009) – Review

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Well, busted: Here is one of my favorites. RMR going mainstream billboard chasin’! What is the world coming to? 

Train, faithfully headed by lead singer Pat Monahan and supported by long-time members Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood (left the band in 2014, by the way), always get me up to a good mood again.

OK, I get it, folks: No metal there. So sorry. But you know what? If you ever lived in good, old California, which I did, this is THE style. If you talk simple rock and nothing sturdier, of course. Pop is an altogether other matter and filled … [...] Click to raid more!

Leaves’ Eyes – Njord (2009) – Review

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Irish Rain from the Norwegian/German band Leaves’ Eyes 2009 3rd full studio album Njord actually sounds pretty good. But only just – and it is a folk song to boot. A few pipes, a little foggy, fairy voice chirping along about the rain in Ireland. And bang, you got yerself a song. This actually fits well with the overall structure of the album, but more to that later.

Njord is – by the way –  the ancient god of seafarers. But also the terror of all seamen who face the ocean at their peril each day. At least, that was … [...] Click to raid more!