Nightwish – Once (2004) – Review

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Yes, it is! The 2004 release Once of Finnish metallers Nightwish really is … typical Nightwish fare after all. But with a real hard-edge Heavy Metal twist that I have not seen displayed yet by this band; before and after this record.

Because the ones that came before – for instance Oceanborn and to a lesser extent Century Child – ended up being some sort of a uniform amalgam of stuff. Power Metal and Gothic Metal – yes to an extent – but nothing really knocking the socks off my feet. And the albums following this here release are of a different style in a sense.

Once already exudes

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Nemesea – Mana (2004) – Review

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Nemesea claimed a few years ago that their first studio album Mana was written and produced in somewhat of a hellfire hurry back in 2004. Thus they aligned the style to the usual Gothic and Symphonic Metal outfits already at work at that time. And this is a really strange statement to make from any band. 

Only to be confronted with a result that the band did not feel wholly comfortable with. This weird approach made them change their musical direction straight after this album.

A fact that became very evident in their later productions In Control and The Quiet Resistance. Their mutual soul-searching on style and [...] Click to raid more!

Myrkur – M (2015) – Review

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You are a metal fan, right? That is why you are here.

Right?

So, have you ever tried to listen to Enya? Yes, the one of the surreal, kind of weird, ethereal melodies and soft tunes. Not metal at all, you know.

Now, mix three parts of Enya with a shot of Caladan Brood, together with 2 parts of Cradle of Filth on steroids.1 Then, throw in three parts of Ulver and one psychedelic part of Suns of Thyme. And thus you get M, the latest and best of Myrkur. And no, this has nothing to … [...] Click to raid more!

Uriah Heep – Demons and Wizards (1972) – Review

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If you are looking to pick up some Uriah Heep records, there is no way around their 1972 piece Demons and Wizards. This one is probably one of the best, if not THE best album they made at that time. Or ever since for that matter, alongside The Magician’s Birthday, released surprisingly that same year.

And let’s not forget: The ’70s were the most productive set of years in the history of the band. On three occasions – 1971, 1972, and 1977 – Uriah Heep produced two albums. For each one of those years. And this is only for the studio albums, not counting the live [...] Click to raid more!