Tag Archives: Cinematic Metal

Ostura – The Room (2018) – Review

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Ostura - The Room - Album Cover

I am amazed. These guys managed to get the attention of Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Guilt Machine, Stream of Passion, The Gentle Storm), plus secured the services of a felt gazillion of additional guest performers from 12 countries.

As if this weren’t enough, they got Jens Bogren of Fascination Street Studios to do the mixing and mastering piece. Then the band forged ahead and landed us with 74 minutes of progressive goodness on 12 tracks.

Wow!

And this raised a major concern right from the beginning. Do we have another case of extensive, badly managed complexity that raises … [...] Click to raid more!

Newsflash: AfterTime bemoan a lost world!

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RockmusicRaider Newsflash - Aftertime - World We've Lost - Album Cover

Ha! Looks like 2017 got off to a juicier symphonic start than I expected. A few watery sun rays hit us already late last year, with a couple of Symphonic Metal players turning in some pretty sturdy material.

Even some of the ‘established’ bands, have seen the light and kicked it up a couple of notches. But of course, not nearly enough to counter the same-same, but different legion that likes to dominate the genre.

So, luckily we have some exceptions. Now, AfterTime state their influences to be Nightwish, Within Temptation, Epica and Leaves’ Eyes – in between … [...] Click to raid more!

Diabulus in Musica – Dirge for the Archons (2016) – Review

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RockmusicRaider Review - Diabulus in Musica - Dirge for the Archons - Album Cover

Often in the metal universe, a new album is somewhat of a Pandora’s Box. Or the bottle with the genie that, once released, won’t fit back into it.

Now, I had somewhat of an issue with Argia last time we looked at Diabulus in Musica. And the juicy comments from some punks from the Ministry of Love to get lost over it were interesting, too.

I was thus a bit wary of what I would find in DiMs latest and best. But – lo and behold – the tune changed into something else. More lively, rockier, lighter in taste, … [...] Click to raid more!

Epica – Consign to Oblivion (2005) – Review

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RockmusicRaider Review - Epica - Consign to Oblivion - Album Cover

But, where is the metal? This is the question I asked myself since starting with this record. It kind of gets off the ground with some theme seemingly from the Pirates of the Caribbean or something. And then – more symphonic orgasms by the dozen. But the metal? The METAL? It somehow lost itself along the way, methinks.

‘Tis a most strange production! Or is the 2nd studio album Consign to Oblivion of the Dutch Symphonic Metal band Epica just an example of playing it safe? But as they like to call their style Gothic Metal – well, this is kind of an important question.

The theme is – of course – … [...] Click to raid more!