Tag Archives: Napalm Records

Sirenia – The Seventh Life Path (2015) – Review

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You know, I like Gothic Metal and Symphonic Metal. I really do. It is usually more melodious and varied than the more straightforward types of metal that exist out there. And after a weekend of down ‘n’ dirty metal crunch, some Symphonic band-aid to soothe my bleeding ears is a welcome change.

But here I am listening to the Spanish/Norwegian Gothic Metal band of two+ Sirenia‘s latest studio album The Seventh Life Path. And already I am confused.

No doubt: The talent at work is impressive. Morten Veland founded the gig back in 2001 as the multi-instrumentalist-in-chief. And Ailyn … [...] Click to raid more!

Kamelot – Haven (2015) – Review

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Kamelot! The name sends you echoes of mystical events way back in time. To King Arthus’ court of the round table of valiant knights. An epic era much shrouded in fabulously famous legends of all kinds. And here we are expecting something stellar around these lines. Metal at its best.

And I am getting something that somehow sounds like it, but it just does not quite feel right. Epica made the same mistake lately with their 2014 disc The Quantum Enigma – the overdone turkey one, with too much gravy. Too much over-compressed bombast, too many instruments to play … [...] Click to raid more!

Leaves’ Eyes – King of Kings (2015) – Review

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I am pleasantly surprised! Leaves’ Eyes again managed to up the ante and add a lot of metal in King of Kings to their already improved former delivery in Symphonies of the Night. They steadily increased the quality of their musical prowess over the years and King of Kings is no exception. Deeper, darker, more metallic in structure, but also folk-laden in certain parts. Sometimes it almost reminds me of some Folk Metal acts – but not quite to the extent of calling them that. And the lyrics delivered by Liv Kristine Espenaes are up a notch too – … [...] Click to raid more!

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!