Disc 1 – The Serpent’s Treasure
Disc 2 - The Serpent's Chest
01. Ride
01. Hide and Seek
02.
03. Autumn Twilight
03. Violet Breath
04.
05. Soul Sacrifice
05.
06. Enter the
07. Stained Glass Horizon
feat. Victor Griffin/Joe Hasselvander
(Pentagram
08. Vampire Sun
07. The Olde Oak Tree
09. Cosmic Funeral
08. Schizoid Puppeteer
10. Ebony Tears
09. Carnival Bizarre (demo)
11. Melancholy Emperor
10. Rabies (Witchfinder General cover)
12. Equilibrium
11. Blue Light (live)
13. Utopian Blaster
12. Commiserating the Celebration (of Life)
(demo)
14. Voodoo Fire
15. Imprisoned In Flesh
WEBSITE http://www.cathedralcoven.net/ &
http://www.earache.com/
DOWNLOAD
“Old Oak Tree” from the Earache site
TOTAL PLAYING TIME DISC 1 = 80 mins
TOTAL PLAYING TIME DISC 2 = 77 mins
ELECTRIC WIZARD / WE LIVE
Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore Doom Metal, it refuses
to lie down and along with Cathedral, Electric Wizard are one of the genres
leading lights.
I you don’t like it I doubt if this will convert you but if
you are one of the enlightened ones you are in for a real treat as the Wizard
are on top form with this one, there is nothing groundbreaking but what you get
is Doom at it’s best and the word is spreading, you only have to look at the new
bands coming through like the excellent The Eternal (whose review is elsewhere)
for proof of this. The guitar riffs
are as slow as treacle in winter, heavier than a snow fall in
Best tracks; “We Live”, “Another Perfect Day” & “The Sun
Has Turned To Black”.
WEBSITE http://www.electric-wizard.com/ &
http://www.riseaboverecords.com/
DOWNLOAD
3 Minute sample of The Sun Has Turned from the label site
above.
TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 55 mis + 6
TRACKS
EVERGREY / THE INNER CIRCLE
If you love the Progressive Metal of Dream Theater,
Queensryche and Vanden Plas, you are in for a treat as this latest from Evergrey
is a joy to listen to.
What we have here is total class, plenty of heavy guitars,
loads of keyboard runs and more time changes than you could wish for, couple
this with the absolute perfection of the musicianship, and great vocals and you
have one hell of a CD. For proof of
this just check out “A Touch OF Blessing”, “Ambassador”, The Essence Of
Conviction” and “More Than Ever”.
They do have their lighter moments and these are just as good as the
heavier songs and make this a very balanced album. The initial pressings of this come in a
hardback book with 3 live tracks and show the band can do this live as
well.
WEBSITE http://www.evergrey.net/ & http://www.insideoutmusic.com/
DOWNLOAD
“A Touch Of Blessing from the label site above
TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 58 mins + 13
TRACKS
MOTORHEAD / INFERNO
Lets face it Motorhead have been around for 30 years and as
such are almost a Rock institution, they have been putting out consistent CD’s
over that period and this must be their 16th or their abouts.
A few members have come and gone over the years but one
thing has remained constant throughout, the loud as F**K METAL and the legend
that is Lemmy.
The catchy, heavy riff laden tunes coupled with Lemmy’s unique vocal
style are all here and they still manage to come up with a few new twists every
now and then and Inferno is no different.
The main surprise this time is the acoustic Blues of the last track
“Whorehouse Blues” traditional blues done in time old fashion and it works well
as for the other songs “Life’s A Bitch”, “Terminal Show”, “In The Name Of
Tragedy” and “In The Year Of The Bitch” will site very nicely into the vast
Motorhead catalogue. The CD comes
with a free DVD with 3 Videos and an interview.
WEBSITE http://www.motorhead.com/
TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 48 mins + 12 TRACKS +
DVD
XisLOADED / RAW
NERVE
From the same label that brought you InME, Vaux and Amplifier comes
another new British band, XisLoaded and this debut CD
has a maturity and commerciality way beyond their
years.
The British Rock scene is healthier now than it has ever
been and bands like this will do well.
The guitarist reminds me a bit of the Edge from U2, he can pull out the
riffs when needed but has the
ability to be creative and hold back, less being more and allow a more creative
feel to the songs. Produced by
veteran producer Chris Shelton all the songs are allowed to breathe and have an
open feel to them but still manage to pull the punches. Vocal wise the harmonies are simple,
effective and help create a soundscape that is very
distinct but not aloof other bands have taken 3 albums to get this far, I know
we will hear a lot more of this band and I expect greater things to
come.
Best tracks; “Laugh, Point & Wave”, “Thirteen Day’s”,
“The Start Of Everything”, “Last Chance” and
“Fallout”
WEBSITE http://www.xisloaded.com/ & http://www.music-for-nations.co.uk/
TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 44 mins + 12
TRACKS
METAL CHURCH / THE WEIGHT OF THE
WORLD
It’s been 5 long year’s since the last Metal Church CD but
it’s been well worth the wait as this is a fantastic return to former glory for
the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal inspired band.
Taking their lead from Iron Maiden and Saxon this is Classic
Rock with a capital C but somehow it manages to sound fresh. They have a new vocalist in the from of
Ronny Munroe who’s style is similar to Biff of Saxon with a touch of Blaze
Bailey thrown in for good measure, couple this with the stalwart guitar riffs
and lead breaks from Kurdt Vanderhoof and you have a winning formula that will keep
everybody happy and headbanging all night long. The Maiden comparison is so strong at
time with the stop, start interplay between the guitars and drums, the
sing-a-long chorus’s on “Cradle To The Grave”, “Hero’s Soul” and the epic
“Wing’s Of Tomorrow” that it’s difficult to believe that Harris and Co. didn’t
have a hand in them.
The best tracks are “Weight Of The
World”, “Hero’s Soul”, “and Madman’s Soul” and “Wing’s Of Tomorrow” but that
doesn’t mean that the others are inferior because they’re not; if you love 80’s
Metal this one is for you.
WEBSITE http://www.metalchurch.com/ & http://www.spv.de/
TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 56 mins + 10
TRACKS
ANNIHILATOR / ALL FOR YOU
Still going strong after 15 years, Thrash driven Annihilator
is a testament to the song writing ability and creativity of Canadian Jeff
Waters.
Right from the first title track the CD leaves you in no
doubt that this is a Heavy Metal record with intelligent lyrics and although not
a concept album there is a thread that ties the songs together, madness,
insanity and the frustration this causes.
The driving metallic riffs coupled with the melodic chorouses make this a joy to listen to anyone who likes
metal. The tracks, “Dr. Psycho”,
“Demon Dance” and “Both Of Me” are prime examples of
what Annihilator is all about and just to prove the have a softer side listen to
the two ballads “The One” and “Holding On”, which are both
superb.
If Annihilator were a vehicle it would be some kind of sooped up tank, fast, unstoppable and made of solid
Metal.
Best tracks, “Dr. Psycho”, “Rage Absolute”, “Demon Dance”,
and “All For You”.
WEBSITE http://annihilatormetal.com/
TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 55 mins + 10
TRACKS + 5 CD ROM’S
