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Reviews are inherently subjective and ultimately a matter of opinion, so the summaries below are based on one listener's opinion in the context of the traditional/melodic/power metal genre. Links to each band's web site are included whenever possible, so please check out the artists and albums for yourself!
 A.I.T.H. (Ace in the Hole) — Love Me, Mom...Love Me, Dad
12.21.2001 Independent
Hailing from Tokyo, Japan, A.I.T.H. released one demo tape (currently unavailable) before putting out this four-track CD featuring their self-described "laid-back groove with belched-out vocal." That is a pretty good description, especially in terms of the powerful voice of Kanako Emi. Her strong vocal performance is a highlight of this EP. The songs are a mix of straight-ahead hard rock with hooky melodic metal. The title track features a thick, heavy riff, but the song seems perhaps a bit too slow to me and feels too long by the time it finally ends. The lyrics are written from the viewpoint of an abused child, and I think it's very cool that the band offers the track free of charge to anyone involved with campaigns against child abuse. "Never, Neverland" is also a good hard rock tune with a nice chorus, although it's not especially memorable overall. "The Mighty Deep" is a much more appealing song in the style of Jack Daisy, with a snappy riff and strong verse melody that leads into a sudden rhythm change for the catchy chorus. Definitely my favorite tune here. The last track, "Final War", shows a different side of the band, with a moody, marching cadence and soaring background keyboards that add an almost apocalyptic atmosphere to the song. I like this CD a lot, and I hope to hear more from this band, especially if they offer more songs in the power metal vein.
> A.I.T.H. web site <
 Blazing Guns — I'll Never (Give Up My Leather) Demo
2003 Independent
I got an e-mail from Tommy Trigger of the Swedish band Blazing Guns that said something like "we play old school heavy metal." When I got the band's five-track demo in the mail, I discovered that Tommy was absolutely right...and how refreshing to find a Swedish band that is not a clone of HammerFall and bands of that ilk. Blazing Guns is nothing more than straightforward heavy metal in the tried-and-true style that blends galloping riffs and guitar harmonies in the vein of bands like old Iron Maiden and Accept. There's nothing here that breaks new musical ground, but tracks like "Iron Horse" (my favorite) and "Blazing Guns" feature strong melodies and catchy refrains that stick in your head easily. Other tunes, such as "I'll Never (Give Up My Leather)," are typical metal anthems that aren't particularly memorable but will probably go over well in a live setting. Vocalist Magnum has a slightly rough quality to his voice, and though he's not always on the mark, his vocals seem to fit well with the band's old school metal sound. Tommy and Magnum were actually together in a prior band (the now-defunct Hellbender), but it seems that the newly formed Blazing Guns is their main focus now, so it will be interesting to see what happens with the band.
> Blazing Guns web site <
 JD Bradshaw — 3rd Time Around
2006 Independent
I've often felt that releasing a solo instrumental album should be considered an intensely brave and ambitious prospect. It's no easy task to compose a full set of songs that can hold a listener's attention without the luxury of vocal hooks and sing-along choruses. If this is indeed true, then JD Bradshaw is quite a brave fellow, having just released his third solo disc of guitar-oriented instrumental songs. I checked out some excerpts from JD's first two releases (thanks to JD for the sampler disc) and was pleased to discover that his dexterity on the guitar is unquestionably solid. After playing in a variety of bands over the years, he has definitely developed the chops needed to lay down some heavy riffs or to fire off a shredding solo...and there are plenty of such solos on 3rd Time Around. The disc is full of spinning lead breaks and tasteful harmonies, all executed with the confidence and precision of a seasoned player. The riffs in tracks like "Hydra-Shokk" or "Mindsweeper" are solid and heavy, but the main structure of the songs isn't quite as adventurous as I'd like, falling into a cycle of playing a few main riffs in a sequence. Things tend to get a bit repetitive for me, and I would have liked some time changes or tempo shifts, or maybe some quiet passages in the middle of the shredding so that the contrast of the acoustic section makes you realize how heavy the main riff really is. And speaking as a drummer, I was disappointed that the drum machine programming was basically just a click track to keep the beat, with no variations in pattern, no fills to signal a rhythm change, not even any cymbal accents to give the songs some energy. With the skill that JD clearly possesses, I'd love to see him get into a full band that would provide a good vehicle for his playing, or at the very least to enlist the services of a session drummer for future recordings.
> JD Bradshaw web site <
 Byfist — Adrenaline
2001 Independent
Formed in 1987, Byfist has recently re-emerged onto the metal scene to promote this four-track EP as a sample of their forthcoming full-length debut CD. The band for this recording included three guitarists, but it's not really apparent in the songs; the music is not overly heavy and doesn't seem to take full advantage of the extra set of strings to offer many layered guitar melodies or complex harmonies. Instead, Byfist's sound is similar to the classic 80s metal of bands like Armored Saint or Judas Priest, and all four songs on this EP are excellent — the tracks were actually written and recorded in the late 80s, and it sounds like it. "Eternal Damnation" and "Left to Die" are solid metal tunes, even if the former ends rather suddenly with an abrupt fadeout and the latter suffers slightly with a very repetitive drum line. The real highlights are "Meltdown" with its quick riff and a chorus that comes out of nowhere, and final track "Mary Celeste," which shows a slightly more sophisticated sense of structure. All in all, this is a good old school metal, with clean production by David Wayne of Metal Church and engineering by Joe Floyd of Warrior. In March 2002, Byfist guitarists Davey Lee and Notch Vara officially joined David Wayne's band Reverend, but Byfist says it will continue with its recording and touring plans.
> Byfist web site <
 Cresent — Cresent Demo
2006 Independent
Let me start off by saying that I am not really a fan of Iced Earth; for me, the band peaked on Stormrider and fell off sharply after their third album. So it's odd that I should enjoy Cresent as much as I do, since their sound is rooted firmly in the IE tradition and style. Much of the comparison stems from the natural abilities of singer Chris Parrish, who does resemble Matt Barlow in many ways, although I find Parrish more interesting and more capable of using his solid vocal range to punctuate the songs, especially with his upper register. The IE similarities are also apparent in some of the guitar riffing and underlying structures, but the songs are strong enough to draw in the listener with solid hooks, excellent performances, and a clean, clear production. Many of the six tracks on this CD are relatively new compositions, with only "Forgotten Future" being carried over from one of the band's early, unofficial demos. I would have liked a little more diversity in tempo and pacing (many of the tunes hover in the same midpaced range), but this is much more than a demo release and should probably be considered the band's debut EP (and the only release with the original lineup, as several members have recently departed). It would be a shame if Cresent got labeled as nothing more than an IE clone, so I'm hopeful that a new lineup will emerge with fresh songs that show a more personal style which differentiates the band from its influences.
> Cresent web site <
 Elvenking — To Oak Woods Bestowed
2000 Independent
Elvenking are a welcome addition to the Italian metal scene, and the band certainly stands apart from the seemingly countless "symphonic metal bands" that are all trying to become the next Rhapsody. On this five-track demo CD, Elvenking offer amazing power/speed metal that is more influenced by Skyclad and Running Wild, plus vintage Helloween and Blind Guardian. The folk elements are particularly strong, as is evident in the opening track, an acoustic Irish jig that sets the stage perfectly for the avalanche of melody and power that follows on the disc. Each track speeds along with a dizzying array of vocal melodies and guitar harmonies, and there are even some operatic female vocals and a few well-placed death metal growls thrown into the mix. Comparisons to Rhapsody may be inevitable, but Elvenking's songs are far more interesting and diverse. Tracks like "Banquet of Bards" and "Oakenshield" move effortlessly from driving riffs to borderline thrash sections to acoustic interludes, and every tune flows beautifully, as if a great deal of time was spent arranging the elements of each song. The wide variety of musical styles and tempos are blended together perfectly, yielding a collection of songs that should appeal to almost any fan of melodic power metal. Indeed, this is an extremely addictive and well-produced demo CD, and I find it hard to stop listening to the disc repeatedly. The band's debut CD Heathenreel has since been released on AFM Records, so this demo release may not be available now. But it's worth looking for, as several of the tracks on the demo are not on the debut disc, including my favorite tune, the brilliant closer "Under the Tree of Us'dum".
> Elvenking web site <
 Exhibition — Demo CD
2000 Independent
Exhibition is a new project featuring several former members of Eternity X, and this demo finds the band exploring the progressive metal style, although the overall sound is a bit darker than typical Eternity X or Dream Theater material. The three tracks on this CD showcase different sides of the band's songwriting skills and musical personality, and the tunes were clearly written with a focus on the overall song instead of on useless instrumental solos or ego-induced complexities and time changes. Vocalist Bobby Lucas (Overlorde, ex-Seven Witches) added lyrics and melodies after the tunes had been written, but the songs are cohesive and don't really seem disjointed. Opening track "The Sign of Tomorrow" and the eight-minute "Dark Horizons" twist and move smoothly through different musical sections and melodic passages, with the keyboards and guitar complementing each other nicely over the solid rhythmic foundation. The CD closes with an emotional ballad that shows a quieter side of the band, and the song is so beautifully arranged and performed that it almost outshines the heavier stuff. This demo was produced and released independently, and the sound is good even if the packaging is minimal. Power metal fans might not find much here, and I myself would have enjoyed a bit more speed, but this is high-quality progressive metal for folks who enjoy that genre. This particular demo was recorded some time ago, so we may not have to wait too long to hear some new material from these guys.
 Haze — Let Me Be Your Snake
2001 Independent
Haze is a new glam trio from Italy, although the band's bio indicates that the members are veterans of the Italian music scene. Unfortunately, you'd never know it by listening to this debut demo CDR, which includes five cover tunes and only two original songs, both of which are rather generic ballads. The cover tunes are standard titles from bands like KISS and Cinderella, but the versions offered here range for competent yet lifeless (KISS's "Rock n Roll All Nite") to downright bad (Led Zeppelin's "Rock n Roll"). The overall sound quality of the demo isn't great, so that might be part of the problem, and at least that aspect can be corrected in the future, since is this just a demo release after all. A bigger problem is the vocals. Bassist Alex "Midnight" Moschini's voice has neither the power nor the range to handle this material, and some of the vocals (and the backing vocals in particular) are noticeably and agonizingly off key. I'm guessing that this demo was perhaps released a bit too early in Haze's short career. The band has already changed guitarists, so maybe they will also find a full-time vocalist and then focus on writing some original songs with a harder edge.
> Haze web site <
 Jonin — Demo CD
2006 Independent
Taking its name from Japanese warrior lore, Jonin has emerged from Raleigh NC with a unique brand of thoughtful metal that blends tight, syncopated riffs with floating vocal melodies and crisp guitar harmonies to achieve a sound that draws on classic metal themes but still sounds fresh and current. The band constructs songs with a kind of mathematical precision that reveals subtle rhythmic complexities and phrasings as well as a highly developed sense of musical vision, yielding a strong batch of mature metal compositions. A track like "Nothing More" has a great bridge, with a driving ride cymbal that propels the urgent riff as the razor-sharp lyrics seem to tumble over top of it all, while the jagged grooves in "Lost" almost seem to stick out at right angles to the catchy vocal refrain. Arrangements like this are a delicate art, and Jonin succeeds in delivering compact yet diverse tunes that manage to be technically satisfying and extremely memorable. The band refers to this as a demo release, but the recording is excellent and boasts a sonic quality that is far better than many professional albums I've heard. In fact, the only problem with this demo is that it's too short (there is a 3-song version and a 5-song version) and always leaves me wanting more. Fortunately, the band is hard at work on their first full-length release, with a new rhythm section and a batch of fresh songs that offer the same classy style of ninja metal. It's hard to believe that this band is unsigned, but you can still check the band's web site to get in touch with Jonin and keep up with the band's progress.
> Jonin web site <
 Overlorde — Overlorde 2000 Demo
2000 Independent
Fans of old-school U.S. metal will remember Overlorde from the now-classic self-titled EP they released in 1987. Unfortunately, the band had problems keeping a steady lineup, and subsequent recordings went unreleased as the band shuffled a few members before vanishing from the metal scene. Now, more than 10 years later, Overlorde is back with a demo called simply "Overlorde 2000". Three original members have returned, and with the addition of vocalist Bobby Lucas (Exhibition, ex-Seven Witches), the band proves that it's possible to make killer `80s metal in a new century. Opening tune "Blackness" is an updated version of a song from 1988 and sets the tone for the entire demo...straight-ahead power, solid riffs, crunching guitar work, a tight rhythm section, and soaring vocal lines. All four tunes are quite good, although my favorites are probably the pounding "Hell Hath No Fury" (reminds me of Bloodlust during the lead section!) and the brisk "Ogre Wizard". The band financed and recorded the demo themselves, but the overall sound quality is good. The rhythm guitar is a bit low in the mix, but Mark's leads cut through with melody and power. Fans of traditional U.S. metal will enjoy this demo and will demand more music from the new Overlorde. (And while you're at it, tell `em to release the original EP on CD.)
> Overlorde web site <
 Seventh Heaven — Still Alive / Mary Demo CD
2003 Independent
I have not heard Seventh Heaven's first demo CD, but the songs on this two-track EP certainly make me want to hear more of this band. The tunes offered here are energetic melodic metal that remind me of bands like Terra Rosa, with excellent vocals from Yoshie and some nice guitar work from Seiji. Both songs are carefully arranged, with strong melodies and catchy choruses that make the music quite memorable. "Still Alive" is my favorite of the two tracks (a hard choice!); it has a great hook and a cool bass guitar break in the lead section, plus Yoshie wails on the final lines of the song to end the tune on a powerful note. "Mary" has a slightly more progressive edge to it and features a unique guitar melody during the bridge as well as some nice keyboards. This release is the band's first official studio recording (the first CD was recorded in a home studio), and the sound quality is very good. In the end, I really wish there were more than two songs on this CD, and I hope that Seventh Heaven is able to release some more material very soon.
Note: Not long after writing this review, I did indeed get to hear the band's first demo CD, and it is quite good. This first demo may be reissued in the near future, so keep an eye out for that, as it is definitely worth tracking down.
> Seventh Heaven web site <
 Temple of Blood — Prepare for the Judgement of Mankind
2006 Independent
It's almost shameful to realize that bands like TOB are still cropping up in America, struggling in obscurity without support or interest from record labels. These guys play a style of 80s speed/thrash metal that would be adored in Europe, and they'd surely be added instantly to the roster of new bands for all the big summer festivals. Born in 2001 with a common love for bands like Mercyful Fate and Iron Maiden, TOB has finally unleashed their debut album on the unsuspecting metal underground. PFTJOM delivers a collection of nine original tunes that will take you back to the early days of frantic and energetic speed metal, and I hear some echoes from Annihilator, Agent Steel, Savage Grace, and a host of other bands. Somehow, TOB merges all of these influences into music that honors the magic of these early masters and yet sounds unique enough to stand on its own merits. All four band members are veteran players, so the performances on this disc are excellent, with tons of breakneck riffs, lightning guitar leads, and thunderous double-bass drumming. The songs don't stray too far from traditional structures, but the band has the musical sensibilities to offer more than enough variety and surprises to keep things from sounding stale. The lyrical themes reflect the band's stance as Christians, but the approach is not "preachy" or demanding, and I think it's intensely cool that TOB is honest about their faith (especially in a genre where Christian bands are definitely in the minority). And if amazing songs and engaging lyrics weren't enough, TOB has included a little bonus for all the fans of old-school metal...the final track on this disc is a cover of Deadly Blessing's "Deliver Us From Evil," with original DB singer Ski performing the vocals. How cool is that!? This disc is strongly recommended, so take the time to check out the band and their message.
> Temple of Blood web site <
 Trivium — Demo CD
2003 Independent
I've never known much about the Florida metal scene...Iced Earth caught my ear back in the day before turning to crap after only two records, and Death (R.I.P. Chuck) finally got interesting toward the end when they dropped the splatter/gore shtick and found some drummers who could keep up with the insanely technical material. So this demo CD was a pleasant surprise indeed. Trivium is a three-piece unit from Florida that delivers melodic thrash metal in the vein of old Metallica or Testament, with a few machine-gun riffs that remind me of Bay Area favorites Defiance and even some passages reminiscent of bands like In Flames. Songs like "To Burn the Eye" and "Requiem" display a nice combination of thrashy energy and catchy hooks, and the compositions throughout the CD tend to be adventurous and relatively complex. Guitarist Matt Heafy also handles vocals, mostly sounding a bit like recent Testament or early Sepultura but also displaying a cool "clean" voice that I'd like to hear him use more. This is an independent release, but the production and mix are quite professional (the CD was mastered at Morrisound Studios). The band is very young, but these guys have a very promising musical future ahead, so thrash fans should check them out before they become huge, as I doubt that they will remain unsigned for long.
> Trivium web site <
 Thunder Reigns — Evil One
2001 Independent
This one-track CD is quite a surprise. At first glance, the cover art seems a little silly, with a leather-clad skeleton painting metal slogans on various tombstones. And why only one song? The letter that accompanied the CD explained that the band intended to use a single tune to introduce themselves to the metal world, and to make listeners remember the song and ask for more. It's a pretty good idea, and "Evil One" is a pretty good song, too. While not startlingly original, this is pure old-school heavy metal that sounds like it would have fit well onto an old Metal Massacre compilation. The vocals are strong, with a deep rumble reminding me at times of J.D. Kimball from the classic Omen lineup. The guitar work is thick and solid, and the lead section features some great playing over a series of shifting background rhythms. Overall, this is a good tune, although the drums could be tighter. I'm not sure about future recording plans for the band, but I'm guessing that current information will be posted to the band's spartan web site (currently offline).
 Warhag — Sinister Grip
2002 Independent
To me, the name Warhag is kind of misleading and sounds more like a brutal death band than a melodic metal band. But no, this is classy metal that features Kurt Phillips of Witchkiller, a fact that the band does not use to promote themselves (for which I give them great respect). Anyway, this debut demo/EP seems to be a preliminary release for a forthcoming full-length disc from this Canadian outfit. The info that I've seen indicates that the EP should have seven tracks, but my copy has only six tunes on it (lacking a track called "Brutal Orbit"). After a brief intro, opening cut "Rage of Angels" kicks in as an excellent melodic metal track in the vein of classic Maiden or Priest, with powerful vocals and guitars demanding immediate attention. "Mean Mouth" follows but can't keep up the momentum, meandering for a few rather unremarkable minutes without really going anywhere. Thankfully, the following track, "Into the Castle,", is well worth the wait...a quietly infectious track with a medieval flavor and haunting female background vocals from bassist Joy Toyota-Phillips (Kyle's wife!). Indeed, judicious use of her crystal-clear voice is a great addition to several of the tunes. The EP also includes a well-done "new" version of the Witchkiller classic "Day of the Saxons," a track that won't be on the full-length record. Overall, this is very good stuff and a very promising beginning. The EP is limited to 500 copies, so interested metalheads should contact the band about availability.
> Warhag web site < [requires Internet Explorer browser]
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