I cannot help but continue to be impressed by this band – the concept band, not the concept album.
On this release, Iron Savior continue their progression into power metal's top echelon, continuing to drive their music to greater heights, even becoming heavier. In many ways, they appear to be modelling their progression on the greatest band of all, Gamma Ray. This is no real surprise, given Kai Hansen's involvement in the early albums, and his friendship with band leader, Piet Sielk.
Stand out tracks on the album include Battering Ram, Break The Curse, Stand Against The King, Time Will Tell, Riding Free and H M Powered Man.
Rating : This album continues to grow on me whenever I listen to it. A fan of power metal will love this, those that are not will probably not appreciate it as much. 4/5.
Friday, February 03, 2006
106. Blind Guardian / Battalions Of Fear. 1988. 3/5.
The first long-form release for Blind Guardian, following on from their two EP releases under Lucifer's Heritage.
In the same way as their earlier releases, there are distinct references to Helloween and Iron Maiden throughout this album. Certainly the guitaring is obvious at times, and allows their influences to shine through.
Songs like Majesty, Guardian of The Blind and Battalions Of Fear are my favourites on the album, and in my opinion the stand-outs.
This is a good album, impressive for a first up effort. Good songs, good vocals. It was a sign of what the band became.
Rating : A solid start, before their direction changed slightly later on. 3/5.
In the same way as their earlier releases, there are distinct references to Helloween and Iron Maiden throughout this album. Certainly the guitaring is obvious at times, and allows their influences to shine through.
Songs like Majesty, Guardian of The Blind and Battalions Of Fear are my favourites on the album, and in my opinion the stand-outs.
This is a good album, impressive for a first up effort. Good songs, good vocals. It was a sign of what the band became.
Rating : A solid start, before their direction changed slightly later on. 3/5.
105. Lucifer's Heritage / Battalions Of Fear. 1987. 2.5/5.
This was the EP put out by the band that very shortly changed their named from Lucifer's Heritage to the better known Blind Guardian.
Most of the songs on this EP also appear on Blind Guardian's debut album, also entitled Battalions Of Fear (see next review).
Like other efforts within these walls, this is significant as a historical piece. Because most of this became half of the first official release of the band, it is interesting to see the difference in production between the two.
Rating : An interesting beginning. 2.5/5
Most of the songs on this EP also appear on Blind Guardian's debut album, also entitled Battalions Of Fear (see next review).
Like other efforts within these walls, this is significant as a historical piece. Because most of this became half of the first official release of the band, it is interesting to see the difference in production between the two.
Rating : An interesting beginning. 2.5/5
104. Meat Loaf / Bat Out Of Hell. 1977. 5/5.
This is a quintissential album, not only of my lifetime, but of generations before and after me. It certainly made Meat Loaf's career, and though he had successes after this, they could never live up to what he achieved with this. Written with Jim Steinmen, it would have to be considered one of the best albums released in the decade between 1970 and 1979.
The songs just keep following each other on this album. Though the title track is my favourite by far, you cannot dismiss tracks such as Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad, You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night), All Revved Up And No Place To Go, and Paradise By The Dashboard Light.
Memories : This album was one of Dad's favourites, especially in the car (when he was allowed). It was also one of the few albums I knew my father to put on at home out of the blue, just to listen to. I always enjoyed it, but didn't realise how it had been burned into my essence until much later on in life...
Rating : In the same class as The Beatles for me when it comes to non-metal albums. 5/5.
The songs just keep following each other on this album. Though the title track is my favourite by far, you cannot dismiss tracks such as Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad, You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night), All Revved Up And No Place To Go, and Paradise By The Dashboard Light.
Memories : This album was one of Dad's favourites, especially in the car (when he was allowed). It was also one of the few albums I knew my father to put on at home out of the blue, just to listen to. I always enjoyed it, but didn't realise how it had been burned into my essence until much later on in life...
Rating : In the same class as The Beatles for me when it comes to non-metal albums. 5/5.
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