Out of the ashes they surged in 2012, shaking off the rust from the wings of a dormant phoenix that had waited for years to have a sip of Lebanese metal glory. And heavily rewarded were they, with an entire generation eagerly awaiting the continuation of this journey, to quench their thirst and support a local band which looked so promising on its debut, yet couldn’t string it all together again until 2018, after almost all hopes of a new opus had been lost. Continue reading
Tag: Album Review (Page 1 of 2)
Helloween Chameleon Review!
Band Name: Helloween
Album Title: Chameleon
Genre: Power Metal
Year: 1993
Origin: Germany
Length: 71:13
Helloween Chameleon Review
Misunderstood, underrated, and underappreciated are the verbs to describe Helloween’s 1993 album, Chameleon. At this point, Helloween had not one, but two big hits with their dual albums in the form of “Keepers of the Seven Keys Part I and Part II”. It’s going to be hard for the band to have better follow-ups. “Pink Bubbles Go Ape”, such a strange album title name, was decent with some good to even great songs, but it’s been awfully forgotten. But now, we have “Chameleon”, which, at this point, Kai Hansen had already departed and Michael Kiske on the borderline of leaving the band, got snuffed by many who considered the album the worst Helloween album yet. I, personally, disagree.
It’s very interesting that each track has its own rules like the song “When The Sinners” which has a very Bon-Jovi-esque Hard Rock vibe to it, but still enjoyably to listen to. “First Time” is a very solid opener but the middle section of the album has a solid streak of excellent songs starting from “Crazy Cat” which is weird but highly energetic with its explosive chorus but then, you have “Giants” which is an incredible song. “Giants” is the best song on the album with pounding guitars and even an epic feel to it. It sounds special compared to the other songs on the album and sounds something you could hear from the “Keeper” records. The only gripe that I have against this album is that there are 3 to 4 ballads which may not favor everyone. My favorite ballad is “Windmill” which is surprisingly calm and soothing yet beautifully written and has its charm. So, those three tracks are the highlight of the album with really excellent music back-to-back. “In The Night” sounds like 60’s rock ‘n’ roll which feels very Elvis-ish, which does not technically work.
The last portion of the album goes into epic length territories with “Music” hitting the 7-minute mark which is musically impressive with some great vocal delivery from Kiske and the guitar soloing is incredible. “Step Out of Hell” is fun and quite sunny, which is the best way to describe this song. The album switches from Power Metal to Pop/Rock or even Rock ‘n’ Roll. Some songs do work, others are just “meh”. “I Believe” is the longest track clocking in 9 minutes and it’s as impressive with its mood and atmosphere. There’s something creatively composed in the song and guitar soloing is brilliant.
Overall, effort has been put throughout the album and it does show. It may not be appealing at a first listen but needs to be given several chances until it does have some quality music. The album’s reception by many has been unfair to describe it as Helloween’s “St. Anger” which is not NEARLY as bad as that album. If it didn’t work out the first time, it’s worth giving it many spins to witness that it isn’t as bad as many had perceived it. As I’m listening to it right now, I’m enjoying it. So, take it as it is… as for me, it’s a really damn good album with a fantastic track called “Giants”.
Final score: 74/100
-Review By: Simon Nader
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EDITOR’S PICKS:
NERVECELL – PAST PRESENT TORTURE Album Review (77.5/100)
About Nervecell
Formed in 2000 as one of the first extreme metal bands to emerge from Dubai, U.A.E. and having supported legendary metal bands such as Metallica, Morbid Angel, Deicide, and Suffocation, Nervecell have become the most prominent band to arise from the Middle East and truly are the torchbearers for a Middle Eastern wave of metal. Delivering a unique blend of Middle Eastern death/thrash metal, and maintaining a reputation for highly energetic live performances. Continue reading
Eden Sworn Obedience Prerelease Review by MOLOCH!
Eden Sworn Obedience is the latest release of malevolent sonic energy from the Phoenician shores.
The Lebanese thrash quartet’s debut, is a 5-song mini CD with a sixth song, ‘Penetration’ which is a Nefilim cover and a couple of additional demo tracks added as bonuses. Continue reading
SVENGALI Unscathed Album Review Originally Published in Issue 5 Pages 18-19
Dubai’s Svengali have officially released their debut EP, “Unscathed”. A project initiated by Adnan Mryhij and Fadi Al Shami. Continue reading
BLAAKYUM Line Of Fear – (92/100)
We’ve come a long way from the competent but uninteresting ‘Lord of the Night’. Where the debut draws heavily from every outside influence, ‘Line of Fear’ draws inspiration from within, meaning Lebanese history, culture, and mythos. Where the traditional percussion of the ‘derbakke’ was mostly filler in the debut, it is now a major contributor to the overall mood of ‘Line of Fear’. The overall mood is now enhanced manifold, not just due to the addition of this oriental instrument, but by the perfected alchemy of all instruments with the vocals, providing a solid structure and form, fused with meaningful folk lyrics. Continue reading
Filter Happier is a five-piece Post-Rock band previously known as Banana Elephent. Formed in Beirut in 2013, consisting of Elie Abdelnour (bass), Camille Cabbabé (guitar), Elie El Khoury (drums), Georgy Flouty (guitar and vocals), and Ada Harb (vocals and keys). Filter Happier – Trying To Rush Everything EP was released on July 16th 2016. Read Review below.
The Melodic Death Metal band known as “The Black Dahlia Murder” have promised us a gruesome unpolished raw album in one of their interviews. That’s what we would expect from a band named after a terrible and nauseating crime. But this is no new band, for they have been around since 2001 and hold 6 albums in their record, with “Abysmal” being the seventh.
Cradle of Filth is one of those bands that have been around for nearly 25 years, and with a band such as this one, it’s very hard to guess if they can/will be bringing us something new. But fans don’t always accept “new” from bands that have been long in the business, because they want the old savage obscene stuff on the likes of albums as “Principle of Evil Made Flesh”, “Dusk and Her Embrace”, “Cruelty and The Beast”, etc. And that was very evident when the band took a small shift in style on various newer albums
Ghost is this really strange band that hides behind masks and no one (except for the record company and managers) knows who the members are. But who cares anyway, this has only added more mysteriousness and probably more interest in this band that has risen into mainstream success (?) in a matter of 5 years since the release of its debut album titled “Opus Eponymous”, and the band rode a speeding train to mainstream with its second album “Infestissumam” which was a follow-up success, although it showed a huge shift in musical direction from the previous album.
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