Wolfpakk - Cry Wolf (CD Review)

01.Moonlight
02.A Matter Of Time
03.Dark Revelation
04.Cold Winter
05.Palace Of Gold
06.The Beast In Me
07.Wakken
08.Pressure Down
09.Run With The Wolf
10.Cry Wolf
11.Kid Raw

Mark Sweeney (Vocals)
Michael Voss (Vocals)

Guest Musicians :

Vocals: Amanda Somerville (Kiske/Somerville), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Göran Edman (Ex-Yngwie Malmsteen), Johnny Gioeli (Axel Rudi Pell, Hardline), Doogie White (Ex-Rainbow, Michael Schenker), Tony Mills (Shy, TNT), Blaze Baley (Ex-Iron Maiden), Piet Sielck (Iron Savior), Jean-Marc Viller (Callaway)

Bass: Mike Winkler (Session Musician)

Guitars: Kee Marcello (Ex-Europe), Mandy Meyer (Krokus, Ex-Gotthard), Roland Grapow (Masterplan), Martin Rauber (Top4tea)

Keyboards: Don Airey (Ozzy, Deep Purple), Tony Carey (Ex-Rainbow, Planet P)

Drums: Gereon Homann (Eat The Gun), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake /Ozzy), Hermann Rarebell (Ex-Scorpions), Roland Jahoda (Ex-Paradox, F.U.C.K.)

Voss and Sweeney wrote all the songs together (bar 1 cover version) and were responsible once again for production, mix and vocals. The process of creating “Cry Wolf” held many personal highlights for the WOLFPAKK leaders, one definitely being the participation of iconic keyboard player Tony Carey, keyboard player for none other than Rainbow. “It was just unbelievable to have the great Tony Carey on our album”, Sweeney reflects. “The man is a legend and was part of the line-up which recorded Rainbow’s “Rising”, one of the most important albums in rock history. Now, doing a cover version of a track from this very album with Tony playing keyboards, is something very special. And the fact that he likes our cover version of “Run With The Wolf” a lot, makes us extremely proud”.

All star albums rarely deliver a real quality, this one manages to retain the same sound throughout musically and the guest vocals do not detract or distract.

Essential its classic old school power metal, but without that "widdley widdley" shite guitarwork that always ruins a good tune!

Heavy drums and plenty of powerchords keep this one firing until we hit track 4 and a pretty naff ballad called 'Cold Winter' but everything gets back on track even the cover is okay (doesnt try to be the original) and then we hit 'Cry Wolf' an epic 10 minute work out from acoustic intros, background fx and vocal samples into full blown symphonic power prog metal heaven!

Rating 9/10

For Fans Of : Iced Earth, Kamelot, Epica, Primal Fear

MOLOTOV SOLUTION/IRON SAVIOR/SAVAGE MESSIAH (CD Mini Reviews)

MOLOTOV SOLUTION - INSURRECTION

Robbie Pina, guitarist of American band 'Molotov Solution' speaks on the inspiration behind their fourth full-length album “An insurrection is basically the taking down of a top figure like a king. If there is a main message to the album, it’s that people should educate themselves and take control of the problems we have as a society rather than waiting on a government to do what’s right.”
Produced by Will Putney at The Machine Shop (Suicide Silence, Four Year Strong) in New Jersey.
The album takes the band’s signature death metal foundation, peppered by elements of hardcore and grind but marries it with a groove and swagger previous releases from the band didn’t possess.
Also in full display is technical guitar leads and parts that shred as well as deliver full body breakdowns.

So heavy as hell, fast, some of the craziest drumming i have heard for a long time and screaming vocals.

Rating: 7/10
For fans Of : Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Meshugga.

IRON SAVIOR - THE LANDING

The history of IRON SAVIOR began in 1996 when the band was founded by Piet Sielck, Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray) and Thomen Stauch (Blind Guardian), at first only to be a studio project. But the musical direction was clear right from the start: traditional (and influenced by like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden) power metal with science fiction
concepts linked lyrics.
The rough, expressive voice of Sielck set additional accents that gave the band its own profile.
In 1997 they released their debut album "Iron Savior" which was received in the scene with lots of praise and quickly established the new band. With the second album "Unification” the savior made it to the top 100 of the German chart. It was followed by further studio albums in "Dark Assault" (2001), "Condition Red" (2003), "Battering Ram" (2004) and 2007´s "Megatropolis". Meanwhile, the line-up had changed. Since 2001, after the exit of Hansen, Piet Sielck remained the last of the three founding members, and he is still holding the band and their vision steadily on route.

Problem (or perhaps the positive) with this album is that it is typical european power metal, in other words its priest and maiden rehashed, sure its well done but so unoriginal.
Have to pick out some awesome bass work on 'Moment In Time' and a song that sounds so like WASP that i had to double check what i was listning to!!!

Rating: 6/10
For fans of: Gamma Ray, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest.

SAVAGE MESSIAH - PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE

British melodic thrashers Savage Messiah were formed in 2007 in London.The band consists of lead guitarist/singer Dave Silver, lead guitarist Joff Bailey, bassist Stefano Selvatico and drummer Mauricio Chamucero.
Savage Messiah have been around for a few years now and never seemed to have really cracked the big time, despite a ot of attention and critical acclaim and some high profile tour supports.
This latest offering doesnt excatly blow you away but then again its not crap either.

There is a marked progression musically and the song writing is very good, cant fault the guitarwork and overall the music is well put together, ultimatly its just a little uninspiring.

Rating: 7/10
For fans of: Megadeth, Primal Fear, Testament.