Raros3

Rain - Dad Is Dead

Year: 2008

Country: Italy
Genre: Traditional Heavy / Power Metal
Length: 57:02 Min
Filesize: 105 MB
Tracklist:
- 8 Bar
- Blind Fury
- Mr. 2 Words
- Love In The Back
- Rain Are Us
- Red Kiss
- The Party
- Last Friday
- Dad Is Dead
- Swan Tears
- The Reason
- Bang Bus
- Rain (The Cult Cover)
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The history of this band goes back to 1980 and although they haven’t gained much fame outside their homeland Italy, they have been releasing albums every four years. Usually their albums were quite limited and only meant for their loyal fan base, or the Raincrew as they call it, and have a semi-legendary status in Italy.

I must admit that I’m not familiar with this band’s earlier album, so ‘Dad Is Dead’ is my first acquaintance with this band. But I also must admit that it’s a rather pleasant acquaintance. The sleazy rock n’ roll of these sex-addicted alcoholics with the fitting lyrics (which goes hand in hand with lots of humour) is rather catchy and highly pleasant. The tight riffing the rough vocals are easy listening in general and are perfect for partying. Naturally none of the musical ideas are original or renewing and the influences of Motörhead, AC/DC, Rose Tattoo in a tasty heavy metal cream are clearly audible. But they have managed to give a certain drive to the songs, which makes them hard for immediate comparison with other bands. A more recent comparison that fits the band is their German colleagues of Gun Barrel, who by the way have also released a great album this month.

But anyway, the general impression on the eleven songs and the highly acceptable version of The Cult’s ‘Rain (with guest appearances of Steve Sylvester en Freddy Delirio of the Italian shock-rockers Death SS) is highly positive, but still I have some points of criticism. The fact is that the songs sound much alike, which makes it hard to separate them individually. Due to this point a playing time of nearly an hour is also a bit too long. But the fact also remains that ‘Dad Is Dead’ is a tasty rock n’ roll album, which is perfect for parties and for the local heavy metal bar.

Alestorm - Leviathan [ep]

Genre: Power Metal/Pirate Metal
Year: 2008
Tracklist:

1.	Leviathan
2.	Wolves of the Sea
3.	Weiber und Wein
4.	Heavy Metal Pirates

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EP released first during Alestorm's October 2008's European tour.
'Weiber und Wein' is a German version of 'Wenches and Mead' from the band's
debut.

R.U.Deadly - Complete Demos 1990-1995

Genre: Power/Thrash
Year: 1990-1995
Tracklist:
1.Metal Bastard
2.Down for the Count
3.Full Speed Ahead
4.Rags to Riches
5.Burial at Sea
6.Eyes of the Hunter
7.Pain & Fright
8.Fortune Teller
9.Into the Light
10.No Guaranteed Tomorrow
11.Heading to the Top of the Slide
12.Dead Zone
13.Machine
14.Let Me Hear You Rockin'
15.Set Me Free
16.Bad Penny
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password: www.thrashmageddon.com

tracks 1-6 from Burial At Sea Demo 1990
tracks 7-14 from Into The Light Demo 1992
tracks 15-16 from R.U.Deadly Demo 1995

Rhapsody Of Fire - Twilight Symphony [best of/compilation]

Year: 2008
Genre: Symphonic/Orchestral Power Metal
Country: Italy
Format: mp3@CBR192kbps
Size: 108MB
Tracklist:
1. Thunders Mighty Roar 05:31
2. Guardians of Destiny (English Version) 05:22
3. Non ho Sonno (Remix) 04:04
4. Dargor, Shadowlord Of The Black Mountain (Full Version) 08:24
5. Rage Of The Winter (Remake) 04:46
6. Lo Specchio D'Argento 04:14
7. Age of the Red Moon 03:44
8. Riding The Winds Of Eternity (Edit) 03:45
9. Where Dragons fly (Duo Version) 04:31
10. Land Of Immortals (remake) 04:50
11. Guardians (Helloween Cover) 04:19
12. Descent of the Archangel (Kamelot) 04:35
13. Autumn Twilight 03:34
14. Rise From The Sea Of Flames 03:56
15. Nekron's Bloody Rhymes 03:57
16. Warlord's Last Challenge 01:24
17. Power of thy Sword (ManoWar Cover) 07:33
Total playing time: 1:18:29
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Eldritch - Neighbourhell

Year: 2006
Genre: Power/Progressive Metal
Tracklist:
1. Still Screaming
2. Save Me
3. Bless Me Now
4. The Dark Inside
5. More Than Marylin
6. Come to Life
7. Zero Man
8. Standing Still
9. Toil of Mine
10. The Rain
11. Second World
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"Neighbourhell" is already the sixth albums of the Italian combo Eldritch, and when I see the quality of this release I'm still wondering why this band is so underrated. This is extremely weird because I didn't hear a lot of things about them in the past even if all their others albums got good and positive comments. But well, as we say the wheel of fortune is turning every day and well let's hope that this time the band will get all the success that its deserves.

If you still don't know the music of the combo, you'll have to know that Eldritch plays a really aggressive Power Metal mixed with Thrash. At the end, Eldritch doesn't play something that fits perfectly with the European Power Metal trend, at the opposite I must even say that Eldritch is more into US Power Metal than anything else. So with the eleven songs you'll be able to find strong and powerful riff with fast rhythms and strong melodies. It's not so far of Thrash except that we cannot find any thrashy and hoarsy vocals and that it's Power above anything else, so it's really melodic. The voice of the singer, Terrence Holler, is clean and beautiful but can be heavy too, really its fits perfectly with the music of the band but also, all the instruments are super present and it's not so hard to listen to the bass for example.

The great thing with "Neighbourhell" is that all the songs are potential hits and I don't know how they managed to write this album but really, from the catchy and powerful "Still Screaming" to the thrashy "Save Me" or the ballad "Zero Man" everything is perfect and will probably please all the Metalheads. At the end, "Neighbourhell" is one these masterpieces that doesn't suffer of any real problems and that will never bored you since that all their songs are real "killers". Every time the riffs are loud and heavy, the melodies and choruses are catchy and the rhythmic doesn't lack of… rhythm… so really except if you're closed minded or cannot stand this kind of music I don't understand why you couldn't love this album.

"Neighbourhell" is a killer, and until today, this one of my favorite albums of the year 2006. The production is perfect, the songs and the musicians are great so believe me if you have nothing to do today and want to buy a great album of "Us" Power Metal, just run to your record dealer and buy this album. I'm sure that you will never regret it…

Fifth Season - Journey Through An Open Mind

Genre: Progressive Metal
Year: 1997
Tracklist:
1.Shadows Of Hope
2.A Little Rain (must fall)
3.Tomorrow's Conscience
4.Voice for Insecurity
5.Of Profit To The Wise
6.Again
7.Age Of Light
8.Birth Of Acquisition
9.Enemy Unseen
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password: www.thrashmageddon.com

Warning SF - Aftermath

Genre: Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal
Year: 2002
Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Road Death
3. Aftermath
4. Thunderhead
5. Sounds Of Armageddon
6. Happy Doomsday
7. The Noose
8. Fall Upon Your Knees (Bonus Track)
9. Not A Chace In Hell (Bonus Track)
10. Metal Maniac (Bonus Track)
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Password: www.thrashmageddon.com

This is the new band of Jon Torres- a guitarist who has made a name for himself during his involvement with some big thrash metal bands in the past (Laaz Rockit, Heathen, Ulysses Siren). Whoever/whatever he's liked from those bands, he used to take it with him; that's why in Warning SF there are also members of Ulysses Siren and Laaz Rockit. This band's style is more along the lines of mid period Laaz Rockit ("Know Your Enemy") combining thrash and power metal in a very good way, with nice guitar work and fine, forceful vocals. Hopefully this won't be the last we hear from them!

Helloïse - A Time and A Place for Everything

Genre: Progressive Metal/Power Metal/Hard Rock
Year: 1998
Tracklist:

1.	Blame It on the Night
2.	Take It or Leave It
3.	Fallen Angel (Where Are You Now?)
4.	After the War
5.	Madelene
6.	Vicious Circles
7.	Tainted Love
8.	Telephone Lover
9.	Carol
10.	Young Rebels
11.	Emergency
12.	Glad to See You Again
13.	Message of Love
14.	Complete Surrender

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pass: http://hard-2-find-metal.blogspot.com/

Chroming Rose - Garden of Eden

Genre: Power Metal
Year: 1991
Tracklist:

1.	Heroes of the Modern World	05:30
2.	Hell in My Eyes	04:12
3.	Integration	04:35
4.	Time Will Never Change	04:44
5.	Babylon	04:50
6.	Garden of Eden	09:02
7.	Music is the Gate	06:28
8.	Top Fuel	03:50
9.	Don't Turn Your Head	03:35
10.	Heavy Birthday	01:57
Total playing time		50:00

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pass: http://hard-2-find-metal.blogspot.com/

Mago De Oz - Barakaldo D.F. (Live)

Year: 2008
Genre: Power Metal/Folk Metal
Tracklist:
1. La Voz dormida
2. El poema de la lluvia triste
3. Aquelarre
4. Fiesta pagana
5. Desde mi cielo
6. Marcha turca
7. La cantata del diablo
8. Diabulus in musica
9. La posada de los muertos
10. Molinos de vientos
11 . Puedes contar conmigo (Bonus track)
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Majesty - Sword & Sorcery

Genre: Heavy/Power Metal
Year: 2002
Tracklist:

1.	Sword & Sorcery	05:31
2.	Fields Of War	06:09
3.	Heavy Metal	06:55
4.	Epic War	07:16
5.	Ride Silent!	05:18
6.	Fist Of Steel	05:42
7.	Aria Of Bravery	09:02
8.	Metal To The Metalheads	07:11
Total playing time		53:04

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Features guest appearence from ex-Manowar guitarist Ross The Boss.
Cover art by Manowar cover painter Ken Kelly.

Majesty - Reign In Glory

Year: 2003
Genre: Heavy Metal/Power Metal
Tracklist:

1.	Heavy Metal Battlecry	04:46
2.	Into The Stadiums	04:37
3.	Reign In Glory	05:19
4.	Will Of The Cobra	04:54
5.	Defender Of The Brave	07:14
6.	Lord Of The Damned	08:02
7.	Heroes	06:38
8.	Thunder In The Silence	07:54
9.	Troopers Of Steel	05:13
10.	Falcon In The Storm	10:30
Total playing time		01:05:07

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This is the 3rd album of MAJESTY. For those unfamiliar with the band,
they were formed in 1997 in Germany and they have released two demo
tapes, some 7” singles and two full length albums(“Keep It True”/2000
and “Sword And Sorcery”/2002). They play Heavy Metal with some Epic
tracks and moments. But after the first listenings, you will notice two
things. First, that they want so much to be the new MANOWAR that they
have fallen into the trap of nearly copying their lyrics and they
include in a couple of tracks the breaks that MANOWAR have in their
long tracks(“Battle Hymn”, ”March For Revenge” etc.). Also they don’t
have the ability to compose memorable songs(with the exception of the
amazing Anthem “Defender Of The Brave” and maybe “Heavy Metal
Battlecry”). Also the fact that the album lasts over an hour makes it
tiring. A typical example of Heavy Metal that has a very important
disadvantage: they can’t stand(at my opinion) the test of time. A very
similar occasion with HAMMERFALL. Also the fact that they have so big
support from their label and the press makes me wonder what the
criteria for a Heavy Metal band are nowadays. So many great Heavy Metal
bands struggle for a demo or single and some others without being so
good have contracts with big labels and they have the support of the
worldwide press. In conclusion, if you like HAMMERFALL and all these
new German Heavy Metal bands give them a chance. Special mention must
be given to Tarek for being one of the organizers of Keep It True
Festival

Kat - Somewhere in Poland

Year: 2004
Genre: Speed/Thrash Metal
Tracklist:
1.Intro
2.Wierzê
3.Diabelski Dom
4.Killer
5.NiewinnoϾ
6.Czas Zemsty
7.Wyrocznia
8.£za Dla Cienów Minionych
9.Oczy S³oñc
10.P³asz Skrytobójcy
11.Mission Impossible
12.Purpurowe Gody
13.Œpisz Jak Kamieñ
14.Ostatni Tabor (bonus track)
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Recorded at Mystic Festival 2003

Serenity - Fallen Sanctuary

Genre: Progressive Power Metal
Country: Austria
Year: 2008
Tracklist:
01. All Lights Reversed
02. Rust Of Coming Ages
03. Coldness Kills
04. To Stone She Turned
05. Fairytales
06. The Heartblood Symphony
07. Velatum
08. Derelict
09. Sheltered (By The Obscure)
10. Oceans Of Ruby
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Napalm Records seems to believe in the music from the Austrian band Serenity because just one year after they released the debut from these Alp rockers the second album called 'Fallen Sanctuary'. I cannot blame the Napalm guys because with this band they have a winner inside their walls. Their first CD did impressed me a lot, it made me think a lot of one of my favourite bands Threshold. Back then they had great help in the studio from ex-Dreamscape keyboarder Jan Vacik in his own Dreamscape Studio in Munchen, this time Jan is again involved in recording and even became to be some kind of mentor to this band sharing the experience he gathered in music when he was playing with Dreamscape.

Comparing this band with Threshold in my review of the debut didn't mean that the band was just a copy-cat of their English colleagues, no way, their fresh sound really had it's own identity on the first album and now on the second release they even got more of their own with ten new exciting tracks. Symphonic Melodic Metal is how they call their own sound and when you hear the big orchestral arrangements they are hitting the nail on the head with this description. A very powerful and important ingredient of this bands music is the mighty vocals of singer Georg Neuhauser. He is a welcome completion to the big sound this band from Austria owns. I could keep on writing for hours about this second album from Serenity, this is the kind of CD you really have to go out for to check it out and be surprised in the most positive way you can imagine.

Thy Majestie - Dawn

Year: 2008
Genre: Power Metal
Tracklist:

1.	As You Fall
2.	M.A.D.
3.	Dawn
4.	The Hunt
5.	The Legacy Suite (Of Pain and Disgrace, To an Endless Devotion, Inferis Armata, Two Minutes Hate, The Legacy)
6.	Out the Edge
7.	Day of the Changes
8.	Through Heat and Fire

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Tracks 1-4 - Chapter One: Trapasso - Exequies of the formal sphere
Tracks 5-6 - Chapter Two: Rovina - The neverending night
Tracks 7-8 - Chapter Three: Vendetta - A new Dawn

Zero Option - Gates Of Utopia

Year: 1991
Genre: Power/Thrash Metal
Country: Canada
Format: mp3@CBR320kbps
Size: 93MB
Tracklist:
1. State Of Panic 04:20
2. Face To Face 06:14
3. Rise And Fall 05:21
4. Lords Of The New Church 03:40
5. Resurrected Youth 06:19
6. Strip Squeeze 05:13
7. Think Tank 05:39
8. Nation Paralyzed 06:02
9. The Other Side Of Suicide 05:43
10. Right Off The Face 03:47
11. For The Last Time 05:51
12. Yak Farmer's National Anthem 00:28
Total playing time: 58:37
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Melodic thrash meets power metal on this album. The music is
surprisingly modern for this early stage of the decade, and is quite
heavy at times, but the bad news is that thrash metal is only used
sparingly, and is never of the exciting, energetic variety; comes close
to the future Flotsam & Jetsam transformation during the 90's, but
less original and memorable.

Ilium - Vespertilion

Year: 2008
Genre: Power Metal
Tracklist:

1.	Solar Amplexusx	09:40
2.	Undergods	05:03
3.	Desinence: Beowulf and the Serpent	08:10
4.	Drilling Through a Proton	04:00
5.	Parasite in Cavalry	05:15
6.	Futility	05:46
7.	Black Abyss	07:13
8.	Beowulf: The Peroration	04:34
9.	Vespertilion	04:56
10.	Romulus and Remus	08:09
Total playing time		01:02:46

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Pasword: http://diosesdelmetal.es.tl

Australia has produced some top metal acts with the likes of Black Majesty, Dungeon, Lord, and the band whose latest CD is reviewed here, Ilium. Ilium is a melodic/power metal band whose latest release Vespertilion (also their third overall) is an impressive mixture of songs. Lord Tim (Dungeon and Lord) features on vocals again and does a fine job, his voice fitting the music on Vespertilion perfectly. First track "Solar Amplexus", clocking in at over 9 minutes, is one of the longer tracks on the CD and after a slow intro kicks off into some faster paced metal with some interesting music throughout. The guitar riffs and melodies from Jason Hodges and Adam Smith are the standout on Vespertilion. Drummer Tim Yatras's playing is also impressive, and he can really kick it into high gear when required, just listen track seven, one of my favourites, "The Black Abyss". Lyrically this is a very interesting CD and it's obvious that a lot of time and thought has gone into the writing process, probably helped by the fact that Jason Hodges is also a novel writer. Ilium's Vespertilion is one of the better CD's of its type to come out of Australia so check it out if you like well played melodic/power metal. I really look forward to their next release.

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