Pain – You Only Live Twice: Review

On June 3, the most recent Pain album, You Only Live Twice, was released . Funnily enough, the band’s name is an excellent descriptor of the music. You Only Live Twice reminded me how excruciatingly horrible music can be. I should have foreseen it based on the amateurish tone of the album art. But this is a definite and much-needed wake-up call: there is still bad music! Brace yourselves…

Symphony X – Iconoclast: Review

Many, such as myself, have been waiting for too long for the Symphony X album to come out. Well good news everyone: Iconoclast is out on June 17! It is available in either one-disc or two-disc format. I listened to the latter and believe me when I say Iconoclast met my expectations, despite the ridiculously high bar set by Symphony X.

Rhapsody of Fire – From Chaos to Eternity: Review

From Chaos to Eternity is the newest Rhapsody of Fire album to be released through Nuclear Blast on June 17. It is a continuation from their 2010 album, The Frozen Tears of Angels, as well as the same-year EP, The Cold Embrace of Fear: A Dark Romantic Symphony. I have not yet heard the former, and I was not too impressed with the EP. However, From Chaos to Eternity has most certainly won this reviewer over.

Amorphis – The Beginning of Times

Amorphis released their latest record on May 27. It is entitled The Beginning of Times and was released through Nuclear Blast. The band had been on an excellent streak with records in recent years. Unfortunately, I do not consider this a continuation of their chain of stellar releases.

Hell – Human Remains: Review

On (Friday) May 13, a band arose from the ashes after being dead for almost thirty years! And although coming out of retirement is always iffy, in this case it is as impressive as the time the band took to do so. In fact, if someone had told me that this album has thirty years of work put into it, I sure as Hell would believe them. The band is Hell and the album is Human Remains (Nuclear Blast Records), and it is a killer comeback!

HammerFall – Infected: Review

HammerFall released their latest album entitled Infected on May 20 through Nuclear Blast. Personally, I quite like the heavy-power metal genre. But I find that many bands have trouble escaping standardization within the genre – Infected is no exception.

Sirenia – The Enigma of Life: Review

On January 21, the gothic metal Norwegians known as Sirenia released their newest album. It was done so through Nuclear Blast and is entitled The Enigma of Life. Being the band’s fifth studio release, it was expected that they would have found their groove by now. If they have, they most likely should find their way out of it; The Enigma of Life is not a place this band should remain.

Blind Guardian: Live in Edmonton

Last night, I was in the venue Starlite Room having myself a blast at the first ever Blind Guardian concert in Edmonton. Though it was a small one, the venue was packed. Packed with people; packed with volume; packed with energy – basically everything you could ask for in a great concert.