Bounce / Bon Jovi (2002)

1. Undivided

2. Everyday

3. The Distance

4. Joey

5. Misunderstood

6. All About Lovin' You

7. Hook Me Up

8. Right Side Of Wrong

9. Love Me Back To Life

10. You Had Me From Hello

11. Bounce

12. Open All Night

"Crush" opened the door for the band to 21st century. It also proved that there was a big demand for the band from Bon Jovi fans all over the world. That album was a big hit in Japan as well. In fact, that was the first album that I heard of the band. Then, I listened to their old catalogues as well. 

Then, the band released the first album in the new century. When I heard of track 1, it really surprised me. The sound was massive! Some songs in "Crush" were pretty heavy, but this album's sound was completely different. However, when I heard of Jon singing, I figured that the band had not changed. The album is full of catchy melody with familiar voices. It has cool rock anthems such as tracks 1, 2, 7, and 11. Track 5 was released as a single. It has good catchy melody, and the lyrics are comical. Ballads are another importance essence of this band. Tracks 6 and 12 are beautiful ballads. Nevertheless, track 10 is outstanding!! I think this song is my favorite Bon Jovi ballad of all time.

They started the new century very strong and firm This was their first step to another story of legacy that they have been carrying since 80's.

☆☆☆☆☆

Crusible / Halford (2002)

1. Park Manor

2. Crucible

3. One Will

4. Betrayal

5. Handing Out Bullets

6. Hearts Of Darkness

7. Crystal

8. Heretic

9. Golgotha

10. Wrath Of God

11. Weaving Sorrow

12. Sun

13. Trail Of Tears

14. Rock The World Forever (Japanese Bonus Track)

15. In The Morning (Japanese Bonus Track)

"Resurrection" was the album that Rob Halford showed what fans were expecting of him. It received positive feedback from all over the world. Here is the second message of Halford. The first impression was that this album was covered by dark and heavy mood. Sound production got much heavier than the first album. It showed more influence from what he did during 90's. When I listened to the title track 2, I was bit surprised by the sound production. This album really shows his spirit of inquiry. 

Likes of dislikes can be different by each person's favor, but I would say, at least, the quality of each song is very high. Track 4 is a killer tune that all of new metal fans should hail to. Track 3 is a pure metal song. One of my favorites in this album is track 13. It is really dramatic yet heavy. It is really obvious that the band became much tighter than before. The back instruments are making good groove. The sound production is not my favorite, but I think highly of the song composition. In addition, it is not as strange as "Judas Priest" making "Jugulator" or "Demolition". However, the album is not as excited as the last one. But, Rob Halford is singing heavy metal, there is nothing to complain about.

☆☆☆☆

Thunderstone / Thunderstone (2002)

1. Let The Demons Free

2. Virus

3. World's Cry

4. Me, My Enemy

5. Will to Power

6. Weak

7. Eyes of a Stranger

8. Like Father, Like Son

9. Voice In a Dream

10. Spread My Wings

Since the beginning of 21st century, it seems like that there is a great metal movement going on in Europe. Metal music is much stronger there compared to the U.S. and Asia. There is something with me and North Europe. I guess that the melody that Finish people write really matches with my favor. Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Twilightning, and Nightwish, they are all Finish bands and great melody makers.

Here is another band from Finland that I listened in real time. I was a high school student at that time. One day, I went to the CD store that I used to hang out all day after school. I listened to this album. The first song was OK. That was a typical speed/power metal song. The one that caught my attention was track 2. It got me from the intro. It was not pop but very catchy.

By some critics, this band was bashed and called a copy band of Stratovarius. Well, it is obvious that they are one of the biggest inspiration to this band. Yet, I want to ask how many of their followers actually write good songs. This band writes good songs. That's what really matters for metal fans, right? I liked this album because it consists of good metal tunes. The middle instrumental part of track 7 is very moving. The musicians have enough techniques to play metal songs. I would say this is a good album with high quality.

☆☆☆☆