The Final Frontier / Iron Maiden (2010)

1. Satellite 15... The Final Frontier

2. El Dorado

3. Mother Of Mercy

4. Coming Home

5. The Alchemist

6. Isle Of Avalon

7. Starblind

8. The Talisman

9. The Man Who Would Be King

10. When The Wild Wind Blows

The last album, "A Matter of Life and Death", was a great album and really condensed the essence of Iron Maiden, but it was not very commercial friendly. The complicated song progression required listener's patience and time to comprehend the whole album. I was really interested in what direction they were going to take next. Finally, this album was released. I was very curious but not worried. Iron Maiden is one of few bands that I know they would release what fans expect every time. This band is one of few "safe" brands.

The album consists of two major parts. The first parts reminded me of their early career. The second parts consists of progressive songs.   Tracks 1 through 5 have the feeling of the time of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). The lead single features cool gallop riff. This gallop riff used be their forte. Adrian Smith said on some music magazine before that the band intentionally did not play gallop riffs because they overused it in the past. However, every time I hear the band playing gallop riffs, it makes me feel really comfortable. This is one of their identity. The first 5 songs have good aggression and catchy melody. Track 4 reminds me of songs such as "Tears Of Dragon" (Bruce Solo) and "Out Of The Shadows". Bruce sang this beautiful melody line very emotionally. Track 5 can be included in any of their first 5 albums. It has good guitar harmony and aggression.

Then, the album goes to the second part which is very magnificent and dramatic. The amazing thing about this band is that some of their songs are very long but never bore me. It always comes with surprise and dramatic progression. From tracks 6 to 10, the album ran so fast. This is the one and only Iron Maiden. Each member showed great musicianship in each songs. Bruce Dickinson still keeps strong vocal. It is almost a miracle of human kind! Nicko plays likeNicko. His drum play is so unique and creates good groove even in progressive songs. Guitars and bass guitar make good ensembles.  

They showed their dignity once again and prove themselves that they were one of pioneers of heavy metal. There are some promising bands in metal scene, and they have energized the scene, yet this band is still way above them.

☆☆☆☆☆

We've All Been There / Alex Band (2010)

1. We've All Been There

2. What Is Love

3. Tonight

4. Forever Yours

5. Please

6. Will Not Back Down

7. Euphoria

8. Never Let You Go

9. Only One

10. Leave (Today Is the Day)

11. Holding On

12. Without You

13. Love

14. Start Over Again

15. Cruel One (feat. Chantal Kreviazuk & Emmy Rossum)

This is the album released by ex-The Calling Singer, Alex Band. The Calling was famous for their hit single, Wherever You Will Go. Because of how he looks, some people might think this is just a pretty boy band. But, he made another good rock album, in my opinion, much better than The Calling. Each song has good hook and melody line. Any of them can be released as a single. Unfortunately, this album is not and will not be famous in America. This is something I don't understand. There are so many good American bands who are more famous in other countries in Asia, South America, or Europe. This guy is one of such people. I believe I noted this album as the best new artist in 2010. I still think so. He should be more recognized in his own country.

☆☆☆☆☆

Time To Be King / Masterplan (2010)

1. Fiddle Of Time

2. Blow Your Winds

3. Far From The End Of The World

4. Time To Be King

5. Lonely Winds Of War

6. The Dark Road

7. The Sun Is In Your Hands

8. The Black One

9. Blue Europe

10. Under The Moon

Another member change has happened, and Jorn Lande came back to the band. It was a happy news for me since I thought he was one of the factors that was making this band very unique. My first impression was that this album did not have any catchy songs. I went through really quickly, and nothing really caught my attention. However, as I listened more carefully, I came to the conclusion that the band finally established their music style.

In their past albums, there was at least one catchy power metal tunes such as "Heroes", "Sail On", "Wounds", and "Keeps Me Burning". Nevertheless, this album does not have that kind of song, yet the band plays Masterplan style dramatic metal from track 1. This album may not have catchiness and pop essence that catch people's attention for the first time listening. But, I realized the true value of each song as I listened to them more and more. 

Each song is very dramatic, and Axel Mackenrott did such a great job with his keyboard play. Keyboard is making solemn mood. Jorn's vocal really stands out in this kind of songs. I think the band finally reached to the point that they were initially heading to. This album became my favorite of this band. Unfortunately, Jorn Lande left the band again, but I hope the band will keep this musical direction. 

☆☆☆☆

Freedom Rock / H.E.A.T.(2010)

1. Beg Beg Beg

2. Black Night

3. Danger Road

4. Shelter

5. We're Gonna Make It To The End

6. Stay

7. Nobody Loves You (Like I Do)

8. Everybody Wants To Be Someone

9. I Know What It Takes

10. Living In A Memory

11. Cast Away

12. I Can't Look The Other Way

13. Who Will Stop The Rain

14. Tonight (Bonus Track)

Their first album, "H.E.A.T.", was one of the biggest personal hit in 2008. The album was an interpretation of 80's rock by kids in new generations. It brought me back to 80's rock not by a nostalgic way but with freshness and young power.

Track 1 is a American-influence pop number. I am not saying that it  is a bad song. I am just saying that it was bit surprising. Overall, I had an impression that they shifted their music style towards to 80's American Pop Rock, so the sound is more pop than last album. However, they have not lost their identity as a European band. There is some kind of uniqueness in North European bands as melody makers. That is something that bands in other countries cannot make.

The first half is full of catchy and powerful songs. Nevertheless, my favorite part of the album is from track 10 towards the end. Even the bonus song, track 14, is such a good song that I am surprised that it was not included in the original album. The first album was a big surprise for me, but this album confirmed that their potential and bright future as a band.

☆☆☆☆☆

Sting In The Tail / Scorpions (2010)

1. Raised On Rock

2. Sting In the Tail

3. Slave Me

4. The Only Good Die Young

5. No Limit

6. Rock Zone

7. Lorelei

8. Turn You On

9. Let's Rock

10. Sly

11. Spirit of Rock

12. The Best Is Yet to Come

In the last two albums, they took a journey to go back to their roots. They had the mood of 70's. My impression of this album is that they summarized their career in it. It has some of positive pop rock tunes, sad and dramatic minor songs, beautiful ballads, and heavy metal tracks as well. Initially, this album was going to be their last album (Then they released a re-recorded album). One thing that reassured me of this band was that Klaus Meine's voice really made this band unique. Because of his voice, heavy songs are subdued its heaviness, ballads become more dramatic, pop tunes are lightened, and minor melody becomes more beautiful.

The album is full of Scorpions flavor. It has some good pop songs such as tracks 1, 8, and 11. One of the highlights in this album is the dramatic tune, track 4, featuring Tarja Turunen. Two ballads 7 and 10 are beautiful and moving. They have the same feeling as the songs such as "Send Me An Angel" and "When The Smoke Is Going Down". Another highlight of the album is track 12. It is very dramatic, and both music and lyrics have really positive energy. I do not know if they will release another studio album, but I can say that they brought a clown glory and beautiful conclusion to their career if this album become the last.

☆☆☆☆

Sanctuary / Praying Mantis (2009)

1. In Time

2. Restless Heart

3. Tears In The Rain

4. So High

5. Turn The Tide

6. Touch The Rainbow

7. Threshold Of A Dream

8. Playing God

9. Highway

10. Sanctuary

It has been 6 years from the last album and 9 years since they had a permanent vocal. First, the album jacket freaked me out a little bit. The album jacket often represent the music inside. I was afraid that their music style had changed in negative way. However, when I started listening to this album, I soon realized that my fear was utterly groundless. From track 1, their lyrical sound was still going strong. It seems like new members have career for decent amount of years but pretty much are unknown. The new voice of the band, Mike Freeland, has gruff voice but really matches with the band sound. 

This band is one of few bands that had member changes so many times. Nevertheless, Troy brothers keep the faith in their music. This time, they proved once again that they are the key and the core of this band. From track 1, their lyrical sounds explode. Tracks 2 and 9 are good pop tunes. Track 4 is a moving ballad. Perhaps, this might be the best ballad they have ever written since "Lovers To The Graves". They also wrote great uptempo tunes such as tracks 4, 6, and 7. Overall, the album is full of Praying Mantis emblems. I hope that they release new records more often lol

☆☆☆☆

Sonic Boom / KISS (2009)

1. Modern Day Delilah

2. Russian Roulette

3. Never Enough

4. Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)

5. Stand

6. Hot And Cold

7. All For The Glory

8. Danger Us

9. I'm An Animal

10. When Lightning Strikes

11. Say Yeah

Many people questioned when they heard that KISS was releasing a new album how the album would be. As we all know, Ace and Peter had left the band, and Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, who was previously in the band, joined the band. The brain of the band, Paul and Gene, remained. They toured around the world and showed everyone how tight the band was with those two new members. However, many people asked if they could make another KISS record without Peter and Ace.

The answer is that they came back strong with a great KISS album. From the track 1, they play KISS style rock 'n' roll throughout the album. Cool riffs, catchy chorus, great harmony, unique voices, this is KISS. Tommy and Eric are great musicians. Even though they are great technicians, they kept themselves to be a part of four pieces. Surprisingly, my favorite song in this album is track 7 which is sung by Eric Singer. His voice is different from Peter's, but it really matches well with the band. I felt the same when I first listened to him singing "Black Diamond." Tommy did a great job with track 10 as well.

KISS truly showed that they could still kick everyone's bud. In this period of their career, they created a great album. I don't know if people would considered this album comparable to their past catalogues, but this album is pure KISS album with 100% awesome rock 'n' roll songs.

☆☆☆☆