Immortal / Pride Of Lions (2012)

1. Immortal

2. Delusional

3. Tie Down the Wind

4. Shine On

5. Everything That Money Can't Buy

6. Coin of the Realm

7. Sending My Love

8. Vital Signs

9. If It Doesn't Kill Me

10. Are You the Same Girl

11. Ask Me Yesterday

Finally, I bought this album! I was really looking forward to this album. Surprisingly, it has been already 5 years since "The Roaring Of Dreams". Sometimes, when musicians have a long interval between two albums, they often disappoint fans due to musical changes and other things. However, I did not have to worry anything about this band because Pride of Lions is one of few bands that you can fully trust that they will make another great albums. And indeed, they did come back with another masterpiece. 

The first thing I felt from listening to this album was strong positive energy that goes through the entire album. I guess it naturally came from them due to their good condition as a band. This album is another record to Peterik's vision of creating 80's infuluenced melodic rock with modern sound to come true. There are many bands now days that call themselves "Melodic Rock Band". Nevertheless, I want ask them how many of them actually write songs that can compare and compete with those in this album. 

1. Immortal

A great opening number!! It brings fresh air in this album. I love the lyrics as well.

2. Delusional

A leading single of this album. This has another awesome positive lyrics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ1sTsy2aKw

3. Tie Down the Wind

A middle tempo number with awesome chorus sang by Toby. When it comes from bridge to chorus, it makes feel like coming out from forest to a big broad field.

4. Shine On

There are only few songs that you would immediately know that you are about to listen to another masterpiece. That is exactly how I felt when I listened the intro of this song. It slowly starts and goes up-tempo at chorus. 

5. Everything That Money Can't Buy

Jim Peterik is a great ballad composer as well. This is another typical (I am saying by positive meaning) Pride Of Lions ballad song.

6. Coin of the Realm

I think this song is kind of out of ordinary in their catalogue. This is a guitar oriented rock tune. But, it does not make you feel heavy because it has another great melody line.

7. Sending My Love

Another ballad with Pride Of Lions signature on it. 

8. Vital Sign

The same name as the great hit album by Survivor. I am pretty sure Peterik had a good reason why to name this song lol This is one of the best songs they ever made. If I have to describe this song with one word, I would say "COOL".

9. If It Doesn't Kill Me

Another killer tune. I think the part goes from 8th to 9th song is my favorite piece of this album. Nothing to say. Just listen!!

10. Are You the Same Girl

A minor ballad. This is not an ordinary ballad that they would. It is the sad and emotional part in this album. This does not kill the positive energy of this album, but it has the most beautiful longing melody.

11. Ask Me Lonely

I was little surprised that they finished the album with an up-tempo tune. This is the most powerful song out of all songs in the album.

One thing I realized about this album was that, there are more songs that Toby takes solo and Peterik's singing part became much less compare to their previous albums. I guess it shows how much Toby grew as a singer, this album did show how great he is as a singer although I still love the contrast that Toby and Peterik creates. Pride Of Lions is one of few bands that is worth paying money to purchase a full album.

☆☆☆☆☆

The Power Within / DragonForce (2012)

1. Holding On

2. Fallen World

3. Cry Thunder

4. Give Me the Night

5. Wings of Liberty

6. Seasons

7. Heart of the Storm

8. Die by the Sword

9. Last Man Stands

10. Seasons (Acoustic Version)

The departure of ZP was shocking for all of DragonForce Fans. His unique voice and performance was definitely one of important character of the band. However, they returned with new voice. I saw Marc Hudson of the video that the band uploaded on YouTube. He was singing the intro of track 1. I immediately could tell that he had great range of voice. Then, the lead single, track 3, was released. It was a surprise for me and many DragonForce fans. It was not a fast tune. It was a mid-tempo song. The last album had more variety in songs than the past albums. Nevertheless, this song was in different color. I think it was a statement from the band. They returned as a new band with a new singer. I could tell that Marc Hudson definitely was talented. He has powerful voice with big range of voice.

The only concern was whether their music direction has changed or not. However, my concern was meaningless. When I heard track 1, I could tell that the band still kept their faith in their music. They still play songs that have blast beat, catchy melody, and dramatic progression. Track 2 is the fastest song they have ever played. The lead single, track 3, is very different in kind, yet it has catchy chorus and twin lead guitars. I can tell that this song will be one of their important repertory for the band. Track 4 is one of my favorite DragonForce's songs. However, the highlight of this album is track 6. Track 3 was very different in rhythm, but this one is different in melody line. Their typical song has catchy chorus with high tone scream. However, this song features low to mid-range vocal. This is another new challenge they did.

Overall, they challenged themselves throughout the album. They have returned stronger than ever. For many fans, the sigh of disappointment became scream of joy. At this point of their career, they have made the best album.

☆☆☆☆☆

Address The Nation / H.E.A.T. (2012)

1. Breaking The Silence

2. Living On The Run

3. Falling Down

4. The One And Only

5. Better Off Alone

6. In And Out Of Trouble

7. Need Her

8. Heartbreaker

9. It's All About Tonight

10. Downtown

11. Back Into Your Arms

Whenever the band loses its voice, there is a significant change. In many cases, they usually bring negative and unfavorable results such as Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest (You know what!? these were all in 90's. I guess 90's were the dark age of Heavy Metal lol), Black Sabbath (in some cases). However, there are some positive cases such as Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, Arnel Pineda of Journey (even though I still love Steve Perry's voice), Andi Deris of Helloween (I don't say he is better than Kiske, but surely he had positive influence for the band at that time). In any case, the vocals have big influence on their bands.

H.E.A.T., to me, is one of the few great bands that are reviving 80's rock in present time. I really liked both of their albums for their musical style and quality. Nevertheless, like many other bands, they also lost their voice. So, they had to find a new voice, and they did, Erik Gronwall. I actually knew him before he joined the band. I watched him singing "Run To The Hills" by Iron Maiden on the Swedish Idol TV show. I think the title of the video was like "Heavy Metal Idol" or something lol However, he sang the song with the original key without fake. His voice was "real". Therefore, I was really looking for their new album after I heard the news that he joined the band.

My review is........ the album was great! It is much better than I expected. Even though they still kept their music style, there are more variations in this album compare to two previous albums. Erik's voice really matches with the band. When I first heard the leading track of the album (#2 Living On The Run), I got goose bumps. Hopefully, they don't have to change the vocal again any soon. Hopefully, they will come to Japan. I really want to hear his voice live.

☆☆☆☆☆

Feel The Power / Blessed By A Broken Heart (2012)

1. Deathwish

2. Shut Up And Rock

3. Love Nightmare

4. Forever

5. Thunder Dome (SE)

6. Holdin' Back For Nothin'

7. I've Got You

8. Rockin' All Night

9. Scream It Like You Mean It

10. Skate Or Die

11. Innocent Blood

12. Sleepless Nights

This is the second album released by Canadian metal band, Blessed By A Broken Heart(BBABH). The first record was a high quality metalcore influenced by traditional metal, glam metal, and hardcore music. It was pretty sensational to me. However, they surprised me with this record. I think this album shifted more towards traditional heavy metal. It still has strong metalcore taste but definitely has better catchy melody than the first record.

The album starts with awesome metal riff. "Deathwish" is a perfect opening song for this album. Chorus is very catchy and has good harmony. 

"Shut Up And Rock" is another awesome. Another thing that this record surprised me was that the use of keyboard sound. They already used well in the first album, but in this album, they became much better composers  and arrangers.

"Love Nightmare" has stronger metalcore taste from their first record, yet it has a good sing-along chorus. This will be another awesome live song.

"Forever" was the first single from this album. It does not have any metalcore scream but has catchy chorus and harmony. There are several songs in this album do not have any scream.

This band members are technicians as well. "Holdin' Back For Nothin'" shows that how good musicians they are in this album. The song has very complicated riff, yet it does not make listeners difficult to listen to the song. That really shows their composing ability.

The album slows down here. "I've Got You" is a beautiful ballad. This is another new side of this band. This ballad reminds some awesome songs from 80's. 

"Rockin' All Night" is the second single. This is another party song. I think this is their comprehension of 80's metal today. This is another song does not have any scream.

"Scream It Live You Mean It" is another BBABH anthem. One thing I really love about this band is rhythm changes. This song has it so many times but every beat makes you move, swing, dance, and head-bang. Whenever I listen to the song, especially bridge to chorus, it make me happy. I think this is my favorite song in this album.

"Skate Or Die" has good traditional metal riff. Every one of their songs has good hook-line and melody. This song has another awesome sing-along part.

"Innocent Blood" is the heaviest song of all in this album. This song is great mix of metalcore and BBABH version of pop.

"Sleepless NIghts" was a bit of surprise. The keyboard sound reminds me of European power metal bands. Nevertheless, the melody has BBABH's trademark.

When I first heard that they were from Canada, I was really surprised. I did not expect that someone would be playing this kind of music in Canada. They successfully blend traditional 80's metal and modern metalcore sound and sublimed to their own sound. I think this band has one of the most unique identity in today's rock scene. They definitely evolved and progressed with this second album. I am looking for their future and hoping that I would be able to see them live soon.

☆☆☆☆☆ 

Break The Spell / Daughtry (2011)

1. Renegade

2. Crawling Back to You

3. Outta My Head

4. Start of Something Good

5. Crazy

6. Break the Spell

7. We're Not Gonna Fall

8. Gone Too Soon

9. Losing My Mind

10. Rescue Me

11. Louder Than Ever

12. Spaceship

Time has changed rapidly in the music industry. There are not many people who are willing to pay money for music since they can illegally download them for free. However, whatever the reasons are, it really makes me sad that this album has been the least sold one in Daughtry's catalog because this album is the far best record they have ever made.

I am not a big fan of American Idol at all and had never seen Chris Daughtry in the show. However, I read about him in a music magazine when he debut with his own band. However, I never really listened to his music until the second album. I was stunned by his voice. He was a really singer, a real rock singer. The album contained so many catchy riff with good hook and melody. Then, I also bought the first record. I immediately liked this band even though I don't listen recent bands very much.

Nevertheless, this album is much better than what I expected. Every song has catchy melody and good riffs. Moreover, all of the songs really leverage his voice. His vocal really matches all of the songs. I think this is the result of improvement of songwriting skill of the band. If you bought either their first album or the second one, you would not regret buying this album. If you are interested in Daughtry, I highly recommend to buy this album as the first record to get to know them.

☆☆☆☆☆

Here and Now / Nickelback (2011)

1. This Means War

2. Bottoms Up

3. When We Stand Together

4. Midnight Queen

5. Gotta Get Me Some

6. Lullaby

7. Kiss It Goodbye

8. Trying Not to Love You

9. Holding On to Heaven

10. Everything I Wanna Do

11. Don't Let It End

Their last album was one of the greatest discovery that I did in recent music scene. This band is one of few riff oriented bands. From track 1, they knocked me hard with powerful riffs. I got goose bumps when I heard the intro of the song. This will be another rock anthem at their shows. Their last album had great sound production, but this one had even much stronger sound pressure. The sound attacks you like flooding water. 

Track 2 was released as a rock single, track 3 was a pop single. One thing I like about his band is that they deliver political or social messages in their songs. The album consists of great ballads as well (Tracks 6, 8, 11). Especially, track 6 is an excellent piece! This has the same mood of "Save Me". Like the last album, the sound production is very heavy but does not make you feel the heaviness because every song has good catchy melody. Every song has a good sing-along chorus that would excite audiences. Any song in this album can be a repertory at their shows.

The monster rock band on 21st century has come back stronger than ever. This album will be another milestone for their career. I can feel their great presence as a today's arena rock band from the songs.

☆☆☆☆☆

Th1rt3en / Megadeth (2011)

1. Sudden Death

2. Public Enemy No. 1

3. Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)

4. We the People

5. Guns, Drugs, & Money

6. Never Dead

7. New World Order

8. Fast Lane

9. Black Swan

10. Wrecker

11. Millennium of the Blind

12. Deadly Nightshade

13. 13

Lately, many reunion and comeback tours from 80's have been really thriving. It is very nostalgic for old fans and very fresh for new fans. However, it seems like many bands are not successful to deliver albums that comparable with their golden age. Megadeth is one of few bands that are successful at making great records that stands up to old catalogues from 80's and 90's. Once again, they brought us a great album. This album should be commemorated for the return of David Ellefson and the joining of Chris Broderick. I could tell how great the guitar skill of Chris is by watching live shows. However, he really brought new energy and good melody sense in his guitar play in this album.

I describe that the last album had the same feeling and mood of "Rust In Peace" and "Countdown To Extinction". This time, I would say that they pressed forward with the same musical direction, yet it also has the same catchiness of "Cryptic Writings". "Cryptic Writings" was a great album that catchiness and Megadeth style metal coexisted. Nevertheless, that album did not have strong edge that they had in early career. This album is a mix of all of them. Track 2 is the prime example of it. It has strong edge in sound and riffs and good progression yet very catchy as well. Mustaine's songwriting skill compiled in this song. Track 8 is also another example of it. It has authentic metal essence. It can appeal to any kind of metal fans. The album also has strong Megadeth style metal songs as well such as tracks 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10. I felt the mood of "The World Needs A Hero" from the song, track 13. It is very dramatic and somewhat spooky. He is good at that too.

I think this album really summarizes Megadeth's whole career. They have been making straightforward metal, yet it was also very varied. The amazing thing about this band (or perhaps Dave Mustaine) is that they have been walking the journey of finding their roots yet also extending their music style at the same time. I would say that, for overall quality, the last album was better. Nevertheless, this album is something that leads to the next stage to sublime their music.

☆☆☆☆