Great Gothic Metal

Only when an album really makes an impression on me, after just one listen, is when I feel compelled to write about it so follows this review...

"Destination Unknown" is the sophomore album of the Finnish band Blinded Rain. Let me tell you, Finland really has some great gothic metal bands and Blinded Rain is one of the best I have ever heard. Well, at least this album is outstanding for me as I haven't heard their debut album entitled "Time?" ... yet.

When I first listened to this album I thought "this is exactly how I like to hear gothic metal". Vocalist Kaide has what I like to think of as the perfect vocals for a gothic metal band, deep and powerful and oh so easy to listen to. Personally, I believe the production on this album is very, very well done. The guitars, bass and drumming are excellent. I love to hear the drummer hammering the drums so I can really hear them rather than them being buried in the background. The guitar is strong along with powerful bass which is not buried in the background either. I'm not a huge fan of keyboards but on this album they are not the main focus and here the keys actually provide for a great atmospheric feel and make the songs so much better. Female backing vocals are present and add to the great atmosphere of this album as well.

I love every song on this album but the most standout track for me would be the last track on the album, Goodbye the Dreamer. It's one of those songs that mingles around in your head for long after you've heard it. When the album is finished playing I immediately want to listen to it again. I really can't say this for alot of albums in my collection. Am I picky? Damn right I am! I think I own only a handful of albums that make me want to listen to them twice (or more) in a row and "Blinded Rain - Destinatin Unknown" is certainly one of them. This album is definitely going to be in my Top 5 albums for 2008 and who knows, by the end of the year it may end up at No. 1 because, as of this date, I only really have one other strong contender for that conveted No. 1 spot.

My rating: 5/5

Blinded Rain @ MySpace


\m/ Stay Metal \m/

Anticipated debut album release

So here is an image of a really great EP of a U.K. band I discovered quite some time ago - Isle of Avalon. The name of the EP and song titles alone were enough to get me to give them a listen. To be honest I can't really remember how I found them but when I did I was very impressed and quickly contacted one of the band members to order the EP because I like supporting the artists who make great music. They work hard to create their music so why the hell not give them money for their efforts. The EP has 3 songs and all are really great tunes. They play my favorite genre - power metal. The first song, The Castle Argent, is a great opening song with high energy that draws you in and makes you want to keep listening. The Legend of Zagor is another great song where the vocalist does an alternate vocal during different parts of the song (much like Crystallion's Thomas Strubler did in their song "The Final Revelation"). I really enjoy the alternate vocals because it makes for an interesting song. The third song, The Quest, has a very catchy chorus that gets stuck in my head long after I've heard it. With power metal bands, I find that catchy choruses are key with the fanbase.

So the other day I had gone to their MySpace page and found out they're getting ready for the release of their debut album. Yay!!! Very exciting news for me as I've been dying to hear more music from Isle of Avalon. One of the band members is on my "Friends" list at Last.fm (Hi Alexander!) so I asked him about the new album. Alexander tells me the album is recorded, artwork is done and I have 10 tracks to look forward to. :-) Really, really can't wait to hear it. \m/

So if you like power metal or just discovering new metal bands then check out Isle of Avalon at their MySpace page where you can hear a couple songs from the EP and if you like what you hear then tell your friends, buy the EP and when the album is released buy it too!

Isle of Avalon @ MySpace



\m/ Stay Metal \m/