NEWS : Iron Maiden album details.

By Elric on 12:52 PM 30 June 2006

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Iron Maiden plan to release new album in September, called "A Matter of Life And Death". Kevin Shirley, which has now co-produced three of the band's studio albums alongside Steve Harris, says : "...As on previous projects all of the tracks were performed live and together in one room. No click tracks or computer tightening or manipulation has happened at any stage of the recording.."

A Matter Of Life And Death full track listing is as follows:

  • Different Worlds (Smith/Harris - 4.17)
  • These Colours Don't Run (Smith/Harris/Dickinson - 6.52)
  • Brighter Than a Thousand Suns (Smith/Harris/Dickinson - 8.44)
  • The Pilgrim (Gers/Harris - 5.07)
  • The Longest Day (Smith/Harris/Dickinson - 7.48)
  • Out Of the Shadows (Dickinson/Harris - 5.36)
  • The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg (Murray/Harris - 7.21)
  • For The Greater Good Of God (Harris - 9.24)
  • Lord Of Light (Smith/Harris/Dickinson - 7.23)
  • The Legacy (Gers/Harris - 9.20)

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NEWS : Axl habbits are back, The Haunted new album

By Elric on 12:45 PM

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It seems that Axl is back to his old habbits. "..Guns N' Roses leader Axl Rose was released from custody late on Tuesday hours after his arrest for a violent, drunken outburst at a hotel in the Swedish capital of Stockholm...". Guns N Roses are back for good :D


The Haunted finished the recordings of new album. "...The new effort was recorded in Denmark at Antfarm Studios with renowned producer Tue Madsen (Himsa, Kataklysm) and it looks to be their most accomplished work to date..."

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Review: Wolves in the Throne Room - Diadem of 12 Stars (2006)

By Anonymous on 10:27 PM 26 June 2006

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Wolves claim inspiration from the "mystical witch ideology" of the Olympian forests (a Googling only revealed news stories about a woman robbing banks dressed as a witch, but I don't doubt the mythology exists), and the imagery on the disc adheres to that.

The four songs, shrouded in a just-slightly-cleaner version of black metal's usual lo-fi production, range from 13 to 20 minutes.For many of those minutes, the band sticks to the genre's typical facets. An impenetrable wall of wailing instruments is set to a rhythm that alternates from blindingly fast to a slow crawl, and the vocals, mixed low, are desperate rasps peppered with bestial growls. But it's the inclusion of folk and goth that separates Wolves in the Throne Room from the pack, breaking up the madness with moments of poetic clarity.Opener "Queen of the Borrowed Light" is a relentless assault for the first five minutes. But seemingly out of nowhere, the distortion gives way to quiet, clean picking and atmospheric keyboards, ushering in the song's second act. "Face in the Mirror (Part 1)" introduces witch-inspired, gothic female vocals provided by Hammer of Misfortune's Jamie Myers. But after another brief acoustic folk interlude, the band erupts again into familiar territory with dizzying speed and demonic howls.

Those who aren't familiar with this style of music might find it hard to see the beauty that is here, and the songs' epic lengths certainly don't invite new listeners. But art doesn't have to be pleasant to be pretty, nor easy to be enjoyable, and "Diadem of 12 Stars" is a dark, haunting piece that's as gorgeous as it is ugly.

Rating: 82/100

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Review : Helloween - Master of the Rings (Remastered)

By Elric on 1:30 PM

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Second release from Helloween this year. This time is a remastered version of 1994's "Master of the Rings" album with a bonus cd. Now, the big question is why Helloween chose this album. The answer is simple, because it's the first album that Helloween released after Weikath got rid of both Hansen and Kiske...I mean... first album that Helloween released with Deris as a singer.

After two unsuccesfull albums in 1991 and 1993 Helloween were able to make a worthy album. The album's first half is pretty good with songs like "Sole Survivor", "Where the Rain Grows" and "Why" with the band perfoming a realy good raw power metal. But, unfortunately at the second half of the album the "happy" part of their music is back. The bad songs are too many, like "Mr Ego", "Perfect Gentleman" and the rockish "Take Me Home".

But after 12 years Helloween fixed the damage with the addition of a bonus cd. There are 8 tracks, that most of them can be found in previous singles or compilations like "Treasure Chest".
These songs are the instrumental "Grapowski's Malmsuite 1001", the "happy" "Can't Fight Your Desire", the realy good power song "Star Invasion" and "Silicon Dreams" wich has realy funny lyrics.

Also there is a realy good cover from Thin Lizzy's "Cold Sweat" and Farner's country rock "Closer to Home". "I Stole Your Love" from Kiss also can be found here. I have to admit that Helloween perfectly fit the songs to their music (and vice versa).

I guess this album is a nice work for the new fans of the group that they want to buy previous works of the group.

Rating : 67/100 (50 without the bonus cd)

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Review : Silent Civilian - Rebirth of the Temple

By Elric on 11:09 AM 23 June 2006

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Johny Santos decided to leave from Spineshank and form Silent Civilian.

From the first tunes of this album you think that you are going to listen another typical Swedish death metal band but as songs go by, the music turns into nu-metal with some parts with clear vocals and guitar solos from Santos.

Although this combination sounds promising the result... is not the best. As you hear "Rebirth of the Temple" you have a constant feeling that I have already hear this, been there, done that...and so on.

The album starts with a realy weak song "Funeral" and continues with the best song of this work, "The Song Remains Unnamed". And then...nothing again. You have to wait until "Force Fed" the second and last good moment of "Rebirth of the Temple".

In general Silent Civilian not only can't differ from the thousands bands out there but they copy themselves also. After a while you can understand the patterns in their songs...and you know what comes next. I hope that the next album will be much better.

Rating: 40/100

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Review : Moonspell - Memorial

By Elric on 4:52 AM 22 June 2006

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New album for Moonspell after 3 years. The album starts with "Finisterra", a song that musicaly refers to "The Antidote" and to be honest that is what I was expecting to hear. Although the next songs make it cleary that "Memorial" is not Antidote part 2.

The death vocals of Fernando dominate all songs but without pushing aside the atmospheric feeling that Moonspell always had. The guitars and keyboards once again create a realy dark and heavy atmosphere. The production was made by Waldemar Sorychta who also played bass in the album and once again he made a miracle. The production is heavier and darker than any other release Moonspell made, yet it is crystal clear.

Musicaly the album is a combination of
"The Antidote" and "Irreligious" or "Wolfheart". The songs are stamped by the changes both in speed and feeling, like "Best Forgoten", (a 14 mins song) and as a result it takes time to get used to them. The best moments along side "Finisterra" and "Best Forgoten" are "Upon the Blood Of Men", "Memento Mori" and my favorite "Blood Tells".

Although some will prefer "The Antidote" against "Memorial", it is sure that the new album will be among the top metal albums for 2006.

Rating: 77/100


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PreRelease : Slayer - New 3 track sample

By Elric on 10:22 PM 21 June 2006

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Slayer released a 3 track sample from their upcoming album "Christ Illusion". Dave Lombardo is back with the band after 13 years but its like he never left.

The first thought that comes to your mind when you listen "Cult" is that Slayer finaly get rid of theses unsuccessfull hardcore infuences. This is the best effort from Slayer since 1990 and indeed the sounds reminds me of "Reign in Blood" and "Hell Awaits" era.

"Jihad" is a fast song as well and "Eyes of the Insane" although a mid-tempo song, surely is pure thrash.

Slayer are back... and they are more aggressive than ever!

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Welcome

By Elric on 11:27 PM 20 June 2006

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Welcome to Metal Hall.Your ultimate guide to new metal and hard rock releases. Enjoy your selves.

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