Metal Reviews

And yet Ken, you are the same guy who once famously wrote off the entire subgenre of black metal, one of the more original subgenres of the metal world.

So?
Did he said he valued the quality of composition above anything else?

The point is he might find more original bands out there if he didn't write entire subgenres off.

imo there are boatloads of original bands; they really aren't very hard to find at all. Could probably name 100 original bands who've released albums in the last 5 years ez

Then go list them in the thread in the general music forum.

The thing is, he confuses originality with personality.

Funny how all these people who are not even willing to give Icarus Witch a go come to this thread because it's teh "war". Idiots.

Right. Famously. I said "black metal sucks." It was said in jest, as a joke. Yet for some reason, years later, I'm still called out on it like I want on some absurd rant about how terrible that whole genre is. Never happened.

You could name 100 bands, and I'm sure you'd think they were original. But they wouldn't be.

Foxy Shazam
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99 to go.

Soooooooo, how do you guys think this compares with Songs for the Lost and Capture the Magic?

This is the only one I have by these guys.
It's pretty good, though, and I'll probably get around to checking their back catalogue out eventually.

I think it's slighly better than their previous composition-wise. Also, the production is more effective/professional.
I really hope these guys will continue on the path they've chosen because, so far, they've been one of the best retro-metal acts around.

I agree, but I honestly think that Songs for the Lost is the best they've done yet. Maybe not production-wise but definitely in terms of quality..

I was reading this thread and, god!, did we had fun back then.
I miss Rio (Charles, do come back to the forums!) and Ken (whatever his latest screen-name is)'s argument.
And Val's clearmindedness (in this thread anyway ).

The album's still solid oldschool heavy metal, btw. And the latest, Rise (soon to be reviewed as all the other IW were? ) sounds quite nicely on 1st spin even though the singer sometimes sounds like Paul Stanley and the music's going in an even more AOR direction which is plain weird... Well, we'll see what comes... But I still miss the "good ole times" when we had flamewars over such tiny reasons...

A flamewar Ken was involved in and that I wasn't? This is like finding proof of bigfoot... ;)

Must check this out, in an old-school mood.

That there Satan's Anus is one righteous fellow. Quite sexy, I imagine.

By the way, I think Rise is their best album. It definitely leans heavily toward the rock side of the spectrum, and even a bit modern at times, but overall it's their catchiest and most consistent album, in terms of songwriting. I think, aside from the debut EP, each album has had its share of less-than-great tracks.

Rise, I think, is excellent from start to finish. It's too bad they no longer have the one unique thing they had going for them, which was Bizilia's voice.

Didn't you think the new guy sounded like Paul Stanley at times? On the more hair metal oriented tracks mostly. But yes, the songwriting is good, better than it has ever been but it's not fresh anymore. It kind of reminds me of all the NWOBHM band turning AOR (Tokyo Blade, Rock Goddess, Demon, Saxon, and so on). The "spirit" is kind of lost and I miss it.

I can't disagree with that. But what's better, a flawed album that has a fresher sound, or great album that's more run-of-the-mill?

I'd say the latter.

And no, I didn't catch any similarities to Stanley, but I'll listen for them next time.

It should also be noted: that's a damn sexy cover.

I just got the new album by these guys and it was terrible horrible cock rock nonsense. I have it sealed and am willing to trade it for practically anything! PM ME IF YOU WANT THEIR 2012 ALBUM! SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE IT

Yeah, I hear it sucks. So I'm staying away.