HELLOWEEN - RABBIT DON'T COME EASY (2003)
Here it is, the much anticipated new release from Germany's power metal stars Helloween, another great chapter in the band's career. "Rabbit Don't Come Easy" marks the debut of new guitarist Sascha Gerstner (ex-Freedom Call) who replaced Roland Grapow (currently in Masterplan). Mark Cross played the drums on two tracks, while the rest of the album was recorded by guest musician Mikkey Dee (Motörhead). The album was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (Blind Guardian...) and was recorded at the Mi Sueño Studios in Tenerife (Spain). Anyway, I have already listened to it several times over the last few days, and I'm happy to say that in that short time it has become one of my favourite Helloween albums of the Andi Deris era, who gives some of his best vocal performances on this album. Musically, it marks a return to the more traditional Helloween sound, the choruses have the happy metal feel again and most of them are quite catchy and memorable, they are all perfect to sing along to. The songs are mostly fast-paced, and they get stuck in your head all day. "Just A Little Sign" is classic happy happy Helloween. It's a speedy one, with some shredding guitar riffs. The chorus is especially melodic sounding. "Open Your Life" is another straight power metal attack. Ohh Yeaaah, I love songs like this. The chorus is quite infectious, the entire weekend I've been singing it in my head about 3 million times :) Again, nice keyboards and great guitars. "The Tune" is a fast tempo song written by Weiki with a big hymnal chorus. "Never Be A Star" reminds me a bit of "Perfect Gentleman" off MOTR. This one is a typical mid-tempo track by Deris. On the chorus, he hits the higher tones without any trouble. This number also includes "a capella" section, with crowd noise in the background. "Liar" is another standout tune. It's written by Markus... and damn, he's one hell of a song writer!! This one is pretty heavy and features very powerful guitars and some kick ass drumming. The chorus is very dark and heavy as hell. Next is "Sun 4 The World", a fast track which starts with oriental sounds (remember the tune "The King Of 7 Eyes" off Andi's solo album "Coming In From The Rain"? this one sounds a bit like that). "Don't Stop Being Crazy" is a pretty good ballad, but I don't like it as much as previous ballads like "In The Middle" or "Forever&One". Anyway, the lyrics are really touching. Love it! "Do You Feel Good" is another tune by Weiki that is fun to listen to. This one rocks in typical Helloween fashion, haha. Excellent guitar work here!! "Back Against The Wall" is another pretty heavy tune, but this one has a more dark sound to it (sounds a bit like something off "The Dark Ride"). I think it doesn't fit on the album at all. "Listen To The Flies" is a fast song written by Sascha. The chorus is pretty simple but is very cool and Helloween-ish. The promo I have doesn't include the last two tracks ("Hell Was Made In Heaven" & "Nothing To Say"), so I can't comment anything on these songs... Overall, I rate it a 9. Well done helloweenies! Long-time fans of the band, like me, be sure to catch this rabbit as soon as it comes out of the hat :))) (Review by: Marina)

HAMMERFALL - CRIMSON THUNDER (2002)
The Swedes are back with their fourth album and they are still playing traditional Heavy Metal, very simple yet extremely effective and catchy tunes with a great production, this time courtesy of none other than Charlie Bauerfeind (Rage, Blind Guardian, Helloween). The CD opens with "Riders Of The Storm", a mid-tempo song very hymn-like and epic. Great chorus and choirs and splendid guitar playing. Killer opener!! The first single, "Hearts On Fire", with all the classic HammerFall elements, will make you sing all through the night, a song easily to get stuck in your head and one of my favourites on the record. Title track "Crimson Thunder" is a killer mid-tempo song with slow parts and huge chorus, remember the tune "At The End Of The Rainbow" off "Legacy Of Kings"? this one sounds very much like that. A terrific song! "Lore Of The Arcane" is just an instrumental interlude with monk like chanting that is followed by "Trailblazers", one of the average tracks on this album along with "The Unforgiving Blade". Not bad songs, but I can't stop thinking that they sound like fillers compared to the rest of the album. "On The Edge Of Honour" and "Hero's Return" are among the best tracks on this album, perfect tunes for the speed fans, again with nice and melodic huge choruses... we also get some cool sing along "ooooh, ooooh" parts. Definitely two of those tracks that make me hit the repeat button on my cd player. "Dreams Come True" is perhaps the weakest ballad the band has ever recorded. Acoustic guitars and Joacim singing over the top, it sounds a bit like "Always Will Be" off "Renegade" with even cheesier lyrics. As usual with Hammerfall we get a cover song in between and this time it's Chastain's "Angel Of Mercy" (from "Ruler Of The Wasteland" - 1986). Actually quite good. Like on the previous album, "Crimson Thunder" also contains an instrumental track called "In Memoriam". Quite emotional. On the limited edition there's another cover song and this time it's Yngwie Malmsteen's "Rising Force", featuring Jens Johansson on keyboards. Once again it's quite well done, but I still prefer the original with the great Joe Lynn Turner on vocals, hehe. Overall, a great comeback CD for the Templars of Metal after many people felt let down by Renegade. (Review by: Marina)

HELLOWEEN - TREASURE CHEST (2002)
After 20 years and 10 albums, Helloween, one of the forefathers of European power metal, releases an impressive "Best of" package, over 2 hours and a half of Helloween hits, available in two formats: a double CD set including stuff from the early days, with Kai Hansen on vocals (Metal Invaders, Ride The Sky, Murderer, Starlight, How Many Tears), stuff from the Keepers era, with Michael Kiske on vocals (I Want Out, Eagle Fly Free, Future World, Halloween, A Little Time, A Tale That Wasn't Right, Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Dr. Stein) -there's only one song from "Chamaleon" and another one from "Pink Bubbles Go Ape"- and newer material with Andi Deris on vocals (Mr. Torture, I Can, Power, Where The Rain Grows, Sole Survivor, Perfect Gentleman, In The Middle Of A Heartbeat, Kings Will Be Kings, Time Of The Oath, Forever & One, Midnight Sun, Mr. Ego, Immortal & Mirror, Mirror) and as a 3-CD-box-set with a bonus disc called "Buried Treasures", containing rarities such as single b-sides and a cover version (Electric Eye/Judas Priest). All the songs on these discs are actually remastered and remixed versions. On top of that, the packaging is really awesome with a lengthy full color booklet including a family tree, line notes, discography and great band photos. The box-set also includes a poster. This album should be attractive to both diehards and to new fans of the band who might not care to purchase their extensive back catalogue. May the pumpkin continue to glow for at least another 20 years! (Review by: Marina)

HORIZON'S END - CONCRETE SURREAL (2002)
In the eyes of Greek Metal fans Horizon's End is the best Progressive Metal band in their country. Honestly, I'm not a fan of this kind of metal, but I have to say that this is a really good band. It took them three years since the release of their first album, cause they had some changes in the line-up. From "Sculpture On Ice" remained only the keyboard player and the drummer, but the band continued with a new guitarist, singer and bassist. Two years of rehearsals, a year (!) in the studios and here is the final result: 67 minutes of music similar to Dream Theater and Fates Warning, which mixes tons of melody with some occassional power and heavier guitar work. Some folk influences (violins, flutes, cellos) can be heard too and add a really nice and symphonic touch. Also one remarkable thing is the length of the songs. Sometimes they're even over sixteen minutes, but without being boring. What's really cool about "Concrete Surreal", is the fact that the musicians impress a lot with some really fresh and good playing, so I guess Horizon's End should be of interest to fans of the two bands mentioned above. Prog Metal fans, check out this nice piece of work!!!! Don't forget to visit band's website www.horizons-end.com and Steel Gallery Records www.steelgallery.com for more info. (Review by: Marina)

HIGHLORD - WHEN THE AURORA FALLS (2000)
Founded back in 1996 under the name of Avatar and after the release of their debut album "Heir Of Power", Highlord from Italy present their second album called "When The Aurora Falls", recorded at New Sin Studios (Vision Divine, Domine, etc) in July 2000 and released by Northwind Records... it's clear that this album is better than their debut. This CD includes 10 songs of pure Italian Melodic Power Metal and you'll hear influences like Stratovarius, Helloween, Angra and others. The thematic aborded in them is epic medieval and there are some highlights like "Frozen Heaven", a typical Power Metal song, filled with good guitar work and melodic passages & keyboards. "All I Want" is also good and proves that the singer has an excellent voice. They have great guitars (especially influenced by Tolkki and Malmsteen) and vocal melodies with good use of keyboards. The production is better than on its predecessor and the cover artwork is excellent, fitting perfectly into the medieval feeling of the whole album. (Review by: Marina)

HELLOWEEN - THE DARK RIDE (2000)
After the release of their much succesful "Better Than Raw", the band has managed to create together with producers Roy Z and Charlie Bauenfield their most powerful and heaviest album so far. The "happy" Metal that the old Helloween was playing has almost dissapeared and now the band sounds heavier, more close to a modern metal. Still they are a Power Metal band of course, but much darker and powerful than before, with a very good vocal perfomance by Andy Deris. The rhythm section sound tight, great production, very good work at the guitars and smart arrangements with a lot of changes. Just have a listen to some fast songs as the opener "Mr. Torture", "All Over The Nations" and "We Damn The Night" or their heaviest and darkest songs so far "Escalation 666" and "Mirror, Mirror". The band are presenting maybe their most mature and heaviest album and each member is moving in the same high standars. So open up your ears, give them a chance and give this new CD a listen... Up The Pumpkins!! (Review by: Marina)

HAMMERFALL - RENEGADE (2000)
First of all, I have to say that I am a dedicated fan of the hammers since "Glory To The Brave". The band recorded their previous albums ("Glory To The Brave" & "Legacy Of Kings") in Sweden, but this time the band decided to enter the Wire World Studios in Nashville (USA) with legendary producer Michael Wagener (Skid Row, Accept...). This is the third album for the Swedish metallers and there's a change in their line-up: the drummer Anders Johansson (the brother of Jens from Stratovarius) has joined the band, whose work fit perfectly. They still give us their pure and true Heavy Metal, now with more intense and enthusiastic Stefan & Oscar guitar's sound. Here you find 10 songs with all the good things that qualify Heavy Metal, which for sure will be classics of the band: "Templars Of Steel", "The Way Of The Warrior", "Keep The Flame Burning", "Destined For Glory", "Renegade"... the fact is that all the songs have something special and you will not find one boring song. The ballad "Always Will Be", with acoustic guitars, shows once again the golden voice Joacim owns and, for the first time, there's an instrumental track called "Raise The Hammer". The package of the album is pretty good with lyrics, photos and another good cover art by Andreas Marshall (Blind Guardian, Nocturnal Rites Running Wild...) as usual. Also you will find a video clip for the song "Renegade" if you insert the disc into your Cd-Rom drive... so what the hell are you waiting for? All hail HammerFall!! (Review by: Marina)