Royal Hunt - Paper Blood 2005

Genre: Hard Rock, Progressive Metal
Format: ape + cue + log
Released: 1992
Label: Frontiers Records

01. Break Your Chains

02. Not My Kind

03. Memory Lane

04. Never Give Up

05. Seven Days

06. SK 983

07. Kiss Of Faith

08. Paper Blood

09. Season’s Change

10. Twice Around The World

Paper Blood celebrates a new era for Royal Hunt and it captures the very essence of the whole concept behind the band: aggressive yet highly melodic, symphonic but still very much in your face. Outstanding song writing combined with excellent musicianship results in a collection of ten highly energetic catchy songs. Royal Hunt have a new lineup: joining keyboard player Andre Andersen and the awesome singer with native American origins, John West are Marcus Jidell (ex Jekyll & Hide, The Ring) on guitar and Kenneth Olsen, the original drummer now back for good in the lineup! Frontiers Records. 2005.

Forcefield - Forcefield 1987

Genre: Hard Rock
Format: ape + cue + log
Released: 1992
Label: President Records Ltd.

01. Set Me Free (Ray Davies)

02. Best Shot (Ray Fenwick)

03. Runaway (Del Shannon/Max D.Crook)

04. Sunshine Of Your Love (Jack Bruce/Pete Brown/Eric Clapton)

05. Shine It On Me (Ray Fenwick)

06. Whole Lotta Love (Page/Jones/Plant/Bonham)

07. Black Cat (Denny Laine/Ray Fenwick/Pete Prescott)

08. Whiteroom (Jack Bruce/Pete Brown)

09. You Really Got Me (Ray Davies)

10. Fire In The City (Ray Fenwick/Johnny Mars)

11. Keep On Running (Jachie Edwards)

12. Smoke On The Water(Blackmore/Gillan/Glover/Lord/Paice)

An Anglo-Dutch project featuring ex-FOCUS man Jan Akkerman, the band would attract an enviable array of experienced Rock talent over a series of albums. FORCEFIELD also comprised ex-FANCY vocalist / guitarist Ray Fenwick. Ray had also been a member of the IAN GILLAN band in 1976 and also cut the bizarrely titled 'Keep America Beautiful Get A Haircut' solo album in 1971 (Decca SKL 5090). The FORCEFIELD debut comprised a clutch of re-worked well known Rock standards such as DEEP PURPLE's 'Smoke On The Water', LED ZEPPELIN's 'Whole Lotta Love', THE KINKS 'Set Me Free' and 'You Really Got Me' and CREAM's 'White Room' and 'Sunshine Of Your Love'. The featured musicians included the WHITESNAKE rhythm section of drummer COZY POWELL and bassist Neil Murray, SERGEANT vocalist PETE PRESCOTT and bass player Mo Foster.
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Jeff Beck - Blow By Blow 1975 (1992 Mastersound SBM EK 53442)

Genre: Jazz-Rock
Format: flac + cue + log
Released: 1992
Label: Epic

01. You Know What I Mean

02. She's A Woman

03. Constipated Duck

04. Air Blower

05. Scatterbrain

06. Cause We've Ended As Lovers

07. Thelonius

08. Thelonius

09. Diamond Dust

Jeff Beck seems finally to have figured out that his is not going to replace the great Sixties group which bore his name and featured Mickey Waller, Rod Stewart, Nicky Hopkins and Ron Wood. After some trying moments with a couple of abortive bands whose principal purpose was to give him someone to play with, this all-instrumental album points a newer, healthier direction for the man whose playing is more emblematic of the Yardbirds than either Jimmy Page, who followed him, or Eric Clapton, whom he succeeded.
Beck's music here is new only for him. It is closely connected to Stevie Wonder's, Herbie Hancock's and perhaps most of all, to that of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, his current touring partner. The only axe Beck has to grind is his Gibson; there are no statements here, only his usual flurry of notes. His affection for Max Middleton's keyboard playing seems more sensible than it did with the group that made Rough and Ready. Middleton is derivative of Chick Corea and Hancock, but it hardly matters. His principal function is to complement Beck and he does that well. Richard Bailey's percussion is a little freer than it needs to be, often as not, but then, this is not rock & roll.

Aside from "She's a Woman," where Beck's guitar literally sings a verse, there is little here to distinguish one song from another. But the tunes blend together pleasantly and the second side, particularly, contains some hints that Beck may finally have found a mode in which he is once more comfortable. His exhibitionism can find full play within the ensemble instrumental complex, as it never could when it had to worry about being upstaged by a vocalist. And in places, he is even lyrical.

George Martin produced, but without orchestral charts to arrange, he seems to have had very little to do, other than balance the mixes. Chances are that Beck will make better records, if he chooses to continue to work within the framework established here. The important thing about Blow By Blow, however, is that Beck seems finally to have found something to do with his talent other than waste it.
- Dave Marsh, Rolling Stone, 6/5/75.

Yngwie Malmsteen - Unleash The Fury (2005)

Genre: Guitar virtuoso, Instrumental music
Format: Flac + cue + log
Released: 2005
Label: Spitfire

01. Locked And Loaded

02. Revolution

03. Crackin’ The Whip

04. Winds of War (Invasion)

05. Crown Of Thorns

06. BogeyMan

07. Beauty And A Beast

08. Fuguetta (Instrumental)

09. Cherokee Warrior

10. Guardian Angel (Instrumental)
11. Let The Good Times Roll
12. Revelation (Drinking With The Devil)
13. Magic And Mayhem (Instrumental)
14. Exile
15. The Hunt
16. Russian Roulette
17. Unleash The Fury
18. Paraphrase (Instrumental)

Neo-classical rock guitar legend Yngwie J. Malmsteen returns with Rising Force with Unleash The Fury, a guitar shredder’s dream album! From the opening riff of "Locked & Loaded" to the 4
instrumental numbers, Malmsteen and Rising Force (Dougie White - Vocals, Patrick Johansson - Drums, Joakim Svalberg - Keyboards), produce an album that excels in every facet of musicianship. Two of the instrumentals ("Fuguetta" and "Paraphrase") are both variations of
themes composed by Bach, while "Cherokee Warrior" allows Malmsteen to show off his vocal
talents as well.
A former member of Steeler and Alcatrazz, Yngwie J. Malmsteen turned the music world on its
heads when his Rising Force album was released in 1984. The album hit #60 on the Billboard
charts and earned him a Grammy® nomination. His next album Trilogy would continue to showcase Malmsteen’s high standard of excellence, which continues to this day. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is one of rock’s greatest guitar heroes. He continues to be a featured draw in every guitar-oriented magazine on the planet. With a mix of technical playing, appreciation for classical composers, and hard rock edginess, Malmsteen is one of the most respected players around. He performed in the G3 tour in 2003 with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.

Ark - Ark 1999

Genre: Progressive Metal
Format: ape + cue + log
Released: 1999
Label: SENSORY

01. Burning Down

02. Where the Winds Blow

03. Hunchback of Notre Dame

04. Singers at the World's Dawn

05. Mother Love

06. Center Avenue

07. Can't Let Go

"Burrn!" magazine

John Macaluso, who is known as the drummer for TNT, RIOT and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN etc, Tore Ostby who is the guitarist of DC COOPER and was a member of CONCEPTION, Jorn Lande was the singer of THE SNAKES and is now working with ULI JOHN ROTH.

John, Tore and Jorn have formed the new band "ARK" and released their 1st album. Their basical music style is progressive, technical and North Europian HM style and a little like CONCEPTION.

Some songs on the album have a Latin flavour or the bluesy parts with Jorn's voice like David Coverdale. Their new songs have various music tastes. This new album is a tour de force!!

"Young Guitar" magazine

Tore Ostby, who was the guitarist of CONCEPTION, started this new project. This new album is on a basis of the hard rock style, but inluding the inquisitive mind as an artist, it also has an experimental style of sound. Examples of this are; track#2 jazz up solo part and track#3 which has the phrase of Spanish taste.Also, these tracks have the variations of the rhythm. They gave the album various expressions. This is the one of their unique characteristics!

On the other hand, I feel this work is the progressive rock from a point of view of having several musical elements. But it is not the difficult music beyond words. Just simply listen to their music from the artist side and you will get to the core of this album!

SCREAM magazine, Norway
Score: 5/6

Some of you have been waiting a very long time for this release. It is a pleasure to tell you that Tore Шstby, Jшrn Lande and John Macaluso have made a very strong record, although those of you who thought, and hoped, Tore would continue where he left with Conception, might get a little disappointed. Ark has very little in common with the former band of the excellent guitarist.

The Coverdale/Lynnot-sounding voice of Lande injects some influences from the seventies in the music, while the playing of Шstby, and the quite technical drumming of Mr. Macaluso makes it progressive.

This combination is very hard to beat. There are a lot of strong songs here, especially "Burning Down", "Where The Winds Blow" and "Singers At The Worlds Dawn".

 

Cozy Powell - Especially For You (1998)

Genre: Hard Rock
Format: flac + cue + log
Released: 1998
Label: POLYDOR

01. Man With A Mission

02. Ivory Towers

03. Why Does Love Hurt

04. Haunted By The Devil

05. Doing The Natural Thing

06. All I Wanted Was Your Love

07. Call Me Mayhem

08. The Light

09. High Time To Fly

10. Make You A Man

11. Power In The Wrong Hands

12. You're All I Believe In

Cozy's last solo studio performance before his premature death is a must have in your collection. The bonus is that the album is
full of GREAT MUSIC!! The song "High Time To Fly" should have been a hit single. This album is a gem that you will love.

 

Yngwie Malmsteen - Angels of love 2009

Genre: Guitar virtuoso
Format: Wv + cue + log + test
Released: 2009
Label: Rising Force

01. Forever One

02. Like an Angel

03. Crying

04. Brothers

05. Memories

06. Save Our Love

07. Ocean Sonata

08. Miracle of Life

09. Sorrow

10. Prelude to April

Yngwie’s core fans will be pleased anyway, even if lightning arpeggios are rarely seen (don’t bet...) in this compilation CD. The Swedish virtuoso’s rivals will have another arrow in their quiver, not to forget, even if now it’s not the time for accusing the man of infinite shredding. Who’s left then? Well, fans willing to taste alternate versions of the originals plus fans of mild music is a case study,. After listening to "Angels Of Love" for a dozen of times in a row (gazing at the attractive lady in the cover frequently, to recapture the muse tendered) it’s no wonder I’d take a glimpse again shortly.

What’s the scenario here: the ’neoclassical’ shredder compiled this album with (nearly) acoustic versions of some of his ballads all these years. Using acoustic guitars - with a slice of electricity scattered for some climax to be uncapped - and keys arrangements, Yngwie lets his inner self loose in service of the resulting equilibrium and tranquillity. Some of the songlist does not fly away from the original versions, mainly due to the inflexible composing pattern while enough songs do gain a fair new-fangled point in terms of letting loose ’parallel’ emotions once buried under the nonstop virtuosity of this mentor.

I think (did not count, it’s a general impression) the takes recorded here do not - in a whole - depict 100% of the duration of the originals; let’s just say that each tune here carries the main theme (or a set of themes) correlating to the preliminary composition. In addition, I cannot recall any existent song named "Ocean Sonata" in Malmsteen’s so far catalogue, not being a die-hard follower though...Anyway, some last notion obtained is that - due to his performance or the new arrangements or whatever - the final upshot approaches more the Uli Jon Roth blend rather than the Ritchie Blackmore pen (if only these two choices ever existed in Yngwie’s mind, haha).

Sum it up? Yeap, this is the road the Swedish maestro walks on the last quarter of a century. Nothing new in terms of style, still listening to this album while driving in the countryside, seeing beautiful landscapes, reading on a winter’s night or just sitting by the fire is some kind of a nice companion soundtrack. "Angels Of Love" is perfect as a present too, let’s propose.

On second thought: if Yngwie Malmsteen also wanted to deliver a certain message to his critics, he possibly did it... Reviewed by Grigoris

Epica - The Divine Conspiracy 2007

Genre: Symphonic/Gothic Metal
Format: Flac + cue + log
Released: 2007
Label: Nuclear Blast

01. Indigo - Prologue

02. The Obsessive Devotion

03. Menace of Vanity

04. Chasing the Dragon

05. Never Enough

06. La‘petach Chatat Rovetz - The Final Embrace

07. Death of a Dream - The Embrace that Smothers Part VII

08. Living a Lie - The Embrace that Smothers Part VIII

09. Fools of Damnation - The Embrace that Smothers Part IX

10. Holy Man (Glenn Hughes Remix)

11. Beyond Belief

12. Safeguard to Paradise

13. Sancta Terra

14. The Divine Conspiracy

In a year that saw new releases by Within Temptation and Nightwish, I was rather surprised to find that Epica's new offering turned out to be my favorite female-fronted symphonic metal release of 2007. The Divine Conspiracy is far from perfect — in fact, it has some glaring problems — but when it hits the mark, it really hits the mark. If you've heard anything in this general stylistic niche, you generally know what to expect: zero subtlety, tons of bombast, lots of catchy vocal melodies and grandiose keyboards mixed in with the chugging guitars. There are a few reasons The Divine Conspiracy rises above the rest of the pack. For one thing, Epica have gotten heavier, and at this point they're much heavier than any of their better-known peers, especially in the drumming and male vocal departments. For another, Simone Simons is at the absolute top of her game, possessing maybe the best voice in this niche now that Tarja Turunen is out of the picture.

The first five songs on this album, not including two brief instrumental introductions, are almost entirely the reason that I hold it in such high esteem. There's Simons' beautiful voice, yes, but there are also some pleasant surprises. Mark Jansen's vocals vacillate between black metal howls and death metal growls, and he is surprisingly effective at both in this context (though his death growls, which are kind of in the Mikael Åkerfeldt/Dan Swanö mold, probably wouldn't cut it in a straight-up DM band). Coen Janssen's keyboards are ridiculous and over-the-top as per the norm in this genre, but the sounds he uses are fantastic — I actually wondered if there was a real orchestra performing on this album, and when I saw them live I was pleasantly surprised to see that no, all those extremely real-sounding string sections, choruses and more are all coming from the synths. Most importantly, the compositions meld black metal brutality and symph-metal bombast (and Simons' angelic voice) seamlessly, more so than any other similar band that's tried to be this heavy.

These five songs are all almost beyond reproach in my book, with the exception of the fact that some of them are unnecessarily long by two minutes or more. This turns out to be my main criticism of the album as a whole: it's just too damn lengthy. The second half of the album tails off badly in terms of quality, to the point that "Sancta Terra" is the only song out of the last six that I listen to. It's not that these songs are actively bad, rather that they lack the hooks, melodies and memorable symphonic arrangements of the first five songs, and become just so much bombastic sonic wallpaper. Even the title track, which at 14 minutes closes out the album, is disappointing; for a closing epic I expected it to be one of the best pieces on the album, but no such luck. It starts off with suitable pomposity, all movie soundtrack drama and widescreen grandeur, but it soon loses the plot, failing to present enough ideas to justify its enormous duration.

While the same could be said of this album as a whole, the six songs that I do like are easily good enough to ensure that I think good things when I listen to this record. All the usual caveats for this kind of music apply: you absolutely have to be in the mood for extreme bombast, while at the same time accepting that a band that gives so much air time to a soprano vocalist just isn't going to be as metal as your favorite tech-death group. Still, as far as these things go, The Divine Conspiracy is one of the best albums of its kind, despite its many weaknesses, and it's certainly a massive step up from Epica's previous albums, which never really made much of an impression on me.

Konstantin Tzekov - Verticals 1995

Genre: Instrumental music / Progressive
Format: Flac + cue + log
Released: 1995
Label: -

01. 1

02. 2

03. 3

04. 4

05. 5

06. 6

07. 7

08. 8

09. 9

10. 10

Born on December 24, 1952. At 7 he started studying the piano with the famous pedagogue Lidiya Kouteva who considered him an undeniable discovery with bright talent. In 1972 he graduated her piano class in the Musical School in Sofia and in 1978 graduated the Academy of Music, the piano class of Prof. Lily Atanassova. An essential contribution to his musical education and professional
growth have his studies in harmony and composition with the great Bulgarian musician Stephan Trayanov. Both then and now Konstantin Tsekov is a brilliant pianist. His possibilities for magnificent piano career did not tempt him in the genre, which would later become his destiny. Three factors played a decisive part in this: his friendship with Alexander Bakharov and Rouen Boyadjiev; the music of "Yes" , "Genesis", Gino Vaneli and his firm decision his profession to become his hobby, and his hobby to become a profession!

This was how the three founded FSB in 1976. The studio activities in Balkanton are not only a possibility to experiment the author’s ideas, but also to establish contemporary trends in arrangements and sounds. Konstantin Tsekov is unique studio musician, an absolutist with proverbial "prima vista", having an unruffled nervous system, being a professional of a world class! All this is accompanied by sharp and delicate sensitivity, by inexhaustible creative invention. He is the author of plenty arrangements of songs written by Bulgarian composers, as well as the composer himself of numerous songs from the repertoire of Vassil Naydenov, Orlin Goranov, Yordanka Hristova, Vassil Petrov, Kameliya Todorova, Irina FlorinЃEHe is the author of documentary film music, of theatrical and children’s music. His is the music to the TV feature film "Remnants", directed by Rossen Elezov.

FSB’s pause in activities was for him "the beginnings of something new". His first authors sole album of instrumental music "Verticals", was born in 1996 as an impulse of his momentary mood. Ivan Lechev, Venko Zakhariev and Stoyan Yankoulov took part in it. A recital followed in the arts fest "Apolloniya" and many club performances with that program, as well. Konstantin Tsekov’s second album "Fish Wings", 1999 was entirely different in style. It was new confirmation of the creative potential and particular talent of his author. It was realized by the same team of musicians with the special participation of Avail Kraichovsky and Peter Slavov Jr. The solo vocals were performed by him alone, the texts were written by Jivka Shopova. Silent and concentrated in himself Konstantin Tsekov does not speak easiness both for his past and his future with FSB, but the creativity flame sparks in his eyes.

Deep Purple - Stormbringer 2009 (35th Anniversary Edition)

Genre: Rock
Format: Wv + cue + log + test + DVD
Released: 2009
Label: EMI

01. Stormbringer

02. Love Don't Mean A Thing

03. Holy Man

04. Hold On

05. Lady Double Dealer

06. You Can't Do It Right

07. High Ball Shooter

08. The Gypsy

09. Soldier Of Fortune

10. Holy Man (Glenn Hughes Remix)

11. You Can't Do It Right (Glenn Hughes Remix)

12. Love Don't Mean A Thing (Glenn Hughes Remix)

13. Hold On (Glenn Hughes Remix)

14. High Ball Shooter (Instrumental)

DEEP PURPLE Stormbringer (2009 issue UK '35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition' 2-disc set - Originally released in November 1974, 'Stormbringer' [featuring the Mark 3 line-up of the band that included David Coverdale on vocals and Glenn Hughes on bass] was the ninth studio album by Deep Purple, and prominently featured the soul and funk elements that were only hinted at on previous album 'Burn'. Sounding just as fresh as it did on original release, this 35th anniversary special edition comes with a crisp new remaster, and a host of collectable extras. Comprising the 14-track CD containing the remastered original album along with a clutch of tracks remixed by Glenn Hughes at Abbey Road [especially for this release], plus a Bonus Region 0 NTSC DVD including the original Quad mix of the album, presented in both 5.1 surround sound and stereo. Presented in sealed card slipcase complete with an extensive illustrated 24-page picture booklet)

Hughes Turner Project - HTP 2002

Genre: Rock
Format: Ape + cue + log + test
Released: 2002
Label: MTM Music

01. Devil's Road

02. You Can't Stop Rock & Roll

03. Missed Your Name

04. Mystery Of The Heart

05. Sister Midnight

06. Better Man

07. Heaven's Missing An Angel

08. Fade Away

09. Ride The Storm

10. Run Run Run

11. On The Ledge

As regular Rough Edge readers are no doubt aware, my favorite eras of Deep Purple are fronted by vocalist Ian Gillan. I've heard the other "machs" of the band, but never really followed them the way I followed (and continue to follow) the Gillan-led line-ups.

Well, judging from this outstanding CD, I'm gonna have to go back and do a little re-listening.

Hughes Turner Project features former Deep Purple vocalists Joe Lynn Turner and Glenn Hughes, trading vocals like the pros they are and delivering some incredible new music (except on "Mystery of the Heart" and "Heaven's Missing an Angel," sung exclusively by Turner and Hughes respectively). Fans of their respective Deep Purple eras will love the fresh new, Deep Purple-ish sound of "Hughes Turner Project." But you don't have to be a Deep Purple fan to like this record. It will hook you on its own accord and it will hold you throughout its nearly 66-minute running time. It's never so melodic that it sounds like Journey, and it's never so hard as to sound like nu-metal.

The CD starts out with the driving "Devil's Road," a song that will stick in your mind for days after you first listen to it. And it ends with the 7+ minute epic "On the Ledge." The sequencing of this CD is superb, with the tracks building to a crescendo, despite the fact that their rhythms vary greatly as the CD progresses.

What can be said about the vocal talents hereon? Nothing that hasn't been said hundreds of times before. They're great, to put it simply. J.J. Marsh solidly delivers the so-important six-string action (with a few guest axemen making appearances on several tracks) and Vince DiCola supplies the perfect keyboards - keys that only enhance the music, never overwhelm it.

Fans of classic rock will thrill to the twelve tracks on "Hughes Turner Project." It's easily one of the best records either Mr. Turner or Mr. Hughes have done in years.

Performing on Hughes Turner Project are: Glenn Hughes - vocals, bass; Joe Lynn Turner - vocals; J.J. Marsh - guitars; Vince DiCola - keyboards; Shane Galaas - drums and percussion. John Sykes - guitars on "Heaven's Missing an Angel." Paul Gilbert - guitar solo on "You Can't Stop Rock'n'Roll." Akira Kajiyama - guitar solo on "Ride the Storm" and "Against the Wall."
by R. Scott Bolton


Hughes Turner Project - Mystery of the Heart

Rain Fell Within - Believe (1999)

Genre: Symphonic/Gothic Metal
Format: Flac + cue + log + test
Released: 1999
Label: Dark Symphonies

01. A False Reality

02. None

03. Believe

04. Sorrow Becomes Me

05. The Sun In My Wound

The debut album from Rain Fell Within is entitled Believe (Dark Symphonies (USA) Dark 7, 2000) is a five track collection of atmospheric metal with operatic vocals. Certain to appeal to fans of Nightwish and Third and The Mortal, their music encompasses a broad range of stylistic influences including: My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost and The Gathering. The band's stated influences also include Theatre of Tragedy, Tiamat, Dead Can Dance and Amorphis. Musical Discoveries' editors were drawn to the music by the stated similarity to Nightwish and this is evidenced by lead vocalist Dawn Smith's operatic vocal contributions. Rain Fell Within, like Nightwish has effectively integrated stunning operatic vocals with metal-edged progressive arrangements.

Rain Fell Within is based in Northern Virginia (USA) and formed in October 1996. After spending 1997 writing material, Rain Fell Within recorded a 5-song demo which was not released to the public. Developing upon their symphonic style, in 1998 they released a professional demo titled "Solemn Days." The demo received excellent responses worldwide. In late 1998, the beand began writing new, more mature material than "Solemn Days" and began playing live shows. The lineup finally stabilised in mid-1999. Today the band includes Dawn Smith (vocals and keys), Charles Gore (bass), Owen Davis (guitars), Tim Miller (percussion) and Kevin Thomas (guitars).

The Believe album is comprised of four epic length, progressively influenced, tracks exceeding eight minutes whilst the closing track runs just under four minutes. The opening number, "A False Reality," serves as an excellent introduction to the band and Dawn's soaring operatic vocal prowess, multitracked extensively throughout to provide supporting backing vocal textures. The double-bass drum and metal edged guitars dominate the intrumental arrangements. The intriguing track "Alone" blends evocative operatic—yet melancholy—vocals with harder-edged metal instrumentals and lush keyboards. We especially enjoyed the fast paced instrumental bridge and accompanying vocal in the last third of the song. Dawn's incredibly powerful voice rings throughout the track and complimenting both singers, she can be favourably compared to Tarja Turunen of Nightwish.

While comparisons to Nightwish and The Third and the Mortal can not be avoided, the title track is clearly the closest allusion to Nightwish in instrumental performance, hard driving style and Dawn's stunning lead vocal part. Instrumentals are as lush as they are heavy while vocals are clearly beautiful and the contrast works quite well for Rain Fell Within as it does for Nightwish. Dawn's additional backing vocals add substantial to the overall texture of the track. "Sorrow Becomes Me" is a slower and somewhat lighter atmostpheric track with a vast range of lovely vocal excursions. The album concludes with the vocally lush "The Sun in my Wound" opening with a heavily layered a capella introduction. This stunning operatic ballad is a lovely tribute to Dawn Smith's soaring vocal work with the lightest instrumental arrangement in support.

Although the album's running time is relatively short by today's standards, the quality of the tracks included on Believe is outstanding. Rain Fell Within are indeed a very powerful atmospheric metal band that demonstrate progressive influences in their work. We found Dawn Smith's vocals stunning in every respect and think that this album should be explored to listen to her sing if for no other reason. Interested readers should listen to the tracks at Rain Fell Within's mp3.com website. Worth a long distance journey and extensive investigation, Believe is certainly a must listen! Review 27 January 2000


Rain Fell Within - The Sun In My Wound