Gordian Knot - Gordian Knot (1999)

Format: flac + cue + log

Genre: Progressive Rock, Metal, Instrumental

Release Date: 1999

Label: Sensory

AMG Review
Star-studded projects often add up to very little, but Gordian Knot's eponymous debut turns out to be one of the best progressive rock albums released in the last years of the second millennium. And that's thanks to the fact that Sean Malone held on to the reins, guiding the project to its goal of finely crafted guitar-driven instrumental songs. Malone has a prog metal background, so do most of his guests (Cynic drummer Sean Reinert, King Crimson guitarist Trey Gunn, Dream Theater bassist John Myung, along with Ron Jarzombek and Glenn Snelwar). And yet the album only has a couple of tracks that can be qualified as "metal" ("Rivers Dancing," "Singularity"). Everything else falls into the guitar craft of the likes of David Torn and Robert Fripp. "Galois" opens the set with a seductive soundscape. "Code/Anticode" is the album's main showcase, an intelligent prog rocker with a solid rhythm section and a catchy modal melody. "Reflections" manages to make a menacing metal verse and a classical guitar chorus walk hand in hand like two lovers. "Srikara Tal" and "Redemption's Way" work as a soloing frame over a slightly North African percussion backdrop. They feel a bit overstretched, but the guitar work adorning them is worth the extended durations. The album ends with "Grace," a delicate ballad played on the Chapman stick that dissolves into soundscapes to take listeners back to where they started. If it weren't for a couple of overlong or self-indulgent tracks, this album would be a masterpiece. As it is, it still deserves the attention of any guitar fan.

Therion - A'Arab Zaraq Lucid Dreaming 1997

Genre: Modern Classical, Symphonic Metal, Heavy Metal
Format: flac + cue + log
Released: 1997
Label: Nuclear Blast

Sound: This is probably the best album to introduce new listeners to Therion. This is a very well orchestrated and guitar oriented album that dips even towards classical music. The choirs and duos in this album are also very intriguing to hear. This is also the second post pure death metal album showing the shift from former death metal to progressive/gothic metal.

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are first of all Written by Thomas Karlsson the leader of the occult group "Dragon Rouge". These Lyrics always tell the Beliefs and ideals. The choirs and singer both chime in finely and sound good with the music. The female and male duets are also a good listen with shifts. The solo soprano singers just like on Lepaca Kliffoth though on this album the singers are greatly impressive. The lyrics if dissected by what is being said can be moving or at least challenge how one thinks.

Impression: I like this album the most of any Therion I have heard. If you like bands like Nightwish and also Kamelot this is somewhere in between in sounds. I really like the Symphony of the Dead Instrumental and The Quiet Desert are great tracks. I sometimes wish this was a little less symphonic and more metal oriented yet it is a true Masterpiece nonetheless. If This was Stolen I would be happy the person had the taste to find this and be angry I would have to wait to get this shipped but would certainly buy this again. I personally think this is also the best way to listen to Therion for the first time as appose to Deggial which takes a bit of an open mind and a taste for classical music. ~ Reviewed by: tbarrettl

1. In Remembrance

2.Bl

ack Fairy (European Metal Version)

3. Fly To The Rainbow

(Scorpions cover)

4. Children Of The Damned

(Iron Maiden cover)

5. Under Jolly Roger

(Running Wild cover)

6. Symphony Of The Dead

(new instrumental version)

7. Here Comes The Tears

(Judas Priest cover)

Therion Versions

8. Enter Transcendental Sleep

9. The Quiet Desert

10. Down The Qliphotic Tunnel

11. Up To Netzach / Floating Back

Original Soundtrack "The Golden Embrace"

12. The Fall Into Eclipse

13. Enter Transcendental Sleep

14. The Gates To A'Arab Zaraq Are Open

15. The Quiet Desert

16. Down The Qliphotic Tunnel

17. Up To Netzach

18. Floating Back

Christofer Johnsson: Guitar, Hammond organ, Keyboards, Gran Piano

Piotr Wawrzeniuk: Drums, Vocals

Jonas Mellberg: Guitar, Keyboard

Lars Rosenberg: Bass

Dan Swanö: Vocals

Tobbe Sidegård: Vocals

Peter Tägtgren: Additional lead guitars

Gottfried Koch: Acoustic guitar, Grand Piano

All choir and solo opera singing on this album were done by

Bettina Stumm: Soprano

Raphaela Mayhaus: Soprano

Marie-Therese Kubel: Alto

Ergin Onat: Tenor

Klaus Bülow: Bass

Joachim Gebhardt: Bass

CD in a 4-page foldout Digipak with additional booklet containing liner notes.

Tracks 1-3 recorded during the "Theli" session at Impuls Music Studio, Germany, Jan-March 1996.

Tracks 4-5 recorded in a session at Abyss Studio, Sweden, June 1996.

Tracks 6-7 recorded at Impuls Music Studios, Germany, Dec. 1996. Track 6 was originally released onthe "Beyond Sanctorum" album in 1992. At first, it was also planned to rerecorded "Dawn OfPerishness" from the "Symphony Masses" album, but as the result wasn't suitable, Christofer Johnssondecided to go for a Judas Priest cover instead.

Tracks 8-11 recorded in a session at Impuls Music Studios, Germany, Dec. 1996. The tracks are socalled "Therionized" versions of the songs from the soundtrack.

Tracks 12-18 taken from the original soundtrack to "The Golden Embrace" Art Movie (1997) by PerAlbinsson.

Track 3 originally performed by Scorpions (1974).

Track 4 originally performed by Iron Maiden (1982).

Track 5 originally performed by Running Wild (1987).

Track 7 originally performed by Judas Priest (1976).

Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force - Perpetual Flame (2008)

Perpetual Flame (2008)

Genre: Metal
Format: Flac+ cue + log
Released: 2008
Label: Rising Force Records
Number of Discs: 1

Line Up :

Yngwie Malmsteen- lead/rhythm/acoustic/synthesizer guitars, bass, keyboards, sitar and vocals
Tim "Ripper" Owens - vocals
Patrick Johansson - drums
Derek Sherinian - keyboards

Bjorn Englen - bass

Track Listings:

01 - Death Dealer

02 - Damnation Game

03 - Live To Fight (Another Day)

04 - Red Devil

05 - Four Horsemen (Of The Apocalypse)

06 - Priest Of The Unholy

07 - Be Careful What You Wish For

08 - Caprici Di Diablo

09 - Lament

10 - Magic City

11 - Eleventh Hour

12 - Heavy Heart

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure to speak directly with guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen (see link below). We agreed that 2008 was quickly developing into a very special year for him. First, he had just finished the highly successful European leg of his tour and was just about to begin dates in North America. Also, he was about to be inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk an achievement that he described as ‘humbling’. Not only that, but he has also teamed up with the Fender Custom Shop to release an updated limited edition Yngwie signature model.
Now to cap it all off we have the release of his latest album Perpetual Flame (Rising Force Records, October 2008). During the interview I asked Yngwie about the album’s title. "I guess the clue is in the title of the album, Perpetual Flame. That fire is still burning in you…", to which he replied, "That’s very perceptive of you. That is exactly what I wanted to say with the album. Thanks for picking up on it."

If anyone needs confirmation that the fire does indeed still burn then the first thirty seconds of the album’s opener “Death Dealer” will confirm it in huge great neon letters. Teaming up with ex-Judas Priest singer Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens for the first time has proved to be something of a match made in Yngwie heaven. If ever a vocalist could deliver the sheer passion and power alongside his guitar then Tim has to be that man.

“Death Dealer” comes with all the classical undercurrent that has become his trademark. The first scream from Owens marks his arrival in real style. “Damnation Game” with its opening riff to match its title continues the pace without pausing for breath. The dark, sinister, “Live To Fight” starts off with a Black Sabbath style bell tolling in the distance.

“Red Devil”, a more straight-on heavy rock number, has the Ripper ion great form. The rest of the band is made up of Michael Troy on keys, Bjorn Englen on bass, and Patrick Johnsson Continuing as drummer . The rave reviews from the European tour confirm their credentials.
“Four Horsemen” has Yngwie riding his Fender at characteristically breakneck speed. “Priest Of The Unholy” and “Be Careful What You Wish For” keep the pace and momentum going.

During that same interview I asked him if there was anything technically more difficult on the album. The answer was the instrumental pieces. Sure enough, “Caprici Di Diablo”, loaded with classical overtones, sounds physically impossible to play. It goes without saying that Yngwie somehow pulls it off with all his usual lightning speed. “Lament” has that richness of sound and remarkable precision that is so familiar to fans of him. It too is an instrumental in the classical tradition and with the same complexity as its predecessor. It follows on superbly with the pair marking an album highlight.

“Eleventh Hour” has The Ripper, back on vocals with a lusciously eastern vibe. It has you dreaming of minarets, sand, heat, and mystery. “Heavy Heart” takes us back into the instrumental as only, and I mean only, Yngwie can play them. The atmospheric “Magic City” ends the album magnificently.

The second half of Perpetual Flame is particularly strong and contains many classic, please excuse the pun, examples of Yngwie’s undeniable mastery. The instrumental tracks will underline just how on fire the man is.

He seemed pleased when I mentioned the significance of Perpetual Flame’s title. Having heard it, I can see why. It confirms in no uncertain terms that Yngwie Malmsteen still has the passion, energy, drive, and incredible technical ability to produce some utterly sublime treasures.

Despite his endearing modesty, when he is inducted onto that Rock Walk it is no more than he deserves. He is without doubt one of the all time guitar legends and this album adds further weight to his already huge reputation. Thanks Yngwie.