Ghost Avenue-Ghost Avenue

Pitch Black Records
2013

Ghost Avenue, who were formerly known as simply Ghost, were formed in 2002. I'll take a wild stab in the dark here and guess that the name change had something to do with the fact that they were being overshadowed by the Swedish band Ghost (who have now changed names to Ghost B.C.). It's more perception then reality though (the one Ghost overshadowing the other Ghost) as Ghost Avenue, especially when it comes to this self-titled release, offers up a fresh take on melodic heavy metal as we'll soon see. This self-titled, 11-track LP, is the follow-up to Ghost Avenue's 2010 debut-album, "The Engraving". While that album was self-produced and self-released, which didn't stop it at all from receiving good reviews, this new disc was mixed and mastered by Vagelis Maranis at Maranis Studios in Germany. Getting extra help in the studio has only helped this group from the looks of it as this 11-track recording features one catchy track after another. Up front you've got lead vocalist Kim Sandvik who, just like many other hard rock and heavy metal singers who have come before him, has a voice that is forceful enough for guys to get into (this is heavy metal after all) and yet his voice is also smooth enough that one could easily see girls swooning over him. If that doesn't make you think of 80's hard rock and heavy metal bands then I'm not sure would! He has that same kind of raw sexuality/animal magnetism that made bands like Van Halen, Skid Row, Mötley Crüe and Guns N' Roses all too popular with the ladies of the day!  Music-wise there is some of those same influences to Ghost Avenue's sound ( or more specifically Van Halen, Skid Row and Guns N' Roses), but then again there's a fair bit of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Saxon going on here to. Especially when it comes to guitarists Øystein Wiik & André Berger. Here's one of those albums where the music might be contemporary, but the lead solos seem as if they have been ripped right out of the playbooks of some real classic acts.  The guitars on "Ghost Avenue" bring to mind (all at once) both G N' R and Judas Priest, but the band is neither sleazy or sinister. Reference points would be more then appropriate when talking about this Norwegian act I suppose. While it's a sound that is every bit as contemporary as they come there is still a lot of riffs that seem like they have fallen out of time and onto this album. But that just comes easy when we're talking about a talented band like this whose game-play come from such a wide range of classic acts. In a way Ghost Avenue, which also features bass guitarist Magnus Liseter and drummer Petter Lein within it's ranks, reminds me of band's like Leatherwolf, early Sinner (especially Sinner's "Danger Zone" album), Mainiax, Cities, Lions Breed, Salem UK, California's Blitzkrieg and Lion (both of which were 80's metal bands), Canada's Fist, Lady Killer and Leather Nunn. There's quite a few other reference points I'd like to add to that list, but only album art flashes through my mind and not actual  band names. That's not really all that important though as Ghost Avenue, while indeed a combination of 80's heavy metal, classic hard rock, melodic metal and what not, are more about being true to themselves. That and they're more about being original than being just another mere carbon-copy of so and so's band or another retched, retro-loving act. That does bring up another point about this band as, unlike a lot of other bands these days playing a hybrid of hard rock and heavy metal (whether retro or not), the individuals in Ghost Avenue strive to be original at any and all cost! To that end they employ a lot of classic rock and roll hallmarks to their hard and heavy metal. So these guys might be flirting with eighties metal and eighties hard rock while they also flirt with the sounds of modern rock and roll. The leads might be metallic, but they are complex and catchy and man, they flat out rock! And what's metal without a little bit of melody? Ghost Avenue know how to write songs that have heavy metal's energy and attitude while also having enough melodic moments to keep this self-titled album from being too one-dimensional. It's a thing of beauty. If melody is a bad word word to you though then try not to worry so much. Norway’s Ghost Avenue can be every bit as melodic as the next melodic rock act and their music can be every bit as catchy as they want it to be (and hell if it isn't just about some of the catchiest rock-based material I've heard in awhile!). But when it comes right down to it the band end's up having more then enough balls to court the headbanging crowd! Pitch Black Records has scored big with this band and seeing as they are still somewhat young in their career, while they've also been around the block a few times, the future should point to even bigger and better things from this group. For the meantime though I'm not sure how I'm going to squeeze another killer album into my list of "The Best of 2013". It might just be that some band/album will need to be knocked aside as this 11-track album is way too fucking wild to be ignored! 

Ambush-Demo Tape

Self-Release/Independent
2013

I'm far beyond the point of being surprised when some new "latest & greatest" heavy metal band pops up from Sweden. Don't mistake that statement for cynicism though. Anymore it's almost a given that if you wait long enough (like say 5 minutes or so LOL!) some new band will arrive on the scene and prove that yes, Sweden really does seem to be the center of the universe when it comes to ass-kicking, old-school heavy metal! This one, which was formed on November 27th in 2012 and, well,  let's just let re-post the part that hooked me (in regards to the band forming on said day back in November of 2012): "...five guys were sitting in a basement and shared a couple of beers, listening to old school 80’s Heavy Metal. In the middle of all joviality, they somehow felt nostalgic and a bit frustrated that various new productions could not measure up to the old pure masterpieces. They decided to do something about it and as a result, Ambush was born". And that's it. Otherwise I have the band members involved, but no one is listed as to who plays what. Instead the information, which I originally scanned on my friend Stappado's site:http://strappadometalblog.blogspot.com/ , is somewhat vague. We've got:
Linus Fritzson
Olof Engkvist
Oskar Jacobsson
Ludwig Sjöholm
Adam Hagelin

OK, not that it matters as it's the music that it's all about right? Well, first off don't let the "demo tape" tag mislead you. This one sounds amazing (in a perfectly blissful combination of old school and modern production) and is available on all the usual digital sites (iTunes, Amazon, etc.). The 4-track EP really had me feeling good as this Tygers Of Pan Tang meets Demon vibe laid down soft kisses on my ear drums! On the off chance that some record label might be reading this then here's a bit of advice: SIGN THIS GROUP! Considering all of the crap retro heavy metal acts that have already flushed away the joy that is sincere heavy metal and what not it's band's like this that are the real deal and will serve as the true saviors of real traditional heavy metal! Ambush, who share a similar name with more then a few other groups (including, confusingly enough, an older Ambush also from Sweden), come off less as some novelty act (despite how they may have come together initially) and more as a band playing music that comes naturally from their souls. Given the fact that this digital EP is really inexpensive (less then $4.00) it's a no-brainer for fans of the NWOBHM scene or traditional heavy metal in general. Let's just hope though that this is just the start for this Ambush and that as time goes by we get better (read: LONGER) releases that would really shine of vinyl!

https://www.facebook.com/Ambushsweden 

Leviticus-The Strongest Power

Ektro
2013
  
Here's a cult release that I've only read about but never heard. Or at least I've never heard presented with such a clean and clear sound. Due for release on August 16th, which means that those of us who have waited to hold a copy of this legendary album in our hands will have to wait just a little bit longer, this album is considered to be a classic in the field of Christian heavy metal. Here's the deal though. Once again we're talking about a Christian metal release that you don't have to be a Christian to enjoy. Originally released in 1985, to great reviews from both the Christian and secular press, the album would help signal the arrival of "white metal".  While it wasn't the first release by Leviticus, as they had first hit the scene with an EP in 1982, it was arguably their best piece of work at that point in their career. It would go on to be the group's breakout moment and it would forever link this Swedish act as one of the most important bands in the history of Christian heavy metal. That says a lot about the staying power of this classic as there have been countless classic Christian heavy metal releases since this first hit the stores. Like many other groups from that same time period this Swedish act, who initially sang entirely in Swedish before re-releasing the album "Jag Skall Segra" in English in 1984, drew from the earlier sounds of the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement. Formed in 1981, and lead by skilled guitarist Bjorn Stigsson, Leviticus played a refreshing form of real heavy metal that helped prove that Christian heavy metal could compete with secular heavy metal. That might sound silly now (as there are hundreds (probably thousands) of Christian heavy metal, thrash and death metal groups that have crossed over into the mainstream), but at the time you would have been hard pressed to find one this good, this talented and one this universally praised. That being said, I do recall how some critics (over the years I had read scores of reviews for this album before I was actually able to hear this album all the way through) had gone to great lengths to point out the cheese factor that exists of "The Strongest Power". While you can't deny that it exists within these tracks it's not like it was standing all by itself in an open field or anything! As the band embraced not only the British heavy metal style of the day, as well as the aforementioned nwobhm influences, but also the 80's metal scene in general (both here in the states and overseas) they were only rocking out in the same way that most groups were rocking out back then. Only with Leviticus it wasn't girls, goblins, dragons, witches and knights of old themes that infiltrated their lyrics. Instead it was (to quote the promo here) "traditional heavy metal themes - individuality, freedom, power, glory, rocking, running in the night" that swept through this album and amounted to "cheese" for some. I get that and then again I don't as some of the reviewers of old would dismiss this album while praising other similarly-cut 80's bands. It is what it is I guess but in no way does it take away from the enjoyment of listening to this pioneering Christian heavy metal group for the first time. And you know what? It won't be the last time I check out this re-release as we're talking about some well-written, hook-crazy music here that is right down the line straight and true heavy metal. I'll be adding a CD copy of this album to my personally collection when it rolls out next month. This LP is the sound of traditional heavy metal in all of it's dressed-up and looking good glory! It's a thing of beauty and one cult-metal release that I'm glad to see getting a modern re-release. The band deserves it and so do the fans.

Panndora-Behind the Crime

Self-Release/Independent
2012

It was some months ago that I followed up on a suggestion that I needed to track down this 3-track EP. As a fan of female-fronted heavy metal/all women metal bands this one held the promise of being right up my alley. Panndora's "Behind the Crime" actually follows in the footsteps of the band's second full-length album,  "Heretic's Box" which I do plan to cover down the road a bit. With that said I've got to admit to the fact that I had half-forgot about asking for this promo material when I got a message that it was on it's way. Panndora were nice enough to send me their "Heretic's Box" as a bonus so I thank them for that in advance. As the group hails from Maringá, Paraná (Brazil) the bulk of material (in regards to info about the band) is not in English, but that doesn't really have any effect on the group in general so no biggie. This all-ladies heavy metal act was formed in 2000 and, per the Metal Archives, were initially known as Wind Of Fate. This 3 track EP was recorded at Refrão Studio and Burn Studio (Maringá-PR) in 2012 with one of the tracks, "Cold Eyes", getting the royal music video treatment at the start of 2013. Said video is linked below. So, you might be asking yourself "Self, what makes Panndora tick?" and the answer to that is STRAIGHT-UP ASS-KICKING METAL! The influences range from the obvious/big name bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Kiss, Twisted Sister and AC/DC to the more subtle/not so-much big name groups like Doro/Warlock, Acid, Warlord, Running Wild, Vixen, Grim Reaper, Quiet Riot, Wasp and Grave Digger. Some folks have always drawn connections to the sound of Sacred Blade which I wouldn't deny, but I'd add on the likes of Omen, Exxplorer, Leatherwolf, Sacred Rite and Lizzy Borden. In other words these 4 ladies flat-out slay the metal dragon! If there's a downside to be had it's the short length. It leaves you primed and ready for more, but you're left longing. Thankfully I still have the other album to dig into so I won't fall into that trap myself. As these lovely metal maidens are from Brazil mainstream success will be a challenge for them, but others have done it before and, with the right label and promotional department behind them, Panndora could very easily break out to! For more information be sure to check out their Facebook page and the band's own site.
http://panndora.net/
https://www.facebook.com/panndoraband
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=43tKKZXCgtM (video of "Cold Eyes")

Huntress-Starbound Beast

Napalm Records
2013

For new bands sophomore releases can make or break you. While a good follow-up will help you build upon any success you previously had a bad follow-up can quickly allow critics a chance to bury you. With "Starbound Beast" I approached this album with no expectations. Even though I happened to like the debut-album from Huntress, 2012's "Spell Eater", I have to admit that repeated listens eventually made me long for more. On "Spell Eater" I came to languish missed opportunities. After listening to it over and over you'd think that it would resonate more with me, but the opposite actually happened where I started to nit pick flaws. So here, with a blank expression on my face, I looked into this promo and, seeing as I was in the mist of a potentially busy day, I actually made a copy of this album (For my own listening pleasure and no one else!) to listen to in my car as I ran a day's worth of errands. And wouldn't you know it this album shreds! "Starbound Beast" is such a HUGE step-forward that it's hard not to get overly excited about cool, straight-up, traditional heavy metal! Jill Janus (The band's provocative power-house vocalist) sounds much more in tune with her band-mates and, while I didn't go back and pull out "Spell Eater" for a side-by-side comparison, it sure does sound as if she is more adapt at actually "singing" on LP number two! Overall the band seems as if they have really jelled together and are more comfortable as a genuine band (Initially the group was made up of ex-Professor members with Jill as a new singer so it is possible that on album number one they were still feeling their way around being a new band.) and, as such, are more capable of writing more unique and tighter material. With 10-tracks total, one of which is simply the album's intro opening, the band puts all of their effort and energy into making sure that things are down right. With cuts like "Blood Sisters" and the "not for the kiddies" thrasher "I Want To F**k You To Death" pulling no punches up front the rest of the album flows easily through the band's take on kick ass metal. Yet again the group relies on the same sort of influences as album number one (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Taist Of Iron, Witchfinder General, Black Sabbath, Cirith Ungol, Chastian, Mercyful Fate) but here it's all the more original and natural sounding. Between albums it does appear that there was a bit of a line-up change as now the band features two former members of the group DarkBlack (The latest one, Anthony Crocamo, handles guitar along with founding member Blake Meahl while original second guitarist Ian Alden has now switched to bass.) but the switch-ups hasn't affected the band in any ill way. Now, while the group (musically at least) sounds similar, the lyrical content has taken a step forward as evident on the title cut which, odd as it may sound, takes it's cue from the likes of Blue Öyster Cult. With "Starbound Beast" the band continues their exploration of space and the various nuances of occult rock that began on their first LP (For example album number one had cuts like  "Sleep Of Death" which, according to lead singer Jill Janus, dealt with space travel.) and will no doubt pop up on further releases. At least let's hope for further releases seeing as the group has made some nice leaps between album number one and album number two with this new one being highly recommended!