As much as I relish in heavy metal with all its glory of powerful guitars, fast drumming and high pitched vocals, I am also in love with certain flavors of melodic rock where a passionate voice, piano and personal lyrics, in a usually very soft way make a special connection. Similar for both, vastly different approaches, is that without a convincin....
This is a live recording from a concert in Tampa in 1992 known as The Farewell show because it was the last show where Jon Oliva fronted the band for a whole concert and it was supposed to be his last concert with Savatage. That is all the facts I have from the VHS tape I traded back in the day. It is also the last concert with Jon and Criss Oliva ....
I'm currently awaiting the arrival of Death Dealer's debut album, so to make the time go by a bit faster, I pulled out this Cage album for a spin. Time did indeed seem to speed up.
This opener from the Cain's Offering debut sets the stage for something grand. With an interesting structure, high speed, lush keys, a special atmosphere and brilliant singing, the song immediately swept me away. Through time it has kept growing.
The whole album, Gather The Faithful, managed to capture some special sense of melancholy, not usua....
Ray Wilson is back with a new solo album, sure to please existing fans and bring new ones into the fold. Chasing Rainbows holds everything I already love about his music and adds a few surprises in order to keep the evolution between albums going.
I discovered Ray Wilson back in 2003 with his first solo album Change, and was immediately captivat....
If you have any deeper interest in computers whatsoever then this book is for you.
"Hackers: Heroes Of The Computer Revolution" covers the years 1958 - 1983 and concentrates on a number of characters who had major roles in the computer revolution, the transition of the computer from a shared corporate mainframe to personal home entertainment sys....
If there was ever a song that has become my favorite by a particular band in record time it is this one. Enuff Z'Nuff have delivered a plethora of gems over the past 20+ years, but this one has surpassed them all. The grand opening sets the stage for something special and suddenly slows down and brings the atmosphere down to a very close and person....
As the song commences four high pitch screams slice through the air and completely overshadow the manic drumming and guitar riffs that provide the background. Having called down the power of the four elements, the song continues with a fast galloping rythm and a frenzy of guitar riffs, speeding up to overdrive just before the first verse commences.....
Tonight he grins again is among my favorites from the Streets album. The piano melody intertwined with the far away guitar wail is an inspired touch that sets a special atmosphere right from the beginning. Jon Oliva's vocal delivery is completely convincing and he draws the listener right into the despairing soul of the main charac....
My favorite Pretty Maids song is hard to choose, but "Dead or Alive" often takes the honor. It has the heaviness, the melody and the special powerful touch that characterizes Pretty Maids. Ronnie Atkins' voice is raw and in-your-face and the music is tight and forceful, delivering the 'Fight for your beliefs' message with conviction.....
Kamelot has the ability to write songs that feel perfect. Forever is one of those slick songs that click perfectly. Song for Roland was my favorite Kamelot song for a long time, but Forever eventually took the honor. While the song does not have the genius guitar riff of the aforementioned song, it....
A soft bass line gently eases you into this mother of a rock song. In the opening moments Chip & Donnie's harmony vocals bring an uplifting feeling to the song while the main melody is delivered Derek Frigo style, through a blazing guitar solo. There is a great groove to the song and as it slowly unfolds it is very hard not to sing along. It is the....
Hell Yeah! It is a gratifying feeling to discover music such as this in this day and age.
Those were my first thoughts back in 2007 when I discovered the album. Proving that it was not just a fad, Hell Destroyer still holds up today, 6 years later, and is as entertaining and goddamn brilliant as ever. Cage play Heavy Metal with so much spirit i....
This highly emotional piece of music brings out the essence of Buddy Lackey (aka Devon Graves). His solo album is worth tracking down if you want to hear something different and a must for fans of DeadSoul Tribe, Psychotic Waltz or just progressive metal in general. The song combines several elements in a completely convincing way and right from th....
A powerful Heavy Metal hymn that felt like a fresh blow of air from a time long gone, back in 2002 when it was released. It has indeed proven to be timeless and I find it impossible not to kneel down, raise my hands in the air and sing along in any kind of party situation. Eric Adams' voice is forceful and feels like a source of unlimited power, th....
Pretty Maids are masters of creating melodic songs that capture you right away. How else can you explain the beginning to this song? Perfectly infatuating, that is what this song is. From the bombastic beginning through the sing-a-long chorus, this is Heavy Rock at its most melodic. Interestingly my relationship with Hell On High Heels and Pretty M....
I have been an avid follower of the Italian band Doomsword ever since I listened to their second album, Resound The Horn, and was captured by their slow moving and incredibly epic Heavy Metal. Since then the band has evolved and sped up their music, while keeping their essence intact. The doom part is still evident through grinding, drawn out guita....
If 2010's Pandemonium was a reminder that Pretty Maids is still a force to be reckoned with, then Motherland takes that reminder and stresses it with 13 intensely neat and tightly controlled underscores. The album is consistent, varied, well made and delivers heavy metal which is equally heavy and melodic. If you are a Pretty Maids fan then that is....
This is without doubt my most cherished Manowar video bootleg. It might bend the bootleg definition a bit since this is a professional recording with multiple cameras but it has never been officially released. The video and sound quality is average but well balanced and good enough to can enjoy the show without being annoyed.
And what a show! O....
This is an audience recording of an acoustic show by the two main songwriters of Enuff Z’nuff, Donnie Vie and Chip Z’nuff. The location is unknown and my best guess is that the show was recorded in 1993. What is certain is that this is an excellent show with Donnie in great shape. The sound is pretty good in spite of being taped in the audience som....
Simple means do not always result in a simple outcome. Equal amounts of wildness and emotion in the voice and the guitar set Savatage apart from the rest. In this song Criss Oliva (R.I.P.) uses his guitar to create a sense of foreboding and horror while Jon Oliva delivers just that by singing with total conviction. The main guitar riff is absolutel....
Back in time when I first listened to Painkiller, I was completely blown away by its speed and power. It was the most aggressive thing I had ever heard. From the opening title track to the final, majestic One shot at glory you will not be in doubt that this is Heavy Metal in its purest form. It is my favorite Judas Priest album and....
Pain of Salvation is a fusion of so many different parts and emotions that I can feel myself drowning in just one of their songs. This is one of those songs. ! Is a whirlpool of different ingredients that together make a great impact. Daniel Gildenlöw's voice is filled with emotions ranging from rage and anger to tenderness and he pulls it off with....
The pinnacle of my favorite Judas Priest album. It is a glorious song that soars high and leaves me in an energized state of mind. The blazing guitar work is nothing short of brilliant and Rob Halford delivers an equally intense performance. See my album review for more details.....
Update: Updated and re-wrote parts of the article. This article serves as a welcome message to all and an update to those who used to frequent the old RevelationZ Magazine website.
I don't know where the years have gone
Memories can only last so long
Like faded photographs, forgotten songs
And the things I never knew
When the skin is thin, the heart shows through
Please believe me what I tell you is true
