Review by Reno

Well I have to say that the Japanese release of this superb album is pretty disappointing. Not only does it NOT have any bonus tracks like the one that was advertised and listed on the album page (and later removed from the description) and also discussed in the bonus dvd titled 'Critical Mass' but this edition is also missing one track from the album that is on all the European and domestic releases, track 05 Four Horsemen (Of the Apocalypse), I had to buy a domestic copy of the album to get this awesome song, it would've been great to have it on the SHM 'Ltd. Edition' cd but oh well. The only things that make buying the Japanese release worth it is if you buy the Ltd. Edition with bonus DVD and SHM-CD version of the album, the sound on the SHM cd is great and sounds better/clearer than my domestic release (but could that just be better Japanese mastering?), the bonus DVD although short is interesting to get a little more insight on the new album. ***Do NOT waste your money on the Regular Edition Japanese pressing, it is not SHM format and is missing track 5 and has no bonuses whatsoever.*** The First Pressing of this Japanese Ltd. Edition was also supposed to include a Mobile Strap/Keychain that was not included in my order even though I ordered a first pressing and got confirmation, don't know what happened with that... Aside from Universal Music Japan dropping the ball on this Japanese release, the album is superbly mixed and overall very good. I was skeptical at first of Tim Owens on vocals but I found that he lent his singing talents fairly well to the music and did an overall decent job. The guitar work is amazing as always, Malmsteen has once again created a fine apparatus of musical ingenuity. Had this release included the 5th track like its domestic/European counterparts or even included a bonus track I would've given it 5 Stars, but since Universal shorted us on this Japanese edition I have shorted my rating to only 4 Stars.

Third CD of a cover series, though unlike the first two this one had various Artists performing the selected songs, which were not all Heavy Metal songs despite the series name (All For Heavy Metal) just like the first CD's. All I can say about this CD was it was a nice attempt at a cover Album but it fell very short of great. Some of the songs were done no justice at all and even sounded horrible, where as others were decent sounding enough, some would've been excellent covers had the vocals not killed more than one song on this CD, otherwise it would've been more pleasant. The production was great though, too bad a better selection of songs were not used and some better Bands chosen to cover them. Had it not been for the final cover track by Galneryus (Black Diamond) this CD would've been a complete let down, for me that song alone made the CD worth buying, and I recommend it for that song alone. Highlights: Atomic Tornado - Invitation, Eagle Fly Free 3rd Strike - Paranoid Ritual Carnage - Metal Militia Galneryus - Black Diamond

Second EP CD from Galneryus, a Melodic Metal Band fronted by Animetal/Aushvitz/Valkyr Guitar Virtuoso, Syu. This EP is definately a CD that any fan of Galneryus/Syu must have in their collection, and I highly recommend it, why?, because the 3 songs included are not the same as on their Full Length Debut CD (The Flag Of Punishment), they were re-written and re-recorded for the Debut CD Release. Personally, I thought these early versions were heavier and had more power and feeling to them than those on the Full Length Debut, not that the Album versions were any less great, I just find myself listening to these versions more than the ones on the Album which are still excellent songs. Like the first EP, this one also features support Musicians on Bass (Syogo Himuro), Keyboards (Yoshinori Kataoka), and Drums (Toshihiro Yui) Highlights Include: The Entire EP

Swedish Melodic Metallers Dragonland are back with their 3rd Album Release 'Starfall', an Album 2 years in the making, the Band has been working and writing diligently since Holy War, and it definately shows on this Album. They've taken a step in a new direction with their musical style, a change for the better I think, straying from the usual run-of-the-mills Power Metal, Dragonland have evolved both lyrically and in their musical composition, there are no dragons and armour on this release, but that makes this Album no less great. The production on the Album was Excellent, not over-produced like some Bands, but who could expect anything less from Evergrey's Tom Englund?, he even did some guest Vocals and Guitar Work on the Album, along with Henrik Danhage, Arnold Lindberg and Johanna Andersson(Dark Tranquility - Projector). Highlights Include: As Madness Took Me Starfall The Shores Of Our Land The Book Of Shadows Trilogy Rusty Nail (Bonus Track) X Japan fans will also find a treat on this Album with the Bonus Track cover of 'Rusty Nail', definately making this Album worth buying. This Album is a winner, it's really a masterpiece of musicianship, definately Dragonland's Best work to date.

Ground breaking debut Album from UK Extreme Melodic Power Metallers, DragonForce. An Album 3 years in the making, expertly blending catchy Choruses, lightning fast Leads, soaring Vocals, crunching Rhythms backed by a great Keyboard ensamble with enough Double Bass kicking to satisfy even the hungriest Power Metal fan. DragonForce have succeeded in breaking the boundaries of Power/Melodic Metal by creating their own unique sound/style that has taken the Metal world by storm. I enjoyed this Album from start to finish, the production was excellent and top notch in every aspect, every song seemed to flow perfectly, the ballad (Starfire) also fit pefectly and was very well done, it was also a nice change from the twin Guitar assault from Herman and Sam. I highly recommend this Album to any person that loves good, fast, Heavy Metal that can appreciate lots of lead Guitars that will blow you away! Highlights Include: Valley Of The Damned Black Fire Revelations Evening Star Where Dragons Rule (Bonus Track) The Japan Only Bonus Track really makes this Album complete and worth going the extra distance to obtain this version of the CD.

Topping out at 215 beats per minute (Cry Of The Brave), DragonForce comes back with their sophmore release 'Sonic Firestorm', rightfully titled as this Album is a non-stop, never-ending fast paced Guitar assault back into the Extreme side of Power Metal! Blastbeats, Solo after Solo, Bass Tapping and Sweeps, Catchy Choruses, a heart-wrenching ballad, awesome production, not to mention, the fastest Power Metal song around, this Album seems to have topped their Debut in every department further solidifying DragonForce's place in the innovative Extreme Power Metal genre they created. I was impressed with every song from start to finish and recommend it to anyone who loves their Metal fast and heavy. Highlights Include: My Spirit Will Go On Fields Of Despair Dawn Over A New World Cry Of The Brave (Bonus Track) As with their Debut CD, the Japan Only Bonus Track is is more than enough of a reason to buy this version of the CD, especially if you want to hear DF's fastest and one of their most intense songs to date.

Maxi-Single From Stratovarius's Self Titled latest release. One has to ask themself, and then be tempted to ask Timo Tolkki, why?, why put a techno remix of one of the songs on this Single?, why even make it?, I guess the answer to that can be found somewhere amidst all the drama and shocking headlines Timo has made before this Album (Stratovrius) was recorded and released. Me personally, I can only think that it was included as a joke to anger some of the fans that ridiculed and poked fun at the Band and Timo during his 'crisis'. As the trend in Stratovarius's CD Singles goes, included on this Maxi is a Demo version of Maniac Dance, though it's nice to hear, it wasn't up to par with all the other Demos released on other Singles and Special Editions in past years, it was just a 4 and a half minute guitar track recorded by itself. Also on this Single is a Radio Edit of United, which was very well done I thought as the original version on the Album seemed a bit drawn out. The real gem on this Maxi that makes it worth buying is the Director's Cut Video of Maniac Dance, 'till now you could only watch it from Stratovarius's website. Highlights Include: Maniac Dance (Director's Cut Video)

...Where do you go? Back into the fray, DragonForce comes back with their third release InHuman Rampage, unfortunately the only thing inhuman about this release is that the Band could've done a better job with it, don't make a mistake, I still liked it and thought it was a great Album, it just lacked in some areas. This Album was more progressive in regards to Keyboards, Bass and Guitar Riffs, but at times the Bass was mushed, the Keyboards seemed to go overboard and killed some of the songs at certain points I thought, the Guitars were not as heavy in some places as the leads, the production I thought on this Album could've been handled better. The Ballad also disappointed me, which is not normal for me as I loved the previous two, what ruined this one was in the first verse it seemed like a production hiccup overwrote a part of the vocals, and instead of re-recording it to make it right, they just let it go and stayed as it was, making it sound like they couldn't find a more suitable word to fill the spot. Included on this Album was also a Desktop Theme and Rockumentary Video. Highlights Include: Through The Fire And Flames Revolution Deathsquad Cry For Eternity Backstage Rockumentary