Before we reveal the last playlist and finish for the year, I would like to give some honourable mentions to a few albums. Here they are:
Everdawn – Cleopatra
EVERDAWN’s debut album Cleopatra is Symphonic Metal at it’s finest. It transports you through their account of Cleopatra through majestic symphonies, stunning vocals and excellent musicianship. There is a great array of tracks including Stranded In Bangalore, Pariah’s Revenge, Your Majesty Sadness and Heart Of A Lion. If you like bands such as NIGHTWISH, XANDRIA and VISIONS OF ATLANTIS, I recommend this band.
You can read my album review here and my interview with drummer Dan Prestup here.
Find EVERDAWN on Facebook.
Lycanthro – Mark Of The Wolf
Another debut album to add to the honourable mentions and that is LYCANTHRO’s Mark Of The Wolf. This brilliant album will make you want to howl at the moon and holler to others to join you. It’s consists of prevailing vocals, slick riffs and a serious urge to headbang and rock out wherever you go. If tracks such Fallen Angel’s Prayer, In Metal We Trust and The Crucible aren’t enough to lure you in, I don’t know what will. I am convinced they are the love child of JUDAS PRIEST and BLIND GUARDIAN.
You can read my album review here and my interview with vocalist/rhythm guitarist James Delbridge here.
Find LYCANTHRO on Facebook.
Van Canto – To The Power Of Eight
With a rakka takka here and a riddly diddly do there, VAN CANTO returned with a mighty album. There is a great mix of fantastic covers brilliant originals; great covers include renditions of AMON AMARTH anthem Raise Your Horns, QUEEN showstopper I Want It All and AC/DC classic Thunderstruck. The amazing originals include 80s throwback Hardrock Padlock, the empowering Faith Focus Finish and the beautiful Turn Back Time. VAN CANTO fans will not be disappointed.
You can read my album review here and my interview with vocalist Stefan Schmidt here.
Find VAN CANTO on Facebook.
Anneke Van Giersbergen – The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest
Anneke Van Giersbergen lays her soul bare with her most personal release to date. Her latest album The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest is a stunning release that allows you to fully immerse. These beautiful tracks include I Saw A Car, Hurricane and Keep It Simple. This album was so wonderful that it got one of my rare track by track reviews which you can read here.
Find ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN on Facebook.
