Jag Panzer Announces New Album Details; Debuts Album’s Lead Single, Lyric Video; Announces New Live Dates

Posted on March 24, 2023 by philspicks

Veteran hard rock outfit Jag Panzer is set to release its latest album this summer.

The band is scheduled to release its new album, The Hallowed June 23 through Atomic Fire Records. In anticipation of the record’s release, the band premiered its debut single, ‘Onward We Toil‘ and the song’s companion lyric video Friday.

According to information in a news release announcing the pending album’s arrival and debut of the new single and video, the album follows the theme of a comic book released by the band in 2022. The single’s musical arrangement is vintage hard rock and metal throughout. The collective instrumentation and vocals immediately lend the whole to comparison to the best works of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and others of that ilk, as well as some of Jag Panzer’s own works.

The band said in a prepared statement, the song’s lyrical theme follows the record’s overall story.

“‘Onward We Toil’ tells the story of the people and animals in the concept pushing through adversity to reach their goal of finding The Hallowed,” the statement reads. “The creatures known as ‘The Jaw’ can be heard in the beginning of the song and the epic chorus illustrates the team working together as one.”

The lyric video places the song’s lyrics over images seemingly taken from the band’s comic book.

Pre-orders are open now for Jag Panzer’s new album. Audiences who pre-order the album now will receive an instant grat download of the album’s lead single. The record’s track listing is noted below:

The Hallowed Track Listing:

1. Bound As One

2. Prey

3. Ties That Bind

4. Stronger Than You Know

5. Onward We Toil

6. Edge Of A Knife

7. Dark Descent

8. Weather The Storm

9. Renewed Flame

10. Last Rites

In other news, Jag Panzer has announced a brief slate of live dates in support of The Hallowed. The new tour is scheduled to launch July 29 at the Headbangers Open Air Festival in Brande-Hornerkirchen, Germany and to run through Sept. 29 at the Blades of Steel Metal Festival in Madison, WI.

The tour’s schedule is noted below:

JAG PANZER – Welcome To The Hallowed Tour 2023:

7/29/2023 Headbangers Open Air Festival – Brande-Hörnerkirchen, DE

8/01/2023 Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE w/ Elvenpath

8/02/2023 Goldgrube – Kassel, DE w/ Generation Steel

8/04/2023 MTS – Oldenburg, DE

8/05/2023 Wacken Open Air – Wacken, DE

8/09/2023 Musigburg – Aarburg, CH

8/11/2023 De Pul – Uden, NL

8/12/02023 Alcatraz Festival – Kortrijk, BE

9/29/2023 Blades Of Steel Metal Festival 3.0 – Madison, WI

More information on Jag Panzer’s new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.jagpanzer.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jagpanzerofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jag_panzer

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Telomyras’ Self-Titled Debut EP Offers Some Hope For THe Band’s Future

Posted on February 16, 2023 by philspicks

Independent metal band Telomyras is set to make its first mark on the metal community this weekend when it releases its debut self-titled EP. The five-song record is an interesting first impression from the fledgling metal act. That is due in part to its featured musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical content is just as much of note as that musical component of the EP. It will be discussed a little later. The sequencing of that collective content rounds out the EP’s most important elements and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the EP. All things considered they make Telomyras a presentation that most metal fans will find worth hearing at least once.

Telomyras’ forthcoming debut self-titled EP, set for release independently Saturday, is an intriguing first offering from the young, independent metal act. That is due in part because of its featured musical arrangements. From beginning to end, the EP’s arrangements will find appeal among fans of vintage metal acts. ‘Cambion,’ which opens the 26-minute record immediately exhibits the influence of vintage Megadeth through its guitar work. The operatic vocal delivery of vocalist Sammie Gorham meanwhile lends itself to comparison to that of famed metal front man Rob Halford. This applies throughout the record, too. Interestingly enough, the combination of influences works in an interesting way here.

‘Colorless’ enhances that comparison to works from Judas Priest even more, what with the power metal approach taken through the overall instrumentation and the continued operatic style vocals. Much the same can be said of ‘First Blood,’ ‘Hydra’ and even the record’s closer, ‘Throne of Ruin.’ In the case of that finale, there is at least some variance, however, with an audible influence from Judas Priest’s fellow British metallers, Iron Maiden. Simply put, the musical arrangements featured throughout the EP do not necessarily break a lot of new ground in the metal community. At the same time, the arrangements do still manage to present their own identity at least to a point. To that end, they make for at least some reason for audiences to hear the record at least once.

While the musical arrangements will keep the appeal to Telomyras’ new EP limited to a certain point, the lyrical themes that accompany that content will broaden the EP’s appeal some. Case in point is the seemingly existential theme featured in ‘Colorless.’ According to the band, the song centers on the concept of “aging, the passing of time, and changing of perspective.” This is not a rare theme among any act across the musical universe, but is not overly approached, either. The poetic manner in which the theme is delivered makes for the interest. This as Gorham sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Memories are lost in bliss/Long without a path/Eyes tinted with a rose/Grayed by reality/Casualty of vanity/A victim of the lies/Fate, she called/Yet tongue-tied/While teachers spout the same designs/Paralyzed in revelation/Just another wayward soul/A grain of sand in time’s hourglass/Universe’s shade/A tempest of gray/Light and shadows cease/Contrast is lost/Lines are all blurred/Colors all fade away/Rest within/The colorless.” This first verse and chorus paints a picture of someone seeing things a certain way at a given point in life and gives way to the change expressed in the song’s second verse, which continues the story of a person’s change. This as it states, “Life rushes past like misty breeze/Fate is yours to paint/Coin of dreamers/Time is not/Canvas standing empty/No purpose can be found/In existence groomed and trite/Bearing all the fiends of those/Who walk within your life/Fill the void with purpose now/Leave this fruitless reverie/Countless paths begin to unfold/It’s not for nothing/Don’t stop now/The fear you bear/Will not contain you/There’s no meaning unless you make it so.” In shorter terms, this is a message of hope and optimism. It is a message reminding people they can change and make their own paths and change their lives. It is a familiar theme that is certain to resonate with plenty of listeners.

On another note, ‘Hydra’ offers an even more familiar theme. According to the band, the theme here centers on “systems of power going out of control.” In reading through the lyrics, those systems of power are, in layman’s terms, the powers that be. This is pretty clearly inferred through the lead verse and chorus, which state, “The pit before me devours the sun/Like a shrine of our regret/I grip tight our only hope/The one for all/To heed the call/Down into darkness I tread/Through the chasm of our woes/Born of blindness and apathy/Too many heads/The hydra grows/Stake our lives/And all we have/On a beast made of our own/Guardian now consumes the world/Engorged with our labor and gold.” This is a relatively clear message. It is saying that we as people have created the very thing that is destroying us, that multi-headed beast that is the political system of the world. It is the same scenario in every nation’s government. That government meant to be a guardian now consumes the world, especially here in the United States. The song’s second verse expands on that commentary as it states, “Creature lays upon the heap/Treasure stained in patriot’s blood/Each head sports a razor grin/For every death/Two more revive/Faces old and lined with greed/Yet a single beating from below/Betrays the tyranny they wield/One heart to fuel the many heads.” Again, this is clear commentary about how the powers that be the world over are at the heart of this song. Such sociopolitical commentary makes up what is one of the most common lyrical themes in the rock and metal realm yet it is just as engaging here as in any other case.

‘Cambion,’ which opens the EP, presents yet another example of the importance of the EP’s lyrical content. According to the band, the theme here centers on “emotional repression and the fallout” that results from that repression. The theme is addressed in its own unique fashion here in the song’s lead verse and chorus, which state, “Torn between two lives/Suppress the hatred born of lies/We run around this maze/Rats racing into oblivion/Try to chain the shade inside/Ravenous and caged, it writhes/Anxiety, the mask, it slips/Release me!, it cries/It’s the end/Over the edge/Yellow eyes glare at me/Devil’s blood burns my veins/From within/Cambion!” This delivery is fully accessible to audiences because of its simplicity. It is addressing the all too familiar theme of dealing with mental health struggles. Considering how importance this matter remains today, hearing these words may come as comfort to so many audiences. The song’s second verse follows in similar fashion, leading little reason to touch further on the song. Simply put, taking on this topic in this fashion further shows the importance of the EP’s lyrical content. When this and the other themes examined here are considered along with the EP’s other lyrical themes, the whole makes clear why the lyrical themes featured here do just as much to make the EP worth hearing if not more.

While the overall content featured in Telomyras’ self-titled debut EP offers listeners reason enough to hear this record, there is still at least one more reason for audiences to give the record a chance. That reason is the sequencing of said content. From beginning to end, the sequencing ensures the record’s energy remains high throughout the presentation. As the record progresses into the brooding, semi-contemplative opening bars of ‘First Blood,’ that temporary reprieve actually helps the sequencing as it gives audiences a moment to catch themselves before the song picks back up again. ‘Throne of Ruin’ takes the same stylistic path as ‘First Blood’ and in turn does well to close out the EP, further showing the time and through that went into the record’s sequencing. All things considered, the record’s sequencing puts the finishing touch to its presentation and makes for all the more reason for metal fans to hear the record at least once.

Telomyras’ forthcoming self-titled debut EP, set for release Saturday independently by the band, is an interesting first offering from the group. It is a presentation that most metal fans will find worth hearing at least once. That is proven in part through the record’s musical arrangements. The arrangements show influence from a number of the band’s more well-known counterparts. That includes the likes of Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Judas Priest. The comparisons will appeal primarily to fans of those specific bands and vintage metal style. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical content add to the EP’s appeal due to the familiar topics broached through each song. The sequencing of that collective content rounds out the most important of the record’s content. That is because of the positive general effect that it ensures. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the EP. All things considered they make Telomyras a start for the band that gives some hope for its future.

Telomyras is scheduled for release Saturday independently by Telomyras. More information on the EP is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://telomyras.bandcamp.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Telomyras

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Telomyras Debuts New EP’s Second Single

Posted on February 2, 2023 by philspicks

Independent metal outfit Telomyras debuted the latest single from its new EP this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Colorless‘ Tuesday. The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming self-titled EP, which is scheduled for release Feb. 18 behind the lead single, ‘Cambion.’

The musical arrangement featured in this song is a direct throwback to the great metal sounds of the 80s. The influence of greats, such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are on full display throughout the composition. The soaring vocals pair well with the instrumentation, too, to make the presentation wholly engaging and entertaining.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the song’s premiere.

More information on Telomyras’ new single and EP is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://telomyras.bandcamp.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Telomyras

Twitter: https://twitter.com/telomyras

Evil Invaders’ Latest LP Is A Mostly Successful Record

Posted on April 2, 2022 by philspicks

Veteran metal outfit Evil Invaders released its latest album, Shattering Reflection Friday through Napalm Records. The band’s first third album and its first in nearly five years, it is a presentation that the metal masses will find worth hearing every now and then. That is due in large part to its wide range of metal arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. While the record’s musical arrangements do well for its presentation, their companion lyrical content sadly detracts somewhat from the presentation. This will be discussed a little later. The record’s production works with the arrangements to make for more engagement and entertainment. It will be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make the album a mostly successful new outing for Evil Invaders.

Evil Invaders’ new album, Shattering Reflections, is a mostly successful offering that most metal fans will find worth hearing every now and then. That is due in large part to its featured musical arrangements. From start to end, the album’s 10 separate musical arrangements take listeners on a nice ride. Right from the outset, ‘Hissing in Crescendo,’ listeners are presented with an arrangement that is full-on vintage thrash metal. Front man Johannes “Joe” Van Audenhove’s half-sung screams pair with the razor sharp guitar riffs and fully precise time keeping and rich bass line to lend the whole to comparison to works from a wide range of the band’s counterparts. At some points, vintage Overkill can be heard in the arrangement. At others, Slayer front man Tom Araya comes to mind thanks to Van Audenhove’s vocal style. What’s more, audiences can also make comparisons to works from Exodus through the combination. It is just one way in which the musical arrangements prove so pivotal to the whole of this record. ‘Die For Me,’ which immediately follows, immediately lends itself to the sounds of Iron Maiden with the harmonies and style in the guitars. The vocals meanwhile are still borderline Araya-esque. On yet another note, a song, such as ‘My World’ conjures thoughts of vintage Metallica and Megadeth to a point. Though as it progresses, really enters another realm, adding to the interest. Simply put, the musical arrangements that the band presents throughout the record offer listeners a relatively healthy sampling of vintage metal styles. That forms a strong foundation for the record and makes it worth hearing.

While the musical content featured throughout the album forms a solid foundation for the presentation, that content’s companion lyrical content detracts from the record’s presentation to a point. The lyrical content is familiar, as Van Audenhove has noted in interviews. He has pointed out that it features themes of personal, inner thoughts, as well as ruminations on things going on in the world. That is a good thing. The thing of it all is the way in which he approaches those topics. Van Audenhove wrote the songs’ lyrics in a way that does leave some room for misinterpretation. What’s more, because of the way in which they are presented, and the very heavy nature of those themes, it is going to require audiences to be in a very specific mindset when listening to the album. Case in point is the theme featured in ‘In Deepest Black’ and ‘Eternal Darkness.’ Both of those songs come across as being about being in that dark mental and emotional place. Everyone has been there at one point or another in life, but the way in which the lyrics are presented makes these presentations very deep. If someone is not in that required head space, he/she will not fully appreciate the songs. In the case of, say, ‘Die For Me,’ the song opens sounding like something about someone who is dealing with backstabbers, which again is relatable for audiences. From there though, the song then turns and starts sounding more like something about a cult leader and in turn can easily be misinterpreted. So this is an example of how the album’s lyrical content does prove somewhat problematic to the record’s presentation. The content overall is not enough to make the album a failure, but is still of note, regardless.

Keeping in mind that the record’s lyrical content does not do enough to make the album a failure, there is one more item to note in examining the album’s presentation. That item is the album’s production. The production of the musical arrangements is important because of its role in the record’s general effect. The utmost attention had to be paid to each song from the more intense moments to the more reserved compositions. The more intense compositions required attention to make sure that no one part overpowered the others and each line complimented the others. In the matter of the deeper, more emotional moments, the added attention was there so as to have the fullest impact on listeners. Those painstaking efforts paid off, too. The result is that from beginning to end, the album’s general effect does just as much to keep listeners engaged and entertained as the album’s musical content. When the content and production are considered together, they make the album, again, worth hearing occasionally.

Evil Invaders’ latest album, Shattering Reflection, is an interesting new offering from the band. Its appeal comes largely through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements are of note because of the wide range of vintage metal styles presented throughout the album. From influences of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, to those of Slayer, Exodus and others, the arrangements will reach a wide range of metal fans. While the record’s musical arrangements for a solid foundation for its presentation, the album’s lyrical content detracts somewhat from the presentation. That is because on one hand, much of it leaves itself too open for misinterpretation in how it is presented. On another hand, it also requires listeners to be in a very specific mindset in order to fully appreciate said content. Luckily, even with all of this in mind, the record’s lyrical content is not enough to make the album a failure. Keeping that in mind, the album’s production works with the musical content to make the album more worth hearing. The production is important to note because it balances the vocals and instrumentation from beginning to end, ensuring each musician’s performance is expertly balanced with that of one another. What’s more it also ensures the emotional impact of each arrangement is its fullest through that balance. Each item examined here is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, the album proves itself to be a presentation that a wide range of metal fans will find worth hearing every now and then.

Shattering Reflections is available now through Napalm Records. More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://evilinvaders.be

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evilinvaders

Twitter: https://twitter.com/evilinvadersbe

Fozzy Announces New Live Dates

Posted on April 27, 2019 by philspicks

Courtesy: Century Media

Fozzy announced a new tour schedule this week.

The band revealed the schedule for its “Unleashed in the West Tour” Friday. The almost month-long tour, which is in support of Fozzy’s latest album Judas (2017), is scheduled to launch Sept. 5 and run through Sept. 28. It will feature performances in cities, such as Tucson, AZ; Crystal Bay, NV and San Diego, CA.

Before the band launches its “Unleashed in the West Tour,” the band will finish off its current headlining tour next month The tours’ schedules are noted below.

FOZZY HEADLINE TOUR DATES

w/NITA STRAUSS

May 15 – Greenville, SC – The Firmament

May 16 – Greensboro, NC – Cone Denim

May 17 – Virginia Beach, VA – FM99’s Lunatic Luau

May 18 – Camden, NJ – MMRBQ*

*Fozzy only

UNLEASHED IN THE WEST 2019 TOUR

September 5 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre

September 6 – Colorado Springs, CO – Sunshine Theater

September 7 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater

September 8 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Royal

September 11 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Club Casino/Crown Room

September 12 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s

September 13 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades

September 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Banc Of California Stadium**

September 15 – Las Vegas, NV – Count’s Vamp’d

September 18 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick

September 19 – Tempe, AZ – Club Red

September 20 – Tucson, AZ – Encore

September 21 – El Paso, TX – Speaking Rock ^

September 25 – Dallas, TX – Canton Hall^

September 26 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live^

September 27 – Hattiesburg, MS – Brewsky’s

September 28 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade

**supporting Iron Maiden

^special guests Sons Of Texas

Judas spawned three singles — ‘Painless,’ ‘Burn Me Out‘ and ‘Judas.’ More information on the album and the band’s tour is available online now at:

Website: http://www.fozzyrock.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FozzyRock

Twitter: http://twitter.com/fozzyrock

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Ellefson Coffee Company Announces Another Year-End Celebration

Posted on November 30, 2017 by philspicks

Courtesy: Ellefson Coffee Company/O’Donnell Media Group

Ellefson Coffee Company has announced a special new holiday event to celebrate its new retail outlets.

The company will hold a special event Dec. 16 at Maverick Coffee in Scottsdale, AZ to celebrate the company’s expansion into that and a number of other stores nationwide. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature a number of events including a meet and greet with Dave Ellefson, the company’s founder, and acoustic performances from EMP Label Group acts Doll Skin and Co-Op, featuring Dash Cooper and a holiday toy driveto benefit AZ Helping Hands.

Ellefson said in a recent interview about the event that he was looking forward to the celebration.

“Maverick is a terrific cafe that I frequent when I’m home in Scottsdale,” Ellefson said. “I’m thrilled to have Ellefson Coffee Company as part of their offerings. I look forward to seeing you all ther efor a final, year-end celebration with two of our hometown EMP Label group artists!”

Ellefson partnered with Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain early this year at the Rock N’ Roll Ribs in Coconut Creek, Fla — another ECC outlet — for another of ECC’s events. Along with that store, others that currently carry Ellefson Coffee Company’s various blends are: Rock N’ Roll Land in Green Bay, WI; Kat’s Hog Heaven in Jackson, MN and the What’s Up Lounge in Makato, MN.

More information on Ellefson Coffee Company’s latest events, news and more is available online now at:

Website: http://www.Ellefsoncoffeeco.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ellefsoncoffeeco

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ellefsoncoffee

Conquest’s ‘Under The Influence’ Is Not Just Another Covers Album

Posted on July 3, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: Dark Star Records

Early this past April St. Louis, Missouri-based metal outfit Conquest released its latest album Under The Influence. The forty-three-minute covers album presents eleven songs from some of the band members’ favorite bands. The songs themselves are, collectively, their own important part of the record’s presentation. That will be discussed shortly. They are not the album’s only key element. The band’s take on the featured songs is just as important to note in this record’s presentation as the songs themselves. That will be discussed later. The album’s overall sequencing rounds out the record’s most important elements. Each element is important in its own right to the album’s whole. Altogether all three elements Under The Influence a covers album that any rock fan should hear at least once. This applies regardless of audiences’ familiarity with Conquest’s body of work.

Covers albums are a dime a dozen nowadays in the music industry. Nine times out of ten, they are space fillers used between new albums to tide over fans and fulfill contractual obligations for record labels. Even worse, said albums are commonly thrown together rather haphazardly, much like all of the “hits” albums that are out there. The end result in both cases are albums (if one even wants to call them albums—note the sarcasm) that are anything but memorable or even worth having in one’s personal music collection. Enter Under The Influence, the new covers collection from St. Louis, Missouri’s hard rock outfit Conquest. Unlike all of the covers (and “hits”—technically singles) collections out there on the market today this eleven-song compilation record is one that every rock fan should head at least once. This applies regardless of audiences’ familiarity with Conquest and its body of work. The record’s featured covers are in themselves just one of the elements that make this record worth hearing. That is the case because the songs don’t just come from one of rock’s many sub-genres or another. Rather it crosses those genres from beginning to end. It also spans rock’s rich modern history with its presented songs. It all kicks off with a pair of Judas Priest covers in the form of ‘Metal Gods’ and ‘The Ripper.’ That pair of songs is followed by a cover of Iron Maiden’s beloved ‘Wraith Child.’ The band gets even heavier from there with its own take on Metallica’s ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls.’ Things change even more dramatically in the band’s next offering, a cover of Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades.’ This one comes at just the right moment, too, as it is essentially the album’s midway point. It isn’t even the album’s most interesting of the record’s inclusions either. The album’s second half features covers of songs from Bon Jovi, Anthrax, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Motley Crue, and even UFO. To say that that is a broad swath of bands (and songs) would be an understatement. Simply put, the eleven songs (and bands) that are featured in this covers collection is extremely wide. The songs are just as diverse in their stylistic approaches as the bands are within their own rock sub-genres. Keeping that in mind, it becomes clear as to why the songs featured in this record are so important to its presentation. They don’t subject listeners to just one style of rock. Rather, they cover so many different styles from so many ages of rock’s rich history. They make up just one of the record’s most important elements. The band’s take on each of the featured songs is just as important to note here as the songs themselves.

The songs (and bands) that are featured in Conquest’s new covers collection are collectively their own important part of the record’s presentation. That is because they lift liberally from rock’s rich modern history. The songs present a wide range of bands and rock styles from beginning to end. That is just one part of what makes this record a rare covers collection that is actually worth hearing. The band’s actual performance of the record’s featured songs is just as important as the songs themselves. The band’s take on Metallica’s ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ is one of the band’s best performances in this record. If one were to hear this take on the classic heavy metal tune without knowing it was Conquest, one would actually think that it was Metallica. The band performed the song verbatim both lyrically and stylistically. And front man Derrick Brumley may not sound just like James Hetfield circa 1984. But listeners will be surprised at the similarity in the sound of the singers’ vocals. The band’s take on ‘Ace of Spades’ is just as impressive. One could argue in fact, that Conquest’s take on the classic rock anthem is just as good as Motorhead’s original recording. It doesn’t bear the grittier, garage rock sound presented in Motorhead’s original composition. But even with that taken into consideration it still pays honor stylistically to the original right down to the song’s familiar up-tempo bass line (handled here by bassist Rob Boyer). One of the song’s biggest surprises is Brumley’s vocal delivery. It’s not certain as to whether or not Brumley set out to emulate Lemmy Kilmister in this cover. But interestingly enough listeners will note that there is a certain element of that gritty sound made so familiar by the late rock legend in Brumley’s own vocal delivery here. It is a nice touch to the, and especially so if Brumley did not set out to try to sound like Kilmister. The band’s take on UFO’s ‘Lights Out In London’ is another example of the importance of the band’s performances in this record. It could actually be argued here that Conquest’s cover is even better than the original. That is thanks to the bombastic guitar solos, Bruley’s powerhouse vocal delivery, and Tim Fleetwood’s equally solid work behind the kit. Of course Boyer’s work on the bass here shouldn’t be ignored either. The whole of the band’s work here makes the band’s take on the song a song that will have make every rocker out there proud. It is just one more example of what makes the band’s performance of each of the record’s featured songs is just as important as the songs themselves. They are hardly the record’s only key examples of that importance. Audiences will take just as much notice of the band’s take on ‘Dead Or Alive’ ‘Wraithchild’ and ‘Cowboys From Hell.’ The prior pair of covers is much more bombastic here in the case of the original songs. ‘Cowboys From Hell’ on the other hand is a relatively close take on the original. All three will hold listeners’ ears and have them talking afterward just as much as the other noted covers and those covers not noted here. All in all, the band’s take on each of the songs featured proves just as pivotal to the record’s presentation as the songs themselves. They are not the record’s only important elements, though. The album’s sequencing is just as important to its presentation as the songs and their performances.

The songs that are featured in Conquest’s new covers collection and the band’s take on each song are equally important to the album’s presentation. The songs are so important to note because of the broad range of influences presented throughout the record’s forty-three minute run time. The band’s performance of the songs is just as important to note as the songs themselves because of the similarities and differences between the originals and the band’s updated take on each song. Those similarities and differences are certain to create their own share of interest and discussion among audiences. As important as each element proves to the record’s whole they are not its only key elements. The record’s sequencing is just as important to its presentation as those noted elements. Audiences that pay close attention to the record’s sequencing will note that for the most part the record maintains a relatively solid energy level from beginning to end. Though, the energy does pick up just enough at given points, so as to maintain listeners’ engagement. It picks up first just past the record’s halfway point in the form of Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’ before puling back just a little bit as the record transitions into its second half. As the album nears its end the band picks things up once more in the covers of ‘Red Hot’ and ‘Cowboys From Hell’ before finishing off with the slightly slower (slightly at best) but no less heavy ‘Children of the Grave.’ Simply put, the band has balanced the record’s energy and even its varied musical styles from beginning to end thanks to its expert sequencing. This ensures listeners’ maintained engagement, and in turn, entertainment. Keeping this in mind, the record’s sequencing shows in the end why it is just as important to its presentation as its songs and performances thereof. Each element is important in its own way to the whole of the record. All things considered, Under The Influence shows in the end to be a rarity of a covers album. It doesn’t come across as just some contractually obligated space filler. Rather it proves to be a collection of classic rock songs that Conquest’s fans will enjoy just as much as those of the bands featured throughout the record. It is a record that succeeds at presenting a solid introduction to rock’s rich modern history all while entertaining rock fans of all ages. It is a covers collection that is actually worth hearing at least once regardless of audiences’ familiarity with Conquest or its body of work.

Conquest’s latest studio recording Under The Influence is a record that every rock fan should hear at least once. This applies regardless of listeners’ familiarity with the band or its body of work. That is because it isn’t just a random, contractually obligated space filler record. Its eleven songs present a solid introduction to rocks rich modern history. That is thanks to the broad array of bands and songs that is presented here. The band’s performance of each song is just as important to the record’s presentation as the songs themselves. That is because they present new and familiar takes on the classic songs; takes that will keep listeners engaged and generate their own share of discussion among audiences. The album’s sequencing rounds out its presentation. Over the course of its forty-three minutes, the records sequencing expertly balances the record’s energy from beginning to end. This ensures just as much listeners’ engagement. Each element plays its own important part in the record’s presentation. Altogether they make Under The Influence a record that very rock fan should hear at least once regardless of one’s familiarity with Conquest or its body of work. It is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered online direct via Dark Star Records’ online store. More information on this and other titles from Conquest is available online now at:

Website: http://conquestmetal.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/conuestrocks

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Times Of Pride And Peril Is Another Welcome Return For Holy Grail

Posted on January 21, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: Prosthetic Records

Holy Grail. Has. Returned. Three years after it became one of the metal community’s biggest names with its sophomore album Ride The Void, the Los Angeles-based quintet has returned with an album in Times of Pride and Peril that builds even more on the fame and respect earned through its previous recording. The ten-track album does so by taking the old school, metal sound established on Ride The Void and expanded on it, including a more modern hard rock sound to its body. The combination of those two sounds here makes Times of Pride and Peril not just a solid follow-up to Holy Grail’s breakout sophomore album but also an album that is undeniably one of 2016’s top new hard rock and metal albums. Times of Pride and Peril is currently slated to be released in stores and online on Friday, February 12th.

Holy Grail’s latest full-length studio recording is a solid follow-up to its 2013 breakout sophomore album Ride The Void. It is an album that audiences will agree in hearing its ten total tracks that it is unquestionably one of 2016’s top new hard rock and metal albums. That is evident right off the top in the album’s opener ‘Crystal King.’ This song shows the band–James-Paul Luna (vocals), Eli Santana (lead guitar), Alex Lee (lead guitar), Tyler Meahl (drums), and Blake Mount (bass)–picking right back up where it left off with Ride The Void. The band opens the song with a short, building crescendo before launching full force into the song with Santana, Lee, Meahl, and Mount leading the way. The old school speed metal sound established by the band in this song once again harkens back to the heyday of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and others of that ilk with its dual guitar attack and equally expert time keeping by Meahl. When Luna joins in, his razor-sharp vocal delivery instantly conjures thoughts of legendary Judas Priest front man Rob Halford and Fozzy front man Chris Jericho. In other words Luna’s vocals make him one of metal’s next big true singers if not one of its current biggest. The song’s lyrical content sits against that powerhouse musical content to make clear why ‘Crystal King’ was the perfect choice to open Holy Grail’s new album and why it is also a prime example of just what audiences have to look forward to in this new record. Luna sings here, “It’s just another day out on the battlefield/Proclaiming victory/We conquer all/We’re on the top now/It’s time to strike/We must defend the crown/At any given price/Our dominion never ends/It keeps rolling on and on/And together we’ll ascend/To heights of grandeur/Majesty abound/The taste of glory/Is holier than thou/A heart of valor/Frees a mind of doubt/But if you always win the fight/Do you know wrong from right?” This plays right into the overlaying topic of the band’s new album. The topic in question is that of the rise and fall of an empire. That is not necessarily referencing one empire but different ones. That is especially clear as Luna sings, “The taste of glory/Is holier than thou/A heart of valor/Frees a mind of doubt/But if you always win the fight/Do you know wrong from right?” This comes across as Luna commenting on nations that patrol the world and play world police. Those nations that control everything around the world militarily tend to think that they are in the right. This happens even when there might be some shades of grey in the ethics or moral ground of their actions. This can be argued even more strongly as Luna sings in the song’s second verse, “We got it/We made it/We’ll overthrow/Once we’ve accepted/All the ones that died/We’ll repay the mercy when the enemy’s been crucified.” It is a very telling verse. It comes across as a commentary about brutality begetting brutality–accepting the death of others for the “greater good” and the violence aimed at others in the process. It furthers that discussion on the blind, perhaps clouded mindset of those that have been made to believe their actions are for the good of a whole people. It is a really thought-provoking concept and in turn quite the way to open the band’s new album. Audiences can hear the song for themselves online now via YouTube as the band has just premiered its lyric video online. It can be viewed online via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVn4ENCIy1w.

‘Crystal King’ is a powerful first statement from Holy Grail in its return to the top of the mountain. It is not the only powerful, noteworthy statement from the band either. ‘No More Heroes,’ which is another of the album’s singles, is another powerful, hard-hitting addition to Times of Pride and Peril (TOPAP as it will henceforth be known here). Luna noted of this song in a recent interview that it “is about the evils of tyranny and self-will, where only strength in numbers can persevere.” To be more precise he noted that the concept behind that song is that it is a commentary about the events going on around the world today as a result of tyranny. “Conspiracy or not, heavy s*** is going down in the world, he said, “and we can’t survive battling it alone.” That discussion is illustrated through the song’s lyrical content in which Luna sings, “We’ve reached the point where domination is the law/We’re on the brink of global darkness/No life is worthy/But a pawn in our noble cause/Stomp out the feeble/And the worthless.” While these words sound familiar, it should. It was the view of the brainwashed men who fought for the Nazis in WWII and even now today of those that take innocent lives in the name of terrorism. Again, it illustrates exactly what Luna was saying in his discussion. He goes on to sing in the song’s second verse, “A savage feast upon the weak at any cost/No sign of mercy for the masses/How about the dignity you had so long ago/Is blood upon your hands as gracious?” The message about the familiar, distressing state of the world in this song is in itself an important part of the song’s whole. That content, set against the song’s power metal musical content, makes the song in whole yet another impressive addition to the album and equally impressive example of what audiences have to look forward to in Holy Grail’s new album. Audiences can hear this song for themselves online now at http://noisey.vice.com/blog/holy-grail-heroes-premiere.

Both ‘Crystal King’ and ‘No More Heroes’ are both key examples of just how much Holy Grail has to offer audiences in its third full-length studio recording. That is thanks to the mix of the songs’ musical and lyrical content. Both songs continue to exhibit the NWOBHM influence on the band in terms of their musical content. In regards to their lyrical content, both equally powerful yet differing statements about what has and continues to happen to the world militarily and politically. While this all works collectively to make both songs important parts of the album’s whole, both songs are hardly the only examples of what audiences have to look forward to in this record. ‘Those Who Will Remain’ is yet another important example of what makes Holy Grail’s new album a welcome return from the band. What makes this song stand out among the album’s songs is that it boasts more of a modern rock sound than most of its counterparts. If one were listening to this song without knowing it was Holy Grail, one would almost think that one was listening to Fozzy. The similarities are that close between the two bands here. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. It shows that the band has branched out musically in this record. And it isn’t the only song that exhibits that either. That is a story for another time, however. Staying on this song, its musical content is just one part of what makes it stand out so strongly. Its lyrical content is just as important to note as its musical content. Luna seems to sing about self-determination here as he sings, “how do you choose between life and suicide/I’ll try this anyway/And I couldn’t cope…Ready to fight/I will accept my fate/I’ve suffered enough/It’s time to change/Dark in the night/In our eternal flame/The freedom is yours/All the same/To those who will remain.” He goe on to sing in the song’s second verse, “Take it or leave it/The enemy’s nearing/Hungry to feed on the weak and the weary/Marching in stride is the secret to survive/Rise to the top with a fist full of fury…Carry the torch/Just to keep yourself alive.” Everything taken int consideration here, the song in whole could be interpreted as Luna singing about not giving up in life, no matter the difficulties that one faces, be they physical or emotional. Saying that he would rather “walk the maze than die alone” and that “I’ve suffered enough/It’s time to change” support that argument. Of course that is just this critic’s own interpretation. It could, as always, be completely incorrect. So it should not be taken as the only interpretation of the song’s lyrical content. Right or wrong, it plays against the song’s equally powerful musical content and in turn makes the song in whole one more clear example of just what makes TOPAP such a welcome return for Holy Grail and also for the metal and hard rock community in whole. Together with ‘Crystal King,’ ‘No More Heroes’ and the rest of the songs not directly noted here, the whole of TOPAP shows in the end to be a record that is not just a welcome return for the band and its audiences but also a record that is easily one more of this year’s best new hard rock and metal albums.

Holy Grail’s latest full-length album is a welcome return both for the band and for its audiences. That is exhibited from the album’s opener ‘Crystal King’ right to its final number ‘Black Lotus.’ From beginning to end the mix of old school heavy metal and modern hard rock couples with lyrics that will get any listener thinking to make a record that will easily become a favorite of any true metal head. It will be available Friday, February 12th in stores and online. It can be pre-ordered online now via iTunes, Amazon, and the band’s official Bandcamp page. It is also available in a series of limited edition vinyl options. Those options include: Black, Limited-Edition Orange, and Limited-Edition Marble variants. Each vinyl copy of Times of Pride and Peril comes in a gatefold package that includes a color poster/lyric insert and download card. The band will hit the road next month in support of TOPAP beginning February 11th in San Antonio, TX. The forty-date-plus tour also includes a performance at The Milestone in Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday, February 23rd. The band’s current tour schedule is listed in whole below.

2/11 San Antonio, TX – Fitzgerald’s ^
2/12 Houston, TX – Scout Bar ^
2/13 Dallas, TX – Trees ^
2/14 Little Rock, AR – Juanita’s ^
2/16 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade ^
2/17 Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits ^
2/18 Orlando, FL – Backbooth ^
2/19 St. Petersburg, FL – The State Theatre ^
2/20 Ocala, FL – O’Malley’s Alley
2/22 Greenville, SC – Gottrocks
2/23 Charlotte, NC – Milestone #
2/24 Virginia Beach, VA – Shakas #
2/25 Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie #
2/26 Boston, MA – Once Ballroom #
2/27 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus #
2/29 Burlington, VT – Nectars #
3/1 Quebec City, QC – Le Cercle #
3/2 Montreal, QC – Foufounes Electriques #
3/3 Toronto, ON – Hard Luck #
3/4 Detroit, MI – Berserker Fest #
3/5 Chicago, IL – Reggies #
3/6 Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon #
3/7 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock #
3/8 Fargo, ND – The Aquarium #
3/9 Winnipeg, MB – The Windsor Hotel #
3/11 Saskatoon, SK – Amigos Cantina #
3/12 Edmonton, AB – Brixx #
3/13 Calgary, AB – Palomino #
3/14 Kamloops, BC – The Office #
3/16 Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore #
3/17 Seattle, WA – El Corazon #
3/18 Spokane, WA – The Pin #
3/19 Portland, OR – Panic Room #
3/20 Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub #
3/22 Santa Cruz, CA – Catalyst #
3/23 San Francisco, CA – Thee Parkside #
3/24 Los Angeles, CA – Viper Room #
3/25 San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick #
3/26 Phoenix, AZ – Pub Rock #
3/28 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Bar #
3/29 Denver, CO – Marquis Theater #
3/30 Kansas City, MO – Riot Room #
4/1 Indianapolis, IN – 5th Quarter #
4/2 Newport, KY – Southgate House #

^ with Marty Friedman
# with Black Tusk

More information on Holy Grail’s upcoming album is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and tour updates at:

Website: http://www.holygrailofficial.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/holygrailofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/holygrailband

Slayer Wins Award For ‘Repentless,’ Announces New Tour Dates

Posted on December 3, 2015 by philspicks

For those that missed it, there is some big news from the Slayer camp to report today,

Earlier this week Loudwire announced the winners of its fifth annual Loudwire Awards. And Slayer was among this year’s winners. The band received the award in the “Best Metal Video” category for the companion video to its song ‘Repentless,’ the title track from its recently released twelfth full-length studio recording. The video faced some tough competition from the likes of Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Mastodon, and Ghost. Ironically Ghost won the award in the “Best Metal Album” category. The video for ‘Repentless’ was shot at the Los Angeles women’s prison, Sybil Brand. It was directed by BJ McDonell and produced by Felissa Rose. McDonnell is best known for his work on the 2013 horror sequel, Hatchet III. He also worked as a cameraman on Jack Reacher, Tomorrowland, and The Interview. It also features cameos from some big names in the horror movie genre including: Danny Trejo (Machete, From Dusk Til Dawn, Once Upon A Time in Mexico), Tony Moran (Halloween’s Michael Meyers, American Poltergeist, Dead Bounty), Derek Mears (Predators, Friday The 13^th, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunter), and Sean Whalen (Men in Black, Halloween II, Twister). When asked about the win, McDonnell praised the band’s competition as well as those that worked on the ‘Repentless’ video including the band. “We were up against some serious talent and great videos all around,” he said. “And I’m just overjoyed that we won. Everyone in our cast and crew worked their butts off to have the video truly represent the song and the band, and we think we achieved that. Working with Slayer has been a dream and I really hope to do it again soon. Thanks to everyone who voted for ‘Repentless.'” Audiences can check out the video for ‘Repentless’ online now via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjb0j9l1sz4.

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast America

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records

The announcement of the band’s big win is just one of the veteran metal act’s big announcements. The band has also announced that it will hit the road this winter for its 2016 North American Tour. The tour, which currently sees the band playing twenty-one dates, kicks off February 19^th in Chicago, Illinois. The tour also includes a pair of dates in North Carolina on February 27^th and 29^th respectively. The band will be in Raleigh, NC at The Ritz on the 27^th and at The Filmore in Charlotte on the 29^th. Also along for the ride on the band’s upcoming tour will be Testament and Carcass. Fan club pre-sale tickets are on sale now online at http://slatanicwehrmacht.com/. General public pre-sales begin Friday, December 4^th at 10am local time. General public tickets go on sale Saturday, December 5^th at 10am local time. Information on VIP packages for the tour is available online now via Slayer’s official Facebook page. The band’s full tour schedule is listed below.

FEBRUARY

19 Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL

22 War Memorial, Nashville, TN

24 The National, Richmond, VA

26 House of Blues, Myrtle Beach, SC

27 The Ritz, Raleigh, NC

29 The Fillmore, Charlotte, NC

MARCH

2 Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY

3 The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA

5 The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD

6 The House of Blues, Boston, MA

8 LC Pavilion, Columbus, OH

9 The Orpheum, Madison, WI

11 Myth, St. Paul, MN

12 Civic Auditorium, Fargo, ND

14 MacEwan Hall, Calgary, AB

15 Shaw Centre, Edmonton, AB

17 Revolution Event Center, Boise, ID

19 The Paramount, Seattle, WA

20 Roseland Ballroom, Portland, OR

22 Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA

26 The Joint, Las Vegas, NV

More information on the band’s tour is available online now along with more on the band’s big win for ‘Repentless’ and all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.slayer.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/slayer

Eternal Voyager Channels Maiden, Priest, Other Classic Masters On Its Debut Album

Posted on March 4, 2015 by philspicks

Courtesy: Eternal Voyager

Eternal Voyager has been through a lot ever since its inception roughly a dozen years ago. Ever since its formation, the band has faced challenge after challenge throughout its life. From lineup changes and other changes, to multiple failed attempts to launch its debut album, the currently unsigned Minneapolis, Minnesota-based power metal band has managed to live on where other bands might have fallen apart after so much time and so much struggle. Now thanks to the dedication of its members (specifically front man Brian Blake) Eternal Voyager has finally released that long-awaited debut album and started on the path to potentially its first record deal. The band’s debut, The Battle of Eternity was released in November 2014. It is a work that fans of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and to a lesser degree Blind Guardian will enjoy with its storming vocals and precision musicianship. That is just one part of what makes this album worth the listen by any old school metal fan. The album’s sequencing and production are just as noteworthy. Audiences that give this album a chance will note the seeming connection of the album’s songs and by direct connection the lack of space between them. Both elements make The Battle of Eternity come across almost as a concept record of sorts, not to mention the songs themselves. The songs themselves are collectively the third element of the album worth noting. Looking at the album lyrically, each of the album’s songs seem to connect to one another directly ‘Holy Warrior,’ its follow-up ‘Army of Our Lord,’ and ‘The New Jerusalem’ contribute to that view. The same can be said of all seven tracks that follow. While not precisely linked to that first trio of songs, they each present a similar feel, thus showing why it would be so easy to think of The Battle of Eternity as a concept record of sorts even if it isn’t a concept record in the purest sense. Whether for this factor, for the album’s sequencing and production values, or for its musical similarity to some of the great names in metal, this album gives audiences plenty of reason for audiences to hear it at least once.

Eternal Voyager as a band has seen many ups and downs throughout the course of its roughly twelve-year life. Throughout it all, its member stuck to their guns and saw the band through to its current incarnation. And because of the determination of long time front man Brian Blake and his current band mates, the band finally released its debut album last year. The Battle of Eternity was released in November 2014. The album boasts a sound very similar to that of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest in their heyday. And to a lesser extent, purist metal fans will even be able to hear hints of Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray and others throughout the album’s eleven total tracks. That throwback to the golden era of metal is something that every purist metal fan will appreciate in listening to The Battle of Eternity. From Blake’s own storming vocal style to the occasional addition of his band mates’ own vocals to the precision work of guitarist Rob Nesco and bassist Jeff Igelsrud’s low-end, the band in whole has crafted a collection of songs on this record that any old school metal fan will enjoy. And it’s just the start of what makes The Battle of Eternity worth at least one listen. The album’s sequencing and general production values play just as important a role to the album in whole.

Eternal Voyager’s debut album is one well worth at least one listen by any old school metal fan. That is largely thanks to the album’s obvious influence from the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian and others of that ilk. The similarity in sound to those bands is just part of what makes this album worth the listen, though. The album’s sequencing and overall production values are just as much to thank for its ability to reach its intended audiences. The first three full songs that make up The Battle of Eternity–‘Holy Warrior,’ ‘Army of Our Lord,’ and ‘The New Jerusalem’–instantly create a feeling of it being a concept album. While the songs that follow don’t necessarily seem directly linked to that first trio of songs, they do bear a certain link of sorts to them. And because so little time is wasted between songs, the argument is made even stronger that The Battle of Eternity could be seen as a concept album even if not in the purest sense of the term. The album’s overall production values tie in to its sequencing, balancing each line (vocals, drums, bass, and guitar) evenly with the others. Because each line is so well-balanced with the others, every guitar solo is crystal clear. The machine gun precision of the drumming is just as obvious. Believe it or not there are some records out there that are not at that caliber. The drums on those records sound like someone hitting a pillow over and over. The guitars and vocals seem to fight one another and the bass is next to nonexistent. That isn’t the case here. And audiences will hear that for themselves when they order The Battle of Eternity from Eternal Voyager’s online store.

The sequencing and production values presented in The Battle for Eternity collectively form a solid argument for it being at least something similar to a concept record. And that is not a bad thing. The lyrical content of the songs makes that argument even more concrete. It is one more reason audiences will appreciate the album, given the listen. Blake sings in the album’s opener ‘It has begun/The world’s in bleeding tears/Metal in our hearts/We don’t believe in fear/Our strength comes from the warrior within/So ride with us/We’ll crush their foolish sins.” He goes on to sing in the song’s final verse, “On the final day/When judgment comes to all/Corporate masters and/And world leaders all/A dark sun will rise up in the sky/Take wings of flight/It’s heaven sent tonight.” He and his band mates sing in the song’s chorus, “Holy warrior in chains/Open up your heart and heed the call/Make your stand and fight forever/On the call of glory they shall fall.” These lyrics taken into consideration with the album’s short opener, it seems all the more a concept album with lyrics similar to that of Amon Amarth and others. The songs that follow make that case even stronger. It pains a picture of the battle of Armageddon or at the least a huge battle of good versus evil. And the fact that it is followed by ‘The New Jerusalem’ in which Blake sings, “Now is the time we stand amongst the holy king/His power shines in us all like blades and silver wings/His blood was spilled like rain for us to set us free/And by his holy word we’ll stand eternally.” That same religious theme continues through the remainder of the song and almost as much in the songs that follow. That a seemingly similar lyrical theme runs through the course of each of the album’s songs even despite some minor differences makes even stronger the argument that The Battle of Eternity is a concept album to at least some degree. For anyone that is open to concept albums this is a good thing. Coupled with the album’s old school power metal vibe, The Battle of Eternity is made even more worth the listen. And when partnered with the album’s sequencing and production values, the end product of The Battle of Eternity is an album that any classic metal fan should hear at least once.

The Battle of Eternity is available now. It can be ordered online direct from Eternal Voyager’s online store at https://www.nimbitmusic.com/eternalvoyager. After ordering the band’s new album, audiences can keep up with the band’s latest news and tour dates online at:

Website: https://voyagermetal.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eternal-Voyager/115519158479578

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

philspicks

All the latest reviews and news in entertainment

Tag Archives: Iron Maiden