The Finnish STRATOVARIUS have returned; this time with the release of a live CD/DVD which at the same time is a farewell to the drummer Jörg Michael, as this was one of the last times he sat behind the drums. Some will see this release as sentimental while others, more cynical, will not fail to underline the capitalization on the behalf of the band for promotional reasons, and one of the crucial and certain points here is that the departure will bring some changes to the sound of the band and the release is like a mark to judge the before and after.
Jul 3, 2012 11:00
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Hailing from that Black Metal hotbed of Norway come the decidedly non Black Metal band Fastlane Flower. Yes, as difficult as it may be to believe, Norway has given us other metal besides Black Metal. Take Fastlane Flower for example, they have just released their debut album called"Deadline" and musically the band treads familiar hard rock/metal territory, but in their own energetic presentation. The opening song "Agent of Chaos" has almost a prog-like feel to it, thanks to the keyboard part near the middle of the track. Next up is "State of Emergency" which could have some mainstream appeal if given the chance. Some male screaming vocals are provided here and accompanied by a chainsaw like guitar riff that gets the job done. "Monkey Business" is next and after slower tempo to start the song, the band picks up the speed and tempo as this song races to its completion. "Blue Moon" is one of the heavier tracks that showcase a nice chugging guitar riff, before changing tempos from fast to slow and back again. Other highlights include: "Secret Archive" and "Before I’m Gone", "Coping With the Loss of Beauty" and "At the Rainbow’s End". In the end, some stuff on "Deadline" works and others not so much. Still, Fastlane Flower has delivered a good effort for a debut album and one that should bode well for the future of this Norwegian outfit.
Syndone are an Italian prog band whose first phase lasted from about 1990-1993. They began a second and more interesting incarnation with 2010’s Melapesante, distinct from the music of their first phase. La Bella e la Bestia / The Beauty Is the Beast (2012, gatefold mini-LP sleeve) is their definitive record, a prog rock concept album inspired by the fairytale written by Leprince De Beaumont in 1756. Bandleader and keyboardist Nik Comoglio had a career writing rock operas during Syndone’s dormant period, which has had some influence on this work. The classical aspects of the music are more pronounced, with cellos and brass used, the writing more sophisticated and the scope broader than Syndone’s earlier ELP power trio style. Ray Thomas (The Moody Blues) guests on flute. Something special is going on in the Italian prog scene again.
Band String Driven Thing
Info: The Early Years 1968 - 1972
Style: Psychedelic Folk-Rock
Years: 1993
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 133,02 Mb
Info: UK (Scotland)
Six Magics renewed the deal with Coroner Records for the release of their new album entitled "Falling Angels" scheduled on July 2nd 2012. 
