Metal Thrashing Mad – Rhapsody Of Fire vs. Gothminster vs. Artlantica

Metal Thrashing Mad – Rhapsody Of Fire vs. Gothminster vs. Artlantica
RHAPSODY OF FIRE
Live – From Chaos To Eternity
AFM

Rhapsody as was, Rhapsody of Fire as now is, Thundercross as they began, regardless of nomenclature, the Italian symphonic power metal band are one of the masters of the genre. And despite line up changes they’ve managed to stay close to the top of their game. This is their second live release, and was recorded at a variety of venues on the “Chaos To Eternity” European tour of 2012. It’s a fine mix of old and new material, and should keep their fans happy.

Of course, this was the first tour since the departure of long-time guitarist, song-writer and founding member Luca Turilli, as well as bassist Patrice Guers, so it gives the doubters an opportunity to hear how new bassist Oliver Holzwarth and new guitarist Roberto De Micheli match up, especially now that Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody are up and running. And I’m pleased to say that live, things are good. Apparently, “not one single part was re-recorded in studio as most of bands do”, according to Alex Staropoli, and if that’s the case then they are a shit hot live band. Fabio Lione is in truly excellent voice, and bass and drum solos aside, there is a fine spread of material with the likes of ‘Holy Thunderforce’, ‘The Village Of Dwarves’, ‘Emerald Sword’ and ‘Land of Immortals’ as good as itgets.

It will be interesting to see where they go from here, but this is a good start.

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GOTHMINISTER
Utopia
AFM

Album number five from the Jekyll & Hyde type character that is Norway’s Bjørn Alexander Brem, but my first encounter with the lawyer by day, gothminister by night, and as industrial-electo-darkwave-metal goes, this is good stuff.

Of course, it won’t be to everyones taste, but if you are one of those people who mourn the passing of the flour encrusted goth years of yore, but love modern darkwave, this crunching amalgam will be right up your alley. At times it all veers a bit Rammstein, which is a good thing, but it’s when he concentrates on being a first division Gothminster, rather than a second division Rammstein that things really fall into place.

There’s a goth club floor filler in the shape of ‘Utopia’, but when he delves deeper into the likes of ‘Someone Is After Me’ and ‘Horroshow’ that you really get caught up in his creative muse. It sounds huge, no doubt helped by the mixing skills of Neil Kernon (Cannibal Corpse, Nile, Nevermore, Deicide, Judas Priest and Hall & Oates), and the more dedicated fans will want to grab the limited edition that comes with a 75 minute DVD.

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ARTLANTICA
Across The Seven Seas
Steamhammer

That’s a crap name by the way. Although bearing in mind that this sees the reunion of Swiss guitarist Roger Staffelbach and American vocalist John West who were previously in the equally rubbishly named Artension. They’ve got together with keyboard player Mystheria, who worked with Roger Staffelbach in Angel Of Eden, and unsurprisingly they’ve recorded a power metal album. A good one, mind, but not quite a great one.

Royal Hunt vocalist John West is always a pleasure to listen to, and Staffelbach is an excellent guitarist, so there is nothing wrong with the performances. Add is some guests like Dani Löble (Helloween) and John Macaluso (Malmsteen, TNT, Ark) on drums, and Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Testament), on bass, as well as Chris Caffery of Savatage / Trans-Siberian Orchestra as guest guitarist, and this should be better. Unfortunately, the performances generally outweigh the songs. So, although the noise is righteous, it doesn’t really make for sustained playing.

The music is very late eighties Iron Maiden, and if you enjoy the sounds of Stratovarius and their ilk, then you will find yourself enjoying this.

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