REVIEW: MASTER SPY – Maze Runner

 

MASTER SPY – Maze Runner

Stormspell Records

Power Metal with Substance and a Clear Identity

Canadian power metal act MASTER SPY are set to release their second album, "Maze Runner", and it's clear from the outset that this is a significant step forward. Scheduled for release on Stormspell Records on February 17, 2025, the album presents itself as a work that feels both rooted in tradition and decidedly contemporary within the power metal landscape.

The album features six core tracks, with an additional bonus track included specifically on the CD version. This bonus track is noteworthy for featuring Blaze Bayley, formerly of Iron Maiden, a collaboration that adds a distinct layer of character and weight to the recording.

MASTER SPY build upon the foundations of classic heavy and power metal, drawing on influences that are evident – you can hear echoes of bands like Stratovarius, Angra, Dragonforce, and Lost Horizon. However, they manage to avoid sounding dated or derivative. Instead, there's a palpable energy and a sense of purpose in their sound, suggesting a band that deeply respects the genre while clearly forging their own path.

Craig Cairns delivers a vocal performance on this album that stands out in recent power metal releases. He possesses the qualities of a strong frontman, demonstrating vocal agility and a genuine emotional connection to the material. The guitar work from Merk, Officer-X, and Christian Vidal is consistently strong, featuring a blend of memorable melodies, intricate solos, and impactful riffs that leave a lasting impression.

The rhythm section, comprised of Kostas Vass on drums and James Amelio Pulli on bass, provides a robust and solid backbone to the music. Pascal Lamanche on keyboards adds a layer of atmospheric depth, contributing a cinematic quality to the compositions. Each track feels carefully constructed, showing attention to detail while maintaining the necessary dynamism and emotional core of the genre.

While not a concept album, "Maze Runner" maintains a cohesive feel and a natural flow that keeps the listener engaged from beginning to end. There are no tracks that feel like mere filler; each song contributes meaningfully to the overall experience. Crucially, the music feels authentic. It doesn't sound overly polished or designed purely for flash. It’s honest and fueled by genuine passion.

"Maze Runner" serves as a strong reminder of the enduring appeal of power metal – its capacity for combining fantasy, power, melody, and genuine feeling. MASTER SPY demonstrate that they are more than just a band playing in a traditional style; they are a voice with a clear respect for the genre's history and a confident outlook towards its future.

Nick Parastatidis

REVIEW: RIOT V, ARMOR OF LIGHT

 

RIOT V, ARMOR OF LIGHT (2018)

Nuclear Blast Records

Παράδοση τους οι ποιοτικές δουλειές.

Πολλά έχουν ειπωθεί, πιο πολλά γράφτηκαν για τη συνέχεια του θρυλικού σχήματος μετά τον θάνατο του μεγάλου κιθαρίστα κι ηγέτη των Riot του αγαπημένου Mark Reale. Οτιδήποτε κι αν πιστεύετε η πέμπτη ενσάρκωση τους (V) έχει δώσει διαπιστευτήρια και αυτό το άλμπουμ είναι ένα απ' αυτά που εμένα με κάλυψαν με το παραπάνω. Εδώ έχουμε τους Todd Michael Hall σε φωνή, Mike Flyntz & Nick Lee κιθάρες, Don Van Stavern στο μπάσο και ντράμερ ο γνωστός κι  απ' τους Virgin Steele κύριος Frank Gilchriest στο διάδοχο δίσκο του πολύ καλού (αν όχι καλύτερου) Unleash the Fire (2014). Προσωπικά αντιμετωπίζω τους Riot V σαν άλλο συγκρότημα παρότι τα 3/5 της σύνθεσης τους ήταν στους Riot κάποια χρονική στιγμή, και βέβαια έχουν την μασκότ άσπρη φώκια  Tior στα εξώφυλλα τους όπως βέβαια και το λογότυπο της Thundersteel εποχής των Riot  με το V σαν υπόβαθρο! Εν πάση περιπτώσει, εδώ έχουμε σύγχρονο Power/ Speed Metal στα καλύτερα του. Συγκρότημα φόρου τιμής; Ίσως αν κι η οικογένεια του Mark δήλωσε ότι θα ήθελε να υπάρχει το συγκρότημα και μετά από αυτόν! Πάντως πολύ πιο τίμιο απ' τους Accept για παράδειγμα, που βγάζουν ακόμη δισκάρες αλλά με ένα μοναδικό μέλος της αρχικής σύνθεσης τους... Εδώ μέσα βρίσκεις σε δώδεκα κομμάτια τη γιατρειά σου πραγματικά! Victory, End Of the World, Messiah, Burn the Daylight, Armor of Light, Set the World Alight, Heart of a Lion , Ready to Shine Raining Fire υποκειμενικά είναι νομίζω τα πιο κορυφαία.

English:

Quality work is their tradition.

Much has been said, and even more has been written, about the continuation of this legendary band after the death of the great guitarist and leader of Riot, the beloved Mark Reale. Whatever you may believe, their fifth incarnation (V) has proven its worth, and this album is one that more than satisfies me. Here we have Todd Michael Hall on vocals, Mike Flyntz & Nick Lee on guitars, Don Van Stavern on bass, and the well-known drummer, Mr. Frank Gilchriest (also from Virgin Steele), on the successor album to the very good (if not better) “Unleash the Fire” (2014). Personally, I treat Riot V as a different band, even though three-fifths of their lineup were in Riot at some point. And of course, they have the mascot white seal Tior on their covers, as well as the Riot “Thundersteel”-era logo with the 'V' as a background!

In any case, here we have modern Power/Speed Metal at its finest. A tribute band? Perhaps, although Mark's family stated that they wanted the band to continue after him! However, it's much more honest than, for example, Accept, who are still releasing great albums but with only one original member... Within these twelve tracks, you truly find your remedy! "Victory," "End Of the World," "Messiah," "Burn the Daylight," "Armor of Light," "Set the World Alight," "Heart of a Lion," and "Ready to Shine Raining Fire" are, in my subjective opinion, the absolute highlights.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

Katatonia Unleash Second Single "Temporal" Ahead of New Album

 

Stockholm, Sweden - Swedish purveyors of melancholic metal, Katatonia, continue to build anticipation for their forthcoming album, "Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State," set for release on June 6, 2025, via Napalm Records. The band has unveiled the second single from the album, titled "Temporal."

"Temporal" showcases Katatonia's signature blend of vulnerability and power. The track navigates intense verses that build towards a soaring, emotionally resonant chorus. A stunning lyric video accompanies the single, offering a visual journey into the song's themes.

Vocalist Jonas Renkse offered insight into "Temporal," stating, "Temporal, when the enchantment is gone. When riffing is on, the combination offers no solace other than the pleasure of the vicious circle & the colours of the night. Enjoy."

Fans can experience "Temporal" now and look forward to the full release of "Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State" next summer.

WARKINGS Unleash "Genghis Khan"

 

Valhalla has unleashed its warriors! The mighty WARKINGS have returned with their new single, "Genghis Khan," a thunderous power metal anthem featuring German titans Orden Ogan. This epic collaboration delves into the legendary military force of Genghis Khan, painting a sonic portrait of fearless warriors driven by loyalty and brotherhood.

"Genghis Khan" charges across the battlefield with relentless energy and iron resolve, capturing the spirit of a cavalry charge that reshapes the landscape with every note. It's more than just a metal track; it's a call to arms, echoing from the Mongolian steppes to the halls of Valhalla. As The Tribune aptly comments, "Ride with the horde, gather under the banner of the great Khan — unstoppable, unbreakable, and born for conquest!"

REVIEW: WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS - Ruination Revelation

 

WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS - Ruination Revelation

Stormspell Records

You know how in Greece, we've got sayings for when things take their sweet time? Like "good things come to those who wait" or "better late than never"? Well, that vibe totally fits WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS. These guys decided to drop their second album, "Ruination Revelation," a full ten years after their debut. Their first one, "Portable Darkness," came out way back in 2015. Yeah, a decade later!

Now, calling them a "band" feels a bit off to me. I'd lean more towards calling WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS a studio project. My gut feeling on this comes from the fact that it's just two guys making the magic happen: Toby Knapp on guitars and bass, and he's also the brains behind the drum machine programming. Then you've got Shane Wacaster handling the vocals.

Interestingly, these two go way back. They were both part of ONWARD – Toby even founded that killer band, and Shane was the drummer there. Plus, they teamed up again in NECRYTIS, with Shane pulling double duty on drums and vocals. So, yeah, they know each other's musical language inside and out, and you can definitely hear that chemistry.

"Ruination Revelation" itself is a cool blend of that classic '80s heavy and speed metal sound. It's got this awesome old-school, nostalgic feel, but it also sounds fresh and full of cool ideas. What really stands out is how well they balance those catchy melodies with the heavier, rhythmic parts. And Toby Knapp? Man, his guitar work is insane! You can hear how talented he is on those lead and solo sections, but he's not just showing off. He uses his skills to add those little details that make the songs more interesting and unique.

To me, this album screams '80s British metal, with a healthy dose of early METALLICA and MEGADETH thrown in. And let's be real, those bands were huge fans of British hard rock and heavy metal back in the day. You can totally hear the JUDAS PRIEST influence woven into the songs, and that strong NWOBHM vibe is everywhere. At times, it even brought back memories of the good old RAVEN. And, of course, there are those clear nods to ONWARD.

Listening to this album is just a really enjoyable experience. It flows so naturally. It's got that good kind of nostalgia, making the songs feel like classics – but it's not just rehashing old ideas. It's got its own personality and a real sense of freshness.

My only little nitpick is the drum machine. It makes the production sound a bit like a demo in places. I'm not sure why they went that route, especially since Shane is a drummer! But honestly, that's a minor point. Overall, this is definitely an album you should check out.

Nick Parastatidis

REVIEW: RIOT CITY, Electric Elite

 

RIOT CITY, Electric Elite (2022)

No Remorse Records

Μόνο μία μπάντα πρέπει να φέρει τον τίτλο Riot...

Εκτός αν πρόκειται για τους Riot V που βέβαια είναι η συνέχεια των αρχικών Riot μετά τον θάνατο του Mark Reale και βέβαια αυτοί οι εδώ οι πέντε τύποι απ'το Κάλγκαρι του Καναδά! Το δεύτερο άλμπουμ τους σερί,  εξαιρετικό Speed Metal παίξιμο, όρεξη, νεύρο και βεβαίως εξώφυλλα που φέρνουν στο μυαλό τη χρυσή δεκαετία του '80, αυτό είναι το πιο πρόσφατο άλμπουμ τους με οχτώ κομμάτια (δε χρειάζονται και πιο πολλά, όπως τα κλασικά άλμπουμ των μεγαθήριων του παρελθόντος πάντα τόσα είχαν) που θα φέρουν το μειδίαμα στα χείλη των παλιών μεταλάδων αφού δεν έχει πιο κλασική συνταγή για να ακουστεί ένας δίσκος της μουσικής που λατρεύουμε πιο κοντά και πιο οικεία στα ακούσματα με τα οποία όλες κι όλοι γαλουχηθήκαμε κι γίναμε αυτό που είμαστε... Eye of the Jaguar, Beyond The Stars, Tyrant (όχι διασκευή στους Judas Priest, συνώνυμο), Ghosts of Reality, Return of the Force, Paris Nights (αυτό με τη πρωτεύουσα της Γαλλίας ποτέ δε το κατάλαβα με τους εξ Αμερικής μουσικούς αλλά τέλος πάντων!), Lucky Diamond και Severed Ties θα απογειώσουν τη διάθεση σας κι γιατί όχι, θα κάνουν τον γέρικο σβέρκο σας να αρχίσει να πάλλεται όπως τότε....

English:

Only one band should bear the title Riot...

 

Unless, of course, we're talking about Riot V, who are indeed the continuation of the original Riot after Mark Reale's passing, and naturally, these five guys here from Calgary, Canada! Their second album in a row, featuring excellent Speed Metal playing, energy, nerve, and certainly cover art that brings to mind the golden decade of the '80s. This is their latest album with eight tracks (no need for more, just like the classic albums from the giants of the past always had that many) that will bring a smile to the faces of old-school metalheads. There's no more classic recipe for an album of the music we love to sound closer and more familiar to the sounds we were all raised on and which made us who we are... "Eye of the Jaguar," "Beyond The Stars," "Tyrant" (not a Judas Priest cover, just a synonym), "Ghosts of Reality," "Return of the Force," "Paris Nights" (I never quite understood this thing with the French capital from musicians from America, but anyway!), "Lucky Diamond," and "Severed Ties" will lift your spirits and, why not, make your old neck start to bob like it used to...."

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

ARKONA Unleash New Single "Cectpa," Announce European Tour

 

Following the success of their acclaimed 2023 concept album “Kob'”, pagan folk metal pioneers ARKONA return with a captivating new single, "Cectpa" (English: Sister). Departing slightly from their usual sound, "Cectpa" explores a darker, more introspective realm, featuring solemn organ melodies, doom-laden riffs, and the ethereal vocals of frontwoman Masha Scream. The track, accompanied by an official music video, delves into themes of inner grief and spiritual reckoning, showcasing the band's continued evolution in blending folkloric mysticism with intense metal.

"The song 'Cectpa' tells about the deep mental anguish of a person who is on the verge of going into oblivion," explains the band. "Sestra is the anguish which acts as a twin sister, the personification of her own internal mental suffering."

With stunning artwork by Rotten Fantom visualizing the song's dark philosophical themes, "Cectpa" offers a doom metal-infused sound that still incorporates Arkona's signature folk choral elements, recommended for fans of tracks like "Strela" and "Oh, Pechal'-Toska."

Fresh off a successful 2023 tour and a well-received appearance at Summer Breeze Open Air 2024, ARKONA are now set to embark on their "Summer Rituals" tour across Europe. The tour will see the band bring their intense blend of Slavic pagan tradition, blackened metal, and theatrical performance to stages both intimate and grand, reaffirming their status as a commanding and emotionally resonant force in the metal scene.