Quick-Reviews: Sonata Arctica, Kee Marcello, Meat Loaf

Hey folks,

long time no update, but I needed some time to collect a few albums for review, because August and September didn't offer many interesting releases. But now I can present you a pretty decent mixture of sub-genres: Prog/Melodic-Metal, classic Hard Rock and some theatralic Rock.

- SONATA ARCTICA - "The Ninth Hour"
- KEE MARCELLO - "Scaling Up"
- MEAT LOAF - "Braver Than We Are"

Album Of The Year 2014: # 05 - 01

Hey folks,

we finally made it: these are my personal top five albums of the year and I can tell you one thing: it was very, very hard for me to put these 5 records in a ranking order, because every single one of them impressed me so much this year. In the end every record could have been on number one. Now take a look and don't forget to tell me which 5 albums belong to your favorites! Feel free to write it in the comments below!

Special: TOP 15 Songs Of The Year 2014!

Hey folks,

various websites and magazines are publishing their "best of 2014" lists these days, so I'd like to jump on that train too and today I'll reveal the 15 best songs of 2014. For sure this is my personal taste, so maybe you guys have other favorites. Would be nice if you could put your top 5 songs of the year into the comments under this post. I'm very interested in what you think! All in all I must say that 2014 offered tons of great songs, but there are particular tracks that really stuck in my head the whole year. Those are the ones that are worth to be mentioned here.

CD-Review: Sonata Arctica - "Ecliptica-Revisited: 15th Anniversary Edition"

2014 is going to be THE year for the Finnish Melodic Metal heroes of Sonata Arctica. In March a fantastic new album ("Pariah's Child") was released, a world tour followed and now a re-recorded version of the bands first LP "Ecliptica" hit the stores. I don't know where they have taken the time to record this album, but it is set to be a celebration of the 15th anniversary of their debut.

Live-Report: SONATA ARCTICA - Pariah's Child World Tour (Leipzig, 18.04.2014)

First of all I hope everyone of you had a great Easter weekend. For me it started with my first Sonata Arctica show ever. During their "Pariah's Child World Tour" the Finnish Melodic Metal heroes visited Leipzig, Germany on April 18th, 2014. When I arrived at the location ("Hellraiser") I didn't know what to expect from a Sonata Arctica show. I didn't watch any live-videos, I just wanted to be surprised this time.

Exclusive Interview with TONY KAKKO (Sonata Arctica)

If there is a band that went through many musical changes in the last ten years it has to be the Finnish Melodic Metal band SONATA ARCTICA. When metalheads hear this name they are happy or getting angry. The band is known for Power Metal classics like "Ecleptica" or "Silence", but those records went hand in hand with more progressive albums like "Unia" and "Days Of Grays". The fanbase is split. Now Sonata Arctica come along with a new album, called "Pariah's Child" and it has the difficult task to please old and new fans. Singer and songwriter Tony Kakko took the time to talk with me about the new album, musical development, critics ... and wolves. Here is what he had to say.

CD-Review: Sonata Arctica - "Pariah's Child"

Beside the German band Freedom Call another Power Metal group wants to go a step back to their roots this year. Sonata Arctica are one of those bands that changed their musical style very much over the years. Starting as a traditional Power Metal band they quickly became a Progressive Metal band and the latest output "Stones Grow Her Name" felt more like a very melodic Hard Rock record. "Pariah's Child" was announced as the big revelation for die-hard-fans. Is this true?

Album/Song of the year 2012 - # 01!

Finally we made it to the top spot. You see my personal best album and best song of the year below. Now it's your turn: which record was your favorite in 2012???

# 01

Album/Song of the year 2012 - # 02!

The second best album of the year 2012 comes from a very young and talented band from Sweden. This country is a certification mark when it comes to Melodic Hard Rock/Metal/Sleaze/AOR. This kind of music is very popular in this region. Let's see who it is! ;)

# 02