ALBUM REVIEW: Kings of Mercia – Kings of Mercia


 

One of the things that was great about growing up in the seventies was the soothing, grounded music. There was an earthiness to some of the music that just made the listener feel good. The songs weren’t too complex, nor were they too simple; they just existed to make the listener get in tune with their surroundings. Fast forward fifty years and life is just more complex and frenetic. This is reflected in some genres of music. It can be a struggle to find earthy music that makes you feel good.

Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Fates Warning – Long Day Good Night


 

Over 35 years ago, Fates Warning was one of the main trailblazers and influencers in the Progressive Metal movement. With so much history, there has been a lot of lineup changes throughout the years, but the band has always been known for its exploration and expansion of the scene. Even today this East Coast act is still examining their special sound. Earlier this month FW released their newest full-length album, Long Day Good Night (Metal Blade Records). These boys went big and completed 13 songs to celebrate their 13th full-length release. The group took their time to dig deep into their assorted inclinations to expose the wealth they found there.

Continue reading


Arch / Matheos – Winter Eternal


Gobsmacking. That’s the first word that came to mind and I wasn’t even a minute into Winter Eternal (Metal Blade Records). Arch / Matheos deliver everything people like about heavy metal. The music is imbued with headbanging fury. The guitar riffage is sublime. Winter Eternal is that perfect storm of a heavy metal album. It’s a wicked mixture of classically awesome Iron Maiden, heady powerful Dream Theatre, and has the story-telling prowess of Queensryche. Listening to the album makes you go, “Grrrrrrrrrr!”Continue reading


Fates Warning’s ‘Awaken The Guardian’ Lineup To Headline Keep It True Festival 2016


fateswarningkeepittrue2016poster_638

Fates Warning will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Awaken The Guardian album with an exclusive headlining live appearance at the 2016 edition of the Keep It True Festival, set to take place in April 2016 in Lauda-Konigshofen, Germany.

The lineup from that album – John Arch (vocals), Jim Matheos (guitar), Frank Aresti (guitar), Joe DiBiase (bass) and Steve Zimmerman (drums) — will play the complete LP, as well as other songs from the Arch era of FATES WARNING. This will be an exclusive European show and the first time FATES WARNING will perform an old-school set with Arch on vocals.