Trying to catch up with some newer stuff over the last week.
Lord: Even though I love these guys to bits, I've found their last couple have been real growers, and this is no exception. It seems to take a while to really get to the core of the songs. A lot of melodies don't show themselves until repeated listens. There's a lot of nice variety in this one. Pretty much more of the same, but yeah, I'd say a bit more varied than their last couple. Needs more listens but some rippers on here. Lord Tim is a wonderful shredder, but jeez, Mark is a fucking beast on the axe. What an underrated and original shredder.
Crazy Lixx: Just listened to this one today in the car. More of the same, but I've liked their last couple. Was a bit 'meh' after the first few but I hung in there and the second half had some really tasty 80's AOR melodic rock. I'll listen to this one again.
Arch/Matheos: Not sure if many of you guys are into the Arch stuff, but jeez this sounds good. Wonderful crystal clear production and mixing. Jim's coming up with some great riffs lately and it shows again here. The first album was hard to get the head around as Arch is a strange one and this one is more of the same but it does have a few more melodies that are a bit more catchy than what I found on the first one. Jim does some wonderful leads on here too, his tone is amazing. Frank shreds on the last two songs too which is a great contrast. Will listen again.
Spirits of Fire: Again, only listened to this one once, but this was damn interesting. For the lineup, it's an album you do not expect at all. Sounds like Caffery is the main songwriter but I have no idea, a lot of this stuff sounds like him. The first couple of songs I was ready to turn it off but I think it was the extended instrumental section in the title track that pricked my ears. The melodies from Tim aren't that great but instrumentally, there is some cool shit. Saying that, as the album went on, I got a very original feel from the songs. Some of the extended section are just really cool and unexpected. I'll have to listen again.
Timo Tolkki: Already said what I think, and that it's quite wondeful. I LOVE both the Zak songs and everything in between is really enjoyable. I didn't think Timo had something like this in him. It's not Strato level but it's a very good album.
Eternity's End: Have no idea who they are but listening because of Tim. I literally only just finished a listen to this, and there is a lot of shredding going on here, which is a GOOD thing. All in all just seems like a fucking ripper truthfully. Gonna listen in the car tomorrow at a high volume. I can't even pinpoint what it reminds me of. It sounds like speed inspired power metal but kind of original too. Cool vocals.
EDIT: Actually, hearing Piet on that bonus track, on a whole it does sound like older Iron Savior but more technical.
Still to come (maybe): Teramaze, First Signal, Hardline, Tobny Hitchcock.