So, over a month has passed since the last entry, as I suspected after the sudden peak in activity in July/August. I thought I'll go through the list of new albums and write some reviews, but I really can't. I haven't had the time or drive to listen to them properly. It seems I've mostly listened to older stuff or bands that are "in the spotlight" for one reason or another. For example, we bought tickets to see Within Temptation next month, and I've been listening to their albums quite a lot. Same with Crashdïet, who we saw last Friday, there's a mini-review and photos on our Facebook page. And Nestor and Cruzh are coming to Finland next month too, they've been getting some airtime.
Anyway, there are a few things I want to write about. MIKE TRAMP has just released his second album of re-recorded WHITE LION songs, called "Songs Of White Lion, vol. 2". The songs have been re-arranged to suit Tramp's diminished range, and compared to the originals they sound very different. I tried to listen to them as if I heard them for the first time, but it was impossible. The original melodies are etched to my soul, and these versions just pale in comparison. Still, as some of them are among my all time favourite songs, even as "flattened versions" they are quite enjoyable. The slower songs like "You're All I Need" and "Road To Valhalla" work well. I still like the timbre of Tramp's voice. RRR.
The new single from MARKO HIETALA took me by surprise - big chorus, haunting keyboards and Marko's great vocals of course. Certainly one of the best songs I've heard from him in quite a while. Here's the video:
And then the Swedes. Goddamn it, they just churn out these catchy tracks one after another. Here's a set of new Swedish hard rock videos:
