Crescent Shield - The Stars of Never Seen (Cruz Del Sur Music, 2009)

Genre: Heavy/Power Metal
Year: 2009
Country: USA
Tracklist:

1.	Under Cover of Shadows	06:54
2.	The Grand Horizon	04:33
3.	Tides of Fire	04:19
4.	10,000 Midnights Ago	04:22
5.	Temple of the Empty	06:09
6.	My Anger	03:24
7.	The Bellman	03:23
8.	The Endurance	09:16
9.	Lifespan	06:34
		48:54

Review:
After the release of The Last of My Kind in 2006 Crescent Shield brings out a second album two years later entitled The Stars of never seen, today it’s that second album that I will be reviewing. The band has been founded by members of Onward and Destiny’s End, in short artists who have already made their marks elsewhere. If you know anything about the previous groups it should come as no surprise that we are essentially getting a serving of U.S. Power Metal. The singer is Michael Grant who, while opinions about his qualities are divided, is in my eyes one of the most underrated singers in today’s metal scene. For many his unique vocal timbre will be a difficult adjustment, but whether it’s a fast song or a melodic sounding one Grant will provide everything with beautiful vocals, even the high notes he reaches with ease. Of course comparisons can be made with the greats in the genre like Omen, Jag Panzer and the longer, more progressive sounding songs also with the old Fates Warning. The song “The Endurance is worth a special mention, although this is the longest song that Crescend Shield has written so far, it never threatens to get boring, more so this epic song is slowly building up to a crescendo in about the middle of the song after witch it remains compelling to the last note. For people less into the progressive genre it also contains more straightforward upbeat tempo songs such as “My Anger”. There has clearly been though about the structure of the songs on this record, the production has had an audible improvement over the debut and the artist show that they know how to handle their instruments. In short, U.S. Power metal at its best, why haven’t you bought this yet?

Rating:

Where to buy?:
http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=35&product_id=60

Note: Michael Grant passed away not long ago this year, I would like to take this moment to offer my sincere condolences to everyone who knew Michael Grant, truly a singer who had so much more to offer was taken from us.

Dustsucker - Diabolo Domination (Limb Music GmbH, 2008)

Genre: Heavy Metal
Year: 2008
Country: Germany
Tracklist:

1.	Lost and Forgotten	03:50
2.	Dig Your Own Grave	03:15
3.	Live in Sin	03:10
4.	Land of the King	03:45
5.	Long Gone	03:40
6.	Ignite to Burn	03:29
7.	Right Time	02:49
8.	Loaded and Ready	03:43
9.	Kill On the First Date	03:21
10.	Can't Escape the Fire	03:57
11.	Learn to Crawl	03:30
12.	Let the Good Times Roll	05:02
		43:31

Review:
The Germans of Dustsucker have been working hard to get recognition for over more then 15 years. After 4 CDs was they still failed to advance beyond the status of an underground band.
Hopefully this fifth record will change things for them. Dustsucker have everything to make it with the general public, they are playing a heavy mix between
Motörhead and The Hellacopters. These gentlemens still play for the love of music and it shows becasue the joy of playing just oozes out of the music.
You won't find a lot of variety on this album but the record is not boring at all, it just keeps on deliciously rocking.
Just turn of your brain and listen to this with a refreshment during the summer, it's ideal for situations like that.
Diabolo Domination swings, rocks and is fun from the start to the end and it's a recommendation for every Möterhead, Rose Tattoo or The Hellacopters fanatic.
And if I also tell you that metallegand Jeff Waters joins in to play a solo on "Land of the King" what are you waiting for to buy this?
Rating:

Where to buy?:
http://forever-rock.de/de/DUSTSUCKER-Diabolo-Domination-CD
(Originally written in 2009)

Gravestone - Back to Attack (Scratch Records, 1985)

Genre: Heavy Metal
Year: 1985
Country: Germany

Tracklist:

1.	I Love the Night	03:55
2.	The Tiger	05:10
3.	Back to Attack	03:49
4.	Break Out	06:18
5.	Just a Minuette	01:07
6.	Won't Stop Rocking	03:57
7.	Dirty Tales	04:28
8.	Suicide	04:59
9.	You Are the Sun	04:08
Total playing time		37:51

Review:
What better way to introduce myself then to review an album that's right up my alley, cheesy 80s heavy metal from Germany!

The band has released 5 albums between it's humble beginnings in 1977 and it's ending as another metal victim from the '90s. The first two albums are not metal, but progressive rock and are not even mentioned by the band itself anymore. I am not familiar with those lp's, but this might be something Maarten can give a review of in a distant future?
Anyways, of the three albums that mattered their best effort is this cheese-fest "Back To Attack". With songs like 'Won't stop rocking', 'I love the night' (click to listen on youtube) and 'Dirty Tales' you might suspect that this is nothing more then one of those uninspired hair metal bands that where getting a lot of attention back then, well think again, not only does this have balls, it's a German traditional heavy metal band that is not just an "Accept' clone (a real shocker).

The vocals, by Berti Majdan, are not in the raspy, heavy style that one might expect, instead it could be compared to Klaus Meine of Scorpions fame. Don't worry, you will still be able to tell the difference between the two singers, Majdan sometimes shows a NWOBHM influence and gives us a scream (as in 'back to attack') that gives the songs that extra edge that it needed. And considering it's well worth mentioning that he does not have any irritating accent.

The production is more or less what you can expect, subpar to todays standarts but not diminishing the experience.
The music itself is a mix between melodic and speedy, energetic metal. Think USA counterparts Sound Barrier but with a more raw edge, of course there are parallels with bands like Accept, Scorpions and Sinner, but unlike those bands this is one band that tried but never got out of the underground.
The songs are more or less of the same value, without really any filler tracks. A special mention for the song 'Break out' where the band has the balls to get away from the given path and tackles on a slower song that really works. All in all a top notch Teutonic metal album that is recommended for the old-school metal fan.

But let's be honest, you knew whether or not you where gonna like it from the first look on the -in my opinion- awesome traditional cover art.

Rating: