SILVERLANE - "My Inner Demon" - Drakkar - 2009

While Melodic Power Metal has taken a back-seat in my listening rotation, bands like Germany's Silverlane come along and slap me back into attention. What really caught my interest is the placing of the tracks as each tune really offers something different style-wise and does not leave you feeling bogged down. You really get the broad spectrum of the genre here...showcasing this band's creative confidence in song writing that takes you on a journey. Everything is on this album and done in spades. The strong, speed-driven shredders, slow, riff-heavy crushers, power anthems and of course the emotional melodic power ballads. Simply stunning display of chops all over this disc!!!

Ecki Singer - Vocals
Chris Alexander - Guitar
Uli Holzermer - Guitar
Daniel Saffer - Bass
Simon Michael - Drums
Dorotheé Schmitt - Keyboards

1. Wings Of Eternity (5:26)
2. Miracle (3:26)
3. The Flight Of Icarus (4:37)
4. The Taste Of Sin (3:36)
5. My Inner Demon (7:19)
6. Tears Of Pain (4:17)
7. In The Desert (0:58)
8. Kingdom Of Sand (5:20)
9. Full Moon (3:27)
10. Serenade Of Wind (2:14)
11. The Dark Storm (4:10)
12. Slowly (4:27)
ABSU - "Absu" Candlelight Records - 2009

Absu are back and it's pretty hard to believe 8 long years have passed since their legendary "Tara" album. The main focus on this band has always been Proscriptor and his amazing drumming, and it is on full display throughout this colossal album...but the three new members (Guitarists Zawicizuz and Aethryis McKay and bassist Ezezu) have really given this band a slightly different sound while keeping it's legacy intact. I'm all for the crazy, all-out blasting assault this band has been known for for so long but Absu have tightened the reigns and beefed up the overall production, giving this amazing disc room to breathe while at the same time pummeling you into the ground...no easy feat for any band, much less one that is no-doubt been under the microscope since regrouping. Ancient Sumerian themes still abound and though not quite as "mystical" sounding, the addition of a bit of meledy goes a long way among the blazing riffs and mind-bending solos. Black/Thrash at it's best!!!


Proscriptor McGovern- Vocals, Drums
Aethyris MacKay- Guitars, Bass, Analog Synthesizers, Backing Vocals
Zawicizuz- Guitars, Keyboards
Ezezu- Bass, Vocals


Track Listing:
1. Between the Absu of Eridu & Erech
2. Night Fire Canonization
3. Amy
4. Nunbarshegunu
5. 13 Globes
6. ....of the Dead Who Never Rest in Their Tombs Are the Attendance of Familiar Spirits Including:
A.) Diversified Signs Inscribed/B.) Our Earth of Black/C.) Voor
7. Magic(k) Square Cipher
8. In the Name of Auebothiabathabaithobeuee
9. Girra's Temple
10. Those of the Void Will Re-Enter
11. Sceptre Command
12. Ye Uttuku Spells
13. Twix Yesterday, the Day & the Morrow