FRANTIC AMBER: “Ghost” Video Released

“Ghost”, the new video from the Stockholm, Sweden-based melodic death metal band FRANTIC AMBER — which features members from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Japan — can be seen below. The clip was released on Friday, December 21, the final day in the 13th 144,000-day cycle of the ancient Mayan Long Count Calendar — otherwise known as the Mayan apocalypse.

Commented FRANTIC AMBER guitarist and founder Mary Säfstrand: “We felt like doing something special on this day. Even if the world didn’t end as rumored, it symbolizes a big thing and a turning point for us.”

“Ghost” cover art by Smerdulak (a.k.a. Vladimir Chebakov)

Therion – “Les Fleurs du Mal” (2012)

Label : Adalruna 

Review by Tony Cannella

Whether you like the avant-garde metal band Therion or you don’t, there is no denying that they have done things their own way since they were founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987. Going back to their debut EP “Time Shall Tell” in 1991, Therion has morphed from a Death Metal band to an experimental symphonic metal juggernaut and with their latest opus “Les Fleurs Du Mal”, the band marches on. 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of Therion and “Les Fleurs Du Mal” is part of commemorating such a milestone. The album title is based on Charles Baudelaire’s writings and poems and the title “Les Fleurs Du Mal” (English translation is “Flowers of Evil”) is the title of a collection of poems from Charles Baudelaire. Therion’s avant-garde approach is happily intact throughout this 15-song 45-minute effort. As always Christofer Johnsson has surrounded himself with some top tier musical talent, including vocalists Lori Lewis (she sounds amazing as always) and metal veteran Thomas Vikström. Some of the strongest moments are: “Poupee De Cire, Poupee De Son”, “Initials B.B.”, the hypnotic “Mon Amour, Mon Ami” and “Lilith”. The whole thing is quite grandiose and is simply huge in sound and scope. One thing Therion has proven over the years is that they are not afraid to take chances and they do exactly what they want. For better or worse, “Les Fleurs Du Mal” is another shining example of this.

Rating – 83/100

Tracklist

1. Poupee De Cire, Poupee De Son
2. Une Fleur Dans Le Coeur
3. Initials B.B.
4. Mon Amour, Mon Ami
5. Polichinelle
6. La Maritza
7. Soeur Angelique
8. Dis-Moi Poupee
9. Lilith
10. En Alabama
11. Wahala Manitou
12. Je n’ai Besoin Que De Tendresse
13. La Licorne D’or
14. J’ai le mal de Toi
15. Poupee De Cire, Poupee De Son

Line Up

• Thomas Vikström – Vocals
• Lori Lewis – Vocals
• Christofer Johnsson – Guitar
• Christian Vidal – Guitar
• Nalle Påhlsson – Bass
• Johan Kullberg – Drums

Links

MySpace * Facebook * Twitter * Site

Nubian Rose – “Mountain” (2012)

Label : Funklord Dynasty Records/Rambo Music

Review by Tony Cannella

There is a definite charm and like-ability factor when it comes to the debut album, “Mountain” from the Swedish melodic rock band Nubian Rose. The band is fronted by vocalist Sofia Lilja and has an affinity for the 80s. “Mountain” does recall the late 80s – and I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all, in fact, it’s quite refreshing. The opening duo of “Ever See Your Face” and “Mountain” gets us started. “Mountain” in particular, is one of the heavier songs and opens with a raw, monster guitar riff. Lead vocalist Sofia Lilja has a voice that is kind of reminiscent of Ann Wilson from Heart at times. “How Am I” is a heartfelt piano driven power ballad – Sofia really sings her heart out on this one. “Living for Tomorrow” is another guitar oriented number and features a guest solo courtesy of ex-Europe guitarist Kee Marcello. “Get Ready” has a 80s Heart vibe to it and is one of the highlights. Nubian Rose covers the Lita Ford classic “Close My Eyes Forever” which was quite a surprise. Of course Lita did it as a duet with Ozzy Osbourne and here Sofia performs it as a duet with Swedish vocalist Mats Leven (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen). Nubian Rose has written some cool songs with an up-beat, infectious, ready-for-radio style. The 80s influence is there, there’s no denying it, but on “Mountain” Nubian Rose is able to fuse the best of the 80s with modern day AOR melodic hard rock influences.

Rating – 71/100

Tracklist

1. Ever See Your Face
2. Mountain
3. Living for Tomorrow
4. How Am I
5. Get Ready
6. Your Love
7. Once Bitten
8. Reckless
9. Close My Eyes Forever (feat. Mats Leven)
10. Sisters

Line Up

• Sofia Lilja Åkerlund – Vocals
• Christer Åkerlund  – Guitar
• Thomas Lindgren – Guitar
• Frederick Åkerlund  – Keyboards
• Henric Uhrbom – Bass
• David Algesten – Drums

Links

Facebook * Site

NEWS : THERION New Album Les Fleus du Mal Streaming on GuitarWorld.com

THERION are currently celebrating their 25th anniversary and will release their new album “Les Fleurs du Mal” tomorrow in North America via End of the Light Records. Today GuitarWorld.com the online home of Guitar World Magazine is hosting an exclusive stream on “Les Fleurs du Mal” in its entirety HERE. There are still many details that are unknown about this mystical art project, and so far only the album title “Les Fleurs du Mal” can be officially announced. The album title refers to Charles Baudelaire’s (French author and poet 1821 – 1867) famous poem collection “Flowers of Evil” (Les Fleurs du Mal in French) that caused such an upset of emotions in France that the author was brought to court and got fined for “insulting the public” with six of the poems, that remained forbidden in France until 1949 when the ban was finally lifted. The spirit of the project is a tribute to Baudelaire, and is imbued into both music and artwork. The album was recorded at Adulruna studio, located in a separate building next to Johnsson’s decadent “Villa Adulruna” where the band lived together while recording.

“Les Fleurs du Mal” is available to order on Amazon.

For more Information Visit:

http://www.megatherion.com

http://www.endofthelight.com

The Murder of My Sweet – “Bye Bye Lullaby” (2012)

Label : AFM Records

Review by Tony Cannella

When a band releases such a phenomenal debut, the task of coming up with a comparable follow-up can be a daunting one. Such is the position that the Swedish hard rock/metal band The Murder of My Sweet find themselves in. Their 2010 debut “Divanity” was one of the best debuts I’ve heard in a long time, since then the band has changed guitar and bass players and now they return with their sophomore effort “Bye Bye Lullaby”. First off, lead vocalist Angelica Rylin sounds as good as she did on the debut. Her vocals are wonderful throughout “Bye Bye Lullaby” and they soar on each song. “Bye Bye Lullaby” contains more killer melodies that helped make “Divanity” such a great release, starting with the heavy – yet melodic – “Armageddon”. The next track “Fallen” has a theatrical vibe to it, and “Unbreakable” has an electronica style opening, it starts off as sort of a ballad before transforming into an up-tempo song with a great melody and a memorable infectious chorus. My two favorite songs came at the very end of the album with the duo of “Black September“ and “Phantom Pain“, before that some of the highlights were “I Dare You“, “Violently Peaceful“ and “Resurrection“. It is really not fair to compare the two albums.  The problem is, The Murder of My Sweet set the bar so incredibly high with “Divanity“ that it would be difficult for any band to live up to those lofty expectations. Still, when taken as its own entity “Bye Bye Lullaby“ is pretty good in its own right.

Rating – 75/100

Tracklist

1. Armageddon
2. Fallen
3. Unbreakeble
4. I Dare You
5. Violently Peaceful
6. Meant to Last Forever
7. Idolize
8. Kind of Lousy
9. The One
10. Resurrection
11. Waiting for the 27th (Booh Prologue)
12. Black September
13. Phantom Pain

Line Up

• Angelica Rylin – Vocals
• Christopher Vetter – Guitar
• Teddy Westlund – Bass
• Daniel Flores – Drums

Links

MySpace * ReverbNation * Facebook * Twitter * Site