Thrashers Grave Forsaken is back with their first fullength. Really liked their demo so it was with big anticipation I put the disc into the cdplayer. Unfortunately it wasn't as good as I had expected. The band still plays thrash but there are just way too many slow parts that make me lose interest. They really need to speed up to coming releases! Faster for the Master, you know. The faster tracks are also their best. Really like their Biblical lyrics but musically they need to speed up. Grave Forsaken truly have lots of potential which they really showed on their demo and if they add more speed, harmonies and variation next album can be really interesting.


References: Thrash fans doom influenced thrash like Seventh Angel can give this a try.


Website: http://www.graveforsaken.com


Orderinfo: Check with the mailordercompanys listed here

Grave Forsaken is a thrash band hailing from Australia. They do not play pure thrash though, but also mix in some slower doom parts into their sound. This make the music varied. In their tunes they also have many guitarsolos which always is a big plus in my ears. The vocalist has a good powerful voice that fits thrash well. Lyrically it is very clear that the band focus on Jesus and what he did for us on the cross: "Death, death, death on the cross. Christ died for our sin. Death, death, death on the cross. Salvation comes through him." The production on this demo cd is ok even if the drums could sound better and have some more punch. To sum it is a really good demo from a promising thrash band. I give it a 3+.


References: Recommend to Thrash fans especially if you into doom influenced thrash like Seventh Angel.


Website: http://www.graveforsaken.com


Orderinfo: Check with the mailordercompanys listed here

Last Summer Guardian did an 80s flashback gig at Cornerstone! The result is this cd. It includes melodic metal hits like The Rain, Power of Love, Shoeshine Johnny, Curiosity Killed The Cat, the beautiful ballad Never Say Goodbye and more... They have also included a couple of tunes from their Bottle Rocket album.

It's really nice to hear them do the metaltunes again and I like some of the Bottle Rocket stuff as well so I'll give this cd a 3-rating. Check it out if you like Guardian's albums Fire And Love and Miracle Mile. I'm sure Bottle Rocket fans will like it as well. As all the Cornerstone Live cds this is a limited edition only so you better pick up your copy quick before it's out of print...


References: Guardian fans will definately enjoy this cd! It's groovy and melodic hardrock/metal with Jamie's cool raspy voice. Guardian's sound is also reminding of the secular bands Winger and Extreme so I'm sure fans of these bands will enjoy this cd as well.


Website: http://www.guard-dog.com/


Orderinfo: Check with the mailordercompanys listed here

This is a cover album of the first Stryper album! Yeah, that's right, Guardian has covered the whole album. (The first version with 6 tracks) And the good thing with this album is that it's really close to the original! Wow, this is how a cover album should be done, close to the original but with some extra finesses thrown in. This is exactly what Guardian have done. Even the vocals reminds of Stryper with Jamie Rowes raspy voice. Jamie does a good job with the singing but when it comes to the high tones his voice can't match Michael Sweets (but who can??).

Personally I still prefer the original versions but Guardian does a great job in covering these classics. Anyway a good melodic metal album this is, that surely will please your ears and makes you wanna sing along loud'n'clear with the yellow and blacks that started it all. Melodic metallers and especially Stryper fans are gonna love this album.


References: A must have for all ya Stryper and Guardian fans out there!


Website: http://www.guard-dog.com/


Orderinfo: Check with the mailordercompanys listed here Swedish metallers can also get it thru Metal Community