Heavy Metal Resource Reviews-Beast In Black, AFM Records, Alan Parsons, Stahlmann, and Crazy Lixx

Index

If you are familiar with the band's previous releases, you'll have a good idea of the sound of this new record. The band infuse traditional metal elements with a a good dose of synthesizer to offer a sound that isn't necessarily unique, but it memorable and quite catchy. The vocals courtesy of Yannis Papadopoulos are excellent as always and the music seems to flow well from track to track. The album in ways seems to have progressed a bit more in the direction of the synth, but it does sound like a Beast In Black record overall. The band added a couple of interesting cover tracks. The first, 'Battle Hymn' is a Manowar cover and is done quite well. The second is a Michael Jackson cover of 'They Don't Care About Us' which was an interesting choice. It has a bit more edge to it obviously, but is faithful to the original as well. Pretty decent album overall!

Release Date: October 29, 2021

When you have been part of the metal scene for 25 years, it's time to celebrate. AFM Records did just that. They have released a very cool package of songs spanning their roster of artists. What makes this album pretty unique is that it isn't just some various artists package with songs that have been released in the past. The label was able to scour their vaults and found some pretty neat stuff. You get unreleased music, stuff only released on digital platforms, and even bonust tracks from other markets that you may have missed. It's a great idea and there are lots of songs to be had. The double disc set offers up 30 songs and a good variety of artists. While I haven't seen the physical media yet, you can get an amazing price on the digital release via Amazon here in the states. Kudos for the label getting this right. An absolutely cool package of songs!

Release Date: October 29, 2021

One of the earlier bands that I got into that wasn't necessarily metal was The Alan Parsons Project. I was a young kid at the time and it helped shape my musical taste. To this day I still own about everything the band have released along with some of Alan Parson's solo material. This new live set is a must have for fans of the band. The biggest tracks that were released are well represented in this live show filmed in The Netherlands. I haven't managed to secure a copy of the blu-ray yet, but there is a listing for it on Amazon and it will be mine soon. With the CD set, you get a double album and the DVD version of the live show. The medleys are a definite highlight, but with so many great tracks, the entire album is awesome and the band sounds great. Alan Parsons is a treasure to the music industry and this package will show just why!

Release Date: November 5, 2021

'Quarz' is the band's seventh full length studio album and will be released early next month. The band have already teased a few tracks to wet the appetite of the fans via YouTube. The band have expressed that the sound on this record is a bit of a return to their first few records while adding a bit to it to further evolve. I felt that it was a good listen. The band have a good vibe to this record and it is quite consistent start to finish. For music fans unfamiliar with the band, they are part of the NDH movement (Neue Deutsche Härte) that is also represented by bands such as Rammstein, Megaherz, etc. The music has a catchy groove but at the same time has some punch to it. There is a ballad here as well with 'Der Sturm' showing another side to the band's music. If you dig modern metal, specifically NDH, you'll more than likely dig this record!

Release Date: December 10, 2021

Fans of 80's hard rock are more than likely already familiar with Sweden's Crazy Lixx. This band writes their music in a way that you would think they were an American hard rock band from back in the day. What is even more interesting is the band's single 'Anthem For America'. The song takes a look at what happened to the American scene. It's literally been decades now, but thanks to bands like Crazy Lixx, that style of music lives on. This new record offers the listener a great listen with plenty of anthems, fair amounts of melody and a good dose of nostalgia even if it is new. Crazy Lixx is one of those artists that I always search for a physical copy. I personally dig their sound and find it worthwhile to go back to time and time again, It's a good bet that a lot of other fans feel the same way as this band is a good go to band with great hard rock music!

Release Date: November 5, 2021