While German singing ABROGATION are still raging on Cpt.'s iPod and work-out Shuffle, somebody left unattended on Port's dock two very precious jewels: a most unexpected HERMAN FRANK album and a MANOWAR video exerience I was still missing. Both forced me back to homework...! Serious stuff!
While many of you - as it was for myself - may be quite familiar with titles such as Restless and Wild, Instinct, Temples of Gold, Balls to The Wall, it may happen that you missed his presence and his name. Indeed he is that Herman Frank, the guitar virtuoso known from bands such as ACCEPT, VICTORY and MOON’DOC and others. This most unexpected solo performance is an awesome album! One of the most lively and pleasant things to listen I've come across lately! It’s a 10 track injection of pure Heavy Metal from the heart, traditional, classic, '80s sounding... a blow away. Heavy riffing and all-time-classic vocal lines by the voice of Jiotis Parachidis, a Ted Bullet-ized (Thunderhead) Minoru Niihara (Loudness) for a breathless 47 minutes rush! Telling the truth, there is nothing really new in it. Yet you don’t have always to go searching for break outs and novelties: sometimes it is better just enjoying the tunes with pure transport and feelings. And that’s exactly what this album is. Production is top-notch, guaranted by Herman himself, who apparently worked as a producer and engineer for Saxon, Molly Hatchet, Rose Tatto, Victory and others. Guest musicians also enhance the listening pleasure and the value of this disc: scream-machine - as said - is Parachidis (Victory, Human Fortress); Peter Pichl on bass (Running Wild) and on drum Stefan Schwarzmann... well, if you don't know him, you'd better suicide. Cover also is nasty, don't you think? Running Wilde-like... Fasten seat belts and enjoy!
MANOWAR-Magic Circle Festival (DVDx2) [Audio rip]
Manowar are always to be experienced live! But when you don't have the chance - as it happens - a good DVD can supply that feeling quite sufficiently. And Manowar got real expert in the business! In the past I introduced you an audio rip of The Day The Earth Shook - The Absolute Power 3 DVD box set: a real pearl; a must-have for any serious banger and one of my all-time favorite metal DVD (very few indeed)! This one also follows on the same trail. Recorded on the occasion of Magic Circle Festival on the 6th and 7th of July 2007, it reproposes the magic of the 2005 bombastic production: bands and fans gathered in Bad Arolsen (Germany) were witness of a spectacle that solicited openly for a place in the Guinness Book of Records: a stage 40 meters wide and 16 meters deep, thousands of watts for sound and lighting and besides Manowar, some bands chosen by Manowar themeselves to perform (Magic Circle is indeed the label of Joey De Maio). Furthere words are useless: it's a Manowar live and it's awesome! But, yes... just one thing: here you have a very rare selection of oldies not often played by them at other shows. And for people like me, used to enjoy them mostly from "Fighting the World" onward, it is a chance not to be missed! [Note that the two covers stand for "DVD 1" and "DVD 2"]
