Letallis - mesmerized lullabies of the crescent moon nights

Letallis (2005-present) is prog death from New York-New Jersey, U.S. Their 2024 EP is called A Thousand and One Nights - Chapter 1. It is five tracks in 26 minutes. The quality of the songwriting makes it clear that prog is an important foundation of the music, but there is plenty of melody to keep listeners interested. The prog elements are not the only interesting aspect, as there is a certain Middle Eastern vibe going on, in a proportional way, not overdone. It sounds like prog death with a bit of a different vibe. For instance, this is not folk metal nor is this anything like Middle Eastern/Mesopotamian or ancient Egyptian-styled metal. There is growling and singing. There are heavy parts and softer moments. There are extended, slower guitar melodies, in addition to faster riffing and pounding drumming.

It looks like the band may have had some trouble because, according to Metal Archives, there was an album in 2008 and another one in 2014, but nothing else between 2014 and 2024. I have not studied the history of the band. I am not sure that I have even heard their older music. Nevertheless, as far as the 2024 music goes, I feel like fans of prog-extreme styles may find quite a bit of satisfaction in the approach to the songwriting and the skill level of the musicianship. You don't need a calculator to enjoy this music, but you need to listen in a more attentive way. There is enough going on that the “autopilot listen” mode might not be enough to hear the music for what it is.

Thalia - When you're stubborn, and French, and play melodic metal

Thalia

The River Of Books

Rockshots Records

26 April 2024

The hippopotamus groans and squeals. The dog barks and howls. The bear growls. It's not the zoo, kids. It's metal music. No wonder people don't like this genre, right?! It's loud and obnoxious and nobody wants to sing, only make farm animal noises. Going to a metal music show is like going to the Washington State fair: you'll see horses, you'll hear dogs, you'll smell pigs. It's fun, but it's not an event for people wanting something pretty, nice and fragrant.

Then, there's Thalia. Oh, my goodness, do my ears deceive me? Is that singing that I hear? Am I dreaming or am I hallucinating? The voice is full, melodic and strong. If you like good singing, perhaps more on the soulful side, then this voice may make you a fan. It sounds like a human man, but not an angry man yelling or hollering, but rather simply singing, and even when he does higher parts, it is melodic. If you would like to hear some singing (no growling, just singing!), or if you would like to sing along, then you've arrived at the right place. Naturally, if you are partial to melodic singing, then it is very likely that you will find pleasure in this music.

It also helps that the songwriting and the singing go very well together. Melodic, midpaced guitar work, anchored by a stout rhythm section, makes the songs a good listen. At times the music moves and sounds like prog heavy metal-classic rock, a bit more on the rocking side of the equation, although it goes to mellower, pensive and very melodic moments as well. The songwriting shows a lot of effort to keep the listener entertained and returning for repeated listens, without having the songs meander or launch into left-field tangents or show-off parts. The songs last anywhere from three to five minutes, with a few closer to six minutes, for some 12 songs in 51 minutes. When you hear them repeatedly, they do not feel like they wear out their welcome.

Maybe the album is so good because the band has a history. Apparently, they began in 1985 in France. In 1987 they had a six-song, 32-minute demo, with additional demos in 1990 and 1991, an EP in 1998 and the debut full-length in 2000 and broke up in 2001. They had tried to get it going again, but could not, until 2021 when they reactivated the band. This 2024 album seems to feature the exact same line-up as the 2000 album. In general, you'll want to turn to Thalia for some good, soulful singing within the context of adult contemporary melodic metal music. I have heard this album a whole bunch of times. It's always been good, and it never feels boring or redundant or like I have exhausted everything there is to be enjoyed on this album.

Thalia “Vision Empire“ - OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO

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Redgauntlet's dungeon synth: black metal's stepbrother won't stay quiet anymore

Redgauntlet

Mad Wizard's Keep

Often relegated to the back of the line, frequently told to remember that he has no first-born privileges, in black metal dungeon synth has been called upon countless times, many times as a groomsman, plenty of times as an usher. Never the groom. In black metal dungeon synth has been employed as introductions, contracted out as interludes and temporarily hired as outros, to lay out the road to be traversed, to welcome visitors to the castle. But told to remain outside. Such pieces often are not actually black metal or even rock, for that matter.

Redgauntlet is not black metal, but rather an all-out dungeon synth project. Have you ever listened to the beginning of a black metal album with an introduction? Does it sound ominous, gothic or atmospheric? Alright, well, this recording is that, but now as an entirely separate concept, taking the idea all the way to its logical conclusion. Redgauntlet is dungeon synth finding its own path and refusing to only be a greeter to the festivities. There is a kingdom that Redgauntlet is already building!

Warning: Just in case that it is not clear, there is no rock music whatsoever here. Rather, you will encounter a landscape of sounds for the battles ahead, of the worlds of the goblins, orcs, mountain trolls, gremlins, and of the dragon, the stingy, vengeful dragon unwilling to part with a single ounce of his gold.

Somber and heavy, epic and frightful, contemplative and abstruse, perhaps you won't mosh or bench press 290 pounds to this music because it is not abrasive like black metal, but it is heavy in a different way. It is meant to take you on a journey, sometimes marching, oftentimes running, perhaps crawling, maybe looking for cover or searching out the roads, ravines, old bridges and crevices where the day and the night run up against the beckoning horizon. The time of Redgauntlet is here, making dungeon synth great again by giving you what you don't know you want.

Helloween - Pumpkins Living Their Best Live

Helloween

Live At Budokan

Reigning Phoenix Music

13 December 2024

The godfathers of power metal have been making albums and touring for more than 40 years since starting out in Hamburg, Germany as a band influenced by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and turning those influences into a faster, leaner form of metal, then making a turn towards adding more melody, both with the guitars and through the addition of perfected air-raid singing to their sound. Throughout their history there have been line-up changes, not-so-friendly splits, and anticipated reunions, as well as exciting albums, landmark works, successful songs, disappointing albums and great comebacks that have achieved much towards restoring their place and shoring up their legacy.

As with any prosperous band with a long discography, it is a daunting task to think how they could do justice to their catalogue. It is impossible, but with their most recent tours, as documented here with this live recording in Japan, they have attempted to cover as many highlights as possible, and for that they deserve credit. In this case, they really do make a serious effort to show their various phases. For example, the band has had three singers. All three are members of the band once again, and took the show on the road like that, with all three. All three eras get represented, including the early days when they were a younger boisterous bunch playing faster than the previous generation of British, American and German bands. Now equipped with three guitarists onstage, they are able pull off rather faithful renditions of their songs.

While it is not possible to please completely all the fans' preferences for this or that particular era, they are to be commended for remembering to honor their most important eras. At this point they have all three of the original surviving members in the band once more, plus the "newer" members that joined later on. What a fun, fun album!

1. Orbit

2. Skyfall

3. Eagle Fly Free

4. Mass Pollution

5. Future World

6. Power

7. Save Us

8. Kai's Medley

9. Forever and One (Neverland)

10. Best Time

11. Dr. Stein

12. How Many Tears

13. Keeper of the Seven Keys

14. Perfect Gentleman

15. I Want Out

total time: 2 hours and 1 minute

Markus Grosskopf - bass (1983-present)

Michael Weikath - guitars (1983-present)

Kai Hansen - guitars, vocals (1983-1989, 2017-present)

Michael Kiske - vocals (1986-1993, 2017-present)

Andi Deris - vocals (1994-present)

Sascha Gerstner - guitars (2002-present)

Dani Löble - drums (2005-present)

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HELLOWEEN - Best Time [Live At Budokan] (Official Music Video)

HELLOWEEN - Eagle Fly Free [Live At Budokan] (Official Music Video)