March, 2006-
New Metal Arrives!

We are always fortunate to receive new metal from labels, PR agencies and marketing companies, and the metal kick off to 2006 has been great! For starters, metal heads need to check out the new COB Disc- Are you dead yet? We are very confused why this CD has been receiving mixed reviews- but we think the Hate Crewers have done it once again, and this is a solid release to tour behind here in the States this spring.

The new Primal Fear is also a solid new release and is probably the best since their debut CD. Production is killer, and Scheepers vocal range on target. Check it out if you've given up on Primal Fear- you'll give them thumbs up on this one. We were also sent the new Wacken Open Air live CD. The double CD captures the best of all the bands on the bill. A cool Doro/Blaze Bailer "Fear of the Dark" Maiden cover is the surprise track on the disc. We also got the new Motorhead Live DVD- raw, live -it jams and captures the energy of a live Motorhead show. There is also a bonus DVD with behind the scenes look at the tour. Perfect backdrop to a 2 AM beer at your favorite metal watering hole.

We're also excited and listening more to the new Mors Principium, new Exodus, new Gamma Ray, new Helloween Keepers in the upcoming weeks. Who say's metal is dead in 2006?

Stratovarius Live - www.stratovarius.com

It's not very often Stratovarius hits the states for shows- so when they did- several Metalforever heads checked them out. This time live at the House of Blues in Chicago. Supporting their new self titled CD- after the well publicized mental health problems of guitarist Timo Tolkki and subsequent comments made of lead singer Timo Kotipelto- not only did they produce a great new straight forward metal CD, they also delivered it strong live. Lead singer Timo Kotipelto is probably the only member of the band that has real stage presence- but live they sounded great. Guitarist Timo Kotipelto has the least amount of stage presence of any guitarist, but no one can question is playing abilities. Stratovarius are worthy of checking out live, and you will be impressed for sure!

Stryper Live & Reborn

We are sure many people checking out MF.com right now are rolling their eyes at any mention of a new Stryper CD let alone a live Stryper performance. However, we must say, both the CD and live performance turned out way better than expected. While the new CD is more melodic rock- the songs are very strong and melodically catchy. At first listen, die-hard metal fans will remember Soldiers Under Command and the heavy metal riffs now gone and think they sold out. But the CD will grow on you. Live, Stryper are simply worth seeing. Great energy, tell great stories as intros to older songs, and can still rip metal dual guitarist like the best of them. People forget the first two CD's were very heavy - Priest like (no pun intended here)- dual guitar lead breaks and trading solos. Live, they still capture the moments of the earlier CD's-, which still leads one to believe why they can't go back to their metal roots for a future release of which they are clearly capable.

See you metal heads next month!