Quickies: Third Quarter 2019 Releases included TURILLI & LIONE RHAPSODY, VOLBEAT, DESTRUCTION, HAMMERFALL, CRYPT SERMON and DRAGONFORCE

Between July 5th and September 27th, there were some very decent releases that didn't get a full review but deserved my attention anyway.

TURILLI & LIONE RHAPSODY Zero Gravity (Rebirth and Evolution) (07/05)

Rhapsody and variations may as well be one of the most confusing band names in Metal history. In this new version we have the original guitar player with the original singer after a 20 year celebration (farewell?) tour that took place during the last couple of years. I must first say I'm a big fan of their early work, specially the The Emerald Sword Saga (first five albums). But I've never got into Turilli's work without  Alex Staropoli (keyboards). Zero Gravity is not fully changing that, but it's a step up. Of course the presence of the fantastic Lioni on vocals is a major advantage. While it does sound like you would expect from a Rhapsody band (symphonic, bombastic, epic and huge), Zero Gravity is more experimental than the other Rhapsody (of Fire). It features more Italian singing than usually, female vocals (feat. Elize Ryd), more vocal harmonies, and overall the use of keys and symphonic arrangements is somewhat different (note that the band doesn't have a full time keyboard player). There are some very good moments here like the opener "Phoenix Rising", the title track and its soaring chorus, "Fast Radio Burst" and the most rock opera song I've ever heard "Arcanum (Da Vinci's Enigma)". For die-hard fans this will work, for the others, I'd suggest to stick to (or try first) their early work.

VOLBEAT Rewind, Replay, Rebound (08/02)

Between 2008 and 2010, the Danish quartet Volbeat was one of my favorite newer bands. Their blend of Metallica and Johnny Cash on the first three albums was fresh, captivating, heavy and yet catchy. All that quality let Volbeat to inevitably high praise and commercial success. Unfortunately, to my taste the success derailed the band. After 2010, they became a radio rock band and the only evolution of their sound has been to get softer. Even if I couldn't stand the last two albums, I decided to give their seventh effort Rewind, Replay, Rebound a shot. While my feelings towards their current sound did not change, there are some good moments in this album. Most notably "Cheapside Sloggers" (feat. Exodus/Slayer Gary Holt). For the rest, I'll stick to listening to their first four albums. But for those who do like their latest albums, this is more of the same, so you will certainly dig this.

DESTRUCTION Born to Perish (08/09)

With a brand-new line-up featuring the Canadian drum animal Randy Black and Swiss shred-master Damir Eskić, together with veterans bassist / vocalist Schmier and guitarist Mike, who both back in 1983  founded this Thrash Metal legend, the band is back to bring us musical destruction. This is their fourteenth studio album and the first with two guitarists since 1998. Overall Born to Perish is  brutal, but very catchy. The new members brought some new flavors, but it's still very much Destruction's signature sound. Still, there's a lot more shredding and solos and also backing vocals. The album is a collection of thrash bonanza from start to finish with 3 to 5 minute high speed songs. The one exception is the breathing room in the middle of the album with "Butchered for Life" an epic almost 7 minutes that makes me think of their version of "Beyond the Realms of Death". Traditional Teutonic thrash metal for fans.

HAMMERFALL Dominion (08/16)

I have great admiration for this band since their debut in 1997. It was one of my favorite bands in the late 90's and early 2000's, I have seen them live ten times! The problem is that it only makes me more demanding and critical when a new album comes out. And since 2005 their albums haven't been consistently good and the formula is wearing out. With Dominion, Hammerfall is 11 albums into their career. The core of the band featuring Joacim Cans (lead vocals) and Oscar Dronjak (guitars) being the same plus a stable line-up for a few years means that Dominion brings no surprises, you know what you are getting: Power melodic epic metal. There are 9 power metal high tempo songs averaging four and half minutes each, one instrumental transition and the two mandatory ball"ads. If you are a fan, you will dig this, if you are not, nothing will change for you.

CRYPT SERMON The Ruins of Fading Light (09/13)

It's been already 4 years that the band released their acclaimed debut Out of the Garden. Now Crypt Sermon is back with the sophomore release. I go straight to it, I am disappointed. I was expecting an epic doom album. But instead, I get a very polished and overproduced rock album. Where are the doom riffs? And the vocals are almost alt rock sounding. On the bright-side the guitar player is very talented, there are some great solos in there e.g. "Our Reverend's Grave". Some highlights include "Christ is Dead", "The Snake Handler" and the title track. I do not think it's a bad album, it's just not for me.

EXHORDER Mourn the Southern Skies (09/20)

Exhorder are considered progenitors of groove metal. Initially active from 1985 to 1994, then from 2008 to 2011, they have since reformed in 2017. Vocalist Kyle Thomas and guitarist Vinnie LaBella are the only two remaining original members. Mourn the Southern Skies is their first album since 1992's sophomore The Law. It's clear from the start that they have not lost their New Orleans groovy thrash metal roots. If those riffs were 27 years in the making, it was worth it! Not only amazing riffs but also great guitarwork overall. The album is a collection of 10 tracks, mostly very groovy metal. However, there's a few exceptions. A couple of tracks "Yesterday's Bones" and closer/title track are more progressive and see a different side of the band, exploring acoustic guitars and clean singing. On the other hand "Ripping Flesh" is a ferocious thrash metal beast. While "The Arms Of Man" flirts with sludge. Great southern groove metal, it's worth a try!

DRAGONFORCE Extreme Power Metal (09/27)

The band founded in 1999 by guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman is bringing their eighth studio album which is already the fourth with Marc Hudson on lead vocals. But it's the last with bassist Frédéric Leclercq who joined Kreator after the recordings. I am a big fan of their last two albums in which Leclercq was a major writing force. Actually his songs have been my favorites. But now Totman is back as the main song writer being credited with 2/3 of the album. So, I picked up Extreme Power Metal with some hesitation.
On the big picture, the band still sounds like they always have: bombastic power metal, soaring vocals, shredding guitars with a very recognizable tone, catchy choruses, retro game sounds and more cheese than a cheesemonger  is willing to handle. But following the departure of Vadim Pruzhanov, Coen Janssen of EPICA took over the keyboards, bringing a new dimension into DragonForce's sound. He is credit as co-writer of "The Last Dragonborn" which indeed sounds different. It's more mid-tempo with less shredding and reminds me a lot of BloodBound. If you are into their sound, you will dig this album, but t's not as good as the last two.