Metal Reviews

This Forged by Fire really kicks ass. I like it more every listen. The vocalist is a perfect fit, shame he has left. The guitar playing is very melodic and emotional (Gus G is a great writer). His playing heavily reminds me of a heavier/powerful Micheal Schenker (ex-scorpions). Very catchy album indeed!

I think Evilized is Dream Evil's best album , and Burning Earth is Firewind's, but I seem to be alone on that one. Mystic Prophecy is the worst of the three Power Metal band's he's in, very samey, but still decent.

With Firewind, i believe their debut album is probably the best. It was a great suprise and everything just fitted really well.
With Dream Evil, i also think that Evilized is their best, not to say that Dragonslayer or The Book Of Heavy Metal isnt also good. The Book....got really cheesy, some of those lyrics are almost laughable, but they do back it up with some kick ass riffing.
With Mystic Prophecy, i think Regressus is their best (i havent heard their latest one yet). There are some awesome tracks on that album, maybe a bit more melodic than the other 2 bands.

Safe to say we like Gus's playing. I even rotate the Nightrage albums as well. He makes those a kick-ass mellow-death releases if you ask me.
I think i have all his works?
is there any others?

that makes me laugh every time

Agree.

So hes dedicated, big deal. If he cant provide an album worths decent material for every band hes in whats the point. Youve got to admit that Mystic Prophecy albums consist of one or two great songs and eight or nine that just take those two good songs, recycle the riffs and pray that no one notices.

And as for firewind,i just dont like them.

Mystic Prophecy could use more variety between songs, but they are still very good.

All 3 band's albums have been given some very good reviews all cross the board. Mystic Prophecy song's may sound similar to each other...at times, but if it sounds good and it works, go with it. The fans arent complaining. All 3 bands are very consistent in my book and neither have released a single bad album....just look at the reviews and other people's general thought about them...

METAL REVIEWS

Firewind: Between Heaven & Hell: 95/100
Burning Earth: 84/100
Forged By Fire: 78/100
Mystic Prophecy: Regressus: 86/100
Dream Evil: Dragonslayer: 85/100
Evilized: 84/100
The Book.... : 85/100

Metal Covenant

Mystic Prophecy: Regressus: 8/10
Dream Evil: Dragonslayer: 8/10
Evilized: 8/10

Metal Crypt (sorry for using these idiots)

Firewind: Between Heaven & Hell: 4.5/5 & 5/5
Forged By Fire: 3.5/5
Dream Evil: Dragonslayer: 5/5
Evilized: 4/5
The Book... : 3.5/5 & 5/5
Mystic Prophecy: Regressus: 4/5 & 5/5

The Metal Observer

Firewind: Between Heaven & Hell: 8.5/10
Burning Earth: 8.5/10
Forged By Fire: 9/10
Dream Evil: Dragonslayer: (3 reviews, average: 7.6/10
Evilized: (4 reviews, average: 7.4/10
The Book... : (4 reviews, average: 7.1/10
Mystic Prophecy: Regressus: 9/10 & 10/10
Never Ending: 8/10 & 9/10

Metal Rules

Firewind: Between Heaven & Hell: 4.5/5
Burning Earth: 4.5/5
Forged By Fire: 4.5/5
Dream Evil: Dragonslayer: 4/5
Evilized: 4.2/5
The Book... : 5/5

Ultimate Metal Reviews

Dream Evil: Dragonslayer: 8.5/10
Evilized: 8.4/10
The Book... : 8.6/10
Mystic Prophecy: Vengeance: 8.6/10
Regressus: 9/10
Never Ending: 8.2/10

Metal Temple

Dream Evil: Dragonslayer: 4.5/5
The Book... : 3.5/5
Firewind: Forged By Fire: 4.5/5

7 different metal review websites cant be wrong. Look how all of them are consistent all the way across the board. Need any more proof that these bands has released solid albums their entire career....

Looks like the Metal CD Ratings website got left out... :cry:

Clint, my man. I havent forgotten you

On my computer, those websites were in alphabetical order, or whatever order they are written as "favourites". Your site i the very last one. I figured any 7 websites would do, but i wasnt sure if all of those albums mentioned were given a review/score by you......
Now that i wonder over to your website, i see that you have covered them....bugger.

Firewind - Forged by fire 3/5
Firewind - Burning earth 4.5/5
Firewind - Between heaven and hell 3.5/5

Mystic Prophecy - Never ending 3.5/5
Mystic Prophecy - Regressus 4.5/5

But again, it just further proves my point that all these albums are solid efforts. You now have 8 metal review websites which tell the same story

No problem.

I was joking/laughing anyway... not really "crying" (hehehe)

Thanks!

Man, I've said this to you so many times, maybe written form will get it through?

You've listened to a whole Dream Evil album all of once.

How many times have you bothered listening to Burning Earth? Two at the most? And I know you haven't heard Firewind's other stuff.

I notice your opinion of Mystic Prophecy has plummeted since you noticed how fun Gus bashing was.

Anyway, whatever you say about the songs, saying Mr G isn't a good guitarist is just stupid.

Bringing this back to the top, Firewind have a new singer and drummer.

Article gratefully stolen from Blabbermouth:

FIREWIND, the Greek power metal act led by guitarist Gus G. (DREAM EVIL, ARCH ENEMY), have announced the addition of singer Apollo Papathanasio (ex-MAJESTIC, TIME REQUIEM) to the group's ranks. "He is a world-class act and I'm very happy that the timing's right now and we're joining forces under the FIREWIND flag!" Gus said in a statement.

Apollo commented: "Since I met Gus in Gothenburg four years ago, we became good friends and back then we always talked about working together in the future. Now here we are together, taking the FIREWIND music to a new level. I love Gus' guitar style and it's a pleasure to listen to their music. The guys in FIREWIND are real magicians and I'm happy that you’re letting me be a part of this machinery."

In other news, the band have issued the following statement regarding their drummer situation:

"For purely logistical reasons, we've decided to get a drummer that lives in Greece. We'd like to thank Stian Kristoffersen for his amazing drumming and the great times we had together the past three years. So, out goes Stian and in comes the monster drummer Mark Cross (ex-HELLOWEEN, METALIUM)!! Although Mark is 50% German and 50% British, he’s been living in Greece for many years. This obviously makes rehearsals and preparations happen much easier."

Commented Mark: "Life's a spinning wheel and here I am aside to one of the few remaining great young guitar heros…. The Gus G. Firewindo metal fuckin' machine! Looking forward to their next album, a tour and FIREWIND heading your way!"

FIREWIND are currently in pre-production mode with eight new songs completed. The new album is expected to be recorded in early 2006 and FIREWIND plan to make their live debut with the new lineup at ProgPower UK festival on March 25, 2006.

Bad news about Stian leaving, but I understand that getting an entirely Greek-based band makes a lot more sense.

:shock: That could be cool.

New Firewind Song

Hmmm... kind of sucks. The "Forged by Fire" song is cool though.

The first Firewind had one too many Euro-power touches imo, the second got it just right, and the third lacked somewhat in terms of inspiration. I liked the new vocalist, his voice sounds like Stephen Frederick which is a deffinite plus, because the guy is like a heavier Sotto! As for Chitty, when I watched Firewind live with him as vocalist, he couldn't quite nail the Frederick tracks.

I listened to the new track and I really liked it to be honest! Although that melody in the beginning really reminds me of another song I can't place right now... Oh and while on that topic, whenever I listen to the beginning of Forged by Fire I think of Kiss "Detroit Rock City"!

As for the other bands, I must say I prefer Mystic Prophecy above all three, then Firewind, while I don't care much for Dream Evil to be honest, although heavy metal Jesus rocks

Yeah. I kinda like the song as well. I will buy the album either way cause Gus G is a huge Micheal Schenker fan and many of his riffs have an early and modern Scorpions!!! sound. The fact that he still retains the scorps and schenkers catchy hooks that not many bands did very well even back in its hay-day is reason enuff to purchase anything Gus G is a part of

We do not need this guitar sound to ever die regardless of how many feel the rhythms might be too base or repetitive. It makes the hooks/changes/solos that much more special. Far Superior to the "ear candy" to any proggy or Dream Theater style of Guitar playing

This song goes down as slightly disappointing. I heard this and another new song when I saw them a live a couple of weeks ago, the other one was better. Apollo's voice held up well live and did justice to the old songs, but he's still my least favourite of the three.

I still think "Between Heaven & Hell" is their best album. The others have slipped a little. I wasnt impressed much with "Forged By Fire", not too many stand out tracks at all