metal

Arch Enemy Premier New Epic Live Video

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment

Arch Enemy premier new live video from Masters of Rock 2014, showing insane dynamic and technique, as well as a huge eerie stage presence.  The video is for “As The Pages Burn” a single off their debut album with Alissa, War Eternal.  The performance in the video is immaculate and shows the chops of the Melodic Death Metal band, although the mixing lacks bass and depth, muting the bottom tones.  Nonetheless, it is a great video for those who have not seen the band live yet and are looking to check it out.

Watch the new video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKrXeRDLbMg

Metal Valkyrie of 2014 Results

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment


mv2014 banner

 

In early October, the polling for Metal Valkyrie of 2014 began.  The poll got over the required forty votes by fans, making it a fair decision for best front woman of the year.  With great new albums, trailblazing tours, and uprisings it was a big year for female fronted metal.  The year was bombarded with new albums from Lacuna Coil, Delain, Xandria, Ancient Bards, Stream of Passion, Lyriel, and of course Within Temptation and Epica!  Every one of these releases were fantastic and unlike anything I’ve heard before.  The voting was certainly close between Floor Jansen, Marcela Bovio, Charlotte Wessels, and Cristina Scabbia.  The countdown below will list the top three highest scorers and explain why they deserved to be on the podium for the first ever Metal Valkyrie of the year polling.

3.   Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil

Lacuna Coil, the Italian Gothic Metal band, has been popular for 10 whole years now.  They have influenced so many people and have become one of the most popular Goth Metal and Rock bands ever.  From their breakout album, Comalies, to the coveted Karmacode, to the moving and power album Shallow Life, to the controversial change up Dark Adrenaline, Lacuna Coil create absolutely fantastic albums.  One of their greatest elements is one of two vocalists, Cristina Scabbia.  She is a pint sized mixture of attitude, range, dynamics, and well executed skill. Cristina is one of the most influential vocalists in metal, having guested on anything from Ayreon to Apocalyptica, to Alter Bridge.  It is unarguable that she is one of the most gifted vocalists in metal of the 2000s and why her success continues on.

 

In 2014, Lacuna Coil release brilliantly and beautifully constructed beast of an album, Broken Crown Halo.  The album had something huge to prove after the great departure from their sound with Dark Adrenaline.  Broken Crown Halo is everything Lacuna Coil is about summed up into one powerful and moving album.  Scabbia’s emotional performance and artistry on this album is absolutely unparalleled.   Broken Crown Halo is a perfect example of what Cristina brings to music.  Her transition from power vocals, to perfect falsetto, to emotional and moving ballads is executed with a level mind blowing perfection.

 

After her performance on this album, Ayreon’s The Theory of Everything, and the smashing sold out tours she’s lead, she absolutely deserves to be on the podium of this poll in 2014.  Every music project she’s been a part of is pure gold and impossible not to love.  Cristina will continue to rule Metal throughout the years and impress all who witness her spectacular talent.

2.    Charlotte Wessels of Delain

Symphonic and Gothic Metal band, Delain, released a smashing and daring new album in 2014, The Human Contradiction.  Despite lack of hype by critics and limited reviews on the new album, it has become very popular and gained the Dutch band many new fans.  The band has also put out earlier albums of spectacular and tremendous quality.  Lucidity, their very first album released in 2006, was a dark and mysterious pool of heavy tracks featuring special guests like Liv Kristine, Marco Hietala, and Sharon Den Adel.  April Rain was a departure from the first album, exploding with beautiful and intricate melodies, heavy driving drums and guitars, and masterful classical piano lines from founder Martijn Westerholt.  We Are The Others is a jamming, empowering, and enchanting album from start to finish.  Interlude is a brilliant compilation album with a number of gems, including a moving and mesmerizing cover of The Cranberries’ Cordell.  The Human Contradiction however is leaps and bounds above their previous releases, heavy with instrumentation and emotion.  It is a purely beautiful and solid album, and may be my favorite album of 2014.  So, why is Delain’s music so unique, beautiful, and mesmerizing?  The main reason is undoubtedly lead singer and writer, Charlotte Wessels.

 

Charlotte Wessels may not be the most popular or most hyped lead singer in Symphonic Metal, but she is quickly growing to the top five of the world’s most talented vocalists.  In 2014, she’s lead some of the best tours and headlining shows throughout Europe and making huge waves in America with Sonata Arctica and Xandria.  The reviews of Delain’s most recent shows have been bursting with surprise and respect for the band, but also Charlotte’s mesmerizing and breathtaking live performances.  Some say her performances are flawless, containing incredibly moving and emotive performances throughout the set, and absolutely inspiring.  She isn’t compared to any other vocalist, because there is simply no other fitting comparison.

 

Charlotte’s uprising in 2014 has brought a lot of needed attention to Delain.  The band has gained fans from North America as well as all over the world this year, thanks to Charlotte’s constant interactions with fans, brilliant and intelligent interviews, and mesmerizing powerful performances.  She has literally every characteristic you want in an influential front woman.  It’s no surprise to me that she is runner up to Metal Valkyrie of 2014 and was close to being the winner.  I truly believe in the next couple years, she will rise to the top and be an essential vocalist in metal.  I cannot rave about her and Delain enough.  There aren’t enough words to explain Delain’s sound or why they’re fantastic.  You simply just have to listen to them and see them live to experience their incredible sound and presence.

1.   Floor Jansen of Revamp and Nightwish

Floor Jansen has been a huge influence in Symphonic Metal, since her origin in the powerhouse band After Forever.  Floor’s vocals are beastly, haunting, and bursting with power and gorgeous tones.  She began as an Operatic Soprano with an impressive technique, not sacrificing emotion with skill.  With each album and project she’s been involved in, she’s progressed into one of the best vocalists of all time. Floor has since branched her vocals out into more power vocals and picked up grunts on Revamp’s latest album, Wild Card.  From the powerful jamming album After Forever, to her performances on Ayreon and Star One albums, to her recent work with her Power Metal band Revamp, Floor is undoubtedly dynamic and a very desirable voice in metal.  There is no limit to her vocals or skills as a singer.

 

Now Floor is getting the recognition she deserves in the legendary Symphonic Metal band, Nightwish.  She was a shoo in for the lead part, after Nightwish departed with Anette Olzon in 2012.  Floor had to quickly learn the set for the Imaginaerium Tour and fly out to finish the tour in America, whilst Alissa White-Gluz and Elize Ryd filled in.  Floor quickly took the part in a brilliant and unexpected way.  She was a departure from Tarja and Anette, using pure power to her advantage.  Nightwish got new life from Floor, and soon after the tour she was announced as the official singer.  No one knew what to expect, but Floor’s loyal followers expected greatness and a new era for Symphonic Metal.  They were absolutely right, evidence being Nightwish’s 2013 live DVD, Showtime Storytime.  On that DVD, Floor performs classic Nightwish tracks to an unparalleled quality.  Her performance throughout that Wacken show is absolutely legendary.

 

Floor has earned her spot in Nightwish, regardless of what the hardcore Tarja fans think.  Floor will be a huge addition to Nightwish, as they embark on a new era and a new album.  Tuomas Holopainen and crew are still vastly impressed by Floor’s voice and technique and are very happy that she is a new addition to the band.  She may not be the original vocalist and is a huge departure from past Nightwish vocalists, but she is unarguably the greatest vocalist the band could’ve gotten for the lead part.  Her range, power, technique, stage presence, and emotive ability is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.  Her talent is infinite, and that’s why she is the Metal Valkyrie of 2014.  Floor getting to the top of Symphonic Metal as lead singer of the band that started it all, is enough reason to put her to legendary status.  I don’t think there will be another vocalist like Floor, ever.

American Thrash Metal Band Machine Head Premier Track

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment

Regardless of Rob Flynn’s backlash at other metal bands and online fights strewn throughout the media, he presses on with legendary band metal Machine Head.  The Thrash Metal group had announced a new album fall of 2013, but had encountered perils and set backs along the way.  In recent years, Flynn has become very vocal and open about what it is like to be in an American metal band.  Long story short and opinions aside, Machine Head has blazed through all doubts and have risen to the top of American metal.  The new album encompasses all of Machine Head’s turmoil and strengths, high and lows, and best aspects.  Their ability to create darkened and melodic Thrash Metal is unparalleled: There is nothing quite like this band.

Today, they release a new song off Bloodstone and Diamonds called Night of Long Knives.  It is a dynamic, pounding, shredding, beastly track that is sure to impress the typical heavy metal fans.  While the overall track succeeds and proves what the band is all about, it is not the best track off of the new album.  The direction of this track is diluted and chaotic, making it sound like a mess of noise.  The highlight of the track is the well executed guitar solo, even though it doesn’t truly fit in the song.  The style is all over the place, lacking artistic direction.  If you like pure and raw Thrash Metal, this song is definitely up your alley.  But if you’re looking for Unto the Locust, this track is definitely not satisfying.

Listen to Night of Long Knives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MlnlYsTpTY&index=1&list=PL4qfuCI0_FfOlnedFiLH0u3d65KaJBQD1

German Festival Rockharz Open Air Announces More Bands for 2015

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment

The German Open Air Metal Festival, Rockharz, is currently announcing bands for the 2015 lineup.  So far they’ve announced Hammerfall, WASP, Eluveitie, Behemoth, Kataklysm, Delain, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, The Haunted, Cradle of Filth, and LETZTE INSTANZ.  So far this sounds like an amazing festival, a good one to catch before Wacken!

You can check out more about the festival here http://www.rockharz-festival.com/

Epica Premier New Video for Victims of Contingency

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment

image

Symphonic Metallers hailing from The Netherlands premier a smashing and medieval new video for their new song “Victims of Contingency” off of their latest album The Quantum Enigma. They once again create a gorgeous video for a brilliantly written track.  I absolutely love their videos and agree that “Victims of Contingency” was a great choice for a new video.

Watch here now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7IIYIFljZM

.5 The Gray Chapter Reviewed and Unleashed

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment

 

After an almost six year long wait without new Slipknot, they emerge from the darkness with new album .5 The Gray Chapter in 2014.  The band was put up to a difficult task, to go on without two original brethren.  Paul Gray passed in April of 2010 suddenly and tragically, leaving Slipknot grieving.  During this time, the band was in shambles.  The eight were determining if they could go on in music without Paul and Slipknot seemed to be doomed at the time.  But, they prevailed and continued playing festivals   They did a small stint of touring in Europe in 2011 and vocalist Corey Taylor said “If this tour doesn’t work, this band might be over, straight up.  And I’m not gonna lie; I’m not the guy that’s going to lie to the fans.”  Luckily, Slipknot weren’t without hope as they began writing new songs for a new album just as DVD Antennas to Hell was released.  Then, they disbanded with drummer Joey Jordison because of his “lack of commitment to the band”.  The band has been through a lot for the past four years, but .5 The Gray Chapter turns the news into a positive bombardment of brilliant new songs.

 

The new album is a mix of Iowa’s intensity and aggression and Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses melodic and artistic processes.  .5 The Gray Chapter is everything Slipknot has to offer all in one album.  The drums are heavier than ever.  The guitars are tight, technical, fast, and absolutely shredding.  The vocals are raw, melodic, powerful, and chest rattling.  The bass is technical and fast, played as a definite tribute to Paul.  The album is everything the fans love about Slipknot and so much more.

Each member of the band put everything they had into this album.  Whether it’s grief, rage, discontent, or relief, you’re going to hear it on this album.  Slipknot have tracked back to their roots to create a brilliantly well written and heavy new album in 2014.

 

The sixteen track album begins with XIX, a chilling and haunting intro track that brings images of walking down the aisle with a casket in hand.  It leads into Sarcastrophe, a song straight out of the hell that Iowa created.  This song is brilliantly heavy and fast, keeping the raging sounds that they’ve always had.  The dynamics on this song prove that time away brought Slipknot together, combining their best qualities into one album.  AOV has a Thrash edge to it with blazingly fast rhythmic guitars and perfectly executed drums.  The chorus is full of beautiful and powerful melodic vocals.  The bass solo on the bridge sounds like a soulful and skilled tribute to Paul.  Then you have The Devil In I, the perfect single for a perfect album.  This track really represents the band’s aura in such a darkened way.  It is tightly percussed and pocketed with flawless powerful vocals.  This is absolutely one of the best tracks ever released by Slipknot.  The album continues with the dark and chilling, Killpop, a track very reminiscent of the sound created in Vermillion Part 1.  The melody on this track is extremely catchy and is written out of beauty.  It drives with passion and quality that I’ve never heard on a Slipknot album.  .5 The Gray Chapter might qualify as the best Slipknot album of all time.

 

Keeping true to the tribute album to late bassist and writer Paul Gray, Slipknot keeps the passion alive in track Skeptic.  Skeptic proves to be everything Paul would’ve  wanted in another Slipknot album.  It is shredding, angry, dark, and as scary as Slipknot ever was.  It touches on the subject of loss in such a brilliant way.  I almost feel like this track is one to be smiled upon, even by Paul himself.  They couldn’t write a more fitting and personal tribute than Skeptic.  Lech is an angry and aggressive track, filled with industrial drums and raging guitar solos.  The new drummer absolutely shreds on this track in particular.  Goodbye is another track to deal with the grievances of Paul Gray and tales how the band came back together for this album.  It is such an incredible dark, atmospheric track that could easily be a soundtrack to a horror movie, entailing a glimmer of hope.  The guitar work is on Goodbye is absolutely my favorite work Mick and Jim have ever put out.  Nomadic is a faster more rhythmic track, definitely pulling a page straight from the chaos of Iowa’s sound, mixed with the melody that Corey Taylor achieves so dynamically.  The One That Kills the Least is one of the most melodic tracks on the new album, containing similar sounds to Till We Die.  It is one of the least impressive songs from the album, but contains one of the longest guitar solos from Jim Root.  It is a true Slipknot album.

 

The album continues with the last six tracks that contain more haunting melodies, faster tempos, more dark and disturbing atmospheres, and powerful smashing drums.  Custer screams and squeals like Eyeless, containing the blazingly fast and raging tempo that we’ve been waiting to hear again from Slipknot.  It has a frustrating edge to it that will send fans into a tantrum of anger and release.  Be Prepared for Hell is an interlude that screams the brilliance and darkness of Clown (Shawn M. Crahan).  It is a disturbing track as any, taking Slipknot back to their horror themed roots.  The interlude leads into more disturbing and haunting thrash track, The Negative One, a jam reminiscent of the energy and strength of Duality.  The Negative One is powerful and heavy, capturing the heart of Slipknot in a very visual and strong way.  If Rain is What You Want has a darker, more ethereal sound than I’ve really heard from Slipknot.  It is unlike anything the band has ever put out, in the best way possible.  It has a Doom Metal sound to it, unexpected from such an energetic Death Metal band.  It adds a new tone to the album, standing out as a gem much like Skeptic does.  There is nothing like this track on any Slipknot album.

 

The last two tracks on .5 The Gray Chapter close the album out perfectly, showing the true epicness of everything Slipknot strives to create.  Override let’s each musician shine and shred in their perfect form, proving to be an anthem on the album.  The build up to a shouty chorus from Corey Taylor and the contrast of melodic vocals is spectacular.  The stripped down style of the verses give you break from the constant onslaught of pounding guitars from JIm and Mick and effects that Chris and Craig provide.  Slipknot have really grown and shaped their music to a personal memoir made of sound.  This album is definitely the deepest, most meaningful album they’ve created.  Paul Gray and the departure of Joey Jordison inspire this album to greatness.  The Burden is the send off track of the album, leaving you with a sense that the saga of Slipknot may continue on past this album.  It is an unsuspecting ending track, but brings the album to a conclusion of melancholy and pain that Slipknot had to share one last time on .5 The Gray Chapter.

 

Overall there are a million good things and qualities and layers of this album that make it my favorite Slipknot album.  All my favorite things about the band are highlighted insanely well.  I think the band wore their lost brethren on their sleeves and took every ounce of pain and anguish, stuffing it all into this cornucopia of brilliant metal tracks.  Every instrumental piece is well executed and performed with urgency.  All vocals and lyrics on the album are unparalleled to any album released this year.  I really think this is the best album Corey Taylor has ever sang on.  Slipknot are fighting their way back into the hearts of their fans and into the spotlight.  To me, this is the most meaningful album they’ve ever put out and it has overall bettered the band.  They sound like they’re at their peak, which is something bands hardly ever achieve in America after losses and drama.  Slipknot is America’s best metal band, and I think .5 The Gray Chapter proves it.

 

Rating 10/10

 

“It was the rebirth of Slipknot, […] it was like us coming back together, pushing out the vibe that had gotten in there and kinda started pulling people away. But we figured out that you know, we do have to get space you know, we do need to let people be sometimes.”- Paul Gray

Final Voting for Metal Valkyrie of 2014

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment
metalvalkryrie
Metal Valkyrie of 2014, The Top Six Front Women Move on

The final stage for the polling is up!  Voting closes November 15th!  Don’t forget to vote for your favorite front woman!  Finalists are below!

Vote now: http://goo.gl/Z7uJQ8

image

Charlotte Wessels of Delain

image

Marcela Bovio of Stream of Passion

image

Floor Jansen of Nightwish/Revamp

image

Jessica Theirjung of Lyriel

image

Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil

image

Amy Lee and Her Solo Project

Finnish Power Metal Band Battle Beast Announce New Album

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment

Battle Beast, an epic battle sound tracking band with sounds paralleling Dio and Iron Maiden, are releasing a brand new in January 2015.  This band is unlike any power metal band out there.   The sounds they create compare to metal that has existed for two decades, but with a modern Female twist.  The guitars are screaming and tight, the drums are fast and precise, the synth is a perfect melodic addition, the vocals are powerful and shockingly good.  With each album they get louder and more aggressive, so this 2015 album is one to buy immediately.

Get your battle on!

”Unholy Savior” track list:

1. Lionheart
2. Unholy Savior
3. I Want The World….And Everything In It
4. Madness
5. Sea Of Dreams
6. Speed And Danger
7. Touch In The Night
8. The Black Swordsman
9. Hero’s Quest
10. Far Far Away
11. Angel Cry

”Unholy Savior” by BATTLE BEAST out on Nuclear Blast January 9 (EU), January 12. and January 13. (US).

Review of Swedish Metal Band Amaranthe’s MASSIVE ADDICTIVE

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment

AmaranthePress-3-1020x471

Insight to the Brand New Energetic Album from Amaranthe

 

Gothenburg multi genre group, Amaranthe, are famous for powerful and catchy hooks and pummeling riffs.  They create a new and fresh sound on every album that cannot be heard from any band in the world.  Jake E, the birther and lead male vocalist, has created an A Team of brilliant and passionate musicians, bursting with personality through every line of music.  Elize Ryd provides mesmerizing and unendlessly powerful vocals with a poppy upbeat sound, pairing well with Jake E’s Power and Theatrical vocals.  Olof provides masterful riffing and ragingly dynamic solos, bringing the true Gothenburg sound to Amaranthe.  Henrik is the new comer, providing chest growls and intensity, contrasting with Elize’s sweetness and Jake E’s theatrics.  Johan pulls the whole rhythm section together with low booming, hard hitting bass lines that blend in perfectly with the music.  Morten provides heavy perfectly timed drumming, combining with the added beats perfectly.  Every member comes together for a smashingly addictive tight sound, a sound I’ve never heard before.  Amaranthe brilliantly combines melodic metal and pop, perfectly layered under three completely unique vocalists.  No other group in the world can master the mix Amaranthe has created with utter soaring passion.  Amaranthe will continue this journey of power as their third album, Massive Addictive, brings them to the top of European Metal.

 

Massive Addictive is an absolutely perfect title for Amaranthe’s new album, as every track is an ear worm of brilliance.  Every track is roaring and raging with huge sound, exploding and encompassing every sense.  This album is everything Amaranthe is, turned up to a legendary level of pure chest pounding power.  The hooks and beats are perfect and energetic, making you want to jump on the nearest desk and dance.  The heaviness makes you feel that adrenaline rush of a full raging pit at a concert, simply just through your home stereo.  The vocals are performed with incredible ease and mastery, but also a passion that is unparalleled.  The dubstep and synths are used heavily, but contrasted with smashing drums and guitars for a perfect mix.  The sound is overwhelming and the layers are plentiful.   Massive Addictive has succeeded all expectations and muted every negative thing ever said about this band’s music.  It is purely incredible.

 

Massive Addictive opens with an uplifting power track, Dynamite, that fits Amaranthe’s inspiring themes and explosive energy.  The chorus and verses are catchy and powerful, like “The Nexus”, injected with adrenaline.  Right away Massive Addictive pulls you in with purely tantalizing and mesmerizing power from every vocalist and every instrument.  Drop Dead Cynical, the lead single, provides fast paced rhythmic epicness, bound to repeat in your head upon first listen.  Jake E and Elize’s attitudinal vocals on Drop Dead Cynical what really pull you in on this particular track, as well as sick riffage from Olof.  This song is definitely the perfect mix of heavy metal and pop beats.  Trinity is a blazing rhythmic breakdown track, with all three vocalists having equal parts throughout the song.  It is inspiring and uplifting, providing an anthem that begged to be written all along.  Elize’s innocent and sultry vocals on this song rival “Amaranthine”.  The title track off the album, Massive Addictive, encompassess the main meaning of the name, building up into a heavy punching hook.  They really put everything they had in their hearts, minds, and talents into this entire album, and it impresses more and more with every song.

 

Digital World is a revolutionary new age metal track that touches on the world’s obsession with technology.  It is one of the heaviest tracks on the album, making it a true hit and gem.  The chorus is a new level of catchy with perfectly harmonized vocals from the clean singers.  I also enjoyed Henrik’s opening lines on each verse.  The bridge is a highlight of Amaranthe’s  pummeling and heavy side.  Digital World proves Massive Additive is Amaranthe’s heaviest album yet and that their dynamic sound can keep growing and expanding.  True is a slow mesmerizing power ballad with brilliant harmonizing and a beautiful piano track under the millions of layers.  Elize’s vocals shine on this song, showing masterful control and a range that can lift you off your feet.  True is Amaranthe’s best ballad yet.  True is stunning, beautiful and inspiring, as well as innocent.  Unreal lets each vocalist shine perfectly with a rhythmic groundbreaking track, suiting well to fighting movies and video games.  Olof’s solos get better and better with each track, Unreal containing a Van Halen and classic rock sound.  I knew Olof was underrated as a guitarist, but this album proves he deserves to be on the short list for best guitarist.  Over and Done is a personal and soft track, a true brilliant power ballad of man and women versus the world.  It pulls the listener in better than any track Amaranthe has ever created.  The innocence of Over and Done is so addictive.

 

Danger Zone puts listeners back on their feet with an adrenaline rushed and aggression filled track, Henrik setting the tone with chest rattling growls atop technical instrumentation.  Danger Zone is the most metal themed track on the album, also containing a screaming and shredding guitar solo.  Elize also puts her two cents in with an incredible high note in the bridge, as well as background vocals containing masterful and flowing runs.  Skyline shows Amaranthe can soar through the atmosphere with limitless dynamics and technicality.  This track also has a solo that captures my attention as it is one of the longest guitar solos from the band.  The bridge is purely instrumental, allowing your ears a break from the captivating vocals, showing true musicianship.  Massive Addictive speeds up with pocket riding track, An Ordinary Abnormality, perfectly rhyming in this epic Power metal track.  Morten shows his speed and change up skills on this track, with insanely technical and hard hitting drum beats that are front and center.  This is one of the best instrumentally written tracks Amaranthe has ever done.  The album suddenly closes with the innocent and driving track, Exhale, showing the honest and passionate side of Amaranthe beautifully.  Exhale is the perfect closing track, as you let the album flow through you like an intense action filled movie.

 

Massive Addictive is the best of Amaranthe’s talents yet, as the band continues to find themselves in the ever changing world of music.  Amaranthe has created something unique, something tantalizing, and something you just have to hear to believe with this latest album.  Their music has always been hard to put in one genre to describe it, but now I just see their music as indescribable.  Every aspect, every layer, every piece of this album sounds perfectly executed and produced.  Massive Addictive also gives each member a chance to shine.  Passed albums Elize tended to dominate with power.  Now, Amaranthe are as tight and as talented as ever.  Upon three listens, you may realize the album is truly addictive.  I cannot get enough of Amaranthe or their new album, Massive Addictive.

 

Rating 9/10 Massive Addictive is Amaranthe’s most solid album yet and is hands down in my top 5 of best metal albums of 2014.

Official Website: http://www.amaranthe.se/

Drop Dead Cynical Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdyExxpd3Pg

Trinity Lyric Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2e_3ZnJcTE

Who Is Your Metal Valkyrie of 2014?

/ metalvalkyrie2014 / Leave a comment
Who Is Your Metal Valkyrie of 2014?

Who was your dominate female lead of 2014?  I am conducting a poll for a write up about this years best Female Lead Performances.  Tell me who your favorite female vocalist and tell me why at the poll below.  If I get enough votes, the winning lady will be chosen by YOU, and not my own opinion!  If I do not get at least 40 voters, then the write up will be completely based on which female lead singer dominated in the news this year and grew in popularity.  Make it your winner at the link below!

VOTE NOW: http://goo.gl/7YcmKr

CURRENT NOMINEES:

Marcela Bovio

Merel Bechtold

Dianne Van Giersbergen

Cristina Scabbia

Amy Lee

Simone Simons

Sharon den Adel

Maria Brink

Floor Jansen

Charlotte Wessels

Alissa White-Gluz

Elize Ryd

Heidi Shepard

Jill Janus

Masha Scream

Liv Kristine

Kobra Paige

Jessica Thierjung

Linda Laukamp

Nicole Ansperger

Anna Murphy

Zuberoa Aznárez

Manda Ophuis

Clémentine Delauney

Tarja Turunen