Empire – Chasing Shadows (2007: Locomotive)

freed from stars’ shadows,

backing band ‘super’group sounds

like lost Rainbow tracks

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/empirehardrock

Opera IX – Anphisbena (2004: AvanteGarde/Magick)

Blackened bombast opts

atmosphere to stand out songs

hour of just alright

http://www.operaix.it/joomla/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=37

Vorak – Triumph of the Will (1996: Destruktive Kommindoh)

noise begs the question:

worth more than its jewel case?

jury leans to no

http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/album-groupe-Vorak-nom_album-Triumph_of_the_Will-l-en.html

Total Eclipse – Ashes of Eden (2002: Limb)

powerprog mindscrew

well played yet atonal throat -

is there no playback?

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/totaleclipse13

Coldseed – Completion Makes the Tragedy (2006: Nuclear Blast)

Label’s grab bag slop

no threat to any day jobs;

skip, stick to home bands

http://www.coldseed.com/html/introengl.htm

Asgarrd – Ex Oriente Lux (2001: Metal Mind)

ailing cat wails spoil

Dimmu Bor-Cure goth hybrid

pity the booth guys

http://asgaard.pl/

Darkthrone – Preparing for War (2000: Peaceville)

starter kit comp of

no-fi Helvete blackness

that ‘bout says it all

http://www.peaceville.com/bands/2194

https://www.burningshed.com/store/peaceville/product/233/911/

Robin Trower – Bridge of Sighs (2007: Capitol - a reissue of 1974: Chrysalis)

wah-wah pedal blues

holds timelessly dated grip

Jimi, Faces, this

http://www.trowerpower.com/music/albums/1974-bridge-of-sighs/

http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Bridge-of-Sighs/Robin-Trower/e/5099950184521

Hades – If At First You Don’t Succeed (1988: Torrid)

helium vocals

atop fledgling thrash desires

shows age, still worth spins

http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Hades/If_at_First_You_Don%27t_Succeed.../4618

Fates Warning – FWX (2004: Metal Blade)

clean and textured prog

runs lil’ lite on rockin’ out

falls to same sameness

http://www.fateswarning.com/Discography/Albums/FWX.aspx

Morgion – Relapse Collection (2008: Relapse; reissues of 2 lps and an ep from the late 90s)

stateside Dying Bride

brings joy through slow-drip sorrow

great deal for so much

http://www.zenial.nl/html/morgion.htm

http://www.morgion.com/