Rocktopia: Magnum - 'The Gathering' - CD Review

The word legend is sometimes used shall we say a little to often and usually wrongly, to describe something or someone who just doesn't live up to that word. Yet I can with confidence use it to describe the British rock institution called Magnum, a band who for more than thirty years have entertained, enthralled, mesmerized and astounded audiences from around the world, with their unique brand of British pomp rock. To help reinforce the legend tag I've used, the band are going to be releasing in the very near future, a five disc compilation of over thirty years worth of remixed, demo, alternate and hard to get live versions of their songs and let me say that if you're a Magnum fan then your in for a real treat. http://ping.fm/p6PI3

Rocktopia: Ayreon - 'Timeline' - CD Review

You can never point the finger at Arjen Anthony Lucassen for stinting on quality because yet again this is a fabulous release that encompasses 3 audio CDs, a DVD, a poster and a monster booklet (56 pages worth), all housed in a very nice box. If you are already a fan and own every album from which all but one of the tracks included here have been taken, you are still going to want to own this splendid package. If, by some strange quirk of fate you have thus far managed not to be exposed to the delights of this music, then there is no better place to jump on the bandwagon, you won't be disappointed. http://ping.fm/8j0fL

Rocktopia - Arthemis - 'Black Society' - CD Review

Italian based Arthemis return with their fifth album 'Black Society', the follow up to 2005's 'Back From The Heat'. Featuring the twin guitar attack of Andrea Martongelli and Alessio Garavello, both members of Power Quest, Arthemis are known as a thrash band, but there's so much more to their sound than that, with loads of melody, touches of prog and good old-fashioned Heavy Metal. http://ping.fm/zrZr4

Rocktopia: Andromeda - 'The Immunity Zone' - CD Review

Polish progressive metal band Andromeda are one of those acts whose music is something I like to describe as not an easy listen. Intricate songs interlaced with odd time changes and clever lyrics, makes their work something you have to indulge in, music that you have take the time to really listen to before you get into it, before making your mind up about what they have done. New album 'The Immunity Zone' is just such an album, one that I didn't really understand on the first few plays through as I wasn't giving it my full attention at all times and missed out on quite a lot of what was going on. http://ping.fm/bqjQi

Rocktopia: Coronatus - 'Porta Obscura' - CD Review

You have to wonder if Nightwish had any idea of how big a can of worms they opened by becoming a successful crossover of rock and opera. They have given rise to many copycat artistes, some staggeringly good, some embarrassingly awful, and some blander than a British Prime Minister. Germany's Coronatus are happy to throw their hats into the ring with their second album, and if nothing else have brought their own identity to the goth themed party (please leave your cloaks at the door). http://ping.fm/z6Jgp

Rocktopia: Cryonic Temple - 'Immortal' - CD Review

Three years after their third album, 'In Thy Power', Swedish power metalheads Cryonic Temple are giving it another go with 'Immortal', although I don’t think it has much chance of living forever. Good power metal grabs you by the nads and shakes until you puke, whereas Cryonic Temple seem to have made their album by ticking checkboxes in a 'How To Do Power Metal' book. http://ping.fm/zIC3C

Rocktopia - Shadowkeep - 'The Hourglass Effect' - CD Review

Shadowkeep have had a troubled last few years due to line up changes, but the UK band that so impressed with their debut albums back at the turn of the century have returned with a new disc stuffed with power prog metal that is bound to impress. 'The Hourglass Effect' sees the debut recording of vocalist Richie Wicks (Ex Tygers Of Pan Tang), a man with a decent set of pipes, not a million miles away from the Geoff Tate/Tony Mills style of singing. He's also brought to the table a nifty science fiction concept to the album, his lyrics going well with Guitarists Nikki Robson and Chris Allen's solid song writing. http://ping.fm/EHKCR