5th album from 1978 by this legendary Australian Hard Rock band, widely regarded by fans and fellow musicians as one of the most authentic and representative releases of their entire career. Released during the classic Bon Scott era, it captured the band at the height of its creative powers, just before achieving worldwide superstardom.
Its sound embodies everything that makes AC/DC great: irresistible riffs, infectious groove, memorable choruses and the unmistakable streetwise attitude that helped turn them into a global phenomenon. Less commercial than some of their later classics but remarkably consistent from start to finish, it remains an essential release for understanding one of the greatest Rock bands of all time.
Recommended for fans of: ROSE TATTOO, THE ANGELS, AIRBOURNE and KROKUS.
9th album from 1993 by this legendary German Heavy Metal band, marking the long-awaited return of Udo Dirkschneider after several years away from the group. Released following a lengthy recording hiatus, the album successfully reunited the band with the classic sound that had made them one of the leading names in European Heavy Metal.
Its music brings back the power, memorable choruses and strong melodies that defined the band's classic 1980s releases, combining powerful riffing, excellent twin-guitar work and Udo's unmistakable vocals. A strong and inspired record featuring several highlights of the band's later catalogue and proving they still had plenty to offer the world of traditional Heavy Metal.
Recommended for fans of: U.D.O., JUDAS PRIEST, SAXON and RUNNING WILD.
Reissue featuring 7 bonus tracks of the debut album from 1985 by this Danish Heavy Metal band, widely regarded as one of the hidden gems of the Scandinavian Metal scene. Although overshadowed by bigger names such as MERCYFUL FATE and PRETTY MAIDS, it has gradually earned cult status among fans of melodic Heavy Metal and the more accessible side of the NWOBHM.
Its sound blends traditional Heavy Metal, melodic Hard Rock and strong influences from the early British Metal movement. Catchy riffs, excellent guitar harmonies, memorable choruses and youthful energy define an album that strikes a fine balance between power and melody. Direct, honest and packed with hooks, it remains a genuine hidden treasure of the 1980s European Metal underground.
Recommended for fans of: PRETTY MAIDS, TOKYO BLADE, SHY and MAD MAX. [Slipcase]
Live album from 1990 by this legendary British Heavy Metal band and one of the finest documents of their second 1980s era. Recorded in Los Angeles with Kevin Heybourne once again leading the band, it features a strong selection of material from their first three studio albums and captures the group at its live peak.
The setlist includes essential classics such as "Angel Witch", "Atlantis", "Baphomet", "Gorgon" and "Angel of Death", performed with the power and intensity that helped make the band such an important influence on later Thrash, Speed and Doom Metal acts. An outstanding live document from one of the key bands of the NWOBHM movement and an essential addition to any classic Heavy Metal collection.
Recommended for fans of: DIAMOND HEAD, SATAN, TOKYO BLADE and TYGERS OF PAN TANG.
4th album from 1991 by this legendary American Heavy Metal band, widely regarded by many fans as the definitive masterpiece of its career. Its creation was overshadowed by the tragic death of guitarist Dave Prichard from leukemia, yet instead of collapsing under the loss, ARMORED SAINT channelled that adversity into an extraordinary album that would become the crowning achievement of its catalogue.
Its sound blends classic Heavy Metal, US Power Metal and a level of songwriting maturity far beyond the band's earlier releases. Memorable riffs, outstanding melodies, remarkable diversity and John Bush's exceptional vocal performance come together in a work that is both emotional and powerful. Dark, epic and deeply inspired, it is often regarded not only as ARMORED SAINT's finest album, but also as one of the great American Heavy Metal classics of the 1990s.
Recommended for fans of: METAL CHURCH, SAVATAGE, VICIOUS RUMORS and FIFTH ANGEL. [Digipack]
14th album from 1989 by this legendary British Heavy Metal band and the 2nd to feature Tony Martin on vocals. Widely regarded by many fans as the finest release of the Tony Martin era, it marked a major resurgence for the band thanks to the arrival of legendary drummer Cozy Powell and an exceptionally strong collection of songs.
Its sound blends the classic darkness of BLACK SABBATH with a more powerful production and a strong epic and melodic character. Highlights such as the title track, "Devil & Daughter" and "When Death Calls", featuring a memorable guest guitar solo by Brian May of QUEEN, showcase a band operating at a remarkably high level, delivering one of the most respected albums of their post-Ozzy and post-Dio years.
Recommended for fans of: DIO, RAINBOW, MSG and JUDAS PRIEST.
2nd album from 1990 by this influential American band led by Glenn Danzig, firmly consolidating the musical direction established after the end of SAMHAIN and moving even further away from his Punk roots in favour of a darker, heavier and more distinctive sound. Widely regarded as one of the finest releases of his entire career, it represented a major step forward in songwriting, atmosphere and identity.
Its sound blends Heavy Metal, Hard Rock and Blues Rock with a dark and occult atmosphere that became the band's trademark. Heavy riffs, moody textures, memorable melodies and Glenn Danzig's charismatic vocal performance drive a record packed with classics such as "Her Black Wings", "I'm the One" and "Long Way Back From Hell". An essential album that helped define the DANZIG sound and stands as one of the highlights of American Heavy Metal in the 1990s.
Recommended for fans of: THE CULT, TYPE O NEGATIVE, ALICE IN CHAINS and SAMHAIN.
2nd album from 2020 by this Swedish Heavy Metal band, built around bassist and songwriter Mattias Reinholdsson and featuring musicians associated with acts such as UNLEASHED, FIRESPAWN, NIFELHEIM, KATATONIA and GRAND MAGUS. Following a promising debut, this release firmly established the band's identity, blending tradition, darkness and a distinctive character within the classic Heavy Metal framework.
Their sound sits somewhere between epic, melancholic Heavy Metal and traditional Doom Metal, featuring strong melodies, excellent guitar harmonies and a solemn atmosphere reminiscent of some of the genre's finest bands from the 1980s. An elegant and highly inspired album that proves how musicians from extreme metal backgrounds can pay tribute to classic Heavy Metal with complete authenticity.
Recommended for fans of: CANDLEMASS, SORCERER, SOLITUDE AETURNUS and GRAND MAGUS. [Slipcase]
11th album from 2015 by this legendary British Hard Rock band, released seven years after "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge", marking the longest gap between two studio albums in the band's career at the time. Simply titled after the band itself, it was conceived as a statement of identity, bringing together every facet of the group's musical legacy into a single release.
Its sound blends melodic Hard Rock, AOR and Arena Rock with huge choruses, layered vocal harmonies and polished production. Balancing energetic tracks such as "Let's Go" and "Dangerous" with more melodic and adventurous moments, the album finds the band revitalized and fully aware of its strengths. Regarded by many fans as their finest studio effort in decades, it also marked a significant creative and commercial comeback.
Recommended for fans of: JOURNEY, FOREIGNER, BON JOVI and EUROPE.
10th album from 2019 by this veteran Italian band and the first chapter of the ambitious "Reader of the Runes" conceptual trilogy. Following the success of "Secrets of the Magick Grimoire", ELVENKING further developed its trademark blend of Power Metal and Folk Metal, creating an expansive fantasy storyline that would continue across multiple releases.
"Reader of the Runes - Divination" combines epic choruses, folk melodies, prominent violin arrangements and a powerful production that enhances the album's narrative character. Darker and more sophisticated than some of its predecessors, it finds the band at a creative peak, balancing the energy of Power Metal with the atmosphere and grandeur of its pagan-inspired world.
Recommended for fans of: ENSIFERUM, TURISAS, SKYCLAD, WIND ROSE.
Debut album from 1988 by this German band from Bonn and a forgotten gem from the early days of German Speed/ Power Metal. Active between 1986 and 1988 under the name FORCED ENTRY, the musicians would later continue as STS 8 MISSION, making this album the only full-length document of the band's original incarnation.
"Forced Entry" blends Melodic Heavy Metal, Speed Metal and early German Power Metal with strong guitar harmonies, catchy choruses and the energetic spirit that characterized the late 1980s scene. While it never achieved the recognition of some of its contemporaries, the album remains a solid and highly enjoyable example of the formative years of German Power Metal.
Recommended for fans of: SCANNER, HELLOWEEN, GRAVESTONE, WARRANT.
Unofficial CD release issued in 2023 featuring the audio from "+R, Regicide Reverberation", an audiovisual document originally released in 2002 and focused on the final performances of this legendary Japanese band. Widely regarded as one of the most influential and uncompromising acts in Hardcore Punk history, G.I.S.M. forged a unique style that blended the aggression of Hardcore Punk with the power of Heavy Metal and a distinctly apocalyptic atmosphere.
The recordings capture the band during the closing stage of its career, showcasing the intensity and individuality that made G.I.S.M. a crucial influence on subsequent generations of extreme musicians. Fronted by the charismatic Sakevi Yokoyama, the band's legacy remains deeply embedded in both the Hardcore scene and countless areas of the international underground Metal movement.
Recommended for fans of: DISCHARGE, AMEBIX, GAUZE, THE COMES. [Digipack]
2nd album from 1992 by this German band and the final studio release from a group whose sound stood apart from the typical European Power Metal formula. This reissue includes 6 bonus tracks, making it the definitive edition of a long-overlooked gem. Led by vocalist Stefan Kessel, HEAVENWARD developed a distinctive style heavily influenced by the late 1980s American Progressive Heavy Metal scene.
"A Future Worth Talking About?" blends technical skill, power and melody through sophisticated songwriting, well-crafted tempo changes and outstanding guitar work. The strength of the arrangements and vocal performance makes this album a hidden treasure for fans of epic and progressive-oriented Heavy Metal.
10th album from 2003 by this legendary German Power Metal band, released during a particularly difficult period following the departures of Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch. Despite the lineup changes and recording difficulties, the album marked a return to the brighter melodies and classic HELLOWEEN spirit after the darker and more controversial "The Dark Ride". It also introduced guitarist Sascha Gerstner as a new member of the band.
Its sound brings back much of the melodic Power Metal approach that made the band a genre-defining act, blending catchy choruses, rich guitar harmonies and the trademark songwriting of Andi Deris and Michael Weikath. Although often overshadowed by other releases in their catalogue, it contains some of the strongest material of their modern era and stands as a solid return to the band's roots.
Recommended for fans of: GAMMA RAY, EDGUY, FREEDOM CALL and MASTERPLAN.
7th album from 2002 by this veteran American Heavy/ Power Metal band led by guitar virtuoso Chris Impellitteri. Released after several years of silence, the album presented a heavier and more contemporary version of the band while retaining the dazzling musicianship and neoclassical influences that have always defined their sound.
Its music blends Heavy/ Power Metal with touches of Speed Metal and a more modern production style, highlighted by Chris Impellitteri's spectacular riffs and solos, widely regarded among the fastest and most technically accomplished in the genre. Graham Bonnet's powerful vocal performance (RAINBOW, ALCATRAZZ, MSG) adds extra character to an intense, energetic and highly dynamic release that stands among the heaviest albums in the band's catalogue.
Recommended for fans of: ALCATRAZZ, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, PRIMAL FEAR and JUDAS PRIEST.
6th album from 1986 by this legendary British Heavy Metal band, released after the massive success of "Powerslave" and its accompanying world tour. Rather than repeating themselves, the band chose to expand their musical horizons by introducing guitar synthesizers and a more modern production style, resulting in one of the most innovative and distinctive releases of their career.
Its sound retains the epic and melodic essence of IRON MAIDEN while adding new textures and a futuristic atmosphere that perfectly complements the science-fiction themes running throughout much of the album. Inspired songwriting from Steve Harris, Adrian Smith and Dave Murray, combined with a collection of outstanding tracks, makes this one of the most sophisticated and beloved releases of the band's classic era.
Recommended for fans of: JUDAS PRIEST, QUEENSR¾CHE, HELLOWEEN and FATES WARNING.
dition featuring 1 bonus track of the debut album from 1984 by this legendary American Heavy/ Power Metal band. Widely regarded as one of the cornerstones of US Power Metal, "Ample Destruction" has achieved true cult status over the years, influencing countless bands through its powerful blend of speed, heaviness and epic songwriting.
Its sound combines traditional Heavy Metal and US Power Metal with memorable riffs, powerful choruses and the outstanding vocal performance of Harry "The Tyrant" Conklin, one of the most charismatic singers in the American Metal scene. Raw, energetic and packed with timeless anthems, the album perfectly captures the spirit of 1980s American Metal and remains an essential genre classic.
Recommended for fans of: OMEN, LIEGE LORD, HELSTAR and RIOT [Slipcase]
12th album from 2007 by this legendary Danish band led by the unmistakable King Diamond, and the most recent studio album released to date. Staying true to the tradition of the conceptual horror stories that have defined much of his career, the album unfolds a dark supernatural tale centred around souls trapped between the world of the living and the afterlife, proving that King Diamond's storytelling abilities remained as compelling as ever.
Its sound blends traditional Heavy Metal, Power Metal and progressive elements with the band's trademark theatrical and cinematic atmosphere. Memorable riffs, carefully crafted tempo changes, intricate guitar harmonies and King Diamond's extraordinary vocal performance result in an intense, dark and immersive work that stands among the strongest releases of his later career.
Recommended for fans of: MERCYFUL FATE, SAVATAGE, NEVERMORE and CANDLEMASS.
Vinyl version in 2-LP with gatefold cover of the 12th album from 2007 by this legendary Danish band led by the unmistakable King Diamond, and the most recent studio album released to date. Staying true to the tradition of the conceptual horror stories that have defined much of his career, the album unfolds a dark supernatural tale centred around souls trapped between the world of the living and the afterlife, proving that King Diamond's storytelling abilities remained as compelling as ever.
Its sound blends traditional Heavy Metal, Power Metal and progressive elements with the band's trademark theatrical and cinematic atmosphere. Memorable riffs, carefully crafted tempo changes, intricate guitar harmonies and King Diamond's extraordinary vocal performance result in an intense, dark and immersive work that stands among the strongest releases of his later career.
Recommended for fans of: MERCYFUL FATE, SAVATAGE, NEVERMORE and CANDLEMASS.
1984 EP by this American Heavy Metal band from Los Angeles, marking the group's first official release and the only recording to feature bassist Don Costa, later associated with OZZY OSBOURNE and early versions of W.A.S.P. Released through Megaton Records, it captures the atmosphere of the Los Angeles Metal scene just before its commercial explosion later in the decade.
Its sound blends traditional Heavy Metal with melodic Hard Rock in the classic American style, driven by straightforward riffs, catchy choruses and a strong streetwise attitude. More accessible than "Maniac's Revenge", it already showcases Niki Buzz's songwriting talents and the live energy that earned M-80 a solid reputation on the Los Angeles club circuit. A worthwhile obscurity for collectors of underground American Heavy Metal.
Recommended for fans of: KEEL, ARMORED SAINT, RATT and LEATHERWOLF.
