Bacamarte - Depois do Fim (1983): Why so good?

Some genres, mainly Progressive Rock and its variations, have some discs that are considered sacred. The disc is elevated to an almost untouchable status and anyone who just thinks in criticizes this kind of demigod is a blasphemer, a sucker.

Well, throw the stones over me, society.

Riverside - Shrine of New Generation Slaves (2013): Running with the handbrake on.

It’s good, but could be better. Yeah, do you know the strange feeling that something is missing? And you try to find what is wrong; still all you got is that strange feeling again and again.

Rush - Clockwork Angels (2012): They can’t stop thinking big!

I’ve seen few songs or entire albums inspired in books, stories, or poems. In this group is possible to mention the case of Camel, with their amazing The Snow Goose. And even more obscure bands, such as The Old Man & the Sea. 

But the opposite situation (an album turning into a book), I guess I’ve never seen before. 

Alvin Lee, if I could change the world…

After a long time without blogging, due to some personal problems, I’m returning to briefly talk about Alvin Lee. One of the most influent guitarists of the seventies has left us on March, 06. 

Siren - No Place Like Home (1986): Lost in space-time…

Siren is another example of those bands that for some inexplicable reason get lost in space-time and didn’t have the deserved recognition. The years passed by and Siren no longer exists, but their songs were rescued by the internet… Yes, thanks to the “cursed” downloads, those that labels persist in criticize – but allow us to find gems like this. 

Top 10: The best albums of 2012, finally!

Here in Brazil we usually say that a new year just starts after Carnival. Well, following this logic, then I’m not too late.

Finally, after a big delay, I made my ranking of the top ten discs from 2012. Some bands that were in the list of 2011 repeated the good performance and appeared in this year again. 2012 also marked the return of some well-known names, like Kiss, UFO, Rush, Marillion, Van Halen, Accept, Europe, and others… However, just few of them were able to be among the top 10! 

Graveyard - Lights Out (2012): The consolidation.

It’s common to hear that every great fighter can only be considered a true champion if he defends his belt at least once. Well, with Lights Out, Graveyard made his defense and consolidated themselves as one of the major reference in their weight. 

UFO - Seven Deadly (2012): The oldies still rock!

I always had UFO as one of my favorite bands… And I say more: Some (yes, in plural!) of their albums easily appear among the top ten or twenty discs in the whole history of Hard Rock. However, for some reason that I’m unable to explain, I ignored what they recorded after the seventies. I’ve never listened to what they did after Mechanix (1982). 

Stratovarius - Elysium (2011): The rehab?

Stratovarius has passed through really serious problems in 2008. Many thought that the band would end (and in fact, they ended for a while). But despite the storm, they reappeared in 2009 with a modest return. 

Although their resurrection, Polaris was below the expectations; so, if 2008 was the resurrection, we can say that 2011 marked the Finns’ rehab. 

Quickies: New discs, new drummers.

Stratovarius and Black Sabbath, both are very close to launch their new albums. Each one in its genre and differences, but with a huge similarity between them: The drummer.