Empires of Eden | Channeling the Infinite

by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer –

Former Dungeon guitarist Stu Marshall is back with another in his series of Empires of Eden projects. The latest album, Empires of Eden’s third release, is titled Channeling the Infinite, and once again it features an impressive array of guest vocalists. The singers lending their voices to Channeling the Infinite are Udo Dirkschneider (UDO, ex-Accept), Rob Rock (Impelliteri, Driver), Steve Grimmett (ex-Grim Reaper), Mike Dimeo (Creation’s End, ex-Riot), Sean Peck (Cage), Ronny Munroe (Metal Church), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever), Carlos Zema (Outworld), Danny Cecati (Eyefear), Louie Gorgievski (Crimsonfire) and Vo Simpson (Darker Half).

Channeling the Infinite seems a bit less melodic and a lot more focused on traditional heavy metal power than the previous Empires of Eden release (2010’s Reborn in Fire). That makes perfect sense when you’ve classic metal vocalists like Udo Dirkschneider, Sean Peck and Steve Grimmett at your disposal. Marshall seems to have adjusted his songwriting to fit these singers, and he’s definitely brought the level of shredding up a notch (or ten). There are still some melodic moments here. “This Time” with Steve Grimmett and “Lions for Lambs” with Alessandro Del Vecchio have a melodic rock vibe, and stand out next to the pure blistering metal of songs like “Cyborg” (the album’s low point) and the title track. It goes back and forth like that throughout the album, and in the end it doesn’t feel like the album has a cohesive theme or overall style. Guitar wizardry and killer vocal performances (and there are some good ones here) aside, Channeling the Infinite just doesn’t wow the way Reborn in Fire did.

The album closes with a pair of alternate versions added as bonus tracks. The first is an “all star” version of “Hammer Down” that features Udo Dirkschneider, Rob Rock, Sean Peck, Carlos Zema, Vo Simpson and Ronny Munroe, and the second is a version of “Born a King” sung by Sean Peck. The bonus version of “Hammer Down” is the album’s best moment, as it brings together several great singers on a song that’s just 100% metal.

If you’re already an Empires of Eden fan, by all means pick up a copy of Channeling the Infinite. It’s not perfect, but there’s still more than enough to enjoy. If you’re new to the band, Reborn in Fire is probably a better starting point. Channeling the Infinite is still an album you’ll want to hear if you’re a fan of any (or all) of the vocalists involved.

Genre: Melodic Metal, Power Metal

Band:
Stu Marshall (g) (b)
Jason Manewell (d)

Track Listing:
1. Cry Out (featuring Rob Rock)
2. Hammer Down (featuring Udo Dirkschneider)
3. This Time (featuring Steve Grimmett)
4. Channeling the Infinite (featuring Sean Peck)
5. Lions for Lambs (featuring Alessandro Del Vecchio)
6. Cyborg (featuring Carlos Zema)
7. World on Fire (featuring Louie Gorgievski)
8. Your Eyes (featuring Mike Dimeo)
9. Born a King (featuring Danny Cecati)
10. As Flames Scorch the Ground (featuring Vo Simpson)
11. White Wings (featuring Ronny Munroe)
12. Hammer Down All Star Version
13. Born a King (featuring Sean Peck)

Label: Music Buy Mail

Website: www.empiresofeden.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10

U.D.O. : Rev-Raptor

by Erik Tweedy
Staff Writer

In 1986, the band Accept was on top of its game and was one of the biggest metal bands touring Europe, and then it all instantly fell apart. In search of a solo career, lead singer Udo Dirkschneider unceremoniously left the band, leaving his fellow band mates to fend for themselves. Citing the usual musical differences, the members of Accept wished him well and waved goodbye. In 1987, Udo took his unique voice and his camouflage pants and started his own metal outfit, simply titled U.D.O.

Fast forward a couple of decades and an impressive 12 studio albums later, and U.D.O. continues to create some of Germany’s finest metal. Their latest release, Rev-Raptor is pretty much what you would expect from an U.D.O. release: Bashing drums, dueling guitars, pounding bass and that trademark Udo grunt and growl on vocals. Accept fans from around the world continue to shake their heads, trying to understand why Udo just didn’t stay in Accept because the music’s formula is pretty much the same with both bands. Because Accept reformed in 2010 with Mark Tornillo on vocals and having put out one of last year’s best metal releases, the comparisons will, no doubt, be the hot topic of conversation around the German water cooler.

The title track to Rev-Raptor kicks things off with a cool drum intro and the pedal to the floor. The fast pace of this release burns through tracks “Leatherhead” and “Renegade” and doesn’t slow down until hitting “I Give As Good As I Get,” which is as close to a U.D.O. ballad as can be, given the limitation in Udo’s vocal range. Some tasty guitar work near the end will keep you awake until the barn-burner that arrives in the form of “Dr. Death.” By now, you will have recognized that many of the tracks are starting to sound the same with different lyrics. This is not a knock on the band, but it is difficult to not recognize this. There are some solid guitar solos captured throughout the release, and the production is very good. But the almost continuous use of the same beat and the layering of Udo’s vocals many times over get to be a bit on the boring side by the time you are awaken by “Motor-Borg,” which is one of only a few standout tracks on this release. By the time you reach the final track, “Days of Hope and Glory,” sadly, it doesn’t provide the listener with any hope or glory.

The longtime U.D.O fan might enjoy this release even if it is quite boring, but it probably won’t pull in too many new fans. The guitar tone and drum beat rarely change throughout the entire album, and the over-mastered vocals are a sure sign that Udo’s singing career is coming to an end. U.D.O. has had some pretty solid releases during the past two decades, but this one falls somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Band:
Udo Dirkschneider: Vocals
Stefan Kaufmann: Lead Guitar
Igor Gianola: Rhythm Guitar
Fitty Weinhold: Bass
Francesco Jovino: Drums

Track Listing:
Rev-Raptor
Leatherhead
Renegade
I Give As Good As I Get
Dr. Death
Rock ‘N’ Roll Soldiers
Terrorvision
Underworld
Pain Man
Fairy Tales of Victory
Motor-Borg
True Born Winners
Days of Hope and Glory

Label: AFM Records

Website: http://www.udo-online.de/

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.6/10

U.D.O. Dominator

by Jay Villain
Staff Writer

For those that don’t already know, as lead vocalist for Accept in the early ‘80s, Udo Dirkschneider set the high standard of heavy metal that others have to follow. Udo Dirkschneider continues to maintain that high standard today. The latest release by U.D.O. called Dominator is a prime example of that. His vocal quality is like he’s never aged. Still using his signature sound, Udo’s voice sounds as good today as it did when he first started.

Dominator’s full production adds to the skillful performances found within. There are harmony guitar solos and melodic hooks by guitar players Stefan Kaufmann and Igor Gianola. Fitty Wienhold and Francesco Jovino hold down the rhythm section, and together give Udo Dirkschneider a strong metal foundation. The first song on Dominator called “The Bogeyman” is a rhythmic song with a chorus so catchy that you’re likely to be singing it to yourself later. Next is the title track on Dominator. This is a quick up-tempo song that both the song and the guitar solo strongly reflect the title. In fact, there’s no shortage of great guitar solos throughout Dominator.

Thousands of metal fans will be chanting “Black And White” quite loudly during this anthem-type song. The pace picks up with “Infected.” With a thunderous and punchy double bass chorus, “Infected” is very energetic. Pounding forward is the stomping “Heavy Metal Heaven.” An attractive tribal drum beat along with a very memorable sing-along chorus is going to make this another favorite during live performances. While the bass rumbles away during a flanged guitar bridge, “Doom Ride” sustains the metal continuity along with a flashy yet melodic guitar solo.

“Stillness Of Time” is a bit different. A piano and keyboard start this song, and it maintains keys throughout along with a melodic guitar solo that wraps up using a tapping technique. Part of what makes this power ballad a unique addition to Dominator is the imaginative and classy use of the acoustic guitar during the midsection. Combining rock and roll with metal is the fun and upbeat “Devil’s Rendezvous” complete with a ‘50s-style finger snap during the bridge.

The tempo increases when “Speed Demon” takes off running with unstoppable force. This song is Dominator at top speed. Wrapping up Dominator is “Whispers In The Dark,” a power ballad that’s more ballad than power. This one also contains piano, keys and some acoustic guitar. If this were a movie, “Whispers In The Dark” would be the song playing as the credits role. It’s a melodic song that’s quite a contrast, especially following such a dominant song like “Speed Demon.” Dominator is a very strong release from U.D.O., and it delivers a full dose of metal and a bit more.

Label: AFM Records

www.udo-online.de
www.myspace.com/udoonline

Lineup:
Udo Dirkschneider – vocals
Stefan Kaufmann – guitars
Igor Gianola – guitars
Fitty Wienhold – bass
Francesco Jovino – drums

Track Listing:
01. The Bogeyman
02. Dominator
03. Black And White
04. Infected
05. Heavy Metal Heaven
06. Doom Ride
07 Stillness Of Time
08. Devil´s Rendezvous
09. Speed Demon
10. Whispers In The Dark

Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10