SHORT REVIEWS

spring-summer 2008:

*ALURA– Alura (independent)
Five track EP, that reminded me of SKUNK ANANSIE. Vocalist Laura Schoegje sure can make some noise, but she’s also a very strong frontlady in the less heavy tracks on this EP. There are some new Dutch talents on the horzion here, that’s for sure. [8 points]

*ASVA– What You Don’t Know Is Frontier (Southern/De Konkurent)
This band sounds bad to the bone! Female vocalist Holly Johnson matches very well with the imposing, alternative sound of this doom band. [7 points]

*BROTHER FIRETRIBE– Heart Full Of Fire (Spinefarm/Bertus)
Annette Olzon of NIGHTWISH sings guest vocals on the new CD by NIGHTWISH guitar player Emppu Vuorinen and LEVERAGE singer Pekka Ansin Heino. The band also covers “Chasing The Angels” of Mike Reno (LOVERBOY), which was origianlly recorded for the soundtrack of Iron eagle II. [7 points]

*CARDAMON– The Primrose Path (ndependent)
Debut rock album by this Dutch band, that has a good frontlady in Floortje Donia. A well-produced CD that walks on the thin line between rock and metal. [7 points]

*CHTONIC– Pandemonium (Deathlight/CNR)
Black metal band from Taiwan, of all places. Exotic, exciting metal fills your room. Female bassplayer Doris is the metal maiden in the band. She is also responsible for some female vocals here and there. [8 points]

*CREMATORY– Pray (Massacre/Suburban)
CREMATORY brings you gothic metal to the max. This album sounds a bit more heavy than the band's previous release “Klagenbilder”. [7 points]

*DELIGHT– Breaking Ground (Metal Mind/Bertus)
This Polish gothic metal band slowly differs their sound from gothic metal to a more poppy sound. Fans of EVANESCENCE may like this album. Paulina ‘Paula’ Maslanka is the frontlady on this well-produced album. Fans will be, without any doubt, very delighted with “Breaking Ground”. [7 points]

*EBONY ARK– When The City Is Quiet (Ascendance/Bertus)
Debut album from this Spanish prog metal band. This CD was going to be released on Transmission records, but the label went bankrupt. We’re glad, it is released by Ascendance now. Beatriz Albert is the frontlady of this powerful band. [8 points]

*ELUVEITIE– Slania (Nuclear Blast/PIAS)
Pagan black metal with some female voice here and there. [7 points]

*ETERNAL DEFORMITY– Frozen Circus (Code 666/Displeased)
This band from Poland mixes all imaginable styles, trying to create a style of its own. Together with some female vocalists, “Frozen Circus” has become an experimental yet very nice album. [8 points]

*EVERON- North (Mascot/PIAS)
German prog rock band that presents their seventh album. On “Islanders”, we hear a duet with female vocalist Judith Stüber. [7 points]

*ESPEDITION DELTA– Expedition Delta (Progrock/Bertus)
Melodic progmetal band from Servia, that presents us their new album. Frontlady Alexandra Jankovic gets help from interesting guest musicians like Gary Wehrkamp (SHADOW GALLERY), Erik Norlander (ROCKET SCIENTISTS/LANA LANE), Joost van den Broek (AFTER FOREVER), Santiago Dobles (AGHORA), Torsten Roehre (SILENT FORCE) and Sabine Edelsbacher (EDENBRIDGE). No wonder, that “Expedition Delta” sounds so well. [8 points]

*FOREVER SLAVE– Tales For Bad Girls (Wacken/SPV/CNR)
The sound of FOREVER SLAVE is comparable to WITHIN TEMPTATION. Lady Angelyca is the bad girl, who tells you all the tales on this CD. [7 points]

*HEIDEVOLK– Walhalla Wacht (Napalm/Rough Trade)
Dutch best folk metal band, that surprises us with their second album. You can see this band as a sort of Dutch equivalent to SKYCLAD and CRUACHAN. Stefanie Speervrouw is the female violin player of the band. Raise your beer jug and sing along! [7 points]

*JUCIFER– L’Autrichienne (Relapse/Rough Trade)
A lot of different styles are captured on this double CD of Edgar Livengood and Amber Valentine. Ranging from raw, raunchy rock to melancholic ballads, JUCIFER plays it all. The variation in different songs makes the album sound utterly fresh. [7 points]

*KIUAS– The New Dark Age (Spinefarm/Bertus)
You can hear a female guest singer on the acoustic ballad “After The Storm” on the third album by this Finnsih metal band. [7 points]

*ELVIRA MADIGA– Regent Sie (Black Lodg /Suburban)
Average gothic black metal album of Elvira Madigan. The future will tell, if she is capable of competing with the murdering competetition in this scene. I’m afraid, that she will drown into the full sea of releases with this album. [6 points]

*MAGENTA– Metamorphosis (Tigermoth/Bertus)
Symphonic prog rock band releasing their fourth album. Christina Booth is the female member of this British band, who convinced me most with their long epic songs here. [7 points]

*MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE– If (The End/Suburban)
Hear the groovy sound by this New York based band. Fans of MARILYN MANSON might dig this. [7 points]

*MOONSPELL– Night Eternal (Steamhammer/CNR)
On this new MOONSPELL album, vocalist Fernando Ribeiro sings a duet with Anneke van Giersbergen in “Scorpion Flower”. The band from Portugal slowly moves their sound from black metal to gothic metal on this one. “First Light” closes the CD with the help of a ladies choir. [7 points]

*NEVERLAND– Reversing Time (AFM/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Put the band DREAMTONE and female vocalist Iris Mavraki togeter, and you have the band NEVERLAND. On “Reversing Time” we also hear guest appearances by Mike Barker (SHADOW GALLERY), Gary Wehrkamp (SHADOW GALLERY), Hansi Küsch (BLIND GUARDIAN) and Tom Englund (EVERGREY). Interesting concept album! [8 points]

*NUCLEUS TORN– Knell (Prophecy/Suburban)
Melodic prog rock band from Switzerland with male and female vocals. Flute, cello, acoustic guitars and piano add something special to the melodic side of this band. [7 points]

*REMEMBRANCE– Silencing The Moments... (Firedoom/Displeased)
Not for depressed people! Beware this is slow, dark funeral doom metal with a dark black edge around it. Carline van Roos is the female singer in this French threesome. [7 points]

*ROYAL HUNT– Collission Course…Paradox II (Frontiers/Rough Trade)
Follow up to the “Paradox” album of 1997. Mark Boals has replaced John West on vocals. The female input on this neo classical, progressive work of art comes from Maria McTurk (background vocals) and Soma Alpass (background vocals, cello). Guest vocals are done by Dougie White, Henrik Brockmann and Ian Parry. [8 points]

*SCHANDMAUL– Anderswelt (Fame/Rock Inc./Bertus)
This folk album can hardly be called rock or metal. Fans know that it exists now though. [5 points]

*SUPERFLOOR– Kharma Baby (independent)
Solid hard rock album by this promising Dutch band. Floor Kraayvanger is the frontlady of this band. She is guested by ex-RIVERDOGS frontman Rob Lamothe on vocals in “You’re So Cold” [8 points]

*THANATOSCHIZO– Zoom Code (My Kingdom/Sonic Rendezvous)
Doomy gothic metal band from Portugal, which mixes a lot of styles together, and adds some strange ideas in their music, like accordion parts in “Hereafter Path”. Patricia is the frontlady and singer of the band. [6 points]

*THEATRES DES VAMPIRES– Anima Noir (Aural/Bertus)
One of the leading gothic metal bands from italy presents their new album. Scarlet is the frontlady of this band, that is most well-known for their great live shows. [7 points]

*THEE MERRY WIDOWS– The Devils Outlaws (People Like You/Suburban)
Juicy punkrock, horrorpunk songs fill the new album of this all-female, American punk band. Think about a mix between THE CRAMPS and THE MISFITS and you’ll come close to what THEE MERRY WIDOWS sound like. [8 points]

*THROUGH YOUR SILENCE– Whispers To The Void (My Kingdom Music/Sonic Rendezvous)
Italian death metal band, that uses female vocals every now and then. And Dalai Orsi (SUMMONER) adds just that little something that lifts this band up to something special in the mass of other death metal bands. [7 points]

*TRINACRIA– Travel Now Journey Infinitely (Indie Recordings/Bertus)
Debut album from a band, that consists of former members of EMMERKORF, ENSLAVED and FE-MAIL. Noise is mixed with black metal blasts and also dreamy parts. Interesting stuff for the adventurous listener. [7 points]

*WOLFMARE– Whitemare Rhymes (CCP/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Folk metal band, CRUACHAN style, from Sint Petersburg in Russia. Even Keith Fay and Karen Gilligan (both CRUACHAN) are guesting on this nice album, that mixes folk metal with touches of black and doom metal. [7 points]

Winter 2007-2008:

*AFTER DEATH– Retronomicon (Iron Pegasus/Displeased)
Project of former MORBID ANGEL, NOCTURNUS member Mike Browning. He added female vocals to create the ultimate sound for his occult stories in music. [7 points]

*AGHORA– Form Less (Season Of Mist/Bertus)
Diana Serra replaced Danishta Rivero, which is not an easy job, because AGHORA plays a complex mix of different music styles. Sometimes experimental and brutal, and at other times progresive and leaning towards fusion. This is a great new album with a lot of variation and with a convincing, great new singer [8 points]

*ALL FOR NOTHING – Can’t Kill What’s Inside (Swell Creek/Sonic Rendezvous)
Female-fronted old school hardcore band from The Netherlands. The album shows that women are not afraid to sound brutal as well in the male dominated hardcore scene. [7 points]

*AMATRIS– Imprisoned (Twilight/Displeased)
German gothic doom band with female vocals (Jannet Baade) and male grutns. Nothing new, but still enjoyable. [6 points]

*APOCALYPTICA– Worlds Collide (20-20/Sony/BMG)
The cello trip from the stretched country of Finland release their sixth album. Guests on this disc are Corey Taylor (STONE SOUR / SLIPKNOT), Till Lindeman (RAMSTEIN), Adam Gontier (THREE DAYS GONE) and Dave Lombardo (SLAYER). The female input comes from Christina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL), who sings in the song “S.O.S. (Anything But Love)” [6 points]

*ATARGATIS– Nova (Massacre/Suburban)
Austrian goth metal band, who release their second album. Vocalist Stephanie Luzie also sings in DARKWELL, and she is helped out here by Matthias Hechler (CREMATORY) and Thomas Helm (EMPYRIUM). [7 points]

*AVA INFERNI– The Silhouette (Season Of Mist/Bertus)
Portuguese gothic metal band, that perfectly blends the opera-like vocals of Carmen Simoẽs with the slow riffs of Rune Eriksen (a.k.a. Blasphemer of MAYHEM). [7 points]

*AVANTASIA– The Scarecrow (Nuclear Blast/Pias)
Amanda Sommerville is the female voice on the third album of this project of EDGUY’s Tobias Sammett. [7 points]

*AXXIS – Doom Of Destiny (AFM/Rock Inc/Bertus)
The female voice of Lakonia has moved from the background to the front row, which is a good thing. She’s a very positive addition to the melodic rock sound of this German rock sensation. The band recently toured with GAMMA RAY and HELLOWEEN, but then Lakonia’s parts were performed by Ana Mladinovici (MAGICA) [8 points]

*BEFORE THE DAWN– Deadlight (Cyclone Empire)
Dark metal band from Finland with Katja Vaukkonen as guest vocalist. [6 points]

*THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE– Waking With Strangers (Repo/Sonic Rendezvous)
This band from Canada presents us their third album. Vocalist Chibi is the biggest eye-catcher of this threesome, that provides us very catchy, melodic songs. [7 points] XXX1/2

*BLINDED BY TRUST– Justice Will Prevail (Lucifer’s Legion)
Femke (SIREN) sings the title track on this old school hardcore CD. BLINDED BY TRUST consists of three ex members of BETTER OFF [6 points]

*CONSORTIUM PROJECT– Children Of Tomorrow (Metal Heaven/Rough Trade)
Again we can enjoy some female (choir) vocals on Ian Parry’s CONSORTIUM PROJECT’s new CD, which contains some great, bombastic, melodic rock songs. Henk van der Laars (ELEGY) plays some guest guitar parts with his former bandmate. [8 points]

*CORONATUS– Lux Noctis (Massacre/Suburban)
This is some kind of super gothic metal band. While other bands have one frontlady, CORONATUS has two frontladies. Carmen R. Schäfer and Ada Fletching provide the TRISTANIA-like sound with normal vocals and opera vocals. Try to top that!! [8 points]

*MICHELLE DARKNESS– Brand New Drug (A.F.M./Rock Inc/Bertus)
Solo album of the frontman of END OF GREEN. Hanna Pakarinen, who won the Idols contest in Finland, is the female guest vocalist, which you can hear on the JOY DIVISION cover “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. Besides this, it is just an average gothic metal album. [6 points]

*DEPRESSED MODE– Ghosts Of Devotion (Firebox/Dis)
Finnish doom metalband with a great name. Natalie Koskinen is the frontlady of this excentric band, that covers BURZUM’s “Dunkelheit” on this album. [7 points]

*DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA– The Butcher’s Ballroom (Candlelight/Bertus)
The name of the band gives away the biggest secret. This band walks the thin line between metal and rock or even pop. They mix different styles and use various, uncommon instruments like cello, piano, didgeridoo and horns. Annlouice Loeglund adds her best opera voice to this odd mix of styles and instruments. Check it out, if you don’t like rock in its traditional way anymore. [6 points]

*EILERA– Fusion (Spinefarm/Bertus)
French singer, who presents us her solo album, including the sound of violins and heavy guitars. It’s recorded in Finland with a totally Finnish line up of the band. [7 points] *ETHS– Tératologie (Season Of Mist/Bertus)
Hard to describe, nu-metal like band from France. Frontlady Candice Clot is the absolute ear catcher, who will surprise you with a wide range of different voices that she provides. [7 points]

*SEBNEM FERA– 10 Mart 2007, Istanbul Konserti (Pasaj Müzik)
This Turkish singer can be heard on several APOCALYPTICA CDs. But now she’s the biggest eye-catcher on her double live CD, recorded in her home country Turkey. Rock and metal with a solid Turkish base. [8 points]

*FLOWING TEARS– Invanity (Ascendance/Bertus)
Live album, recorded in Berlin. The listener gets a best of set, including covers like “Dead Skin Mask” (SLAYER) and “The Weeping Song” (NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS). [8 points]

*FOR SELENA AND SIN– Overdosed On you (Mascot/PIAS)
Finnish rock band, that surprised us with their debut album. Annika Jalkanen is the frontlady of the band, that provides us a lot of catchy rock songs on “Overdosed On You” [7 points] XXX1/2

*GUTTURAL– Anal Violation (demo)
Wow, a grindcore band with a female bass player! Femke is one of the very few women who discover the guttural sound of the grindcore scene. Sick, sicker, GUTTURAL. Check it out, if you dare! [7 points]

*HARDINEROCK– Grimen (Candlelight/Bertus)
New, non-metal project of Ihsahn (EMPEROR / PECCATUM) and his wife Ihriel (PECCATUM). The music is a sort of mix between Norwegian folk music and black metal. High quality music with a low metal level. [7 points]

*I HATE SALLY– Don’t Worry Lady (Vagrant/PIAS)
Dee Prescott is the very convincing frontlady on this powerful rock album. [7 points]

*INDIGO DYING– Indigo Dying (Frontiers/Rough Trade)
Gisa Vatchky does it all on her own this time, instead of working together with big names like ANDREA BOCELLI, MELISSA ETHERIDGE and MEAT LOAF. She does a great job on this “Indigo Dying” album, on which she sings duets with Michael Kiske and Mark Boals. A must for fans of melodic rock. [8 points]

*IVORY MOON– Human Nature (Ulterium/Bertus)
EPICA-like band with a bit more symphonic input. Cecilia Serra is the female vocalist of this band, that still has got a long way to go. [6 points]

*KAIPA– Angling Feelings (Inside Out/CNR)
Aleena Gibson is one of the singers in this progressive rock band. Roine Stolt (THE FLOWER KINGS) has left the band and was replaced by Per Nilsson (SCAR SYMETRY). The music remained the same and captures a lot of variation in styles. [8 points]

*KINETIC– Corrosion (Burning Star/LSP Distribution)
Greek death metal band with a female frontlady, that have some good, innovative musical ideas. A possible promise for the future. [7 points]

*LACRIMOSA– Lichtjahre (Hall Of Sermon/Suburban)
The godfather and mother of gothic metal present their double live CD here, recorded on their most recent tour. Tilo Wolff and Anne Nurmi at their very best. This concert is also available on DVD. [9 points]

*MACBETH– Superangelic Hate Bringers (Dragonheart/Bertus)
LACUNA COIL-like gothic metal band from Italy. Fans of this band will definitely enjoy this stuff a lot [6 points]

MALSAIN– The Disease (Dark Essence/Bertus)
Dark, doomy, black metal band from Norway. Sturmring is one of the very few ladies who knows how to survive in the brutal world of extreme underground black metal. [8 points]

*MENA BRINNO– Icy Muse (Dark Balance/Displeased)
New gothic metal band, that releases their debut album. Katy Decker is the frontlady in this EVANESCENCE-like outfit. [7 points]

*SANDRA NASIC– The Signal (GUN/Sony BMG)
The German version of ANOUK, could be the right description of this solo album by GUANO APES singer Sandra Nasic. Solid rock with some poppy sidesteps. Fans of GUANO APES should also check out this solo release. [7 points]

NATION BEYOND– The Aftermath Odyssey (Burning Star/LSP Distribution)
Concept album of this Swedish sextet, that provides us with some melodic, epic song material here. Sara is the female singer on this release. [7 points]

*NUCLEAR BLAST ALLSTARS– Into The Light (Nuclear Blast/PIAS)
Each of the ten songs on this album is recorded with another singer. Tarja Turunen (ex-NIGHTWISH, now solo) takes care of the female input here. Later this year, they will release a more brutal set of songs, which will be called “Out Of The Dark” [7 points]

*PRIMAL FEAR– New Religion (Frontiers/Rough Trade)
This is not a mistake, because on “Everytime It Rains”, Ralf Scheepers is doing a duet with EPICA’s Simone Simons. The switch from Nuclear Blast to Frontiers has turned this previous ‘JUDAS PRIEST clone’ into a more melodic metal outfit. [7 points]

*PROJECT CREATION– Dawn On Pyther (Progrock/Bertus)
If you like wild, busy songs with a very few points of rest, than this “Dawn On Pyther” is something for you. There are different female vocalists on this seventy-five minutes prog rock CD. [7 points]

*SHADE– One Way Line (Rockcliffe)
Emma Shade gathered two ex-DARE members, Simon Gardner and Andrew Moore, around her to record this A.O.R., pop rock album. Catchy pop, ballsy rock and sensitive ballads are the main ingredients on this album [7 points]

*SOUL TAKERS– Flies In A Jar (Dragonheart/Bertus)
Italian progmetal band with two female members in their line up. The Badalini sisters play piano and guitar on this new CD. [7 points]

*SPIDER ROCKETS– Ever After Locomotive/Rock Inc/Bertus)
Very average rock album of this American band. Helena is their singer. [6 points]

*STINKING LIZAVETA– Scream Of The Iron Iconoclast (Monotreme/De Konkurent)
STINKING LIZAVETA from Philadelphia play an exciting mix of very different styles on their fourth album. The band has a female drummer in their ranks, that goes by the name of Cheshire Agusta [7 points]

*SUBWAY TO SALLY– Bastard (Nuclear Blast/PIAS)
This septet have picked up their guitars again to provide us some raw folk metal, comparable to HAGGARD, SCHANDMAUL and IN EXTREMO. [7 points] XXX1/2

*TERKEN– Eyes Unfolded (Firebox/Displeased)
Death doom band from Finland. TERKEN is an old Finnish word for ‘mist’, which fits well to the dark sound from the land of the thousand lakes, where the mist is tightly connected to the beautiful stretching landscape. Elisa is the female singer, and Yuri is the brutal male grunter in the band. [7 points]

*TOXOCARA– The Great Rebellious (Twilight/Bertus)
Death metal band from Holland with a female bassplayer (Anne van Doorn), who present us their second album. [7 points]

*TRAGØDIA– The Promthean Legacy (Dark Balance/Displeased)
Gothic metal band with male and female vocals. Not only the fact that they come from Italy, made me think of LACUNA COIL here and there. [7 points]

*TULUS– Biography Obscene (independent/Bertus)
Black metal with pianos, string arrangements and female vocals, from a band that surprised everybody by releasing this new album. After all, singer Sverre and drummer Bergli play in a band called KHOLD, after they put TULUS on hold. [7 points]

*ULVER– Shadows Of The Sun (Jester/Bertus)
Dark metal album with influences of new wave, jazz, gothic rock and symphonic laden music. Pamela Kurstin is the female member of this excentric, experimental dark sounding band. [6 points]

*VLAD IN TEARS– Seed Of Ancient Pain (Dreamcell)
Another so-called gothic metal talent is developing itself in the crowded gothic metal tree. VLAD IN TEARS hails from Italy, and Kris is their female singer. “Seed Of Ancient Pain” is the bands debut album. [6 points]

*VOYAGER– Univers (Dockyard/Rock Inc/Bertus)
Australian metal band with a female guitarplayer in their ranks. “Univers” is the bands second album. [7 points]

*WINDS– Prominence And Demise (The End/LSP Distribution/Bertus)
Agnete Kirkevaag (MADDER MORTEM) lends her voice to some songs on this bombastic black metal album from Norway. [7 points]

*WITNESS THE FALL- Take A Closer Look Inside (demo)
There are some female guest vocalists on this demo by WITNESS THE FALL from The Netherlands. [6 points]

*WOLVES IN THE RUNE ROOM– Two Hunters (Southern Lord/De Konkurent)
American pagan metal band, that have a great singer in their band. Jessica Kenney (ASVA). The band shows their musical ideas in exciting, long, epic tracks. [7 points]

Spring/Summer 2007:

*ANNIHILATOR– Metal (Steamhammer/CNR)
Metal to the max, as you may expect from Jeff Waters and ANNIHILATOR. Angela Gossow and Danko Jones sing a duet in “Couple Suicide”. On every other song, the band is helped out by another guest. This is what ‘metal’ is all about. [9 points]

*CASURE SILENCE- Lost In A Life (Rock Inc/Bertus)
Sandra Peeters (V-MALE) is the female guest vocalist on the title track of this new album. The Dutch prog rockers have also asked in the help of Damian Wilson (AYREON, THRESHOLD), to do a guest performance on this good album. [7 points]

*CHTONIC– Seediq Bale (Down Port/Bertus)
Black metal without borders lands in Taiwan this time. The lyrics of the songs are based upon myths and legends from their home country. Even their corpse paint is based upon the heritage of their forefathers. [7 points]

*DARK MOOR– Tarot (Scarlet/Bertus)
This album grabs back to the early days of the band (first two albums). Manda Ophuis (NEMESEA) is their female guest singer on this album this time, that is filled with melodic power metal. The cards predict good sales for DARK MOOR with this new release. [8 points]

*DEADLOCK– Wolves (Lifeforce/Suburban)
German metal band with a male and a female singer (Sabine Weniger), who slowly develops from a brutal black metal band to a more LACUNA COIL-like sound. The input of Sabine is more prominent each album. [7 points]

*THE DOGMA– A Good Day To Die (Drakkar/Suburban)
Lisa Middelhauve of XANDRIA is guest vocalist on the new album by this power metal band. [7 points]

*FAREWELL TO WORDS– Tear Down This Wall (Sonic Rendezvous)
Band from Berlin, who presents us their new five track mini CD. The sound of this band is a mix of metal and hardcore. Vocals are done by Mo and Jessi. [7 points]

*GENIUS– Episode Three: The Final Surprise (Frontiers/Rough Trade)
Third and final chapter of the rock opera of Daniele Liverani. The female parts on this disc come from Andrea Dätwyler of LUNATICA. [7 points]

*KORN– Unplugged (EMI)
Amy Lee of EVANESCENCE plays a guest role during “Freak On A Leash” on this acoustic album. I still have difficulties listening to metal without the amps. [7 points]

*MALNÀTT– Happy Days (CCP/Displeased)
Italian pagan black metal band with a female singer. [6 points]

*MOTHERNIGHT– Mothernight (Locomotive/Rock Inc/Bertus)
Powerful female vocals are the main attraction on the album of this Polish band, that makes a remarkable mix of nu-metal and gothic rock. [7 points]

*PRIDE OF LIONS– The Roaring Of Dreams (Frontiers/Rough Trade)
Tori Hitchcock is the sister of Toby Hitchcock, who is the singer of PRIDE OF LIONS. She is the female voice in the mini opera “Turnaround”. She proves to be as talented as her brother. A.O.R. at its very best. [9 points]

*ROTTING CHRIST– Theogonia (Season Of Mist/Bertus)
This Greek metal band likes to play with strange instruments, songs with an Eastern sounding input and female vocals. The first buyers of this album will get a bonus DVD for free. [7 points]

*SEVENTH SIN– Darkest Of All Dreams (independent)
Another star in the Dutch goth rock scene. SEVENTH SIN shows us, that they can easily compete with other Dutch bands in the international scene. Monique Op Hey is the female frontlady of this band. Website: http://www.seventhsin.nl. [7 points]

*SUNNO))) + BORIS– Altar (Southern Lord/De Konkurrent)
Jesse Sykes is the guest vocalist for this extreme, strange combination of musicians. With the piano ballad “The Sinking Belle”, they’ve recorded a song that you really won’t expect from these dark slow doomsters. [7 points]

*THEE MERRY WIDOWS– Revenge Served Cold (People Like You/Suburban)
Rockabilly punk from an all-female band, that really knows to rock until you drop. They’re served cold, but they’re hot to be rocked!! [8 points]

*THERION– Gothic Kabbalah (Nuclear Blast/Rough Trade)
The female vocals on this new THERION album were done by Katrina Lilja and Hannah Holgersson. All the different voices add a progressive touch to the already existing gothic metal sound of the band. Long term fans might need another turn to dig their new sound. [7 points]

*TRAIL OF TEARS– Existentia (Napalm/Rough Trade)
Emmanuele Zoldan is the female guest singer on this new TRAIL OF TEARS album. Although this new album sounds very solid and good, the future doesn’t really look too bright for bandleader Ronny Thorsen. After a tour in Mexico, the whole band left, and Ronny is the only remaining member of TRAIL OF TEARS. He is destined to go on with his band though. [8 points]

*THE WHITE BARONS– Up All Night With The Barons (Gearhead/Sonic Rendezvous)
THE WHITE BARONS mix punk with rockabilly and create a rather unique style. Frontlady of this talented band is Eva von Slut. She will make you stay up all night and play this new CD of THE WHITE BARONS. [7 points]

Winter 2006:

*BEGGARS BRIDE– Boulevard Of Broken Dreams (MTM/Suburban)
Rock album including several different vocalists. Aino Laos is one of the female singers on this rather average rock album. (6 points)

*BITE THE BULLET– The Return Of The Unrich & Ugly (TKO/Sonic Rendezvous)
German punkrock band with female drummer Marina Maniac, who keeps the beat together tightly. She is also the drummer of SUBKULTUR. Here, she is the metal maiden in this very powerful, kick ass punkrock outfit. (7 points)

*BLOODLINED CALLIGRAPHY– Ypsilanti (Facedown/GSR/Suburban)
Brutal American hardcore outfit fronted by female mosh queen Ally French. After the release of this album, Ally has been replaced by Ellen Hoffman. (6 points)

*CARDAMON– Cardamon (NL promoCD; independent)
Floortje is the name of the frontlady in this Dutch rock band, who released their four track promo CD in 2006. The female vocalist is by far the best component in this promising band. Website: http://www.cardamon.nl. (7 points)

*CLAYBORN– Every Dog Has Its Day (Down/Suburban)
Crazy Jane, the frontlady in this Dutch metalband, certainly knows to lift the band to a higher level. Her dogs (read: bandmembers) put a lot of variation in the powerful songs. A name to remember! (7 points)

*CRUACHAN– The Morrigan’s Call (AFM/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Irish folk metal band, that will make you happy, sad, bang your head or think about Ireland as a nice holiday destination at the same time. A safe buy for people, who already liked the band's previous albums. (7 points)

*DACIA & THE WMD– Dacia & The WMD (MTM/Suburban)
Catchy punkrock music, ready for radio airplay. Dacia Bridges might become the new chartbuster after AVRIL LAVIGNE, SKIN and GWEN STEFANI. Lemmy (MOTORHEAD) is even doing a duet with the lady in “Losing You”. A great way to start a successful career! (8 points)

*DEADLINE– Take A Good Look (People Like You/Suburban)
Melodic punkrock coming right from the streets of London! Take a good look and above all a good listen, because this is a first class band. Liz Rose is the female member in this phenomenal band. (7 points)

*DRAGONLAND– Astronomy (Century Media/EMI)
Power metal band from Sweden, that presents us their fourth album already. In their song “Cassiopea”, they called in the help of Elise Ryd on vocals. (7 points)

*FAIRYLAND– The Fall Of An Empire (Napalm/Rough Trade)
French epic, symphonic metal band, that uses female vocals here and there. The bombastic music sounds like an instrumental soundtrack to the fictive movie about "The Fall Of An Empire".(7 points)

*KOTTAK– Therapy (Escapi/Bertus)
Drummer James Kottak (SCORPIONS/KINGDOM COME) is now singer, guitar player in his solo band. On the drums we'll find back Athena Lee, sister of MÖTLEY CRÜE’s drummer Tommy Lee. “Holiday” is a cover of the SCORPIONS classic, from the “Lovedrive” album. These punk rockers started their career as KRUNK, by the way. (7 points)

*LIGHT THIS CITY– Facing The Thousand (Prosthetic/Bertus)
Laura Nichol is the female frontlady in this Bay Area thrash band, that could have put a little more power into their music. A bit more innovation and power would have made this release a lot more interesting than it is now. (6 points)

*LUDICRA– Fex Orbis, Lex Orbis (Alternative Tentacles/Sonic Rendezvous)
Doomy, black metal band from the State of California. Laurie is the singer, who proves that she can put on a normal voice, but she can scream as well.(7 points)

*MADE OUT OF BABIES– Coward (Neurot/Southern/De Konkurent)
Ultrabrutal band from America with the sick female vocal parts of Julie Christmas in front of the mix. Man, what a power!! Only cowards wouldn't dare to listen to this new power explosion. (8 points)

*MEAT LOAF– The Monster Is Loose, Bat Out Of Hell Part III (Universal)
Marion Raven, Patti Russo and Jennifer Hudson are the female singers on this third “Bat Out Of Hell” chapter. It will possibly never get even near the success of the first bat-release, but I’m sure it will please all the MEAT LOAF fans out there. (8 points)

*MEMORIES OF A LOST SOUL– Seven Steps To Nothingness (Deasun/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Melodic death metal band from Italy, that uses female vocals here and there. The keyboards in their sound take care of the melodic touch. (6 points)

*MORTAL LOVE– Forever Will Be Gone (Massacre/Suburban)
Gothic metal band from Norway, that presents us their great, second album. For fans of melodic goth stuff with female vocals. (7 points)

*MY DYING BRIDE– A Line Of Deathless Kings (Peaceville/Suburban)
The sun disappears, the moon shines bright tonight, leaves starts to fall, and the long dark nights are getting colder and colder. A perfect situation to release the new album of dark doomsters MY DYING BRIDE. (7 points)

*THE NAME– Recognition (NL DemoCD; independent)
Hadassa is the name of the new frontlady in this Dutch powerful metal band. With a bit more experience, they can easily grow out to become a successful new band in the Dutch metal scene. http://www.thename.merrick.nl. (6 points)

*NAPALM DEATH– Smear Campaign (Century Media/EMI)
Competition: Which Dutch singer sings on two songs of these British grind metal monsters?? Answer: Anneke van Giersbergen of THE GATHERING. What a surprisingly combination!! (7 points)

*THE PROVENANCE– Red Flags (Peaceville/Suburban)
Swedish progressive metal band, that shows us that they have a good talent for writing exciting songs. Vocalist Emma Hellström is a great singer, who easily lifts this band to a higher level. (7 points)

*PRYMARY– The Tragedy Of Innocence (Prog Rock/Bertus)
Very emotional concept album by this American prog rock outfit. Valerie Quirarte tells us her story, which is not really easy to accompany by suitable music. What type of music can be used best, when telling the story of a father who abuses his child sexually?? PRYMARY did a great job here though, and they dealt very well with this difficult task. (8 points)

*RED SPAROWES– Every Red Heart Shines Towards The Red Sun (Neurot)
Dark instrumental album of Josh Graham and Julie Christmas (MADE OUT OF BABIES/BATTLE OF MICE), that tells the story of the bloody revolution in China under Mao Zedong. (7 points)

*SHIVA– The Curse Of The Gift (Shiva/Bertus)
This is not the NWOBHM band, dear friends, but a Swedish band, that has slowly developped into a real band instead of just a project. After two albums, Aneste Johansson remained the singer of this melodic rock outfit from Scandinavia. (7 points)

*THE SPOOKSHOW– Psychosexual Chapter I (Crypt Of Blood/Sonic Rendezvous)
Swedish horror punkrock band, that definately knows to surprise us with their new album. Miss Behave is the frontlady of this colourful spooky outfit. (7 points)

*SYLVER MYST– Emotions Revealed (Sirenette Music Industries)
This is indeed the new Dutch prog rock sensation. Marjolein Hüsken is the frontlady of this promising band, that has captured their diverse soundscapes on this debut album. (7 points)

*TO/DIE/FOR– Wounds Wide Open (Spinefarm/Bertus)
Again, you will find back female vocals on the fourth album by this Finnish gothic metal band (F.e. in “Liquid Lies”). The band also performs their version of OZZY OSBOURNE’S “I Just Want You”, on this brand new album. (7 points)

*TWISTED SISTER– A Twisted Christmas (Demolition/Bertus)
Have a rocking Christmas with TWISTED SISTER, performing Christmas carrols in the best TWISTED SISTER tradition possible. “White Christmas” is guested by DORO, and in “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” we can hear some guest vocals of LITA FORD. A perfect CD for under the Christmas tree. (10 points)

*WETTON/DOWNES– Rubicon, Icon II (Frontiers Records/Rough Trade)
Anneke van Giersbergen (THE GATHERING, yes again!!) is guest vocalist on the new album of these sympho heroes. She can be heard in “To Catch A Thief” and “Tears Of Joy”. (7 points)

*WHY SHE KILLS– Of Hope And Suffocation (NL demo CD; independent)
Death metal band with two lady singers in their ranks. Imke and Janneke are the Metal Maidens in this new band, that was formerly known as GENETIC WISDOM. They put the melody in the death metal like sound of this Dutch band. http://www.whyshekills.com. (7 points)

Summer 2006:

*AMETHISTA– Realitate (Chaos Path/Master Piece/CM Distro)
Aeritica is the frontlady of this gothic black metal band, who decided to go into the studio to record their debut album much too early, in my opinion. Better luck next time, I hope. (5 points)

*ANCIENT RITES– Rubicon (Season Of Mist/Bertus)
Rute Fevereiro from BLACK WIDOWS (Portugal) performs the female vocals on this new album by the Belgian black metal band ANCIENT RITES. They sound heavier and more structured than on their previous album. (7 points)

*THE BELLRAYS– Have A Little Faith (Cheap Lullaby/Bertus)
This garage rock band has a very talented frontlady, called Lisa Kekaula. She puts some soul in the music of THE BELLRAYS with her marvelous voice, which lifts them up far above the average limit. (8 points)

*B-IMPATIENT– Intensity (Locomotive/Rock Inc./Bertus)
German rock band, that has the strength of writing good rock songs with a lot of variation. They may even be capable of writing a hit single in the near future. Vocalist Brigitte Berg is the key figure, who puts the variation in the songs. With the right promotion, this might lead to a commercial and successful career. Fans of rock bands like GUANO APES, EVANESCENCE etcetera, might like to check this out. (7 points)

*BLOODFLOWERZ– Dark Love Poems (Silverdust/Rough Trade)
Gothic pop rock band, who are too far away from the metal sound that our readers might expect from us. Kirsten Zahn is the female singer of the band. The flute playing on the album is done by SCHANDMAUL members Birgit Muggenthaler and Anna Kranzlein. This release gets the benefit of the doubt this time. (6 points)

*CREMATORY– Klagenbilder (Massacre/Suburban)
CREMATORY still sound like they’ve never been away. They score with a new CD, that is completely recorded in the German language. That’s also where they have the most success so far. (7 points)

*DISTORTED– Memorial (Bad Reputuation/Suburban)
LACUNA COIL-like metal band from Israël. Their influences are obvious, but the much louder sound of this band makes them a little bit more refreshing to me. (7 points)

*DUITSE HERDER– Blitzkrieg Bark (Den Canteeen Kweeker/Evil Bitch)
Dirty rockband with two female singers Hester Childmolester and Romylar Dee. Comparing to their previous release, this one sounds like a giant step forward for these Dutch rockers. I hope, that their political ideas are correct as well. (7 points)

*FIREWIND– Allegiance (Century Media/EMI)
On this fourth CD, we hear a nice duet between new singer Apollo Papathanasio and female vocalist Tara in “Breaking The Silence”. Good album with a short but very sweet female touch. (8 points)

*FLEE THE SEEN– Death Becomes The New Addicition (Facedown/GSR/Bertus)
Screamo band from Kansas City with Kim Anderson as the wild screaming vocalist. This lady is wild and energetic, and she shouts all her anger on this powerful album. (7 points)

*PAUL GILBERT– Get Out Of My Yard (Mascot/PIAS)
Paul’s wife Emi plays organ and piano on two of the songs on this new instrumental album of the RACER X / MR BIG guitar player. (8 points)

*HAUTEVILLE– Relief Data Incomplete (Lion Music/Bertus)
Lydie Gosselin is the frontlady in this prog pop rock band from France. Her beautiful voice adds the poppy touch in the melodic songs of this talented band. “Immaculate Eyes” is a cover of the progressive pop rock queen DALBELLO. (7 points)

*HYUBRIS– Hyubris (Recital/Bertus)
Portuguese metal band with Filipa Morta as the female singer of the band. I’m afraid though that the singer is the weakest link here. Another band, that went into the studio much too early! (5 points)

*IXION– Talisman (independent)
Esther Ladiges (UNICORN) and Maaike Bergman are the female voices in this symphonic rock opera. In Linde Faber, the band also added a female cello player to the line up. This is the second release of this solo project of SANGAMO bass player Jankees Braam. Website: http://www.ixion-music.com. (7 points)

*KAMIKATZE– Knit And Trash (Dirty Faces/Sonic Rendezvous)
Aggressive all-female hardcore threesome, that plays much more brutal than you would expect from these lovely ladies. (8 points)

*MAD– The Sentence Remains....1119 (Recital/Bertus)
MAD stands for Mutualy Assured Destruction and it’s the name of this Portuguese band, that still have a very long way to go. But the first steps of this band around Gabriela Pina are there and we have to wait and see where this leads. (6 points)

*MAKHEENA– Martyr (demoCD - independent)
Belgian rock band with a female background singer, called Melissa. Their music sound really groovy. Check their website at: http://www.makheena.be for more information. (7 points)

*MÅNEGRAM– Urminnes Hand ~ The Forrest Sessions (Displeased)
Acoustic folk metal CD by this Swedish band. It never gets really heavy, but it never gets dull either. On this MCD, the band collaborates with the Swedish folk metal band TVÅ FISK OCH EN FLÄSK. Just in case, you wondered... (6 points)

*ROYAL ANGUISH– A Journey Through The Shadow Of Time (Fear Dark/Displeased)
Death metal band from Florida, fronted by a female gothic metal vocalist. A strange combination, which works remarkably well. Bass player Sean Tibbets used to play in KAMELOT. (7 points)

*SARACEN– Vox In Excelso (Escape Music/Bertus)
The NWOBHM icons have used a female storyteller Meg Fairly Maunder on their new album. This might be a good reason for the readers of Metal Maidens to check this one out. The music on this album is superb, and a worthy buy for everyone, who already liked their previous releases. (9 points)

*SARA LEE– Darkness Between (Firebox/Bertus)
Gothic rock band, that barely lifts itself up above the level of average. Maybe it’s because the music of the band is more soft rock, instead of anything that comes close to metal. (6 points)

*SARCOPHAGIA CARNARIA/MORTUARY HACKING SESSION– So Tasty..../Painfully Yours (Last House On The Left)
Split CD with four songs by the female MORTUARY HACKING SESSION, playing very gore, sick and extreme metal. But they also prove, that women won’t hesitate to make history in the gore section as well. Better warn your neighbours, before you play this one! (7 points)

*7 DAYS– The Weight Of The World (Rivel/Bertus)
Caroline Fridsen is the female exponent on this melodic metal album. She sings her part during the song “Fall Again”.(7 points)

*DAIZE SHAYNE– Live Your Dreams (Mascot/PIAS)
Have you ever thought about how SHANIA TWAIN would sound, when playing guitar? Or how JOAN JETT would sound, when she would play surf music? Listen to this CD of blonde guitar nymph Daize Shayne, and you may find your answer here. She even covers GOLDEN EARRING’s biggest hit single “Radar Love” on this new release. Check it out! (7 points)

*SILENTIUM– Seducia (Dynamic Arts/Sonic Rendezvous)
This Finnish band has changed record labels. And also their drummer, male vocalist and female vocalist left the band, since they released their previous album “Sufferion – Hamertia Of Prudence”, three years ago. Riina Rinkinen is the new frontlady of the band now, and she proves that she is just what this band needed to make a fine album like “Seducia”. (8 points)

*SPITTING OF TALL BUILDINGS- Spitting Of Tall Buildings (AGR/Sanctuary/Suburban)
Punk rock band from Germany with a rather uncommon name. They mix their sometimes aggressive sound with influences that seem to come from noise and hardcore music. Jana is the loud screaming lady of this promising band. (7 points)

*STRAPPING YOUNG LAD– The New Black (Century Media/EMI)
On this new album of rock professor Devin Townsend we hear a guest role of BIF NAKED in “Fucker”. All the more reason for the fans of this lady to check it out. (7 points)

*TYSTNADEN– Sham Of Perfection (Limb Music/SPV)
This progressive rock band with some influences of gothic rock, hails from Italy. And they show us, that they’re capable of writing some exciting songs. Laura is the well-talented frontlady of the band. (7 points)

*UREAS– The Naked Truth (Locomotive/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Heidi and Per Johansson are from Denmark, and they give a positive twist on this album to all the negative things, that happened in life. And the final result is something they can be very proud of. (7 points)

*WASTEFALL– Self Exile (Sensory/Bertus)
These Greek musicians used female vocals on their third album. An exciting album full of innovative ideas. Well worth checking out maybe, although the female input is not that big. (7 points)

*WELTENBRAND– The End Of The Wizard (Napalm records/Rough Trade)
CD for the lovers of romantic, melodramatic, gothic metal. Dina Zambelli is the female vocalist with a voice as sweet as candy. Maybe a bit too soft and sweet for the average metal head out there. But overall, this album sounds pretty good. (7 points)

January-March 2006:

*ATARGATIS– Wasteland (Massacre/Suburban)
Gothic metal band from Austria, where Stephanie Luzie is the frontlady. She is well- known for her contribution with DARKWELL, and now presents us this average metal album called “Wasteland” with her new outfit ATARGATIS. (6 points)

*BELIEVE– Hope To See Another Day (Galileo/Bertus)
The female input on the new CD of this Polish melodic rock band comes from a Japanese violin player, called Satomi. She adds just that little bit more to the songs this average CD needs very badly. (6 points)

*BEYON-D-LUSION– Intuispection (Adipocere/Displeased)
French band, that sounds very much like our Dutch pride THE GATHERING. Alexandra Bernard is the frontlady, who also sounds very much like Dutch dream metal diva Anneke van Giersbergen. Good music, but not very original. (7 points)

*THE BLOODLINE– Where Lost Souls Dwell (Rebel Monster/Mascot/PIAS)
Kemi Vita is the female vocalist for this Dutch gothic doom metal band. She definitely lifts the sound of this band up to a higher volume. (6 points)

*THE BONES– Partners In Crime Volume I (People Like You/Suburban)
This is a single, on which some guest vocalists are singing cover songs. Mia Colden of CRUCIFIED BARBARA performs her version of “It’s My Life”, originally recorded by WENDY O WILLIAMS. (7 points)

*BUCKETHEAD AND FRIENDS– Enter The Chicken (Serjical Strike)
Buckethead uses many different vocalists on his new solo album. Several of them are females. All the more reason to mention this new solo CD of former GUNS ‘N’ROSES guitar player here. (8 points)

*CHARLEY HORSE– Charley Horse (People Like You/Suburban)
It was a great shock for us, when Corey Parks left NASHVILLE PUSSY. Her return with DIE HUNNS, together with her husband Duane Peters was already most promising. With CHARLEY HORSE, the fire spitting, new becoming mother, returns to her rock and roll roots with a sound, that will remind you of THE CRAMPS. Check it out! (8 points)

*THE DOGMA– Black Roses (Drakkar/Suburban)
Melodic power metal band from Italy, with a female background vocals. Only interesting for those, who want to buy everything with female members. (7 points)

*DOMINA NOCTIS– Nocturnalight (Officina Rock/Masterpiece)
Italian gothic fivesome with female vocalist, who present us their average debut album. Nothing special going on here though. (6 points)

*DRIVE BY WIRE– Drive By Wire (My First Sonny Weismuller/De Konkurent)
Simone Holsbeek (ex-TELEFUNK, ex-CHORDS) is the frontlady of this grungy stoner rock band. Hans Rutten of THE GATHERING is her partner in crime on this album. (7 points)

*GODSMACK– IV (Universal)
You don’t really need to buy this CD for the female vocals in the ballad “Hollow”. Therefore, it all sounds just a little bit too average. (6 points)

*HER ENCHANTMENT– Darkness (Burning Star)
Lucy Straates is the new female frontlady of this Dutch doom, death metal band. If you liked their previous album, you can’t go wrong on this one either. (7 points)

*KADENZA– The Second Renaissance (Holy/Displeased)
Horror black metal from Japan. The band likes to switch styles constantly on their sometimes bizar sounding album. Not bad though. (7 points)

*LACUNA COIL– Karmacode (Century Media/Suburban)
The songs on this new LACUNA COIL CD aren’t as catchy as the songs on “Comalies”. But for the fans of this Italian metal band, “Karmacode” will be a safe buy and it will definitely become a big hit again. (7 points)

*LEMMY– Damage Case (Sanctuary/Suburban)
Finally, LEMMY made it to the ranks of our magazine as well. Congatulations on that! “Damage Case” is some kind of ultimate compilation album of the work of this God of heavy metal. The female input on these two silver discs comes from WENDY O. WILLIAMS and GIRLSCHOOL. Easily full scores here, of course! (10 points)

*LORD VAMPYR’S SHADOWREIGN– Bloodcity (Gothic Slam/CM Distro)
Horror metal from Italy with gothic background singers. A band with an average sound, in which the singing of the English language is far below the acceptable level. (6 points)

*MADDER MORTEM– Disiderata (Peaceville/Suburban)
A new record label, a new bass player, a new guitarist, a new album. MADDER MORTEM is back, including good old Agnete on vocals, thank God! She sings better than ever on this new CD. Great stuff! (8 points)

*MARSHALL– Pages From The Past (PMP/Rough Trade)
Progressive metal band from Italy. This album contains two female vocalists on two different songs. Only interesting for the die hards. (6 points)

*IAN PARRY– Visions (Escape Music/Bertus)
Many female singers have guested on the new album by this great, sympathic rock singer, who presents us his fourth solo album here. (8 points)

*PENETRATION– Moving Targets (Captain Oi Records)
Re-release by this female fronted punk rock band. The CD contains five bonus tracks. (7 points)

*JIM PETERIK– Above The Storm (Frontiers/Rough Trade)
Lisa McClowry is guest vocalist on the new album of this A.O.R. god. (8 points)

*PYRAMAZE– Legend Of The Bone Carver (Massacre/Suburban)
There are also female guest vocals on the new CD of this well-talented band. (8 points)

*RED CARPET– Treatment (E-Sound/Big Gain)
Dutch band, that presents us their new album, capturing a lot of different styles. Desiree Wouters is the female frontlady of this interesting new band. (7 points)

*SACRIFICIUM– Escaping The Stupor (Black Lotus /Rock Inc./Bertus) Good album of this German death metal band, which has a slight Christian input. Brutal at times and also melodic, where needed. It’s all in a very good balance. (7 points)

*SATYRIAN– Eternitas (Lion Music/Bertus)
Kemi Vita and Roman Schoensee teamed up again, like they did in THE BLOODLINE, and formed SATYRIAN (formerly known as DANCE MACABRE). Judith Stüber is the other female voice, that we can hear on this album mixing gothic rock with new wave and industrial sounds. There is something for everyone here. (7 points)

*ST. VALENTINES DAY MASSACRE– A Rock ‘N’ Roll Tribute To MOTÖRHEAD (Bad Reputation/Suburban)
Hear SKEW SISKIN and CRUCIFIED BARBARA crank out their favorite MOTÖRHEAD song on this good compilation. In “B4” we hear maestro Lemmy himself in a guest role with SKEW SISKIN. Kick ass rock and roll to the max and a good tribute to the loudest band of this galaxy. (8 points)

*VENTURIA– The New Knigdom (Lion Music/Bertus)
Progressive rockband from France. With Lydie Robin performing the female part of the double lead vocals section, the band proves that there is still room for good progressive rock in this country, next to HEADLINE. (7 points)

*WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM– Diadern Of 12 Stars (Vendlus)
Doomy, black metal band from the States, presenting us an album, which contains four songs, and about a full hour of music. (6 points)

Nov./December 2005:

*ALUGHANA – Yabal (demo)
Band from Belgium, who mix a lot of different styles to create a style of their own, completed with their own made language. Male and female vocals switch constantly and they also use not too common instruments on this demo like violins, accordion and didgeridoo. For more info about this excentric band you should check out their website at: http://www.alughana.be. (7 points)

*ANUBIZ – Siebzehn (Nicrothal/Rock Inc./Bertus)
German Gothic metal band, that will colour your winter days even darker than they already were. (6 points)

*APOSTASY – Devilution (Black Mark/Bertus)
Average DIMMU BOGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH-like black metal band from Sweden, with female vocals here and there. (6 points)

*ARCTURUS – Sideshow Symphonies (Seasons Of Mist/Bertus)
There are some female (background) vocals on this good, sphereful (black) metal album of this excentric band from the dark fjords of Norway. (7 points)

*AURACLE – Crystal Lies (demo)
On this demo, we can still enjoy the female vocals of Elizabeth Cordia. However, she has now been replaced by Amelie Mangelschots. The Gothic, WITHIN TEMPTATION-like style remains the same though. This demo contains of two new songs. Check the bands website at: http://www.auracle.nl. (7 points)

*AVA INFERNI – Burdens (Seasons Of Mist/Bertus)
Portugues band, that loves to experiment with not too common soundparts. Add to this the beautiful voice of Carmen Simoes (AENIMA/POETRY OF SHADOWS) and you'll get a surprisingly nice album. (7 points)

*AXXIS – Paradise In Flame (AFM Records/Rock Inc./Bertus)
The female vocal parts of Lakonia are getting bigger and bigger each album. On “Paradise In Flame”, she can even be heard in front instead of doing background vocals. (7 points)

*BLEEDING THROUGH – The Truth (Trustkill/Roadrunner)
Marta is the keyboardplayer of this sextet, that play an exciting mix of thrash, hardcore, black and death metal, on this third album. (7 points)

*DAVOLINAS – Edge Of A New Day (Nasoni/Clear Spot)
DAVOLINAS from Denmark is like a steamtrain, that can not find its second gear. Stoner, jamrock, the ultimate return to the sound of the seventies, with Lene as female vocalist. An interesting release. (7 points)

*THE DIFFS – The Diffs (SOS/Bertus)
THE DIFFS return to the times, when the punk rock ruled the scene. Seventies punk pur sang, so to speak. (7 points)

*DIVINE FIRE – Hero (Metal Heaven/Bertus)
Second solo album of NARNIA vocalist Christian Rivel. The neo-classical music on this album sounds great again, and in Maria Rådsten he has found a very good female vocalist. The cover, we hear on this album is QUEEN’s “The Show Must Go On”. (8 points)

*DORO – We’re Like Thunder (AFM Records/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Four different versions of this song, which is recorded together with female boxer Regina Halmich, are on this new single of rock diva DORO. (8 points)

*DREAMLAND – Future’s Calling (Dockyard/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Swedish melodic metal band, that uses female vocals here and there. Especially their ballad “Fade Away” is quite impressive. (7 points)

*DUITSE HERDER – Bark At The Poon (independent)
Great title of the second EP of this Dutch punkrockband. Well, their music is maybe even better. Two female singers are in front to shout out their statements in the microphone. Check out their website at: http://www.duitse-herder.com. (7 points)

*FILLI NIGRANTIUM INFERNALIUM – Fellatrix Discordia Prantokrator (Procon Media)
Portuguese black metal band, that is only interesting for people, who want to buy everything with female vocals on it. And with a name like that, they will probably never get big anywhere in the whole wide world. (6 points)

*FREAK NEIL INC. – Characters (Lion Music/Bertus)
Very experimental CD with lots of very different styles on it. Great musicianship is the keyword here and Irene Jansen (ex-KARMA) is the female voice on this varied piece of art. Not interesting for people who are only interested in straight forward, adventureless rock and roll! (8 points)

*GO BETTY GO – Nothing Is More (Side One Dummy/Bertus)
American all-female punk rock band that will make the sweat and power drip out of your speakers. My advise is to get punked by these ladies. (8 points)

*HIRETSUKAN – End States (G7 Welcoming Committee/Sonic Rendezvous)
Brutal hardcore band with the screaming voice of Michelle Profitt upfront. Don’t say, we didn’t warn you! (7 points)

*IN DUKTI – S.U.S.A.R. (Laser’s Edge/Bertus)
Progressive rock band from Poland, with a remarkable sound and some female (guest) musicians (Anna Faber on harp for example). Interesting enough to check it out, in my opinion. (7 points)

*IN FLAMES – Come Clarity (Nuclear Blast/Suburban)
The Swedish band has also used a female vocalist on their latest album. Her name is Lisa Miskovsky and she sings on "Dead End". IN FLAMES enlarge their musical views with every release. (7 points)

*JANEZ DETD – Killing Me (PIAS)
CENERIX singer Ivy Smits sings a duet on the album of these Belgian punkrockers. (6 points)

*LACRIMOSA – Lichtgestalten (Hall Of Sermon)
Six tracker of this ultimate Gothic metal band LACRIMOSA. In general, you can enjoy some of their heavier tracks here. All the more reason to check out this fine new release. (8 points)

*LEGENDS OF MOTORSPORT – Dual Fuel (Undertow/Munich)
Compilation of two previous released MCDs. On “RX7” we can hear guest vocalist Linda J. (6 points)

*MÅNEGRAM – Vredens Tid (Displeased)
Fourth album of this Viking folk metal band from Sweden, who’ve just added a female singer to their line-up. (6 points)

*NAIO SSAION – Out Loud (Napalm/Rough Trade)
Gothic metal with male and female vocals. Barbara is the frontlady in gothic metal band number so much. They score a little above average with their sound though. (7 points)

*NIGHTMARE – The Dominion Gate (Regain/Suburban)
Sander Gommans and Floor Jansen (both AFTER FOREVER) have a guest role on this magnificent new album of this French power metal band, with whom they toured in Holland at the end of 2005. (8 points)

*THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX – Armageddon March Eternal (Threeman/Bertus)
Jo Enckell replaced Mia Ståhl on this new black/thrash album of the ex-bass player of ENTOMBED Jörgen Sandström. (7 points)

*SILVER – Gold (MTM Music/Suburban)
Michaela Sober does some lead vocals and background vocals on the fifth album of this band of Michael Voss (DEMON DRIVE/CASANOVA/MAD MAX/BONFIRE) and Gary Barden (MSG). (7 points)

*SKYLARK – Fairytales (Scarlet/Bertus)
Italian neo-classical power metal band with Kiara as female vocalist. On this album they cover MIKE OLDFIELD’s “Moonlight Shadow”. A very surprising choice!(7 points)

*SLECHTVALK – Thunder Of War (Fear Dark/Displeased)
Single release of this Dutch folk, black metal band. On the single we hear the title track in the single version and the album version. The band also added two, yet unreleased tracks to this silver disc for the die-hard fans. (7 points)

*SOLEFALD – Red For Fire – An Icelandic Odyssey Part I (Seasons Of Mist/Bertus)
Black metal band from Sweden, with interesting female guest appearances on vocals, violin and cello. (7 points)

*SONIC SYNDICATE – Eden Fire (Pivotal)
Swedish black, death metal band that sometimes uses female vocals. (7 points)

*TAINT – The Ruin Of Nová Roma (Rise Above/Suburban)
There is a female guest vocalist in the song “Amaranthine” on this interesting release of these three Welshmen. (7 points)

*THE VEROS – Just Do It With Style (Guilty/Rebellion)
Oi! – punk band from France, which consists of two members (one male, one female) and a handful of guest musicians. Raw power punk to the max here, with covers of MENACE and THE JAM. (7 points)

*WARMEN – Accept The Fact (Spinefarm/Bertus)
Third solo CD of CHILDREN OF BODOM keyboard player Janne Warman. Jonna Kossonen is responsible for the female vocals on this good progressive metal CD. (7 points)

*WIDOW – On Fire (Cruz Del Sur Music/Sonic Rendezvous)
Lili is the new singer of WIDOW, that was founded in 2000. The roots of the band however, can be found in the early eighties. This is their second release and the first on a real label. (8 points)

Sept./October 2005:

*ACID KING-III (Small Stone/Bertus)
Ultraslow doom metal with female vocals. A nice combination indeed. (7 points)

*ANTIMATTER-Planetary Confinement (Prophecy/Suburban)
Amelie Festas is the female voice on this new album. She's also to be heard on one of the highlights of the album, namely the TROUBLE cover “Mr White”. (7 points)

*ASCENSION THEORY-Regeneration (Nightmare)
Progressive project of some former AZTEC JADE members. Jodie St. John is guest singer on the ballad “Lovers”. (6 points)

*ASVA-Futurists Against The Ocean (Mimicry/Konkurrent)
Another slow, doomy, psychedelic trip with the great vocals of Jessica Kenney. (8 points)

*AYREON-Come Back Home (Inside Out/Suburban)
The single, the video clip, the making of the video clip, a HEART like bonus track with Heather Findlay (MOSTLY AUTUMN) on vocals and a BEATLES cover called “When I’m Sixty-four” make this single to a worthy addition to your record collection. (8 points)

*BATTLELORE-Third Age Of The Sun (Napalm/Rough Trade)
Fantasy metal with lyrics based on the work of Tolkien. (6 points)

*BLACK MAJESTY-Silent Company (LMP/Suburban)
Australian true metal band that uses female vocals here and there. Interesting for old QUEENSRYCHE and IRON MAIDEN fans out there. (8 points)

*DEADLOCK-Earth.Revolt (Lifeforce/Suburban)
CRADLE OF FILTH like music with female background singers. In “Awakened By Sirens”, we hear Sabine in a leading role. (7 points)

*ELVARON-The Buried Crow (Thundering/Bertus)
French thrashy progressive rock band that is completed with an orchestra on their third concept album. (6 points)

*FOO FIGHTERS-In Your Honor (Sony/BMG)
We only want to mention that Dave Grohl does a duet with jazz legend NORA JONES on this new double album. (6 points)

*FURIA-Re-birth (Adipocere/Displeased)
All the well-known aspects are used again on this French gothic metal release number so much. (6 points)

*GITO GITO HUSTLER-Gito Gito Galore (Gearhead/Sonic Rendezvous)
Six track mini CD by this Japanese, all-female screamo punk rock band.(7 points)

*KAIPA-Mindrevolutions (Inside Out/Suburban)
Another album from this fantastic prog rock formation that features FLOWER KINGS frontman Roine Stolt and female vocalist Aleena. (8 points)

*KAPEL MAISTER-Into Salvation (Icarus Music)
STRATOVARIUS like band from Argentina with two female soprano vocalists, so we can also make a comparision to NIGHTWISH here.(7 points)

*KEKAL-Acidity (Fear Dark/Displeased)
Progressive metal with influences of death and black metal. Female vocals by Newin Atmarumenska. (7 points)

*KYLESIA-To Walk A Middle Course (Prosthetic/Bertus)
American band that plays an energetic mix of metal and hardcore. Laura sings and plays guitar in this band. (7 points)

*LIGHT THIS CITY-Remains Of The Gods (Prosthetic/Bertus)
San Francisco based band that sounds like a mix between HOLY MOSES and ARCH ENEMY. Laura Nichol is the grunting frontlady of these talented newcomers in the scene. (8 points)

*LORD VAMPYR-De Vampyrica Philosophia (Officiano Rock)
Black metal like solo album of former THEATRES DES VAMPIRES vocalist. René, Venus and Terry are in his backing band. (6 points)

*LUMSK-Troll (Tabu Rock/Bertus)
Second album of this Norwegian folk metal band, who called in the help of female choir called EMBLA, for the sphereful female vocals on this album. (7 points)

*THE LUST-My Dear Emptiness (Sleazy Rider)
Gothic metal band from Russia that sounds like THEATRE OF TRAGEDY. Vocalist Mirla is only sixteen years old! (6 points)

*MALNÀTT-Carmina Pagana (CCP/Rough Trade)
Black, gothic metal band from Italy that presents us an average debut album, with some female vocals.(6 points)

*MALSAIN-They Never Die (Dark Essence/Twilight)
Norwegian atmospheric black metal band with great female vocalist, who listens to the name of Skumring. (7 points)

*MATTSON-War! (Lion Music/Bertus)
Swedish guitar wizard strikes again with vocal renditions of Ella Grussner, Cocki Sarling and Floor Janssen (AFTER FOREVER). (8 points)

*THE MESSENGERS-The Messengers (Punkcore/Sonic Rendezvous)
Punkrock band from Cincinatti with female vocalist. For everyone who's into THE DISTILLERS and THE AVENGERS. Very raw, rough and uncompromising. (8 points)

*THE MIST AND THE MORNINGDEW-The Mist And The Morningdew (Vendlus)
Folky doom metal from Finland with female vocals of Veera Muhli (ex-UNHOLY). (7 points)

*NO COMPLY-With Windmills Turning Wrong Direction (Deck Cheese/Suburban)
Skapunk band with horns, and the good voice of Kelly Kemp. Although the name of the CD will make you think of Holland, NO COMPLY hails from England. XXX (6 points)

*ORPHEO-Echoes (independent)
Wendelin Visser is the female vocalist of this Dutch prog rock band from the Northern part of our country. Check out http://www.orpheo.nl. for more news about these upcoming talents. (7 points)

*PISSED ON ARRIVAL-Here We Go Again… (Brutus/Sonic Rendezvous)
Punkrock with female vocals. On this album we also hear some covers of THE ADDICTS, BLITZ and THE SEX PISTOLS. (7 points)

*PREY-Heartfelt (independent)
Dutch dark metal band. This album contains good musical ideas but has a rather poor production. Website: http://www.prey-band.com. (6 points)

*RAM ZET-Intra (Tabu/Bertus)
Weird sounding, Norwegian metal band, whose music is not always easy to comprehend. (6 points)

*RANDY’S RIPCORD-Love (Go-Kart/Bertus)
This band consists of two ladies and one male member from Hamburg. They sound like THE DONNAS. (7 points)

*SECRET SPHERE-Heart And Anger (Nuclear Blast/Suburban)
Italian symphonic power metal band with female vocals here and there.(7 points)

*SHAM RAIN-Someplace Else (Firebox)
Dark gothic rock band with some female vocals here and there. Nothing special though. (6 points)

*SLECHTVALK-At Down Of War (Fear Dark/Displeased)
Dutch viking metal band with a positive message in their lyrics. White metal from a black metal (like) band. (7 points)

*STINKING LIZAVETA-Caught Betweeen Worlds (Monotreme)
Greek, American threesome with a female drummer, who play instrumental, psychedelic stoner rock in the seventies style. (7 points)

*SUNTERRA-Graceful Tunes (CCP/Displeased)
Austrian gothic metal band with angel like female vocals. (6 points)

*TEAM SLEEP-Team Sleep (Maverick/Warner Music)
Pop album of former DEFTONES member Chino Moreno with female vocals of Mary Timoni (HELIUM). This will be too soft for the average reader of our on-line zine. (6 points)

*JENNIE TEBLER-Silverwing (Black Mark/Rock Inc/Bertus)
This EP contains the last notes played by Quorthon ever, when he cooperated on this project by Norwegian nymph Jennie Tebler, who sounds like a cross between Candice Night (BLACKMORE’S NIGHT) and Maggie Reilly (MIKE OLDFIELD). They both covered BATHORY’s “Song To Hall Up High” too here. (7 points)

*UNCHAIN-Unchain (Metal Heaven/Bertus)
Debut album from this Swiss hard rock band, who have a female bass player in their ranks. (6 points)

*VELCREA-Between Force And Fate (Drakkar/Suburban)
RAMMSTEIN like industrial techno metal with the mysterious voice of Jessi Frey upfront. Interesting for dance freaks and rockerz. (6 points)

*THE VISION BLEAK-Carpathia (Prophecy/Suburban)
Exciting, creepy horror metal with a black metal foundation. The female vocals add a special dimension to this fantastic album. (8 points)

*VMW-VMW (Coalition/Sonic Rendezvous)
Punk, the way HUGGY BEAR would play it. Only for die-hards, and not always heavy, sometimes even dancable or with disco like beats. (6 points)

*WETTON/DOWNES-Icon (Frontiers/Rough Trade)
Annie Haslan (RENAISSANCE) is the female guest vocalist in “In The End” on this prog rock album of Geoffrey Downes and John Wetton (ASIA). (6 points)

MM#40/Summer 2005:

*ANTESTOR- The Forsaken (Fear Dark/Displeased)
Norwegian black metal band in the best CRADLE OF FILTH style. On this CD, we hear Ann-Mari Edvardsen (THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL) as guest vocalist. (7 points)

*BETOKEN- The Gate Of Nothing (Steelheart Records)
Italian melodic power metal band with Eva Rondinelli (DAKRUA) on female vocals. At the end of this CD, they cover MEGADETH’s “In My Darkest Hour”. If you like bands such as RHAPSODY and LABYRINTH, you’ll dig BETOKEN as well. (7 points)

*BLODARV- Soulcollector….The Thousand Years Tale (Northern Silence Productions)
Danish black metal band, that simply can’t impress me with their bad sound. Their female singer can’t change this feeling. (5 points)

*BLOODLINED CALLIGRAPHY- They Want You Silent (Facedown)
American thrash metal outfit, that has a great frontlady in Ally French. This album is very powerful but much too short . (7 points)

*THE CREST- Vain City Chronicles (Seasons Of Mist/Bertus)
Nel is the singer of THE CREST – a melodic gothic metal band, that sounds a bit like LEAVES EYES. She also sang on an album of THEATRE OF TRAGEDY and together with guitarplayer Kristian she also sings in an electro-rock project called RUSTFLOWER INCORPORATED. A busy woman, who is blessed with a good voice, this Nel from Norway! (7 points)

*DEADLINE- Getting Serious (I Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison/Suburban)
Liz Rose is the frontlady of this brutal English punk band. Great, energetic album. (7 points)

*DRACONIAN- Arcane Rain Fell (Napalm Records/Rough Trade)
Swedish doom metal band, that has a great female singer in Lisa Johansson, next to the dark voice of Anders Jacobssen. The fifteen minute remake of “Death Come Near Me” is one of the highlights of the album. (7 points)

*DREAMAKER- Enclosed (Arise/Bertus)
Second album of this Spanish power metal outfit. Elisa C. Martin is the perfect forntlady, which she proved already on the debut CD and in her previous band DARK MOOR. (7 points)

*EVERGREY- A Night To Remember (Inside Out/Suburban)
Double live CD of this Swedish progressive rock band. The female vocals come from the background choir. Still, it’s interesting enough to check out for all the fans of this music style. (7 points)

*EXILIA- Unleashed (Gun/Suburban)
Italian band that sounds very much like GUANO APES. Maybe they are not very original, but they do it with style. They even supported RAMMSTEIN on some dates. (7 points)

*FALCONER- Crime vs. Grandeur (Metal Blade/Rough Trade)
The input of female vocals limits itself to opener “Emotional Skies”. (7 points)

*FRUIT TREE- Sun Set (Casket Music/Bertus)
Atmospheric black metal band, that didn’t really impress me at all, despite the input of the female vocals. (5 points)

*KAMELOT- The Black Halo (Steamhammer/Rough Trade)
Simone Simons of EPICA, coincidentally also the title of the previous album of KAMELOT, is one of the guest vocalists on this new album. You can hear her in the song “The Haunting (Somewhere In Time)”. (8 points)

*LACRIMOSA- Lichtgestalt (Hall Of Sermon/Suburban)
Again a great CD of this gothic metal outfit, but the vocal input of Anne Nurmi is shrinking on each and every album. The German lyrics give their music a special dramatic touch. (7 points)

*LORDI- The Monster Show (Mayan/Suburban)
‘Best of..” CD from their previous two albums. Released much too early in my opinion. (7 points)

*THE MESSENGERS- The Messengers (PunkCore/Sonic Rendezvous)
It’s punk rock around the clock with loud guitars and female vocals. Fans of THE DISTILLERS will definitely dig this one! (7 points)

*MORRIGU- Blood Shall Be Spilled (Nepherex)
Belgian black metal band with a female vocalist, called Argwaen (excellent name, by the way!). And watch out, because this is not atmospheric dark metal, but it’s fast, angry, powerful black metal. (7 points)

*MORS PRINCIPIUM EST-The Unborn (Listenable/Suburban)
The female input on this second album of this Finnish melodic death metal band is limited to some background vocals. Yet, it’s there, so this release needs to be mentioned here. (7 points)

*NEVEA TEARS- Do I Have To Tell You Why I Love You (Alveran/Suburban)
South Californian hardcore like band with a female drummer. Average and not very impressive!. (6 points)

*NOVAK- Forever Endeavour (MTM/Suburban)
On “Another Woman”, we hear Andreas Novak in a duet with the Swedish singer Martina Edoff. The rest of the album contains good melodic rock music, but this is the only song that has female vocals. (7 points)

*THE PROVENANCE- How Would You Like To Be Spat At (Scarlet/Bertus)
Dark doom metal band from Sweden. Sounds a bit like THE GATHERING mixed with MY DYING BRIDE. Emma Hellstrom is the metal maiden in this band, that sounds as dark as the long winter nights in their homecountry. (7 points)

*RUNEMAGICK- Envenom (Aftermath/Displeased)
Dark doom metal by this trio, who regularly switch band members. Their music however, is always full of variation, power and dark doomy metal riffs. Great stuff!! (8 points)

*TOXOCARA- Visceral Larval Migrans - demo (independent)
Dutch death metal band with a female bass player called Anne van Doorn (SANGUINARY). They show us how good death metal should be played. A name to remember for the future. http://www.toxocara.com. (7 points)

*UNCHAIN- Unchain (MetalHeaven/Bertus)
Hard rock band from Switzerland with a female bass player, that present us their debut album here. (6 points)

*WHITE COWBELL OKLAHOMA- Cencerro Blanco (Slick Monkey/Bertus)
Very colourful outfit with four guitar players, playing some good ol’ Southern Rock, the way we want to hear it! Bunny is the female vocalist of this well-talented band. (8 points)

MM#39/April 2005:

*TAMRAH AERYN- Typical Gurl (Massacre/Suburban)
Twenty-three year old girl, backed up by BALANCE OF POWER members, who plays music that we would describe as a mix between TORI AMOS and FIONA APPLE. Tamrah also plays piano on the title track. (6 points)

*ALIX- Ground (Go Down/Sonic Rendezvous)
Dusty stoner rock from Italy….with a female vocalist. Alice Abertazzi knows how to bring this band to a higher level on their fourth album already. (7 points)

*ANGRA- Temple Of Shadows (Steamhammer/Rough Trade)
Sabine Edelsbacher of EDENBRIDGE is the guest vocalist in “Spread Your Fire”. The material on this album sounds like a mix of STRATOVARIUS, GAMMA RAY, HELLOWEEN and DREAM THEATER. (7 points)

*ARWEN- Illusions (Arise/Bertus)
Who has two guitarists, two singers (one male, one female) and two keyboard players and hails from Spain? It’s ARWEN and on “Illusions”, they surprise us again with their symphonic power metal sound. (7 points)

*AUGURY- Concealed (Galy/Displeased)
Canadian band that mixes death metal with technical breaks and intermezzos. Easily switching from atmospheric parts to ultra brutal blasting beats. Lots of variation, and very well performed. Check it out. (7 points)

*BOOBIE TRAP- Hidden Agenda (Bad Dog/Sonic Rendezvous)
Great punk album by this female-fronted band from Orange County, USA. (7 points)

*DARKWELL- Metatron (Napalm Records/Rough Trade)
Stephanie Luzie is the new singer of this average gothic metal band. With her, they recorded this new alnum “Metatron”. (6 points)

*DEPRESSIVE REALITY- Growling Death (Nice To Eat You)
Death metal band from Czechia. Jana is the female grunter of this outfit, that never really gets exciting. Website: http://www.ntey.wz.cz. (6 points)

*DESENSITISED- Bought Beauty/PEACH-HER-Gastrophobia (Grodhaisn Productions) – split CD
DESENSITISED hails from Holland and has a female guitarist called Susan in their line up, who growls and grunts like a madman. This is only for death grind fans, who think that CARCASS are sissies. Very evil, meatgrinding stuff. Website: http://www.desensitised.nl. (6 points)

*DYING PASSION- Sweet Disillusions (Metal Breath)
Relaxed, (THE) GATHERING like album from this band from Czechia. Their third album with female vocalist Zuzana in the frontline. (6 points)

*FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES- The Fiction We Live (Vagrant/Suburban)
Emocore is the only description that you can give to the music of FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES. Melanie Wills is the female guest vocalist on “Autumns Monologue” here. (6 points)

*GÅTE- Iselilja (Warner)
Scandanavian folk music mixed with loud guitars. Gunnhild is the female vocalist of this young but very talented band from Norway. (7 points)

*GORILLA- Gimme Some….Gorilla (Beard Of Stars/Clearspot)
Stoner rock band, that sounds a bit like FU MANCHU. Many instrumental parts are mixed with seventies styled songs structures. Call it stoner, call it psychedelic, I call it surprising. (7 points)

*GRAVEWORM- (N)utopia (Nuclear Blast/Suburban)
This is the fifth album by GRAVEWORM. It contains a mix of atmospheric soundscapes and very brutal blasting riffs. Lots of variation again on this new album, that is far too short. (7 points)

*GUANO APES- Planet Of The Apes (G.U.N./BMG)
“Planet Of The Apes”, not the TV series but the album, is a ‘best of’CD of GUANO APES. It’s available as a single album, and the double CD contains a lot of extras. A must for the fans of this band, that has planned a sabbatical year after their last tour. (8 points)

*HARPIES- Bleed, Believe (Fortune & Glory/Sonic Rendezvous)
Very interesting second album by this British band, that has two female singers in their line up. Laura and Nicola’s voices range from whispering to normal singing and brutal screaming. (7 points)

*HYPNOSIS- Cyberdeath (Crash/Bertus)
Cyber death metal band from France with female voices. A weird but surprising combination. (6 points)

*INACTIVE MESSIAH- Inactive Messiah (Black Lotus Records)
Death metal band with innovative ideas. Nice fact is that the band has a female drummer in their ranks. (6 points)

*INFINITE DAWN- The Enigma Of Reign (independent)
WITHIN TEMPTATION, EPICA and AFTER FOREVER have a new sister. Fronted by Lotus van den Wijngaard, this band provides us five good songs that shows us Holland has a new well-talented band knocking at the backdoor of the generals again. (7 points)

*JEWEL IN THE MIRE- Getting Away With Murder (Music Avenue/Suburban)
You can hear some additional vocals of Marynka Nicolai on the song “Same Colour Blue, and “All That Special”. JEWEL IN THE MIRE is a very promising Dutch sleazy rock band, of which we will hear more in the (near) future, that’s for sure. www.jewelinthemire.com. (7 points)

*MARK LANEGAN BAND- Bubblegum (Beggars Banquet/V2)
PJ HARVEY sings two duets with the former frontman of THE SCREAMING TREES, Mark Lanegan. (6 points)

*LILITU- The Delores Lesion (The End)
Gothic rock mixed with thrashy riffs. The band hails from Georgia, USA. There are some female vocals here and there. (6 points)

*LUDICRA- Another Great Love Song (Alternative Tentacles/Sonic Rendezvous)
Excentric black metal CD with many weird, experimental sidesteps to noise and psychic screams and female vocals. (7 points)

*MANTAS- Zero Tolerance (Demolition/Suburban)
Mantas was the stage name of Jeff Dunn, former guitar hero of NWOBHM black metal outfit VENOM This is his second solo album with Cherisse bashing out the loud drum parts. After the release of the album, Cherisse left the band unfortunately. (8 points)

*MOONLIGHT AGONY- Echoes Of A Nightmare (Massacre/Suburban)
Chitral Somapala (formerly AVALON) is the new singer in this Swedish power metal outfit. During “Icy Plains”, we also hear the vocals of the female guest vocalist of EVERGREY. (7 points)

*NO COMPLY- With Windmills Turning Wrong Direction (Deckcheese)
Punkband from England with a female frontlady called Kelly Kemp. Their music is catchy, but the horns simply don’t match with the rest of the sound. (6 points)

*PLATENS- Between Two Horizons (Frontiers/Bertus)
Italian progressive metal band which uses choirs and the female background vocals of Allesandra Amata. This is a real interesting release with lots of variation and exciting instrumental parts. A must for every music fan! (8 points)

*RAIN FOR A DAY- Elemental (Point Music/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Dream away on the poppy sounds of this German band. Miriam Schnell’s voice sounds a bit dull. Here and there the atmospheric music tends to sound all the same. (6 points)

*RORSCHACH- Stalker (Rorschach)
Casandra is the frontlady of this new promising band from Holland. They already have the skills, now it’s only a matter of time before they can prove to be successful as well. (7 points)

*SHAPE OF DESPAIR- Illusion’s Play (Spikefarm/Bertus)
Brother and sister, Pasi and Natalie Koskinen are the two pilars on which this Finnish doom metal band rest. This is a really interesting release of a band, that shows a lot of variation in their slow, yet doomy soundscapes. (7 points)

*SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM- ….Of Natural History (Mimicry/Konkurrent)
Carla Kihlstedt is one of the two singers on this progressive rock album. The album is a mix of emotional and brutal music. (7 points)

*SPAWN- Human Toxin (Morbid/Displeased)
There are a lot of speed and mood changes on this death metal album. It even gets a little bit over the top. (6 points)

*SUPERFLOOR- Hold Me (Red Bullet)
Floor Kraaijvanger and her band did it again on this new Ep. This rocks like hell, a must for fans of THE BLACK CROWES, JANIS JOPLIN and CRY OF LOVE. (8 points)

*VREID- Kraft (Tabu/Bertus)
There are some female vocals on this black metal album. This is only interesting for die-hard fans though…. (6 points)

*WALLS OF JERICHO- All Hail The Dead (Trustkill/Roadrunner)
Great combination of thrash metal and hardcore. Candace is the frontlady in this brutal band, that makes a great comeback with this wonderful album. (8 points)

*WHERE ANGELS FALL- Dies Area (Edge Runner)
Atmospheric gothic metal band from Norway. With “Dies Area”, they present us an EP that sounds quite average. The die-hards know that it is there now. (6 points)

*THE WICKED- Sonic Scriptures Of The End Times; Songs To Have Your Nightmares With (Spikefarm/Bertus)
Kimberly Goss (SINERGY) is the guest vocalist on the album of the Finnish symphonic death metal band. (6 points)

*WILLOW- Hear Me Out (independent)
Dutch band that slowly moved their sound from pop music to punk rock. Marlein Heskes is the Dutch version of Skin of SKUNK ANANSIE! http://www.willow.nu. (7 points)

MM#38/December 2004:

*AD VITAM AETERNAM- Abstract Senses (Karmageddon Media/Bertus)
Fans of TRISTANIA or AFTER FOREVER may want to check out this French gothic rock band. Their singer Celine de Kerliviou really knows to impress me here. (7 points)

*BEHOLDER- Lethal Injection (Dragonheart)
Third album by this Italian power metal band. The input of LABYRINTH frontman Roverto Tiranti just isn’t enough to lift this album up to the above average score. (7 points)

*BEYOND. D. LUSION- First Step To The Source (Adipocere/Displeased)
This French band shows a lot of resemblance with THE GATHERING. Alexandra Bernard is the frontlady of this promising though not very original gothic rock band. (7 points)

*CALLISTO- True Nature Unfolds (Fuusteam/Displeased)
The female vocals are not upfront, and there are also no female members in the line up of this Finnish band. Not really interesting, only for those who want to listen to everything with female vocals. (6 points)

*CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE- As The Roots Undo (Robotic Empire)
Weird album, which is full of speed and mood changes. It’s hard to describe a sound that is never heard anywhere else before. The female input on this album is not big, so better judge for yourself if this is something for you. It sounded quite unique in my humble opinion, anyway…… (7 points)

*CRADLE OF FILTH- Nymphetamine (Roadrunner)
Liv Kristine Espenaes (THEATRE OF TRAGEDY/LEAVES EYES) can be heard on “ Nymphetamine Overdose” by this great English black metal band, who delivered one of the finest albums in their successful career so far. (8 points)

*DARKSUN- El Legado (Goi Music/Rock Inc./Bertus)
The main vocals on this Spanish power metal album were done by a male singer, but there are also some female vocals on the album. It will remind you a bit of DARK MOOR, because of the Spanish lyrics. (7 points)

*DESDEMONA- Version 3.0 (Metal Mind/Bertus)
Agata Pawlowicz is the singer of this band, that slowly takes a distance from its gothic image. If you like their sound heavier, extremer, more electronic and industrial than on their previous album, then I’d suggest to check out this “Version 3.0”. (6 points)

*ETHERNAL MOURNING- The Resident Sadness (Goi Music/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Gothic metal band from Portugal, which seems to impress me more this time than with their previous album. There are however no big surprises, whatsoever. (7 points)

*EVISCUM- Underneath The Burried (Still Dead/Displeased)
Death metal band from the USA, featuring Sharon Bascovsky of DERKETA on bass guitar. The three songs of their “2000 Demo” are compiled with three newer songs, worthy of half an hour of brutal, dark, death metal music. (7 points)

*FRONTSIDE- Forgive Us Our Sins (Regain/Suburban)
Polish band, that mixes brutal thrash with old school hardcore, and added some female backing vocals to their sound. In their own country they are famous already, and who knows this album might bring them some fame and fortune over here as well? (7 points)

*HYDROPHOBIA- The Other Side (indie)
Sascha Maas is the female singer of this Dutch progrock band, that exists for over twenty years already. For more info, I’d like to direct you to the bands website at: http://www.hydrophobia.nl. (7 points)

*JOHN 5- Vertigo (Shrapnel/Mascot/Pias)
Guitar album by this MARILYN MANSON guitar hero. Very well done and surprisingly fresh sounding! (7 points)

*LORD BELIAL- The Seal Of Belial (Regain/Suburban)
There are some female vocals on this fifth album of this Swedish black metal outfit. Only for die hards! (7 points)

*MERCURY RAIN- St. Matthieu (Shadow Flame)
Symphonic rock band from the UK, that presents their second album. Sonia Porzier is the female frontlady. They’ve added a bonus DVD to the CD, on which you can enjoy some live footage of the band. They will support THERION on their upcoming tour. Not bad for an independent band! Website: http://www.mercuryrain.com. (7 points)

*MIASTHENIA- Batalha Ritual (Somber Music/Displeased)
Melodic black metal band from Brazil. Female keyboardplayer Hecate is the vocalist on this second album, which mixes heavy riffs with some nice melody parts. Not bad! (7 points)

*NOCTA- Familiar Noise & Ancient Tunes (demo) (indie)
Continuation of NOCTAMBULANT GRIMNESS. They play a good mix of black metal and thrashy riffs. There are two ladies in the line up of this promising band from Gouda, Holland. You can order their demo by sending 6 Euros to: Martijn Roseboom, Speldenmakerssteeg 7, 2801 XM Gouda, The Netherlands. Website: http://www.nocta.nl. (7 points)

*ERIK NORLANDER- Stars Rain Down (Think Tank Media/Bertus)
Live album with some vocals of prog princess LANA LANE and the Dutch Michael Schenker, Peer Verschuren, on lead guitar. Impressive album and not to be missed!! (9 points)

*RTX- Transmaniacon (Drag City)
ROYAL TRUX is dead, long live RTX!! Jennifer Herrema is the leading lady of this weird Southern rock like band. (7 points)

*SYLVER MYST- Strains Of Souls (demo) (indie)
Gothic metal band from Holland. Marjolein Hüsken is the female frontlady of this promising band, that recently played at the well-known Summer Darkness Festival. Website: http://www.sylvermyst.nl. (8 points)

*THE TANGENT- The World That We Drive Through (Inside Out/Suburban)
Progressive rock band consisting of FLOWER KINGS members. Lengthy songs with long instrumental improvisations. Sam Baine (Po90) plays the keyboards on this spectacular new progrock album. (8 points)

*TSUNAMI BOMB- The Definitive Act (Kung Fu/Suburban)
Punk rock at its very best. Great stuff for all the VICE SQUAD fans out there!! (8 points)

*VIA MISTICA- Fallen Angels (Metal Mind/Pitchfork/Bertus)
I think, this is the only band that has a female vocalist, who also plays the cello and Kasia is very capable of handling both!! She lifts the album up in every possible way. And did you have a look at the beautiful CD cover?(8 points)

MM#37/October 2004:

*AETERNITAS- La Dance Macabre (Serpina/Armageddon)
Gothic metal band with two female vocalists in their ranks. If you like gothic metal with sidesteps to electro, pop and classical music, hen this is something to check out.(7 points)

*AGATHADAIMON- Serpent’s Embrace (Nuclear Blast/Suburban)
Another new release of this band with some female vocals on it. If you like their old stuff, you will like this as well! (7 points)

*THE A.K.A.’S (ARE EVERYWHERE)- White Doves & Smoking Guns (Sorepoint/Suburban)
Rock album from a band from New York, that has Nina Aron on organ. (7 points)

*ALYSON AVENUE- Omega (A.O.R. Heaven/Bertus)
Swedish A.O.R. band which presents us their second album in their fifteen year of excistense. Their experience shows on the ten good melodic A.O.R. songs on this album. Annette Bleyckert is the female singer of this well talented band. (8 points)

*AVOID ONE THING- Chopstick Brige (Side One Dummy/Bertus)
Pop rock band led by former GANG GREEN and MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES bass player Joe Gittleman. Ex RAGING TEENS guitar player Amy Griffin is his partner in crime, and the metal maiden on this rock album. (6 points)

*BLINDSIDE- About A Burning Fire (Elektra/Warner)
BLINDSIDE hails from Sweden and started their career under the name of UNDERFREE. Emma Härderlin is the female guest vocalist in the song “Shenika”, which is one of the highlights on this average album. (6 points)

*BUTCHIES- Make Y’r Life (Yep Roc/Sonic Rendezvous)
All female threesome that presents us their new album that is full of nice melodic punk rock songs. Fans of BEKI BONDAGE might want to check this out. (8 points)

*CETI- Living Angel (Oskar Productions)
Great double live album of this Polish melodic metal band. All their hits are played in a stunning live version here. This is a must have for every fan of this great band. (9 points)

*CETI- Rasizm (Oskar Productions)
This is a re-release from the album “Rasizm”, that was originally released in 1994. The band added a concert from 1994 to this CD, so now you can enjoy eighty minutes of fantastic melodic rock on one CD. Great stuff!! (9 points)

*CETI- Czarna Roza (Oskar Productions)
This is CETI’s debut album, compiled with a promo EP from 1994 and some live recordings. Again another mighty release of Polish finest melodic metal band. (9 points)

*CHAOSTAR- The Scarlet Queen (Holy/Displeased)
Freaky gothic metal with weird sound scapes. The band is led by Chris Antoniou (ex SEPTIC FLESH), who is accompanied by a female soprano vocalist on this album, that is full with very experimental music. (6 points)

*CREMATORY- Revolution (Nuclear Blast/Suburban)
CREMATORY mix their gothic metal with industrial beats and dance rhythms. And so they’re slowly creating an ever bigger gap with the metal sound that they had, before they disbanded two years ago. Reunions are not always a jump forward in the career of a band. (6 points)

*DRIVE LIKE YOU STOLE IT- Frequency (Undergroove/PHD/Bertus)
Mel Young sings and plays the guitars on this album, that sounds a bit like the British (read: London) version of HOLE or P.J. HARVEY. (7 points)

*ELVENKING- Wyrd (AFM/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Folkmetal from Italy with here and there some female vocals. Nothing really special, but nice to give it some spins. (6 points)

*EN GARDE- Forgotten Memories (Sleazy Rider Records)
Gothic doom metal band from Greece, with female vocals. Fans of AFTER FOREVER and EPICA might want to check this out. (7 points)

*ETERNAL GRIEVE- Mourning (independent)
Dark metal band with a female singer. Nothing special, only meant for the real diehards out there. (6 points)

*FINAL CHAPTER- The Wizard Queen (Underground Symphony/Bertus)
We hear some female vocals in a few songs. They’re not upfront, but still sound like a good addition to the music of this progressive power metal band. (7 points)

*GALADRIEL- World Under World (Metal Age Productions)
Slovakian doomy black metal band that presents us their fifth album. Lydia Lacova is a guest vocalist on this album, that surprised me in a very positive way. (7 points)

*GENIUS- Episode 2: In Search Of The Little Prince (Frontiers/Bertus)
Second part of the rock opera by Daniele Liverani. This time he chose the voice of Liv Kristine (LEAVES’ EYES) for the female parts. Interesting! (8 points)

*IMBOLC- Beserker Furies (independent)
Good Cdemo from this Dutch black death metal band. Digna van der Put plays the bass guitar on this project. You can order it by writing to: IMBOLC, Agnes van Leeuwenberchstraat 22 bis, 3515 AZ Utrecht, The Netherlands. Don’t forget to enclose US$5.00 or 4 Euro. Website: http://www.imbolc.nl. (7 points)

*INNER SHRINE- Samaya (Dragonheart)
Italian gothic metal band. Cecilia is their guest singer, cause the band originally exists of only two members. (6 points)

*IN-TENSION- Fragments (independent)
Dutch prog rock band with a rather high DREAM THEATER level. Noortje van der Voort is the female singer between all the high quality instrumental explosions. Very promising CD indeed. (8 points)

*THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY- Armed Love (Burning Heart/PIAS)
Inge Johansson, who played bass guitar for THE FEMALE ANCHOR OF SADE, plays in this Swedish rock band. Their sound is catchy and it has a great groove! Sara of THE DOUGHNUTS (Sweden), was once a member of this band as well. (7 points)

*KERIX- New Land (independent)
Another female fronted gothic metal band, in the style of NIGHTWISH. Priscilia Silver is the vocalist of this promising band, who present us their two song demo here. Check out their website at http://www.kerixband.hpgvip.ig.com.br (7 points)

*KEY OF MYTHRAS- Demonspeed Metalstorm (Pulsar Light)
Julia Wernig (DARKFALL) is the female keyboardist of this Austrian black metal band, but she can only be heard upfront in the mix during the intro. Only for die hards!(6 points)

*LEIDEN- Empty (Adipocere/Displeased)
Gothic, death metal band, that presents us their second album. Berangère is the female singer of this very average band. (6 points)

*LOWEMOTOR CORPORATION- Saturnalia (Spinefarm/Bertus)
Claudia Carnal is the engine of this Finnish gothic industrial metal band. In Finland, they even reached the charts with their MARILYN MANSON-like sound. (6 points)

*MEMORIZED DREAMS- Theater Of Life (Sound Riot/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Power metal band with female vocals here and there. Although they succeed very well, they still have a very long way to go! (6 points)

*MOONLIGHT- Audio 136 (Metal Mind/Bertus)
Polish, dark sounding metal band with a rather unique sound. Maja is a great vocalist and on this album she sounds stronger than ever. Better go for the limited edition of this CD if you’re intending to buy it, cause that contains an interesting bonus CD with lots of goodies on it. (8 points)

*MOONLYGHT- Progressive Darkness (Escapi/Rock Inc./Bertus)
MOONLYGHT is a Canadian black metal band with gothic influences as well. They already recorded this album in 2000, on which they called in the help of female guest singer Jessica Bell. Interesting release! (7 points)

*MORTUARY HACKING SESSION- Delightful Carvings (Last House On The Right/Vomit Noise)
Four girls from Nevada going ultrabrutal, ultraloud, ultragore, ultraviolent, ultra-experimental. Their music is weird and not of this world. A full album is in the making. And people who dare to order this single, must send an email to: mortuaryHS@yahoo.com. Your life will never be the same, after you’ve experienced these extreme sound scapes!(7 points)

*NAAMAH- Resensement (Metal Mind/Bertus)
Another Polish band with an alternative sound that shows some resemblance with THE GATHERING. Anna Panasz sings in English on this album, which is a giant step forward compared to their previous album.(7 points)

*NAKED BEGGARS- Naked Beggars (SMA Records)
There are eleven rock songs on this CD. The female vocals come from Inga Brittingham, who sounds like a mix between ANOUK and PAT BENATAR. More information can be obtained from their website at: http://www.nakedbeggars.net. (7 points)

*NEBELHEXE- Laguz – Within The Lake (Karmageddon/PHD/Bertus)
We all know Andrea Haugen under her stagename HAGALAZ RUNEDANCE. Now we find Andrea back in her new band NEBELHEXE, bringing her back to her gothic roots. She also plays a cover of the LENA LOVICH song “Birdsong” on this new album, that will certainly please all the fans of her HR albums. (7 points)

*PANOPTICUM- Reflection (independent)
Progressive metal band from Belgium, with a sound that comes very much near the sound of DREAM THEATER, because of the keyboard sound they have. Sharri Platteeuw is the female vocalist in the band. The CD can be ordered from their website at http://www.panopticum.org. for only ten Euros. (7 points)

*SENSER- Schematic (Labelman/Zomba)
SENSER is from London, and on “Schematic” they present us a great variety of styles and sounds. Kerstin Haigh is the female voice of this experimental sounding band. (6 points)

*SILVER MYST- The Bleeding Snowlands (independent)
Dutch gothic metal band, that is not really convincing on this two song Cdemo. Anieke Viveen is the frontwoman of this band from the Southern part of Holland. (6 points)

*SISTER SIN- Dance Of The Wicked (Sleazy Rider Records)
Female fronted metal band from Greece that plays their metal in the well known eighties L.A. style. Liv Jagrell is the female part of this band, that sounds very promising indeed. They also cover “Paint It Black”, originally recorded by THE ROLLING STONES, on this CD. (7 points)

*SKYLARK- Wings (Scarlet/Bertus)
Kiara is the new female member in this Italian melodioc power metal band. You can hear her on the DEF LEPPARD ocver “When Love And Hate Collide’ here. (7 points)

*STARS AND STRIPES- One Man Army (I Scream/Suburban)
Linda Bean (bass) is the female member of this old school hardcore band, that astonished me with their great comeback album full of songs about football and hooligans. Jack ‘Choke’ Kelly (SLAPSHOT fame) is the frontman of the band. (8 points)

*SYMMETRY- A Soul’s Roadmap (independent)
Dutch progressive metal band with a brandnew album. Sofie Letitre sings a duet with male vocalist Erik Masselink in “Turn Away”, which is only a small part of this good concept CD. For more info, write to: Symmetry@xs4all.nl. (7 points)

*THEATRE DES VAMPIRES- Nightbreed Of Macabria (Blackened/PHD/Bertus)
Gothic rock band, in which the balance tends to move towards the gothic side, which makes this band very much on the edge of being interesting enough or not. Decide for yourself…. (6 points)

*TURISAS- Battle Metal (Century Media/Suburban)
Bombastic jazzy folk metal band with some female vocals here and there. Only interesting for those who want to have everything with female voices on it. (7 points)

*VICE DOLLS- Die Trying (Crosscheck/Sonic Rendezvous)
Great hardcore band with female vocalist Carrie Nance, who proves that women can play good hardcore as well. Raw, unpolished and bold as brass!! http://www.thevicedolls.com. (7 points)

*WIZ- Shattered-Mind-Therapy (Arise/Bertus)
Debut album of this Swedish band, that uses some female vocals. Two members of the band are also in NOSTRADAMEUS, and the music of WIZ can be described as melodic heavy metal. (7 points)

*WASTELANDS- Dark Ages (independent)
CARTHAGO vocalist Margreet van Duijvenbode is the female guest vocalist on the MCD of this Dutch melodic rock band. All other information can be obtained from the band’s website at: http://www.wastelands.nl. (7 points)

*XANDRIA- Ravenheart (Drakkar/Suburban)
German gothic metal band that presents us their second album. Lisa is the female vocalist of this band, that plays a good mix of all the bands that are successful in this scene. (7 points)

MM#36/June 2004:

*CLOSTERKELLER- Nero (MetalMind/Pitchfork/Bertus)
New album of this Polish gothic metal heroes, who are still searching for recognition outside their own country.(7 points)

*COASTLINE- Coastline (Vinny)
Swedish AOR band, that presents their twelve song debut album here. Helena Rosendahl is the talented frontlady in this band, that is already working on a follow up to “Coastline”. Check out the latest news at: http://www.coast-line.nu.(7 points)

*DARGAARD- Rise And Fall (Napalm/Zomba)
If you already liked DARGAARD’s previous releases, then I can definitely recommend their new album “Rise And Fall” to you. Maybe we cannot categorise their music as ultra heavy, but it’s very beautiful and of a very high quality. Check it out. (8 points)

*ENTER CHAOS- Aura Sense (MetalMind/Pitchfork/Bertus)
Marta is the grunting frontlady of ENTER CHAOS, that could well be compared to IMMEMORIAL, the band in which Marta Meger sang before she joined this Polish death/thrash combo.(7 points)

*FACE THE FACT- Romeo And Juliet Are Not Dead (Beniihana/Sonic Rendezvous)
FACE THE FACT is an Italian metalcore band with a female bassplayer and a bad male singer. Need I say more? Only for die hard fans…. (6 points)

*FLOWING TEARS- Razorbliss (Century Media/Suburban)
Helen Vogt became the new singer of FLOWING TEARS after Stefanie Duchêne left the band. Their sound remained the same and on “Razorbliss” , we can hear that Helen’s voice sounds almost exactly the same as Stefanie’s. (7 points)

*FIGURE FOUR- Suffering The Loss (Solid State/Sonic Rendezvous)
Third album by this hardcore band. Metalmel is the female guitarist on this album, that is full with loud, brutal NY HC. (7 points)

*GLASSHAMMER- Shadowlands (Arion/Bertus)
Progressive rock music with long complex songs, that will remind you of early YES or KANSAS albums. The band used four different female singers to sing on this eight album of this great American prog rock band. (9 points)

*GRACE FALLEN- Lord Of Gale (independent)
GRACE FALLEN was formed three years ago in Belgium and consists of two ex-AXAMENTA members, guitarplayer Domingo and female vocalist Caroline. You can order this avarage gothic metal demo by sending an email to: gracefallen@skynet.be. (6 points)

*HORRORPOPS- Hell Yeah! (Hellcat/PIAS)
Patricia is the female vocalist of this band that sounds like a cross between BLONDIE and THE CRAMPS. (7 points)

*I.D. TEST- Considering The Human Ignorance (independent)
Five songs are on this third demo of I.D. TEST, a Dutch band, that mixes metal with brutal hardcore. Annemarie Visser is the female guest vocalist on a thrashy song, called “Defying The Gods”. Check out the bands website at: http://www.idtest.com. (7 points)

*KARELIA- Usual Tragedy (Drakkar/Suburban)
If progressive gothic metal would exist, then we could put KARELIA from France under this banner. Their sound isn’t too easy to describe. Fact is however, that they use some female vocals in their varied soundscapes. (7 points)

*MAGIC KINGDOM- Metallic Tragedy (LMP/Suburban)
Second album of this band, that used female vocals here and there. A very strong release, but the female vocals are not constantly upfront in the mix. Please see them as guest vocals, when you enjoy the great music of this band of course. (8 points)

*MAJESTIC PARADIGMA- Alone (independent)
This band hails from the Nothern part of our country (Groningen) and surprised me in a very positive way with this three song demo, worthy of twenty minutes of good, gothic metal in the style of WITHIN TEMPTATION and AFTER FOREVER. Marianne is their vocalist. You can order their demo for 7.50 Euro, by sending an email to: a.helmus@12move.nl. (7 points)

*NEUROSIS/JARBOE- Neurosis/Jarboe (Neurot)
Jarboe, a screaming lady, who put her mark on the industrial noise metal of a band like THE SWANS, teams up with NEUROSIS. If you like the sound of THE SWANS, then this release may be interesting for you, too. (6 points)

*NOX- Zazaz (independent)
Helena Iren Michaelsen (IMPERIA) is the guest vocalist on this release during the song “Signed In Blood”. (7 points)

*ORANGE GOBLIN- Thieving From The House Of God (Rise Above/Bertus)
There are some female vocals on the new album of this stoner rock band, but they’re not really upfront in the mix. Nonetheless, I want to mention this album here, if it’s only just for the record. (7 points)

*ORPHANED LAND- Mabool, The Story Of The Three Songs Of Seven (Century Media/Suburban)
We hear a lot of different styles, exotic instruments, different cultures and languages on this album by ORPHANED LAND from Israel. You can also hear some femme vocals here and there in the choir parts. An album, that is very much worth checking out! (7 points)

*7TH CIRCLE- Unsummon (independent)
Three song demo from this Belgian band, that makes a good mix of gothic metal and prog rock. Winnie Versmissen is the great singer and frontlady of this very talented band. Do yourself a favour, check out their website and order their CD. http://www.7thcircle.be. (8 points)

*SIRENIA- An Elixir For Existence (Napalm/Zomba)
Morten Veland did it again! He made a great follow up album to “At Sixes And Sevens”, on which we enjoy the heavenly voice of Henriette Bordvik. Gothic metal at its very best. (8 points)

*SOULFLY- Prophecy (Roadrunner/CNR)
Asha Rabouin sings on the ballad “Wings” on this new album of former SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera.(7 points)

*SUMMONER- Winter Solstice (B.T.O.D./Masterpiece)
Female vocalist Nadia sings on three songs on this debut album of this melodic metal band from Italy. The songs, on which we hear her voice, are by far the best on this varied, melodic metal album. (7 points)

*SUSPERIA- Unlimited (Tabu/Bertus)
This band of former DIMMU BORGIR drummer Tjodalv takes us back to the well-known Bay Area thrash sound of the mid-eighties. On some of the songs, we hear female guest vocals, but in general these songs are a bit more modest than the others. (7 points)

*THE VISION BLEAK- The Deathship Has A New Captain (Prophecy/Displeased)
Dame Pandora, the female singer of the French band DARK SANCTUARY, handles the vocals on this dark, gothic horror rock album of these German gentlemen. Interesting! (7 points)

*THRILLS- Original Boston Punk 1977-1981 (Bacchus Archives/Sonic Rendezvous)
Compilation CD from this Boston punk band. Great stuff!! (8 points)

*VARIOUS- In Goth We Trust (Metalmind/Pitchfork/Bertus)
DVD, which contains about twenty video clips of bands like MOONLIGHT, DELIGHT, ARTROSIS and CLOSTERKELLER. In the same package is also a CD with fifteen songs. (7 points)

*ZERO GRAVITY- Synchronity (independent)
Great progressive rock band from Belgium. They play some exciting, long songs on this demo and during “The Old Forrest”, we can hear female guest vocalist Dorien Heyligen, who gives this beauty an extra dimension. I think they’re ready for the next big step. Their website can be found at: http://www.zerogravityband.be. (8 points)

MM#35/March 2004:

*WANDA CHROME & THE LEATHER PHARAOHS- More (Disturbed/Suburban)
Rock with a capital R, made by a threesome of Millwaukee, Texas. This sounded good in the sixties, and it still sounds fine today! Honest to the bone!!! (7 points)

*THE GITS- Enter: The Conquering Chicken (Broken Rekids/Sonic Rendez-vous)
Once we had a female fronted punkband called THE GITS. Once we had frontlady Mia Zapata, who died a gruelsome death years ago. Now we have a strong remembrance of Mia and her GITS. Now we also have a compilation album of THE GITS, containing fifteen good punkrock songs and eight live tracks. Fans of THE DISTILLERS might wanna check this out to know where Brosy got her influences from. (8 points)

*HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE- S/T (Cruz del Sur/Bertus)
Great American metal band, that really knows how to write some interesting songs. To some of us this will sound like an ordinary cross between old school NWOBHM and US Metal. I know that this is great stuff on a small independent label. Sigrid (piano) and Jamie (bass/vocals) take care of the female input in this band. (8 points)

*LIVA- Requiem (independent)
Mix metal with classical music, add lyrics to it that are written in Latin, and you’re ready for this band called LIVA. Catherine Elvira Chartier takes care of the female vocals, which are the most interesting part on this CD. (7 points)

*MANDRAKE- Calm The Seas (Greyfall)
Birgit Lau is the female vocalist in this German band, that plays a mix of death, black and gothic metal. However, I must confess, the music of the band is much more innovating and interesting than the vocal parts of Birgit on this debut CD. (6 points)

*ORPHEO- Songs Of The Past Days To Come (independent)
ORPHEO hails from Groningen, The Netherlands. They play melodic metal with a symphonic touch. Wendelien Visser is the female vocalist on this interesting demo. (7 points)

*RANDOM EYES- Eyes Ablaze (independent)
Melodic rock band with a gothic touch hailing from Finland. Warning, this is not the usual grunt, angel like vocals structure we have here. This band goes beyond the paved paths. That’s why they score above average. Katja Rimpeläinen is the female member of this band. (7 points)

*SHADOWS DANCE- A Quatrain For The Damned (Ebony Tears/Suburban)
Atmospheric black metal with a bombastic side and an extreme brutal side. Members of ASTARTE and SEPTIC FLESH sing on this good release. (7 points)

*SYSTEM BREAKDOWN- S/T (Rivel/Bertus)
BLACK SABBATH (late 80’s era)-like band with female vocals here and there. Quite impressive.(8 points)

*VERONA BEACH- S/T (independent)
Thrash band from Roermond in The Netherlands. They have a female drummer in their ranks. Better keep them in mind, ‘cause they definitely play the music of today. Check them out at: http://www.veronabeach.com. (7 points)

MM#34/Dec. 2003:

*ANATHEMA- A Natural Disaster (Music For Nations/Zomba)
ANATHEMA uses quite some female (background) vocals on their new album “A Natural Disaster”. This seventh album of this Liverpool based band sounds very well indeed, which makes it extra interesting to check it out. Just listen to the title track to know what I mean here!! (7 points)

*ANTIMATTER- Lights Out (ProphecyDispleased/)
The voices of Hayley Windsor and Michelle Richfeld are the biggest eye-catchers on this second album of ANTIMATTER. The music on this dark piece of work will make the sun disappear forever, what remains are depressing, ANATHEMA like soundscapes. (7 points)

*CASUAL SILENCE- Once In A Blue Moon (Red Sea/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Dutch prog rock band CASUAL SILENCE recorded a ballad, called “Dreamweaver” on this new album. We will hear their singer Rob Laarhoven in a duet with V-MALE vocalist Sandra Peeters. (7 points)

*CIRCE- Aeaian Echoes…… (Hardebaran)
Some albums better stay unmentioned, despite the female voice of Malou. (4 points)

*COAL CHAMBER- Giving The Devil His Due (Roadrunner)
This is a compilation CD, that is full of rarities, B-sides, demos, remixes, live songs and one new song. A nice addition to your COAL CHAMBER collection, while the band does not exist anymore. (6 points)

*DARK AT DAWN- Of Decay And Desire (AFM/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Just want to mention, that I heard some female guest vocals during “Solitude”. (6 points)

*DRACONIAN- Where Lovers Mourn (Napalm/Zomba)
Good gothic metal album from this band from Sweden. Especially the great, angel like voice of Lisa Johansson adds a special touch to the music of this band. (7 points)

*KAIPA- Keyholder (Inside Out/Suburban)
Leena is the female singer on this album of the side project of THE FLOWER KINGS frontman Roine Stolt. If you like the long, complex songs of TFK, then I suggest to have a listen to this album as well. (8 points)

*MYSTIC CIRCLE- Open The Gates Of Hell (Massacre/Suburban)
Female vocals on the new MYSTIC CIRCLE album? Yes, just listen to the song “Wings Of Death” of this great German black metal band.(7 points)

*MYTHOLOGIC- Standing In Stillness (Progressive Music Management)
Melissa Rodler is the female singer of this prog rock band, that sounds like a mix between RUSH and FATES WARNING… with Amy Lee of EVANESCENCE on vocals. Check it out at: http://www.pmm-music.net (8 points)

*NOCODE- demo (independent)
Dutch band, that explores several music styles on their demo. Johanneke Kranendonk is the female singer in the band, a band that shows a lot of variation and certainly has the potential to become big. You can contact NOCODE and order their demo by sending an e-mail to: ekranendonk@zeelandnet.nl (7 points)

*NORDHEIM- River Of Death (Mausoleum/Suburban)
Great power metal album from Brazil. On some tracks you may hear some female vocals, although they’re not upfront in the mix. The first demo of NORDHEIM is added to this CD as a bonus. Full score! (10 points)

*PATHOS- Perdition Splits The Skies (Intolerant Messiah)
Very brutal death metal band coming from America, that uses the help of a female violin player in the opening track “Towards The Precipice” of their debut album “Perdition Splits The Skies”. In “Eroding The Spires”, we also hear the female vocals of Jessica Kenney. Only interesting for people, who like to drink blood from skulls!! Website: http://www.pathoskills.com. (6 points)

*PENUMBRA- Seclusion (Season Of Mist/Bertus)
French gothic metal band that presents their second album. Again, they called in the help of Anita Covelli, as their female ‘guest vocalist’. She fits in very well with the great gothic sound of this band. (7 points)

*SACRIVERSUM- Mozartin (Metal Mind/Pitchfork/Bertus)
Gothic metal band from Poland. The female vocals aren’t that strong maybe, the music makes up for that however. The title of the album already tells us that the band pays tribute to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. (7 points)

*SACROSANCTUM- Fragments (Metal Age)
The doomy music of SACROSANCTUM sounds very well, but I must be honest about the bad vocals of female singer Zuzana. She will have to practice a lot to convince me. Still interested? Better think twice, believe me! (4 points)

*SEVENTH SEAL- The Black Dragon’s Eyes (Steelheart/Bertus)
Power metal band from Italy. Chiara Luci is the powerful frontlady, who knows how to rock real hard. On this album they also crank out two metal covers, namely “Thundersteel” (RIOT) and “I’m Alive “(HELLOWEEN). Great stuff!!! (9 points)

*64 CHEVY- Horse Power Multiplied (independent)
Dutch stoner rock band with ex-FOREVER TIMES forntwoman Laura van Driel on vocals. Their demo sounds powerful and the female vocals make it sound pretty surprising. You can order their demo, by writing to Laura van Driel, St. Jacobstraat 9, 5014 SE Tilburg, The Netherlands, or check their website at: www.64chevy.nl. (7 points)

*SONATA NOCTURNA- The Darkest Winter (Rage of Achilles/Suburban)
Very promising MCD by this Spanish gothic metal band. Amparo Garcia is the female vocalist of this band, that has a very bright future if their upcoming album sounds as promising as these three tracks.(8 points)

*THE TANGENT- The Music That Died Alone (Inside Out/Suburban)
Great symphonic rock album of a new super group that consists of members of THE FLOWER KINGS, VANDERGRAAF GENERATOR and PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES. On keyboards, we hear Sam Baine (PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES), who adds a special dimension to the four songs that are a mix between CARAVAN and YES. Complex, long sympho songs with a touch of jazz. Great! (8 points)

*TVANGESTE- Firestorm (World Chaos/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Russian black metal band that mixes their brutal side (vocals) with their more modest side (classical orchestral parts). There are female vocals on this album as well. THERION fans might like their approach. (7 points)

*VAMPIRIA- Wicked Charm (GOI/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Another band with good muscians but poor female vocals. This time they hail from Argentina. The band plays a mix of gothic and black metal. Only for purists. (6 points)

*VARIOUS- A Return To Fantasy: A Tribute To URIAH HEEP (Century Media/Suburban)
LANA LANE is the female person, who pays tribute to one of the best heavy rock bands of the seventies, URIAH HEEP. She sings her version of “Weep In Silence”. On this tribute, we also hear contributions of bands like SACRED STEEL, NARNIA and JACK FROST. (8 points)

*VIA MYSTICA- Testamentum (In Hora Mortis Nostre) (Metal Mind/Pitchfork/Bertus)
Gothic doom metal band that presents us their debut album. Kaska is the female vocalist of this band, that sounds just above average to me.(6 points)

MM#33/Oct. 2003:

*AMAZOMBIES- Bitches & Stitches (Go Kart/Sonic Rendezvous)
Female punkrock band with a good sound. Might be promising for the future. (7 points)

*ANTIPRODUCT- Made In USA (Cargo/Suburban)
This English band played already at the Ozzfest, over here in Holland. Now they present us their second album. The ladies in this band handle the backing vocals, but they can’t really convince me. The strong riffs of the guitarist however, make up for that. (8 points)

*ASMEGIN- Hin Vordende Sod & Sö (Napalm/Zomba Distribution)
Black metal band from Norway with influences from folk metal in their sound. Sareeta provides the female vocals on this surprisingly good new album. (7 points)

*CALLENISH CIRCLE- My Passion / Your Pain (Metal Blade/Zomba)
Kaleen, the female bassplayer of GAIL OF GOD, takes care of the few female vocal parts, that you can hear on this new CD of CALLENISH CIRCLE. (6 points)

*DARKFLIGHT- Under The Shadow Of Fear (Rage Of Achilles/Suburban)
Even in Bulgaria they’ve discovered the well-known gothic metal sound. Tatyana Teneva provides the female vocals, while Ivo Lliev plays all the instruments on this rather average debut.(6 points)

*DEADLINE- Back For More….. (Captain Oi!/Suburban)
This punkrock band from America surprised me in a very positive way with their second album. Liz has become a great front woman and an excellent singer, who proves to be capable enough to handle the twelve solid punk songs on this new CD.(8 points)

*ETHEREAL- The Dreams Of Yearning (Recital/Rock Inc./Bertus)
Progressive metal band from Portugal with male and female vocals. The music on this concept album sounds above average to me.(7 points)

*FURIA- Un Lac De Larmes Et De Sang (Adipocere/Displeased)
French bombastic black metal band, that uses some female vocals here and there. Die hards with knowledge of the French language might want to check this one out.(6 points)

*HAUS ARAFNA- Butterfly (Galakthorrö)
Twosome that brings us a weird mix of industrial noise and black metal. This is the third album of Mr. And Mrs. Arafna from Germany. Go to: http://www.galakthorroe.de for more information.(6 points)

*IPSUM- Mystic Evilution (independent)
Melodic black metal with female vocalist Michelle in the front line. The band hails from Switzerland and you can obtain more information from their website at: http://www.ipsum.ch.(7 points)

*LUJURIA- El Poder Del Deseo (Locomotive Music)
Elisa of DARK MOOR does some guest vocals on the fifth album of this Spanish heavy metal band. Lilith is their female keyboard player. Great stuff!! (8 points)

*MEATLOAF- Couldn’t Have Said It Better (Polydor)
We hear Patti Russo on the title track of this new album, that sounds a bit modern. The other female backing vocalists are Maxi Anderson, Rose Stone, Alexandra Bronne, Lynn Davis and Tanya Reicuert. On the double CD version, you’ll get three bonus videos and an extra track. MEATLOAF is preparing the possible release of “Bat Out Of Hell Part III” at the moment. I am already looking forward to that very much!!!(8 points)

*ORDER OF THE TYRANTS- Tribute To CELTIC FROST (Black Lotus/Rock Inc./Bertus)
The new line up of ASTARTE contributes their version of the CELTIC FROST song “Sorrows Of The Moon” to this album. It’s definitely one of the highlights here!!!(7 points)

*MICHAEL SEMBELLO- The Lost Years (Frontiers/Bertus)
JENNIFER BATTEN plays lead guitar on “Tear Down The Walls” and “Love Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”. But also the rest of this AOR CD sounds not bad at all! (7 points)

*SILENTIUM- Sufferion – Hamartia Of Prudence (Spikefarm/Bertus)
Dark gothic doom metal band from Finland. Produced by NIGHTWISH member Tuomas Holopainen. The female vocals on this album are done by former LULLACRY vocalist Tanya, while their original singer Tina Lehvonen has a sabbatical year. Surprisingly good release!(8 points)

*SLECHTVALK- The War That Plagues The Land (Fear Dark/ Displeased)
Dutch dark metal band that puts some nice effort into their compositions. Fionnghuala is resposible for the female soprano vocals to the songs, that are a good mix of powerful metal and black/dark metal with some epic, atmospheric elements. (8 points)

*SPEKTRUM- Spektrum (Progress/MNW/Bertus)
Symphonic rock band with a female singer. Check them out on: http:// www.progressrec.com, where you can hear some MP3 files of this promising band that has some GENESIS and YES influences in their music. (7 points)

*SUBWAY TO SALLY- Engelskrieger (Motor/Universal)
It looks like SUBWAY TO SALLY has metamorphosed in a RAMMSTEIN-like band. They put the fold aside and play their riffs ultra loud now. I better check them out at Wacken this year.(7 points)

*V/A- A Tribute To The Beast - Vol.2 (Nuclear Blast)
GRAVEWORM’s “Fear Of The Dark” can be heard on this second IRON MAIDEN tribute CD. The first copies of this album contain a bonus CD. (8 points)

*V/A- Once And Future King Part I (Frontiers)
Rock opera based upon the myth of King Arthur. Songwriter and producer is Gary Hughes of the melodic rock band TEN. The female input on this first release comes from Sabine Edelsbacher (EDENBRIDGE) and LANA LANE. Part II will be out in October of this year.(8 points)

MM#32/June 2003:

*AREA 54- Beckoning Of The End (Casket)
English metal band that mixes old school heavy metal (IRON MAIDEN) with more recent styles (IN FLAMES). Laura Salmon is the female bass player of the band. (8 points)

*DANCE ON GLASS-Daydreaming (Metal Mind)
This is a gothic band from Poland, formed around Dave Blomberg (NEW MODEL ARMY) and Anna Blomberg (BATTALION D’AMOUR). Their music is not that heavy, but fans of SISTERS OF MERCY and THE MISSION might find this interesting. (6 points)

*DIMENSION F3H-Reaping The World Within (Hammerheart/Zomba)
This is the new band of LIMBONIC ART guitar player Morpheus. I’d like to call their sound electronic black metal. The female input comes from Anette Gulbrandsen (MANDYLION) and Linde Odgard. A surprisingly good debut album indeed. (7 points)

*DIMENSION SEVEN-Infinite Madness (Bukakke/Suburban)
Band from Holland with a female bass player. Their sound is experimental and ultra brutal. Great album to listen to, while tearing down a wall. It will definitely give you enough energy to clear the job! (6 points)

*EVERGREY-Recreation Day (Inside Out/Suburban)
There is a guest role for a female singer in “Darkest Hour”. A short female input on a great progressive rock album. (8 points)

*FUNERAL-In Field Of Pestilent Grief (Nocturnal)
The band name and the name of the record label already suggest, that we’re dealing with a doom metal band here. But the female vocals don’t really seem to match with this style. The music is very good, however. (6 points)

*GROPE-If You Were My Dog… (Grope/MNW/Suburban)
We can hear Sigrid Larssen sing on this fourth album of this stoner rock like band from Denmark. (7 points)

*KAMELOT-Epica (Noise/Suburban)
Thomas Youngblood’s wife sings on the new album of KAMELOT, on which we can hear female vocals in different songs and they also use some Gregorian choir vocals, which gives an absolute mindblowing atmosphere to the whole. (8 points)

*KAYAK-Merlin, Bard Of The Unseen (Kayak/Bertus)
Cindy Oudshoorn is the female guest vocalist on the rock opera on CD of this Dutch symphonic rock band. The CD tells the story of King Arthur, Merlin and The Knights Of The Round Table, and can be seen as one of the best concept albums in the whole impressive career of this legendary band. (9 points)

*KILLER BARBIES-Sin Is In (Drakkar/Suburban)
Chartspunk from Spain. Catchy and with a high sing along level. Silvia Superstar is the supersexy frontlady of these talented punkers. She’s definitely the eyecatcher of the band, if you catch my drift! (7 points)

*THE KOVENANT-Seti (Nuclear Blast/Suburban)
Eileen, from Germany, sings a few lines on the new album of this Norwegian band that mixes extreme metal with elements of gothic and wave music. (6 points)

*NAAMAH-Ultima (Metal Mind/Bertus)
Anna Panasz is the frontlady of this Polish gothic metal band, formerly known as MELANKOLICA. Fans of THE GATHERING (old-style) might want to check this one out. (7 points)

*RUNEMAGICK-Darkness Death Doom (Aftermath/Displeased)
The title of this new CD tells you what kind of music you can expect of RUNEMAGICK. Emma Karlsson plays the bass guitar with these dark doomy Swedes. (8 points)

*SATIRNINE-Void Of Value (White Jazz/Suburban)
Mix THE RIPLETS with THE DONNAS, and you’ll get the melodic punk rock sound of this Swedish all-female band. Very interesting indeed! (8 points)

*SINPHONIA-The Divine Disharmony (Lucretia/Bertus)
Another good band from Denmark is SINPHONIA. Progressive rock fans may like the FATES WARNING like approach of this band. Monika Pedersen is the frontlady of this talented outfit. (7 points)

*SUI GENERIS UMBRA-Coma (Metal Mind)
Second album of a band that was formerly known as UMBRA. They have a female vocalist, and their music style is a bit complex. Ambient black metal would probably be a good description. (6 points)

*SUPERFLOOR-Check (Jacobiberg)
EP from a very good blues rock band from Holland. The band is named after frontlady (super)Floor Kraaijvanger, who is the perfect singer for a blues rock band. Floor sang in a band called BITTERMOON, that used to be the backing band on Rob Lamothe’s (RIVERDOGS) club shows. This mini CD can be ordered on the bands website at: www.superfloor.net. (8 points)

*THANATOSCHITZO-Insomnious Night Lift (Rage Of Achilles)
Is it a black metal band with doom influences? Or is it a doom metal band with black metal influences? Fact is that Patricia Rodrigues is the singer of this Portuguese metal band that presents us their second, average album. (6 points)

*THOU ART LORD-DV8 (Black Lotus/Rock Inc/Bertus)
There are some female background vocals on this Greek black metal album. Only for the die-hards among us. (6 points)

*VARIOUS-Dark Stars (Metal Mind/Bertus)
Good compilation of Polish