End Day (2005)

Chart-topping but challenging alt-metal band that incorporates programmed beats and subtle Eastern European influences.
Like many late-'90s metal bands, System of a Down struck a balance between '80s underground thrash metal and metallic early-'90s alternative rockers like Jane's Addiction. Their dark, neo-gothic alternative metal earned a cult following in the wake of the popularity of such like-minded bands as Korn and the Deftones. Vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer John Dolmayan formed System of a Down in Southern California in the mid-'90s. They quickly earned a strong following in Los Angeles, largely based on strong word of mouth…

It takes less than 30 seconds for the debut album from this New Orleans-based singer/songwriter to pull you in. A lone harmonica blows over a softly strummed electric guitar as a lazy rhythm section props up the beat…..

"Love Deluxe" is Sade's fourth LP, released at the end of 1992. Despite a gap of four years between Love Deluxe and Stronger Than Pride, the album was gladly received by a receptive audience the world over, hitting the top 10 in several countries and achieving quadruple platinum status in the US.

Cellists love Schubert for the wonderful things he gives them in the String Quintet, but he wrote nothing for solo cello. Anne Gastinel gives a charming apologia for this programme of transcriptions, in the form of a letter to Schubert, but the best justification lies in the appropriateness of the material and the standard of performance. The Arpeggione Sonata, indeed, sounds better on the cello than on any other conventional instrument, and the fact that some passages lie uncomfortably high is no problem for someone with Gastinel’s technique.

After two LPs with little or no energy, Sade demonstrated some intensity and fire on her third release. Whether that was just an attempt to change the pace a bit or a genuine new direction, she had more animation in her delivery on such songs as "Haunt Me," "Give It Up," and the hit "Paradise." Not that she was suddenly singing in a soulful or bluesy manner; rather, Sade's dry and introspective tone now had a little more edge, and the lyrics were ironic as well as reflective. This was her third consecutive multi-platinum album, and it matched the two-million-plus sales level of her debut. ~ Ron Wynn

"Pleasure And Pain" is their fifth studio album and music critics already consider it as the best album of their career even from the very first listening during studio reports. The famous special guests that are present on this album witnessed all this. We're talking about: Bruno Kramm of Das Ich, Flegias of Necrodeath, Dhiloz of Ancient and members of Ensoph and Stormlord. The album contains 9 tracks and 2 bonus tracks: "Pleasure And Pain", remixed by Bruno Kramm (Das Ich), and "Mater Tenebrarum" (cover). "Never Again", "Rosa Mistero", "My Lullaby" and "Forever In Death" are only some examples of this fantastic album! Extraordinary vocal parts performed by Sonya who also wrote all the lyrics for "Pleasure And Pain". Excellent production and excellent musicians.
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1989's Long Hard Look was the second solo album from Foreigner vocalist Lou Gramm, and its modest success led him to officially – but ultimately briefly – leave the enormously popular band. Long Hard Look is another slice of sleekly professional pop/rock, similar to Gramm's 1987 solo debut, Ready or Not. But whereas Ready or Not rather consistently combined melody with bite (side one specifically), Long Hard Look is spotty…