Trøbbel Bjørn Torske

Swedish melodic metal band Eternal (of Sweden) is back in business with the new thundering album Heaven’s Gate. The tracks on the album will take you on a journey through the best of the best in todays metal. From the roaring power-metal tracks Ruins and The purity inside to the more progressive Burning with pride and the emotional track Angel, we promise that if, whether you like old classic Metal or the modern dark side of it, you won’t be able to resist it. It’s an album raging with power and energy and carries the heritage from bands such as Nocturnal Rites and Pretty Maids…

Fans of hard rock had to wait some years for the follow-up, though. And after another long wait, they're back again with "Forgive & Forget". Band is back with a 3rd album in the same style as the previous ones, Aces High play hard rock in the same vein as MSG, Rainbow, etc. … The album - very solid hard rock. Vocalist Bjørn Andersen has a very distinct voice, somewhere between that of Ian Gillan and Biff Byford, the guitars are solid, with strong hooks that focus more on the song than riffing away into oblivion, whilst the hammond organ adds a Deep Purple vibe to many of the tracks … and once again lots of Richie Blackmore vibes in the guitar work.

XT came about as a result of a partnership that formed between Leviticus guitarist Björn Stigsson and Motherlode vocalist Sonny Larsson. Stigsson and Larsson regrouped a year later, however, for the heavier and more guitar driven melodic hard rock of its sophomore album Taxfree. A much more consistent and polished effort, Taxfree does a much better job of showcasing the potential of the two: Larsson continues to bring his high pitched lead vocal style, exhibiting his versatility by smoothly complementing the ballad “My First Morning” while adding a more aggressive touch to his delivery on the semi-ballad “The False Prophet”. Stigsson remains in top form as well by displaying his talents on lead guitar on two excellent hard rockers in “Sign Of The Time” and “Walk In Shadows”.