Power Quest - Master of Illusion (2008)

Master of Illusion will be the 4th studio album of the power metal band Power Quest, which was recorded in November/December 2007 and will be released worldwide by May 13, 2008.

The album has been described as having "catchy melodies, fast paced songs, mid paced songs, epic songs" and will have a "hard rock" sound with "power ballads" and a more "heavier guitar work".

In December, 2007 band keyboardist Steve Williams has announced on the Official Power Quest forums that there would be five guest appearances on the forthcoming album. The first of these was announced as guitarist Bill Hudson from North American power metal band Cellador, who will be providing guest instrumentation on the track "The Vigil".[4] The second of these was announced as keyboardist Richard West from British progressive metal band Threshold, who will be providing a keyboard solo on the track "Human Machine".[5] The third has been revealed as Jorn Viggo Lofstad, from Norwegian progpower metal band Pagan's Mind who shared the stage with Power Quest in their 2006 tour. Fourth was announced as Chris Neighbour from UK thrash metal band FourwayKill.[6]

A series of podcasts from two members of the band has shed more light on the album, its songs and its style. According to those releases Steve Williams had written 17 songs prior to recording but 10 songs including a bonus track are to be on the final release.

Track listing

1. "Cemetery Gates"
2. "Human Machine"
3. "Civilised?"
4. "Kings Of Eternity"
5. "Master Of Illusion"
6. "The Vigil"
7. "Save The World"
8. "Hearts And Voices"
9. "I Don't Believe in Friends Forever"
10. "Never Again"
11. "Reckoning Day"

Stormwarrior - Heading Northe (2008)

Stormwarrior is a power metal band from Germany that was formed in 1998 by vocalist and guitar player Lars Ramcke and drummer Andre Schumann, adding later in the same year guitarist Scott Bolter and bass player Tim Zienert. The members of Stormwarrior draw their musical influences from the 80's heavy metal scene including such fellow German bands as Helloween and Running Wild.

Their debut full length album Stormwarrior, released in 2002, and their 2004 follow up Northern Rage were both produced by Kai Hansen of Helloween and Gamma Ray fame who also contributed vocal and guitar performances on some songs. Much of Stormwarrior's lyrical content deals with Viking related themes.

Heading Northe is the third studio album by German power metal band Stormwarrior. It's also the first album to feature new bass player Yens Leonhardt.

Track listing :

1. "And The Horde Calleth For Oden"
2. "Heading Northe"
3. "Metal Legacy"
4. "The Holy Cross"
5. "Iron Gods"
6. "Ragnarök"
7. "The Revenge Of Asa Lande"
8. "Remember The Oathe"
9. "Lion Of The Northe"
10. "Into The Battle"
11. "And The Valkyries Ride"

Album line-up

* Lars Ramcke - Guitars & Vocals
* Alex Guth - Guitars
* Yens Leonhardt - Bass
* Falko Reshöft - Drums

Timo Tolkki - Saana - Warrior of Light Pt 1

Frontiers Records will release STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki's classical rock opera, "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island" on March 14.

"Composing, writing the story, casting from hundreds of people, and putting this all together has been very refreshing and interesting for me," says Tolkki. "I think it is the next logical step for me."

He continues, "This album has just basically one long song, but there are 18 themes that are bound together by a story in which I have used my long time interest in philosophy, psychology and spirituality. At the end of the day, it really has just two main themes: love and the fight between good and evil. As the name indicates, there will be another part to this saga. It really is a very interesting story about an old theme, but I think I have managed to take it somewhere that no one has been before."

Featuring the vocal talents of Jennifer Sowle, Aino Laos, Heikki Poyhiä and Janette Sainio, this album is a breathtaking experience of emotions. Each singer was carefully chosen for her/his respective roles and they will enhance the musical journey in a way that has never really been heard before.

Tolkki wrote, mixed, produced and played all instruments (except drums, which were handled by Mirka Rantanen).

"Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island" track listing:

01. Saana Mountain
02. Saana's Theme
03. The End
04. Sadness of The World
05. 3 at 7
06. Silence of the Night
07. Sunrise at Saana Mountain
08. Journey to Crystal Island
09. Crystal Island
10. Freya's Theme
11. You've Come a Long Way
12. The Letter
13. Who Am I?
14. Freya's Teachings
15. Warrior of Light
16. Journey to the Azores

Source: www.roadrunnerrecords.com