Savatage " Chance "

SAVATAGE    " CHANCE  "

He Was Standing All Alone
Trying To Find The Words To Say
When Every Prayer He Ever Prayed
Was Gone
And The Dreams He's Never Owned
Are Still Safely Tucked Away
Until Tomorrow He Just
Carries On
Carries On
Carries On
Carries On...

See The Devil In The Streets At Night
See Him Running In The Pouring Rain
See Him Grinning 'Neath A Twisted Light
I'll Be Back Again
See The People Standing In A Row
See Them Nodding Like A Field Of Grain
No One Sees The Sickle Though
Coming 'Cross The Plain

And This He Knows If Nothing More
That Waiting In The Dark Like Destiny
Are Those Who Kissed The Dogs Of War
And There Is No Tomorrow
No Tomorrow
Take A Chance
Take A, Take A Chance

See The Devil He Is So Intense
See The Devil Go And Change His Name
What's The Going Price Of Innocence
It Can't Be The Same
Is It Dark When The Moon Is Down
Is It Dark With A Single Flame
If There's Glass Falling All Around
I Am Not To Blame

And This He Knows If Nothing More
That Waiting In The Dark Like Destiny
Are Those Who Kissed The Dogs Of War
And There Is No Tomorrow
No Tomorrow
Take A Chance
Take A, Take A Chance
Take A Chance
Take A, Take A Chance

Burn The Night Away
Burn The Night Away
Burn The Night...

Pictures At An Exhibition
Played As He stood His Trance
Staring At His Inhibitions
All The Time Believing
That It Now Came Down To Nothing
But This Chance
Chance...
Chance...
Chance...

I Fear You
Your Silence
Your Blindless
See What You Want To See
In Darkness
One Kindness
One Moment
Tell Me What You Believe

I Believe In Nothing
Never Really Had To
In Regards To Your Life
Rumors That Are Not True
Who's Defending Evil
Surely Never I
Who Would Be The Witness
Should You Chance To Die

Father Can You Hear Me
This Is Not How Was Meant To Be
I Am Safe And So Are You
As For The Others Destiny

I Believe That Situations
All Depend On Circumstance

Look Away
Look Away
Look Away
Look Away

Pictures At An Exhibition
Played As He stood His Trance
Staring At His Inhibitions
All The Time Believing
That It Now Came Down To Nothing
But This Chance
Chance !
Chance !
Chance !

 

ARTISTA : SAVATAGE
ALBUM : HANDFUL  OF  RAIN
ANNO : 1994
DURATA : 07:49
FORMAZIONE : Zachary Stevens : Vocals
                     Alex Skolnick : Guitars
                     Jon Oliva : Keyboards And Piano
                     Johnny Lee Middleton : Bass
                     Steve "Doc" Wacholz : Drums

Immensi, sempre e comunque. Una bandiera dell' heavy metal più raffinato e più suggestivo.
Ho i Savatage nel cuore da sempre e ogni volta che li sento, mi emoziono come se fosse la prima volta. E quando sento canzoni come "Chance", vado in estasi.
Pubblicato a pochi mesi dalla scomparsa del mai troppo rimpianto Criss Oliva (morto il 17 Ottobre del 1993, in un incidente stradale causato da un guidatore ubriaco), fratello del grande Jon Oliva nonchè membro fondatore dei Savatage, "Handful Of Rain" è un album cupo, dove testi sono riflessivi e parlano di vari argomenti importanti (la meravigliosa "Alone You Breathe" è dedicata alla scomparsa di Criss, "Castels Burning" è dedicata a Giovanni Falcone e alla sua lotta alla mafia e via di seguito).
In "Handful Of Rain" suona come amico della band anche il grande Alex Skolnick, maestro della chitarra nonchè membro dei Testament.
Ogni canzone è bellissima e lascia un segno.
Ogni altro commento è superfluo.

Marduk " Imago Mortis "

MARDUK  " IMAGO  MORTIS "

Imago Mortis
Ever Since The Appelbite
Deathened !
The Branches Creep Together
A Chair With A Cold Back
Lux Rigor Mortis
Lux Rigor Mortis
Lux Rigor Mortis

Today King
Tomorrow Worms And Cold In Mouth
A Reach For Purity
Through Decay
Through Black Soil Excrements
None Shall Stand Before
The Lord Of The Death
Death-Winged Dart

Cold And Hollow
Silent, Yet Piercing
Death Fire Trumpets
Fresh Traces From Twelve To Twelve
Pole To Pole
Infans To Derrepitus
Sunbleached Shadow, Useless Corpse
Jesus Loves You, Useless Corpse
Lux Rigor Mortis
Lux Rigor Mortis
Lux Rigor Mortis
Cinis Ater Et Ossa

Behold
One Who Moments Agao At The Height Of Power
Received Worship From Kneeling Crowd

Now Himself Cast Down By Deaths Dominion
Bears Mute Witness To The Whole Worlds Face

Cinis Ater Et Ossa

Sack Of Maggots, Maggotsack
Hopeless Pile Of Hopeless Bones
So Thin Was His Holy Plan
For You ?
Wings Of Dust, Handful Of Nothing
Iron Skies And And Streets Of Brass
Even The Whore
She Loves Us All

Imago Mortis
Ever Since The Appelbite
Deathened !
The Branches Creep Together
A Reach For Purity
Through Decay
Through Black Boil Excrements

None Shall Stand Before
The Lord Of THe Death
Death-Winged Dart

Imago Mortis
Wings Of Dust
Handful Of Nothing
Hopelless Pile Of Hopeless Bones

 

ARTISTA : MARDUK
ALBUM : ROM  5.12
ANNO : 2007
DURATA : 08:36
FORMAZIONE : Daniel ''Mortuus'' Rosten : Vocals
                     Morgan ''Evil'' Steinmeyer Hakansson : Guitars
                     Magnus ''Devo'' Andersson : Bass
                     Lars Broddesson : Drums

Un'altra grandissima band importantissima per il movimento Black Metal e forse, uno dei gruppi più amati del genere. Ho scelto questa canzone perchè mi piace un casino così come tutto il loro ultimo album. Dall'incedere lento e morboso, è splendida e dannatamente evocativa, con la voce di Mortuus malata ma davvero efficace.

Opeth " To Bid You Farewell "

OPETH  " TO  BID  YOU  FAREWELL "


I Am Awaiting The Sunrise
Gazing Modestly Through The Coldest Morning
Once It Came You Lied
Embracing Us Over Autumn's Proud Treetops

I Stand Motionless
In A Parade Of Falling Rain
Your Voice I Cannot Hear
As I Am Falling Again

Devotion Eludes
And In Sadness I Lumber
In My Own Ashes I Am Standing Without A Soul
She Wept And Whispered : "I Know..."

We Walked Into The Night
Am I To Bid You Farewell ?
Why Can't You See That I Try
When Every Tear I Shed Is For You ?

ARTISTA : OPETH
ALBUM : MORNINGRISE
ANNO : 1996
DURATA : 10:56
FORMAZIONE : Mikael Akerfeldt ; Vocals, Electric And Acoustic Guitars
                      Peter Lindgren : Electric And Acoustic Guitars
                     Johan DeFarfalla : Bass
                     Anders Nordin : Drums

Non so che dire. Poche parole posso dire su quello che per me è uno dei gruppi metal più affascinanti di sempre. Di album in album hanno sempre dimostrato un gusto e una progressione musicale a dir poco sublime. Amo alla follia la canzone che ho scelto. Intro molto ''zeppeliniano'', si sviluppa una brumosa ballata, cullati dalla voce prima magnetica poi da vero orco nero di un magnifico Mikael Akerfeldt. Da ascoltare ancora, ancora, ancora...

Emperor " Into The Infinity Of Thoughts "

EMPEROR   "  INTO  THE  INFINITY  OF  THOUGHTS  "


As The Darkness Creeps
Over The Northern Mountains Of Norway
And The Silence Teach The Woods
I Awake And Rise...
Into The Night I Wander
Like Many Nights Before
And Like In My Dreams But Centuries Ago

Under The Moon, Under The Trees
Into The Infinity Of Darkness
Beyond The Light Of A New Day
Into The Frozen Nature Chilly
Beyond The Warmth Of The Dying Sun
Hear The Whispering Of The Wind
The Shadows Calling...

I Gaze Into The Moonwhich Grants Me Visions
These Twelve Full Moon Nights Of The Year
And For Each Night
The Light Of The Holy Disciples Fade Away

Weaker And Weaker, One By One

I Gaze Into The Moon
Which Makes My Mind Pure As Crystal Lakes
My Eyes Cold As The Darkest Winter Mights
But Yet There Is A Flame Inside

It Guides Me Into The Dark Shadows
Beyond This World
into The Infinity Of Thoughts...
Thoughts Of Upcoming Reality

In The Name Of The Almighty Emperor
I Will Ride The Lands In Pride
carrying The Blacksword At Hand, In Warfare

I Will Grind My Hatred Upon The Loved Ones
Despair Will Be Brought
Upon The Hoping Childs Of Happiness
Wherever There Is Joy
The Hordes Of The Eclipse
Will Pollute Sadness And Hate
Under The Reign Of Fear

The Lands Will Grow Black
There Is No Sunrise Yet To Come
Into The Wastelands Of Phantoms Lost
May These Moments Under The Moon Be Eternal
May The Infinity Haunt Me... In Darkness

 

ARTISTA : EMPEROR
ALBUM : IN  THE  NIGHTSIDE  ECLIPSE
ANNO : 1994
DURATA : 8:14
FORMAZIONE : Vegard Sverre Tveitan (Ihsahn) : Vocals, Guitars, Synths
                      Tomas Thormodsaeter Haugen (Samoth) : Guitars
                      Terje Vik Schei (Tchort) : Bass
                      Bard Eithun (Faust) : Drums

Senza ombra di dubbio una della band più importanti per il movimento Black Metal. Canzone meravigliosa, epica e maligna, tratta da un disco fondamentale per la musica estrema.

Blind Guardian " A Past And Future Secret "

BLIND  GUARDIAN  " A  PAST  AND  FUTURE  SECRET "

Oh, I Haven't Been Here For A While
In Blindness And Decay
The Circle's Been Closed, Now

My Song Of The End
My Song Of The End
I've Seen At All

Listen Crowd
I'll Tell You Everything
Though I Have To Say I Don't Know Much
Talking About A Past And Future Secret
Most Called Him Once And Future King
Far Back In The Past I Saw His Ending
Long Before It Started I Knew His Name
He's The One Who Took The Sword Out Of The Stone
It's How That Ancient Tale Began
I Hear It In The Cold Winds

My Song Of The End
My Song Of The End
My Song Of The End
I Had Seen It In My Dreams
My Song Of The End
I Can't Stop The Darkening Clouds

I Feel Cold
when I Cry Out For The Bark
Take Him Back To Avalon
Dwell On For A New Age So Long Sleep Well My Friend
Take Him Back To Avalon
I Will Wait And Guard
The Future King's Crown

My Song Of The End
My Song Of The End
My Song Of The End
My Song Of The End
It Was Nice But Now It's Gone
My Song Of The End
It Was Fixed The Whole Time
My Song Of The End
I Saw It All

ARTISTA : BLIND  GUARDIAN
ALBUM : IMAGINATIONS  FROM  THE  OTHER  SIDE
ANNO : 1995
DURATA : 3:48
FORMAZIONE : Hansi Kursch : Vocals, Bass
                      Andre Olbrich : Guitars
                      Marcus Siepen : Guitars
                      Thomas Stauch : Drums

Deliziosa canzone in stile medievale per i Blind Guardian, uno dei gruppi che più di tutti in ambito metal, ha reincarnato lo spirito del Grande J.R.R. Tolkien, padre del libro fantasy più bello di tutti i tempi, "Il Signore Degli Anelli". Il gruppo tedesco è in grande forma anche se ad un primo ascolto le non proprio convenzionali vocals di Hansi Kursch possono dare qualche esitazione, che scompare dopo pochissimo a favore di un brano melodioso, dolcemente medievaleggiante e semplicemente suggestivo.

Fates Warning " At Fate's Hands "

FATES  WARNING   "  AT  FATE'S  HANDS  "

Ours Is The Cry Of The Helpless
Told In The Timeless Truth
Of The Written Word
Trapped By The Tempest Of The Blind
our Muted Calls Can't Be Heard

Helpless As We Stand
Amidst The Push Of Thoughtless Hands

We Are Adrift Without Direction
In A Raging Storm On A Calm Sea
Clinging To Our Expectations
To Stem The Tide Of Destiny

Helpless As We Fall
Beneath The Crush Of Waters Walls

ARTISTA : FATES  WARNING
ALBUM : PERFECT  SYMMETRY
ANNO : 1989
DURATA : 7:00
FORMAZIONE : Ray Alder : Vocals
                      Jim Matheos : Guitars
                      Frank Aresti : Guitars
                      Joe DiBiase : Bass
                      Mark Zonder : Drums

Pura progressione musicale, paradisiaca nel suo incedere e meravigliosa nella sua costruzione. Uno dei migliori brani dei Fates Warning, con un Ray Alder stellare e con tutto il gruppo a tessere trame di tecnicismo mai fine a se stesso ma teso a creare una piccola composizione diventata un classico nel suo genere.

The Gathering " Eleanor "

THE  GATHERING    " ELEANOR "


Underneath The Mask You've Buried Yourself Into
It’s Coal-Black
I Am Tired Of The Gulping That You Do
Every Day A New Face
What If I Unscrew
Your Own Identity
Wouldn’t You Guess There's Nothing Left Of You ?

The Quicksand Of Life Drags Us
Down Into The Circle
One Day, One Day
We Might Not Catch You

I Feel Sorry For What You Try To Do
Breaking Others Down, To Try And To Pursue
Your Own Selfish Interests
I Am Starting To Get Sick Of You

Whatever Happened Ever Since You Left
You Make Yourself And Me Look Like Fools

Whatever Happened Ever Since You Left
Whatever Happened Ever Since You Left
Whatever Happened Ever Since You Left
Whatever Happened Ever Since You Left

 

ARTISTA : THE  GATHERING
ALBUM : MANDYLION
ANNO : 1995
DURATA : 6:41
FORMAZIONE : Anneke Van Giersbergen : Vocals
                      Rene Rutten : Guitars, Flute
                      Jelmer Wiersma : Guitars
                      Frank Boeljen : Synthesizer
                      Hugo Prinsen Geerligs : Bass
                      Hans Rutten : Drums

Meraviglioso gruppo olandese che forse in questo album, ha raggiunto uno dei vertici assoluti della sua carriera. Tutte le canzoni sono bellissime e la voce della meravigliosa Anneke troneggia su tutto, forse una delle più belle voci in campo metal.
Ho scelto questa canzone perchè non solo mi piace un casino, ma anche perchè ricordo ancora  che quando li ho visti dal vivo, l'emozione è stata fortissima, e durante l'esecuzione di "Eleanor" il pubblico sembrava essere in trance, me compreso, cullati dalle note avvolgenti e coinvolgenti della canzone. Meravigliosi.

Manowar " Battle Hymn "

MANOWAR    " BATTLE  HYMN  "

By Moonlight We Ride
Ten Thousands Side By Side
With Swords Drawn Held High
Our Whips And Armours Shine
Hail To Thee Our Infantry
Still Brave Beyond The Grave
All Have Sworn The Eternal Vow
The Time To Strike Is Now

Kill, Kill, Oh !
Kill, Kill, Oh !
Kill, Kill, Oh !
Kill, Kill, Oh !

Gone Are The Days When Freedom Shone
Now Blood And Steel Meet Bone
In The Light Of The Battle's Way
The Sands Of Time Will Shade
How Oroud Our Soldiers Stand
With Mace And Chain In Hand
Sound The Charge Into Glory Ride
Over The Top Of The Vanguished Pride

Victory, Victory, Oh !
Victory, Victory, Oh !
Victory, Victory, Oh !
Victory, Victory, Oh !

To The Battle We Ride
We Crossed A Starlit Sky
No Space, No Time
We'll Catch The Wind
Strange Losses, Men Died
We Crossed A Starlit Sky
And Still No Space Or Time
We'll Catch The Wind

Kill, Kill, Oh !
Kill, Kill, Oh !
Kill, Kill, Oh !
Kill, Kill, Oh !

Sound Of Charge Into Glory Ride
Over The Top Of The Anguished Pride
By Moonlight We Ride
Ten Thousand Side By Side

Kill, Kill, Oh !
Kill, Kill, Oh !
Kill, Kill, Oh !
Kill, Kill, Oh !

 

ARTISTA : MANOWAR
ALBUM : BATTLE  HYMNS
ANNO : 1982
DURATA : 6:55
FORMAZIONE : Eric Adams - Lead Vocals
                     Ross The Boss - Guitars, Keyboards
                     Joey DeMaio - 4, 8 String Bass, Bass Pedals
                     Donnie Hamzik - Drums, Percussion

Forse la canzone più epica della musica metal. L' atmosfera che dona è meravigliosa e straordinariamente "battagliera". Possono essere odiati, presi in giro per le loro evidenti pacchianate o per loro frasi, ma hanno scritto pagine memorabili di musica e "Battle Hymn" ne è un esempio più che evidente.

Voivod " Jack Luminous "

VOIVOD  "  JACK   LUMINOUS  "

Listen ! Listen To Me ! Can't You Hear Me ?!!
Listen ! I Beg Of You !!
I Have Escaped The One Who Rules Deep In Space
He Knows My Name, I Know His Game
Now That I'm Here, He Will Know Where I Am...
And He Will Get You Too !!
And He Will Make You Believe Whatever He Wants
Inside Your Brain, He'll Play His Game

Listen Now !
Please ! Don't You Believe
Whatever He Says... Whatever He Says...
Whatever He Says...

I'm No Preacher, I'm No Space-Age Cowboy
I'm No Flash-In-The-Pan !!
Don't You Know That You Have Another Thing Coming ?
You Are Not Safe, Here In This Place
Are You Aware You Face Your Last Dead Line ?
I Am Here To Warn You...
President X-D Wwill Be On Your TV
Electron Waves, A Pixel Face

Listen Now !
Please ! Don't You Believe
Whatever He Says... Whatever He Says...
Whatever He Says...

You Will Never Switch Him Off
When You're Hypnotized
Don't You Dare To Call His Bluff
He's Well Organized
You Will Never Switch Him Off
When You're Yypnotized
Don't You Dare To Call His Bluff
He's Well Organized

He Gets Around... He Gets Around...
He Gets Around... He...

Listen To Me...
It's Not Easy...
To Let You Be...
Happy In Your World And You Can't Imagine
What Will Come From The Milky Way, Far Away

My Words Are Clear...
We Can't Stay Here...
What Do You Fear?
Happy In Your World And You Can't Imagine
What's Coming From The Milky Way, Far Away

You, People Of This World
Be Prepared To Greet Me
You, People Of This World
You Will Submit To Me !
Deep Into My Third Eye
You Are Getting Sleepy
Deep Into My Third Eye
Now You Belong To Me !

Now ! Is The Time...
Together We Can Change This Place
For The Better...
Now ! Is The Time...
Together We Can Change This Place
For The Better...

Now, Focus On My Voice
Will You Do It For Me ?
Now, Focus On My Voice
Yes ! You Will Do It For Me !
I'll Give You Everything
But You Must Come To Me
I'll Give You Everything
But You'll Have To Join Me !

Now ! Is The Time...
Together We Can Change This Place
For The Better...
Now ! Is The Time...
Together We Can Change This Place
For The Better...
Now ! Is The Time...
Together We Can Change This Place
For The Better...
Now ! Is The Time...
Together We Can Change This Place
For The Better...

You Will Never Switch Him Off
When You're Hypnotized
Don't You Dare To Call His Bluff...
He's Well Organized

X-D Is Coming
The Sky Is Changing
X-D Is Coming
My Head Is Spinning

And What About Hydra, Sirrah, Pollux And Gemma...
Diadem, Bellatrix, Mirach, Izar...

Lies Are What We Once Knew
Time To Live Something New...Hey, Hey
We Can No Longer Take Things For Granted
We Can Now Remember What We Wanted...Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey...
We're Not Slaves Anymore
Now We Know What Life Is For
We Don't Fight Anymore
He Is What We're Living For
We're Not Slaves Anymore
Now We Know What Life Is For
We Don't Fight Anymore... Not Anymore...

More than tears fill my eyes
As bright Ships Dot The Sky
More Than Fear Is In Sight
As Moon And Sun Stand By... And Cry

So ? This Is The End
I'm Leaving Now, Farewell My Friends
X-D Is Now In Control
Making Plans For His New Home

Fate Lights Me From Within
To The Stars I'm Fleeing
Earth Heeds Not My Warning
Forever Sleepwalking... Dreaming

So ? This Is The End
I'm Leaving Now, Farewell My Friends
Maybe One Day, Time Will Tell
I'llBbe Back And Break The Spell...
I'll Break The Spell... I'll Break The Spell...

 

ARTISTA : VOIVOD
ALBUM : THE OUTER LIMITS
ANNO : 1993
DURATA : 17:26
FORMAZIONE : Denis "Snake" Bélanger - Vocals, Keyboards & Sounds Effects
                      Denis "Piggy" D'Amour - Guitar & Sounds Effects
                     Michel "Away" Langevin - Drums, Keyboards & Sounds Effects
                    Pierre St. Jean - Studio Session Bass

Che dire ?  Meravigliosa composizione di un geniale gruppo. La voce di Bélanger, camaleontica come non mai, conduce l'ascoltatore in un lungo viaggio lisergico su temi alieni.

A New Journey

...e al fine, da una costola di ...Oscuri Presagi... ,nasce questa nuova creatura. Il suo scopo ? Puramente ed esclusivamente musicale. The journey begins...