| Millenium Jericho | Metal Heaven |
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No matter how hard I try, I just haven't been able to find a lot of time for this album. I absolutely loved the band's last release with vocalist Jorn Lande up front, but this is a different beast entirely. This is a heavier and rawer set of songs, without the grandiose arrangements and multiple layers featured on Hourglass. It's not the direction of the album that has me perplexed though. Jorn has left and original vocalist Todd Plant has returned. He is a good metal vocalist, but in this instance I can't warm to his performance on this album. Perhaps we were overly spoilt with the all-round brilliance of Hourgalss. Todd Plant's vocals are also a lot gruffer than those of the smoother Lande and take some getting used to. It could also be the songs featured here – I don't find them half as memorable as the last couple of albums either. Don't get me wrong, it's a solid album and a number of people are going to enjoy the record, but it's nowhere near as strong as Hourglass and in my mind, is also behind Angelfire. And I believe the majority of fans will agree with that. I think the main problem is that fans have waited so long for this record and it follows what was easily the band's strongest material. Tracks like the opening number My Saving Grace just don't have any kind of memorable moments to grab hold of. Morning Star is one of the better tracks – it's a darker and moodier track and is closer to the sound of the last album and one could imagine Jorn Lande singing this. Wheel Of Fortune is another solid song with some good hard hitting vocals from Todd and some big riffing from Santolla. Let There Be Light is another ok track – a solid uptempo straight ahead rocker.
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29/08/04: Todd Carper - metalhead7@msn.com
17/08/04: Alistair - alistairc_2000@yahoo.co.uk
07/08/04: IAN - ian_752@msn.com
07/08/04: Robert Jason - robert_jason@hotmail.com
06/08/04: Freddy De Keyzer - freddydekeyzer@hotmail.com
Rating: 79
This is a VERY good album with GREAT individual players. What would have made it better for me was a little variation in the material offered. How about a memorable ballad or slower tempo'd piece to give the album some light and shade to go with the bombast??? Ralph Santolla is a fantastic player as is Shane French and the rest of the band. I also find that Todd Plant has a very good voice for Ralph's writing. The songs are solid and get better with repeated listening. All that was needed was a standout track (or two) to put it in that place we all want to go with our music, our melodic "happy" place. I hope this group stays together and does another platter, this is not a bad effort at all and darn close to where they want to be in the end. Hey guys, let's do it again!
Rating: 90
I think that this is an excellent album. The first track my saving grace is a classic. Which starts aor turns in to classic the goes a bit prog. Superb. The rest of the album is excellent also. Well worth 14 euros of anyone's money.
Rating: 85
I like this album a lot . Although not as immediate as other MILLENIUM cds it has many hidden depths , which if given the chance come to the surface and shine. The harmonies and melodies aren't always as in your face as say the ANGELFIRE or HOURGLASS records but given a chance they worm their way into your brain and refuse to leave. MILLENIUM have had a ton of bad press with this cd , most of it complaining about it being to heavy in approach , but i feel this is down to RALPH SANTOLLAS membership of SEVEN WITCHES and ICED EARTH ,maybe he was in a heavier frame of mind when he wrote this . All in all a strong album that just needs a little patience , if you give it some you'll be rewarded in the end.
Rating: 75
I am not to familar with all of Millenium`s work, I do have Hourglass and that is really good but everything Jorn does has been good, now on this release I like it I saw Ralph Santolla play with Iced Earth at the House Of Blues in New Orleans and his playing is awesome, overall a decent record. I can`t wait to hear Ralph`s new work with Seb Bach.
Rating: 65
I totally agree with Andrew on this one ! It's not bad, but not that good either !
It's one of the more average records of this band. Even Todd is not happy with this release. No new Hourglass I'm afraid and the record from Todd with Cryptic Vision is head and shoulders above this release.
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