WINTERLONG: The second coming CD..CHECK samples

Sweden's power metal kings return with a new line-up that features drummers Anders Johansson (Hammerfall) and Andreas Lill(Vanden Plas)

CHECK samples:
www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B0000A9DOX/ref=pd_krex_dp_a

Lion Music, June 21st, 2003

Thorbjörn Englund - Guitars, Bass
Session Members:
Mikael Holm - Vocals
Mistheria - Keyboards
Andreas Lill - Drums
Anders Johansson - Drums

1. Locking Up the Gates 00:55
2. Twisting My Tail 04:53
3. Northman 04:53
4. Retaliation 05:17
5. We'll be Immortals 05:07
6. Call of the Wild 01:12
7. Wild Winter Nights 05:32
8. In Worlds of Illusions 05:16
9. Ride into the Skies 04:14
10. Messiah 00:42
11. Evolution 05:31
12. Aurora Borealis (A new beginning) 03:52
Total playing time 47:24

As the title says, this is the second album (duh!) from nordic metal warriors Winterlong. Mikael Holm is totally unknown to me but has a great potential as a singer. Think a little Ronnie James Dio, a little Roy Khan, maybe a little Tobias Sammet.. and you'll get the idea. As for drummers, two guys are used - Andreas Lill and Andreas Johansson (yes the drummer from Hammerfall) and both do their job pretty good so no complaints. Thorbjörn handles the guitars and bass himself, and sorry to say it but the bass is kind of lost in the mix, which isn't that rare in power metal but still. His guitar playing is flawless as usual, although it's alot of Yngwie in there. Then there's some subtle keyboards handled my Mistheria, which really isn't that much to talk about.
As for the music, sure it's mostly heavy/power metal but actually it's also a bit progressive in its places, something that surprised me but then again apparently Thorbjörn took a little inspiration from Dream Theater (instead of Manowar) this time. It should be said that he wrote the entire album by himself also.