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Review: Following on from 1989's majorly successful and admittedly more commercial sounding fourth full-length Intuition, Trondheim glam metal-tinged hard rock heroes TNT would find themselves on the radar and eventual roster of Atlantic Records, who in 1992, would distribute the band's fifth album and first on the major label, Realized Fantasies. Praised by fans for its exceptional production with ludicrously bombastic percussion the whole way through, the project saw a sonic retracing of their more hardened edges, so as not to lose sight of their creative prowess. That being said, cuts such as the cheerful 'Easy Street' and epic ballad 'Lionheart' seem like they were purposefully designed to keep snooting record label execs off their proverbial backs. Never mind what glassy eyed nostalgia-baters say, Realized Fantasies goes hard as hell while delivering barrages of riffage, melody and playfully epic grandeur.

Review: Originally released in 1995, Dogs Of War served as the 12th full-length from Barnsley metal legends Saxon, and not only marked a pivotal sonic turn towards embracing a more anthemic hard rock-tinged approach than ever previously heard, but also a major line-up shift. Cutting founding member Graham Oliver's almost two decade tenure short by one year, the LP would be the guitarist's last with his bandmates after it was discovered that he had overseen the sale of a 1980 live bootleg to which he kept all profits. Not very cool, and not very metal, but thankfully his last licks across this record are very much both.

Review: Not including the 2000 Diamonds & Nuggets compilation, 2001's Killing Ground would mark the first album of the 21st century, and 15th overall full-length from Barnsley metal titans Saxon. Distancing themselves sonically from the more hard rock-oriented approach taken on Dogs Of War or Unleash The Beast, the material here felt like a purposeful re-shift towards classic metallic song structure, complete with frenetic riffage and epic compositions. Most notable for offering easily the best latter day cut from the legends with 'The Court of the Crimson King', as well as serving as the last entry from drummer Firtz Randow, Killing Ground triumphed where so many seasoned metal veterans falter, by marrying their long-established sonic ethos to modern techniques whilst retaining their identity.

Review: English heavy-metal band Diamond Head was formed in Stourbridge by guitarist Brian Tatler and drummer Duncan Scott in 1976. Part of the new wave of British heavy metal, even the most famous bands in the category - Metallica, Megadeth, etc. - acknowledge Diamond Head as among the few pioneers to popularise the sound after a long nascence, not to mention their creditors. On Borrowed Time, one can hear that Diamond Head are still informed by ballad rock, highlighting the mid-heyday developments of the sound in the 1970s. Now reissued by Music On Vinyl, this edition is faithful to later versions, adding their signature song 'Am I Evil?' into the mix; the cherry on top to an already amazing, formative heavy metal album.

Review: Barnsley heavy metal legends Saxon originally released their 11th studio album Forever Free in 1992, though it would be quickly reissued in the UK with an alternate Warhammer 40,000 inspired cover including a biker Space Marine. Reissued by Demon over a decade ago on CD, a vinyl repress is long since overdue and now the beautiful people over at Music On Vinyl have opted to re-distribute the underrated seasoned gem on translucent blue vinyl with the 180 gram numbered audiophile treatment. Reliably mammoth riffs and soaring hooks abound, though the project is most noted for featuring an eclectic reimagining of Willie Dixon's blues classic 'Just Wanna Make Love to You', popularised by the incomparable Muddy Waters.

Review: The highly anticipated eighth full-length from Dutch symphonic metal legends Within Temptation comes four arduous years since the release of 2019's overlooked Resist. Hindered by global lockdown due to the COVID pandemic putting up barriers and blocks in the midst of the prolific collective's recording process, singles have been slowly drip-fed to the masses over the past few years with anthemic closer 'Entertain You' first being unveiled all the way back in the summer of 2020. In fact, more than half of the album's tracklist has already been released as several cuts were originally intended to serve as standalone singles, but purists can finally breathe a sigh of relief and rejoice at locking down the entire collection in its purest form with the official release of the somewhat aptly titled Bleed Out.

Review: Swiss hard rock and heavy metal band Krokus are one of the outfits with a cult following who worship their every move. As such this Best Of might not be for them but instead serves as a great overview for newly curious fans. Stayed Awake All Night / The Best Of Krokus compiles their greatest hits and most lively rock riffs from tunes they made between 1982 and 1986 and it originally came in 1989. It shows them to be a band who know how to write a hook and thrash out a rhythm and sits them up there alongside the likes of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.