New & Next
by
Various Artists - "WOW" Series Don't get me wrong, this is a great album, but the CD art, liner notes, and tray card mentions that Josh Wilson's "Before The Morning" is featured. This is however an error. Instead, his song "Sing" is...
Piikki Lihassa
by
HB In the late summer of 2008, Bullroser Records and HB announced that that a new album was in the works called [i][b]PIIKKI LIHASSA[/b][/i] which translated in english is "Thorn in Flesh".
In fall of...
Make Some Noise
by
Krystal [b]NON RELEVANT INFORMATION[/b]: At the time of writing this review, I will be 33 years old two weeks from writing this.
[b]THE REVIEW[/b]
Overall, when I started listening to this CD, I found myself...
Wow-New, Next, and Oops | Posted August-24-2010
Don't get me wrong, this is a great album, but the CD art, liner notes, and tray card mentions that Josh Wilson's "Before The Morning" is featured. This is however an error. Instead, his song "Sing" is featured on the CD.
HB's PIIIKKI LIHASSA: no thorn in my review here | Posted December-25-2008
In the late summer of 2008, Bullroser Records and HB announced that that a new album was in the works called [i][b]PIIKKI LIHASSA[/b][/i] which translated in english is "Thorn in Flesh".
In fall of 2008, [b]Maanalainen levykauppa - The Underground Record Store[/b] located in Finland released the album cover of the album. Many fans of HB (including me) were shocked with the cover, thinking that HB decided to go "hardcore" with their music (especially seeing vocalist Johanna Aaltonen "screaming" on the cover). The cover should not be judged too quickly. This is not a hardcore album.
[i][b]PIIKKI LIHASSA[/b][/i] has more synthesizers than symphony ,as well as more male vocals being used, in comparison to the previous two albums([i]Frozen Inside[/i] and [i]Enne[/i]), which is NOT a setback though.
[i][b]PIIKKI LIHASSA[/b][/i] (like the previous two albums, has some classical music feel (with a little bit of classic rock feel too. Below are my thoughts of each song (please note, I am reviewing on the merits of style rather than lyrical-I do not know Finnish, although I have used translating sites for help).
[i]Jeremia[/i] (aka-Jeremiah): this song is like a "roller-coster", starts out slow, then fast, then slow then fast. Lyricaly, using scripture in talking about Jeremiah (the liner notes show the scriptural references Jeremiah 1:6-10, Exodus 4:10-12, and Ezekiel 33:8-9). This song is a great one though.
[i]Minä Olen[/i] (aka-I AM): This song is a rocker. This song (just like [i]Jeremia[/i] uses scriptural reference (Ezekiel 10:3-9). The song is a great mix of male and female vocals. This was the first song that was released to the public on HB's Myspace webpage (www.myspace.com/hbmetal). Excellent.
[i]Hanki Elämä 2[/i] (aka-Get a Life 2): This song could be seen as a continuation of [i]Hanki Elämä[/i] from [b]Enne[/b]. I was expecting the same instrumentals from the first song to be used in this one. Nope. New music was used on this one. When I first heard this one, I thought this song could have been done by Petra on their 1990 [b]Beyond Belief[/b] album. Excellent though.
[i]Ilo Herrassa[/i] (aka-Rejoicing Man): This one is my favorite track on this CD. This song perfectly blends both classical music with classic rock hooks. This one is a rocker and this one is something that Stryper could have done. Great one.
[i]Hylkäsitkö Minut[/i] (aka-Did You Desert Me?): This one is a "ballad" and this one uses a piano lead with other symphonic instruments. Very classically influenced. A nice one though.
[i]Sana[/i] (aka-Word): This one is a slow-rocker that progressively gets faster. Annti is the featured solo-ist in this song. This song could be used in Sunday School for a lesson on the principle writers of the Bible as well as geneolgy. Great.
[i]Turvapaikka[/i] (aka-Asylum): This song is a rocker that has a few highlights of make vocals. Good song.
[i]Hän Pitää Kädestäs Kiinni[/i] (aka-He Keeps Hands Shut): another ballad using Piano/symphonic. Kind of a sad feeling though. Good song too.
[i]Piikki Lihassa[/i] (aka-Thorn in Flesh): This song almost reminds me of Petra's [i]Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows[/i] and HB's [i]God Has All Glory[/i]. It sounds like it could be a ballad, then it suddenly becomes a rocker. A great song.
[i]Alttarilaulu[/i] (aka-Altar Call): This songs reminds me of my days in Boy Scouts during the campfire. The end of the campfire, everything becomes very serious. This song is a ballad (and it is an acoustic song-this song could easily been done in the 1970's to 1980's). This song in english means "Altar Call". In all altar calls, a general invitation to receive Christ is done. HB does that on here. A great finisher.
In all, HB does NOT disapoint. Already HB has reveived requests of making an english version of this album (and I welcome it). If you like symphonic music, you will like this too.
A review from a (soon-to-be) 33 Year old guy. | Posted December-07-2008
[b]NON RELEVANT INFORMATION[/b]: At the time of writing this review, I will be 33 years old two weeks from writing this.
[b]THE REVIEW[/b]
Overall, when I started listening to this CD, I found myself "transported" back to my childhood, remembering pop radio from the 1980's. Boy, did my "inner musical child" awaken. This CD is great, tonewise (although a departure from her previous CDs).
She tackles various topics on this CD, from expressing her faith, image, and this and that.
The songs on this CD may help a teen or young adult face critical issues. I really liked the song "Beautiful Tonight" which tackled the issue of "Beauty" and talking about the dangers that teens (and young adults) face.
To me, the title cut talks about the need to testify the faith while "Shine" (not to be confused with Newsboy's song with the same title) talks about being daring to tell the world that she/we cannot hide our shine to the world.
The song "S.O.S." is clearly a prayer set to song about needing Christ for salvation.
The other songs have great themes too. Just check out the lyrics and you will see what I mean.
Overall, I am impressed with this CD and I hope for the best for Ms. Meyers. Bravo Krystal.
HB- | Posted October-05-2008 PLEASE NOTE: Those in North America who has DVD players that can play both PAL and NTSC DVDs can view this DVD.
ALSO: For some reason, someone (NOT ME) made the live concert available on Youtube.
Anyhoo, here is my review.
Luckily, my brother has a DVD player that can play videos in the PAL format (if he didn't, I would be 'shafted"). The "main course" (the HB concert that was recorded live Turkuhalli at the 2006 Maata Näkyvissä Festival) was both recorded great, the sound was awesome, and the concert was great too. Check out the songlist on this page. Essentially, six of the eight songs performed was from their Enne and two of the songs came from their first album Uskon Puolesta. The concert footage was great, but the downside of this is that they should have had more testimonials given during the concert (however, they did show up on the Deleted Scenes section of the disc. 4 1/2 stars.
The Bonus features are also great.
Can You Road follows the adventure of HB as they prepare to go to various concerts. Things go well for them. Well.....
This is a nice documentary. 4 stars
Photo Gallery: This is a slideshow set to music showing various photos of HB on tour as well as publicity shots. If you like slideshows, this one might be up your alley. 4 stars.
Show: This is a series of home movies (or "bootleg" footage) of HB in various concerts. Not bad though seeing some of their earlier songs being performed live. The gem in this section is the song "Turhaa Tärinää? (the original Finnish version of the song Frozen Inside) at a concert in Alajäru. This is the only way that english speaking people can hear "Frozen Inside as it was originally written and performed. The CD single is out of print. This section gets 3.95 Stars.
DELETED SCENES shows what did not make the concert section.
Turku Meeting: This shows HB as they prepare for the concert at the festival. The pray for the concert, and chat of how the concert will be like. 4 stars
Can You Road, Part 2: This continues where Can You Road, Part 1 left off. We see additonal footage of HB as they say farewell to guitarist Keijo Kauppinen. 3.95 Stars.
Speaker's Corner: This shows a scene that was deleted from the concert section of Johanna giving a sermonette (which should been left intact to give the concert a "Church" feel).
Ordinarily, I would give this one 4 1/2 stars, but when another footage of Antti was shown at another concert, for some reason, a word that he said was "loosely" translated into the (from the subtitles) "s-bomb". Perhaps, another word could have been used instead.
And one more footage of another concert shows Tumas letting people that they can get their CDs after the show.
Overall, this is a nice piece (with the exception of the "bad translation"). 3 stars.
Janne On Spot: Shows the newest guitarist, Janne Karhunen, with his amazing guitar skills. Kinda cool, though. 4 stars
Trailer: This shows the advertizement of this disc. Kinda cool of seeing this advertized. 4 1/2 stars.
Credits: Shows a single "screen-slide" of the people behind the creation of the DVD. Nothing fancy here. 2 1/2 stars.
OVERALL: This is a nice DVD to watch. I really liked to see on this disc HB perform (in the words of the wrestling legend, Dusty Rhodes) live and living color. My overall grade is 4 stars (reviewing a DVD is somewhat different than reviewing a CD/mp3). I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE (with the exception of the "bad translation").
HB's | Posted October-02-2008
Every band needs to have an album that lets people what they sound like. There are some bands that explore many ranges. HB does this with "Uskon Puolesta". Unlike "Enne" and "Frozen Inside", there is no symphony used for this album (instead, keyboards).
Again, I am six shy of a six pack in my knowledge of Finnish (I have no knowledge of the Finnish language) However, like Enne, I am rating the album on the basis of the music style.
Below is a list of each song and what they sound like and what other song that each song can be compared to.
TRACK ONE: Himoa
Sounds like: hard rock/metal (kinda like POD's "Coming Back")
TRACK TWO: Uskon Puolesta
Sounds like: techno-metal (kinda like Code of Ethics' song "Hallelujah 2000")
TRACK THREE: Vain Yski Mahdollisuus
Sounds like: medium hard rock (in the range of Petra's song "Set For Life" but a tad harder)
TRACK FOUR: Käsiisi Sun
Sounds like: Power Ballad (in the range of Stryper's "Honestly")
TRACK FIVE: Eksynyt
Sounds like: Hard rocker (in the range of Michael Sweet's song "Truth")
TRACK SIX: Tee Mulle
Sounds like: a straight rocker. (in the range of Plumb's song "Sobering")
TRACK SEVEN: Hän Puhuu (my favorite, uh favourite track)
Sounds like: hard rock/rap-core (in the range of Bride's song "Too Tired"). Yes, Johanna does rap in this song.
TRACK EIGHT: Huominen Ei Kuole Koskaan
Sounds like: a slow rocker (in the range of Petra's "Judas's Kiss").
TRACK NINE: Taivaaseen?
Sounds like: Power-Ballad (in the range of BarlowGirl's "Song for the Broken" but slower.
Overall, this album seems to be an experimental album (not that is a bad thing). This album is enjoyable and is a great start for Finland's top Christian Rock band. I am grateful that this album, along with two of the other later albums (and the DVD Can You Road? are in the states. This album deserves a 4 1/2 stars. Again, this is a great start for HB. Bravo HB.
On a side note, Tracks 5 and 6 on the tray card is in incorrect order. Track 5 shows "Tee Mulle" while track 6 shows "Eksynyt". That is incorrect, it is this: Track five is "Eksynyt" and Track six is "Tee Mulle"
HB's ENNE is an OMEN to a great Finnish album | Posted October-02-2008
Before I talk about this album, another favourite (or favorite) groups was PETRA. In 1992 they released Petra: En Alabanza (the spanish version of their 1989 album Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out and in 2004, Petra released the spanish version of their 2003 project,Jekyll & Hyde. Basically, the the same studio instrumental tracks were used. The only difference was the vocals (lead and background) were re-recorded.
NOW, LET'S SHIFT TO HB.
Picture the year 2008. HB was taking one of their successful albums and completely remaking that album in English. Almost like a construction crew taking a beautiful house and gutting the house inside-out, leaving only the framework and foundation. Later on, the construction crew completely rebuilds the house. The reconstruction of the house makes the house look even better.
That is what HB did with their 2006 album Enne and reconstructed it to make their 2008 album Frozen Inside.
Now, flashback to 2006, when Enne was released.
Anyhoo, here is my review. PLEASE NOTE, I do not know a lick of Finnish, therefore I will be reviewing on the merit of the music of the songs as well as comparisons of this album with Frozen Inside.
The track list is as follows: TRACK ONE: Intro
FINNISH OF: Intro (Holy One)
PLEASE NOTE, this one has instrumentals. The english version is acapella.
TRACK TWO: Herralle Kiitos
FINNISH OF: God Has All Glory
TRACK THREE: Hanki Elämä
FINNISH OF: It Is Time
TRACK FOUR: Uskon Siemen
FINNISH OF: Holy Secret
TRACK FIVE: Valvokaa
FINNISH OF: Be Aware
TRACK SIX: Tie
FINNISH OF: Way
TRACK SEVEN: Yksin Armosta
FINNISH OF: Years Go By
TRACK EIGHT: Kunnia
FINNISH OF: Ambition
TRACK NINE: Ratkaisu
THE ONLY TRACK NOT RE-DONE IN ENGLISH. Like the song "Way" on Frozen Inside, this song has someone giving a sermon (spoken word) and an altar call.
TRACK TEN: Jeesus On Herra
FINNISH OF: Lovesong
MY REVIEW
Overall, my feelings about this album is almost like my review on Frozen Inside, but the songs almost seem raw to me (and that is not too bad of a thing either). This was an indie project while Frozen Inside was not. The instruments were "near polished" while the english version seemed more "polished".
I loved the use of the sermonette in track nine and this could be seen "unusual" because some CDs have this as a hidden-track. I'm glad that HB did not do that.
For a grade, I will give this a 4 1/2 stars, due to me being spoiled with Frozen Inside (since I bought FI first then this one). If you understand Finnish, this one is a must have. If you do not understand it, well, this one might pass as a simple symphonic metal album (with Christian lyrics, mind you).
HB's | Posted October-04-2008
First of all, this is my second review of HB's Frozen Inside. Again, (besides the title track) this album is the English version of their previous album (Enne). Unlike my first review (http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=2051), this is a much detailed review. The grade is still A and has not been lowered, rather it is better than when I first received it. Allow me to give a review of each song individually.
TRACK ONE:Intro (Holy One)
ENGLISH OF: Intro
TOPIC: Simple Prayer
REVIEW: This song is an accapella. This has Johanna singing without instruments. To me, this sounds like that she is praying to God. For an accapella, this song is very beautiful.
TRACK TWO:God Has All Glory
ENGLISH OF: Herralle Kiitos
TOPIC: Giving Praise to God after converting to Christ
REVIEW: Instrmentally, this song starts out like it could be start of an opera, then the song thunders out as a "full octaine symphonic metal song". Johanna, again proves that even sopranos can do metal too. She sounds very emotional in this song.
The mix of the metal band, symphony, and the choir blended very well in this song. This song is my Top Pick on the entire album.
TRACK THREE:It Is Time
TOPIC: (excuse me for saying this) GET OFF YOUR REAR AND SPREAD THE GOSPEL. A Message to the Christian Community
ENGLISH OF: Hanki Elämä
REVIEW: This song sounds like a pure metal song (with keyboards and other instruments) mixed in (kinda reminincent of 80's metal, but with a modern twist).
To me, Johanna sounds a tad angry in the beginning of this song. Angry, perhaps that there are those in the Christian community that are not spreading the gospel to the masses. Hey, Read Matthew 28 with this.
The first chorus is a prayer to God, simply asking for help in this fallen world.
The second verse is a challenge to the Christian community of what to do. Then the second chorus tells us there is nothing to worry about. Read Psalm 23.
Overall, this is my second favorite song on this album. There is a hint of "hard-core" vocals in this song.
TRACK FOUR:Be Aware
TOPIC: A Warning. A need to be vigilant in the last days.
ENGLISH OF: Valvokaa
REVIEW: Instumentally, this song is very haunting. Vocally, also haunting. Lyrics also haunting.
In a scheme of things, it sounds like HB took some verses from St. John (The Revelator), and set it to music. The song warns us that the end-times is coming (soon?). The chorus says it all: "Be Aware, The Lord is coming"
This song also warns us that we need to be careful who to follow. Christ, not the Anti-Christ. And tells us that we need to allow God to use for HIS purpose. A great song.
TRACK FIVE:Holy Secret
TOPIC: Another Prayer set in Song
ENGLISH OF: Uskon Siemen
To put the 80's term, this could be seen as a "power ballad". Instrumentally, the use of metal and orchestra again gelled well. The song "quietly thunders" in the chorus that declares that Christ is the our Lord.
Lyrically, this could be a songs that talks about reflecting on the past of how we were once sinners, but accept Christ.
Overall, this song is beautiful.
TRACK SIX:Frozen Inside The Title Track
TOPIC: An inside look from a sinner's perspective
ENGLISH OF: Turhaa Tärinää? (the orignal version was recorded on the single of that song).
This song, instrumentally, starts out like a ballad, then the songs goes "at full throttle", then the second verse goes back to slow, and so on. Not bad. This song, instrumentally, is great.
Lyrically, who has not felt like what the song said though. We have all sinned, though some have thought that there is no way that God can "thaw" us inside.
TRACK SEVEN:Years Go By
TOPIC: Broken Lives
ENGLISH OF: Yksin Armosta
REVIEW: Lyrically, this song talks about a couple of people whose lives have been wrecked (more likely, by Satan). It is very touching.
Instrumentally, this song is a "mid-range" song, not too hard, not too slow.
TRACK EIGHT:Ambition
TOPIC: We are the messengers, not message makers.
ENGLISH OF: Kunnia
Lyrically, this song talks about people who wanted to present the Gospel. They did not want to take the glory from God, but rather than giving glory to God. This song reminds us that we need to give the glory, not get the glory from God.
Instrumentally, this song is another "high-octaine" song. Again, everything gelled well here. I can almost sense a classical influence here. A great one here.
TRACK NINE:Way
TOPIC: Winding down here. It is time to repent and accept Jesus.
ENGLISH OF: Tie
REVIEW: Lyrically, I have to agree with other reviews of this song. This is indeed a sermon set to song. This song gets to the heart of the matter. We need to accept Christ and repent of our sins.
Instrumentally, this a ballad here. For the most part, this song used heavy ammounts of orchestra, and a little "metal".
Normally (in other CDs) the "altar call" is a hidden track...not here. Half-way, Ari Paloheimo (a backing vocalist) came in and talk the need to accept Christ and gave in invitation to HIM.
After Ari's part, Johanna returns to finish the song.
I REALLY love this song.
TRACK TEN:Lovesong
TOPIC: Praise The Lord.
ENGLISH OF: Jeesus On Herra
Lyrically, this song gives adoration to God. Instrumental, this starts out as a quiet symphonic song, then it goes into and finishes out as a "power ballad" I can listen to this song over and over and never get tired of it.
THE ALBUM AS A WHOLE: This album is a great package. Instrumentally, the mix of Metal, "classical", and symphonic music, along with choir (used as a choir, and maybe as a piece of percussion) gelled well together. Johanna again proved that even sopranos can do metal too.
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