Battleangel

A little something to look forward to. The fall of 2006 holds enormous potential. In selection:

• Rogue’s Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys (August 22)
• Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death (August 25)
• Blind Guardian - A Twist in the Myth (September 5)
• Elane - Lore of Nén (September)
• Rhapsody of Fire - Triumph or Agony (September 25)
• Evanescence - The Open Door (October 3)
• Hammerfall - Threshold (October 23)
• Loreena McKennitt - As of yet untitled (Late fall?)
• Iron Savior - As of yet untitled (Late fall?)

I bring up Hammerfall just for old times’ sake. They don’t inspire nearly the same level of confidence as they did when they first formed.

Rogue’s Gallery is probably the most refreshing release to come out this year. The seasongs and shanties are sorely missed these days and are literal treasure troves of material, culture and atmosphere. Probably the best thing to come out of the otherwise dismal and embarrassingly infantile sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean.

Of course, the new McKennitt album is a monumental, though little publicized, happening in the world of music. Veiled in the usual secrecy and humility and slated for a fall 2006 release, it will be Loreena’s first studio album since The Book of Secrets in 1997.

As for Rhapsody of Fire, formerly known as Rhapsody, the bizarre twist seems to be that they were threatened by the music disservice, Rhapsody.com.

I also noted that Sarah Brightman is in Abbey Road studio 1 recording material for her new album. I don’t have a clue when it will be out though.

Missed anything good?