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│ METAL CLASSICS ARCHIVE │
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│ │
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│ P R E S E N T S │
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│ + Vitalij Kuprij - Glacial Inferno / Revenge + │
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│ │
│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Information ║ │
│╠═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════╗ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Release Date.Mar-07-2010 Encoder......LAME 3.90 Modified ║ │
│║ Genre........Heavy Metal Graber.......EAC ║ │
│║ Year.........2007 Khz/Bitrate..44,1/ Br ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Ripper.......anthem Songs........cd1: 10 cd2: 10 ║ │
│║ Covers.......Yes Url... www.vitalijkuprij.com ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Notes ║ │
│╠═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════╗ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Artist : Vitalij Kuprij Rating : You Decide! ║ │
│║ Album : Glacial Inferno / Revenge Label : Lion Music ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Description : ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ This is probably more Vitalij Kuprij than any ║ │
│║ sane musical listener can handle. You get two ║ │
│║ full length albums for the price of one and a ║ │
│║ fourth (the double disc set does command a ║ │
│║ slightly higher sticker price, but still not as ║ │
│║ expensive as buying two individual discs. For ║ │
│║ fans of neo-classical metal, where song writing ║ │
│║ and sensible structuring takes a backseat to the ║ │
│║ spotlighted mind boggling instrumental breaks - ║ │
│║ this is an absolute treat. Michael Harris is a ║ │
│║ great guitarist in the spirit of Malmsteen and ║ │
│║ Kuprij is one of those absolutely insane ║ │
│║ keyboard players that makes magic out of the ║ │
│║ keyed instrument. In his hands, its a frenzied ║ │
│║ weapon that rains down relentlessly. This can be ║ │
│║ heard in his band Artension and in Ring of Fire. ║ │
│║ The Ukranian born keyboardist is well known, ║ │
│║ well loved, and for the niche he fills, ║ │
│║ deserving of all the attention. He's comparable ║ │
│║ in ranks to Andre Anderson of Royal Hunt and the ║ │
│║ ever lovable Jens Johansson. These are all ║ │
│║ wizards of the keys. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Vitalij has been standing out a bit more from ║ │
│║ the others lately. According to his press ║ │
│║ release he has been providing the piano for ║ │
│║ flute virtuoso James Galway and has also ║ │
│║ entertained with piano recitals at Carnegie ║ │
│║ Hall. Stepping a little out of the metal world ║ │
│║ are we? This has undoubtedly increased his ║ │
│║ visibility beyond the limited neo classical ║ │
│║ world of Artension and his solo works. Harris ║ │
│║ himself is no stranger to the guitar or being ║ │
│║ heralded as a master wizard either, having been ║ │
│║ the core of band Arch Rival in the 80s and in ║ │
│║ more recent years performing with David T. ║ │
│║ Chastain in Zanister. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Here you get two discs, first up is the ║ │
│║ instrumental solo disc "Glacial Inferno". This ║ │
│║ one is brand new for 2007 and finished up ║ │
│║ recording right at the tail end of 2006. It toes ║ │
│║ the line between fire and ice, with blistering ║ │
│║ sunny pieces like "Fire in the Sun" that ║ │
│║ explodes like sunflares, to the exotic warmth of ║ │
│║ the folksy "Dancing Flame" that teases and ║ │
│║ swirls like a desert flame. "Liquid Rain" pours ║ │
│║ down like little needles and takes cover for a ║ │
│║ blast of synthesizer antics. "Glacial Inferno" ║ │
│║ sweeps in with all the ice and cold of winter's ║ │
│║ fury and the epic sweep that recalls the giant ║ │
│║ iceblock of a glacier itself. Dark, frozen, ║ │
│║ terrifying in mass and destructive potential. ║ │
│║ "Burning Ice" is finger flying fun and "Dying to ║ │
│║ Live" is heavy weighted pleading desperation. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ All of these places and feelings painted only ║ │
│║ with music, sans words. Therein lies the ║ │
│║ difficulties of the album, being instrumental as ║ │
│║ it is, and somewhat of a themed album, "Glacial ║ │
│║ Inferno" struggles to set itself apart but falls ║ │
│║ prey to being too much of the same thing. As a ║ │
│║ technical piece, its a marvel, but for just the ║ │
│║ joy of listening, it becomes cumbersome and ║ │
│║ repetitive. A person's mind can only take so ║ │
│║ many keyboard solos before they all begin to ║ │
│║ sound the same, especially when they are ║ │
│║ relentless and neverending as they are here. An ║ │
│║ occasional outburst in the structured confines ║ │
│║ of a song, it is a rare, delightful treat. But ║ │
│║ here, when its the main and sometimes sole ║ │
│║ attraction, it is taken for granted and becomes ║ │
│║ part of the mind numbing flow. "Glacial ║ │
│║ Inferno", for all its talent brought forth, is ║ │
│║ still just an exercise in virtuosity and fails ║ │
│║ at being a cohesive disc that beckons long term ║ │
│║ enjoyment. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ "Revenge" is the second disc in this little two ║ │
│║ pack. Previously released only in Asian ║ │
│║ territories in 2005, now the rest of the world ║ │
│║ can experience more of Vitalij's keyboard antics ║ │
│║ but with an array of vocalists this time around. ║ │
│║ Its all very much like the Artension project, ║ │
│║ which he also heads, but with a theme this time. ║ │
│║ Its about hard times and trying to fight your ║ │
│║ way back out from hardship to the light. Very ║ │
│║ uplifting in theory but the execution often ║ │
│║ makes it come off as a weird extension of the ║ │
│║ Artension brand. That's simply Vitalij's style, ║ │
│║ his imprint. And this, being another of his ║ │
│║ projects is forced into that small world that ║ │
│║ spews forth his inspiration. Its a tiny box of ║ │
│║ goodies he works out of, but for those that are ║ │
│║ fans of the sound or need a neo-classical ║ │
│║ injection, on the double, they could fare worse ║ │
│║ than plundering through this keyboardist's ║ │
│║ emotional core and worked out solutions from his ║ │
│║ soul in "Revenge". ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Doogie White lends voice to "Burning My Soul", a ║ │
│║ track where he neither stands out nor fades ║ │
│║ away. He's just *there*, the voice for another ║ │
│║ high octane neo-classical wankfest workout. The ║ │
│║ chorus is a flat cat, wayside roadkill for the ║ │
│║ chaotic keyboard outbursts from Vitalij Kuprij. ║ │
│║ Then again if you paid your coin for this disc, ║ │
│║ that's likely what you are hoping for an ║ │
│║ expecting. If that's the case, you get your ║ │
│║ money's worth and tenfold, because even moreso ║ │
│║ than in Artension (which is already nauseatingly ║ │
│║ stuffed with keyboards) he runs wild here ║ │
│║ throwing virtuosic runs all over the song. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ "I Don't Believe In Love" delivers more of the ║ │
│║ same but with Doogie White sounding like frosty ║ │
│║ smoke in a cold wind and the song cooled down in ║ │
│║ places overall. Not quite as in-your-face ║ │
│║ on-fire, and still lacking a discernable hook ║ │
│║ that separates this song from the billions of ║ │
│║ other virtuosic displays of musical wankery. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ "Into the Void" is a cool track that beats an ║ │
│║ instrumental heart. The rhythm section is funky ║ │
│║ cool, keeping a steady quirky rhythm for Michael ║ │
│║ Harris' blistering guitar to bedazzle over. Its ║ │
│║ all very reminiscent of the prog/neo classical ║ │
│║ movement that occurred in the mid 90s. Apollo ║ │
│║ Papathanasio's vocals are commanding and quite ║ │
│║ striking in this setting. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ "Revenge" has power. It also has finesse and the ║ │
│║ return of Apollo. The vocals pour out in ║ │
│║ undoubted conviction and the guitars and keys ║ │
│║ twine around the soundscape with breathtaking ║ │
│║ agility. Its another amazing showcase workout of ║ │
│║ talent, but one that is pulled together to feel ║ │
│║ like a song instead of just an excuse to ║ │
│║ showboat. Good stuff, in that strong ║ │
│║ neo-classical vein. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ "Just Another Day" sees Goran Edman quirky ║ │
│║ enough to stand out amongst the musical ║ │
│║ invasion. His voice is a chameleon, able to work ║ │
│║ its way into almost any genre and come out ║ │
│║ smelling, not like a swampy lizard, but as sweet ║ │
│║ and mysterious as scarlet dew drop encrusted ║ │
│║ roses. Its the loveliness amongst the madness, ║ │
│║ bringing individuality and a sense of melody to ║ │
│║ the conforming chaos. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ "Classic War" is an instrumental fan's dream, ║ │
│║ plenty of cool performances, clashing together ║ │
│║ like two forces battling in some great war that ║ │
│║ we are privy to only through the context of this ║ │
│║ musician battlesong. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ "Emperor's Will" is darker heavier, hitting with ║ │
│║ force and vengeance, walking on the deathlier ║ │
│║ side of the metallic force. The grit, grind and ║ │
│║ darker themes, are a breath of musty air that ║ │
│║ feels so fresh amongst the crystal clean songs ║ │
│║ found elsewhere. This fits the voice of Shawn ║ │
│║ Leahy perfectly. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ "Follow Your Heart" seems to be born from the ║ │
│║ Malmsteen movement and has that midtempo pacing ║ │
│║ that is jammed with instrumentation in every ║ │
│║ available orifice. Strong, expressive vocals ║ │
│║ from Joe Lynn Turner, help to melt the ice that ║ │
│║ composes the song structures. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Goran Edman smashes "Stand Up and Fight" out of ║ │
│║ the ballpack. The keyboards and guitars dance ║ │
│║ and twirl like two ballerinas of destruction, ║ │
│║ dancing to doom on top of the thunder crunch ║ │
│║ rhythm section of Randy Coven's bass and John ║ │
│║ Macaluso's drumming. Edman manages to fly in ║ │
│║ amongst the instrumental backlash and leave his ║ │
│║ mark. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ "Let the Future Unfold" is a wonky wanna-be ║ │
│║ tearjerker that elicits more chuckles than it ║ │
│║ does soul stirring emotional outbursts. Its just ║ │
│║ so hokey, cheesey to the max. The sentiment is ║ │
│║ there but the delivery of it is abysmally silly. ║ │
│║ Chris Catena milks it to the point of being ║ │
│║ ridiculous. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ And that about wraps things up. Two discs, one ║ │
│║ instrumental, one with vocals (and still a few ║ │
│║ instrumentals), 21 songs in total...for the ║ │
│║ neoclassical lover, its not a bad deal at all. ║ │
│║ "Glacial Inferno", the vocal-less album is a ║ │
│║ nice curiosity. "Revenge" has a handful of ║ │
│║ decent tracks and the rest are average as songs, ║ │
│║ but masterful where performances are concerned. ║ │
│║ Their record label was smart to offer this as a ║ │
│║ package deal, because as a two disc set, its ║ │
│║ easier to recommend than if the two cds were ║ │
│║ left to fend for themselves on the market alone. ║ │
│║ "Revenge" also gets bonus points for featuring ║ │
│║ Doogie White, Joe Lynn Turner and Goran Edman, ║ │
│║ three singers that are fan favorites and always ║ │
│║ a delight to hear. Apollo also makes quite the ║ │
│║ impressional mark on the material. If this ║ │
│║ sparks your interest then Kuprij's twosome might ║ │
│║ be something worth looking into for your ║ │
│║ collection. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Discography ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ High Definition Full-length, 1997 ║ │
│║ Extreme Measures Full-length, 1998 ║ │
│║ VK3 Full-length, 1999 ║ │
│║ Works of Liszt and Chopin Full-length, 2001 ║ │
│║ Forward and Beyond Full-length, 2004 ║ │
│║ The Modern European Tradition Full-length, 2005 ║ │
│║ Revenge Full-length, 2005 ║ │
│║ Glacial Inferno & Revenge Best of/Compilation, ║ │
│║ 2007 ║ │
│║ Glacial Inferno Full-length, 2007 ║ │
│║ 12 Months of the Year Full-length, 2008 ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Tracklist ║ │
│╚═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════ │
│ │
│ - CD1-Glacial Inferno [ ] │
│ - [ ] │
│ 01 - Symphonic Force [04:17] │
│ 02 - Liquid Rain [05:47] │
│ 03 - Fire In The Sun [05:55] │
│ 04 - Glacial Inferno [06:01] │
│ 05 - Divided Horizon [05:39] │
│ 06 - dancing Flame [04:38] │
│ 07 - Forgive [02:15] │
│ 08 - Dying To Live [08:01] │
│ 09 - Burning Ice [05:27] │
│ 10 - Theme By Albinoni (European Bonus Track) [02:44] │
│ - [ ] │
│ - CD2-Revenge [ ] │
│ - [ ] │
│ 01 - Burning My Soul [04:57] │
│ 02 - I Don┤t Believe In Love [03:50] │
│ 03 - Into The Void [05:25] │
│ 04 - Revenge [04:43] │
│ 05 - Just Another Day [04:05] │
│ 06 - Classic War [09:40] │
│ 07 - Emperor┤s Will [05:12] │
│ 08 - Follow Your Heart [04:55] │
│ 09 - Stand Up And Fight [04:57] │
│ 10 - Let The Future Unfold [06:54] │
│ │
│ Total Length : [105:2] min │
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│ ╔═════════════════════╗ │
│ ║ Greetings To: ║ │
│ ╚═════════════════════╝ │
│ │
│ Too all people who contributes to make this │
│ archive of good music in a exceptional conditions │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│■ ■│
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘