Customer Reviews

Avenger

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Aska's previous CD, Nine Tongues, had it's moments. Overall, it was not a great CD. However, the one thing Nine Tongues did contain, was promise. Avenger is that promise fulfilled.

This CD is simply more mature, in every possible way, then their previous offerings. From the rythm section, to the guitar leads, to the lyrics, to George Call's singing, Aska has transformed themselves from weekend warriors, into a band poised to take their place among the genre's elite.

If you have never heard Aska's music, I believe they could be best desribed as a combination of Iron Maiden and Manowar, with touches of Queensryche sprinkled in for good measure.

This CD takes off from the opening track, Crown of Thorns (my favorite track on the CD), and never loses momentum. There is really no point in mentioning a few standout tracks, because in truth, they all stand out.

I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to point out George Call's awesome vocal talents. George has one of those voices, that is just tailor-made for the heavy metal genre.

Three words... buy this CD.

Let me get right to the crux of the matter- This cd is so cool, so true in it's metal content, that it surpasses just about everything and anything out there today, professional or independent. Bank on it. Sounding like an unholy union of the best of the best within the metal genre, ASKA nonetheless manages to forge a sound and identity of their own and have crafted a unique disc, part concept album and all METAL! One listen to disc opener CROWN OF THORNS and it becomes immediately apparent that this band is for real- right here, right now. Get on board or prepare to get steamrolled out of the way. My one word of caution to anyone contemplating buying this record: If you're NOT into metal...then don't bother cuz this is nothing but! Worth mentioning: Vocalist George Call. This guy could be in a singing competition with Dickinson, Halford, Dio, Tate, or Midnight (ex-Crimson Glory) and not be the slightest bit nervous. This is the band metalheads will be talking about in the near future and this will probably be the disc credited. Get it now and join the revolution early! While the rest of the civilized world dances to the latest sissy boy band beat I'll be happy defying convention with ASKA's AVENGER!! I'd give this thing ten stars but five's the limit.

I first heard of Aska back in 1994 in the service when they did a USO tour. At the time I thought they were a good covers band but didn't like their original material, they were touring on their "Immortal" album. Years later I looked them up on the Internet out of curiosity and found their website. At the time their whole Avenger album was available for download so for the hell of it I downloaded it. The change was amazing. Songs like "Crown of Thorns" and "Imperial Rome" became instant favorites of mine. When I bought the CD I kept it in my truck CD player for a year straight. Fans of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest Manowar will love this CD from beginning to end. The argument can certainly be made that its not "original" but what is? It also doesn't try to be. These guys wear their influences with pride, "Crown of Thorns" could've been a Judas Priest track, the bass line from "Leather" is pure Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) worship and on and on.
Bottom line if you are looking for a good rocking album from beginning to end that includes heavy influence from classic metal bands then pick this up.

I read these other reviews and some say it's great, some are saying so-so. I down loaded "Crown of Thorns" and thought good song but not great. I left it in rotation on my media player and after a few rotations, it just got better and better. Next thing I know, I can't get this song out of my head. So I bought the CD. After listing to once, I thought the same about the rest of songs on the disk, good but not great. But since I just paid sixteen plus dollars for the disk I gave it a few more spins. Holy wonder bread Batman, I was consumed. I now realized the masterminding they put into this CD. The songs get deeper the more I listen to them. I swear I hear something new on every listen. I have never heard an independent band put out a CD of this quality. The booklet screams quality too, it has eighteen pages full of pictures, twenty if you count the front and back. I don't think the reviewers who panned this album gave it enough spins.
My favorites this week are "Crown of Thorns", "Leather", "Escape Victorious", "Against the Gods", and "Valkyries". I now have "Nine Tongues" on order and can't wait for the next CD, their website say's it's coming soon.

'Avenger' is powerful, melodic, and in-your-face metal! It takes you back to the glory days of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and other great metal acts that we have grown to love and respect. The lyrical content of this cd speaks well for itself. If you love a great story and great music you will find it all in this album. The vocalist, George Call, has become a great friend of mine and I have come to respect all the members of ASKA for their musical talent, song writing abilities, and their undying loyalty to their fans. Put the cd in your player, sit back and close your eyes and be ready for the journey of a lifetime!

I had never heard of these guys until they went on their recent DoD/USO tour of Japan and Korea. They were on the radio here at Yokota Air Base, Japan doing an interview and I was lucky enough to be the second caller in to win their Avenger CD. So I drove to the station to collect my winnings and met all the guys. Little did they know, the metal god of Yokota Air Base, me, had won. How appropriate. Upon listening to the disc I immediately spotted hints of Ronnie James Dio and Jag Panzer. Overall, an excellent disc. George Call is a very good vocalist and there are plenty of riffs ala Maiden, Panzer, and Dio. Pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

for those of you who have never heard of aska, "whoa unto you" these guys are absolutley the best thing to hit metal since kiss. the first three cd's and the six song ep, were just a warm up for the grandest of the grand...AVENGER... from the driving bass lines of keith knight, to the ear pounding drum beats of jason sweat, these guys have come of age. darren knapps elaquent yet skull splitting guitar riffs leave you on the edge of euphoria. and when its over, you need to take a short break just to collect yourself. as for george call's vocals...what can be said that hasn't already been said... you can roll paul stanley, bruce dickinson,and rob halford into one person and still not touch the vocal range and ability of one mr. call. why these guys aren't on a major label or headlining a major us tour is beyond my relm of understanding. i guess this shows how much the "major marketeers" have turned a deaf ear to metal. if i were on a desert island and could only have one cd....this would be it. long live AVENGER. ASKA ROCKS

Put "Avenger" (2000) into your CD player and you'll wonder if Aska invented a practical time machine. The first track, "Crown of Thorns", not only sounds a lot like Judas Priest's "Desert Plains" from Point of Entry (1981), but it also features sound clips from the movie Excalibur (1981).

Once the initial Priest worship is over, Aska settles into an Omen meets Manowar sound (with occasional Iron Maiden influences).

Aska's George Call is a very good lead singer in the mold of the late J.D. Kimball (Omen). And at times Call pulls off a remarkable impression of Eric Adams (Manowar), especially in songs like "Angels of War", "Against the Gods", and "Valkyries".

The tracks on here are mostly mid-paced. There's no real speed metal to be found, although "Eternal Night" comes close. That song is definitely a highlight. My other favorite tracks are the aforementioned "Crown of Thorns" and "Angels of War", as well as "Imperial Rome".

The Maiden-esque music of "Leather" is appealing, but its gruesome subject matter makes this my least favorite song. While the lyrics merely imply the narrator is skinning his victims alive, the bloodcurdling scream at the end pretty much removes all doubt. Perhaps Aska should have exercised a little more restraint and omitted the sound effects. Certainly Lizzy Borden was nowhere near this blatant when they did Love You to Pieces.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a modern album that recreates the glory days of '80s metal, check out "Avenger". Buy this and soon you'll be partying like it's 1981.

Another great album from a great bunch of guys. Avenger sees Aska reaching deeper into the traditional roots of metal. In comparison to Nine Tongues, this album uses better lyrical content and song writing than better (hard to believe). In general, it's definitely a matured effort from Aska. My personal favs for this one are opener Crown Of Thorns, Leather, Eternal Night, and Imperial Rome. My only complaint is that the guitars here are a little more polished than those on Nine Tongues; the crunch just isn't the same. However, for those of you that miss the golden age of Metal, and wish to venture back to the glory days of Iron Maiden or Manowar, Avenger is your one way ticket.

I've got all of ASKA's CD's. I've seen them live countless times and I can't get enough of it. Everytime I listen to Avenger I hear something new, something I hadn't expected. "Hail"! To ASKA! Keep Rockin' hard and steady! Can't wait for the next CD!