Beauty & the Beast [IMPORT]

Stormwitch (Performer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 20, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• ASIN: B0008MGGGW
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #374,487 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Doesn't Anyone Know About This?!, April 29, 2009

By	alaskan glam-metal-head (Fairbanks, Alaska) - See all my reviews

Stormwitch is an obscure german metal band from the 1980s that is criminally ignored today. These guys were every bit as good as Iron Maiden. They had serious chops, creativity, and an amazing ability to write hooks. This album, The Beauty and the Beast, from 1988, is certainly one of their best albums.

The songs here sound VERY classical, and even medieval at times. The epic guitar solo in "Emerald Eye" is strikingly similar to Randy Rhoads's solo in "Mr. Crowley" (however, it is still unique). "Tears by the Firelight" is an acoustic ballad that sounds like it would fit right in during the middle ages in a castle court. These guys are pure VIRTUOSOS.

The varied themes of the songs on this album are incredibly unique, and the actual music perfectly matches the theme of each respective song. "Tigers of the Sea," a major favorite of mine, sounds rowdy and adventurous, and the chord progression in it actually sounds similar to music you might imagine hearing in a Carribbean tavern in the 17th century. "Russia's on Fire" has some choir singing in it that reminds me of the cold, barren, snowy, wind-sculpted tundras of Russia, and "Cheyenne (Where the Eagles Retreat)" has a very tribal-sounding guitar riff, very much like the music of Native American cultures.

This music is simply magical. It transports you to a world of fantasy and myth, and that spirit is overflowing from the musical fabric of every song on this album, especially in "Emerald Eye." This album is a stunning work of art, and should be heard by everyone and anyone - especially by metalheads.