Reignstorm - 'Sampler'

Year of Release: 1999
Label: n/a
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

What I'm about to review is not an official release, but a comp sampler of older songs, new songs, live songs, and solo recordings. Starting out the comp is a piano based ballad from the vocalist's solo career. This song shows up twice on the comp, and I'm glad it does, for it is one of the better ones here. With the quick, fast, & loud intro of the second song, it's almost a little much to handle at first after a soothing piece that just calmed you down. Though shortly into "Tomorrow's Past" a guitar riff comes about and is one of the most catchy melodies I've gotten out of a disc in quite a while, and the subtle keys in the background play some nice tricks to enhance the song as well. The next few are much like this, but not with the catchy melodies heard in "Tomorrow's Past". Somewhere in the middle of the first side, one of my favorite songs on the tape, and an older one at that, "Blood On The White Robe" gives a No Exit sound with even better handling of the vocals than Ray Alder himself.

Two instrumentals at the end of the first side showcase guitarist Robb Petersen's solo work. If you like instrumental guitar metal, you'll want to get a-hold of these. I don't care for shredding see-how-fast-I-can-play guitar solos, and there isn't any of that ego wailing here like you find on so many guitarist's solo albums.

The second side is mostly live songs, a few are covers, which are done well, but would be even better with the right production. I'm not one for live material anyway, (unless I'm there of course!!) Reignstorm should be releasing a CD this year and I'm really looking forward to it. Find out more about Reignstorm by visiting their web site [at which there is now no info at all -ed. 8/05].

[By the by, this band isn't to be confused with the Reignstorm who released only one disk (to my knowledge) called Waves of Sound. , in 1993. -ed. PW]

This review courtesy Jeff Keifling, originally published somewhere unknown, but also AudioVision which PW absorbed in 1999 -ed.

Tracklisting:
unknown, includes

Musicians:
John Barr - bass
Jarrett Lembach - voice, guitar, and keyboards
Robb Petersen - guitars

Discography:
'Sampler' (1999?)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: July 25th 1999
Reviewer: Jeff Keifling

Artist website: www.angelfire.com/md/jarrettlembachmusic/Reignstor
Hits: 3480
Language: english