M.A.D. - For Crown And Ring

\r\nGermany seems to love hard rock and heavy metal and every now and then a german band appears in our lives in order to confirm this rule and also produce quality albums. In the case of "For Crown And Ring", imagine a band combining Accept, AC/DC, Krokus and early Scorpions and the result is M.A.D. (Maniacal Area Damage). Let’s see what these fellows have to offer us...\r\n

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\r\n"For Crown And Ring" is the second album from the german band that confirms their first pretty good work was not just a fluke. A very good work concering the production of this album. The artwork though, a little far apart from the sound of this band as it reminds me of an epic metal band artwork and it is not fit for a hard rock band. The tracks of the album follow certain, well known patterns both in music (especially in guitar work) and in lyrics that appeal to every rock or heavy metal fan even if they are not at all something new. The band surprises us by making a hard cover of Tina Turner’s "Nutbush City Limits" which confirms that the band has turned to hard rock now and not so much to heavy metal sounds as they did in their first album. It could be a bonus track though as it can’t add surplus value to the album. At times, the album tends to be repetitive but I’ll have to admit that the opening and closing tracks of the album "Don’t Sell Your Soul" and the mid tempo "Let The Days Go By" are pure, solid rock from the heart and deserve our attention. I also like the fact that they like to experiment adding blues elements to their work with "Bad Boy Boogie" combined with heavier sounds. \r\n

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\r\nA respectable work from a band that comes from a country with great rock and metal tradition. Maybe M.A.D. are not able yet to make a name of themselves but their work is something, at least, noticeable.\r\n

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\r\nChris "Wildchild" Zarkadakis    \r\n

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