Ivanhoe - Walk In Mindfields (2005)

Artist : Ivanhoe
Country : Germany
Release : Walk In Mindfields
Year : 2005
Genre : Heavy Metal
File Type : mp3 320

Info:

Many thought the "old" (Formed in 1986) German Power-Progmetallers Ivanhoe was put to rest after the departure with singer Andy B. Franck (Brainstorm, Symphorce), but what really happened was that the remaining members Achim Welsch and Giovanni Soulas went on a long, long search, that lasted for around 3 years until Achim found Mischa Mang in a musical called "Jesus Christ Superstar" (Mischa played Judas).
This was in 2001, and it would take another 4 years before the first album was released, to be exact, the last day of February 2005.
The album "Walk in Mindfields" is Ivanhoe's fourth full-length album, this first since 1997, so you can only guess how careful Mischa was picked, they really waited until they'd found a singer that would fit perfect.
And Mischa was found, Ivanhoe wrote songs and recorded them, signed with Massacre Records and have now released the "comeback" album that's not really a comeback album.

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Ivanhoe - Symbols Of Time (1995)

Artist : Ivanhoe
Country : Germany
Release : Symbols Of Time
Year : 1995
Genre : Heavy Metal
File Type : mp3 320

Info:

1995's Symbols of Time was the second album from German progressive metal band Ivanhoe. You always hear about how Conception and Stratovarius were the frontrunners of the European prog metal scene, but Ivanhoe was another early band to pioneer this sound (their debut was in 1992). Ivanhoe was also notable for featuring a young Andy Franck on vocals. Franck of course went on to front Brainstorm and Symphorce.
Ivanhoe's sound was very similar to Conception's. They were obviously heavily influenced by Fates Warning and early Dream Theater, and played highly technical, largely emotion-free metal at a time and place where that was far from popular. This is pretty technical stuff, with lots of intricate guitar work and plenty if keyboards. It's not as melodic as I'd normally like (Vanden Plas is more my style), but you have to admire the musicianship on display. Franck's vocals are nowhere near as strong as his later work, but it's still cool to hear him in a more textbook progressive setting. The female vocals on "By a Feeling" are also a cool touch.

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Ivanhoe - Visions And Reality (1994)

Artist : Ivanhoe
Country : Germany
Release : Visions And Reality
Year : 1994
Genre : Heavy Metal
File Type : mp3 320

Info:

I don't know if you are aware of ELEGY, but IVANHOE sound a lot like ELEGY in their first two albums ''Labyribth of dreams'' and ''Supremacy''...and I'm fond of that style of music...Carefully arranged heavy/power/progressive metal in equal doses with high voltage vocals by Andy Franck...not the best vocalist I've ever heard but he is ok for that kind of job...Highlights of the album are ''Deeper ground'', an excellent track that identifies the power/prog metal term (very close to the style of CONCEPTION) and the beautiful ballad ''Eternal light''...Fans of early ELEGY as well as fans of power/prog in general will have a very good time with this album.

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Ivanhoe - Polarized (1997) [Japan Edition]

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Artist : Ivanhoe
Country : Germany
Release : Polarized [Japan Edition]
Year : 1997
Genre : Heavy Metal
File Type : mp3 320


Info:

The elements of prog-style are united with a metal-style; powerful metal riffs, great arpeggios, uses of keyboards, great instrumental parts… with a style which in part can be similar with metal progressive groups as ANGRA, QUEENSRYCHE, ELEGY, but with a personal style. Very particular is the great voice of Andy B. Franck, who is incredible with the high notes as well on the bass ones, really a good voice, quite similar to Geoff Tate in the high notes); his way of singing contributes to create a particular atmospheric, helped by the use of keyboards and by the arpeggios and solo of Schuler. The line up is essential the same in all their three albums, but in the last, “Polarized”, the guitar passes from Schuler to Welsch; Welsch is too a great virtuoso, but probably this little change in the line-up can be heard by a little difference of style.

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