CHINCHILLA
"Madtropolis"
(Metal Blade; 2003)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Chinchilla's "Madtropolis" is chock full of keyboard-laden power metal and 80s style metal ballads, epic songs written and performed with machismo and produced in that bigger-than-life style that is a trademark of power metal.
The highlights here are the vocals by Thomas Laasch, who sounds like a cross between Helloween's Michael Kiske and Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, and the keyboards, both background and leads. Keyboards often ruin a great metal song, but the keyboards on "Madtropolis" do what they're supposed to: enhance the music without lessening its power.
As mentioned above, the songs are all written in the progressive/power metal style. However, they often sound alike and one song, entitled "Heavy Metal" (which celebrates the genre), sounds a bit too close to The Who's "Pinball Wizard" at times.
Fans of power metal and progressive metal will probably find something to their liking in "Madtropolis."
CHINCHILLA are: Thomas Laasch - lead vocals; Udo Gerstenmeyer - guitars, keyboards; Jochen "Josh" Haeberle - bass guitar; Chris "The Hammer" Schwinn - drums; backing vocals. Artur "Jeff" Diessner - keyboards. Special guests include Fast Eddie Clarke - guitar; Roberto Palacio - bass and cello; and backing vocals by Markus Juergens, Bobbes Seidel, Roberto "Lia" Liaparkis and Connie "Conner" Andrezka.
For more information, please visit Chinchilla on the web at http://www.chinchilla.rocks.de/.
"Madness"
(Metal Blade; 2001)
Reviewed by Kate Smith
I have three words for all Rough Edge Readers: BUY THIS CD!!
Chinchilla is a phenomenal power metal band and unfortunately I missed their previous releases but was hit full force with "Madness." The second track, "Fight," has a chorus like the world has never heard before and will make your walls shake when you play this. Every track is solid, however, "Freedom," "Queen of the Rain," and the beautiful ballad "Broken Heart" (in which the Thomas Laasch really shows his incredible talent) are highlights.
And, as if that weren't enough, Chinchilla adds a cover of KISS's "I Stole Your Love." Not only is this a powerful version of the classic song, you'd swear it was Paul Stanley singing. Once again, Laasch's vocal work shines.
Chinchilla's sound does remind one of the metal of the 80s (especially with the guitar riffs and vocals), but we're talking good 80s - think of Helloween and Accept. Even then, Chinchilla has a unique sound that is as strong today as anything else out there.
I could go on all day about this amazing CD but that would take away from the time you have to go out and get it!
CHINCHILLA are: Thomas Laasch - lead vocals; Udo Gerstenmeyer - guitars; Marc Peters - bass, backing vocals; Steffen Theurer - drums, backing vocals; Marc Steck - keyboards.
For more information, please visit Chinchilla on the web at http://www.chinchilla.rocks.de/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2009 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised:
15 Apr 2024 15:20:23 -0400.
