My mother obviously prefers the original version:

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Three years after the ambitious triple album Beloved Antichrist that came around with three discs, forty-six songs and a running time of one hundred eighty-three minutes, symphonic metal pioneers Therion have decided to go back to their critically acclaimed Lemuria and Sirius B records with their new album Leviathan that includes eleven tracks clocking in at forty-six minutes.

The band starts without any overtures, introductions or build-ups in form of the rocking ''The Leaf on the Oak of Far'' that focuses on cool riffs, energetic drums and variable vocals meandering between distorted female vocals, energetic male clean vocals and mysterious choirs. The track summarizes numerous band trademarks such as powerful heavy metal instrumentation, epic choirs with cinematic atmosphere and creative songwriting ideas intertwining multiple genres from power metal over operatic passages to symphonic metal. This song alone features more ideas in three and a half minutes than other symphonic metal bands include on entire full length efforts. The greatest thing however is that the songwriting sounds coherent, fluid and focused instead of ambitious, complicated and overloaded. Fans of old date will immediately realize that the band has returned to its style from the middle years as this album is certainly easier to digest than its immediate predecessors.

The band continues on a strong note with uplifting album highlight ''Tuonela'' that shines with Marco Hietala's passionate vocal performance that makes him sound at least ten years younger than he actually is. The irresistible, melodic and playful chorus offers support from heavenly choirs that invite to dance along to this dynamic tune. This song should have been the record's lead single as it easily qualifies as the most addictive tune right from the start.

The group explores more atmospheric, mysterious and sinister territory with title track ''Leviathan'' in which Lori Lewis builds as strong contrast to the gloomy instrumentation with her perfectly executed soprano.

Therion continues to offer diversified songwriting recalling atmospheric, energetic and uplifting soundscapes of its middle years but the album's middle section takes a few more spins to open up than the excellent opening trio.

Leviathan however concludes with an excellent trio that makes this great release come full circle. The dramatic, gloomy and plodding ''Psalm of Retribution'' that can be considered the album's most progressive tune and needs a few spins to open up features contributor of old date Mats Levén who immediately shines with his gritty rocking vocals that complement Lori Lewis' elegant soprano and the atmospheric choirs.

Therion offers another rather uplifting tune with the galloping ''El Primer Sol'' where Thomas Vikström's passionate vocals shine along Spanish newcomer Rosalía Sairem. Both of them are supported by dramatic choirs in creative verses leading to an energizing chorus you won't get out of your mind upon first listening to it.

The record concludes with a stunning highlight in form of ''Ten Courts of Diyu'' that intertwines elegant Chinese folk music with slow-paced doom and heavy metal while angelic female vocals performed by Israeli singer Noa Gruman are once more supported by dramatic choirs that carry the cinematic closer through five and a half minutes that grow with every spin.

In the end, Leviathan should please to fans who have enjoyed the band's streak of excellent records from Theli to Lemuria and Sirius B. Especially those who thought that Beloved Antichrist was overloaded and Les Fleurs du Mal an odd experiment could certainly call this a resonant return to form. For those who consider Therion one of the most creative, entertaining and unique bands in the world like myself, Leviathan qualifies as above average output that underlines the group's stunning legacy.

Final rating: 85%

 

Creepy artwork but enthusiastic music (1983)

X-Ray is a Japanese heavy metal quartet in the key of Anthem, Loudness and Sabbrabells to just name three similarly sounding groups. If compared to the energetic Anthem, the diversified Loudness and the mellower Sabbrabells, X-Ray is clearly inspired by classic hard rock and heavy metal. The nine songs on the debut Hard Section are short melodic mid-tempo songs that convince with energetic vocals and concise song writing. A few faster tunes and the usual ballad keep things diversified through thirty-five entertaining minutes. Even though the material sounds somewhat old-fashioned by today's standards, it can be considered a very solid product of its time and still has its charms nowadays.

Opener ''Theme of X-Ray'' is a clever idea since it oozes with mysterious atmosphere, beautiful harmonies and almost operatic backing vocals supporting the melodic lead vocals. This epic glam rock inspired song leads into the melancholic ''Lonely Guys'' that convinces with enthusiastic vocals, melodic guitar sections, powerful bass vibes, tight drums with a few interesting fills and an uplifting chorus. ''Foolish Boys'' is among the faster tracks and invites to move along and bang your head despite the melodic vocals and thanks to its juvenile spirit. ''One Night Lady'' is on the softer side with soothing vocals, slow chord progressions and romantic vocals. This mixture of up-tempo, mid-tempo and slow rock-inspired heavy metal tracks works well throughout the album even though its second half is overall less poignant than the first half.

X-Ray certainly doesn't reinvent the genres it performs but offers an energetic, juvenile and melodic interpretation on the thin line between glam rock and heavy metal that is quite entertaining. The band doesn't have the unique characteristics of similar bands like Anthem, Loudness and Sabbrabells but compensates this flaw with a huge dose of confidence, energy and passion. If you like melodic rock and metal music, you will certainly like Hard Section. Don't get turned off by the creepy cover artwork and crank up the volume of this successful debut release if you want to organize a classic rock and metal party.

Final rating: 75%

Sexual ecstasy from Osaka (1984)

Japanese heavy metal quartet X-Ray has always had a weakness for creepy cover artworks and while this one doesn't beat the debut's choice, it's certainly everything but appealing to look at a fairly average-looking lady with a weird tattoo holding a bland white guitar. The band might have used such an artwork for shock value but also because most of its lyrics revolved around romantic and sexual relationships. From that point of view, such a choice might have been fitting in the mid-eighties but would certainly cause a shitstorm in our day and age.

Anyway, what actually matters here is the music and X-Ray still plays traditional heavy metal in the key of Japanese genre colleagues Bow Wow, Nokemono and Loudness. The songwriting has improved as the tracks here are catchy, concise and still entertaining nowadays. The band has also kept the diversity from its debut without pushing things too far.

''Question'' is an energetic opener with enthusiastic melodic guitar play, bumblebee bass guitar sounds, tight drums and powerful vocals filled with charisma and passion. The song gets to the point in just three minutes and finds the perfect balance between heavy metal stylistics and catchy parts that could have made this song a popular rock anthem back in the days.

''Gamblin' Man'' has a similar approach with a slightly gloomier sound in the verses but a truly energetic chorus with gang shouts and some spoken word passages. The song has an intriguing short instrumental overture, a brief drum solo and experimental middle section with a wild guitar solo. All these interesting elements are offered in less than three minutes but the song never sounds overloaded. Instead, you feel like listening to it again once it has concluded to discover more details and appreciate this excellent track to its fullest. In my opinion, this is the best song on the album.

The band however also convinces in its longer tunes. The atmospheric, emotional and smooth ''Damsel'' is carried by melodic acoustic guitar harmonies, relaxing percussive patterns and heartfelt vocals. Sure, this power ballad doesn't reinvent the genre but it's performed with so much conviction that the slight lack of creativity doesn't matter after all.

Album closer ''Last Show Time / I Wish You Every Happiness'' is similar in approach but rather uses plugged guitar play and bass guitar patterns before evolving into an uplifting heavy metal tune. The atmospheric instrumental middle part is certainly the highlight of the song and leads to an anthemic finale. Genre purists might find the song's catchy, melodic and smooth approach going too far but it's skillfully performed, filled with enthusiasm and could easily appeal to pop and rock fans despite its length.

In the end, X-Ray's Tradition Breaker is a very good album that mixes heavy metal and hard rock skillfully with short and fast songs as well as melodic and smooth epics. The record entertains from start to finish and doesn't include any fillers. Fans of the Japanese rock and metal scene of the eighties from Anthem to Hamada Mari should certainly check this album out.

Final rating: 80%

Wrong turn (1984)

One has to admire the productivity of Japanese heavy metal bands. X-Ray released two full length albums and this extended play in between in only twelve months. As if that weren't enough, the heavy metal quartet expanded to a quintet by adding keyboarder Fujiyama Takahiro to the line-up. Outsider is his baptism of fire.

This addition sounds promising at first contact in form of the atmospheric, experimental and playful instrumental opener ''Theme of X-Ray II''. However, anticipation quickly changes to disappointment.

The four regular tunes offered on this output are bland commercial rock music that one would expect from bands like Bon Jovi or Toto. Those aren't bad references and fans of pop rock music played at discotheques throughout the eighties might actually enjoy this release.

However, it feels like selling out when coming from such a promising heavy metal band that had convinced with a strong debut and an even better sophomore output. Only the passionate vocals recall the band's origins. The guitar play has watered down considerably, the bass guitar rarely shines and even the drum play is by the numbers. The new band member on keyboards proves that he can convince both in the atmospheric and in the melodic departments but he certainly isn't a particularly skilled keyboarder and would only stay with the band for a year and a half and only appear as guest musician on two other records in the late eighties.

To be fair, X-Ray had already had a keyboarder in its line-up in its first year of existence before recording any professional material. Nevertheless, the addition of a keyboarder in this case and at that time decreased the band's identity and might have disappointed its fans as well. The plan to achieve commercial success seems to have backfired as well since the band would split up about two years after this release. 

In the end, X-Ray's Outsider is only interesting for fans of commercial rock music from the eighties and avid collectors or die-hard fans of these overlooked Japanese heavy metal pioneers. Please understand that this extended play doesn't have anything to do with heavy metal however. It sounds average, exchangeable and can only be interpreted as a weak attempt at achieving commercial success.

Final rating: 50%

Commercial melodic rock music with a few creative sparks (1984)

X-Ray's third studio album Shout! is a step in the right direction after the faceless, fluffy and forgettable extended play Outsider. Even though the band rather plays melodic hard rock than heavy metal on this output, some of the group's strengths from the early years in form of dynamic instrumental performances and diversified songwriting are back.

This can already be witnessed while listening to opener ''Stardust Way''. The track might be melodic, commercial and catchy but the balanced duels between lead guitars and keyboards are entertaining and exciting. The band also covers more experimental terrain again with ''Trouble Maker'' that opens with a drum solo and relies on jazzy piano sounds that add a lot of drive. Even the more melodic tunes work at times very well such as the epic power ballad ''Tell Me About Yourself'' that cracks the six-minute mark and is carried by dreamy keyboard melodies and heartfelt vocals that should please more sentimental rock fans.

However, the record can't quite keep up with the previous studio albums as it hasn't fully overcome the flaws that watered down the preceding extended play. ''I'm in You'' is essentially a pop song by the numbers with a few guitar sounds. That genre might be known as adult-oriented rock but I have always thought that such a name was incredibly stupid. It's the kind of soft rock music performed by bands such as Def Leppard, Dokken, Europe, Scorpions and Whitesnake in the mid to late eighties. It might have some commercial appeal but remains predictably shallow. ''Wait for Tomorrow'' goes in the same direction and even though it's essentially a sluggish pop rock tune, it at least comes around with a competent chorus you won't get out of your mind. 

In the end, Shout! integrates the band's new keyboard sounds better than the immediate predecessor and offers melodic rock music with diversified songwriting. Fans of the band's first two albums might find this release too commercial and fluffy overall but several tracks show excellent instrumental work and a few creative twists. In the end, this album might be an interesting recommendation for fans of melodic rock music of the eighties but is only an average release in X-Ray's discography.

Final rating: 70%

Dynamic diversity (1985)

Only a month after the release of its third studio record Shout!, Japanese glam rock quintet X-Ray comes around with a single including a cover song, a new original tune and a live track. As if that weren't enough, the band releases a compilation featuring thirteen songs on the very same day. It's obvious that X-Ray tries to conquer the Japanese rock music market by storm but sadly, those outputs are accurate examples for the fact that the band and its label valued quantity over quality. While releasing a compilation so early in the band's career doesn't make any sense whatsoever, this interesting single would have however deserved more attention.

Opening tune ''Ai no Hero'' is a cover of Twisted Sister's popular ''We're Not Gonna Take It'' with new Japanese lyrics. The original song had been released less than a year ago and X-Ray obviously tries to cash in on its international success. Their version is more melodic than the original tune with catchy vocals and cleverly interwoven keyboard patterns. While I prefer the original version, I have to admit that X-Ray manages to make the song sound like one of their own that could have been put onto the previous studio record.

''Off Scandal'' is a new original tune with melodic hard rock riffs, steady rhythm section, smooth keyboard layers and passionate vocals. This catchy rock anthem would have been one of the best songs on the previous release and certainly deserves more attention. This is X-Ray's best attempt so far at writing a commercial hard rock tune that could be played in discotheques throughout the country back in the mid-eighties.

The last song on this release is a live rendition of ''Power'', originally from the band's second studio album Tradition Breaker. The songs seems to have been recorded live in a studio but it nevertheless displays the band's promising potential to play vibrant rock shows. The lead vocals are variable, the backing shouts are energetic, the guitar play is vibrant, the keyboards blend in appropriately without taking too much space, the bass guitar offers dynamic vibes and the energetic drum play shines more than on the group's studio releases. Instead of focusing on releasing compilations only four years into its career, X-Ray should have played some more concerts instead. 

Overall, this interesting single entitled Ai no Hero offers eleven minutes of energetic entertainment with a great cover song, an even better original tune and a very good live track. This can be considered the overlooked gem in the band's discography. The only negative element is the atrocious cover artwork that might keep people away from purchasing this effort rather than intriguing them to try out the music on it. Whoever is responsible for this cover artwork should get fired!

Final rating: 83%

Only interesting for new fans (1985)

One might wonder why X-Ray comes around with a first greatest hits compilation only one year and a half after its debut album was released. There might be three reasons for this. First of all, the band had already released three studio records, one extended play and a single up to that point. Secondly, the band had gone through significant stylistic changes from traditional heavy metal to commercial glam rock. Thirdly, this compilation was released on CD at a time when the previous outputs were only available on vinyl.

Still, this record is only interesting for new fans who hadn't purchased any albums of the band prior to this output. This compilation includes a balanced mixture of songs from the first three studio albums and the extended play. The track list varies between dynamic heavy metal tunes, energetic hard rock anthems, danceable glam rock tracks and a few heartfelt ballads. From that point of view, this compilation certainly captures the spirit of X-Ray with its numerous facets.

However, none of the songs from the single that was released simultaneously to this compilation can be found on this output. The band also missed the occasion to offer some rare or exclusive material in form of new songs, live tracks or demos for instance. That's why Performance can be considered a rather half-hearted product that might have seen the light of day due to contractional obligations. 

In the end, the material on this compilation is highly entertaining if you like hard rock music from the mid-eighties. It offers thirteen songs with a running time of fifty-seven minutes. On the other side, this compilation is completely useless for fans and collectors as it offers nothing new. Even the fact that this is the first album released on CD from the band can't be considered an argument since the band's three studio albums would be released on the new medium later that same year. This compilation hasn't aged very well either since the other three compilations and the most recent boxed set include more material and cover the band's entire career. At the end of the day, this compilation is only interesting for new fans.

Final rating: 60% 

From glam rock balladry to hard rock anthems (1985)

This rare single had the purpose to promote Japanese glam rock quintet X-Ray's upcoming fourth and final studio album Strike Back. The two songs included here present the group's diversified soundscapes very well.

I have no clue what ''Lier in Your Eyes'' is supposed to be about lyrically, but few people listen to energetic glam rock because of its profound lyrics anyway. X-Ray's song is the longest on the fourth studio record and a rather unusual single choice. It's essentially a mid-paced glam rock tune in the key of Survivor, Foreigner and Boston among others. The steady rhythm section offers danceable rhythms and the solid backbone for warm keyboard sounds and swaggering guitar play. The emotional vocals are quite catchy and especially the chorus is memorable. The middle section with its passionate guitar solo followed by a keyboard interlude offers a welcome change and helps the song grow through its extensive running time. At the end of the day, this is a swaggering glam rock tune inspired by popular American rock bands of that era that grows with every spin.

''Burnin' Like the Fire'' convinces for entirely different reasons. The track is only half as a long and also a tad bit faster than the other tune. The rhythm section is both more audible and energetic here, the guitar solo sounds quite wild and the vocals are genuinely enthusiastic. The keyboards remain in the background to offer some atmospheric and melodic layers throughout the tune. Overall, this is a melodic hard rock track that was written to be played in concert and goes slightly back to the band's early years. 

These two new songs represent the spectrum of X-Ray's stylistic diversity very well and give a very good idea of what the upcoming studio album Strike Back would ultimately sound like. The band meanders from emotional glam rock balladry to playful hard rock anthems. If you appreciate commercially successful glam rock and hard rock music from the mid-eighties, then you are going to like this very good single and should definitely check out the band's final studio album Strike Back as well.

Final rating: 78%

 

Concluding on a balanced note (1985)

Released only two years after its debut record, X-Ray's fourth album Strike Back would turn out to be the last full length effort by the glam rock quintet from Osaka. This final release might not be the band's greatest hour but it's highly entertaining and certainly the group's most balanced record.

The album features two types of songs. The first type consists of dynamic hard rock tracks with vibrant instrumental work and catchy choruses. A perfect example for this is the swaggering ''Rock Tonight'' with its domineering bass guitar, enthusiastic gang shouts and passionate vocals. This kind of song was written to be played in concert. ''Burnin' Like the Fire'' is a little bit more melodic and variable but very similar in style and gets to the point in just three dynamic minutes.

The second type consists of more melodic rock tunes with strong commercial appeal. An excellent example here would be lead single ''Lier in Your Eyes'' which is a mid-paced tune focused on catchy keyboard melodies and emotional vocals. The closing ''You Got the World'' can be considered a power ballad with a few interesting elements such as the dynamic drum play and the fast riffs that flirt with heavy and even power metal stylistics. It would have been interesting to see the band develop this style even further. 

In the end, X-Ray's Strike Back successfully meanders between glam rock, hard rock and heavy metal and includes no fillers. Some tracks need some time to open up but the album's most convincing tracks are particularly memorable. They perfectly represent what the Japanese rock scene stood for in the mid-eighties and should please fans of bands such as Anthem, Earthshaker and Loudness. It's regrettable that the band wouldn't carry on but perhaps it can be considered a smart idea to call it quits after having released the most balanced career effort.

Final rating: 79%

Burning out rather than fading away (1985)

Human Dog is both X-Ray's final release of original material and last single as the band's career ended as suddenly as it had ignited just a few years earlier. This release is only followed by a final live album and numerous compilations. This effort features two new songs and an extended version of a tune that had been included both on the previous single and the last studio album.

Title track ''Human Dog'' is a catchy glam rock song with passionate vocals, melodic keyboard sounds and steady guitar riffs. The short guitar solo in the middle as well as the dynamic rhythm section add some energy and make the song stand out. The production is surprisingly rough and sounds as if the track had been recorded as one single live take in the studio.

''Fade Away'' has a similar production but an overall smoother flow. The guitars and keyboards sound smooth to a point that it's nearly saccharine. The soothing vocals blend in appropriately while the rhythm section is mid-paced but passionate. This track could be considered a power ballad that might have been popular among teenagers and young adults in discotheques back in the mid-eighties. It's rough enough around the edges to please rock and metal fans on one side but smooth and melodic enough to hook those who prefer pop music on the other side. It's the kind of song a rock fan would invite a lady to dance to on a date.

The final track is an extended version of ''Burning like the Fire'' that is indeed more than a minute longer than the version included on the previous single and the last studio album. The track is a melodic hard rock tune that perfectly exemplifies X-Ray's style since the addition of a keyboardist to their line-up after the second studio album. The verses are energetic, the chorus is quite catchy and the coda even lets bass guitar and drums shine for a while. 

In the end, Human Dog is yet again another very entertaining single with three very good melodic hard rock songs. The two new tracks would have deserved spots on the last studio record for sure. It's regrettable that X-Ray's career would fade out so quickly after a strong start followed by a slight drop in quality that would lead to a promising resurgence. The songs from this single are included on the excellent compilation Twin Very Best Collection that is recommended to fans of hard rock music from the eighties as well as the extensive boxed set 35th Anniversary Complete Box ~完全制覇~ that is only recommended to die-hard fans of the band.

Final rating: 82% 

Great sound, excellent performance but weak camera work (1986)

X-Ray's career only lasted five years but the Japanese heavy and glam metal pioneers had released quite a few high-quality efforts and concluded its run with a wonderful concert that was released on video cassette, vinyl and CD. The latter version includes ten songs and the other two nine. However, eighteen songs have been played in total and the complete concert is only included on a DVD in the massive boxed set 35th Anniversary Complete Box ~完全制覇~.

It's certainly worth purchasing the boxed set and enjoy the entire concert that lasts almost two hours but the original shortened versions are also quite decent. X-Ray had never played many concerts but the band should have done that because it has excellent chemistry, entertaining diversity and dynamic energy to offer. The stage looks bland and simple but that doesn't bother much since the five musicians deliver quite a show on their own. The quintet offers some genuine rock 'n' roll spirit instead of flirting with extravagance like the up and coming visual kei groups started to do at that time.

Highlights include the dynamic ''Fade Away - Guitar Solo'' when the musicians can showcase their talent. ''Lonely Guys - Willful Lady - Lady Ray - Lonely Guys'' is a surprisingly fluid medley that entertains from start to finish in seven and a half passionate minutes. The soulful power ballad ''Tell Me About Yourself'' even includes some melodic acoustic guitar play by the charismatic lead singer.

The atmosphere throughout the concert is energetic and the sound quality is surprisingly decent for a release from the mid-eighties. A minor issue is however the hectic camera work with its sudden cuts and swings that is rather headache-inducing. That's why I would recommend the CD or vinyl version over the original video tape while the aforementioned boxed set with the entire concert on DVD is a must-have for fans of Japanese heavy metal of the early and mid-eighties.

To conclude, X-Ray managed to finish its short but noteworthy career with its strongest release as the band's material works even better in concert than in the studio thanks to excellent chemistry, entertaining diversity and dynamic energy.

Final rating: 85%

The knights in Sedona red scored the equalizer with one second left to play in the third period and went on to beat the St. Louis Blues for a third time in a row in a dramatic shootout! Watch the highlights below!

Ladies and gentlemen!

It's time for another mysterious case that has become infamous all around the world. It involves a Portuguese crime scene, a German suspect and a British victim. It includes a series of dreadful accusations, overwhelming media attention and debatable police investigation. This cold case has become quite active again, so let's keep our fingers crossed that it will finally be solved this year after fourteen years of terrible uncertainty. If you are unable to listen to the podcast when clicking on the link, please make sure to download the file to listen to it on your personal device!

Kluseba's Cold Cases - Sixth Episode