2003 Metal & Hard Rock Albums

A live album recorded in Carlisle, in the north-west of England, and released by Angel Air Records in 2003.

A studio album issued by Communique Records as CMG CD026, the second of the band's second life. Its year is not agreed.

The band's return after a three-year gap, recorded at House of Music Studios in Winterbach. Primal Fear's Ralf Scheepers sings backing vocals on "Finalizer".

Invitation uses fast guitar, glittering keyboards and powerful vocals to make bright, dramatic Finnish power metal.

Far from the Sun keeps heavy guitar underneath softer vocals, expansive keyboards and subdued melody.

We've Come for You All connects Anthrax’s sharp riffs and springing rhythm to John Bush’s forceful vocals inside a modern, hard-edged production.

Reflections places the cello at the center of both riff and melody, combining its resonance with heavy rhythm and classical tension.

Anthems of Rebellion pairs cutting twin guitar, heavy rhythm and Angela Gossow’s fierce roar in a high-level balance of aggression and melody.

Waking the Fallen joins harsh roars, heavy breakdowns and twin-guitar melody into music that balances aggression with drama.

Stockholm Syndrome uses distorted guitar, rough vocals and punkish beat to make rock and roll with a dangerous scent.

The Blessed Hellride joins Zakk Wylde’s thick riffing and Southern-blues feeling to a dragging, heavy groove.

Soul Talks, Melodies Walk layers smooth vocals, full keyboards and poised guitar into hard rock that values melody.

This Left Feels Right is a useful way to hear BON JOVI from a different angle within the 2003 catalogue.

Hate Crew Deathroll throws sharp guitar, urgent keyboards and harsh vocals together at high speed.

Sign of Madness combines thick guitar riffs, steady beat and soaring vocals in melodic hard rock that keeps songcraft at the center.

Dark Moor uses fast guitar, classical-flavored keyboards and thick chorus work to draw the color of symphonic power metal.

Bananas finds Deep Purple working from blues-rooted riffs, Hammond organ and expansive vocals with the conversational ease of a seasoned band.

Accelerated Evolution combines walls of guitar, dense arrangement and soaring vocals to make heaviness and release coexist.

This Is Hell packs short, cutting guitar riffs, racing rhythm and harsh roars into a dense attack.

Evilized puts thick riffs, forceful vocals and crowd-ready choruses at the front of a pure heavy-metal statement.

Train of Thought turns Dream Theater toward harder, darker progressive metal through low guitar, precise rhythm and technical keyboards.

Dreams for the Daring layers tearful guitar, smooth high vocals and poised rhythm to draw melodic hard rock with real melancholy.

Aphelion layers clear vocals, glittering keyboards and heavy guitar to balance elegance with strength.

The Phantom Agony layers heavy guitar, orchestra, choir and Simone Simons’s clear voice into a large-scale drama.

Fallen layers hard guitar, piano, strings and Amy Lee’s clear voice to make darkness and accessibility coexist.

Prime Time combines FireHouse’s clear high vocals, polished guitar and instantly graspable choruses with care.

Burning Earth joins thick riffs, fast rhythm and neoclassical lead guitar in heavy, aggressive power metal.

The Flag of Punishment combines neoclassical guitar, fast rhythm and soaring high vocals into vivid power metal.

Faceless puts physical weight at the front through thick guitar, low-stepping rhythm and rough vocals.

The Link builds distinctive pressure from low, rolling guitar, machine-like rhythm and heavy roars.

Human Zoo refines Gotthard’s hard-rock core through thick riffs, sticky groove and Steve Lee’s powerful voice.

No Regrets uses rough guitar, bouncing beat and spit-out vocals to make punk-leaning rock and roll.

Higher combines delicate melody, thick harmony and tight guitar riffing into refined hard rock.

Rabbit Don’t Come Easy returns Helloween to the pleasure of fast riffs, bright melody and choruses made to be sung.