Star.Gate - The Moment Of A Lifetime (Steel Gallery Records)
The Moment Of A Lifetime is a record that sees Greek neo-classical metal band Star.Gate marking a few milestones. It's the seventh album from the band and gives them the shortest gap between releases as their previous album only came out in 2024.
The Moment Of A Lifetime also sees singer Dimitris Tiktopoulos return to the band as a singer. He originally performed on their first two albums, so many long time fans will be very excited to hear his vocals once again. It also seems that drummer Stergios Kourou has now taken a special guest role.
This leaves bandleader/writer/bassist Kostas Domenikiotis, keyboardist Sakis Bandis and guitarist Anthimos Manti as the core members of the band who drive these songs forward with the neo-classical metal style they've been perfecting for over 20 years.
The return of Dimitris too is a major bonus to the record as it takes them back to their past but reintroduces him and his great voice to newer fans. Be it the anthemic grooves of Vertical, the speedy virtuosity of Dance In The Crimson Sky where guitars and keys duel in the solos or the epic and melodic Invincible, the performances are all excellent, with a virtuosity you want from this style.
Star.Gate return with a quick follow up to their last record but they The Moment Of A Lifetime gives them a new set of neo-classical metal anthems. 8/10
Valiant Sentinel - Neverealm (Theogonia Records)
Valiant Sentinel return with Neverealm, the follow up to their 2022 self titled debut, and guitarist/composer Dimitirs Skodras looks to be again borrowing some of the symphonic storytelling of Rhapsody (Elden Lord) or Blind Guardian (The Underdark/To Mend The Ring) bringing another album of music that evokes images of "fantasy realms, battles, kingdoms, and eternal struggle."
Joining Skodras are vocalist Veandok, bassist Panos Manikas and Blind Guardian drummer Frederik Ehmke with some guest vocal spots from Zak Stevens (Savatage) and Laura Guldemond (Burning Witches). Signing to Theogonia Records they look to build on the debut by adding a broader scale with this sophomore outing, as Skodras is a guitar player the songs here are guitar driven, the title track thrashes while War In Heaven is all's full of big riffs.
However from there the folk/soundtrack elements come in much more strongly from the melodies of Milkwood Forest to the balladry of Come What May, it's only with Arch Nemesis and the epic The Battle Of Hornburg they get back to their heavier power metal sound.
So Neverealm has Valiant Sentinel continue the quest they began on their debut but here they have delved deeper into the mythos but also the vivid musical dimensions of the leaders of the power metal battalions. 8/10
Hostal Handshake - Stone Oracle (Self Released)
Hostal Handshake are a stoner doom/desert rock trio from Athens Greece formed in 2001. They were initially very active releasing some demos and a debut album in 2007 but things change, people change.
George, the man behind the band has been involved with plenty of other projects since then but after the loss of Ozzy, George began to listen to all the stoner and desert stuff that were inspired by Sabbath and started to write songs in that style again.
During the writing period his father was ill with cancer and this album is a way for George to lose himself away from these turbulent times. In December his father passed away but Stone Oracle, the first Hostal Handshake record in 18 years is 16 track, dedication to the man George called his superhero.
Stone Oracle is a double record that was written, performed, produced, mixed and mastered by George along with drummer Matis at their studio in Greece and it's the culmination of the riff engine being reactivated. So what are Hostal Handshake like in 2026? Well they are a fuzzier, heavier, slower and more deliberate than they were back in the day.
George's skill as a composer is the highlight here, writing tracks that emulate but don't copy the band that they're inspired by, be it some English doom or a trio to Sky Valley. Yes there's still stoner rock, psych and doom but it's all got but more of an edge to it, born out of being dormant for a long time and having that noise reactivated.
The tragic circumstances surrounding this album's creation making it darker but ultimately ends with hope, this too shall pass and we all remain long in the memory of our loved ones. 8/10
Dentures - Dentures...In The Glass (Self Released)
Dentures arrive with grin on their face and plenty of veteran instinct behind them. They have members who have been in Powercrue, InnerWish, Dark Nova, Lightfold so they may be a 'new' band but they definitely aren't inexperienced. Dentures show their teeth with this debut EP, inspired by classic heavy metal such as Dio, Sabbath and Priest (Faces In The Mirror).
With Lilian up front they have a singer who has the power of Leather Leone, adding soul to the swaggering Rise Again where Kiki (bass) and Agelos (drums) bring the groove, as they gallop on Rock On where there's the punch of Saxon or UFO. With this rock solid backline and epic vocals, it's up to Thanos to be the man with all the riffs often duelling with himself with those sweet twin axe harmonies.
Recorded at 101 Sound Studios, Dentures...In The Glass has a rawness to the production that reminds you of those 80's heavy metal records, the band capturing that feeling and nostalgia 40 years later. 8/10
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