Contemporary Swedish Folk - Finlir & Glod

Advantages: Appealing to everyone
Disadvantages: Breaking In Flames' Tradition

...In Flames' we trust. The old saying and moto of Swedish metal band In Flames. Originally a band with brutal metal sound with heavy distrotioned based guitar riffs, thunderous drumming and yet a melodic touch of swedishness. Formed in the year 1990 and with 11 quality albums released, In Flames were officially THE metal band of the underground scene. Originally In Flames started out as a Death / Melodic / Swedish Metal band, whose genre mixed the likes of Arch Enemy, Iron Maiden, Soilwork, Unearth and Norther, with classic songs such as Clayman, Jester Race, December Flower, Ordinary Story, Episode 666 and the unforgetable Only for the weak. However, as the times progress, as did the genre of their music. Through their experimental and very unique album - Reroute to Remain - they redefined metal, but at the same time losing their metal... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: great songs, loved by all ages
Disadvantages: no longer together, some dodgy '70s fashions

...Abba were my favourite group in the 1970s and I think it proves just how good their music is, that they are still just as popular some thirty years later, even though they have disbanded years ago. There has recently been somewhat of a revival in their music, as illustrated by the Mamma Mia stage musical and the Abba Mania CD and televised concert, where contemporary artists (Steps, B*Witched, S Club 7 and the like) recorded their own versions of classic Abba songs. Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha (Anna) and Annifrid (Frida) were Sweden's biggest export. Their hairstyles, fashions and private lives received countless lines of press coverage, leading to the decision to film The Abba Movie. But their marriages broke up and time moved on. These days, the individual members are all still working and singing, with both Agnetha and Annifrid releasing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great variety of songs, enough tracks to keep anybody occupied for some time.
Disadvantages: Slightly genre-specific, I suppose.

...What is there to say about Steeleye Span to the unacquainted? The immediate comparison that leaps to mind is to the contemporary British folk-group, Fairport Convention, but it is unlikely that many of Fairport's fans will have managed to miss out on Steeleye altogether, and they, too, have faded rather into obscurity, rendering the comparison quite useless. Therefore, to start from the beginning: Steeleye Span are one of those groups who don't seem to be able to keep a static line-up for more than two albums at a time. That said, the thing about Steeleye is that it doesn't matter what incarnation of the band you are listening to, they are *always good*. My RealOne Player informs me that they fit into the category of 'folk-rock', but with the exception of a few songs - such as the techno-enhanced Thomas The Rhymer - I would say... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful