Various Artists "Nuclear Blast Allstars - Into The Light (Germany, Nuclear Blast, NB 1799-2)"

Into the Light is a compilation album from Nuclear Blast Records to commemorate their 20 years as a record label. Produced by Rage guitarist Victor Smolski, with singers Tobias Sammet (of Edguy), Peter "Peavy" Wagner (Rage) - who has also written the lyrics for all songs -, Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Mats Levén (Therion), Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer (Destruction), Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), Andi Deris (Helloween), Oddleif Stensland (Communic), Marko Hietala (ex-Nightwish, ex-Tarot), and Tarja Turunen (ex-Nightwish). It features a variable collection of "All Stars" much in the same vein as Roadrunner United. The whole album was written by Victor Smolski (however, two songs, "In the Picture" and "Slaves to the Desert" – originally "Slaves of the Desert" – are remakes of songs he had already recorded with Mind Odyssey), who also recorded all the guitars, some bass and keyboards. The drums were done by Volker Schultz and André Hilgers.

It was followed by a "twin" album called Out of the Dark. "Into the Light" focuses on the Power Metal side of Nuclear Blast, "Out of the Dark" on their Melodic Death side.

Tarja Turunen is the only singer in the album that is not (and wasn't at that time either) from Nuclear Blast. She is only included because of her past with Nightwish, one of the best known bands from Nuclear Blast.

Track listing

Disc 1 - 20 Years Nuclear Blast

All lyrics are written by Peter "Peavy" Wagner of Rage; all music is composed by Victor Smolski

1. "Dirty Wings" (feat. Tobias Sammet of Edguy) 04:53
2. "Terrified" (feat. Peter "Peavy" Wagner of RAGE) 04:01
3. "Ruling the World" (feat. Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica) 02:55
4. "Death is Alive" (feat. Mats Leven of Therion, Krux, At Vance) 06:21
5. "Bloodsucker" (feat. Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer of Destruction) 03:21
6. "Slaves to the Desert" (feat. Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian) 06:49
7. "A Perfect Day" (feat. Andi Deris of Helloween) 04:00
8. "Eternally" (feat. Oddleif Stensland of Communic) 05:37
9. "Inner Sanctuary" (feat. Marko Hietala (ex-Nightwish, ex-Tarot)) 04:29
10. "In the Picture" (feat. Tarja Turunen formerly of Nightwish) 07:28

Total length: 49:47

Disc 2 - 20 Years Nuclear Blast: Bonus CD

1. HammerFall - Hearts on Fire (03:54)
2. Helloween - The Madness of the Crowds (04:14)
3. Gotthard - El Traidor (03:36)
4. After Forever - Sweet Enclosure (05:05)
5. Ride the Sky - New Protection (03:23)
6. Thunderstone - Forevermore (04:21)
7. Threshold - Slipstream (04:55)
8. Amorphis - The Smoke (03:39)
9. Candlemass - Devil Seed (05:45)
10. Sirenia - The Other Side (03:55)

Total length: 42:43

On the US edition of the album, track 5 on bonus CD is the final mix of Ride the Sky's "New Protection" instead of a rough mix.

Recording information:

Recorded and mixed at VPS Studios in Hamm, Germany.

Various Artists "A Tribute To The Priest (Germany, Nuclear Blast, NB 1022)"

A Tribute to the Priest is a tribute album for Judas Priest, released on 9 September 2002.

Track listing

"Hell Bent for Leather" - Annihilator (2:53)
Originally released on Killing Machine (US title : Hell Bent For Leather).
"Metal Gods" - Primal Fear (3:37)
Originally released on British Steel.
"Delivering the Goods" (live) - Skid Row (4:50)
Originally released on Killing Machine (US title : Hell Bent For Leather).
"Riding on the Wind" - Witchery (2:47)
Originally released on Screaming for Vengeance.
"Screaming for Vengeance" - Iced Earth (4:37)
Originally released on Screaming for Vengeance.
"Jawbreaker" - Siebenbürgen (3:54)
Originally released on Defenders of the Faith.
"Breaking the Law" - HammerFall (2:12)
Originally released on British Steel.
"Electric Eye" - Benediction (4:17)
Originally released on Screaming for Vengeance.
"Painkiller" - Death (6:02)
Originally released on Painkiller.
"All Guns Blazing" - Silent Force (3:24)
Originally released on Painkiller.
"Dreamer Deceiver" - Steel Prophet (5:24)
Originally released on Sad Wings of Destiny.
"Never Satisfied" - Armored Saint (4:34)
Originally released on Rocka Rolla.
"Green Manalishi" - Therion (3:21)
Originally released on Killing Machine (US title : Hell Bent For Leather).
"Diamonds And Rust" - Thunderstone (3:25)
Originally released on Sin After Sin.

HammerFall "Live! Against The World"

Following a major tour in support of the album Dominion throughout Europe, and North America as a support act for the band Sabaton, the band later announced their live album Live! Against the World which is set for release on 23 October 2020.

Track list:

Disc 1 (CD)

1. Never Forgive, Never Forget 05:32  
2. One Against the World 03:53   
3. Heeding the Call 04:55  
4. The Way of the Warrior 05:07
5. Any Means Necessary 03:45
6. Hallowed Be My Name 04:38   
7. Blood Bound 03:49   
8. Redemption 06:58   
9. Hector's Hymn 05:47  
10. Natural High 04:32   

Total time:  48:56  

Disc 2 (CD)

1. Second to One 04:29  
2. Renegade Medley 07:01
3. Keep the Flame Burning 05:10   
4. Dominion 05:18  
5. The Dragon Lies Bleeding 04:27   
6. Last Man Standing 05:07   
7. Let the Hammer Fall 08:30   
8. Hammer High 05:22   
9. (We Make) Sweden Rock 05:23
10. Hearts on Fire 06:08   

Time:  56:55

 

Disc 3 (Blu-ray)

1. Intro
2. Never Forgive, Never Forget  
3. One Against the World   
4. Heeding the Call
5. The Way of the Warrior
6. Any Means Necessary   
7. Hallowed Be My Name  
8. Blood Bound
9. Redemption  
10. Hector's Hymn
11. Natural High   
12. Second to One   
13. Renegade Medley  
14. Keep the Flame Burning
15. Dominion   
16. The Dragon Lies Bleeding  
17. Last Man Standing   
18. Let the Hammer Fall   
19. Hammer High   
20. (We Make) Sweden Rock  
21. Hearts on Fire  

Recording information:

Recorded on February 15 at the MHP Arena in Ludwigsburg, Germany.