According to a survey carried out at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, both are creative, at ease with themselves and introverted. This comes from a study of 36,000 music fans around the world.

Metal and classical followers are also obsessive and dedicated. Professor Adrian North, who led the study says:

“There’s also a sense of theatre which is common with both groups. For heavy metal bands it’s about putting on a show”.

What are the chances of Iron Maiden or Judas Priest appearing at the Proms, then?!

Words: Malcolm Dome

Here come the Priest. Who else but Judas Priest, that is. Now, there will be cries of ‘rip off!’ as far as The Complete Albums Collection (Legacy) is concerned.  This is a 17-CD box set with every studio and live album the band have done with Rob Halford. Both Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings Of Destiny have been remastered, but this apart what you get are the original albums untouched. Unless you are a Priest collector, or have only just discovered the might of the metal gods, it’s hard to believe you’d go out of your way to buy this. However, musically this is just metal heaven.

Lamb Of God are now regarded as one of the pre-eminent contemporary metal bands. Resolution (Roadrunner) tells you why. It bristles with edge and energy, coupled with some seismic musicianship and erupting songs. Easily a class above most albums if this type you’ll hear in 2012.

The Poor are almost an archetypal Aussie hard rock band. Round 1 And 2 (Bad Reputation) is a 22-tracker that packages together the Round 1 and Round 2 albums (hence that cunning title). It’s entertaining in a Rose Tattoo style, but in all honesty it starts to get a little wearing about halfway through. This should have been kept down to around 10 songs.

Last year, EMI released an exhaustive UFO set documenting their glory days. So, you have to wonder what possible selling point there is with Too Hot To Handle – The Very Best Of UFO (Music Club Deluxe). It covers the same territory, albeit on two CDs as opposed to five, and is slightly more selective. But any fans would want the whole package, surely?

Savage Messiah were giving away new album Plague Of Conscience (Earache) at the end of last year. Now, it’s available on CD. An if you’re bag is NWOBHM tradition with a lean and mean 2012 edge, then this is an album that’s mandatory. The more you hear this, the more you’ll be convinced they are gonna be one of the metal names of the year.

Zodiac N Black are yet another reason why British rock is in such a healthy state right now. Debut album The Aftermyth (STM) harks back slightly to the alt.rock of the 90s, with a little grunge snap, and plenty of contemporary pop-rock edge. It all suggests a band with the potential to grow into something special, given the time and encouragement.

Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich has a reputation firmly established in the stoner and doom areas. And Heavy Kingdom (Exile On Mainstream) sees him team up with more hippyish Conny Ocks for what might be described as an acoustic yet intense album. The songs are sparse and ascetic, and are really dark. Yet you can’t help but be entranced by the way these two combine.

Last year, Anthrax proved they’ve still got a lot of life left with new album Worship Music. Now, their back catalogue has been raided  for Icon (Universal). It’s a compilation of obvious songs, presumably aimed at those to whom the band were virtual unknowns, until their exposure on the Big Four shows. Hard to argue with the choices, but who on earth is gonna buy it? Very few, it would seem. In its first week on sale in America, this sold 64 copies!

Finally, the 40^th anniversary of The Doors’ L.A. Woman is celebrated on the DVD Mr. Mojo Risin’ (Eagle Vision). Much of the footage has been seen before, although there are new interviews with the likes of Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore. And the presence of the previously unreleased song She Smells So Nice is a real bonus.

The metal gods will play Hammersmith Apollo on Saturday, May 26. Tickets go on sale from 9am on Friday, January 13.

This is at the end of a European tour, Whether any other British dates are added remains to be seen. Support comes from Saxon and Cobra & The Lotus.

Find out more at www.judaspriest.com

The confirmed shows run from April 22 to May 23 and take in Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Belgium. So far, nothing has been announced for the UK, but the band are likely to be playing over here during this period.

Find out more at www.judaspriest.com

Words: Malcolm Dome

It’s probably fair to say that Anvil’s stock has never been higher. So it was always inevitable that there would be a compilation of older material Still, at least Monument Of Metal (Sony) has been put together by the band. And it is great to hear all those faves like Metal On Metal. And this does span their career from those early days right up to 2011. It is a fitting reminder that the Canadians were influential on the thrash movement.

Still on the metal scene, My Dying Bride are in finely honed doomesque form with The Barghest Of Whitby (Peaceville). It’s just track, but at over 27 minutes in length, this does fit into the epic compartment. MDB never actually lose your interest, as they spool together some darkly dank riffs and atmospherically progressive claustrophobia.

One of the best of the younger crop of proggie bands, Magenta are at their finest on Chameleon (Tigermoth). Christina Booth’s gently chiming vocals are backed up by the sort of music that’s delicate yet also strident. This really does flow impressively from start to finish.

One assumes Yes have decided to release In The Present Live From Lyon (Frontiers) to underpin the current frontman’s credibility. Not that it’s surely in any doubt. However, the three disc affair (two CDs and one DVD) does prove that onstage vocalist Benoit David has much to commend him. This was filmed and recorded in December 2009, when David was still feeling his way. But he copes admirably.

Israelis Metal Scent have a metal approach that owes a lot to the likes of Judas Priest and Motorhead. And new album Homemade is the first time they’ve recorded only original songs. While there are times when it all comes across as clichéd, the band are capable of getting lost in a cul-de-sac, there are some very strong moments here. All of which suggests this is a band with promise. Further info: www.myspace.com/metalscentband

The reissue of Skin’s self-titled debut 1994 album by Rock Candy once more proves they were genuinely talented, and possessed of world class potential. Given better breaks, Skin could have easily become a major global melodic hard rock force. The strength in depth here deserves to be heard, and praised, again.

Undervalued at the time, Orion The Hunter’s self-titled first album is back on the streets courtesy once more of Rock Candy., Originally put out in 1984, it suffered by comparisons to Boston, as it was the brainchild of Barry Goudreau, guitarist with Tom Scholz’s band. But if it fails to live up to what Boston had achieved, then this is still a formidably epic mix of melody and pomp. So You Ran, a hit single at the time, is still flawless. And vocalist Fan Cosmo, who would later join Boston, is stylish and effortless.

Savatage weren’t at their best on Poets And Madmen (earMUSIC). First put out in 2001, it marked the return on vocals of Jon Oliva, after an absence of eight years. But it now comes across as representing a band struggling to emerge from the shadow of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The latter might have begun as a side project to focus the band’s more epic and operatic aspirations, but now had become a major force. It left Savatage as a shadow of their once mighty selves, and this album throws a spotlight on their confusion as to what direction they should take.

Finally, something of a shock. Korn claimed that The Path Of Totality (Roadrunner) was their journey into dubstep and electronic music. But in actuality, it’s more about progressive metal than anything else. It appears Korn might well have found a way forward.

John Baxter, who had worked with Halford since 1982, was dismissed in August after he posted comments on the singer’s website, calling into question the behaviour of Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton, and speculating on discontent within the band linked to the departure of Priest co-founder KK Downing at the end of 2010.

Baxter’s website comments (which were later deleted) questioned “the professional and ethical conduct” of Priest’s management team, calling both Jayne Andrews and Bill Curbishley of the Trinifold Group “leeches”.

Baxter was subsequently sacked via a lawyer’s letter which accused him of trying to prevent Halford from touring the US by withdrawing his sponsorship of the singer’s work visa.

Now the former manager says he’s owed millions as a result of breached contracts.

Words: Malcolm Dome

Judas Priest have had so many compilations released, it’s hard to see the point of The Chosen Few (Sony). Except that all the tracks have been specifically selected by other musicians. The likes of Ozzy, Lemmy, members of Metallica and Slayer all come up with their fave Priest moments, which means this is more than just another excuse for a quick cash-in. However, there’s nothing rare or unreleased here. Just some of best songs in metal history. But is the cachet of having such major names choosing them enough to persuade people to shell out for this collection? Your choice.

The Union have jumped up a notch or two with second album Siren’s Song (Payola Music). Luke Morley and Pete Shoulder seem a lot more at ease with each other now, and the result s a blues-based record that then takes off in different but coherent directions. There’s even a spot of jazz. What makes the album work, though, is the strength of the songs.

Back in the late 80s, everyone who was vaguely sleazy and could write a half-decent song got a deal in America as Guns N’ Roses mania reached a crescendo. Electric Angels were among those who got onto a major label, and then released a self-titled debut album that failed to take off. This 1990 record is back out on Rock Candy. To be honest, while it’s decent enough, there’s very little to suggest they could really compete even with the likes of Circus Of Power. And the presence of producer Tony Visconti doesn’t add much magic.

The Sudanese Playboys have a folk-rock sound that’s comparable to The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. It might seem daft to suggest these North Londoners are drawing from the heritage of these West Coast greats, but their approach is definitely in that direction on their self-titled first album. While it’s no classic, this is enjoyable and shows the ability and potential are there for bigger things. Find out more at www.sudaneseplayboys.com

Savatage became a major progressive metal band in the mid-80s, and Hall Of The Mountain King (earMUSIC) began the process. First released in 1987, it was a step forward for the band who showed flair and purpose which took them beyond their power metal and thrash roots. It still sounds formidable.

Veteran British acoustic folkies Amazing Blondel are showcased to great effect on Dead – Live In Transylvania (Talking Elephant). There’s no info here as to when it was recorded, but it’s probably around a decade ago, and the quality is unmistakable on all fronts, from performance to recording. One prog fans will adore. Oh, and it wasn’t recorded in Transylvania – the title is an old joke that harks back to a live album which references Tokyo, even though it was done in Europe!

Norwegian singer Issa returns with her second album. And The Storm (Frontiers) sees her really developing as a vocalist. The songs are not as immediate as those on her debut. But they do have more depth. The result is classy, creative and an album to prove Issa has a worth that goes beyond her model looks. It’s the type of record Pat Benatar would be proud to put out.

Power metal masters Iced Earth are back with Dystopia (Century Media), an album that doesn’t so much revitalize the band as give a fresh perspective on their well-established style. If you enjoy metal that’s slightly overblown but never ridiculous, coupled to the concept of dystopian themes in literature and movies linking most of the songs, then this is an album for you. One of the band’s best, and the debut of new singer Stu Block is impressive.

Words: Malcolm Dome

Fiona returns after an absence of two decades with Unbroken (Life On The Moon/Cargo), which is a simply tremendous melodic hard rock album. If there had been any justice she’d have been a massive star in the 1980s. The talent’s still so obvious on what is probably Fiona’s most consummate ever release. Easily among the genre’s best releases this year.

Styx are the latest band to reimagine their back catalogue.Regeneration Volume I & II (Eagle Rock) features 13 of the band’s finest career moments now re-recorded. The new versions are perfectly fine, but al they rally do is remind you why the originals are  classics. Still, there’s new song Difference In The World, which is actually rather splendid. Oh, Damn Yankees’ High Enough and Coming Of Age are also included, thanks to the Tommy Shaw connection. Wonder what Ted Nugent will make of these?

Londoners ahab are a band with a real handle on multiple harmonies. They prove their worth on the EP kmvt (Navigator), which rides the wave between folk and pop-rock, doing it very neatly indeed. Check out their recent Track Of The Day for an insight into what’s makes them tick.

The Answer have long been on the verge of something special. The time might have arrived with Revival (Spinefarm). It’s got all the classic rock traits we’ve come to associate with the Irishmen, however this time they’ve taken a significant step up. The songs are better constructed and realised, the performances have an extra 10 percent. Finally, The Answer sound like they’re becoming the world class band we knew was their destiny. The new Free?

Angel City have long been among Australia’s finest bands. Also known as The Angels, they had a quirky take on the sort of boogie which AC/DC and others made so much a part of Aussie heritage. Their 1978 album Face To Face (Rock Candy) is a prime example of their band’s wares. The second Angel City album, it has groove, melody and just a touch of eccentricity. Still sounds magnificent.

Be-Bop Deluxe remain among the most intelligent, articulate and undervalued rock bands of the 1970s. To call them art rock is be naive, but there was always something of that ilk in their style. Futurist Manifesto 1974-1978 (EMI) features all five of their albums for the Harvest label, plus a disc of previously unreleased tracks. It is a spellbinding collection.

These days Adrian Vandenberg is probably most renowned for his spell in Whitesnake. But prior to that, he led Vandenberg, a Dutch band with much to commend them in the early 1980s. Their self-titled, debut (Rock Candy) originally came out in 1982, and its anthemic hard rock manifesto has held up well. It makes you wonder why this band never gained enough commercial momentum to make a bigger impact.

Finally, to young Brits Emerald, who prove on debut album Master I Am (Phantom) that they’re old school enough to appreciate the influence of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and even The Who. However, there’s something about this lot’s often obvious power metal approach which hints at a deep-lying ability that, given the chance, will really blossom. Master I Am is far from being essential, but could be the birth of something that will be more than worthwhile.

Called The Chosen Few, the full track listing is:

1. Diamonds And Rust – chosen by Joe Elliott
   2. Dissident Aggressor  - chosen by Steve Vai and Geoff Tate (Queensryche)
   3. Exciter  - chosen by Accept
   4. Beyond The Realms Of Death  - chosen by Lars Ulrich
   5. Delivering The Goods  - chosen by Kerry King
   6. The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)  - chosen by David Coverdale and Randy Blythe (Lamb Of God)
   7. The Ripper  - chosen by Ozzy Osbourne
   8. Victim Of Changes  - chosen by James Hetfield (Metallica)
   9. Breaking The Law – chosen by Lemmy
   10. Rapid Fire  - chosen by Vinnie Paul (Hellyeah)
   11. Grinder – chosen by Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society)
   12. Living After Midnight – chosen by Alice Cooper and Geezer Butler
   13. Screaming For Vengeance – chosen by Slash
   14. You’ve Got Another Thing Coming – chosen by Klaus Meine and Corey Taylor
   15. The Sentinel – chosen by Chris Jericho (Fozzy)
   16. Turbo Lover  - chosen by Jonathan Davis (Korn)
   17. Painkiller – chosen by Joe Satriani

Find out more at www.judaspriest.com

It happens at 10pm on Saturday, August 20 and includes footage of Judas Priest, Dream Theater, Slash, Thunder, Thin Lizzy and Black Country Communion.

Find out more here.