Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Hard Echo
Title
Traded Secrets
Type
LP/EP
Company
Independent
YOR
2004
Style
Power
4/1/2004 - Review by: Frank Hill
A talented and very Maiden-esq band
The classic Maiden sound is there from song structure to Dave Murry-sounding guitar tones to the delivery of lion-haired lead singer Mark Arrington. His vocals leave me ambivalent at times, though. Sometimes it sounds like he's singing out of his range and at other times it feels like he's right on the mark. Part of my problem may be that the band's sound is so similar to Maiden that I almost expect to hear Bruce Dickinson himself wailing after a guitar intro. So close is their sound, that "Salem" could have been lifted from the same sessions as the 'Piece of Mind' album.

After a couple of songs, I stop hearing what I expect and allow Hard Echo to be what it is and the songs really start to click with title track "Traded Secrets" taking my vote as the best number. They may be derivative of Maiden, but Hard Echo has absorbed the lessons of their elders well. I can only think of one other band--Ravage, with their galloping Blaze-era sound, who does the Maiden sound so well. Note that Hard Echo doesn't play much of the triplet rides like in "The Trooper" though. They sound more like the experimental Maiden you get from songs like "Remember Tommorrow" or even the older "I've Got the Fire".

Bottom Line: A talented and very Maiden-esq band. The vocals have such unique character that they will be the selling point on whether you welcome Hard Echo to your collection or not. Killer cover from graphic artist Marc Sasso.
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    4 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: HARD ECHO
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Mouth of the Sun
2007
Independent
Frank Hill1/23/2008
4
Traded Secrets
2004
Independent
Frank Hill4/1/2004
4

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: HARD ECHO
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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