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Catalog Number: RAR7894 UPC: 845121017854 Style: Metal Tracks: 10 Time: 32:16 Lyrics: Yes Packaging: 4 panel jewel case ABOUT THE ALBUM This heavy metal classic was originally released in 1996 and has been out of print for over half a decade. Fifteen years later, the 2010 Collector's Edition features stunning new artwork, while the music has been remixed, remastered and partially re-recorded. We extend a special thanks to the amazing Robert Sweet (Stryper) for providing real drums on this Collector's Edition (the original recording featured a drum machine). We asked him to 'really let loose' and to 'drum like you've always wanted to - with no restrictions' and that's exactly what he did! The result is a world-class heavy metal release with drums by a bonafide superstar! Guitar duties are handled by axeman extraordinaire, Bill Menchen (Seventh Power, Menchen, Final Axe, Rev Seven, Redeemer) and the sudden impact vocals of Keith Miles (Final Axe, Holy Right) provide a powerful classic metal experience with vocals riffs that could power the Titanic! Melodic power metal fans have made it clear that Maiden Voyage is a classic worthy of it's legendary, heavy-weight status! For fans of Judas Priest, Bloodgood, Neon Cross and Saint. White Throne Blog: 'When you listen to the improved 'Fight Back,' 'I Am Watching You,' 'Ocean Of Blood,' or 'Gods Of War' there is so much more feel that it enhances Bill's guitar riffs. It is simply astounding.' WHITE THRONE BLOG REVIEW With a powerful energetic drum assault from Strypers Robert Sweet these reissues of Bill Menchen's Titanic are even more powerful than when they were first released. Both Maiden Voyage and Screaming in Silence were solid heavy metal albums before. Now with the drumming of Robert Sweet they are spectacular! This is mid paced heavy metal that leather jackets and denim jeans were made for. Both 'Screaming...' and 'Maiden...' were originally released using a drum machine (if that is incorrect someone please correct me.) Needless to say the sound wasn't as big as it could've been. It showcased Menchens guitar prowess and Sam Tyler's vocal styles. Screaming in Silence and Maiden Voyage highlighted powerful hook laden heavy metal songs. Now with this new dynamic of real drums by Sweet, he added the missing piece, power, feel, drive and downright rock n roll attitude. When you listen to the improved 'Fight Back,' 'I am Watching You,' 'Oceans of Blood,' or 'Gods of War' from Maiden Voyage there is so much more feel that it enhances Bills guitar riffs. It is simply astounding. The added bass drums and fills just increase the power that was already there in the songs to begin with. The hair starts swirling and the neck joins in with glorious praise. The songs from Screaming in Silence also receive a tremendous boost from real drumming. Robert's dynamics on 'Hypnotic' enhance a very groove influenced metal song and just add that missing piece. 'As I Am,' 'See through My Eyes' are some just obvious examples of the intensity taken up to the next notch. Bill & Sam's passion are obviously there but with a drummer of Robert's caliber behind the kit he adds the spark to a smoldering metal flame that ignites in a blaze of glory. The hooks are stronger and more infectious than before. The songs here just sound vastly improved. Heavier than say Priest's Point of Entry but perhaps not quite British Steel. Hook filled like Saxon's Denim and Leather but with the guts of Armored Saints Raising Fear. Not ground breaking but first rate. Any takers? I would almost view those first two original releases as warm up demos for the real thing. The introduced you to the songs and band, but were'nt the finished product. So if you don't already own the original releases do yourself a favor this spring, and if you do you will definitely want the upgrade. These releases are the real thing and if you're a fan of traditional metal ala Armored Saint, Judas Priest, Dio and Accept don't hesitate and add these discs to your collection. Bang yer head and yell! ANGELIC WARLORD REVIEW Ever give an album you did not initially like a second chance and ended up pleasantly surprised? That would be the best way to describe the "love-hate" relationship I have had with Titanic's full length debut Maiden Voyage. The origin of Titanic can be traced to the late eighties and the duo of guitarist Bill Menchen and vocalist Keith Miles, who formed Final Axe and released a well received 10 song demo entitled Beyond Hell's Gate in 1989. A second project (with the working title Burn In Hell) was started but scrapped when Final Axe broke up. Titanic did not come into being until the mid-nineties when Menchen and Miles (now under the moniker Simon Tyler) reunited and recorded Maiden Voyage in 1996. I immediately purchased a copy as soon as it became available. Now, this is where that "love-hate" relationship in question begins. My first impression on listening to Maiden Voyage is that it was a bunch of boring and repetitious heavy metal characterized by sub par songwriting. As the years passed and I would occasionally listen to the album, my opinion did not waver. Fast forward to 2010 and Maiden Voyage has been re-issued by Retroactive Records with new album artwork - remixed, re-mastered and partially re-recorded in the process - and Robert Sweet (Stryper) on drums. When I first heard of the re-issue, I got a sinking feeling in my stomach - you know, the kind you get when you enter the dentists office to get a root canal done - knowing I was going to have to put together a review. Needless to say, I decided it would be best to approach the project with an open mind and give it the fair opportunity it deserves. And you know what? This turned out a good thing in that upon first listen to the re-issue I was blown away. Why? How? Well, it all starts with the remix and re-mastering. Credit goes to Main Line Riders guitarist Cliffy, who completed the re-mastering, for giving the project a much needed facelift. What was once a distractingly muddy production has turned into a strength in that Maiden Voyage now sports a clean and crisp sound void of the murkiness characteristic to the original. The drums (more on this later) project added punch while the full and abundant rhythm guitar mix is of the type reserved for the most professionally produced releases. After comparing to the original re-issue, it is this reviewers opinion all rhythm guitar tracks were re-recorded from scratch (the difference is that staggering). The second deciding factor, of course, is Robert Sweet, who literally breathes new life into the material with a performance both powerful and creative (a drum machine was used on the first release). The guy, for a lack of better words, really let's loose throughout the project with the end result an overwhelming difference. I will let Cliffy expand further on the matter: "If you ever thought drums don't make a difference then I invite you to check this out and prove to yourself how wrong you were. Robert makes such a difference on this album that you'll swear you've never heard it before." So how do these improvements impact the songs, which I previously described as "sub par", "repetitious" and "boring"? While hindsight is twenty-twenty, in looking back I was misinformed to be critical of the albums material in that the fault did not lie with the songwriting but rather the production and (programmed) drums. And now that these latter two areas have been corrected, the songs can be seen in their proper light: full of energy and oozing with emotion while not forsaking hooks in the process. Songs I found repetitious on the 1996 release - "Nightmare", "You've Got Nothing On Me", "Gods Of War", "And The Dead Shall Rise" and "Freak Show" - now come to life with stronger chorus hooks and meatier riffs you can sink your teeth into. "Ocean Of Blood" and "Hollywood Blvd", the only two from the original I liked, are that much better. The albums remaining materia