Name: Patrick Weiler
Email address: patrick (at) metal-observer (dot) com
Functions: Reviews
Compatible styles: Basically all Metal-styles! From Hard Rock to Black Metal there is nothing leaving me cold. But it has to contain at least a minimum of melody and song-structure.
Incompatible styles: Nu-Metal doesn't really interest me and also Grindcore doesn't touch me.
Thoughts on the main Metal genres:
Black Metal: To me is a double bladed sword. On the one hand I like more modern, well produced bands such as EMPEROR, IMMORTAL or DIMMU BORGIR, which at least have some melody and song structure. On the other hand I do not really like old school Black Metal as it mostly is badly produced and rather unmelodic.
Death Metal: Like it in almost all its forms. Here I do not really care either, if the band is melodic or not. I like almost any kind of band, be it DISSECTION, BOLT THROWER, DEATH or IN FLAMES. The only thing that matters is that the music is well played and at least a bit accessible. Stuff that goes into the Grindcore corner, though, is nothing for me.
Thrash Metal: I love this shit!!! Thrash Metal is one of my favourite styles. There’s nothing better than some skull splitting Thrash riffs of SLAYER, EXODUS, SODOM, DESTRUCTION and consorts. Of course I also like to hear newer bands such as MACHINE HEAD or DEW-SCENTED. Thrash´til Death!!!
Power Metal: Also one of my favourites, even though I cannot always say, if a band now is Power Metal or Melodic/Heavy Metal. For me bands such as SAVATAGE, ICED EARTH or JAG PANZER are Power Metal, but somehow at the same time also just Heavy Metal. Anyways, I’ve got no problems with melodies, nice guitar solos or also high vocals. Apart from the mentioned bands I also like countless others.
Progressive Metal: Also a big passion of mine. Apart from DREAM THEATER, THRESHOLD, QUEENSRYCHE, ARENA and some others I also like more rocking bands such as SPOCK’S BEARD, ENCHANT or RUSH. Of course with all technicalities they have to have a song structure and the band should not solo the song to death.
Doom Metal: Since the end of 2006 I've been exploring this genre a little more and now like bands such as CANDLEMASS or SOLITUDE AETURNUS a lot. I am still on the hunt for more good bands.
Gothic Metal: Here it is similar to Doom Metal. There are a few bands that I like, for example PARADISE LOST („Draconian Times“) or FLOWING TEARS, but the style doesn’t give me much.
Melodic/Heavy Metal: See Power Metal. Basically for Heavy Metal I only have to name names such as IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, HELLOWEEN or GAMMA RAY and everybody knows what it is about. The very melodic stuff such as STRATOVARIUS or SONATA ARCTICA also are good. Just the hordes of Italo Metal bands are beyond me.
Nicknames: Paddy, Scrum
Time at TMO: since February 2001
How came at TMO: I had been writing Reviews at www.dooyoo.de, just like Alex. Some time he asked me, if I was interested in joining and since then I'm on board.
The best thing as a TMO writer: To add my part in helping our scene and to meet nice people. I also have the chance to make good pictures at concerts from the photo trench.
The worst thing as a TMO writer: Haven't had any negative experiences so far.
Statistics:
Reviews 199
Underground 44
Interviews 7
Live reviews 13
Articles 0
Specials 0
Reviewing methods: Well, how do I do a review? Sure, at first I listen to the CD in question 2 to 3 times really in depth and take down notes. If it is something more complicated and I have enough time, I listen to the things more often, too. CDs that I really like, of course, also are listened to in the car. When I start to write the review, the CD always rotates, too. Then I often change things. Before I took every single song under scrutiny, but I don't do that often anymore. For one the review usually simply gets too long, secondly I think that this kind of review gets boring latest after the third song and finally it often isn't necessary to go into each song, if several songs are similar to each other, for example. I always try also to go into the sound and the lyrics, if I have them. In the last part I write something like a conclusion for the CD. Here I also often put my very personal opinion or also a purchase recommendation and at the end are the check out tips. At the very end only I decide the rating. But mostly a rough direction also becomes clear during listening. When everything is done, I read through it all again, correct typos, add stuff or delete something. That's about it!

Birthday: August 22, 1980
Birth town: Andernach, Germany
Present location: Andernach, Germany
Job: Basically industrial merchant, at the moment, retail-adviser
Languages: German and English
Hobbies: Music, reading, taking photographs, poker, rugby, going out with my girlfriend, football and computer-games.
Pet peeves: Envy, intolerance, the orthography-reform and xenophobia.
Phobia(s): The only thing that I am really afraid of is that Metal could be extinct one day.
I, about myself: Calm, friendly and full of humour.
Describe yourself in 5 words: Friendly, crazy, true, fun-loving and honest
Funny childhood story: I had a nice, but unspectacular childhood. Sorry!

How I came into Heavy Metal: At age 13 I was part of a bike-tour, where some of the older guys listened to “Kill Em All” by METALLICA. This previously unknown sound kindled a fire in me that still is burning brightly. After this tour I got AC/DC’s “Live At Donington” and since then my lust for heavy stuff grew and grew and I discovered ever heavier dimensions. Today, like mentioned before, I listen to a broad spectrum of Metal.

First Metal CD ever bought: My first Metal or Rock CD had been MEAT LOAF's "Bat Out Of Hell II" and MANOWAR's "Hail To England". But before that I already had a few Metal tapes.

Most embarrassing CD in your collection: Falco – Out of the Dark (Maxi). Rest In Peace.

First Metal concert: My first Metal/Punk/Rock concert was GREEN DAY (hmmm, somehow embarassing, I know) 1993 or 1994 in Cologne. I don't know the date anymore as I lost the ticket by now.

What did Metal teach me about life: Metal, the scene and many song lyrics have taught me to scrutinise things and not believe everything and not just believe everything people tell you.

Favourite music listening place and why? In the living room on the couch, because I have my big stereo there, where I have the best sound and, of course, can relax best. I hear most of my stuff in the car, but I would not consider the car my favourite place. I just drive a lot.

Most prized Metal possession? I have never really spent much money for something special in terms of Metal. Metal itself is an expensive thing, though, if you look at how much CDs and concerts cost. But I love music, so who cares?

Band & previous band experiences: Carnival band Blue Sparks
Instrumental talents: German flute, electric guitar and right now a lot of e-bass
Favourite bands: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Helloween, Jag Panzer, Angel Dust, In Flames, Edguy, Kreator, Sodom, Dream Theater, Children of Bodom, AC/DC and many more...
Least favourite bands: Most Nu-Metal-bands, and Gorgoroth (Primitive Black Metal at its best)
Sound you'd like to have banned: Techno
Most overrated bands: Cradle Of Filth & Kid Rock
Most underrated bands: Overkill, Skyclad...

Most influential band: IRON MAIDEN, because I appreciate their music most. I also think that many Metalheads still wait for their albums and have high expectations in them. Somehow they still are a monument of classical Metal.

Favourite musician: Kerry King, Dave Murray, Steve Harris, Harry "The Tyrant" Conklin
Favourite album cover: Dissection - Storm Of The Lights Bane, Avantasia - The Metal Opera
10 favourite albums:

Avantasia - Metal Opera
For me one of the best releases in the year 2001, even though it's only a project of Tobias Sammet. Been a long time since we had such a big collection of fantastic musicians on one CD. And EDGUY-head Tobias Sammet proves what he is capable of. I can hardly await the next two parts of the AVANTASIA-series.

Angel Dust - Bleed
One of the best German bands that has made it into the new millennium. "Bleed" has great melodies, atmosphere and some real crackers like "Addicted To Serenity", "Follow Me (Part I)" or den title-track "Bleed". Good and modern Power Metal.

Dissection - Storm Of The Lights Bane
This album has accompanied me through the emotionally most difficult times of my life. The album oozes of incredible cold and fury. Still you find brilliant melodies everywhere, which just plainly rule. The best piece of Black/Death Metal that I know. Whenever I'm really down, I put in this CD and after that I am better. "Storm Of The Lights Bane" has something special. Additionally it also has one of my favourite covers.

Dream Theater - Awake
Even though DREAM THEATER in my ears have released only good albums, "Awake" still is my fave. The album, despite all progressiveness, still is accessible and catchy. Unfortunately "Awake" perpetually is underrated in the DREAM THEATER-discography.

Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys II
The mother of all good German Speed and Melodic Metal-bands. On "Keeper II…" there is not a single weak song. Especially great are the vocals of Michael Kiske, who is not much to be heard from anymore today (apart from AVANTASIA - "The Metal Opera"). For sure one of the ten best Metal-singers. One of my most-listened-to albums.

Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast
I hardly have to say anything about this, do I? Just a milestone of Heavy Metal. I could list almost all IRON MAIDEN-albums, because I just love the band and their music, but I keep it at this one highlight.

Judas Priest - Painkiller
The same as MAIDEN's "The Number Of The Beast". "Painkiller" is a milestone and belongs into every Metal-collection. That's pure Heavy Metal!

Kreator - Violent Revolution
With this album KREATOR impressively reported back in 2001/2002 and firmly claim the Thrash Metal-throne. "Violent Revolution" has its very secure place in my Top Ten, just great.

Metallica - Kill Em All
The topic METALLICA is a little touchy. I, too, have written off the guys, but their first four albums have been and still are killer. I picked "Kill Em All", because this album has awakened a big part of my Metal-interest. Additionally a classic in Thrash Metal.

Slayer - Reign In Blood
Even though SLAYER have weakened off, they still are among the best Thrash-bands. "Reign In Blood" for sure is a killer-album. In only 30 minutes the guy fire off century-riffs galore. For me "Reign In Blood" is the best Thrash Metal-album of all times. Period!

Favourite films: Lord Of The Rings, Terminator II, Beverly Hills Cop I+II and all movies with Bud Spencer and Terence Hill (cult!), The Simpsons (movie)
Favourite books: Tommyknockers by Steven King, The Green Mile (King), Lord Of The Rings and everything by Terry Pratchett
Favourite food: Lasagna and Pizza
Favourite drink: Bubbling water and Bitburger Pils-beer
Favourite smokes: Holy Smoke by Iron Maiden!
Which song should be played at your funeral: "Black Chamber" by Blind Guardian.
Idol(s): None
Person you'd like to meet: The rest of the Brotherhood and IRON MAIDEN.
Catchphrase: Got no clue
Biggest thrill in life (so far): Had vomited into half of my parents' house on New Year's Eve a few years back.
Goal in life: Just be happy and satisfied. And of course Heavy Metal forever!
Secret: I am also playing German flute in a carnival-band! Who's laughing will be invited for the next rehearsal. That should be regarded as a warning!!!
5 favourite links:

• www.rockhard.de
• www.wer-kennt-wen.org
• www.fotocommunity.de
• www.myrevelations.de
• www.ebay.de