As the readers know, I don't usually speak of my personal life or opinions on a review, but this is another one of those moments when I must throw out my principles and convictions as a writer: in my early years of a Metalhead, I came to know the power and heavy work from WARLOCK, but what astonished me back then was the aggressive and powerful voice of Doro Pesch, and since then, I became a fan. It's one of my strongest reasons to have a deep respect for her work. And it's a pleasure to me to review this triple compilation of DORO, "Magic Diamonds - Best of Rock, Ballads & Rare Treasures", even costing me a lot of pain on my spine.

As the name of the album means, it's a collection of some rare tracks on different versions, some live tracks, and some of her hits (and only three CDs aren't enough for all of Doro's hits of her career). Her music is a form of accessible Heavy Metal/Hard Rock usual on the 80's, but that works in a great shape on the hands of her band (that are talented musicians, all of them), heavy and abrasive sometimes, on other commercially accessible, but always great and a great experience. For Metal's sake, this is another fine release, something really lovely and heavy!

Although the sound quality, the main good point of "Magic Diamonds - Best of Rock, Ballads & Rare Treasures" resides on the choice of the songs: it's a great collection of songs, and can be said that for those that still don't know deeply the Metal Queen's career (hey, stop sinning, you), but with some tracks that make this album a must for many veterans on her music.

On CD 1, the best ones are "All We Are ("The Fight" Version)", "Thunderspell" (a typical Hard 'n' Heavy song of her), "I Adore You" (not, it's my who adore you), "Descent" (where Pete Steele sings with her), "You're My Family" (a fine mix of weight and melodies, but I'm proud of being in your family), "Haunted Heart", "Raise your Fist in the Air (New Live Recording "Forever Warriors Forever United" Tour)" (one of her recent hits, with a great chorus, vocals and backing vocals), "Now or Never" (where  Slash plays guitars), "The Night of the Warlock" (it's impossible to resist to its heavy and melodic appeal), the catching "Always Live to Win", the personal and orchestral version for JUDAS PRIEST's "Breaking the Law" (where the vocals are shared with Udo Dirkschineider), and the bitter heavy approach of "Dedication (I Give My Blood)".

On the disc 2, it's found some of her best ballads, being the best ones "Für Immer (Classic Night Orchestra Version)" (one of her greatest commercial hits), the re-recorded version for "Love Me in Black", "Scarred", "Make Time for Love (New Live Recording "Forever Warriors Forever United" Tour)", "Tausend Mal Gelebt" (a live version), "Give Me a Reason", "Love Me Forever" (a MOTÖRHEAD cover, where the voice of Lemmy was immortalized along with Doro's voice). "Walking with the Angels" (where Doro and Tarja are singing together), "Beyond the Trees" (another rerecorded version), the acoustic live versions for "Undying" and "Constant Danger", and the tender appeal of "Warrior Soul".

On the disc 3, the tender and deep "The Queen", the hit "Metal Tango" (on an orchestral version), the WARLOCK's live covers of "I Rule the Ruins" and "Hellbound", the old and good "Save My Soul" (a live version for this song from DORO's first album, 1989's "Force Majeure"), her version for "Egypt (The Chains Are On)" (from DIO, and it appeared on a tribute from Rock Hard mag), the live shot for "Bad Blood", "My Majesty", "Hellraiser" and "Let Love Rain on Me", the savage "Chained", and her version for METALLICA's "Nothing Else Matters" are the best ones.

About the details: it's a DORO album, and her musical trademark is the high level quality of the band's music, so to mention the details is irrelevant. And "Magic Diamonds - Best of Rock, Ballads & Rare Treasures" is another great release form Her Majesty, the Metal Queen Doro Pesch.