Review 2006

Bang Tango From The Hip

Perris Records

· Produced By: Bang Tango

· Running Time: 31.00

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Perris Records

58%

Songs: 50%

Sound: 65%

This is another album I have had trouble warming to. Basically I haven't got a lot of patience for albums that don't sound as sonically good as they should these days and the new Bang Tango is perhaps the roughest release of the band's career.
I absolutely adore Dancing On Coals, that album was a truly original piece of work in a time where there were a lot of carbon copy bands making waves.
Of course this is a completely different line-up than back in the heyday. The guys at times capture the spirit of the original band on occasion, while at other times they move towards a rougher punkish delivery.
I think the thing here is that I'm just not sold on the songs. The opening rocker It's All Ok works pretty well as does the mid-album Mother Mary and Get Used To It, but elsewhere, such as One More Spin, Go Go Go and the very rough Carry Me Up don't work for me at all.
And at a mere 31 minutes playing time, there is no room for fillers at all.

Quiet Riot Rehab

Chavis Records

· Produced By: Quiet Riot

· Running Time: 57.48

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Quiet Riot

75%

Songs: 70%

Sound: 80%

I have had this for a few weeks now and I'm still not sure what to make of it. I think I must just accept that it is not for me.
I have read several reviews for the album, all of which are very positive. And I can see where these people are coming from, as the record has a definite style and feel and I think the band has realized their goal of making a new record with a fresh sound and brining the band into the 21st Century. But, personally speaking, I'm not sure I want to be there with them. I still have fond memories of the band's old school sound and to hear them modernize with tuned down guitars and a certain retro flavored classic rock meets 70s blues feel is something I'm not getting into.
The record has a very organic live in the studio sound, and singer Kevin DuBrow sounds pretty good in this setting. I think once you get your head around the style change and the new heavy, raw sound, things improve and there are some strong songs on offer.
However I can imagine some folk won't get that far as this is a very different beast to the Quiet Riot we all remember.

Royal Hunt 2006 Live

Frontiers Records

FRCD314

· Produced By: Royal Hunt

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Frontiers

80%

DVD: 70%

Royal Hunt's new "live" album features 15 tracks and 90 minutes of music over the two discs.
But what is on offer is pretty good stuff, even if it the release is aimed squarely at established Royal Hunt fans.
The tracks picked concentrate on the John West era of the band, with a few old classics thrown in for good measure. West covers those as he does everything – with gusto.
He is one hell of a singer and I enjoy everything he appears on.
This live set also features new members Kenneth Olsen (drums), Per Schelander (bass) and Marcus Jidell (guitars). The band doesn't skip a beat, with mainstay Andre Andersen still running the show.
Recording quality is very good, although a little on the raw side, which I state as a positive, as I hate polished and overdubbed live albums, unless that is part of a concept.
So, the record feels nice and live and there is plenty of energy coming through the speakers, helped by an enthusiastic audience. The show was recorded/filmed at St. Petersburg's Music Hall in Russia – new frontiers for the band that has been going well over a decade now.

Then there is the DVD. Film quality is good – the new line-up of Royal Hunt can be seen enjoying themselves and hammering out the classics. It is a solid live show and decent quality DVD release. By now most will be aware that I had reservations about the lead vocals - not the quality of them - but the fact that the pictures are sometimes out of sync with the audio coming through. That lead me to believe that perhaps they were fixed after the fact - it happens all the time, but in this case John West personally guarantees that everything you hear is 100% live, which is why he should be applauded for a great performance, and why I enjoyed the CD as much as I did.
I still have an issue with the out of sync pictures, which for me does take away from the overall enjoyment of the DVD portion of this live release. I will stick to the CD when I need a fix. I know some fans agree with me on this and some others disagree strongly. It will come down to personal taste as to whether these few problems take away from the release, but it remains a quality performance by the band.

Hotwire Devil In Disguise

NL Distribution

· Produced By: Hotwire

· Running Time: 45.48

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: Hotwire

83%

Songs: 80%

Sound: 86%

German melodic rockers Hotwire return with a new release that I think will find a place with fans of European melodic hard rock and especially the already established fans of the band.
The band delivers a strong set of songs – some a little heavier with a strong groove and some more lightweight poppier numbers. When they rock, I got a small taste of House of Shakira and at other times a more Bonfire style German melodic rock.
The band works best when on an uptempo setting; I didn't enjoy the mellower tracks as much, even though the ballad Wonderland has a nice AOR hook and melody. Hot Love is also skippable as it features a totally and obviously programmed sound.
Interesting that the guys should cover the Jimmy Barnes classic Ride The Night Away – cool song, but doesn't really work with a German accent. The rockers Skytrain and Escape are two examples of the band doing their best work, as is the excellent opening rocker Waterfalls.
A solid album, but a little up and down as far as style and impact.

Suzi Rawn Naked

SonyBMG

82998-20966-2

· Produced By: Harry Hess & Pete Lesperance

· Running Time: 39.10

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Melodic Pop Rock

· Links: Suzi Rawn

90%

Songs: 88%

Sound: 92%

This is a great little modern pop/rock release for anyone out there that wakes up one day and feels like hearing Harem Scarem with a female vocalist.
Except we aren't talking Mood Swings or Human Nature here – we are talking Harem doing their Rubber style modern rock or more precisely – a sound that falls into comparison with Harry Hess' solo album Another Day and Pete's own Fair Ground project.
This is produced by, played by and in part, co-written by Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance and features a very commercial modern pop sound that Harem fans will know all too well.
The vocals of Suzi Rawn (Canadian Idol finalist) are very welcomed and she works the material very well. Some of this is pure Harem Scarem, even to the point that she covers two Harem tracks brilliantly (and poppier) – Don't Come Easy and Understand You (both from Overload).
Pete's guitar tone is unmistakable, so if you love the Overload album, the band under the Rubber moniker and the guy's own solo projects, then this is utterly essential. If you are more old-school Harem, then take a listen first.

Bombay Black Anger Management

Kivel Records

KR0031

· Produced By: Ty Sims & Erik Johnson

· Running Time: 50.35

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Kivel Records

89%

Songs: 92%

Sound: 86%

I like this album a lot – it beats the band's debut for songs, production and energy. This American melodic hard rock outfit knows a good time and is happy to let you come along for the ride on their good fun party rock album, filled with tongue in cheek lyrics and in your face riffs.
Highlights include the opening trio of songs - the rocker Without You and the poppy Better Off Dead (again with those lyrics!) and the very melodic Out Of Your Mind.
More fun with Every Time I Think Of You and then there is the album highlight – the big in your face Forget About It.
The good fun, old-school rock n roll continues throughout the album – undoubtedly a more consistent and quality filled release than their debut, which I thought had potential, but not quite the songs.
The guys close the album with an acoustic driven bonus track titled U Suck, which is more fun and games at someone else's expense.
Having had the recent advantage of seeing the guys live, I was surprised to see how incredibly energetic the band was on stage and was amazed at how heavy these songs sounded live.
All I can say is that the next step for these guys on their way to stardom is to capture that raw energy on stage and have it translate into the studio. Do that and the guys will deliver a killer record.

Tribe Of Gypsies
Dweller On The Threshold

Indie

· Produced By: Richard Podolor & Roy Z

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Latin Hard Rock

· Links: Tribe Of Gypsies

88%

Songs: 84%

Sound: 93%

The guys deserve a longer review than this, especially give that their sound is so complicated, original and not easy to describe.
If you know the band, you know their style and let me tell you that the new album delivers everything they are renowned for and the quality of the songs and production is everything fans would hope for.
If you are new to the guys, track 1 might suggest to you that they are a metal band with tribal influences – which of course, is true to a point, but there is so much more.
They are a very diverse outfit that rock, but with strong Latin and South American influences, much of which comes through in the band's intense and complex percussion arrangements.
But that is just the start of it. There's modern rock, Sanata like classic rock, soulful ballads and straight ahead rock all featured here.
Ride On is a menacing rocker to open the album; Desolate Chile is eclectic rock; while Stop Bombing Each Other is the band at their most diverse.
The ballad Halo sees a more soulful side of the band come to the fore, but still the complex percussion base remains, not to mention the delicate guitar work of Roy Z.
Perfectly produced, never stagnant in its delivery and certainly not for everyone, but one hell of an interesting listen.

Black Label Society Shot To Hell

Band Of Beer Inc.

· Produced By: Zakk Wylde

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released: WORLD

· Musical Style: Metal

· Links: Zakk Wylde

88%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 90%

Zakk Wylde at his brutal best. We al know he can't sing – but we're over that now – right? Shot To Hell ranks as one of Zakk's best records to date and sees him in full swing following on from the very good Mafia release.
There's nothing new on here that we haven't heard before, but it is done well and the songs are as strong as ever. I like his style and I love that guitar tone…all we need is another classic Ozzy album with Zakk as the true partner in crime.
If you enjoyed the last coupe of albums, then this is more fine attitude laced metal fare.

December Radio December Radio

Slanted Records

CMD1113

· Produced By: Scotty Wilbanks

· Running Time: 44.32

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Rock

· Links: December Radio

85%

Songs: 80%

Sound: 90%

December Radio are doing all the right things – afterall, they have a Grammy nomination now. They are modern rock, but this still struck me as heavier than your average modern rock outfit. The guitars are tuned down, the vocals are familiar and the sound all very contemporary – so much so that you can hear this on radio – but there is also that heavier elements that might appeal to more than modern rock fans.
There are some big rock moments here (Can't Hide, Greed, Table), and then on the other hand the guys turn in a very commercial ballad with an acoustic base (Drifter, Least Of Three).
So mix a little Pearl Jam, a little Nickelback and some AC/DC riffing and you might get something close to these guys. Interesting sound and some accessible, commercial songs on hand for modern rock fans.

Anarion Unbroken

Majestic Rock Records

MAJCD074

· Produced By: Endel Rivers & Anarion

· Running Time: 45.05

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Metal

· Links: Anarion

85%

Songs: 85%

Sound: 85%

Australian metallers Anarion further prove that Melbourne is the metal capital of Australasia. This is a powerful, traditional style metal album that fans of Iron Maiden would easily appreciate.
The 9 track, 45 minute album is super intense and filled with a double kick-drum assault that Accept would be proud of.
I like the fact the vocals are strong and commanding, occasionally reaching for a scream, but in most cases, holding a firm tone and a good melody. The guitar work is pretty special too – lots of riffs and lots of solos.
Again a brief review, but definitely an album worth checking out for fans of traditional melodic metal such as Maiden and Priest.

MSG Tales Of Rock N Roll

Armaggedon Music

· Produced By: Michael Schenker

· Running Time: 70.15

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Michael Schenker

45%

Songs: 25%

Sound: 65%

I should have reviewed this months ago, but I just couldn't face it. I know there are some die-had Schenker fans out there that will take great offence to this, but this album is dull.
Not even the track featuring my favourite MSG vocalist – Robin McAuley – can inspire me. This is simply Schenker by numbers – certainly not a fitting tribute to 25 years of (mostly) amazing rock n roll.
It seems each release gets worse for Mike, so where to from here? I know I'm not alone in this view as I have read all the reviews I can find of this overly long record – none of them are great. And what was Michael thinking in joining all the songs together?
It's hard enough telling one track from another anyway – this sounds like one long hour long song. Sorry, but I long for the days of UFO or even Perfect Timing perhaps.

Bob Seger Face The Promise

Capitol Records

· Produced By: Bob Seger

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released: WORLD

· Musical Style: Rock

· Links: Bob Seger

80%

Songs: 70%

Sound: 90%

Faced with the promise of new material, I was really excited to hear this album. But much like the Tom Cochrane album just reviewed, the best part was the anticipation built up over years of waiting.
Sadly the finished product could not deliver. The album sounds great and Bob himself is in fine voice and there too are some fine songs within this album. Just not enough of them and not of the quality we have been previously spoilt with.
And with so many releases to listen to across a wide range of styles, I simply found that I wasn't interested in returning to this album after the first couple of weeks.
That says it all really. If the class of Bob Seger cannot draw me back in, then there must be issues with the songwriting. I hope it isn't as long between the next album as it was for this one. All in all, nothing bad at all....just a little safe and predictable.

Various Artists Rock The Bones Volume 4

Frontiers Records

FRCD310

· Produced By: Various

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: Frontiers Records

85%

Frontiers Records releases the latest in its line of compilation albums – this one Volume 4 of the Rock The Bones series. 31 tracks are featured over 2 discs, the first concentrating on recent releases, such as John Waite, Ten, Glenn Hughes, Survivor, Shark Island and Shooting Star to name a few.
The second disc features songs from just released albums and a couple coming up in January, offering a nice advance taste of albums from Hartmann, Jorn, Kelly Keagy, Danny Vaughn and just released tracks from Slamer, Talisman, Winger and Pretty Maids.
All in all, a good value compilation if picked up cheap and chock full of mostly high quality melodic rock and AOR. No unreleased material however will make this irrelevant for those likely to purchase many of the albums featured.

Various Artists MTM Music 10th Anniversary

MTM

0681-175

· Produced By: Various

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: MTM

85%

Same deal for this compilation – this time it is MTM's turn to gather the best of their recent and upcoming releases to showcase. Featured here are new tracks from Zeno, Shiva, Jani Lane, AOR and Rain.
Two bonuses here – the inclusion of unreleased bonus tracks from Fate, Relapsed, Silver and Vengeance offer something for fans to collect, although several other tracks are also marked unreleased –merely because the corresponding albums have not been issued yet – such as Brett Walker and Robert Louden.
The second bonus is a second CD of 15 tracks, promoting the best tracks of MTM's last 10 years.
Can't say I agree completely with their selection – the label has been responsible for a whole host of killer tracks over ten years, but there are some genuine highlights here from the likes of Danger Danger, TNT, Rick Springfield, Dare and Jaded Heart. No unreleased material on the second disc.
Both compilations here offer something similar, yet different, but both offer a generally good oversight of some quality melodic rock. Check them out...then buy the albums!

Donnie Iris & The Cruisers Ellwood City

Primary Records

PRI416

· Produced By: Mark Avsec

· Running Time: 70.10

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Rock

· Links: Donnie Iris

82%

Songs: 78%

Sound: 86%

American rocker Donnie Iris returns after a 9 year hiatus with a fired up new studio album that sees Donnie rocking in fine form.
Also returning is the band's original drummer Kevin Valentine (Cinderella, Kiss). The record is diverse in that it moves from rock n roll to soulful pop to straight ahead commercial ballads. Then there is the few left turns such as the boogie influenced Rocque Fantastique.
And I'm not sure about the cover of Soul Man though – especially as the album's second track. Seemed out of place to me and killed the momentum of the opening track.
I think Iris fans will walk away happy and content that their man is back and sounding like he never left. To an outsider however, this rather odd collection of pop rockers might be a little hard to get into.

John Farnham
Whispering Jack 20th Anniversary Edition

SonyBMG

88697027122

· Produced By: Ross Fraser

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: AOR / Pop

· Links: John Farnham

93%

Songs: 95%

Sound: 90%

Australian AOR icon John Farnham was a mainstay of the Oz music scene before Whispering Jack was released some 20 years ago, but it was this album that made John a household name and indeed, an entertainment icon downunder.
This remains the biggest selling Australian album of all time and deservedly so. The high-tech AOR/pop album has a gently-does-it appeal that saw every man, women and even a few kangaroos own a copy.
Now 20 years on it has been remastered and repackaged with a bonus live DVD from the Whispering Jack Tour. The DVD has been available previously as a VHS tape and broadcast on TV and remains a classic live concert to watch – the power of this man's voice is insane. This release makes for a great package and the mid-price tag makes it even greater value for lovers of 80s high-tech AOR.

Twisted Sister Twisted Christmas

· Produced By: Twisted Sister

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Twisted Sister

84%

Songs: 80%

Sound: 88%

If you are going to do a Christmas album – if you really absolutely must do it – then this is the way it should be done.
Twisted Sister have always played up to an image and this CD continues that trend, this time rearranging some Christmas classics to now rattle along to the original music of past Twisted hits. For example – the band's best known hit We're Not Gonna Take It is now O Come All Ye Faithful – also the first single from the release.
It is a bizarre listen – and at best is a lot of fun if not taken seriously. At worst it is perhaps a little tragic, but hey, it's the holiday season, so you have to give the guys a little slack!
Above all, it is well produced and sounds ok, so if you are looking for some hard rock to ring your Christmas bell, you best be advised to check this one out.

Billy Idol Happy Holidays

Bodog Music

· Produced By: Billy Idol

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Crap

· Links: Billy Idol

27%

Songs: 2%

Sound: 50%

If you are going to do a Christmas album – if you really absolutely must do it – then this is the way it should not be done.
This is utterly horrendous. Shite even.
When Billy Idol is thinking clearly and on song, he rules - Whiplash Smile, Rebel Yell, Devil's Playground. But he is capable of making some questionable decisions through his career – Cyberpunk being the most obvious.
But now there is this new gem! What the hell was he thinking?
Ok, so there is a market for Christmas albums, but who in their right mind wants a punk/hard rock icon to do an utterly and totally serious Christmas album? Why not rock or punk it up in the same vein as Twisted Sister has?
Billy Idol is all out on his own here – no wonder, as I would think his band ran for the hills when presented with the concept for this record.
So, a solo Billy proceeds to run through 17 (yes, 17) Christmas favourites, all completely serious and all completely devoid of any kind of Idol type attitude. Billy Idol does Frank Sinatra doing White Christmas, Silver Bells etc, not to mention the gem Frosty The Snowman! (?)
Good God! If you want a nice, family friendly, sweet and cheesy Christmas recording, buy Frank Sinatra. If you want rock n roll attitude, buy Twisted Sister, A Very Hairy Christmas, Lukather's Santamental or the Screaming Santas.
Do not under any circumstances, buy this.

My Chemical Romance The Black Parade

Reprise

· Produced By:

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released: WORLD

· Musical Style: Modern Rock

· Links: Reprise Records

90%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 94%

This is a thoroughly enjoyable modern rock album which mixes the popular modern punk-rock sound of bands like Green Day with a more complex classic rock style that brings influences like Queen, Meatloaf and Styx into play.
The album is riding high atop of many charts around the world, which is no surprise given the style and the look of the band – extremely commercial and contemporary to say the least.
It's a great album for what it is – commercial modern rock – but what I really love about this release is that it is exposing kids to some music which isn't filled with simple, throw away riffing.
It is showing a younger generation that music is much more than a 2.5 minute pop song and that it can be far more complicated, layered and in-depth.
Take the lead single Welcome To The Black Parade. While the delivery is borrowed from Green Day, the band's songwriting depth is evident with Queen-like pomp and guitar parts and Meatloaf tempo changes, not to mention Styx-like layered vocals.
Definitely a promising sign that there is an audience for a rock band that doesn't go by the book – well, not at least the current book.

Harem Scarem Human Nature

Vespa Music

· Produced By: Harry Hess & Pete Lesperance

· Running Time: 45.27

· Release Date: January 12

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: Harem Scarem

96%

Songs: 95%

Sound: 97%

You can say what you like about any perceived bias towards Harem Scarem over the last few years in my reviews, but take a look at their creative output over the years – especially in the last 4 years since they took up the Scarem quest again – they are simply untouchable!
The band has appealed to just about all melodic rock lovers over the years, so with each release there is a wide discussion about styles, sounds and individual preferences for different records throughout the Canadian bands career.
Everyone has their favourites, and I continue to be blown away by their consistency. You can guarantee that every album will feature at least several new classic melodic rock songs and a few fresh twists too.
This band keeps it interesting and for me, they deliver everything a melodic rock fan could want in a new record – soaring vocals, big choruses and a huge production every time.
Preferences for direction and style aside, you cannot argue that each and every Harem Scarem record is the pinnacle of melodic rock quality.
The band's last few albums have been extraordinary and I'd stack those albums up against any other artist for consistency.
I feel of lot of what I have just written is for the purpose of justifying my enthusiastic endorsement of their music – but the fans don't need any convincing – so onto the contents of Human Nature.
Harem Scarem have – in the past – received a few less than stellar reviews from me (the first Rubber album for instance was a little hit or miss, as was Big Bang Theory), but this is another total class release as far as I see it.
I said the same of Overload, but to my surprise, the majority seemed to disagree on that one! I guess many did not appreciate the band's move into darker, less commercial realms, but as a fan of the much underrated Voice Of Reason album, I saw Overload as a natural mix of the past and the band's more recent work. And I have always dug Harem's underlying dark vibe.
My views aside, the voice of the fans reached the band. Human Nature is therefore classic Harem Scarem in every sense.
This is a far more melodic release and sees the band pump out some huge AOR harmonies, while mixing the production style and direction of recent work such as Weight Of The World and Higher.
A band that has been recording this long is not likely to copy any one style, instead finding their music evolving into a mix of everything from their past. Human Nature is just that – its part Harem Scarem, part Weight Of The World, part Higher, part Mood Swings and even part Rubber, but always melodic and filled with hooks.
Track By Track:
Album number 11 opens with that familiar guitar sound we've come to love and we are away. Human Nature isn't in the band's usual style of opening with a punchy rocker. This is a mellower starter that builds to a glorious classic harmony filled Harem Scarem chorus.
Making the point that this album is less on the hard rock and more on the melody, the title track does the job perfectly and becomes yet another instant Harem classic.
Next Time Around is a little more urgent and rolls along at a nice pace. Once again, it is a perfect example of a great pop song – and does what these guys do best – gets to the point quickly. A mellower verse again gets rocking come chorus time - one I might add has a definite Mood Swings and Higher feel to it.
The rock ballad Caught Up In Your World features another warm and inviting vocal from Harry, introduced by a hard edge riff, which returns for the chorus. This is an emotional track that features some fine guitar work from Pete.
Reality is a straight forward mid-tempo melodic rocker in classic Harem style, with another great riff and melodies flying everywhere. The chorus reminds me of the very melodic run of tracks on second half of the Higher album.
Hanging On is an absolute monster ballad. This track rivals the best ballads the band has recorded in their illustrious past and overflows with passion and emotion. I love it and rate it as one of the best ballads of recent times. Comparing the band's recent ballads, this is better than All You're Getting (from Overload) and Higher (from Higher) and is up there with This Ain't Over (from Weight Of The World) for class.
The bridge and harmony vocals just add to the power of the song, which features a very demanding lead vocal.
Don't Throw It Away returns the album to a slightly rockier path, but still bathed in melodies. A punchy riff is accompanied by a swathe of harmony vocals and the chorus is another big and classic melodic Scarem anthem.
Just as every Harem album in recent times features some injection of more modern influences, so to is there a track borrowing from Queen. The moody and mellow rocker Give Love / Get Love is such a track. It's familiar, yet a little different at the same time and the punchy chorus is a clear tribute to the vocal styling of Queen.
From there we delve into this album's modern rocker – 21. This moody and harder hitting track is reminiscent of the style and mood created on Overload. It isn't as melodic as much of the rest of the album, but has its place and as already stated, I do like the darker side of the band.
Starlight is typical of the band and won't be of any surprise to long time fans. It is of course, another solid track and acts as the required light and breezy melodic rocker with the catchy chorus, designed to punctuate the more left of center tracks around it.
Going Under is a great catchy commercial modern melodic rocker and although it compares with the band's second Rubber album (Ultra Feel), it is so instantly catchy, I can't imagine any Harem fan not digging this.
Tomorrow May Be Gone closes out the European release in perfect and absolute magic form. This uptempo melodic rock anthem mixes up those Mood Swings influences with something like Killing Me from Weight Of The World and Lost from Higher.
One of the best tracks from the new album and a smashing way to finish any record.

The Bottom Line

Was there ever any doubt? Harem Scarem have done it again. But for those wary of the band's intentions and musical direction, be rest assured that this is a very melodic record and should rate up there with the bands best records.
There are always calls for the guys to repeat their classic Moon Swings album, but they haven't yet – and without that line-up back in place, they are unlikely to either.
Rather this line-up has delivered the best possible fan pleasing album they can and I believe that has been achieved. Not quite a perfect record and perhaps nothing we haven't already heard from the guys, but hell, they just do this stuff so well.
PS. I just got through listening to Overload again – man, I still love that record!

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Harem Scarem
· Mood Swings
· Voice Of Reason
· Believe / Karma Cleansing
· Big Bang Theory
· Rubber - Rubber
· Rubber - Ultra Feel
· Weight Of The World
· Higher
· Overload
· Human Nature

Line Up:

· Harry Hess: Vocals, Keyboards, Guitars
· Pete Lesperance: Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
· Creighton Doane: Drums
· Barry Donaghy: Bass
· Darren Smith: Background Vocals

Essential For Fans Of:

· Harem Scarem

Track Listing

· Human Nature *
· Next Time Around
· Caught Up In Your World *
· Reality *
· Hanging On *
· Don't Throw It Away *
· Give Love Get Love
· 21
· Starlight
· Going Under *
· Tomorrow May Be Gone *

--*Best Tracks

Zion Zion

Frontiers Records

FRCD313

· Produced By: Freddy Curci

· Running Time: 49.54

· Release Date: December 8

· Released:

· Musical Style: AOR / Melodic Rock

· Links: Frontiers

65%

Songs: 80%

Sound: 50%

Zion is the comeback vehicle for Canadian AOR legend Freddy Curci. Freddy's career harks back to the late 70s with Sheriff, but is best known and best loved in these circles for the utterly classic Alias album.
Two solo albums and the heavily traded demos for the unreleased second Alias album only added to the aura surrounding Curci's famed pitch-perfect vocals.
An announcement many moons ago about a comeback rock album from Curci raised a lot of interest and a great deal of excitement.
But how long have we now waited for this release? The most recent update on Freddy's very up to date website is from 2003 and states that Zion is nearing completion!
So after more than 4 years waiting, it is with great anticipation that Zion is finally delivered to hungry fans.
And because of that anticipation, there is going to be great disappointment upon hearing this album. It is simply not of a standard you would expect from someone of Freddy's pedigree and background.
It disappoints in almost every department - from the average production quality, to the lack of killer songs to a very sub-par vocal performance, which at times is hard to listen to.
Since the original announcement, Curci has suffered health problems where he feared he wouldn't be able to sing again, but why exactly this album took 5 years to complete is anyone's guess.
It certainly doesn't sound as if 5 years of effort went into it. And I say that with a very heavy heart, as I am a huge fan of Freddy Curci. I own everything…and when I interviewed him a couple of years back, I found a very warm and humble guy to talk to.
But the hard fact remains that this album is simply not what it should be.
The original master was so bad I considered it unlistenable. Since then the recordings were sent to producer Dennis Ward to be remastered.
Ward did a good job there – he evened out the album's sound and gave it some sense of professionalism. But while he can remaster the sound, he can't re-record some of the performances within, nor could he re-write some of the songs.
And frankly, some of the production still suffers here, with poor tones affecting guitar and drum parts and lead vocals that at times sound as if they were recorded in a shed.
It's all very upsetting for me as a long time fan to state these facts – and I imagine just as upsetting for the poor record label that invested considerable money and time in this venture.
Track By Track:
All It Takes Is A Minute should be a contender for Song Of The Year. But it's not because it is simply assembled badly. I could forgive the hollow guitar sound and the crappy repetitive cymbal noise, but the chorus – which really could have been a monster – comes and goes with little effect due to some poorly arranged vocals and out of place harmonies. Then there are Freddy's lead vocals, which at times sound as if they were recorded in the shed out back, and at other times sound horribly strained. A tragic, if not criminal waste of a potentially great song.
How Much Longer Is Forever is a new version of a track recorded originally for the second Alias album. Again the song suffers sound issues, it appears muddy and a little muffled, again with the vocals being the worst offender. To be honest, the original demo is far superior in quality. On that track Curci's vocals are amazing. They simply are no longer what they once were.
The second half of the album has some more redeeming features, but for now it just gets worse. The modern rock influenced One Man Alone is horrible. And overly loud and bombastic intro is simply messy and the vocals are nothing less than painful to listen to. They are strained to the point of being unlistenable and clearly out of tune in other places.
The uptempo rocker Dangerous is a little easier on the ears. The sound is still muddy and the guitars hollow, but at least the vocals sound more comfortable.
I'm Running Home sees the required elements of a good song align more favorably. This is a big rock ballad with a catchy chorus and a nice pick up in tempo towards the end. I'm not sold on the guitar sound, but there is some nice soloing here.
Everybody's Watching is possibly the heaviest thing I have ever heard Freddy sing and I like that vibe. The sound is still muddy, but the song at least has real attitude. This features a tough vocal and considering the earlier tracks, I am surprised Freddy holds it together.
No Surprise is produced by Fabrizio Grossi and has that all too obvious guitar/drum sound he carries everywhere with him. A little modern rock influence creeps in here again including some vocal effects. The song really doesn't feature any great hook and is pretty forgettable.
The Sky Is Falling is a straight ahead melodic rock with a terrific chorus and a better sound that I wish was carried through the whole album.
The Devil's Dance is an intense mid-tempo ballad with a great lyric, solid hook and some passionate vocals at last.
Who Do You Think You Are is another dark rocker with strong harmony vocals and a decent lead vocal. There's an Alias vibe to the track, but updated for the current year.
Crash The Mirror is the darkest and most confronting song of the whole album. A great way to close out the record – the slow, moody and intense rock track features a piercing vocal that I wish there was more of on the album. It's not the Freddy Curci of old, but the song has balls.

The Bottom Line

Zion is a major disappointment in a year where classic AOR albums have been few and far between. It is great to hear Freddy rocking again, but on the strength of this album and the time it took to get recorded and released, I don't expect to her another Curci record for a long long time. And that is truly saddening. He was one of the great AOR voices of our time.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Zion

Line Up:

· Freddy Curci: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Organ
· Joey Scoleri, Jason Hook: Guitars
· Paul Marangoni, Joey Greco: Drums
· Ken Malandrino, Jason Hook: Bass
· Ross Greene: Organ

Essential For Fans Of:

· Freddy Curci

Track Listing

· All It Takes Is A Minute
· How Much Longer Is Forever
· One Man Alone
· Dangerous
· I'm Running Home *
· Everybody's Watching
· No Surprise
· The Sky Is Falling *
· The Devil's Dance
· Who Do You Think You Are
· Crash The Mirror *

--*Best Tracks

Cosmo Alien

Frontiers Records

FRCD312

· Produced By: Fran & Antonio Cosmo

· Running Time: 45.38

· Release Date: December 8

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Melodic Rock

· Links: Frontiers

78%

Songs: 73%

Sound: 84%

The name Cosmo is now synonymous with AOR legends Boston. Fran Cosmo is of course one of the main voices behind Boston's last couple of studio albums and was frontman for Orion The Hunter (formed with Boston's Barry Goudreau).
On the last studio album Corporate America, Fran was joined by son Antonio (or Anthony), a partnership they have continued on into their own band.
Naturally with so many connections to Boston - a band that defines classic rock – one could be forgiven for expecting the musical output of Cosmo to be of a similar nature. No so. Herein lies a challenge to the record label.
With expectations of a classic rock themed album along the lines of the bombastic, melodic bliss of Boston, how does one advise that this album is nothing like Boston, nor in the same musical realm?
If anyone buys this album on the strength of the name alone, with expectations of what they guys have delivered in their roles with Boston, you risk disappointment.
Cosmo is not pink and fluffy – Cosmo is a modern rock band and in keeping with that, Alien is filled with tuned-down guitars, at times aggressive riffing and modern rock production effects.
There are a couple of melodic tracks here – not surprisingly they are the highlights of the album for me.
The heavy rock ballad Don't Tell Me Your Lies has touches of classic, pomp and modern rock plus those Boston harmonies, and quite an epic feel. The chorus vocal is something else too.
Helicopter is an acoustic driven pop rock ballad with a glorious chorus and some well-timed lush harmony vocals.
Woman is also more melodic rock friendly, but compared to elsewhere on the album, these songs almost seem out of place.
The consistent theme throughout the record is for aggressive riffs, a Led Zeppelin-goes-modern rock style of sound. Go no further than the opening track Communication for an updated tribute to the kings of hard rock.
When I Close My Eyes and No Surprise are highlights of the modern portion of the album, but the rest are largely forgettable for me. The songs and more importantly, the choruses are just not consistently strong enough. And that I think is the album's biggest problem – lack of killer songs.

The Bottom Line

I know for a fact the guys are going to be disappointed with my review as are some others, but I believe firmly that a majority of others will largely agree. The guys don't pretend to be anything but a modern rock outfit, but you have to be aware of that going into this and I still believe that based on their past histories, there will be a number of people disappointed in the direction chosen. Add to that some songs that really lack a knockout punch.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Alien

Line Up:

· Fran Cosmo: Vocals
· Antonio Cosmo: Backing Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Percussion, Samples
· Pat Orlowski: Drums
· Bill Carman: Bass
· Mick Brooks: Guitar

Essential For Fans Of:

· Fran Cosmo
· Modern Rock

Track Listing

· Communication *
· Don't Tell Me Your Lies *
· No Surprise *
· Gravity
· Redemption
· Helicopter *
· Alien
· When I Close My Eyes
· Woman
· Can't Run Away
· Creep
· Don't Tell Me Your Lies (acoustic)

--*Best Tracks

Rain Stronger

MTM Music

0681-178

· Produced By: Michael Bormann

· Running Time: 46.58

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: MTM

89%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 92%

In order to review the second Rain album I had to return to the 2002 debut to refer my memory. That album has always been held in high regard by myself, but it is quite a different animal than the new album Stronger.
In fact, it wasn't until I completed my playback that I realized how different it was.
There are many common threads between the records – the line-up being the most obvious – but both records have distinctly different feels.
The debut was a catchy little album that featured a predominately acoustic base. It was written mainly by guitarist Lars Forseth and album contributor Sonny Crow.
Then there is Stronger – an album that generally sounds as if it is a heavier affair with a more contemporary sound and a much more pronounced contribution from singer Michael Bormann. He is responsible for delivering 5 songs himself and is involved in co-writing the rest of the material with lead guitarist Tore Moren and the rest of the band at times.
The album's heavier edge is driven by a more obvious electric guitar component. In fact, the acoustic side seems toned down and then there is the darker more contemporary tone in place on several tunes – that's to start with though. As you get to know it, the album mellows somewhat and you can hear elements of the debut shine through.
Track By Track:
Do You Like It is somewhat of a surprising track to kick off the album - dark, slow, heavy and nothing like anything from the debut. It's probably a good choice then, as it sets up the feel and general approach of the album as a whole.
The song itself features a strong, memorable vocal and although simple, the chorus remains catchy.
Insobriety lifts the tempo a little and isn't quite as dark as the opening track. There's definitely a Jaded Heart feel about this one which takes a few listens to appreciate.
Get Over It is intense. That menacing guitar tone returns and the piano part is almost spooky. The track picks up speed and while the chorus isn't big or instant, it makes its point.
This is probably a good point to lighten the mood a little and Crazy does just that. A little acoustic works accompanies a strong verse melody and the catchy chorus sees electric guitars beef up the sound.
I'd Die For You is a pure power ballad with all the trimmings. A slow intro, a build up to a powerful ending, an emotional vocal and chorus – this could have fit easily onto any Bon Jovi album of the last 10 years.
Flesh And Blood has that darker vibe again, yet a relatively free flowing tempo. It also features a great raspy vocal, some nice harmonies and a very strong chorus. It is one of my favorites of the album.
Let Me Be Your Favorite is a straight ahead melodic hard rocker and positioned well within the album.
The Other Side is another very fine power ballad and comes at a juncture in the album where things take a softer turn.
Deserve It is a feel good melodic rocker that could easily have come from the debut.
Right By Your Side is a largely acoustic driven track that gives Bormann a chance to shine with a killer vocal. It also gives the last part of the album a vibe similar to that of the debut.
Lovesong closes out the album with another ballad – but this time a more uptempo rock ballad that again sounds like it was recorded for the last couple of Bon Jovi records.

The Bottom Line

This simply is a far more professionally recorded and produced affair with a more consistent musical theme. It makes for a great listen and I find myself liking this album more than the debut and even more than Michael's recent cool solo album. It may even have more in common with the last Bormann fronted Jaded Heart record, so I think there is a lot to like about this album for fans of all of the above.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· House Of Dreams
· Stronger

Line Up:

· Michael Bormann: Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards
· Lars Forseth: Guitars, Backing Vocals
· Per-Helge Bruvoll: Drums, Backing Vocals
· Tore Moren: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals

Essential For Fans Of:

· Rain
· Michael Bormann
· Jaded Heart

Track Listing

· Do You Like It *
· Insobriety
· Get Over It *
· Crazy
· Die For You
· Flesh And Blood
· Let Me Be Your Favorite
· The Other Side *
· Deserve
· Right By Your Side *
· Lovesong

--*Best Tracks

RockStar Supernova Supernova

Burnett

/

Epic

· Produced By: Butch Walker

· Running Time: 41.27

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released: WORLD

· Musical Style: Modern Rock

· Links: Supernova

49%

Songs: 25%

Sound: 75%

The much talked about second season of RockStar ended as most had guessed – with the pre-picked Lukas Rossi "chosen" as the band's singer, edging out 15 other contenders.
The show was thrown together in the weeks approaching deadline as the band producers really wanted (Alice In Chains) weren't interested. In flies Mr. Reality Tommy Lee, who through most of the show couldn't have appeared less interested – unless giving a few of the female singers suggestive remarks.
He brought one time GNR guitarist Gilby Clarke with him and also former Metallica bassist Jason Newstead. In the producers chair and helping arrange, write and formulate the debut album for the band was Butch Walker – although he had the good sense to only appear on one episode of the TV show. The music for the debut album was recorded while the show ran and extra work -including (obviously) the vocals - was added towards the end and after the show.
The result – an album as equally confused as the show was and with about as much lasting merit.
The biggest problem with this album is that is just doesn't serve anyone.
Modern rock fans aren't going to buy this. Melodic rock fans aren't going to warm to the modern influences. Nu-breed fans will just buy a Butch Walker album and get the real thing and fans of Motley Crue, GNR and Metallica are quite likely to die laughing when they here songs as lame as Leave The Lights On.
This gets my vote as the cheesiest song of the year and something that would never be seen on any other album featuring these guys.
The opening track It's On shows a little promise, the modern rock vibe and gnarly vocal summing up vibe created on the Rock Star TV show.
Be Yourself (and 5 Other Clichés) is pretty good too – but let's face it – it's a Butch Walker tune that probably wouldn't have been deemed good enough to make his own solo albums.
It's All Love is also an ok track if not a little bland – a moody modern rock ballad that I could hear on radio and sees vocalist Lukas in good voice.
Can't Bring Myself To Light This Fuse has the potential to be a monster ballad and features a surprisingly subtle vocal, but again, it sounds like a Butch Walker reject.
Headspin made its debut on the show and is probably the band's best chance of any airplay. This is a solid commercial modern rock ballad.
So they are the ok songs. Now for the songs that make you think WTF?
Underdog is a horrible modern rocker out of step with the rest of the album, going nowhere and doing nothing for the album whatsoever. The chorus riff was the theme song for the show, but nothing else stands out as remotely catchy.
Make No Mistake...This Is the Take is another lame track that sounds messy and without any redeeming hook.
Valentine goes absolutely nowhere and Social Disgrace follows the same path. Bland and forgettable modern rock that could be attributed to any number of other bands out there.
The album is pretty bad throughout, but guys save the worst for last. The Dead Parade is just horrid and one of the worst songs of the year. The chorus doesn't match the verse, the intro doesn't match the song and the bridge sounds like a piece of yet another song. Just horrible.
There is just no personality on the record. The band was created out of nothing and clearly hasn't carved out a niche for themselves. Perhaps that will come from touring and then recording a second album, but if the first one fails and there is no record label, who would they actually make a record for?

The Bottom Line

The vibe surrounding this formulated, thrown together band is that of an invite only boys club. Except no one else cares and no one wants to join in the "fun".
I believe the biggest insult I could give the album is that it is largely pointless. It doesn't really cater to anyone and the song quality is that which would embarrass the members of the bands these guys are/were attached to. Despite talk of a follow-up album already underway, will anyone even care about this release enough to warrant a sequel? I say not.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Supernova

Line Up:

· Lukas Rossi: Vocals
· Gilby Clarke: Guitars
· Tommy Lee: Drums
· Jason Newstead: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· RockStar TV show

Track Listing

· It's On *
· Leave the Lights On
· Be Yourself (and 5 Other Cliches) *
· It's All Love
· Can't Bring Myself To Light This Fuse
· Underdog
· Make No Mistake...This Is the Take
· Headspin *
· Valentine
· Social Disgrace
· The Dead Parade

--*Best Tracks

Final Frontier Freelight

Escape Music

ESM141

· Produced By: Final Frontier

· Running Time: 56.14

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: AOR

· Links: Escape Music Final Frontier

91%

Songs: 92%

Sound: 90%

Canadian saviours of pure, unadulterated 80s AOR, Final Frontier return for album number 4. It's the band's third label for their 4 albums, something I find a little perplexing. Granted the label involved for the first 2 albums was Z Records, but a band that delivers a high quality classic style AOR album at regular intervals, all of which are appreciated by fans, should not have to worry about what label they will be on from release to release.
I hope that the guys find some comfort and satisfaction with current label Escape Music.
In a sense this is a perfect album for Escape, a label built from a consistency on concentrating on AOR releases of a classic 80s nature.
Final Frontier does not reinvent the wheel. They don't reinvent anything in fact. This is AOR by the numbers – no surprises here, but no disappointments either.
Fans of the band's first 3 albums get more of the same here.
Freelight is perhaps a little tougher than the first three – it features a more pronounced rhythm section and some impressive riffing from guitarists Mladen (Von Groove) and Lawrence Falconer. Mladen also provides bass and keyboards – the latter of which is, as usual, all over the record.
Rob Moratti as usual delivers his flawless high pitch vocals, really going over the top in a few places! He has one seriously high voice at times.
The album really gets off to a flying start, with the first 4 tracks flying along at good pace.
The title track Freelight and the moodier Foolish Pride work best of these tracks for me, but it is the classic AOR ballad of I Hope You Don't Mind that really delivers.
Bringing back memories of mid-80s soundtrack hits, the sentimental ballad should be a fan favorite.
Someone's Watching You is very close to the 80s sound of Survivor, as is the poppy feel-good All The Way.
Nothing Is Easy is another very familiar sounding ballad, but the formula is fail-safe.
I also rate the darker and more aggressive The Witches Mask and the second bonus track – the emotional, stripped back ballad Delia.

The Bottom Line

I don't think this is a classic AOR album for the ages, but I do think it is a classy album for this age. It is a walk down memory lane and a look at what made us fans of this music in the first place in the 80s.
If you haven't warmed to Rob Moratti's voice and the Final Frontier style through listening to their first three albums, then nothing Freelight offers will convince you to change your mind. But, if you have found a spot in your heart for these guys, the Freelight will definitely impress.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· The First Wave
· The Second Wave
· High Tension Wire
· Freelight

Line Up:

· Rob Moratti: Vocals
· Mladen: Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Bass Guitar, Keyboards
· Lawrence Falcomer: Lead Guitars
· Kevin Howley: Drums

Essential For Fans Of:

· Final Frontier
· Survivor
· 80s AOR

Track Listing

· Freelight *
· Dynamo
· Foolish Pride *
· Only The Lonely
· I Hope You Don't Mind *
· Someone's Watching You *
· All The Way
· Nothing Is Easy
· Lion's Den
· The Witches Mask
· Half Way Home
· Delia *

--*Best Tracks

Riot Army Of One

Metal Heaven

00028

· Produced By: Riot

· Running Time: 66.06

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Metal Heaven

90%

Songs: 90%

Sound: 90%

Sometimes the best surprises come from expecting nothing. That's no slight on the good name of Riot or their long history, but I really didn't have any expectations either way upon receiving this album.
But I've hardly stopped playing it ever since. With Army Of One, Riot have delivered one of the melodic metal highlights of the year.
Once again I find myself pondering why some albums work and some don't. It all comes down to the songs.
There are 12 great songs here and I like the way they have been sequenced. The album tends to flow from the harder rocking tracks to more melodic tracks and back again, but with a consistent guitar presence there to keep things balanced.
There is the frantically paced opener Army Of One which leads into one of two very melodic songs, sandwiched between another solid hard rocker in Blinded.
Those melodic tracks are: Knocking At My Door - a curious track to succeed the opening track, but it's infectious harmony filled feel good chorus is the perfect folly for the album's heavier intentions. Then the stand out melodic rock of One More Alibi features a terrific chorus with Mike DiMeo's warm and raspy voice doing a top job.
It All Falls Down rocks at double-time again, moving into the soulful rock ballad Helping Hand.
The Mystic then provides an excuse for guitarists Mark Reale and Mike Flyntz to duel at length.
Shine is another great melodic metal track with double kick drums wailing and the voice of DiMeo powering along in a way fans of Mats Levin will definitely appreciate.
The reflective instrumental Stained Mirror follows, which leads to the album closer – Darker side Of Night - another solid rock track with a great melodic chorus.

The Bottom Line

While the performances on the album are of the usual high standard you would expect from seasoned veterans, it feels like there is a great vibe happening on this record.
You can't really explain that in words, but it just sounds like the band's confidence is high throughout the record. It's funny to review this with the knowledge that Mike has now joined Masterplan. That will prove to be an interesting listen sometime next year. In the meantime, enjoy this!

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Rock City
· Narita
· Fire Down Under
· Restless Breed
· Thundersteel
· The Privilege of Power
· Night Breaker
· The Brethren of the Long House
· Inishmore
· Shine On
· Sons of Society
· Through the Storm
· Army of One

Line Up:

· Mike DiMeo: Vocals
· Mark Reale, Mike Flyntz: Guitars
· Frank Gilchrist: Drums
· Pete Perez: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Mike DiMeo
· Riot

Track Listing

· Army Of One *
· Knockin At My Door *
· Blinded
· One More Alibi *
· It All Falls Down
· Helpin Hand
· The Mystic *
· Still Alive
· Alive In The City
· Shine *
· Stained Mirror
· Darker Side Of Light

--*Best Tracks

Tom Cochrane No Stranger

Universal Music Canada

· Produced By: Tom Cochrane

· Running Time: 46.02

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Rock

· Links: Tom Cochrane

62%

Songs: 45%

Sound: 79%

Canadian Hall Of Famer Tom Cochrane is one of my musical heroes. Right up there with Rick Springfield and John Waite, Cochrane is a gifted singer/songwriter who has the ability (like those mentioned alongside him) to get directly to the heart of the matter and deliver moving, emotionally effective music – be it when he is rocking, delivering a feel good pop rocker, or getting deep on a powerful ballad.
I rate 1987's Tom Cochrane & Red Rider and 1995's Ragged Ass Road as absolute classics, with several other albums not far behind.
That's why it breaks my heart to speak of this album as a disappointment, but it is – in a big way.
It has been 8 years since Tom's X-Ray Sierra and in that time it seems that Tom has caught old-man's disease. He has forgotten how to rock.
Actually, I can forgive the lack of rockers on the album, as that is just one side of Tom's musical personality. But the album is weighed down by slow and lackluster ballads, and relies all too much on an acoustic tone instead of Tom's usual electric fired delivery.
The album as a whole sees a more stripped down approach taken. There are few overdubs used and a more live-in-the-studio feel is present.
Tom's done this before mind you – he already has an acoustic live album to his name –which worked a treat, but the songs here just don't hold up as strong enough.
The album's opening track – The Party's Not Over is a sure fire commercial hit – and the albums only real uptempo rocker. Even here the more organic approach is evident, but the raw honestly in Tom's voice is a good trade-off.
But from this point onwards it is all ballad territory. I'm quite fond of the second track Glide, which as the title suggests, glides through the speakers and offers fans a feel good mid-tempo acoustic driven sample of the more mature songwriter Cochrane has become.
Next up While You Are Young might have done something for me – especially with the classic slide guitar and old-school Cochrane feel to it – but by the end of the album it gets lost among the sheer number of slow songs featured.
White Horse is another song that on its own has a lot of merit – a raw, honest vocal and a charming folkish influence, but in the scheme of the album has its impact limited. A slow track surrounded by slow tracks has difficulty in standing out.
The adult contemporary mid-tempo rock song Didn't Mean is the first single – an odd choice I thought, given the tempo. I should have guessed it meant that the album would not be what I was hoping for.
I speak of my frustration with the dominance of ballads on this album. Two tracks that stand out as definite highlights match the slow tempo of the album, but offer something a little different.
Rough and Tumble is an acoustic song, but it has some fire in its belly – fitting it seems, as the song pays tribute to the Canadian troops fighting overseas and also makes several references to Cochrane's musical past. Great song…
Another ballad follows up next, but Out of My Head is one of the very best ballads that I have ever heard Tom Cochrane sing. Raw, emotional, heartfelt and a beautiful chorus.
Deep Breath follows, unfortunately continuing the album's ultra slow pace, but without the hooks of the last couple of songs. It kills the momentum built by the tracks before it.
Northern Star is better – still acoustic driven, but with a little more spark, a strong chorus and finally some electric guitar too.
The last three songs are 3 of the more interesting tracks I have heard from Tom and proof that he can still turn it on and deliver in a harder hitting style – if he so chooses.
The three songs run together, taking a similar musical theme of distorted guitar and bluesy vocal.
Starting with Since You Left Me, the song swaggers through to the instrumental Colour Blue and into a cover of the psychedelic 70s rocker Spirit in the Sky. I really don't like that song (probably due to ass-silly cover of it recorded in the late 80s), but I respect what Tom has done with it here and in sequence with the other 2 tracks, works a treat.

The Bottom Line

Not a bad album by any stretch, but for me personally, still a big disappointment. No Stranger simply misses the punch and passion of past records and suffers from an ultra slow pace, showing only glimpses of what I have loved from past records.
I sure as hell hope it isn't 8 years until Cochrane decides to record again and next time – pick up the pace a little Tom.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Hold On To Your Resistance
· Don't Fight It
· Neruda
· As Far As Siam
· Breaking Curfew
· Tom Cochrane & Red Rider
· Vicotry Day
· Mad Mad World
· Ragged Ass Road
· X-Ray Sierra
· No Stranger

Line Up:

Promo: Not Listed

Essential For Fans Of:

· Tom Cochrane

Track Listing

· Party's Not Over *
· Glide *
· While You Are Young
· White Horse
· Didn't Mean
· Rough and Tumble *
· Out of My Head *
· Deep Breath
· Northern Star
· Since You Left Me
· Colour Blue
· Spirit in the Sky

--*Best Tracks

Richie Kotzen Into The Black

Frontiers Records

FRCD315

· Produced By: Richie Kotzen

· Running Time: 44.41

· Release Date: December 8

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Frontiers Richie Kotzen

90%

Songs: 88%

Sound: 92%

Speaking of modern rock as I was in the Cosmo review, here is a guy that knows how to do it well. Better than just about anyone else in this scene and he does it with both passion and aggression, something not easily accomplished.
And all the while Richie Kotzen keeps it melodic and accessible.
Kotzen's style may not be for everyone, but to his fans I would think this album will rate as one of his best ever. Richie picks up where the Forty Deuce band album left off and adapts that albums style to his solo delivery.
The album is summed up by the opening track You Can't Save Me - brooding, intense, lyrically biting and passionate beyond belief. Richie lightens the mood just slightly for the great rock track Misunderstood, featuring one of his best vocals to date.
The Shadow is cool too, but for different reasons. More classic rock melodies over a bluesy, yet commercial base.
Kotzen's love of blues shines through even further on the moody ballad Till You Put Me Down.
Highlighting the excellent way this album has been sequenced, that moody theme continues through Sacred Ground, but this time in the form of an angst ridden rock anthem.
Rounding out the album is the seemingly happy go lucky acoustic driven Livin' In Bliss and the blues rock My Angel.
Into The Black sees Kotzen write, play and produce every note of the record. It is a personal statement and a challenging one at that. 10 songs, 7 or 8 different vibes, but one great performance.

The Bottom Line

I'm not sold on everything Richie does, but he never does anything by halves. Here he delivers 10 really solid tunes with lots of hooks in play – some subtle, some more direct – but always melodic. And the driving force behind the album is Richie's sublime guitar playing and rich soulful voice. Sometimes I can't pinpoint exactly why a record works as well as it does – but this album really works.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Richie Kotzen
· Fever Dream
· Electric Joy
· Mother Heads Family Reunion
· Inner Galactic Fusion Experience
· Wave of Emotion
· Something to Say
· What is
· Bi Polar Blues
· Break it all Down
· Slow
· Change
· Get Up
· Forty Deuce
· Acoustic Cuts
· Into The Black

Line Up:

· Richie Kotzen: Everyting

Essential For Fans Of:

· Forty Deuce - Nothing To Lose
· Richie Kotzen

Track Listing

· You Can't Save Me *
· Misunderstood *
· Fear
· The Shadow *
· Doin' What The Devil Says To Do
· Till You Put Me Down
· Sacred Ground *
· Your Lies
· Living In Bliss
· My Angel

--*Best Tracks

Martin Briley It Comes In Waves

MTM Music

0681-177

· Produced By: Martin Briley

· Running Time: 43.51

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Westcoast / Pop

· Links: MTM

73%

Songs: 63%

Sound: 83%

American based, but English born singer/songwriter Martin Briley isn't your average melodic rock artist. In fact, he isn't really a melodic rock artist at all. This is another curveball release from MTM that doesn't fit into the usual melodic rock mold. Briley's album is melodic, but in more of an acoustic driven folkish way.
The album is very laid back – there are maybe 4 uptempo tracks, with 3 of those rocking along at a nice pace and the remainder of the album residing in slow to mid-tempo acoustic pop territory.
He has a strong singer/songwriter vibe going on, the kind that mixes the rather anti-AOR entities of Elvis Costello and unplugged era Eric Clapton with a sometimes more AOR friendly Westcoast bent.
The album is a one man band affair, with Briley performing and programming all of the album's musical contents.
The guy knows how to write great lyrics. This is a very personal and reflective record. Check out the tongue in cheek Church Of Disney and Me And My Invisible Friend.
The very pop/rock It Comes In Waves, Church Of Disney, Fake Horizon and Invisible are the highlights of the record and offer AOR fans some sweet, lad back harmonies, but elsewhere such as I Don't Think She Misses Me At All, I find the album a little too soft, too slow and definitely too nice.

The Bottom Line

One for fans of quiet, reflective and lyrically personal records. A couple of great AOR tunes are surrounded by more folk friendly pop songs, all set in a very relaxed and sparse setting.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Fear Of The Unknown
· One Night With A Stranger
· Dangerous Moments
· It Comes In Waves

Line Up:

· Martin Briley: Vocals, All Programming & Instruments

Essential For Fans Of:

· Westcoast Pop

Track Listing

· It Comes in Waves *
· Church of Disney *
· Big Sun
· I Don't Think She Misses Me At All
· Me and My Invisible Friend *
· The Massage
· In the Dim Light of a Brand New Day
· Invisible
· Pray For Rain
· That Song
· Fake Horizon

--*Best Tracks

Paul Stanley Live To Win

Universal Music

· Produced By: Paul Stanley

· Running Time: 33.50

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released: WORLD

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Kiss / Paul Stanley

91%

Songs: 87%

Sound: 94%

It's taken nearly 20 years, but Paul Stanley has finally delivered his second solo album. Being familiar with the passion of some Kiss fans, I have no doubt there are some out there that have been looking forward to this release since the week after his debut was available.
Built up over the last year or so as the Kiss album Kiss never made, or the greatest album of whatever year it would be released, Paul's new album finds itself desperately needing to live up to pre-release hype and expectation.
I think Live To Win delivers to the believers, but will fall short for the uninitiated. It also wavers a little unevenly between styles, at times not sure which way to drift.
There is a lot to like about this album and overall, it is a very respectable piece of work. That said, there are obvious areas where things could and probably should have been improved, and then there is that question over the updated sound/production.
Paul has desperately tried to fuse the classic Kiss style with a full-on modern rock approach and on parts of this album it works, but who is he really trying to appeal to?
Kiss fans will buy anything and outsiders or casual fans will just be listening for great melodic songs.
I'm not sure anyone looking to buy this album would choose a modern rock direction over a more classic sound. And if Paul updated things to be more commercially appealing, then he is listening to the wrong people.
Thankfully the album does feature some very good songs.
Track By Track:
Kicking off the album in fine style is the title track Live To Win. The down-tuning is obvious from the first riff and the modern approach might have been of concern for some if a chorus from heaven had not punctuated proceedings.
You can't ask for a better or catchier rock n roll anthem than Live To Win, which blends modern production effects and guitar tones with Stanley's classic sense of knowing what makes a song great.
Lift takes a darker turn and emphasizes the updated production values even further. The fact the song remains at mid-tempo and the chorus isn't as instant as the opener means that it could be a take it or leave it track for some. But it gets better with each listen and makes for a good partner for the opening track.
When Wake Up Screaming kicks in, one could be forgiven for thinking that perhaps Stanley has abandoned the classic Kiss style entirely. Loops, heavy guitars and effects provide the foundation, with Stanley's very likable voice providing the melodies.
I love the very melodic tone of the verse - raspy and stripped of layers - moving then into another great anthemic chorus.
Everytime I See You Around is both the first ballad of the album and the first reference to the sound and style that made Stanley a household name. This is a classy and classic Kiss style ballad that should please all fans. Added string orchestration bolsters the sound and atmosphere.
Bulletproof is the second almost-Kiss classic in a row. This track could have made an appearance on Revenge, Hot In The Shade or even Crazy Nights. It is classic commercial hard rock without the modern influences to scare off long time fans.
All About You sees Paul Stanley tread a thin line between the modern rock influences of the opening tracks and the more classic sound of the last couple of songs. Either way, the song has a good uptempo beat and a big chorus. Not that I'm overly impressed with the chorus…this to me is one of the more throw away tracks on the album.
Second To None is anything but throw away. This is one of the best ballads of the year and is classic Stanley at his finest, emotional best. A soft verse gives way to a monster chorus with soaring vocals and more orchestration. Perfect!
It's Not Me features more production samples and a half-way sound similar to All About You. Not a bad track and a good uptempo chorus, but another song that seems to go half way without fully committing. It could have been either heavier and even more updated, or more classic in style.
Loving You Without You is the third ballad of the record and another example of what Paul Stanley does best – deliver heartfelt songs with a positive message in a commercial melodic hard rock style that millions love.
Where Angels Dare is another strong uptempo commercial rocker. The song builds early to a strong chorus and finishes the album in style.

The Bottom Line

Any album that runs at a mere 35 minutes and contains a couple of fillers is going to struggle for classic status. There should have been at least 12 tracks on offer here – with the two extra's needing to be quality uptempo rockers.
But, viewing what is on offer I would have to say that I think most Stanley fans will be happy. A solid and enjoyable album that proves Stanley is the creative force behind Kiss. This is infinitely better than the Gene Simmons solo album, but could have been even better still.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Paul Stanley
· Live To Win

Line Up:

Promo: Not Listed

Essential For Fans Of:

· Kiss
· Paul Stanley

Track Listing

· Live To Win *
· Lift
· Wake Up Screaming *
· Everytime I See You Around *
· Bulletproof *
· All About You
· Second To None *
· It's Not Me
· Loving You Without You
· Where Angels Dare

--*Best Tracks

The Andersson Mills Project Crank It Up

Z Records

· Produced By: Not Listed

· Running Time: 45.27

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Punk / Modern Rock

· Links: Z Records

33%

Songs: 55%

Sound: 10%

I consider myself a fan of Tony Mills – his endeavors with Shy have always been rated highly here and the new China Blue project he is singing with is off to a very promising start with one song on the new MelodicRock compilation. 2007 will also deliver a new Mills fronted TNT album, so that should be interesting.
But this, I'm afraid to say, is just dire. I respect Tony a great deal and have always found him to be open to criticism and varying opinions. But this really is a horrid release – but perhaps not for the most obvious reason.
I'm an advocate for any artist to stretch their wings and experiment if they so wish and that is what Tony Mills does so here. Mills has previously dabbled with jazzy pop on his last solo album, but on this occasion, in cohorts with Swedish guitarist Linkan Andersson, the duo take a real left turn as far as what fans might usually expect.
The Andersson Mills Project is primarily comprised of authentic American punk – influenced by the genre's 70s roots and delivered here with a definite enthusiasm for the style.
It is going to take quite a bit of work for melodic rock fans to get their ears around a CD dominated by punk rhythms and modern rock influences, but the albums main problem doesn't stem from there.
The style issue still allows room for a few songs to stand out as quality pieces and there are some things here that Mills fans can enjoy.
I have been dancing around the main issue of contention. Everything else aside, the biggest problem with this album is that it sounds like shit.
The production is just abysmal and I can only surmise that it only has been released because Z Records are desperate for anything to add to their release schedule.
The sound quality within this record varies greatly but rarely rises above demo standard, tainted at times by massive distortion and a tone that just hurts to listen to for any length of time. Take Skin And Blood for example. Yikes.
The album takes a small turn towards a more familiar melodic path in the second half, passing through nu-breed in the middle. But will anyone get that far into the record? Nothing But Poison and Head On Collision give Mills fans some reward, but how many listeners or potential buyers will make it past track 3?

The Bottom Line

Now that this has been reviewed, I won't ever listen to it again. Not for the songs or style, but because it is simply too hard on the ears.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Crank It Up

Line Up:

· Tony Mills: Vocals
· Linkan Andersson: Guitars, Bass & Piano
· Paul Fredrik: Drums

Essential For Fans Of:

· Tony Mills

Track Listing

· Crank It Up
· Skin And Blood
· Search And Destroy
· No Rights
· Kill For Love
· Smile
· Nothing But Poison *
· Head On Collision *
· Anyone
· Straight From The Heart
· Hard To Beat
· Bleeding Heart

--*Best Tracks

Kevin Lee Flip The Switch

Sigus Records

2006

· Produced By: Josh Shapera

· Running Time: 35.59

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Melodic Pop Rock

· Links: Kevin Lee

85%

Songs: 87%

Sound: 84%

Kevin Lee's musical history goes as far back as the early 90s with his Lonesome City Kings release via MCA. Since then he hasn't let up and tours constantly and has released one other full length record and a 6 track EP.
Lee is your classic American mid-west rocker. The Chicago native soaks up the musical influences of that city to produce an uptempo guitar driven record with pop/rock comparisons to Cheap Trick and Henry Lee Summer (without the twang). Simply put - old school harmony and melody with today's production delivery and modern rock energy.
I think this is his best album to date and will appeal to both straight ahead melodic rock fans and those partial to modern melodic pop/rock.
Highlights include the nu-breed rocker Built To Burn; the mellower and straight up Brett Walker-esque melodic rock of Save Me Tonight; the glorious pop All I Want is rocker with a great chorus hook; the glammy Hollywood Trash and Can't Believe You're Mine.
The album is consistent throughout, but you can't beat the first 4 or 5 tracks for quality.

The Bottom Line

The album isn't so modern as to be compared with Butch Walker, but nor is it 80s enough to be compared with the organic rock of John Kilzer. I'd say it is more Brett Walker meets Henry Lee Summer with a twist of moody Cheap Trick.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Walk A Mile In My Shoes
· Loaded
· Flip The Switch

Line Up:

· Kevn Lee: Vocals
· Brent Seatter: Guitars
· Mike Levine: Drums
· Josh Shapera: Bass, Keyboards, Percussion

Essential For Fans Of:

· Modern power pop/rock

Track Listing

· Built To Burn *
· Save Me Tonight *
· All I Want *
· Can't Believe Your Mine *
· Won't Shed A Tear
· Hollywood Trash
· Strange
· She's On Fire
· Mr. Misery
· End Of The Line

--*Best Tracks

GPS Window To The Soul

Inside Out Music

· Produced By: John Payne

· Running Time: 64.18

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Progressive Melodic Rock

· Links: Inside Out

89%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 93%

It is really a shame how things worked out for the last concoction of Asia. The band really hit their straps with the Silent Nation release and anticipation was high for the follow-up, which was near complete before being scuttled by the re-union of original Asia members.
Still, that gave vocalist John Payne and fellow current Asia cohorts Jay Schellen and Guthrie Govan the impetus to get creative on their own project.
For all intents and purposes, GPS is a natural progression from the musical base established by Silent Nation.
I have read opinions of this album favoring it over Silent Nation and others that still prefer the Asia record. I'm in that camp, but the difference is barely negotiable.
Both are great records and GPS is going to bring a lot of joy to fans of that line-up.
Ryo Okumoto (from Spock's Beard) steps in to replace Geoff Downes on keyboards and is the perfect man for the job.
This is quite an epic album and one with considerable rewards for listeners willing to invest a little time in it. There isn't a track under the 5 minute mark and several around the 7 minute mark.
It has a definite progressive and harder edge – more so than the last Asia album, while at the same time carrying over the melodic sensibilities of that line-up, not to mention the killer rhythm section, thanks to Payne (bass) and Schellen (drums).
Opening with the edgy 7 minute rocker Window To The Soul, the album turns left into Asia territory with the lush 8 minute AOR track New Jerusalem.
It gets even more melodic and rather emotional on the classy 8 minute rock ballad Heaven Can Wait, which features some raspy, emotional vocals.
Other album highlights include the Asia-esque Written On The Wind; the rich arrangement of I Believe In Yesterday; the commercial rocker All My Life, complete with 80s feel; and the closing hard rocker Taken Dreams.

The Bottom Line

I can't help but think the album dips a little in the second half, but the opening 5 tracks are really nothing short of classic John Payne and sets this band up to be a dominant force in the world of melodic progressive rock. GPS is an instant winner for fans of recent Asia and for fans of vocalist John Payne.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Windows To The Soul

Line Up:

· John Payne: Vocals, Bass, Guitars
· Guthrie Govan: Guitars
· Jay Schellen: Drums
· Ryo Okumoto: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Asia - Silent Nation
· John Payne

Track Listing

· Window To The Soul *
· New Jerusalem *
· Heaven Can Wait *
· Written On The Wind
· I Believe In Yesterday *
· The Objector
· All My Life
· Gold
· Since You've Been Gone
· Taken Dreams

--*Best Tracks

Fatal Smile Neo Natural Freaks

GMR Music

· Produced By: Joan Ostman

· Running Time: 41.50

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Fatal Smile

88%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 92%

Swedish rockers Fatal Smile may not be a household name, but they deliver the bang for the buck and definitely deserve higher accolades.
Back with their second album, the guys have turned it up 2 or 3 notches to produce a hard hitting, powerhouse melodic metal album with elements of classic European hard rock and Metallica like metal grunt, all wrapped in a contemporary delivery.
This is not for the faint hearted, but for those that dig European hard rock / melodic metal, you will do well to check these guys out.
Neo Natural Freaks is 10 tracks and 42 minutes of power.
From the opening riffs of the furious title track, to the aggressive Crash And Burn; to the thumping ear crunch of Learn Love Hate to the catchy punk riffing of Common People and the straight ahead hard rock of closing track 11th Hour – this album all attitude, all rock n roll and fuelled by the dynamic performances of guitarist Y and vocalist HB Anderson (ex-Scudiero).

The Bottom Line

Swedish melodic metal has a new champion. Fatal Smile has recorded a thoroughly enjoyable record here and has given it a very contemporary feel while keeping the classic metal vibe.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Beyond Reality
· Neo Natural Freaks

Line Up:

Promo: Not Listed

Essential For Fans Of:

· Contemporary European hard rock / melodic metal

Track Listing

· Neo Natural Freaks *
· Bleeding Kiss
· Crash & Burn *
· Learn - Love - Hate *
· Quiet Chaos
· Practice What You Preach
· Dead Man Walking
· Colorblind
· Common People
· 11th Hour *

--*Best Tracks

Ruffians Desert Of Tears

Metal Heaven

00027

· Produced By: Not Listed

· Running Time: 40.51

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: European Melodic Metal

· Links: Metal Heaven

60%

Songs: 50%

Sound: 70%

US metal merchants Ruffians return after splitting in 1989 to complete unfinished business. What they deliver in pretty standard melodic metal with a European influence in their sound.
The record doesn't strike me as anything more than an average everyday release and it is made all the more average by a very ordinary singer who spends just a little too much time shouting.
The band have obviously been raised on a diet of Iron Maiden, as the chug chug chugging of the guitar riffing is prime old-school Maiden. The acoustic It Ain't Over offers some respite from the riffing, but I wouldn't call it a ballad.
I Believe and Day Of The Champion are probably the best picks, but the album does tend to plod along at the same pace throughout.

The Bottom Line

There's nothing overtly bad about this – it is just plain average. Average production, average singer and average songs. Too many other great metal releases out there to get carried away with this release.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Ruffians
· Desert Of Tears

Line Up:

· Rich Wilde: Vocals
· Craig Behrhorst, Chris Atchinson: Guitars
· Luke Bowman: Drums
· Tommy Sisco: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

·

Track Listing

· I Believe *
· Running Blind
· Day Of The Champion *
· Desert Of Tears
· I Will Fly
· Darkest Of Light
· It Ain't Over
· Live By The Sword
· Soldier's Fate
· Chosen One
· Freedom

--*Best Tracks

Billy Falcon Made Man

Indie

· Produced By: Billy Falcon & Mike Spears

· Running Time: 43.21

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Pop Rock

· Links: Billy Falcon

85%

Songs: 85%

Sound: 85%

Singer/Songwriter Billy Falcon returns for a new studio album that perhaps could be his best since the breakthrough Pretty Blue World release more than 15 years ago.
Joining him is guitarist Bryan Hall, drummer Johnny Telucci and bassist Michael Spears (Blue Tears), who together make for a powerhouse bad – even if it is executed in a stripped back and acoustic dominated form.
Billy retains the usual southern country / mid-western pop base as his musical theme, but Made Man has feistier edge thanks to some more uptempo and electric based tracks – not too mention a discernable energy flowing through the speakers.
From the opening southern rock of the title track Made Man, the album sounds comfortable – like the guys are on a mission, armed with the knowledge this album features a great set of songs.
There's the laid back, but electric driven soul of Sugar; the Tom Petty influenced Happy Hour; the emotional honestly of The Only One That Doesn't Know, a track which runs right into the contrasting free flow rockabilly of Better Than A Girl; plus the sparse, almost entirely acoustic double of the album's last two tracks.

The Bottom Line

Made Man is an album that flows from the bare singer/songwriter acoustic vive, back to a more electric southern rock party vibe. It's a great album to sit back and relax to and sees a maturing Billy Falcon completely at home in his own skin and sounding better than ever.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Burning Rose
· Pretty Blue World
· Letters From A Paper Ship
· Songs About Girls
· Released
· Made Man

Line Up:

· Billy Falcon: Vocals, Guitar
· Bryan Hall: Guitars
· Johnny Telucci: Drums
· Michael Spears: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Singer/Songwriter pop rock
· John Mellencamp

Track Listing

· Made Man *
· Mr. Smith
· Sugar *
· Brick Of A Bridge
· Happy Hour *
· My Friend
· Don't Even Think About It
· The Only One That Doesn't Know
· Better Than A Girl *
· Sinatra
· The Rest Of The Song
· Sweet Dream

--*Best Tracks

Big Cock Big Cock

Driver Wild Music

BCCD01110-2

· Produced By: David Henzerling

· Running Time: 37.37

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Big Cock

84%

Songs: 88%

Sound: 80%

World's worst band name, or good attention seeking tool? Your call, but either way, the name is pretty apt, as Big Cock sing classic 80s style hard rock songs, primarily involving the subject matter covered by their very name.
If the band's name is too subtle, perhaps subtle song titles such as Fucked Up, Every Inch Of My Love, Booze & My Baby, Rock Hard, Let's Make Love or Ride On Me will convince you.
Subject matter and lyrical content aside, Big Cock, featuring Lynch Mob's Robert Mason on vocals and King Kobra guitarist Dave Henzerling (a k a David Michael Phillips), deliver some great fun, take no prisoners old-school American hard rock.
Big Cock rock like the 90s never existed. A simple guitar/bass/drum backing is accompanied by the sleaze friendly vocals of Mason.
This is the band's second album and sees the guys repeating the formula of the debut. If you liked that – then this is an easy sell.
Highlights this time around include the attitude filled Real Man, the opening rocker Fucked Up; the sleazy Ride On Me; the piss-take cover of Paul Anka's She's A Lady; and the double time Guns N Roses styled rock n roll of So Easy Bein' Me.
There's even a ballad this time around – the warm and fuzzy Every Inch Of My Love.

The Bottom Line

There is no big production job here - this is straight ahead, no frills, live in the studio rock n roll, with plenty of energy and plenty of attitude. Not to be taken seriously and definitely to be enjoyed up loud.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Year Of The Cock
· Big Cock

Line Up:

· Robert Mason: Vocals
· David Henzerling: Guitars
· John Covington: Drums
· Colby: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Robert Mason
· Early LA Guns

Track Listing

· Fucked Up *
· Real Man *
· Ride On Me
· Rock Hard
· She's A Lady *
· So Easy Bein' Me
· Every Inch Of My Love *
· Dirty Girl
· Scottsdale Girls
· Get Me Up
· Take Me
· Booze & My Baby
· Let's Make Love

--*Best Tracks

Fraze Gang Fraze Gang

Indie

FG-01

· Produced By: Greg Fraser

· Running Time: 49.36

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Fraze Gang

85%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 84%

Brighton Rock guitarist Greg Fraser returns to action with his new independently released outfit Fraze Gang.
The guitarist turned singer puts in a good performance here, with a whole album of swirling riffs and solos and an old-school melodic hard rock feel to the music.
And as it turns out, he is a pretty handy vocalist too. We are not talking smooth as silk here, but his tone and energy throughout the album is highly enjoyable and when he slows things down there is a definite warmth to his voice.
In fact, Greg reminds me of a fellow Canadian guitarist turned occasional vocalist – Loverboy's Paul Dean. But that's not all – there must be an affliction between kindred spirits, as I also compare the sound of the album and Greg's voice to Journey guitarist Neal Schon's solo work – especially where he sings on his classic Late Nite album.
If it is not Schon's vocals I'm thinking of while listening to this album, then it is on some of the more straight ahead hard rocking moments of this album that I am reminded of Paul Dean's solo album from late 80s Hardcore – especially the tone of Fraser's voice.
So if you mix both those influences with the classic Brighton Rock sound – not that of their Love Machine record – you'll get some feel for how Fraze gang sounds.
Blow Me Away is a fine old-school rocker with a bluesy swagger; Savior and Broken Hero pair up as a couple of very good more melodic tunes; Rainbow Eyes is a fine power ballad, although the production isn't as sharp as it could be; Paradise and High Life are both cool rockers that again bring Paul Dean comparisons; Stargazer is another very melodic track with a good hook and Roll With The Punches is another very strong mid-tempo rock ballad.
There is another side of the album that comes to light on certain places. There is a slight bluesy influence over the whole album, but that pushes through on three tracks - Sugar Daddy, You Had It All and Hot Rod. These unfortunately don't quite work for me.

The Bottom Line

As far as independently recorded and released records go, this one sounds great. It also features some good old-school melodic rock songs and a very likable lead vocal. Definitely one for Brighton Rock fans, but also one for those that miss the old days of American / Canadian hard rock.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Fraze Gang

Line Up:

· Greg Fraser: Vocals, Guitar
· Phil Epp: Drums
· Stevie Skreebs: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Paul Dean - Hardcore
· Brighton Rock

Track Listing

· Blow Me Away *
· Savior *
· Broken Hero *
· Sugar Daddy
· Rainbow Eyes
· Paradise *
· High Life *
· I Stand Alone
· You Had It All
· Stargazer
· Roll With The Punches
· Hot Rod

--*Best Tracks

Zeno Runway To The Gods

MTM Music

0681-176

· Produced By: Zeno Roth

· Running Time: 54.15

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: MTM Music

87%

Songs: 85%

Sound: 89%

God, it's that bloke again! Vocalist Michael Bormann makes up for a quiet 12 months with his 3rd record in 2 months. And there is still Redrum to come early next year!
In this case Bormann is the guest, providing the vocals for the songs written and played entirely by that talented German chap Zeno Roth.
Zeno takes his time writing and recording new albums…a lot of time, so it is no surprise to find that some 8 years have now passed since the last album Listen To The Light.
A lot in the world has changed in that time – all expect for Zeno's style. He picks up exactly where he left off in 1998 – Runway To The Gods is a natural successor to Listen To The Light.
As expected from fans of Zeno, this is a record dominated by intricate guitar play. Solos, riffing, overdubs and even more soloing and following that comes the swirling keyboards.
Bormann simply steers the songs where they are supposed to go and gives them the added personality required.
The album opens in typically bombastic style with Fanfares Of Love, a song that begins with a flurry of guitars and simply gets more complex and over the top as it goes. The concluding minute and a half of this rocker is simply ridiculous! (I mean that in a good way!)
Climb The Sky pulls things back a little and Land Of Illusion gets a little more melodic again. One thing is for sure – the 80s influence and the sound of previous Zeno records lives loud and strong in this new record.
Highlights from elsewhere within the record include the big 6 minute plus rock ballad Runway To The Gods; the uptempo and pomp friendly Refugees (Longing For Paradise); the frantic and hard rocking I Feel – I Live and Purify, which features a killer vocal.
The album also features to instrumental tracks - Sunset Birds Flying Home (Celestial Touchdown) and Sogno Di Angelo. Both are ok, but being a vocal fan, I find myself skipping these.

The Bottom Line

If you liked Zeno before, you'll like Zeno now. Particularly if you are a fan of Listen To The Light. I still have a definite soft spot for Zeno's debut and vocalist Michael Flexig, but the sound and style of this album is not far removed from anything he has recorded before.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Zeno
· Zenology
· Listen To The Light
· Zenology II
· Runway To The Gods

Line Up:

· Michael Bormann: All Vocals
· Zeno: Guitars & All Instrumentation

Essential For Fans Of:

· Zeno - Listen To The Light
· Michael Bormann

Track Listing

· Fanfares Of Love *
· Climb The Sky
· Land Of Illusion *
· Shades Of Blue
· Runway To The Gods *
· Sogno Di Angelo
· Refugees (Longing For Paradise)
· I Feel - I Live *
· Purify (Pilgrims Of Remembrance)
· Do You Feel The Time
· Sunset Birds Flying Home (Celestial Touchdown)

--*Best Tracks

Wetton/Downes Icon II - Rubicon

Frontiers Records

FRCD309

· Produced By: John Wetton & Geoff Downes

· Running Time: 50.27

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock / AOR

· Links: Frontiers

90%

Songs: 90%

Sound: 90%

Two dodgy live albums had left me a little blasé about the Asia duo's new studio album.
Mr Wetton & Mr Downes produced a rich, lush and very fine example of up to date AOR with their debut. Maybe it was a little slow, but it was quality. Then those two live albums really killed my enthusiasm for the guys.
But the opening strains of this album renewed by enthusiasm in a heartbeat as this is what they do best and should stick to.
The Die Is Cast and Finger On The Trigger finally see the guys get out of first gear and into a more uptempo realm. These are two seriously good songs. Both tracks make a great start to the album and for are 2 of the best tracks from the pair in many years. And for whatever reason, they both have an unmistakably 80s feel to them, something that it thought the debut didn't make obvious.
Following on from those tracks, Reflections is another musically rich track and a very smooth ballad.
I'm not sure what to make of the double-header that follows though. Two songs in a row feature John Wetton duetting with a Anneke van Giersbergen of The Gathering. To Catch A Theif and Tears Of Joy are both very slow and while both a quality pieces, they sound more like excerpts from a Wetton solo project.
Shannon sees the album get back on track, with the sound returning to the more expected.
The soft, but layered harmonies and detailed orchestration of The Hanging Tree and The Glory Of Winning are (as the song suggests) both winners for Wetton/Downes.
The album drops the tempo through the mid-section and only picks it up to the point of where the debut sat for the remainder of the record. I would have liked to have heard a couple more faster moving tracks like the opening pair.
That said, the closer Rubicon may be stuck in that same mid-tempo sphere that the guys find comfortable, but it is a fine track to close the album.

The Bottom Line

Production is a little rougher than the debut and a little less layered, but the heart of the album revolves around the same premise - smooth, adult contemporary AOR. Overall, I think a mix of tracks from both studio albums would have made the perfect AOR release.
Add in those two killer opening tracks and a more pronounced 80s influence through the record and you get an album that comes closer to the original Asia sound than any album since that band's early days.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Wetton / Downes
· Icon
· Acoustic TV Broadcast
· Live - Never In A Million Years
· Icon II - Rubicon

Line Up:

· John Wetton: Vocals, Bass, Guitars
· Geoffrey Downes: Keyboards
· John Mitchell: Guitars
· Steve Christey: Drums
· Hugh McDowell: Cello

Essential For Fans Of:

· Asia

Track Listing

· The Die is Cast *
· Finger on the Trigger *
· Reflections (of my life) *
· To Catch a Thief
· Tears of Joy
· Shannon *
· The Hanging Tree
· The Glory of Winning
· Whirlpool
· Rubicon *

--*Best Tracks

Thunder Robert Johnson's Tombstone

Frontiers Records

FRCD308

· Produced By: Luke Morley

· Running Time: 52.44

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Frontiers Thunder

90%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 94%

Being free-agents has allowed British rock greats Thunder the freedom to do as they please. That has seen them fall into a very productive period which has seen three albums released in relatively quick succession since the band first stormed back with Shooting At The Sun.
Thunder know what formula works for them and over the last couple of albums have concentrated on delivering songs in their traditional guitar driven style, with that unmistakable hard edge and a bluesy swagger.
Robert Johnson's Tombstone continues that Thunder formula, so instantly you know who it is from the opening 30 seconds of the album and also that it will be a winner with fans.
The very nature of the style and sound of this album hits the spot with this long time Thunder fan, and the sound quality (thanks to the well trained ears of Luke Morley) is equal to the best albums the guys have recorded.
The only thing left to dissect is the quality of the songs. And the band don't disappoint there either, although I wouldn't rate this album quite as highly as the last two.
Once again Thunder knows what works, so fans get the usual blend of high energy rockers with punchy guitar riffs (Dirty Dream, The Devil Made Me Do It, Andy Warhol Said, Stubborn Kinda Love) and the odd blusier number (What A Beautiful Day, Last Man Standing and the title track Robert Johnson's Tombstone).
And no one should forget to mention the soft acoustic driven ballads which start slow and end with a bang (A Million Miles, It's All About You) and the very tender and reflective ballad My Darkest Hour, which shows an emotional maturity in the vocals of frontman Danny Bowles.

The Bottom Line

Otherwise, no shock and no real change of game plan for Thunder, which will please long time fans and recent converts alike. They genuinely are one of the most consistent bands in the scene right now and while I prefer the last album over this one, Thunder have again delivered another high quality, top notch record.
I might add for whatever reason I feel necessary, that the album title is not the best the band has come up with and the cover art is just plain silly. There – I've said it now!

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Backstreet Symphony
· Laughing On Judgement Day
· Behind Closed Doors
· Thrill Of It All
· Giving The Game Away
· Shooting At The Sun
· The Magnificent Seventh
· Robert Johnson's Tombstone

Line Up:

· Danny Bowes: Vocals
· Luke Morley: Guitar
· Ben Mathews: Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards
· Harry James: Drums
· Chris Childs: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Thunder
· British Melodic Rock

Track Listing

· Robert Johnson's Tombstone
· Dirty Dream *
· A Million Faces
· Don't Wanna Talk About Love *
· The Devil Made Me Do It
· Last Man Standing
· My Darkest Hour *
· Andy Warhol Said
· What a Beautiful Day
· It's All About You
· Stubborn Kinda Love *

--*Best Tracks

Pretty Maids Wake Up To The Real World

Frontiers Records

FRCD307

· Produced By: Pretty Maids

· Running Time: 45.15

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Frontiers

89%

Songs: 90%

Sound: 88%

Great record this one – but I had to re-check what I was listening to a couple of times.
Danish rockers Pretty Maids have re-grouped after a 4 year break and returned with a fresh, updated sound that could see them pick up some new fans. The band's sound has been updated a little and the album swaps back and forth between the expected European melodic hard rock and some modern rock influences.
The changes within this album work well for the guys and I don't think they are at risk of losing any old fans, as at the heart of the record is some good old-fashioned, likable songs.
The band sticks to their tried and true sound on the opening rocker Wake Up To The Real World and the double time rocker Why Die For A Lie and the in-your-face Terminal Violence, not to mention the slow and moody Perfect Strangers.
I Am The End is a mixture of modern rock and melodic metal which works quite well for the guys. It has an aggressive yet melodic feel and the vocals of Ronnie Atkins are perfect for the style.
The mid-tempo modern rocker As Guilty As You sees the sound modernized even further while at the same time, the melodic hooks are turned up again. Such A Rush is classic European melodic rock while Where Beauty Lies is a passionate and heartfelt rock ballad.
And the closing number Another Shot Of Your Love is a great melodic rock ballad, with a thoroughly commercial hook.

The Bottom Line

Some good decisions were made in writing this album. Plenty of the old with a little of the new, all the time making sure whatever was recorded suited the band and importantly, the fan also. I think those fans are going to dig this and I think the band have started a new chapter of their existence with this album.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Pretty Maids
· Red, Hot And Heavy
· Future World
· Jump The Gun
· Sin Decade
· Stripped
· Scream
· Spooked
· Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing
· Carpe Diem
· Planet Panic
· Wake Up To The Real World

Line Up:

· Ronnie Atkins: Vocals
· Ken Hammer: Guitars
· Allan Tschicaja: Drums
· Ken Jackson: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Pretty Maids
· Europan Melodic Hard Rock

Track Listing

· Wake Up To The Real World *
· All In The Name of Love
· I Am The End
· As Guilty As You *
· Why Die For A Lie
· Such A Rush *
· Where True Beauty Lies *
· Brave Young New Breed
· Terminal Violence
· Perfect Strangers
· Another Shot Of You Love *

--*Best Tracks

Michael Bormann Conspiracy

Indie

/

NL Distribution

· Produced By: Michael Bormann

· Running Time: 62.16

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Michael Bormann

86%

Songs: 90%

Sound: 82%

One of the melodic rock scene's favourite vocalists is former Jaded Heart frontman Michael Bormann.
He's had some time away, but now returns with not one, but four new projects, the first of which is his brand new solo album Conspiracy. Not surprisingly the album's lyrical content is dominated by the singer's frustration in being ousted from the band he fronted for many years.
But thankfully for Jaded Heart fans, Michael continues on as a solo artist in much the same musical vein as the last few Jaded Heart records.
The songs featured here really are very good. Some quality melodic hard rock and some fine ballads. The only problem for me is that at times the guitar sound sounds a little thin in places, especially on the heavier tracks where more bottom end is needed.
This reflects on the overall production quality.
I think there is some great guitar moments on here though – plenty of solos and some great standout riffs.
Highlights from the alum include the opening title track Conspiracy, a lyrically biting affair with a hard hitting chorus; Stand Up, which has a great Jaded Heart style chorus and some fine lead vocals; Two Of A Kind is a good ballad in duet with (I believe) Anette Blyckert from Alyson Avenue; Living Just A Lie is one of Michael's best rocking anthem's in a long while…great stuff indeed.
The album mellows at this point for a few good more laid back rock tracks. Reaching Out is another high quality track, this time a more reflective rock ballad and On Man One Soul is a perfect moody, venom-laced rock track.
So This Could Be You continues that moody dark vibe and Amazing is a bluesy power ballad of sorts. The closing number Samirangel is a haunting acoustic piece which closes the album in melancholy style.

The Bottom Line

Not the best overall sound quality I have heard from Michael Bormann, but a solid album with some definite highlights and more than enough strong material to keep all fans of Bormann happy. Definitely one for Jaded Heart fans and an opportunity to hear the other side of the unfortunate break up.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Michael Bormann
· Conspiracy
+ work with Jaded Heart / Rain / Zeno & Redrum

Line Up:

Promo: Not Listed

Essential For Fans Of:

· Michael Bormann
· Jaded Heart

Track Listing

· Conspiracy *
· It's Only Physical
· Stand Up *
· Two Of A Kind
· No Regrets
· Devil´s Son
· Ain´t Just A Bit
· Living Just A Lie *
· Reaching Out *
· One Man One Soul *
· So This Could Be You
· It's Amazing
· Samirangel

--*Best Tracks

Love Child Soul Collector

Escape Music

ESM139

· Produced By: Love Child

· Running Time: 54.46

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: European Hard Rock

· Links: Escape Music

75%

Songs: 70%

Sound: 80%

Love Child is without any doubt the first rock band I have reviewed that herald from the land of Liechtenstein. This European melodic hard rock outfit have pretty much got things right as far as getting their music across in the best possible fashion, with decent production quality and an even mix.
The band's guitarist knows his way around his instrument and the band's general rocking approach can be appreciated.
Two things need work though. The band just need that little something extra to draw the listener back in for more after some impressive riffs and a decent sound. More consistency in the choruses is what I speak of.
The other thing is that the singer, for me, isn't someone I would spend a lot of my time listening to. The accent on his vocal isn't my thing and I generally just don't like the rough and gruff approach.
The singer is ok, but you must be tuned in to his style and method of delivery to apreciate.
After rocking out for the opening 4 tracks (in pretty good style) the band get a little more melodic on Sunset Rider. It suits them. This continues through No Return and Battlefield, making the mid-section of this release the highlight for me.
Promised Land is one of the better rockers, played out in fine traditional European hard rock style and Midnight Train features some good melodic guitar work.

The Bottom Line

Personal issues with the singer aside, this is a solid debut. It gets better as the album goes along. The more hard rocking material is stacked up front, but that's perhaps where the band doesn't quite nail it. As the album progresses and gets more melodic, the quality picks up. There is nothing new here, I have heard it all before, but for fans of European hard rock, the alum does offer some quality moments.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Soul Collector

Line Up:

· Werner Schweizer: Vocals
· Roger Kauffmann: Guitars
· Danny Zimmermann: Drums
· Sven Sieber: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

Track Listing

· Prisoner
· Perfect Day
· Soul Collector
· Left on the Outside
· Sunset Rider *
· No Return
· Battlefield *
· Line on Fire
· Promised Land *
· Lion
· Midnight Train
· Close

--*Best Tracks

Styx & The CYO One With Everything

Frontiers Records

/

Universal

FRCD311

· Produced By: Styx & Charlie Brusco

· Running Time: 74.00

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: Frontiers Styx

80%

Songs: 70%

Sound: 90%

I didn't have any real expectations for this live record – yet another diversion from the band releasing new studio product (5 live albums and a couple of compilations in between a mere 2 studio albums) – and it is sadly only a portion of the whole live event. You'll hear and (obviously) see more on the DVD release.
I imagine most Styx die-hards will be happy, as it certainly is a quality release. Just a couple of issues however –
First problem is the repetition of the same old songs again. The Styx catalogue is so vast and yes, there is only 75 minutes available for a single disk release, and yes, you can hardly leave some of these tracks off – but overall I found the track list to be less than inspiring.
Secondly, while I was one of the few that found the band's last record – the covers release – to be enjoyable, I'm wasn't a fan of the 3 individual tracks chosen to represent that album here.
Those points made, the album is still enjoyable for what it is and Styx are a lean mean touring machine and as always are tight as hell on stage – even with the addition of a whole orchestra of extra members.
That orchestra is the very reason for this release. This live performance comes from a pairing of the band with the Children's Youth Orchestra, who add that symphonic touch to the band's music – which let's face it – is a very natural fit.
At times these extremely talented kids are the driving force behind the songs, but at other times they are being drowned out a little.
Highlights include what they do with Blue Collar Man…fabulous; as is the extended Fooling Yourself and newer track One With Everything – itself a great little melodic anthem with a technical hook. The extended instrumental break with the orchestra here is musical class.
The two news songs are Everything All The Time, which has a lot of energy and a decent hook. The studio cut ballad Just Be doesn't do anything for me though. Tommy's voice sounds as strong as ever, but the song doesn't have that 'play me again' hook to draw you in.
The closing 4 tracks – Crystal Ball, Too Much Time, Miss America and Renegade are a sure fire way to end with a bang, 4 classics back to back with the orchestral twist adding some freshness.

The Bottom Line

This is another ok live album, thankfully with an extra twist to give it purpose and give fans something new to absorb. I guess I am really hanging out for an all new studio album to hear what the great Ricky Phillips can bring to the band and also the fact that the band's last all original studio was so good, it seems a crime to have such a gap between that and a new record.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Arch Allies
· Brave New World
· Styxworld
· Cyclorama
· Big Bang Theory
· One With Everything

Line Up:

· Tommy Shaw: Guitars & Vocals
· James Young: Guitars & Vocals
· Todd Sucherman: Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals
· Ricky Phillips: Bass & Backing Vocals
· Lawrence Gowan: Keyboards & Vocals
· Chuck Panozzo: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Styx
· Live w/Orchestra Releases

Track Listing

· Blue Collar Man *
· One With Everything *
· It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)
· Everything All The Time
· I Am The Walrus
· Just Be
· Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) *
· Boat On The River
· I Don't Need No Doctor
· Crystal Ball
· Too Much Time On My Hands *
· Miss America
· Renegade

--*Best Tracks

Iron Maiden A Matter Of Life And Death

EMI

· Produced By: Kevin Shirley

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released: WORLD

· Musical Style: Heavy Metal

· Links: Iron Maiden

93%

Songs: 95%

Sound: 90%

Good album - much better effort than the last one and an improvement in sonic quality also. In this case I have handed over the review to Mick Ward, whose metal reviews are occasionally featured here. He is a massive Maiden, fan, so who better to analyze this release. Over to Mick:

Review By Mick Ward.

'For the passion, for the glory, For the memories, for the money, You're a soldier, for your country, What's the difference, all the same…These colours don't run, from cold bloody war.'
Indeed!
Once typical barnstorming opener Different Worlds makes way for These Colours Don't Run it becomes quite clear that Maiden are out for blood. These veterans haven't sounded so bold, angry and dark, nor as energetic since in their 80's heyday. A Matter of Life and Death is a chaotic album of exceptional proportions, epic ambitious and brimming with certainty. It muscles its way in with such controlled aggression even repeated listens don't ease the burden of selecting the better tracks. A Matter of Life and Death is certainly the most consistent and convincing Maiden has sounded for a very, very long time!
The album mostly focuses on the chaos of war, but I can't remember when Iron Maiden has sounded so lyrically compelling. Not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves, the band has delivered a stirring, thought-provoking album, one that never sounds forced. If the lyrics above for These Colours Don't Run didn't convince you, for credentials look no further than Steve Harris' For the Greater Good of God.
'Are you man of peace or man of holy war, Too many sides to you, Don't know which anymore'.
Or its closing lyrics…
'He gave his life for us he fell upon the cross, To die for all of those who never mourn his loss, It wasn't meant for us to feel the pain again, Tell me why…'
The progressive leanings on A Matter of Life and Death are out front and almost every song contorts and ascends into something that, while typical of Maiden, also manages to remain stimulating and unique.
Some may be disheartened by the longer than lengthy songs on offer here, but when considering the depth of each of these tunes, it can be appreciated why this is. Whilst The Pilgrim is a storming number reminiscent of the Powerlsave era that clocks in just over five minutes, at the other end of the scale The Legacy for example cracks the nine minute mark. Yet The Legacy is crammed with such impressive progression and brilliance it is worth its every second.
Song-wise the only possible glitch is the inclusion of the Dickinson solo sounding track Out of the Shadows. With its sly wink back to his very own Tears of a Dragon amongst others, the tune is slightly alienated from the rest of the album due to nothing more than sounding like you've heard it before. Other than that, it's a fine song. To put it simply each song on A Matter of Life and Death is worthy of mention and dissection but I don't have anywhere near the space here to do the songs the justice they truly deserve.
Take it as a given that each and every composition is magnificent and shows Maiden are finally moving forward while at the same time ensuring to respect their history.
The idea not to mix the album was wise. In doing so the album doesn't come across as over produced and remains raw and live, helping the band to sound tight and like a unit. And if on occasion Dickinson sounds like he is straining then that's good because he sounds real and better for it! He hasn't sounded this good, so cutting, so insane and brilliant in years.
The packaging is top notch (make sure to grab your limited edition with DVD bonus!) and it is quite fitting that while the album boasts some fantastic artwork typical of an Iron Maiden album cover, the band are photographed in normal attire in an everyday setting, no window dressing, just letting the music speak for itself.

The Bottom Line

An intense and challenging listen, A Matter of Life and Death is a noble effort that quite frankly elevates itself well above its contemporaries and a good portion of the band's very own back catalogue, Maiden having set themselves a new benchmark. It is an album that will stand well next to any Maiden classic and it is the album that has finally cemented the return of the world's number one metal band. Rejoice!
Oh, and on that subject matter of war… Here then stand the victors!

Recent Discography

· Brave New World
· Dance Of Death
· A Matter Of Life And Death

Line Up:

· Bruce Dickinson: Vocals
· Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Janick Gers: Guitars
· Nicko McBrain: Drums
· Steve Harris: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Up The Irons!

Track Listing

· Different World *
· These Colours Don't Run *
· Brighter Than a Thousand Suns
· Pilgrim *
· Longest Day
· Out of the Shadows
· Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
· For the Greater Good of God *
· Lord of Light
· Legacy

--*Best Tracks

Talisman 7

Frontiers Records

FRCD304

· Produced By: Jeff Scott Soto & Marcel Jacob

· Running Time: 43.35

· Release Date: October 20

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Frontiers JSS

97%

Songs: 99%

Sound: 95%

Someone once wrote to me and said I had a bias towards Jeff Scott Soto and Harem Scarem. Sure, but I prefer to think of it as a bias towards great music and as far as I am concerned these two artists rarely put a foot wrong.
So read whatever bias into this you may, but I don't think for one second that any long time Talisman fan is going to disagree.
Sure, not all may agree with my assessment that this is Talisman's best record ever, but I am supremely confident that it will at least rank as one of the band's very best for all fans.
And with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto's foray into Journey, there is for the first time in a long time, a whole stack of new fans about to discover this side of his musical personality.
These folk could not have picked a better album to come on board to, as Talisman 7 delivers 11 classic melodic hard rock tracks that collectively add up to a truly wild ride through the many facets of Jeff and Talisman's history.
The best thing about 7 is the fact the band sound as fresh as if this was there debut album, yet it draws on the experience gathered over 6 previous studio albums and some 15+ years together.
Musically speaking the album touches on all the band's recognized trademarks and a few of Jeff's own, while trying a couple of new things which I think will really impress listeners.
The guys took their time writing this record and it shows. I think it is the most consistent album from the band as each of the 11 tracks delivers something different and no sooner do you get to the end of the record, you want to play it again from the start.
Marcel Jacob is a revelation on this record, providing most of the guitar parts as well as his usual impressive bass work.
Track By Track:
The modern almost punky feel to the opening of the album with Falling initially caught me off guard, but feels natural once you get to know the album. JSS' powerhouse vocals drive the song through its thrashy beat into a chorus that also gets better each spin and features a nice punchy rhythm section.
Nowhere Fast kicks off with one of the more thumping bass lines in recent memory and slips into a classic Talisman groove, accompanied by a quirky guitar riff that sets up the song melody. The chorus is more instant and one I love hearing. Jeff's vocals are his typical style - attitude laced with soul and really are quite something. He sounds so at home and so comfortable with this material.
Rhyme or Reason has the same production vibe and style, not to mention the same moody groove as the band's previous cover of Seal's Crazy. The sultry vocals and the intensity of the bass and guitar interplay are not the most commercial of combinations, but anyone that knows Talisman knows this groove and the song is a real grower.
End Of The Line features another killer bass riff which opens up into a flurry of drums before a truly funky rhythm and lead vocal takes over the song. The chorus is pure JSS gold – layered vocals, great lift in tempo and vocal range, all the while rolling along with a classic groove.
The 1 I'm Living 4 is one of the places within the album were the band try something new. And boy, does this track work. This is a new Talisman classic and for those Journey fans coming on board, this is where that band could take some lead from. The song is a mid-tempo melodic rocker, featuring a wonderfully soulful lead vocal that starts low and builds throughout the song.
There is an underlying soft and sultry vibe and that unmistakable Marcel Jacob groove, but it is all wrapped up in a feel good melody that is impossible not to love first listen.
On My Way is more or less classic JSS. A perfect answer to the last couple of moody tracks, this uptempo pop rocker is a feel good anthem with a perfect commercial pop chorus. Given the intensity of the album as a whole, this is a great mid-album circuit breaker.
Forevermore is one of two big ballads on the album. Talisman generally aren't known for their sentimental ballads, but here they deliver two cracking examples. This is a brilliant ballad with a big harmony filled chorus and some nice piano parts. Definitely more comparable with JSS solo material, the band makes it their own with that classic groove.
Succumb 2 My Desire is perhaps the funkiest Talisman track ever. And that's saying something. This has such an infectious groove, it is simply impossible not to dig it.
There are a few different parts to the song – the soulful funk rock of the verse, the uptempo groove of the bridge and then the even faster chorus. Then there is the brilliant James Brown funk of the latter part of the song which I can't get enough of.
Shed A Tear Goodbye is another track which I think is something as little different for the band – which let's face it – has never been afraid to try something different. A soulful intro bursts to life into another uptempo, very commercial rock track with a great verse-bridge-chorus set up. The songs has a definite feel good vibe to it and the chorus is one of the more instant featured on the album.
Troubled Water is a mix of classic Talisman groove, with a more modern musical base and production style. A more straight ahead rock verse gives way to a funky chorus, which then morphs back into the next verse. It is an interesting song that keeps the listeners attention.
The band closes the album with the second big ballad. Back 2 The Feeling is a soulful and passionate rock ballad with a killer vocal and some fine guitar work.

The Bottom Line

I love it – big surprise there! But seriously, this is for me the best Talisman album to date and one of the true highlights of 2006. I expected it to be great, but I'm happy to say that the album exceeds my expectations and I believe there are going to be a lot of fans – old and new – out there that feel the very same way.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Talisman
· Genesis
· Life
· Humanimal
· Humanimal II
· Truth
· Sweden Rock Festival
· Five Men Live
· 7

Line Up:

· Jeff Scott Soto: Vocals
· Fredrik Akesson: Guitar
· Jamie Borger: Drums
· Marcel Jacob: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Talisman
· JSS
· Humanimal

Track Listing

· Falling *
· Nowhere Fast *
· Rhyme or Reason
· End Of The Line *
· The 1 I'm Living 4 *
· On My Way
· Forevermore
· Succumb 2 My Desire *
· Shed A Tear Goodbye *
· Troubled Water
· Back 2 The Feeling

--*Best Tracks

Winger IV

Frontiers Records

FRCD305

· Produced By: Kip Winger

· Running Time: 49.57

· Release Date: October 20

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Kip Winger

88%

Songs: 84%

Sound: 93%

This is an interesting one. Not too many expected to even hear a new Winger album in 2006, so the fact I'm sitting here reviewing this is a feat in itself. Winger left the scene on the back of a killer album – Pull. It is an album that has become a cult classic – I think a majority of the band's fans claim the album to be their best ever – which I for one agree.
Sadly though, grunge had already hit and the band's new found intensity and maturity on that record was only heard by a fraction of what the potential audience should and could have been.
So with unfinished business at hand, the band has reformed the Pull line-up, with the edition of an extra musician in Cenk Eroglu – who contributes keyboard, guitar and FX parts to the new album.
The new album is something a little different again. The downside of Internet leaks means that many have already heard this album and just as many have already posted their opinions of it. And those opinions sure are varied. It seems there are some fans that are struggling with this CD and I do understand those comments, but I have a few of my own.
IV picks up more or less where Pull left off – adopting the same intensity and moody mature delivery style, but also ventures into some new territory that may give some fans pause before accepting.
This is far from an instant album and even once you get to know it inside and out, it remains a mood album. It is not something I am going to or can play at any given time, but rather when the mood fits. Pull was a little like this too, but perhaps more mysterious.
IV is both modern contemporary and classic rock – there are songs that touch on both elements and at times it does so during the same song.
There are some openly commercial moments and some truly dark and contemporary passages which will require some listening to.
At first listen to the record I thought it was super intense and in some parts it is, but with time it sows some quite mellow and commercial moments. I find that the album doesn't feature as many individual highlights as Pull did and is not quite as ground breaking with the songwriting. I also find that this album makes for a better listen when played start to finish without interruption.
Track By Track:
The opening track Right Up Ahead is a prime example of the band at its most intense, complete with Pull style acoustic intro, soon engulfed by a heavy guitar riff. The song takes a few listens to get into with the chorus making itself better known with each listen.
Blue Suede Shoes is an interesting choice to follow the heavy opening track. While equally intense and moody, strip this track and you more or less get a rock ballad with modern teeth. The added vocals and musical effects simply add to the mystique of the track.
Four Leaf Clover is one of my favourite tracks. A simple guitar riff and a flowing melody and catchy chorus make for a very accessible and commercial rock track.
M16 reverts back to the heavy intensity of the opening track. I like the heaviness, but can't say the chorus does a lot for me.
Your Great Escape is an uptempo rocker with a less intense feel and even a breezy feel to it. It is the most commercial rocker on the album and sounds somewhat like a throw back to the band's early years.
Disappear is another super intense moody rocker, with a modern vibe and a chorus that doesn't penetrate as well as some others.
On A Day Like Today is another of the extremely commercial tracks on the album. This is a breezy acoustic driven pop ballad with the intensity of Kip Winger's solo records and the commercial likeability of Winger's early work.
Livin' Just To Die has modern elements, but the heart of this song is a straight forward rocker with a twist.
Short Flight To Mexico has a heavy down-tuned guitar riff driving it, but the chorus is far more upbeat and commercial hook.
Generica is a track I can see some fans disliking, but I like its programmed robotic feel. It interests me and keeps my attention in a hypnotic kind of way. Can't Take It Back closes the album in typically dramatic and moody fashion. This mid-tempo rock track sums up Winger 2006 – a song that needs time to grow on you and isn't openly catchy, but provides enough to draw the listener back in for more.

The Bottom Line

I think Winger has recorded a fine album with a lot of contemporary influences and effects, but for me it doesn't quite reach the highest standards set by Pull. I also favour both Kip's solo records before this, but there are some classic Winger moments within this album.
Perhaps a couple of extra tracks in the vein of Who's The One or Blind Revolution Mad might have given it a more instant attractiveness. I like this record and know others will also, but I also expect the very nature of the album and its style to bring extensive debate among fans.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Winger
· In The Heart Of The Young
· Pull
· IV

Line Up:

· Kip Winger: Vocals, Bass, Acoustics, Keys
· Reb Beach: Guitars, Vocals
· Rod Morgenstein: Drums
· Cenk Eroglu: Guitars, Vocals
· John Roth: Keyboards, Vocals

Essential For Fans Of:

· Winger - Pull
· Kip Winger - Solo

Track Listing

· Right Up Ahead
· Blue Suede Shoes
· Four Leaf Clover
· M16
· Your Great Escape
· Disappear
· On A Day Like Today
· Livin' Just To Die
· Short Flight To Mexico
· Generica
· Can't Take It Back

* --*Best Tracks

Meatloaf Bat Out Of Hell 3

Universal Records

· Produced By: Desmond Child

· Running Time: 77.07

· Release Date: October 31

· Released: WORLD

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: Meatloaf

92%

Songs: 89%

Sound: 95%

Ah…yes indeed. I haven't heard anything quite like this since…well, since Bat Out Of Hell 2. Nobody does it like Meatloaf. No one throws themselves (literally) into each song with as much passion, heart and power as the big man himself.
For whatever reason, the records recorded in-between the Bat records don't come close to these three records.
When the Bat Out Of Hell moniker is used, Meatloaf applies himself to the concept with a passion that is missing from his other records.
In the end I think it all comes down to the songs and the fact Meatloaf believes in the songs used on each occasion. And of course we have the masterful Jim Steinman to thank for that.
Each of the 3 Bat records has been a little different and Bat 3 is no different.
Bat 1 was produced by Todd Rundgren and featured the songs of Jim Steinman; Bat 2 was written and produced entirely by Steinman and Bat 3 is a mix of the previous 2 – Jim Steinman was to produce but things got complicated and lawsuits ensued.
The end result was that Meatloaf gets to use 7 Steinman songs with hitmaker Desmond Child stepping into the producers chair. Keeping the thread between albums going, Todd Rungren also contributed, credited here for "Vocal arrangements by Todd Rundgren."
Bat 1 is legendary of course, but Bat 2 was an absolute masterpiece and my favourite of the three records. Jim Steinman gets the credit for that - his arrangements and attention to minute detail made that record an event. Jim's unique songs are what made Meatloaf great – although it is Meatloaf's unequalled passion that brings these songs to life.
Both artists achieve their best when they work together, so I was very skeptical about this release once I learnt that Steinman wouldn't be producing. Desmond Child is no slouch – he is an accomplished producer and also knows how to get the best from the artists he works with. However, he doesn't have that same Steinman flare for the dramatic.
But with Steinman's song contribution and Todd Rungren on board, the team assembled have managed to surpass my expectations and deliver a great album that is still worthy of the Bat Out Of Hell moniker.
Yes, Bat Of Out Hell 3 is a clear winner for Meatloaf and while I still miss that extra flair and attention to detail that Steinman brings to the studio, this album works so well and Meat is in absolute cracking vocal form, and as per usual, throws everything into the delivery of these songs.
I'll go through each track, but aside from the 7 Jim Steinman songs there are 7 others to comment on. Thankfully and wisely, the guys behind the album and in particular Desmond Child, have managed to come up with some killer songs that fit the Bat format and Meatloaf's larger than life vocal style and work will in conjunction with the Steinman originals.
The production is huge – absolutely over the top pomp rock glory – with particular attention paid to the Steinman trademarks such as backing vocals, orchestration and instrumental passages. While these trademarks are present, at times you can tell that Steinman wasn't at work himself, but this I think is as good as it could possibly be without him involved in the studio.
Track By Track:
Naturally the album opens in typically dramatic style, but for the first time ever on a Bat Out Of Hell record, a non-Steinman song gets the nod. On a couple of occasions this album sees Meatloaf gets all modern on us and The Monster Is Loose is one of those occasions. The 7 minute hard rock epic was written by Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx with Desmond Child and John 5. It's quite the modern rock marvel, with super intense, super heavy down-tuned guitars and added production effects, but it really works in the scheme of this album and gets things off to a powerful start.
There are parts within the song such as the mid-song bridge where things mellow out and take on a decisively Steinman-esque twist.
Blind As A Bat is written by Child with James Michael and again features the hallmarks of a Steinman/Meatloaf classic. A dramatic vocal intro builds to a more pacey verse before an absolute gem of a chorus bursts through. I love this song and the passion in Meat's vocals are second to none. A perfect song for the album and proof that a great deal of thought has gone into getting the songs for this album just right.
The first Steinman song of the album is the classic rock ballad It's All Coming Back to Me Now. Unfortunately sometimes referred to as a Celine Dion song (she did cover it with the help of Steinman), it is rather a song written for and featured on Steinman's all female star project Pandora's Box (Virgin Records, 1989). A couple of the songs from that album also appeared on Bat 2.
This track is a duet in typical Meatloaf style – this time with the up and coming rocker Marion Raven. She has a great voice and suits the song perfectly.
Bad For Good reaches even further back into the Steinman archives – this time being the title track from his only solo album in the early 80s. Queen guitarist Brian May guests here – his contribution obvious – the intro and outro guitar riffs plus a classy mid-track solo are worthwhile additions to the song.
Meatloaf and producer Child stay true to the formula, style and personality of the original version of the song and I must say the updated version with Meatloaf's voice is killer. A great song that lives on again although I think Desomond Child underplays the important piano parts of the original.
Cry Over Me is a Diane Warren song. Now Dianne is a wonderful songwriter, but she has a bad habit of getting far too syrupy at times. Meatloaf has used her before – lastly on the Couldn't Have Said It Better album, but this song is a Meatloaf classic in waiting. A very powerful and emotion filled rock ballad, the songs is memorable from the outset.
Bat 2 featured a couple of left turns and I'm pleased that Bat 3 is the same – with both turns delivered at the hands of Steinman. In The Land Of The Pig, The Butcher Is King is a completely over the top aggressive modern rocker with that Steinman flair and some lead guitar parts from Steve Vai.
No one but Meatloaf could pull this vocal off – heavy, modern and out of character with the album it would seem, but it fits the flow of the album perfectly and adds to the whole theatrical experience a Bat album should be.
The sort instrumental Monstro (written by Child/Holly Knight/Elena Casals) is an orchestral segway that brings the dramatics of the last track together with the high octane, melodic rock anthem that is Alive.
I love this track. Perfect Steinman without even being written by him. Child/James Michael/Holly Knight and Andrea Remanda are responsible for this pure rock anthem with a huge chorus and some of that classic rocking piano that both previous Bat albums featured. Add in additional orchestration and a flying tempo and a classic is born.
Following this over the top rocker is a hard task, but again, the perfect song has been chosen. If God Could Talk (Child/Marti Frederiksen) is a mid-tempo rock ballad with more dramatic flair and orchestration and fits the flow of the album perfectly.
If It Ain't Broke, Break It is another of the album's left turns and again features a heavy, tuned down guitar sound. I didn't actually pick this for a Steinman song, but it is…and something akin to his Pandora's Box release where a couple of songs go heavy/high-tech. I have never heard brass mixed with modern rock, but here you have it. Completely over the top, but for some reason it works.
What About Love? Is another gem of a song from outside the Steinman circle. The Child/Frederiksen/Russ Irwin/John Gregory song is classic Meatloaf – changing tempo and featuring a female lead in places (courtesy of Patti Russo). Generally uptempo and featuring more classic Bat piano work, the song reminds me of Bat 1 in places. A strong chorus and those ever changing tempos make the song – especially when it gets even faster!
The dramatic and orchestral Seize The Night is another Steinman classic. Nearly 10 minutes in length, the song mixes Objects In the Rear View Mirror with Life Is A Lemon and even some Everything Louder – in other words, classic Steinman. The song has several different parts and passages, but you know the drill.
The Future Ain't What It Used To Be is another old Steinman solo album remake and again is kept very faithful in this version. Brilliant song made even better with the power and energy of Meatloaf.
Cry To Heaven is a short vocal only track written again by Steinman. I'd swap this with The Future to close the album, as after all the over the top moments, this seems just a little simple to close the album with. Pretty song, but perhaps the only disappointment for me on the whole record.

The Bottom Line

Meatloaf fans can breath easy – this is a great album and fits into the Bat Out Of Hell legacy. I do miss Jim Steinman – he didn't produce the original BOOH, but BOOH2 was a gem and he has a unique production style that isn't quite replicated here, not to mention I think Steinman would deliver a better guitar tone and more prominent piano parts.
The team assembled has done the right thing by Meatloaf and the good name of Bat Out Of Hell, and I think the majority will be impressed by this record.
I'd still love to hear more brand new Steinman songs though…and perhaps one more outing with the big man…

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Bat Out Of Hell
· Dead Ringer
· Midnight At The Lost And Found
· Bad Attitude
· Blind Before I Stop
· Bat Out Of Hell II
· Welcome To The Neighborhood
· Couldn't Have Said It Better
· Bat Out Of Hell 3

Line Up:

Promo: Not Listed

Essential For Fans Of:

· Bat Out Of Hell
· Jim Steinman

Track Listing

· The Monster Is Loose *
· Blind As A Bat *
· It's All Coming Back To Me Now
· Bad For Good *
· Cry Over Me *
· In The Land of the Pig, The Butcher Is King
· Monstro
· Alive *
· If God Could Talk *
· If It Ain't Broke Break It
· What About Love *
· Seize the Night
· The Future Ain't What It Used To Be
· Cry To Heaven

--*Best Tracks

Europe Secret Society

Sanctuary Records

· Produced By: Europe

· Running Time: 46.03

· Release Date: October 31

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Hard Rock

· Links: Europe

91%

Songs: 87%

Sound: 95%

Europe reformed in 2003 and released their comeback album Start From The Dark in 2004. Their chosen musical direction created the usual debate among fans and left some out in the cold.
I actually thought they updated their sound quite well. The mix of modern influences and a darker sound mixed with some of the band's commercial appeal generally worked for them. But I thought their main downfall was a lack of killer songs. Half the song was extraordinary, the other half rather ordinary.
Secret Society is another interesting album that in many ways mirrors its predecessor.
Again the band continues with the same style and direction – pushing it a little further still and again the album will cause great consternation among fans. My take is that those that loved Start From The Dark will probably rate this one even higher and those that didn't warm to the last album will continue to be left cold.
And just like Start From The Dark, the new album still suffers a little from lack of killer songs. Overall Secret Society is a much stronger and generally more consistent record, but where it adds more depth, it actually lacks one or two tracks that really blow your mind, like the opening few tracks of Start From The Dark did.
Where there could be improvements - I would certainly drop the vocal effects from Joey Tempest's lead vocals. He is an amazing singer and I have no idea why there are so many on this record. Plus the boasting of more keyboards on this record doesn't sound like it came to fruition.
And again, just like the last album, this record features a stronger first half and a slightly less dominating second half.
I'm pretty much sold on the album's first 5 or 6 tracks. The opening rocker Secret Society has a modern feel and some interesting musical twist, but is largely a straight ahead guitar fueled rocker.
Always The Pretenders is precisely what I'm looking for as far as this band is concerned and is hard rock gold in my book. More tracks with this intensity and memorable hooks is what the album needed to make classic status.
The Getaway Plan is harder and more contemporary, but still features a cool chorus and strong guitar riff.
Wish I Could Believe is a strong modern rock ballad with another good chorus and well placed orchestral parts.
The mid-tempo modern rocker Let The Children Play mixes in some retro classic rock and takes some time to get to know, but again, delivers with a decent hook.
Human After All is another good song, but a bigger, stronger chorus such as Wake Up Call could have lifted it further.
From here the next few songs all are worthy of inclusion and are part of what makes this album so consistent throughout. But they aren't in the same league as Start From The Dark, Always The Pretenders and Got To Have Faith for example.
Highlight of the latter part of the album for me is probably the very melodic and commercial Forever Traveling and Devil Sings The Blues features some stellar guitar work.

The Bottom Line

I have already seen calls from some Europe fans thinking this album rates a perfect 100. I disagree, but I do think it is a great record for the band, proving themselves to be more than relevant in 2006.
If I could pick 5 songs from Start From The Dark and 5 or 6 songs from Secret Society, then I think you would get your perfect 100. Overall, a solid and very enjoyable record from a band that is proving to be a force some 20 years after forming. That's a rare feat.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Europe
· Wings Of Tomorrow
· Final Countdown
· Out Of This World
· Prisoners In Paradise
· Start From The Dark
· Secret Society

Line Up:

· Joey Tempest: Vocals
· John Norum: Guitar
· Ian Haugland: Drums
· John Leven: Bass
· Mic Michaeli: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Europe - Start From The Dark

Track Listing

· Secret Society *
· Always The Pretenders *
· The Getaway Plan
· Wish I Could Believe *
· Let The Children Play *
· Human After All *
· Love Is Not The Enemy
· A Mother's Son
· Forever Traveling
· Brave And Beautiful Soul
· Devil Sings The Blues

--*Best Tracks

Skid Row Revolutions Per Minute

SPV

· Produced By: Skid Row

· Running Time: 40.51

· Release Date: October 24

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock / Punk

· Links: Skid Row

49%

Songs: 29%

Sound: 70%

Skid Row have an identity crisis. Their first album without venerable frontman Sebastian Bach was a bit hit and miss. The quality of the songs was there, but the direction was not. Part old school, part modern rock, it made the band appear indecisive as to what they should be doing.
The guys are now back with album number two featuring frontman Johnny Solinger. It seems they have the same problem with indecisiveness, but this time they also lack the quality of songs, making this album rather a mess.
Making the situation even worse for long time fans is the fact that the band barely acknowledge their traditional sound, this time flip-flopping between modern hard rock and nu-breed inspired 3-chord punk.
Throw in a couple of hillbilly rockers and the Skid Row as we once knew it is perhaps lost forever.
I'm not saying every track on this album is bad – there are a few moments where the song demands attention and the guys certainly rock with passion and attitude.
The opening track Disease is little more than noise to me and the punk fuelled Another Dick In The System doesn't do much more, although the angst levels within the song are intense.
Then there is the frantic hillbilly rock of When God Can't Wait, which is more Green Day goes country than anything I would expect on a Skid Row record.
In fact, it isn't until the grinding hard rock of Shut Up Baby I Love You and the rocked-up cover of The Alarm's Strength that this album really gets my attention.
The punk metal of White Trash has a good groove and a frantic rhythm and then there's You Lie. This is the dorkiest, hokiest "metal" track I have heard since Leppard's classic Stumpus Maximus cover of Please Release Me.
Except this is an all-original number. This is the ultimate hate song wrapped up in an uptempo, feel-good country jamboree. You have to love the sentiment of the song and I love where the band takes it, but how can anyone take it seriously?
But what's worse, there is two versions of the track on the album. The album closes with the same song – some 3 seconds shorter and with no discernable difference between the two. Some bonus track!
Pick of the whole album for me follows hillbilly hour. Nothing is a track that gets closer to the heart of what this band is capable of and is an example of where the whole album should have been going.

The Bottom Line

I don't doubt that some Skid Row fans are going to embrace this record as they did the last one and will do their best to enjoy it. But I think the majority of fans – enjoyment aside - will continue to wish for a return to what made the band famous and the frontman that helped take them there.
Out of the 5 Skid Row studio albums available, if you had to pick only one to listen to, would it ever be anything other than the debut or the essential Slave To The Grind? All in all I gave Thick Skin a solid workout but now the review for this album is done, RPM just got shelved for good. And that's disappoints me greatly.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Skid Row
· Slave To The Grind
· Subhuman Race
· Thickskin
· Revolutions Per Minute

Line Up:

· Johnny Solinger: Vocals
· Scotti Hill: Guitar
· Dave Sabo: Guitar
· Phil Varone: Drums
· Rachel Bolan: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Skid Row - Thickskin

Track Listing

· Disease
· Another Dick In The System
· Pulling My Heart Out From Under Me
· When God Can't Wait
· Shut Up Baby I Love You *
· Strength *
· White Trash
· You Lie
· Nothing
· Love Is Dead
· Let It Ride
· You Lie (Bonus Track)

--*Best Tracks

Nexx Another Dawn

Angel Milk Records

AMUK001

· Produced By: Nexx & Peter Coleman

· Running Time: 53.07

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: AOR

· Links: Angel Milk Records

94%

Songs: 92%

Sound: 96%

There aren't too many Spanish AOR groups floating around and just as few viable AOR acts that feature a female lead vocalist. Nexx, of course, are both of the above and further to that, one of the very finest pure AOR acts around today.
The band's debut was a tribute to super songwriting and great performances, all wrapped into a great package. The album was critically acclaimed and the band's accompanying live performances were raved about.
So the guys had a lot to live up to with their all important second album. Another Dawn sees the band on a new label and with a slightly adjusted line up.
Adjustments aside, the guys pick up where they left off with Colours and deliver another mega-smooth, perfectly executed, slice of mature adult contemporary AOR.
Another Dawn is once of the best examples of female fronted AOR I have heard in years (or at least since their debut!) and certainly the smoothest.
The band have kept upon the same path set they set out on with their debut, but maybe with an even more refined sound than before.
The guys have obviously matured together and while I paint this album as a very smooth slice of AOR, it is not without some energy and some fine guitar work.
The album kicks off with the most uptempo and obvious rocker of the album. Critical is classic European AOR with a fine vocal from Patricia and a hook big enough to hang your hat on.
The angst filled Hey Father features a more subtle guitar riff and some superb harmonies throughout. The chorus is as strong as anything the band has delivered to date.
Like The Poet is an interesting track. The hook is far from immediate, but rather embedded within the song and more obvious with repeat listens. The song features a nice mix of keyboards and guitar and a very strong and clear lead vocal.
Control In My Life is nothing short of a beautiful female fronted AOR ballad. Soft and sultry and better and better each listen. The vocal hook is instant and the addition of strings and prominent piano parts makes for AOR brilliance.
Far Away is a nice straight ahead guitar driven pop rocker that lifts the tempo of the album a little approaching the halfway point. A more urgent chorus helps the song stand out.
Praying For A Life continues a mid-album rock phase, with some more fine guitar driven AOR.
The title track Another Dawn is a more subtle pop flavored track that features more string arrangements and a detailed sonic landscape. Not an immediate track, but one that certainly has a lot to offer thanks to its various layers.
Again is reminiscent of the debut – a simple uptempo pop rocker with a strong guitar riff and a great feel good chorus.
Caught In A Trap is a little darker and moodier and features a tasty little chorus hook that shows off Patricia's accent probably more than any other track, but it works for me.
Guiding Star is purely and simply a straight ahead uptempo AOR rocker.
Shine is an acoustic ballad that closes the album on a soft note. Not bad, but not a personal favourite despite the raw emotion of the song.
Control In My Life (Reprise) is another does of that magic ballad, this time with the instrumentation removed and more orchestration and strings added. Wonderful! Second time around the song still remains a highlight and should be on radio if there were any justice in the world.

The Bottom Line

Lovers of female fronted AOR need this and as for the rest of you, there is no excuse no to check Nexx out. Quality is quality and this is another fine mature AOR album featuring some very fine songwriting.
AOR may be a dirty word to some, but when it is as good as this, it is hard to reason why it isn't selling far more units than it currently is.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Colours
· Another Dawn

Line Up:

· Patricia Tapia: Vocals
· Bernardo Llobregat: Guitars
· Oscar Perez: Drums
· Jose A. de la Banda: Bass
· Benjamin Andrea: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Female Fronted Melodic Rock
· European AOR

Track Listing

· Critical *
· Hey Father *
· Like The Poet *
· Control In My Life *
· Far Away
· Praying For A Life
· Another Dawn *
· Again
· Caught In A Trap *
· Guiding Star
· Shine
· Control In My Life (Reprise)

--*Best Tracks

Beggar's Bride
Boulevard Of Broken Hearts

MTM Music

0681-171

· Produced By: Holggy Begg

· Running Time: 50.39

· Release Date: October 13

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock / Rock

· Links: MTM Music

63%

Songs: 45%

Sound: 80%

Here is another album from MTM Music that I just don't get. The album is the vision of Swiss producer, singer and songwriter Holggy Begg. Holggy was part of the team behind Oni Logan's recent solo album and this record carries the same earthy, acoustic vive of that record.
The thing is - Holggy has a bloody awful voice. At times I am not sure if he is singing or trying not to throw up. It really is that bad. Thankfully he must be aware of this and only sings lead on three tracks. But he does pop up from time to time through the album.
Singing the rest of the time is a range of special guests – Marc Storage (Krokus), Gary Barden (everything), Michael Voss (everything else) plus Aino Laos to name a few.
The album lacks direction. And it certainly lacks melodies. It isn't melodic rock, it isn't hard rock and it really isn't acoustic pop either. I guess it is a bit of everything, but then the music is so varied and the singers are alternating from track to track, one isn't left with much of a flow to grab onto.
I think the only upside of this album is a few select tracks that you can play on their own, but as an album, I won't ever play this from start to finish again. I had a job to that enough times to do this review.
Highlights are obviously the two Marc Storace tracks, although don't expect anything nearly as heavy or rocking as Krokus. Broken Hearts is an acoustic driven pop rock song with a good melody, and First Way Out a more hard hitting track, but isn't quite as memorable.
The two Gary Barden tracks are also ok – Dreams and The Open Sea are moody rock tracks, especially The Open Sea.
As you see there are a few definite highlights with the 13 tracks featured, but some absolute dogs too and the rest of the album for me is largely forgettable.

The Bottom Line

Hoggy isn't about to become a household name on the back of this release. Fans of Storace, Voss and Barden will find their vocalists in good form, but the album is a definite struggle to get through.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

Line Up:

· Holggy Begg: Lead Vocals, Accoustic & Electric Guitar
· Fritz Schneider: Acoustic Guitars
· Jolene Van Ar: Drums
· Matt Bride: Bass
· Michael Bride: Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
+ Guest Vocalists

Essential For Fans Of:

·

Track Listing

· Broken Hearts
· Footprints In The Sand
· Ruled By Clowns
· You Were My Sunshine
· Dreams *
· I Think It's Over
· Eight Feet Below
· First Way Out *
· The Radio Is Playin' Softly
· Tattoo-Nancy
· Thousand Miles From Home
· The Open Sea
· Below – Acoustic Version

--*Best Tracks

Dacia + The WMD Dacia + The WMD

MTM

/

Psycho Active

0681-173

· Produced By: Ace (Skunk Anansie)

· Running Time: 52.05

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Rock

· Links: MTM Music

50%

Songs: 30%

Sound: 80%

MTM Music has reactivated their alternative rock sub-label Psycho Active in order to unleash a new wave of left of center rock artists on the world.
The concept did not work at all originally, mainly due the fact that the type of record buying public that is reading about and looking for MTM releases are generally not the type that are going to be looking for anything remotely alternative.
So the label has that challenge in front of them again – to reach a new audience within their existing barriers. Good luck guys.
I guess there is a chance of this happening and also a chance of converting some traditional melodic rock buyers with the right kind of album.
Tourist is an example of getting it right. Dacia is an example of getting it wrong.
The album may open with a fine modern rock anthem in Who's To Say, which is quite melodic all things considered. But merely 1 minute into the second track Rockabilly Bitch it all goes terribly wrong.
Who in their right mind would chooses to listen to a song like this? A heavy groove, some rapping vocals and a lame attempt to sound like Pink meets Gwen Stefani goes metal. Not me…
Stop And Stare tries to undo the damage of that second track, but by now, how many potential buyers are left listening? This is quite a smooth modern rocker in fact, with a nice chorus melody. Perhaps there I a chance for this record still….
But them the album falls back into a heavy aggressive rap-rock groove and I'm lost for good.
There are a couple of other cool tracks – the modern metal of Live To Tell has some value; My Reality has a decent hook; and the big metal ballad Losing You which features Motorhead's Lemmy is a decent track.
The bonus video clip to the alternative metal of The Communist sure won't convince me otherwise either.
The album is produced by Skunk Anansie's Ace, so that should give some indication to the musical direction, but I'll take that band above this any time.

The Bottom Line

Dacia is not something any fan of traditional melodic rock is going to get into, but then again, the Psycho Active label is not looking for that angle. Fresh new ears folks – I hope they find them.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Dacia + The WMD

Line Up:

· Dacia Briges: Vocals
· Alex Scholpp: Guitars
· Alex Menichini: Drums
· Ralf Botzenhart: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Skunk Anansie

Track Listing

· Who's To Say *
· Rockabilly Bitch
· Stop And Stare *
· Change The World
· Live To Tell
· 6
· Sorry
· My Reality
· How Long
· Intensity
· The Communist
· Losing You (feat. Lemmy Kilmister)
· 1st Time (Bonus Track)
· The Universe (Bonus Track)

--*Best Tracks

Wetton/Downes: Icon
Never In A Million Years

Frontiers Records

FRCD306

· Produced By: Wetton/Downes

· Running Time: 60.27

· Release Date: October 20

· Released:

· Musical Style: AOR

· Links: Frontiers

73%

Songs: 60%

Sound: 85%

Vocalist John Wetton and keyboardist Geoff Downes are two icons of the melodic rock world. I guess the Icon moniker the guys chose came to them easily.
They have earnt and deserve the utmost respect for having longevity in their careers that has led them on a path back to their current point – working together after forming Asia together some 25 years ago.
Their debut Icon album together was filled with some fine adult contemporary AOR. A little laid back, but still, highly polished and very smooth.
I look forward to the guys' delivering their second studio album next month, but I have to admit complete disinterest in their output in-between records.
hey really are milking this partnership, as since the debut the guys delivered an EP, a truly horrible acoustic CD and DVD and now an almost equally dull full live concert release.
Of the 15 tracks featured here, only a handful get out of first gear and manage to find a pulse.
I know that if you want to be rocked you should perhaps instead see Iron Maiden live, but there are so many slow tempo tracks in this set that I am not sure who would still be awake to hear the more rousing final numbers such as Let Me Go and Open Your Eyes.
The Heat Goes On sounds great as does Only Time Will Tell and the classic Days Like These, but elsewhere it is all very laid back and very 'AOR-lite'.

The Bottom Line

This might make a nice album for entertaining guests or other associated background music, or for perhaps sitting back in bed and listening to with headphones, but whatever you do – do not drive to this record! For completists and die-hard fans only.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Icon
· Acoustic TV Broadcast
· Never In A Million Years

Line Up:

· John Wetton: Vocals & Bass
· John Mitchell: Guitars
· Steve Christey: Drums
· Geoffrey Downes: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Wetton / Downes
· Asia

Track Listing

· Pane Bruno
· The Heat Goes On *
· Only Time Will Tell
· Voice Of America
· I Lay Down
· Days Like These
· Bolero
· Meet Me At Midnight
· Never In A Million Years
· We Move As One
· Paradox
· Let Me Go *
· Don't Cry
· Open Your Eyes *
· The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

--*Best Tracks

Kingdom Come
Ain't Crying For The Moon

Frontiers Records

FRCD301

· Produced By: Lenny Wolf

· Running Time: 62.40

· Release Date: October 20

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Lenny Wolf

82%

Songs: 76%

Sound: 88%

Time already for another Kingdom Come album or at least another Lenny Wolf release. As is the case with the last few albums, this is more or less all Lenny's doing – from the vocals to the majority of the instrumentation.
Although Lenny boasted that this would be the heaviest KC album ever, there remains little difference from the past few records.
Yes, it is heavier and more driven by a modern guitar sound, but the tempo is exactly the same as previous records as is the songwriting style.
Of the last few albums I do find this to be the more enjoyable, but Lenny truly needs to get some other people on board. Some co-writers and a full band to back what is a great rock n roll voice.
Until he does that, Kingdom Come records are going to be for established fans and nothing else. As far as some track highlights on this record –
Ain't Crying For The Moon is an interesting track – it comes in two parts – a heartfelt ballad portion before turning heavier, but all the while remaining dark and intense.
This Is My Life finally lifts the tempo a little and features a nice little chorus melody. Bon Scott is an obvious tribute to AC/DC, both lyrically and musically. Removed The Sting is a nice heartfelt ballad too.
A couple of things I could have lived without though - Look At You closes with a 20 second silence so to give a break before the two bonus tracks. Pointless. Hate silence on songs in this age of MP3.
Across The Universe is a soft pop cover of the Beatles classic – nothing special and the new 2006 version of Get It On merely updates the sound to fit this album – modern rock with a slower tempo.
One other small matter that isn't relevant to those buying the retail version of this once it is releases - this review copy came complete with skips, jumps and audio hiccups at the request of Mr. Wolf. Absolutely crazy decision – almost as crazy as those promos with the voice over every minute to interrupt concentration.
If you are going to offer promo copies to journalists to review you album, then give only to those you trust. This is not the way to fix internet leaks – it only pisses off those you are trying to impress. Next record that skips and jumps all the way though won't get reviewed.

The Bottom Line

Ain't Cryin' For The Moon once again suffers from lack of variation in the songs – not enough chorus hooks, not enough change in tempo and more or less, the same album that has been delivered the last few times over.
However, out of the last 2 or 4 records, I'll take this one above those because Lenny is a talented singer and this record is a passionate one.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Kingdom Come
· In Your Face
· Hands Of Time
· Bad Image
· Twilight Cruiser
· Live & Unplugged
· Master Seven
· Balladesque
· Too
· Independent
· Perpetual
· Ain't Crying For The Moon

Line Up:

· Lenny Wolf: Vocals, All Instruments
· Eric Foerster: Guitar Solos
· Hendrik Thiesbrummel: Piano

Essential For Fans Of:

· Lenny Wolf

Track Listing

· Two Legged Sheep *
· Not Here To Be Your Friend
· Same Old Stars
· Ain't Crying For The Moon *
· Perfect Citizen
· This Is My Life *
· Bon Scott
· Removed The Sting
· Friends In Spirit
· Darkroom
· Look At You
· Across The Universe
· Get It On (2006 version)

--*Best Tracks

Tourist The Relevance Of Motion

MTM Music

· Produced By: Tourist

· Running Time: 37.09

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Rock

· Links: Tourist

87%

Songs: 85%

Sound: 90%

As stated previously, MTM Music has reactivated their alternative rock sub-label Psycho Active to give themselves the ability to release some records outside the melodic rock field. Modern rockers Tourist released this album independently in 2005, so many will already know of it. But now with a full European deal through MTM, perhaps now more will be able to hear it. Some 18 months since originally reviewing this album, I can't say I have gone back and played it once. But that is more an issue of the number of new albums I must always absorb before reviewing. Now giving this a listen I can instantly remember what I liked about it back then and can't say that I have wavered from my original views. Over to what I posted originally - But there is a number of strong releases in the modern rock genre deserving of some attention.
Tourist is one such band. This US act has released their new album independently, sadly ensuring that they won't get the media coverage they deserve.
Their brand of guitar driven modern rock is every bit as good as their counterparts such as Foo Fighters, Hoobastank, Shinedown, or even Anberlin.
These guys are on the heavier side of things and the sonic bombardment from a duel guitar attack and an intense lead vocal is unrelenting.
Jacob's Ladder, Stay and the very anthemic rocker Everytime We Touch all would sound at home on modern rock radio.
LRT and New Radio slow it down a little, but keep the aggressive undertone of the album.
Only the closing track It Just Doesn't Matter doesn't quite work – the acoustic ballad seems a little out of place. Enhancing the quality of the songwriting is a monster production, all tied together by a super crisp mix from the great Mike Fraser.

The Bottom Line

Solid, enjoyable, commercial modern rock that deserves as much attention as some of their rather overhyped compeditors.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· The Relevance Of Motion

Line Up:

· Blaine Braun: Vocals
· Greg Whitbeck, Andy Skov: Guitars
· Bob Wagner: Drums
· Mark Radloff: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· American Modern Rock
· Nickleback

Track Listing

· Jacob's Ladder *
· Stay *
· Everytime We Touch *
· Throwing Stones
· LRT *
· High Speed
· Newradio
· Throw It Away
· Nothing Between Us
· It Just Doesn't Matter

--*Best Tracks

Leverage Tides

Elements Music

ELEMENTSCD064

· Produced By: Tuomas Heikkinen & Torsti Spoof

· Running Time: 47.40

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Metal

· Links: Leverage

94%

Songs: 91%

Sound: 96%

The rockers of Finland are really turning it on this year aren't they! The good word on Brother Firetribe is still spreading, and given the band are finally getting a full European release, those good vibes are only going to continue.
Now there's Leverage – set upon the world to kick our asses!
Leverage is a heavier prospect than the more AOR friendly Brother Firetribe, but there is more than one similarity. This album is more in the league of Masterplan – powerful yet very melodic hard rock/metal.
The whole album oozes a powerful energy that few other albums emulate and the songs themselves are full of life and passion, not to mention good choruses, powerful guitar riffs and swirling keyboards.
In Leverage, the keyboards play a support role rather than being the dominate force of the album such as on Brother Firetribe.
On this album the guitars are more in your face and dominate the musical landscape.
There is another aspect of this album which simply deifies all expectations of quality. The vocals of one Pekka Heino. Fresh from his outstanding performance as lead vocalist for Brother Firetribe, Pekka kicks it up another notch here – delivering a powerhouse vocal with all the finesse and power of Jorn Lande, but with an even more melodic edge, which still reminds me of Cheap Trick's Robin Zander at his most powerful.
The production is first rate, the mix is tight and intense and the whole aura of the album is one of the highest qualities, enhanced further by the kick-ass rhythm section.
There are no fillers or weak moments on this CD, just 10 brilliant melodic metal tunes. But within those are still a few amazing highlights.
The album opener Fifteen Years is an intense melodic metal anthem with a terrific chorus and a powerful lead vocal which just oozes passion and power. A ripping guitar solo and a thumping rhythm section make it a metal highlight for 2006.
Superstition and Horizon follow, Horizon being a moody and super intense metal ballad with layers of music to get through.
But it gets even better – the one-two punch of Dreamworld and Follow Down That River ensure that this album is elevated from great to classic.
These are two uptempo metal anthems that Masterplan would be proud to all their own. Truly two fantastic tracks with strong choruses and pounding intensity.
Stranger sees the guys pull back the fierceness for a more reflective mid-tempo ballad, followed by a quite commercial straight ahead rocker in Sails.
To pick out one last highlight, I'd have to jump to the closing track Gone. Once again it is super intense and wrapped in a supersonic musical blanket, the song smolders along with the glorious vocals of Heino delivering the songs melody.

The Bottom Line

One of this year's more essential releases. A perfect companion to Brother Firetribe's record and further proof that European hard rock is this year's dominant force…not to mention vocalist Heino!
One for those that love it heavy and love it melodic and where you have keyboards dominating Brother Firetribe, here the guitars are in control. A perfect set of inspired releases.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Tides

Line Up:

· Pekka Heino: Vocals
· Tuomas Heikkinen, Torsti Spoof: Guitars
· Valtteri Revonkorpi: Drums
· Pekka Lampinen: Bass
· Marko Niskala: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Brother Firetribe
· Masterplan

Track Listing

· Fifteen Years *
· Superstition
· Horizon *
· Dreamworld *
· Follow Down That River *
· Stranger
· Sails
· Marching to War
· Twilight Symphony
· Gone *

--*Best Tracks

TNT Live In Madrid

MTM Music

0681-172

· Produced By: TNT

· Running Time: 85.00

· Release Date: September 22

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: MTM TNT

75%

Songs: --%

Sound: --%

DVD Review: Bonus Audio CD included in package.
This to me is not a great live album. It is a great collection of TNT songs – who could argue with any set list that contained brilliance such as 10,000 Lovers, She Needs Me and Intuition?
But it is just not a true live recording and watching the performance up close only magnifies the effects used to create the TNT live sound. And beyond that, there is no way that the audio from this DVD hasn't been touched up big time in the studio.
It is well known that TNT (and may others) use programmed backing vocals for their live concerts, giving them the ability to match the original versions of the band's harmony rich classics. I do respect the band's wishes to go that route in concert.
TNT is certainly not alone in doing it. Fans demand perfection from their artists and some of these classic songs are simply impossible to replicate live as they were recorded.
But I'm one that would rather that any artist go completely live and only reproduce on stage what is humanly possible – giving the songs a true, raw, live, warts and all sound.
That said the energy and first hand experience of a live concert can see these things overlooked and forgiven.
It is a little different when sitting back in the comfort of one's own home, watching the concert on DVD. Those "enhancements" are only magnified and watching the guys fake their vocals puts me right off watching.
The whole piped-in backing vocals thing just looks fake. That issue is made all the more obvious and off-putting by watching the guy's front up to their microphones pretending to sing, while the backing vocals are clearly from their original studio recordings.
It takes away from the performance and just doesn't seem real. To be honest, I'm not even sure all of Tony's lead vocals are live from the night.
Everything about this live performance is just a little too slick and a little too polished and personally speaking, I don't like it.
To speak of the concert itself for a moment, what you get is a pretty slick performance on a relatively small stage at a club in Spain. The filming is crystal clear and the crowd is enthusiastic.
The band runs though a true hits package that includes a few early classics (10,000 Lovers, As Far As The Eye Can See, Intuition, Downhill Racer, Seven Seas etc) and a few newer classics such as She Needs Me, My Religion, Black Butterfly and Invisible Noise.
The 85 minute set is probably missing a few important songs, but this fact would not be so important if the band and Tony were still working together. Now they have split, it makes the need for a definitive live concert ever more essential.

The Bottom Line

The camera angels are not held for long at any given time, so the DVD looks to move fast and has a slick feel to it. It is a nice looking package and who is to fault the songs included – classic stuff without question. But the overall vibe of the whole show and the studio enhancements are just not real enough for my tastes. Rather this should be considered a good greatest hits record.
I'll have to see what Mr. Harnell makes of my comments, but suffice to say, I doubt I'm going to be very popular with the now departed TNT frontman.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· TNT
· Knights Of The New Thunder
· Tell No Tales
· Intuition
· Realized Fantasies
· Firefly
· Transistor
· The Big Bang
· Taste
· My Religion
· All The Way To The Sun
· Live In Madrid

Line Up:

· Tony Harnell: Vocals
· Ronnie LeTekro: Guitars
· Diesel Dahl: Drums
· Sid Ringsby: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· TNT
· Tony Harnell

Track Listing

· Invisible Noise
· As Far As The Eye Can See
· Downhill Racer
· A Fix
· She Needs Me
· Give Me A Sign
· Guitar Solo
· Caught Between The Tigers
· Listen To Your Heart
· Black Butterfly
· Seven Seas
· Forever Shine On
· Fantasia Espanola
· My Religion
· 10,000 Lovers (In One)
· Intuition
· Outro

UFO The Monkey Puzzle

SPV

80001057

· Produced By: UFO

· Running Time: 46.15

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: SPV

88%

Songs: 91%

Sound: 86%

UFO are back with their latest studio album, the second to feature guitarist Vinnie Moore, not to mention a well received live set.
After finding their way a little on the last album You Are Here, the boys deliver a much stronger record in Monkey Puzzle.
The album doesn't offer anything unexpected or out of character for the band, but it does deliver 11 strong blues tinged rockers that is more or less going to be everything UFO fans expect from the band.
What makes this album better is the consistency in the quality of the songwriting and the tight sound the band has developed after a lengthy tour getting comfortable together again. It also signals the return of drummer Andy Parker, after stand-in Jason Bonham took up with Foreigner.
The album didn't throw out any classics first spin, but on repeated listens I found each song to be more engaging and as a body of work, the album flows effortlessly from start to finish.
The overall feel of the album is fairly laid back, but the band is clearly at ease with themselves and I'm finding more guitar riffs and melodies in this album than I have heard in quite some time.
The production is perfect for what the band needs – solid sound, evenly mixed, but without the life being squeezed out of the performance. This still sounds like it could have been played live in the studio.
Highlights of the album include the classic UFO bar room rocker Hard Being Me, which opens the album; the moody organ drenched Who's Fooling Who; the hard edge rocker Black And Blue; the very melodic and relaxed Drink Too Much plus one of my new favourite UFO tracks - Good Bye You - a song that is a little more laid back and features a memorable chorus and great overall vibe.

The Bottom Line

Another year, another UFO album. But come next year, I'll probably still feel like playing this one, whereas the last couple have been shelved once the review process had been completed.
Nothing unusual or original here, just quality songwriting and an engaging set of performances. Something about this album just works for me.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Walk On Water
· Covenant
· Sharks
· You Are Here
· The Monkey Puzzle

Line Up:

· Phil Mogg: Vocals
· Vinnie Moore: Guitar
· Andy Parker: Drums
· Pete Way: Bass
· Paul Raymond: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· UFO
· Mogg/Way
· Vinnie Moore

Track Listing

· Hard Being Me *
· Heavenly Body
· Some Other Guy *
· Who's Fooling Who? *
· Black And Blue
· Drink Too Much *
· World Cruise
· Down By The River
· Good Bye You *
· Rolling Man
· Kingston Town

--*Best Tracks

Alibi Misdemeanours

Escape Music

ESM136

· Produced By: Vince O'Regan

· Running Time: 62.25

· Release Date: September 29

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock / AOR

· Links: Escape Music

85%

Songs: 92%

Sound: 78%

Alibi is another new British melodic rock outfit, again fronted by popular guitarist Vince O'Regan. This is more Vince's baby, whereas Eden is more Nick Workman's.
It more ways than one, Alibi is the sequel to the two Pulse records and sees that band's sound used as the foundation for Alibi's debut. This picks up more or less take up where Pulse left off.
Joining Vince is Pulse bandmate Andy Mills on bass and James Wright on drums.
Vocalist Rick Chase hails from Double Cross, a fine British melodic rock band in their own right. His vocals are perfectly suited for this material and with any luck Vince has found a line-up that will exude less drama than the goings on within Pulse.
The album contains some really superb straight ahead melodic rock and AOR, all with a classic British AOR influence.
And I mean really superb song writing! These are some very fine, very catchy typical melodic rock songs that will definitely find the ear of a lot of fans.
However the production quality again remains an issue – as it seems to be with every O'Regan produced record. I just keep getting that tinny drum/keyboard sound and despite a drummer attached to the project, a drum machine vibe too.
Sonically it is mastered with an emphasis on a thin rather than the big fat beef sound it deserves. I swear that at times one can hear tape hiss on the playback. I would prefer to concentrate on the positives of the project, which are the songs.
That said, I believe the guys kick off the album with one of the weakest tracks. Get Ready is maybe my least favourite track of the entire album.
I much prefer the Def Leppard Photograph vibe of Masquerade, which has a fine chorus hook, and the more urgent No Reason.
The rock ballad Gabrielle has a big Firehouse / American rock feel to it and is a taste of an era past.
By Your Side is a superb mid-tempo melodic rocker with a great chorus melody and lead vocal.
Out Of Love sounds distinctly like a Double Cross melodic rocker and is another strong track.
Who's Foolin' Who sees this band carve out their own sound with another impressive hook while Yesterday's News is another good ballad. It has an old school Poison ballad vibe to it too.
Nothing Changes is reminiscent of a couple of earlier tracks and that Double Cross vibe. Another album highlight even though it doesn't deliver anything we haven't heard before.
Lost On The Inside offers plenty of keyboards and some nice guitar soloing, even if the production is very thin. A good chorus hook again too.
The acoustic driven Why is an ok mid-tempo ballad, but not equalt to the strength of the rest of the material.
The album closer is a cover of Neil Young's Rocking In The Free World. Tobe honest, I could do without Alibi's version. Once you have the original and Van Halen and Bon Jovi covering it, anything else isn't going to match.

The Bottom Line

A strong debut as far as the songwriting and the performances go, but I'd love to see the band be taken under the wing of an outside producer/engineer to ensure the best sonic quality is delivered. Imagine these songs with the power and production quality of Masterplan or Sunstorm…a very good album could have been a truly great British melodic rock record.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Misdemeanours

Line Up:

· Rick Chase: Vocals
· Vince O' Regan: Guitars
· James Wright: Drums
· Andy Mills: Bass
· A J Mills: Guitars

Essential For Fans Of:

· Pulse
· Double Cross

Track Listing

· Get Ready
· Masquerade *
· No Reason
· Gabrielle
· By Your Side *
· Out Of Love
· Who's Foolin' Who *
· Yesterday's News
· Nothing Changes *
· Lost On The Inside
· Why
· Rockin' In The Free World

--*Best Tracks

Eden Open Minds

Majestic Rock Records

MAJCD086

· Produced By: Vince O'Regan

· Running Time: 51.05

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Majestic Rock

84%

Songs: 82%

Sound: 85%

Eden is a UK melodic rock band that features Nick Workman, vocalist for one of my favourite bands Kick, and guitarist Vince O'Regan (Bob Catley, Pulse, Alibi).
I'm a big fan of Nick and I'm pleased to hear anything he releases, be it with Kick or solo.
Eden is an interesting album – it mixes traditional British melodic rock with a more adventurous edge, which sometimes sees the guys head off into a more experimental range. If I'm honest with myself, it isn't the easiest album to listen to – it doesn't adhere to any typical melodic rock boundaries, instead challenging listeners to pay attention with additional instrumentation and some unexpected musical passages and pace changes.
Workman's lead vocals are what sells this record for me. It's not an easy album to describe, but I don't think it would be unfair to suggest that it is part Kick, part Pulse, part Led Zeppelin inspired classic rock and part something a little different again.
The album differs from Kick in that it is not as modern in feel – definitely more classic rock, yet with an aggressive edge at times that gives it a heavier vibe.
Helming the sound is the Tommy Denander of British rock – Vince O'Regan. I've not always been enthusiastic for his production skills, but his guitar playing is of the highest caliber.
True to form, I'm not sold on Vince's production of this album – the whole guitar/keyboard/drum sound is much as it always is – a little on the tinny side – and not beefy enough. Those familiar with Pulse and the last Catley album will know it well. Sadly my enjoyment of those two albums were affected by poor production.
However, this alum is a lot more comfortable to listen to, so credit where it is due.
As far as the song highlights - Close Your Eyes isn't the big melodic rocker you might expect to open any album, but it gets better each listen.
The moody Fools Parade is a more instant track and the closest thing here to Kick. A great chorus melody and lead vocal add to the intense feel.
Chase The Sun features a strong lead vocal and an interesting and somewhat adventurous passage midway through the song, plus some fine guitar work.
Heads Up is a great all out rocker as is the even faster paced All Fall Down, which is another track that has a sparse sound that becomes better with each listen.
On a softer note, How Far You Are is a terrific ballad, filled with and emotional vocal and great melodic hook. The album closes with the varied and intense rocker Erase And Rewind.

The Bottom Line

Eden isn't going to appeal to all fans of Kick, nor fans of more traditional by-the-numbers melodic hard rock. It is a challenging record that works superbly in places and doesn't quite hit the mark in a few other areas.
A beefier sound might have helped deliver the message the band envisioned, but at the end of the day, it is a piece of work the guys can be proud of. It will be down to the individual tastes of Kick fans as to how this rates with them.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Open Minds

Line Up:

· Nick Workman: Vocals
· Vince O'Regan: Guitars
· Paul Rodgers: Drums
· Al Mills: Bass
· James Screaton: Keyboards / Guitar

Essential For Fans Of:

· Kick
· Pulse

Track Listing

· Close Your Eyes
· Love/Hate
· Fools Parade *
· Incomplete
· Chase The Sun *
· Heads Up *
· How Far You Are *
· Back For More
· All Fall Down
· On A Day Like Today
· Erase And Rewind

--*Best Tracks

Mikey Jones The Light Of Day

E-Z Sounds

EZSCD001

· Produced By: Mikey Jones

· Running Time: 51.44

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: Mikey Jones

85%

Songs: 90%

Sound: 80%

While Kick vocalist Nick Workman was off working on his record, band mate and guitarist Mikey Jones was working on one of his own.
The Light Of Day is the debut solo album for the Kick guitarist, which like Eden, is a little of the traditional Kick sound mixed with something new.
Both Nick and Mikey have experimented a little with their solo albums and let's face it, Kick do the same with their albums, so don't expect straight ahead melodic rock here.
The Light Of Day is a little closer to the sound of Kick than Eden is, then adding even more mood and intensity.
Mikey does a fine job here as lead vocalist, not to mention adding some pretty intense and intricate guitar parts.
My only problem is that I don't think the vocals are clear enough in the overall sound. They are either hidden by effects all the time or lost in a muddy mix. I think perhaps Mikey underrates his abilities, but I think the very fine songs of this album would have benefited even more had he believed in himself to push the vocals to the front of the mix.
Taking a look at some of the tracks - Suffocating really pushes boundaries, but at its heart is a catchy keyboard hook. Who…? is an instantly catchy melodic rock which is probably the most commercial track of the album and my favourite.
Drunk On Emotion is more sentimental in nature and has another strong chorus.
No Tomorrow follows the mood of the ballad, but picks up the tempo a little while delivering another good chorus, even if the vocals are a little too processed by effects.
As One is another strong and moody ballad while the title track and Swear Blind continue the moody mid-tempo feel set by No Tomorrow.
I'm not sold on Lament, but the feel good duo of Summer Daze and The End Of Time closes the album closes the album on a nice anthemic kinda feel.
There are 2 hidden bonus acoustic tracks which I will leave as a surprise for those that grab the album.

The Bottom Line

A solid melodic rock album and good debut from Mikey. Looking at the two Kick side projects just released, I prefer the production of Eden and the songs of The Light Of Day, so they are kind of even at the end of the day. I dare say that all Kick fans would be wise to invest in both.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· The Light Of Day

Line Up:

· Mikey Jones: Vocals, Lead & Acoustic Guitar
· Al D'Orado: Guitars
· Big Mac: Drums
· Lawrie Paul: Bass
· Lee Knight: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Kick

Track Listing

· Suffocating
· Who...?
· Drunk On Emotion
· No Tomorrow
· As One
· The Light Of Day
· Swear Blind
· Lament
· Summer Daze
· The End Of Time
* --*Best Tracks

Felony First Works

Escape Music

ESM138

· Produced By: Sascha Paeth

· Running Time: 71.00

· Release Date: September 29

· Released:

· Musical Style: Symphonic Prog Pomp

· Links: Escape

83%

Songs: 75%

Sound: 90%

One of the more pompous and overblown intros in recent memory will be the first thing listeners get to hear of Swiss rockers Felony.
This band's sound is hard to describe, but I'll do my best. Progressive pomp melodic hard rock? European Symphonic pop/prog?
Whatever the banner you choose to slot the band under, there is a lot going on within this record. Too much for some I'm sure, but to break it down, fans of light progressive with a big symphonic pomp twist will be wise to check this out.
The band also features both a male and a female lead vocalist. They don't take individual songs, but rather both sing in and around each other on each track.
It makes for an interesting listen, but again, won't be for everyone. Their vocals are well matched as they duet and also sing in unison through various parts of the album.
The biggest problem with so much music going on and some very complicated vocal parts is getting it all into place. Wisely the band has chosen the highly regarded European producer Sascha Paeth to work magic for them – a move that pays off.
Regardless of personal taste, this album sounds very well put together and mixed evenly and cleanly.
Track highlights? It is a pretty consistent album to be honest. The music must suit the ears of the listener, but the title track Felony, plus My Way, Justice and the big ballad Promising Heart all deliver strong melodic moments.

The Bottom Line

Symphonic progressive pomp may be a mouthful, but so to is the music of Felony. There is a lot to digest here and one listen just won't cut it. At 71 minutes in length, it is perhaps a little too long, but you can't argue with the sound quality or the efforts of the band in trying to deliver an interesting piece of music.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· First Works

Line Up:

· Andreas Wildi, Andrea Richner: Vocals
· Markus Geiger: Guitars, Keyboards & Vocals
· Bjorn Rindlisbacher: Drums
· Thomas Brogli: Bass
· Urs Fischer: Guitras & Vocals

Essential For Fans Of:

· Symphonic pomp prog!

Track Listing

· An Introduction To
· What A Felony *
· Say Goodbye
· Justice *
· My Way *
· Tonight
· Freedom
· Promising Heart *
· After The Rain
· Cyberspace
· Disappointed
· On Life's End
· No Return
· Ready To Win

--*Best Tracks

Planet Alliance Planet Alliance

Metal Heaven

00025

· Produced By: Anders Theander

· Running Time: 48.27

· Release Date: September 15

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Metal

· Links: Metal Heaven

86%

Songs: 80%

Sound: 94%

Planet Alliance is an apt name for this project. A stack of European melodic metal stars have formed an alliance to record this record.
Stars of Cloudscape, Last Tribe, Ozzy Osbourne, Hammerfall, Freak Kitchen, Narnia, Rob Rock and more gather under the watchful eye of Magnus Karlsson (Last Tribe, Allen/Lande) to produce something similar to Karlsson's recent work such as Starbreaker, Allen/Lande and Tony O'Hora.
Far from an instant album, this one takes a lot of listening to and in the end doesn't quite reach the heights that Karlsson's previous work has. It has the same style, but not the same substance.
For the names involved, it could be a better album than it is, but I think that all comes down to the songs featured. Karlsson has set the bar impossibly high with his previous work and while this album features a similar style and theme, it just isn't as memorable as the aforementioned recordings. I think the album repeats itself a little and for whatever reason I am not warming to the voice of vocalist Mike Andersson (Cloudscape) as much in this context.
Looking through the tracks, The Real You is a knockout opening track – the most commercial and instantly memorable song of the album, with a slight gothic overtone and a killer double kick-drum tempo.
Remember Me also features a strong chorus, but it required a few listens to get into properly.
Ain't No Pleasin´ You is one track I don't think works as well as intended. It doesn't flow as well and the chorus isn't the most likable.
Calling My Name is better from the outset. A frantic pace and instantly cool guitar riff/song melody. A good chorus, but some killer guitar work.
A Taste Of Paradise is an example of where the album begins to sound a little same-ish.
The Quickening is a nice variation – a slower, moodier approach and one of the album's best tracks.
Divided We Stay and It's Your Cross To Bear offer more of the same as earlier tracks, but perhaps without the standout choruses.
On a brighter note, The Great Unknown and Where To Go are stronger tracks and are the best of the second half of the record.

The Bottom Line

If the collaborated artists plan to continue to work under this banner, then this is a good start. As a stand alone melodic metal release, it is solid, but perhaps isn't quite as alluring as some other albums out there.
Competition in the market place is stiff and with this release I tend to think that I have heard it before. That said, what I do hear, is mostly still very good and the sound quality is unquestionable.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Planet Alliance

Line Up:

· Mike Andersson: Vocals, Keyboards
· Magnus Karlsson: Guitars, Keyboards
· Jaime Salazar, Anders Johansson: Drums
· Bob Daisley, Magnus Rosén: Bass
· Mattias "IA" Eklundh, Janne Stark, Carl-Johan Grimmark: Guitars

Essential For Fans Of:

· Magnus Karlsson
· Cloudscape

Track Listing

· The Real You *
· Remember Me *
· Ain´t No Pleasin´ You
· Calling My Name *
· A Taste Of Paradise
· The Quickening
· Divided We Stay
· It´s Your Cross To Bear
· The Great Unknown *
· Where To Go
· Digging Your Own Grave

--*Best Tracks

Moonstone Project
Time To Take A Stand

Majestic Rock

MAJCD080

· Produced By: Matt Filipinni

· Running Time: 49.21

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Blues Rock

· Links: Majestic Rock Moonstone

79%

Songs: 70%

Sound: 88%

This is a rather interesting release. A lot of work has gone into this, yet I remain unsure of how much the traditional melodic rock fan base will go for this. And I'm even more unsure of how much I personally will play this once the review is completed.
This is one of those records that will appeal to a specific section of the rock fanbase and not so much outside of that circle.
Moonstone Project is a hard rock blues rock record based around the talents of Italian guitarist Matt Filippini, who also co-writes all but one track here – that track being a cover of Free's Fire & Water.
What makes this a project is the number of guest stars and man, this record has an extensive list of names. A different vocalist handles each track and lining up are James Christian, Glenn Hughes, Kelly Keeling, Graham Bonnet, Eric Bloom, Paul Shortino and Steve Walsh.
Guest musicians include Howie Simon, Ian Paice, Carmine Appice and Daniel Flores.
The album is obviously a true labor of love for Fillipini. It is extremely well played, sounds sonically solid but is it likeable enough?
There is an air of self indulgence here and the album can be slow paced plodding at times…but if the right fanbase are targeted; (ie traditional blues rock fans), then there is bound to be some impressed punters around.
The album kicks off with a fairly laid back blues rocker Slave Of Time, featuring Kelly Keeling. I don't think it is one of the album highlights, but does set up the overall theme and style of the album for listeners.
Not Dead Yet features Graham Bonnet in full raspy vocal force. The tempo is better suited to getting the momentum rolling and might have been a better album opener.
Fire And Water is an average cover of the Free track featuring Italian vocalist Enrico Madidini.
Rose In Hell and Where Do You Hide The Blues You've Got both feature Glenn Hughes in full blown blues mode. You know Glenn can sing this stuff in his sleep and does an admiral job here. The former rocks a little faster, the latter is a slow blues number.
Beggar Of Love is an uptempo blues rocker featuring James Christian. Not a bad track, but not the usual fare for Christian.
City Of Lights – featuring Steve Walsh – has an appealing chorus hook and some great vocals for fans of Steve's.
Pictures Of My Lonely Days features Paul Shortino and is a pretty classy old school blues rocker with a solid hook.
On The Way To Moonstone is a full blown 70s psychedelic rocker featuring Eric Bloom and Chris Catena on vocals. Again, quite an accomplished track, but not one I will play too often.

The Bottom Line

9 tracks spread over nearly 50 minutes gives an indication of the pacing of the album. No one is in a hurry to get to the end of each song and there are some fine individual performances on display. Fillipini knows his way around a guitar and is in passionate form. Glenn Hughes is perfect for his role as is Paul Shortino, with Seve Walsh and James Christian offering the two surprise vocals for me – enjoyable stuff.
But, be warned that this is a blues project and is best suited for fans of that genre.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Time To Take A Stand

Line Up:

· Kelly Keeling, Carmine Appice, Graham Bonnet, Steve Walsh, James Christian, Paul Shortino, Eric Bloom, Glenn Hughes, Enrico Madidini, Chris Catena: Vocals
· Matt Filliplini: Guitars
· Alex Mori: Drums
· Nik Mazzucconi: Bass
· Gianluca Tagliavini: Hammond Organ

Essential For Fans Of:

· Blues Rock
· Manic Eden

Track Listing

· Slave Of Time
· Not Dead Yet *
· Fire And Water
· Rose In Hell
· Beggar Of Love *
· Where Do You Hide The Blues You've Got
· City Of Lites *
· Pictures Of My Lonely Days
· On The Way To Moonstone

--*Best Tracks

Rekuiem Time Will Tell

Majestic Rock

MAJCD073

· Produced By: Steve Slater & Karl Wilcox

· Running Time: 58.20

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Metal

· Links: Majestic Rock

82%

Songs: 84%

Sound: 80%

Rekuiem are a British melodic metal outfit that rock like its 1983 and there's no holding them back.
A couple of tunes pull the tempo back to reflect a little, but for the most part, this is an in-your-face metal outing, with tempo matched only by the flaying guitars.
What I like about this album – besides the overall old school vibe – is the guitar playing. The sound is a little thin, the bass is too far back in the mix and the guitar could be chunkier, but Steve Slater can shred, no doubt.
I'm also enjoying the classic metal voice of Paul Parry, who while playing tough guy throughout the album, can still deliver a good vocal melody.
Highlights include the great classic metal opener Nightmare; the semi-acoustic/semi-metal ballad Time Will Tell, which transforms mid-song; a cover of the legendary Sabbath tune Paranoid; the energetic Angel Of Sin and the epic closer Sacrificial Wanderer.
Diamond Head guitarist Brian Tatler guests on Warewolf with a blazing solo, which should give people another clue as to the band's direction.

The Bottom Line

Time Will Tell is a serious, hard rocking old school metal album, but fun to listen to at the same time. Sometimes you don't need a lot of words to describe an album – this is a well written, well executed example of the genre it represents.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Time Will Tell

Line Up:

· Paul Parry: Vocals
· Steve Slater: Guitars
· Karl Wilcox: Drums
· Gordon Denny: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· NWOBHM
· Iron Maiden

Track Listing

· Nightmare *
· Wildfire
· Sinners
· Time Will Tell *
· Werewolf
· Paranoid
· Black Death
· In Your Keeping
· Angel Of Sin *
· Sacrificial Wanderer *

--*Best Tracks

Slamer Nowhere Land

Frontiers Records

FRCD276

· Produced By: Mike Slamer

· Running Time: 62.12

· Release Date: September 22

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: Frontiers

97%

Songs: 94%

Sound: 100%

Mike Slamer only releases a new album every couple of years for a good reason. They are all total quality releases. In fact, they are all perfect! The man is a perfectionist and a production genius.
Mike's best accomplishment in the melodic rock world to date has been the two Steelhouse Lane records, more precisely the second one Slaves Of The New World.
That was an incredible melodic rock record that I always wish I gave a perfect 100 to, as it continued to grow on me past the review time and is still has not lost any of its brilliance…and remains a record I recommend to all to buy without hesitation.
So many fans have been looking forward to a new Steelhouse Lane record. While that is unlikely to ever happen, Mike has still kept making records with two studio and one live album with Billy Greer's Seventh Key project.
Seventh Key was a slightly different beast to Steelhouse Lane – same Slamer trademarks and same perfect production style, just a little different manly due to Billy's own personal influences over the record.
Looking to get back to making records for himself, Mike Slamer teamed with Strangerways/The Sign vocalist Terry Brock to form Slamer. This band is different beast again, albeit one with definite similarities to his recent work.
In fact, I would describe the Slamer debut Nowhere Land as a direct cross between Steelhouse Lane and Seventh Key. There are influences from both present.
Brock certainly makes his mark here, but also present is Billy Greer, who contributes some very prominent harmony vocals. Incidentally, Brock helped out with harmony vocals on the last Seventh Key album, so you can see the crossover style here.
The album is more proficient as far as progressive elements and has more technical nuances than Seventh Key. Over however, I think this is a far mellower album than I expected, or perhaps than it could have been. That really isn't a bad thing; it merely means one must perhaps be a little more selective as to when to play it. It is more a mood record than the 'play anytime' Steelhouse Lane records.
One thing is for certain. This album features some the very finest guitar playing and finest AOR solos that I have ever heard. Mike Slamer's control of his instrument is unparalleled as far as I am concerned. Every track features a new reason to be amazed – be it a technical shred, progressive lick or slow, controlled emotional solo. Amazing just does not cover it.
Not one note or syllable is out of place here, which is a testament to his technical genius. The record is ultra smooth and produced to perfection. There are a couple of small issues that prevent this album from reaching a perfect score.
The biggest surprise for me is perhaps the vocals of Terry Brock. His voice is awesome – on this album he sounds smoother than ever. He sounds a million bucks here. I must add however, that in some way, his rough, raw and raspy edge has been polished over somewhat. There is part of me that misses that edge.
And that same notion applies for the whole album. It is simply so tightly produced and is so slick in the delivery that I can't help but feel the edge of Steelhouse Lane is missing.
The other thing I found is that the momentum of the album is not helped by the track sequencing – rocker / slower / rocker / ballad etc. A revised order where the tempo did not alternate might have offered a better slightly better flow. Minor points for what is really a technically perfect slice of melodic rock.
Track By Track:
As is morally and contractually required – all Slamer albums must feature a classic 'big intro' - one that builds the tension before the opening song bursts to life. This album is no different. The intro to Nowhere Land features some mighty guitar riffs and a slight progressive touch. Once underway Nowhere Land lets the listeners know that Slamer is going to be packed with - well...everything you expected!
Nowhere Land bobs and weaves its way through 6 minutes of harmonious vocals and changing landscapes, mainly painted by some serious guitar theatrics and a pounding rhythm section.
The tempo is immediately pulled back to allow a slow guitar solo to set up Strength To Carry On. This is an amazing track that couldn't be more packed with melodies. The tempo may be slow, but the hooks are glorious. The soaring chorus is the most obvious reference point, but there is so much to listen to throughout the track, including a mid-song bridge, intricate guitar parts and subtle melodies that become known after repeated plays.
It's back to high octane levels with the rocker Not In Love. A 90 second passage of progressive guitar plays kicks the song off before falling back into a more familiar groove. The verse swaggers along, and then the killer chorus – backed with harmonies galore – bursts through the comfort zone. This is another 6 minute track, so there are a few diversions along the way. Certainly not your average formulaic melodic rock!
The 8 minute ballad Come To Me is something out of the ordinary once again. I'm not big on the tempo going back and forth between fast and slow on alternative tracks, but this stuff is just so good. It's nearly 2 and a half minutes into the song before we hear the voice of Terry Brock, with the atmosphere and the tension being built constantly. Brock's voice is so smooth, so emotionally charged and the chorus is once again layered with rich harmonies. Some fine soloing closes out the track.
Time to rock again and the groovy Higher Ground quickly becomes an album favourite. Brock sounds just a little bit grittier here and rocks it a little more - as does Mike Slamer with some hard edged guitar riffing and a good strong song tempo. But the chorus! AOR glory of course! The song features more amazing guitar solos and some truly out of this world uplifting layered vocals towards the end of the track.
Jaded follows the album formula and starts slow. Terry Brock never sounded so smooth and sweet as he does here and Mike's guitar playing is eloquent to say the least. Out of nowhere there appears a heavier, faster and more intense bridge / chorus double play that as it continues on keeps getting bigger and bigger and is another example of perfect high-tech AOR.
Beyond the Pale is another slow and dramatic song that takes a few minutes to build before some fine laid back guitar soloing and moody keyboard parts take the song into its second half. Not a lot of singing within this one – it's more an epic movie score type of song. It features more haunting and emotional vocals from Terry and more hidden melodies that reveal themselves with time.
Runaway again starts slow. More slow guitar soloing builds a fairly sparse track before various layers are added and the song builds to another orgasmic multi-layered chorus that rocks a little harder. This song concludes a mid-album triple play of sultry, moody AOR that appears very laid back to start with, but gains intensity as you get to know the album.
Audio Illusion is a much needed straight ahead melodic rocker. The song is all hooks and all high-tech harmonies and layers and layers of instruments. I'm not sold on the hook, but I love the fact the lyrics are having a dig at the modern day pop music industry.
Perfect Circle is part of a hard rock double play that closes out the album. Great hooks, great harmonies and a strong chorus and a relatively straight forward approach.
Superstar is even better. This is straight out of the Steelhouse Lane hand book and is the heaviest and most hard rocking track of the whole album. I could have used another couple of tracks like this – dramatic, intense and a little progressive also. It rocks!

The Bottom Line

Production perfection! Nowhere Land is another shining example of how you don't need to spend a million dollars to sound a million dollars. It also sets up Mike Slamer with a new franchise and a new sound to build upon. He could have pushed the boundaries a little more, but that will come. In the meantime, here we have a simply brilliant high-tech melodic rock album that features some of the best harmony vocals around and some of the best AOR guitar playing ever.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

Mike Slamer - Streets . City Boy . Angry Anderson . Tower City;
· Steelhouse Lane - Metallic Blue
· Steelhouse Lane - Slaves Of The New World
· Seventh Key - Seventh Key
· Seventh Key - The Raging Fire
· Seventh Key - Live In Atlanta
· Slamer - Nowhere Land

Line Up:

· Terry Brock: Lead Vocals, BG Vocals
· Mike Slamer: Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, BG Vocals
· Chet Wynd: Drums, BG Vocals
· Billy Greer: Background Vocals

Essential For Fans Of:

· Mike Slamer
· Terry Brock
· Steelhouse Lane
· Seventh Key

Track Listing

· Nowhere Land *
· Strength To Carry On *
· Not In Love *
· Come To Me
· Higher Ground *
· Jaded *
· Beyond the Pale
· Runaway
· Audio Illusion
· Perfect Circle *
· Superstar *

--*Best Tracks

Sunstorm Sunstorm

Frontiers Records

FRCD302

· Produced By: Dennis Ward

· Running Time: 52.59

· Release Date: September 22

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock / AOR

· Links: Frontiers Joe Lynn Turner

95%

Songs: 95%

Sound: 95%

Joe Lynn Turner has forged a long and successful career playing classy blues driven hard rock. He has fronted Rainbow and Deep Purple and won worldwide acclaim.
But the one album that kick started it all remains a fan favourite to this day. And that album wasn't a hard rock or a blues rock album. Joe's solo debut Rescue You was a glorious slice of pure melodic rock that showcased a side of JLT's voice we haven't heard a lot of over the years.
Beneath that gravelly authentic rock voice there is a smooth, soulful and totally commercial side to Joe that finally gets to shine again on Sunstorm.
Sunstorm is a project built around Joe and the decision to showcase his AOR voice in its best possible light – a return to the Rescue You album stylistically, yet with production values matching today's sonic demands.
Instead of putting pressure on Joe to write an album of new songs capturing an old vibe, the label worked through a song list of classic and unreleased AOR songs with Joe which both parties thought would best capture his melodic side and deliver fans a quality AOR release. Boy, did they get that right.
The songs chosen range from a few AOR classics, a few more obscure tracks and some unreleased songs from the desk of Jim Peterik (Survivor, Pride Of Lions, Kelly Keagy).
The songs selected are a very special set of songs.
But none of this would matter if those involved couldn't get the sound right. In steps Mr. Perfect - Dennis Ward. Dennis produces, adds backing vocals, bass plus additional guitars and keyboards. The man is a machine. Also featured are Uwe Reitenauer on lead guitars, Chris Schmidt on drums and Jochen Weyer on keyboards.
The powerhouse band adapt perfectly to the AOR material and add an extra dimension of power to Joe' delivery. The band also gives this release a slightly European feel, which is no problem at all for me, as frankly - the Europeans have kicked the USA's butt this year.
The album is utterly and totally melodic in that pure AOR sense and it retains an 80s soul, but the kick-ass band and tight production give it a quality that makes it contemporary enough to compete with the best releases of 2006.
And Joe Lynn Turner? Where does one start with the compliments? Basically he just sings his absolute bollocks off here and sounds like an angel driving a Leopard tank – demolishing these songs with the gusto of a 20 year old.
Track By Track:
Keep Tonight is a perfect opening track, an AOR guitar riff kicking off a track that is bathed in keyboards. True to the edict of the album, this is pure AOR with a 80s feel, but not an outdated 80s production. A catchy chorus and some ultra smooth vocals set the album up beautifully.
Fame And Fortune picks up the tempo a little more and continues the guitar/keyboard dual going. This is straight ahead melodic rock, performed perfectly.
Heart Over Mind is one of two classic tracks lifted from Van Stephenson's breakthrough AOR masterpiece Righteous Anger. This emotional and powerful ballad suits Joe to a tee and I have seldom heard him produce such a smooth, soulful and emotional lead vocal.
This Is My Heart picks up from the ballad brilliantly. This begins a powerful one-two punch of AOR gloriousness. This song remains subtle and mid-tempo through the pure AOR brilliance of the verse and bridge, until a more powerful rock chorus takes over.
Then there is the amazing Strength Over Time – a song full of heart and soul and most importantly – glorious AOR hooks! It just keeps building and building and Joe's vocals are so good that this song will be up there with the very best come the 2006 Awards.
The album needed a slight reprieve about now; otherwise emotional exhaustion might set in! Another You is the perfect foil. I don't even have to see the song credits to know this is a Jim Peterik tune. This is one of Jim's adult contemporary style numbers that doesn't have a feature chorus, but rather runs along a set melodic story path.
The best thing about this album is the song sequencing. When working with a selection of songs written by various outsiders, the biggest challenge is to place them into a sequence that sounds as if they were written for the one album. Dennis Ward does that perfectly here, so just when needed, a big rocker is delivered to get the album's momentum rolling again. That rocker is of course Van Stephenson's in your face anthem Fistful Of Heat.
Love's Gone Wrong pulls thing back one notch but keeps the album rocking. This is another perfect fit for the album and for Joe. A snappy guitar riff, melodic verse and bridge, then a punchy keyboard filled chorus. Quit simply – more glorious old school AOR!
Night Moves is a more straight forward melodic rocker with a heavier delivery and a tough rocking chorus.
Time to head back to some more glorious and classic AOR in the guise of Danger of Love. A mellow but very melodic verse kicks into a great AOR chorus with yet more astounding vocals from Joe.
Making Up For the Last Time is a mellower more sentimental mid-tempo ballad that fans of old school 80s AOR will love. The prefect love song for a summer movie soundtrack.
To close the album we get a song many will be familiar with. The Jim Peterik/David Carl ballad Arms Of Love. This is a nice sentimental way to close the album and again showcases a very fine and smooth vocal from Joe.

The Bottom Line

Simply put – utterly essential for all Joe Lynn Turner fans and beyond that, essential for fans of old school AOR and melodic rock.
This album features a killer set of songs and some amazing performances. It is a real crowd pleaser for those that partake in this melodic music scene and even if you don't own a single JLT album – this might just make you aware of what a special vocalist he is. Sunstorm is my brand new favourite ever JLT release.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Rescue You
· Nothing's Changed
· Under Cover
· Hurry Up And Wait
· Undercover 2
· Holy Man
· JLT
· The Usual Suspects
· Sunstorm

Line Up:

· Joe Lynn Turner: Vocals
· Uwe Reitenauer: Guitars
· Chris Schmidt: Drums
· Dennis Ward: Bass, Backing Vocals, Additional Guitars & Keyboards
· Jochen Weyer: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Joe Lynn Turner
· Jim Peterik
· Dennis Ward
· Classic style commercial AOR

Track Listing

· Keep Tonight *
· Fame And Fortune
· Heart Over Mind *
· This Is My Heart *
· Strength Over Time *
· Another You
· Fistful of Heat
· Love's Gone Wrong *
· Night Moves
· Danger of Love *
· Making Up For the Last Time *
·Arms of Love

--*Best Tracks

Avalon Avalon: The Richie Zito Project

Frontiers Records

FRCD303

· Produced By: Richie Zito

· Running Time: 53.35

· Release Date: September 22

· Released:

· Musical Style: AOR

· Links: Frontiers

90%

Songs: 94%

Sound: 85%

Avalon in the name bestowed upon the new Richie Zito project. But this is a little different than what might normally be expected of the famed producer. Avalon sees Zito return to his musician ways, playing guitar, bass, synth and even a mandolin, all the while producing the affair and writing the material. Check the production credits for Zito, you will always see that he is a very hands-on guy – helping with the co-writing and adding additional instrumentation to the albums he works on.
Here he gets to do it all, except sing. That's where AOR fans get a real bonus. Richie calls in all his friends from past projects and it is these singers that make the album what it is.
Zito is one of my favourite producers of all time. His work and his style are perfect to my taste. I don't think there is a more technically superior producer in the business and all his albums sound a million bucks! All except for this project! Yes, the one thing that confuses me most about Avalon is the occasionally questionable production quality.
One would think that Zito would have the ability and every desire to ensure something with his own name on it was as sonically perfect as his more famous work.
I think it all comes down to budget. Richie is used to working with major labels and major dollars. It is sad and unfortunately reality that there simply isn't the interest for an album like this outside these circles normally covered by this site.
So it all comes down to smaller budgets and smaller resources. That sad, the production really isn't that bad. It's just a little rough in places and across the album it does vary a little.
What exaggerates the problem is that the main two culprits are the opening track and track 3. The better produced songs are further back in the album. Plus, coming off a month of listening to Mike Slamer, just about anything is going to sound rough!
Track By Track:
Blue Collar opens the album in fine pure AOR style with a very smooth Hugo vocal up front. The production quality sounds a little rough to me, but the song is entirely enjoyable and features a very memorable and instant chorus.
Is He Better Than Me just adds more quality music to the great time vocalist Joe Lynn Turner is having these past few years. This is a great 80s sounding classic melodic rocker that starts slow but builds to a very commercial and catchy chorus. JLT sounds great as usual and the track itself is a perfect match to his own Sunstorm record.
Eddie Money makes the first of two appearances on Nightmare, but as much as I love Eddie, this track is very rough around the edges and I think it misses the mark somewhat. To jump to later within the album, it is on I Put My Life In Your Hands that everyone redeems themselves. This is a classic Eddie Money song and sounds like it could have been lifted directly off the brilliant Can't Hold Back record.
Jumping back to the middle of the album, Oh Samantha is a very fine AOR ballad featuring a finely tuned Joseph Williams. Great for JW fans.
Avalon is a moody, but uptempo AOR rocker featuring the always fantastic Danny Vaughn. Quite simply, this track is a must for all Vaughn fans.
Eric Martin contributes two lead vocals to the tracks of Avalon and he does not disappoint. The mid-tempo melodic rock anthem Life Got In The Way is a little rough as far as the sound quality, but brilliant for its melodic qualities.
Eric also closes the album with the very smooth pop ballad I Don't Want To Want You. Once again…essential for Martin fans.
Blue Monday again features Hugo, but alongside him is Giorgio Moroder. It's mainly Hugo here and the song is another fine uptempo melodic rocker.
The retro ballad Forever I Will has a touch of the blues and features Richie Kotzen. It is a little out of character from the rest of the album – such is Kotzen's distinct style and delivery.
At the end of the album we fine two amazing pure AOR tracks with the great Philip Bardowell on vocals. The another ballad Can't Forget You and the more straight forward Good Things Take Time are both very catchy and very memorable example of great AOR that mirror the sound of Bardowell's own solo album of last year.

The Bottom Line

This album is more about the songs and the performers rather than a super-slick big budget sound. As far as the songs go – you will be hard pressed to find a finer collection of old-school AOR songs.
The fine vocal performances and the satisfying sequencing of the songs makes for a very easy to listen to album and all in all, this is another must have for fans of traditional AOR.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Avalon

Line Up:

· Various: Vocals
· Richie Zito: Guitars, Bass, Synth, Mandolin
· Tommy Decker, Greg Bissonette: Drums
· Jason Turbin: Strings
· Joey Carbone: Piano

Essential For Fans Of:

· The Vocalists Assembled
· Classic style AOR

Track Listing

· Blue Collar *
· Is He Better Than Me *
· Nightmare
· Oh Samantha
· Avalon *
· Life Got In The Way *
· Blue Monday
· Forever I Will
· I Can't Forget You *
· I Put My Life In Your Hands *
· Good Things Take Time
· I Don't Want To Want You

--*Best Tracks

Taz Taylor Band Welcome To America

Escape Music

ESM137

· Produced By: Taz Taylor

· Running Time: 42.30

· Release Date: August 25

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Escape Music

86%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 85%

Who is Taz Taylor and his band? That question is about to become easier to answer as once this album is released as Taz and Co. should find themselves on the receiving end of some new fans and a greater public profile.
Taz is a British guitar player that moved to the US in the late 90s and has been working on this album ever since. He has hooked up with a fellow Brit in Graham Bonnet – famed vocalist for Alcatraz and Rainbow.
Taz is a fan of the classic hard rock style displayed by UFO, Rainbow and Michael Schenker and those influences play out over this record.
This record offers melodic rock fans a taste of classic British hard rock in the form of a gritty guitar dominated record that also features some fine lead vocals from Bonnet.
Bonnet has probably seen better days as a vocalist but this album represents one of his best performances in a long time.
The album is also very nicely produced. It is clear and evenly mixed, but not too polished as to remove the gritty edge such an album needs.
Star of the album for me though is Taz himself. While he may not be a household name, he makes a strong mark here with some impressive guitar work. There's a certain shred and solo component, but overall the album feels very restrained and well constructed. There are also a few very enjoyable passages of slower more delicate soloing, such as the cover of Gary Moore's classic Parisienne Walkways.
Highlights amongst the album include the rocking opening track Fighter's Fist; the melodic friendly Radio Luxembourg; the moodier Haunted – which features an intense vocal and Wall Of Sound, which is think sounds like classic UFO.

The Bottom Line

Welcome To America is a solid album of traditional style melodic British hard rock, with some straight ahead rockers and a few slower more melodic numbers. It sounds great and is rounded out by some enjoyable performances by all concerned.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Welcome To America

Line Up:

· Graham Bonnet: Vocals
· Taz Taylor: Guitars
· Richard Livoni: Drums
· Dirk Krause: Bass
· Bob Miller: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

·

Track Listing

· Fighter's Fist *
· Radio Luxembourg *
· Parisienne Walkways
· Happy Hour
· Haunted *
· Welcome to America *
· Silent Fall
· Wall of Sound *
· The Reprise
· Goodbye Mr C.

--*Best Tracks

Sammy Hagar Livin' It Up

Rhino

/

Cabo Wabo Music

R2 74097

· Produced By: Bob Daspit

· Running Time: 41.15

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock / Country Rock

· Links: Red Rocker

89%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 92%

Sammy Hagar has always followed his heart and once again on Livin' It Up he proves to be his own man and changes things in a way that not everyone is going to get or accept.
I expect very mixed reviews for this record from the press and fans alike, as you are either going to get it, or you ain't. I get it. Totally.
Even before talking to Sammy about this album, I could hear the conviction and passion behind it. After speaking with the Red Rocker, I can attest to his passion, comfort and total self belief in what he is doing.
In recent years Sammy's live shows and his life in general have drifted towards embracing the Mexican way – sun, surf, beach and tequila. Sammy has two of his own theme bars, his own exclusive tequila beverage and a growing legion of fans that are with him all the way.
The only thing missing was to take this lifestyle theme into an actual record. Livin' It Up is now documented proof of the change within Sammy Hagar. He's as happy as a pig in shit and he wants to tell the whole world.
He does so with a thoroughly infectious record that you really just can't help but like.
Unfortunately some fans are just not going to be able to get past the change in musical direction and in some ways this record hands Sammy's critics the ammunition they have been looking for.
I don't think Sammy's lyrical style has changed too much here, but there are more obvious lifestyle references dotted throughout the record, to the point where this could be considered a concept record about embracing everything that is good within Sammy's life.
There is a noticeable country twang through the record that has and will leave some scratching their heads, including a couple of full on country tunes and the majority of the album is driven by an authentic earthy and acoustic vibe.
Take the style aside and you are able to analyze the performance. And that's where Sammy gets major credit. You can really hear the energy and the electricity within this record. Producer Bob Daspit has captured the band in a raw, live atmosphere, but at the same time has ensured that the record has a crisp, sharp feel that Sammy's recent solo recordings have missed.
The record sounds perfect and Sammy's individual performance is one I would rate among his best.
His voice has seldom sounded so in shape - smooth and comfortable, yet also delivering that trademark rasp and the odd scream like it was recorded 20 years ago.
Track By Track:
Opening the album is the infectious groove of Sam I Am, which frames the album perfectly from the outset. A little slide guitar, a little twang and a classic Hagar vocal drive a catchy as hell hook.
Living On A Coastline slows things down with a beach boogie vibe. A relaxed happy lyric is delivered with conviction by Hagar. The feel good harmonies and a catchy chorus suck you in. The opening two tracks are vital to the message being delivered here and they leave you with no doubt where this album is going.
I imagine some folks might stop right here, but you will be missing some fine music if you do so.
Mexico is a more rocking track, driven by a grittier lead guitar and some Santana like drum rhythms, especially later in the song.
The breezy mid tempo rockers The Way We Live and I Love This Bar compliment each other perfectly before the Kenny Chesney/Sammy Hagar written One Sip pays further tribute to the fine Mexican way.
Making a resprise appearance is Halfway To Memphis (from Not 4 Sale), this time easily the most country themed track of the album, complete with slide guitar, that distinctive twang and a laid back acoustic delivery.
There are a few covers once again on Livin' It Up. I Love This Bar covers the Toby Keith hit but may as well have been written by Hagar himself and Rainy Day Women covers the Bob Dylan classic – once again more or less true to Hagar's lifestyle philosophy and is here perfectly adapted to the feel of this record.
Then there is Hagar's adoption of the Staple Sister's classic Let Me Take You There – a the track you have already heard and in its position gives the album a nice uptempo lift.
Sailin is a relaxed and happy acoustic pop song, not quite a ballad and not quite a country tune. It features a sweet vocal and more feel good vibes. Someday is a short acoustic country ballad that closes out the album and the story contained in relaxed fashion.

The Bottom Line

As I said earlier, you just can't help but like this record – or at least, I can't help it! It is not to be taken seriously at all and doing so will reduce your appreciation. This is a record to be cranked loud while cruising in the car or sitting outside in the sun next to the BBQ. It is the perfect summer drinking record.
Those looking for a glimpse of the lyrically more intense Sammy, evident on Marching To Mars or with Van Halen might have to rely on those records for your fix.

Recent Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Marching To Mars
· Red Voodoo
· Ten 13
· Not For Sale
· Live
· Essential Red Collection
· Livin' It Up

Line Up:

· Sammy Hagar: Vocals, Guitars
· Victor Johnson: Guitar
· David Lauser: Drums
· Mona: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Sammy & The Wabos
· Kenny Chesney / Rockin' Country

Track Listing

· Sam I Am *
· Living On A Coastline *
· Mexico
· The Way We Live *
· I Love This Bar *
· One Sip
· Rainy Day Women
· Halfway To Memphis
· Sailin *
· Let Me Take You There
· Some Day

--*Best Tracks

Rob Lamothe Long Lazy Curve

Livewire

/

Cargo

LW016-2

· Produced By: Tom Treumuth

· Running Time: 43.18

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock / Acoustic Rock

· Links: Rob Lamothe

86%

Songs: 88%

Sound: 84%

To some degree Rob Lamothe remains an unsung genius. To those that 'get him', his music is poetry and his lyrical insights are matched by few. Rob may be best known for fronting the Riverdogs, but his solo work is a growing body of amazing music – but is more marginalized as far as who it will appeal to.
Rob solo is more singer/songwriter in approach and is largely acoustic driven with a sometimes folk-ish approach. In his favor, Rob really has a raspy, haunting quality to his voice which facilitates raw pure emotion flowing through to the listener.
Take a listen to a track like Ashes To Ashes. Rob's warm raspy vocal sucks you in to his world, a place where you believe every word you hear.
I'm happy to report that this album is a little more uptempo than the last couple, which is something I was certainly hoping for.
Romeo's Barbershop, with its chorus hook and electric guitar riff is an album highlight as is the more acoustic, but uptempo pop rocker Good Enough For Me.
Til Forever Is Over may be a little too country for some, but its raw energy and honesty are engaging. The album closes with three laid back songs penned and entirely played by Rob. More testament to his talent, but I prefer the fuller band tracks of the rest of the album.
The album is produced by Canadian veteran Tom Treumuth and sounds sonically balanced and fresh.

The Bottom Line

Obviously, this is essential for Lamothe fans – who will no doubt already have this. If you are unfamiliar with Rob, but have an ear for the mellower stylings of singer/songwriters – Rob is one of the best and is well worthy of checking out. Start right here and work backwards!

Solo Discography

·Gravity
·Being Human
· Project Hum
· I Am Here Now
· Steering With My Knee
· Wishing Well Motel
· Above The Wing Is Heaven
· Long Lazy Curve

Line Up:

· Rob Lamothe: Vocals, Guitars, Loops
+ Various

Essential For Fans Of:

· Rob Lamothe
· Riverdogs

Track Listing

· Hello Beautiful
· Ashes To Ashes *
· Romeo's Barbershop *
· Good Enough For Me *
· Til Forever Is Over
· I Am Here With You
· Ain't Broken Yet
· I Don't Walk Alone
· Broke Down Train *
· Goodbye Calgary
· No Wonder
· 12 Moons

--*Best Tracks

Joseph Williams Two Of Us

WHD Entertainment

· Produced By: Not Listed

· Running Time: 49.37

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Adult Contemporary

· Links:

53%

Songs: 40%

Sound: 60%

This album was slated for release some two years ago but disappeared without explanation, leaving me to believe it was off the radar for good. But here is this Japanese only release, with a new title, but the same 11 tracks within.
Joseph is one of the great AOR vocalists there ever was, his time with Toto perhaps the best known and more recently his two Vertigo releases. On this album Williams allows his vocals to be the main focal point of the album, accompanied only by a grand piano on each track, hence the title if one was to hazard a guess.
It is safe to say that Joseph's vocals are not as smooth as they once were. Time has lowered his range and given him a raspier delivery. And in a few places Joseph avoids going for that big note – most obviously on Unchained Melody.
Still, the passion and emotion that he carries is still there and some of his fanbase will appreciate this. I do call myself a fan, but in this case I find it hard to get very passionate about this release.
I am not a big fan of covers albums and one filled entirely with ballads is not something I am going to play too often!
50 minutes of slow piano ballads is just too much for me. There is some real cheese here – Because You Loved Me, We're All Alone, Can't Help Falling In Love and Save The Best For Last the worst offenders.
There are a few famous rock ballads – Everything I Do (I Do It For You), Don't Want To Miss A Thing and I Can't Fight This Feeing all desperately trying to hold my attention.
But in the end – they don't and I find myself longing for the pure AOR strains of Toto's Seventh One.

The Bottom Line

After sitting through this album I feel the need to play some Megadeth in order to restore the balance in my mind. This is just too soft and sweet for anything other than background noise at a dinner party. Mr. Williams great talents seem wasted on this release. Add to that the price of a Japanese import and I think not too many JW fans are going to have this in their collections.

Solo Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Joseph Williams
· I Am Alive
· 3
· The Early Years
· Vertigo
· Vertigo 2
· Two Of Us

Line Up:

· Joseph Williams: Vocals
· Jim Cox: Piano

Essential For Fans Of:

· Joseph Williams

Track Listing

· Don't Want To Miss A Thing
· Unchained Melody
· Because You Loved Me
· Now And Forever
· Your Song
· I Do It For You
· Have I Told You Lately
· I Can't Fight This Feeling *
· We're All Alone
· Can't Help Falling In Love
· Save The Best For Last

--*Best Tracks

Demon Angels Time Of Confusion

Perris Records

PER1722

· Produced By: Robin McAuley

· Running Time: 34.52

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Perris Records

70%

Songs: 70%

Sound: 70%

Demon Angels is a new band that on this occasion features the great Robin McAuley on lead vocals. The band appears to be a piecemeal kinda of affair, with the rhythm section based in Italy (where their parts were recorded) and then American guitarist Chris Falco and featuring "special guest" lead vocalist McAuley – also responsible for putting this all together and producing the album.
But as special guest, Robin delivers all the lyrics for the album with Falco providing the music.
Anything Robin appears on is going to have instant appeal as he really has a great voice for this kind of music. And for the very reason that Robin sings his ass off here, the record is made all that much better.
To be honest though, without Robin I doubt this album would have scored a record deal. It just isn't that memorable. The music and the riffs and even the lyrics have all been heard before a hundred times.
The production is ok, average…but the uptempo songs rock and the guitars are nice and loud, which saves it. Then there's Robin's voice. He sounds great on this material which is classic style hard rock and is some of the heavier material I have heard him sing since MSG's Save Yourself.
Highlights include the double time rocker Let's Dance which features some great guitar work, the opening groove of Gonna Get It and the more melodic Victoria. The second half of the material on offer is nowhere as strong as the opening 4 tracks.

The Bottom Line

More a project than a band and noting I have not heard or covered before. And at only 8 tracks and a mere 34 minutes, it is die-hard fans only that are going to be picking this up.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Time Of Confusion

Line Up:

· Robin McAuley: Vocals
· Chris Falco: Guitars
· John Lie: Drums
· Thomas Kirst: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Robin McAuley

Track Listing

· Gonna Get It *
· Movin' On
· Let's Dance *
· Victoria *
· We Be Long
· Freedom
· The Promise
· Won't Let Go

--*Best Tracks

Andy Logan Ride

KOAN Records

K-313165

· Produced By: Andy Logan

· Running Time: 52.06

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Southern Rock / Rock

· Links: Andy Logan

80%

Songs: 83%

Sound: 77%

There's some good singer/songwriter stuff around at the moment and former Little America guitarist/vocalist Andy Logan delivers another one of those albums.
This is his second full solo album and sees him on form. Andy has a dark and raspy voice, and stylistically delivers a mix of Little America style Americana mixed with a darker more southern mix of s blues, country and rock essence. There's also a little acoustic country in there and a pronounced soulful vibe.
This is far more bluesy and roots based than the more commercial Little America and I think this album has a certain limited appeal – which in itself it just an observation, but probably a shame, as the musical credibility displayed here is no less valid than the best of another melodic rock artist.
If the last Charlie Sexton album appealed and Rob Lamothe is also a favourite, this is more like a Midwestern meets Southern USA version of Rob's sound.
This album features 14 short and honest tracks with some fine slide guitar and some raspy narrative vocals.

Edguy Rocket Ride

Nuclear Blast

· Produced By: Edguy

· Running Time: 60.10

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Metal

· Links: Nuclear Blast

92%

Songs: 90%

Sound: 94%

Some will wonder why the hell it has taken me so long to review what is one of 2006's best metal releases. Easy – the band's record label. Yes, I got the promo, but be buggered if the whole thing isn't completely ruined by a lame voice over every minute or so, reminding you what you are listening to – fading the music in and out to do so – even during the choruses!! Dickhead record labels…
That's just too bloody annoying sorry… so I never reviewed it. Now I have purchased the original retail version so I can write a review without wanting to throw the disc out the window.
Originally released in January, Rocket Ride is Edguy at their best.
The album is immaculately produced and is a true in your face melodic metal album.
The crunch of guitars is almost worth the price of the album alone. Mixed with a pounding rhythm section, the songs really do jump through the speakers. But what makes this album for me is the band's extra attention to detail come chorus time. There are more harmony vocals on here than on some AOR albums and each song has a definite chorus to remember, which is what draws the listener back for more.
This German melodic metal outfit has come up with some great material here and the production is truly world class.
The opening track Sacrifice is immense and more than 8 minutes in length, but Wasted Time, Return To The Tribe and the mellower and very melodic Save Me and Superheroes all deliver classic riffs and melodies too.
The band doesn't sound like Masterplan, but they do have the same philosophy as far as including hooks and melodies within some bone crunching hard rockers. Check them out.

Evergrey Monday Morning Apocalypse

Inside Out

· Produced By: Evergrey

· Running Time: 44.47

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Metal

· Links: Inside Out

87%

Songs: 84%

Sound: 90%

This is another killer album from a few months back that I want to give a little press to.
Sweden's Evergrey have changed their approach a little for this release, which sees the band toughen up and modernize their sound somewhat.
This is a hard rocking metal release, but one that's very melodic and has a unique style. The guitars are uncompromising and in your face, there are modern production effects and occasional overdubs, yet never does the band forget to include a melody and a good chorus hook.
Evergrey have dark and moody style which is almost gothic at times, and their delivery is also mixed - aggressive, sometimes progressive and sometimes just straight ahead melodic hard rock/metal.
Which ever way you look at it, they are delivering something cool and different and given that this album is so well produced, they offer a quality product when at times it is hard to find something original to check out.

Choirboys Big Bad & Acoustic

Liberation Music

BLUE087-2

· Produced By: Choirboys

· Running Time: 61.11

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Acoustic Rock

· Links: Choirboys

85%

Songs: 85%

Sound: 85%

This is how you do an acoustic record…brilliant. Strip it back totally, re-arrange only when absolutely necessary and put down some straight-to-tape emotional and appealing lead vocals.
What's more…include your very best and well known tracks and a few classic album cuts, plus a couple of quirky covers.
All the band's classic tracks are included here – from the rockers Struggletown, Run To Paradise, Boys Will Be Boys and Empire. A few of the ballads are also stripped down – Never Gonna Die and Cold Outside being favourites.
A couple of covers – Bad Boy For Love (Rose Tattoo) and the Vanda & Young penned Hey St. Peter.
Perhaps there is only the singer that remains in the band, but live and on record here they put in a great collective effort and this is perhaps my favourite of all the Acoustic Blue releases to date.

Jon Stevens The Works

Liberation Music

BLUE086-2

· Produced By: Jon Stevens

· Running Time: 53.54

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Acoustic Rock

· Links: Jon Stevens

72%

Songs: 60%

Sound: 85%

Jon Stevens is a little different. One of my favourite singers on the planet, he continues to be his own worst enemy in misunderstanding what the public want of him.
We want a new rock record or a new Noiseworks record. But for whatever reason (only Stevens knows the answer) these never come. Now we have this unplugged record, which is half brilliant, half crap.
The Noiseworks tunes were destined to be stripped back for acoustic purposes and here Touch, Take Me back, RIP, In My Youth and Simple Man all sound brilliant. Hot Chilli Woman, Miles And Miles and Freedom are not far behind, all driven by Stevens soul driven power rock voice.
But no Stevens record would be complete without a self indulgent portion, so the record buying public are once again subjected to some of the horrid R&B that was his featured on his solo album Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted, which sold next to no copies.
Basically I feel like skipping through the middle 5 tracks of the album to avoid these tracks and get back in the swing at track 9 when the Noiseworks classics continue.
No one wanted to hear Stevens do the horrible Doors cover Light My Fire once and they sure don't want it again (now in stripped back form) here. Rock Mr. Stevens…please ROCK!

Inxs Switch (Tour Edition)

Burnett

/

Epic

82876894762

· Produced By: Inxs

· Running Time:

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: Inxs

89%

Songs: 85%

Sound: 94%

This is purely and simply a cash-in CD and I have a pronounced dislike for such releases. Inxs are about to hit Australia for a full tour so naturally a Tour Edition of their hit album Switch appears just in time.
Thankfully this is one cash-in that delivers some value. This is now a 2 disc set with the original album and a bonus disc.
On the bonus disc is 4 live tracks – Pretty Vegas, Hot Girls, Devil's Party and the essential Hungry. All good versions and good honest live recordings. Then there are 3 video clips – Perfect Strangers (the new single), Afterglow and Pretty Vegas. Additionally there is a very interesting 30 minute documentary – the Making Of Switch.
All very good viewing, with the downside of it being CD Extra formatted, rather than a DVD you can watch on something other than a PC.
Switch was a very good album that remains so and these extras are a nice incentive for those that don't yet have the album or those that truly have to have everything.
But as per usual, it is a deep shame that record labels and artists continue to reward the lazy fans. Those that bought the album immediately have to buy it all over again for the bonus features while those that couldn't be assed initially now get a cool bonus. That just doesn't seem right.

Ten The Twilight Chronicles

Frontiers Records

FRCD299

· Produced By: Gary Hughes

· Running Time: 73.43

· Release Date: August 25

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Frontiers Ten

87%

Songs: 85%

Sound: 88%

Multiple line-up changes and dodgy re-recordings of past hits aside, Ten still have a passionate fanbase and a considerable catalogue of material many bands would be proud to call their own.
I have said before and I'll say again, not too many bands of the recent era can boast as many albums to their name as Ten can. This is the band's 8th album of all new material and after giving their last album – the 10th Anniversary re-recorded hits release – a bit of a bollocking, I am happy to report that Gary Hughes and the gang are all but back on track with this release.
I'm not sure how appealing an album of re-recorded hits is anyway, so if you are one of those that have just been collecting the new studio albums as they come along, this will sound like the band has not skipped a beat since their Return To Evermore release.
There is a slightly different feel to this album, but with Ten that has often been the case as they have moved through their 10 year history and into their 11th.
I really like this release, but then again, I have liked every Ten release (of new material at least!) to date.
This album is going to appeal to those that liked the band's earliest couple of releases and the last studio album. Fans of the heavier middle period of the band's history – such as Spellbound – might not be as enamoured with this album.
And while I think the band is definitely back on track, I wouldn't go so far as to call this release classic – just very good.
I'd like to take this opportunity to hail this album as lead guitarist Chris Francis' best work in the band to date, with some fine soloing throughout and a nice mixture of sounds and textures used. John Haliwell's riffing as usual holds it all together.
The 12 minute Prologue and opening track Rome sets up the album and while not overly catchy and certainly rather long, it drifts into The Chronicles which is pretty much a classic Ten track – Gary Hughes' dulcet tones, soaring guitars and a great chorus hook.
The song's structure and method of moving between verse and the chorus is trademark of what Ten have done in the past. The familiarity will be appreciated by fans.
The Elysian Fields is all too familiar also - but in a good way. It is nothing I haven't already heard before, but this 7 minute ballad has a sweeping, haunting quality not unlike the band's early sound mixed with Return To Evermore.
Hallowed Ground gets the tempo back up and rocking again. A glance at the CD indicates another epic is upon us, this one running some 10 minutes. A nice guitar fuelled 2 minute intro lines the track up nicely.
Its some 5 minutes into the track before the full bridge-chorus-hook set up becomes totally apparent, but it's worth the wait. A nice guitar solo launches the track into its next phase, but at about the 7 minute mark things begin to wear a little thin as the track merely repeats earlier parts. There is no need to make this an epic for the sake of being epic. The track isn't that classic it needs to be this long.
This Heart Goes On is a typical sentimental Ten ballad with all the necessary elements – heartfelt vocals, piano, stand out guitar lick. Surprisingly, as much as I like the song, the chorus is nowhere near as big as past ballads.
Oblivion amounts to what is my first real surprise of the album. I dig this album and the songs, but there really aren't any surprises – until you get to this track.
Oblivion is one of the most commercial and openly upbeat tracks I have heard Gary write and perform. This is a cracking uptempo pop/rocker with a nice guitar riff and a brilliant chorus. Some seven minutes long, the track still ends too soon and I just love it.
The Twilight Masquerade heads back into more familiar territory. While getting off to a slow start, the typical rocker does build and brings a memorable chorus-bridge double once it hits its mark.
Tourniquet is somewhat different for the guys. This is another lengthy rocker, but the guitar sound is far dirtier and grittier for the lack of a better word. Gary's vocals remain smooth throughout and the chorus is ok, but the guitar rules this track.
Born To The Grave is also a little different. Typical Ten in its delivery, but a little left of center as far as the sounds of the melody and the layers within the song. It makes for an interesting listen, although at the end of the day it is not among my favourites of the album.
Closing the album is another epic…well, 7 minutes and bit at least. When The Night Is Done is a slow starting moody piece of music that builds slowly during its run. No major chorus hook here, but subtle vocal memories and a lush, layered approach to the music.
It certainly has an epic feel and closes the album in a mildly dramatic fashion.

The Bottom Line

Gary Hughes described this album as epic. If you mean long, then yes, it is a very long record, but not overly epic. At times I think the material could have been edited for better effect and overall the album is maybe about 15 minutes longer than it needed to be.
Still, there are some new Ten classics to be enjoyed and I think the die hard fans will be more than happy with the results.
The production quality is back on track and the real drum sound makes a welcome change from the Anniversary release. A couple of bigger choruses are about all I could ask for.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Ten
· The Name Of The Rose
· The Robe
· Never Say Goodbye
· Spellbound
· Babylon
· Far Beyond The World
· Return To Evermore
· The Essential Collection
· The Twilight Chronicles

Line Up:

· Gary Hughes: Vocals
· Chris Francis: Guitars, Bass
· Frank Basile: Drums
· John Haliwell: Guitars
· Paul Hodson: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Ten
· Gary Hughes

Track Listing

· The Prologue; Rome
· The Chronicles *
· Elysian Fields *
· Hallowed Ground
· This Heart Goes On *
· Oblivion *
· The Twilight Masquerade
· Tourniquet
· Born To The Grave
· When This Night Is Done; Epilogue

--*Best Tracks

Fair Warning Brother's Keeper

Frontiers Records

FRCD297

· Produced By: Fair Warning

· Running Time: 70.22

· Release Date: August 25

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Frontiers

90%

Songs: 89%

Sound: 90%

Fair Warning return after a break some fans thought might be permanent. The band broke into two side projects – Dreamtide and Soul Doctor – both offering something a little different from the traditional FW sound.
But fans always want the original and I am happy to say that Fair Warning pick up exactly where they left off with their comeback album Brother's Keeper. The band hasn't changed anything. Brother's Keeper mixes the best of 4 and Rainmaker and sees the band use the same guitar sound, vocal style and production feel as their past records.
Everything that the band is known for is back - the guitars are big, the keyboards swirl in the background, Tommy Heart is in fine voice and the overall production has that epic feel. Don't Keep Me Waiting kicks off the album in fine uptempo bravado – typical Fair Warning.
Generation Jedi continues the big rock feel before the sentimental ballad All Of My Love gives fans something to wave their lighters to.
Rainbow Eyes lifts the tempo a little, but the rocker Push On Me puts the album back in overdrive.
Wasted Time is a strong ballad, albeit a rocking one. Another highlight is the mid-tempo Once Bitten, Twice Shy, which is a nice change in the album's general formula.
The bonus track Still I Believe is one of the album highlights and I'm glad it was included. It is one of the more melodic and commercial tracks of the album.
All I Want To Do is a nice poppy kind of way to close the album, but adding 6 minutes of silence at the end before a 30 second Bavarian chant blasts through the speakers is not a wise move in this age of iPods and MP3 files.
Two small points to add. Firstly, I'm sure long time fans will wholeheartedly disagree, but I think the 70 minute playing time is, in this case, a little too long. And the band's guitar sound – the tone these guys use isn't for everyone, but I suspect the established fan base who are used to it will be buying this without hesitation.

The Bottom Line

A strong European melodic hard rock release and a solid comeback for the band. The album doesn't deliver any real surprises, but at the same time, there is no unwarranted style or direction change which often frustrates fans. Brother's Keeper is purely and simply classic Fair Warning.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Fair Warning
· Rainmaker
· Go!
· Four
· Brother's Keeper

Line Up:

· Tommy Heart: Vocals
· Helge Engelke: Guitars
· CC Behrens: Drums
· Ule Ritgen: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Fair Warning

Track Listing

· Don't Keep Me Waiting *
· Generation Jedi
· All My Love *
· Rainbow Eyes
· Push Me On *
· Wasted Time
· The Cry
· The Way
· Once Bitten Twice Shy *
· Tell Me Lies
· In The Dark
· Still I Believe *
· All I Wanna Do

--*Best Tracks

Axel Rudi Pell Mystica

SPV

· Produced By: Axel Rudi Pell

· Running Time: 58.00

· Release Date: August 28

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: SPV Axel Rudi Pell

90%

Songs: 86%

Sound: 94%

Ah, the ever reliable Axel Rudi Pell returns for another mythical goblin inspired romp through the European hard rock Kingdom of Predictabilia. I really do like this album, but then again, why wouldn't I? Axel once again takes the blueprint of the last 5 albums and adds new riffs and new lyrics to create this, the 6th studio album to feature Johnny Gioeli on lead vocals.
I have liked every one of these albums as they are all essentially the same - a short guitar intro, 9 tracks, 2 epics…a couple of slower tracks and some great melodic hard rockers.
I don't know if there is a point where you could justifiably start to get annoyed that essentially the same album is released time after time, but if it ain't broke – why fix it? And this album is no different.
I think there is a good portion of Axel's vast fan base that would riot if his album veered off the set path. Mystica is immaculately produced, well executed, features solid performances and if you like the past albums – there are 9 more classic ARP songs here.
The differences or stand out points of this release? Well, Johnny Gioeli sings his ass off. There really are some fine vocals on here and some of Johnny's best extended screams that I have heard. His voice is perfect for Axel and is the thing I look forward to the most. Here he certainly does not disappoint.
Song wise…no surprises, but Rock The Nation works particularly well for me, as does Living A Lie and the big ballad (with some fine guitar work) No Chance To Live.
This passionate ballad and the title epic track Mystica feature some utterly brilliant vocals from Gioeli and it really is hard to ignore the infectious nature of the songs.
The score reflects the quality of this album and the fact it all but matches the quality of recent releases. Deduct 20 points if you were looking for something different!

The Bottom Line

A lengthy review really isn't necessary. If you liked the last album…or the one before that…or before that again…then you'll love this release too! There is no bump in the road here. Axel shreds, the band are as tight as size 8 spandex pants and Johnny Gioeli sings his absolute ass off. Axel fans – mark as another must have.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Wild Obsession
· Nasty Reputation
· Eternal Prisoner
· Ballads
· Between The Walls
· Made In Germany
· Black Moon Pyramid
· Magic
· Oceans Of Time
· Ballads 2
· The Masquerade Ball
· Shadow Zone
· Knights Live
· Kings & Queens
· Mystica

Line Up:

· Johnny Gioeli: Vocals
· Axel Rudi Pell: Guitar
· Ferdy Doernberg: Keyboards
· Mike Terrana: Drums
· Volker Krawczak: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Hardline
· Axel Rudi Pell

Track Listing

· The Mysterious Return (Intro)
· Fly To The Moon
· Rock The Nation *
· Valley Of Sin
· Living A Lie *
· No Chance To Live *
· Mystica *
· Hanted Castle Serenade
· Losing The Game
· The Curse Of The Damned

--*Best Tracks

Lunatica The Edge Of Infinity

Frontiers Records

FRCD300

· Produced By: Lunatica

· Running Time: 54.20

· Release Date: August 25

· Released:

· Musical Style: Symphonic Hard Rock

· Links: Frontiers

86%

Songs: 82%

Sound: 90%

Lunatica are one of those take it or leave it kind of artists. You have to be into their vibe to be into the album. Their vibe however, is one that does have a considerable fan base. European Symphonic hard rock is a market of its own with a slew of band's vying for the fan dollar.
Lunatica have taken steps in the right direction to become a bigger name. I'm not sold on every track here and I think they need to work on their hooks a little further before breaking into the big time.
What appears a fairly innocuous listen over the first couple of plays comes to life once you get to know it a little better and that's when the passion of the guys becomes evident. But the strong opening doesn't quite carry through the whole record.
Sons Of The Wind is a great example of doing everything right – a powerhouse arrangement, authorative vocals and some dramatic symphonic passages of music.
The rock ballad Who You Are features some sultry vocals before crashing into something larger than life – this is perhaps the album stand out and definitely the track I would be promoting as a single.
Out! is darker and more edgy and reminds me of Evanescence. In fact, comparisons to Evanescence and also Nightwish are inevitable given the band's style and their female lead vocalist. Lunatica might just have the ability to compete with them though.
I spoke of the need for stronger choruses and I think that is highlighted through the middle of the album before the double kick drum fired Worlds Unleashed grabs your attention.
Former Asia frontman John Payne contributes a fine passionate duet on Song For You, while personal favourite Oliver Hartmann appears in duet on a refrain of the closing track Emocean. However, the same song twice in a row diminishes his contribution and I would have dropped the initial version entirely in favor of the one featuring Hartmann.

The Bottom Line

The album features a big production sound and great attention to detail during the symphonic passages. The guys have lifted their game from the debut – all areas have been improved on, but they still have a little room to go before becoming an essential band to have. A very strong first half of the record fades a little during a less memorable second half.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Fables & Dreams
· The Edge Of Infinity

Line Up:

· Andrea Datwyler: Vocals
· Andre Leuenberger, Sandro D'Incau: Guitars
· Ronnie Wolf: Drums
· Emilio Barrantes: Bass
· Alex Seiberl: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Symphonic hard rock
· Female lead vocals

Track Listing

· Introduction
· The Edge Of Infinity *
· Sons Of The Wind *
· Who You Are *
· Out!
· Song For You (Feat. John Payne) *
· Together
· The Power Of Love
· Words Unleashed
· EmOcean
· EmOcean (feat. Oliver Hartmann) *

--*Best Tracks

Various Artists
It's So Easy - GNR Tribute

Versailles Records

· Produced By: Various

· Running Time: 54.10

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: Versailles Records

57%

Songs: 70%

Sound: 45%

I like the guys at Versailles Records, but I think these tribute albums have reached their use-by date.
A few guest stars appear for each volume and the rest is made up of the same names and faces and at times, the same tracks from past releases re-appear.
In the case of this Guns N Roses tribute, the notable names are Jizzy Pearl, Tracii Guns, Gilby Clarke, Joe Lynn Turner and Phil Lewis. Trouble is, the quality is just too varied to make a consistent release.
Highlights include Drama Queen Die's Think About You, the ever reliable Richard Kendrick's version of You Could Be Mine and then Jizzy, Tracii, Gilby and Randy Castillo join forces for Sweet Child O Mine, which is more or less faithful to the original and the vocals of Jizzy sound pretty cool.
On the other side of the coin Joe Lynn Turner appears as part of The Slashtones doing Pretty Tied Up. I love Joe but bloody hell, this track sounds like utter shite and he might regret being involved on playback. The sound quality is horrid and the backing vocals laughable.
And that is the biggest problem with this whole project. The sound quality is for the most part very average.
Hearing little known bands such as Valerian, Radio Vipers and Joe Town perform songs other well known artists have already paid tribute to just doesn't add up to an essential purchase.

Shark Island Gathering Of The Faithful

Frontiers Records

FRCD292

· Produced By: Sercombe, Black & German Villacorta

· Running Time: 66.34

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Shark Island

91%

Songs: 90%

Sound: 93%

The return of Shark Island…who would have ever thought it? This is a great thing for fans of the band, unanimous in their belief that the band's career was cut short before they ever reached their full potential.
There remains such a passion for the band's debut album Law Of The Order that this release is bound to find it's way into many hands.
Those that didn't pick up on the band first time around get a second chance here, but I feel that the majority that will be impressed with this release will be those long established fans.
This is a very interesting release. It is not entirely as I expected it would be, but after living with it for some 2 months now, I could not imagine it being anything else.
First a little background – before eventually splitting up, the band wrote and recorded a staggering amount of demos. Many have grouped these tracks and one certain grouping was being traded as the band's unreleased second album.
Truth is, things never got that far. The great number of demos were just that and no second album was ever recorded. Until now.
Gathering Of The Faithful is the result. Frontman Richard Black proclaimed that the band would first have to go back before they could possible move forwards, so on this album, the band's choice of 13 of their best original demos were gathered and re-cut from scratch.
No polishing or re-mastering here - these are 100% new recordings and in some instances, completely new arrangements of some well traded classics. As a long time fan of the band, these songs are very familiar. The 2006 arrangement and fresh treatment of them however is not.
I think fans that know these songs will be of the same opinion I have. At first the new arrangements took some getting used to. I was very surprised on at least a couple of occasions. The band have put a new spin on a few tracks here and the production and overall sound quality is perfect for the band. It is clear and mixed brilliantly.
The band individually sounds as good now as they ever did. The vibe might be a little more laid back in places and the album is definitely a more mature piece of work, but the class of the band as writers and as musicians shines through in every way.
Several tracks have a more acoustic base and a raw, stripped back feel, yet the attitude of the debut remains.
The feeling of a mellower album is probably exaggerated by the relatively relaxed way the album starts. Blue Skies and Tomorrow's Child are acoustic driven and somewhat easy going compared with the angst of the debut.
Then there is the sultry The Stranger, which although slow in tempo, is a more riff driven track and features that trademark Richard Black snarl.
The uptempo pop/rocker Go West typifies this album. It has the bluesy swagger of the band's traditional sound and a great little chorus, but is more relaxed in the overall vibe.
The rock ballad Welcome Goodbye is a very cool update on the original demo. Haunting, soulful and totally commanding of the listener's attention, the song features a warm but edgy vocal and spells out why this band means so much to fans.
The subtle, smoldering rocker Life Goes On sees the band dabbling with their Led Zeppelin affinity and is another testament to the musical ability of the guys.
Down To The Ground is one track that hasn't been changed much from how it was written. I saw this track performed live by the band once in 1992 and to this day the melody remains familiar to me. This is classic rocking Shark Island and I love it.
Looking For The Sun has been updated beautifully. It was always a sentimental ballad, but this version features a brilliant vocal and a terrific updated arrangement. Another highlight.
Heaven has been rocked up a little and given a slightly more modern guitar sound, but still rocks as it always has and is another typical Shark Island rocker.
If I Had A Dream is another of my long time favourites songs of the 'lost demos'. In this case it has been given the most dramatic facelift of all the tracks. The uptempo anthem rock ballad has been turned on its head to be a soft, subtle, emotional and haunting ballad, with an acoustic guitar and a raw, emotional vocal delivering the message.
It has taken the most getting used to, but is such a classy song in every way.
Will To Power is another traditional bluesy Shark Island rocker and like Heaven and Down To The Ground, could easily have been lifted from the debut. Same could be said of Need Your Love and Temptation, which fulfill the trend of the album getting heavier as it progresses. These two dramatic hard rockers have been updated with a more contemporary sound, but the style will be easily recognizable to long time fans.

The Bottom Line

The awarded score is reflective on me being a long time fan, even since the debut. I think those equally fond of the band will be of the same thinking, but those new to the guys may not be as easily impressed.
Shark Island devotees finally have another album they can wrap their ears around and imagine most will be impressed. What cannot be mistaken is the class of the performance and production, which helps bring some classic songs into the now.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Law Of The Order
· Gathering Of The Faithful

Line Up:

· Richard Black: Vocals
· Spencer Sercombe: Guitars, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals
· Glen Sobel: Drums
· Christian Heilmann: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Shark Island
· Richard Black

Track Listing

· Blue Skies
· Tomorrow's Child
· The Stranger
· Go West *
· Welcome Goodbye
· Life Goes On
· Down To The Ground *
· Looking For The Sun *
· Heaven *
· I Had A Dream *
· Will To Power *
· Need Your Love
· Temptation
--*Best Tracks

Brother Firetribe False Metal

Spinefarm Records

· Produced By: Not Listed

· Running Time: 45.01

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Spinefarm Brother Firetribe

93%

Songs: 91%

Sound: 95%

Its Finland's turn to deliver a classic old school style melodic hard rock album wrapped up in a contemporary delivery and backed with a monster production and retail promotion.
Sweden has The Poodles and Norway has Wig Wam. Finland has Brother Firetribe, the band formed by Emppu Vuorinen – guitarist for symphonic metal band Nightwish.
The band also features an amazing vocalist in Pekka Ansio Heino – a melodicrock.com regular and all-round good guy.
Emppu brings some of the symphonic flavor of Nightwish to Brother Firetribe, especially with the dramatic keyboard passages that dominate this record. The band has a flair for the dramatic and it's interesting to hear keyboards billed equally with the guitar parts.
Swirling keyboards take command and along with the extremely likable vocals, drive the melodies, while the guitar is used primarily for supplying the underlying riffs and when the occasion calls for it, some flashy solos.
The band's sound is reminiscent of the big American 80s synth driven high-tech production, at times reminding me of some of those classic American soundtrack anthems. This style is mixed with the band's European roots for a truly unique, yet familiar sound. Think early Bon Jovi meets Treat with a dash of Cheap Trick and Van Halen for good measure.
Vocalist Pekka has a commanding voice that at times sounds a little like Cheap Trick's Robin Zander in his 80s hard rock mode. No wonder that the guys sound so comfortable covering Cheap Trick's rock anthem Mighty Wings, from the Top Gun soundtrack. It sums up the band's creed totally.
As for the songs themselves, the guys can't do a thing wrong. This is an album packed with one great track after the other.
The album opens in dramatic style with the moody synth drenched Break Out, moving seamlessly into the sentimental rocker Valerie, which delivers a knockout chorus.
I'm On Fire is a moodier again and features a more restrained verse before one of the year's biggest choruses blasts through the speakers with the deafening roar of keyboards, guitars and massive vocals.
The powerful and emotional ballad Love Goes Down has a dramatic flair, while Devil's Daughter lightens the tone a little.
My pick of the entire album is the big dramatic anthem rocker Midnight Queen which bursts through the speakers from the first note. The commercial beat and tone of One Single Breath is a good choice as the single, but every track stands on its own here.
Lover Tonite has that dark synth driven Cheap Trick feel again, Spanish Eyes is a little darker again, but still hits hard and closing the album is Kill City Kid, a track which is more guitar dominated than any other on the album and packs a real punch, featuring another big over the top chorus.

The Bottom Line

The band is mentioned alongside Wig Wam and The Poodles, yet is completely different in style. At the same time, this is definitely going to appeal to fans of these two acts, as like them, Brother Firetribe returns to the glory days of melodic hard rock to source their sound, but presents it in a more contemporary setting with a selection of catchy as hell songs and a monster production.
Essential stuff for long time readers of this site and yet more proof that European bands are kicking major ass.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· False Metal

Line Up:

· Pekka Ansio Heino: Vocals
· Emppu Vuorinen: Guitars
· Jason Flinck: Bass
· Tomppa Nikulainen: Keyboards
· Not Listed: Drums

Essential For Fans Of:

· Classic era melodic hard rock

Track Listing

· Break Out *
· Valerie *
· I'm On Fire *
· Love Goes Down *
· Devil's Daughter
· Midnite Queen *
· One Single Breath *
· Lover Tonight
· Spanish Eyes
· Kill City Kid
--*Best Tracks

Saracen Vox In Excelso

Escape Music

ESM135

· Produced By: Martin Kronlund

· Running Time: 72.44

· Release Date: July 21

· Released:

· Musical Style: Symphonic Hard Rock

· Links: Escape Music

85%

Songs: 85%

Sound: 85%

Saracen has been doing their thing for some 25 years now. At this point the only original members are vocalist Steve Bettney and guitarist Rob Bendelow, but ask just about anyone and they would say the signature guitar and vocal sound are the most important ingredients to any band.
This British melodic, symphonic hard rock band has a style of their own and a certain unique way of doing things and I must confess to not being pulled in on previous occasions.
For someone not sold on a particular band, what harder a prospect could there be than be faced with reviewing a 73 minute concept album about the history of the Knights Templar?!
To my surprise, this was easier than I anticipated. That is because Vox In Excelso is a very fine record indeed and one, despite it's subject matter, is far more accessible than you might think. The sound quality is also excellent. The album is tightly performed and well recorded, with a powerful sound and clear mix.
The lead vocals of Bettney are both authorative and graceful and help drive the melodies home.
What I don't like is the female narrative every song or two, important in one sense to help convey the complex and lengthy story line, but annoying at times also.
The music here is dominated by guitar and those strong vocals, but there is also a boat load of swirling keyboards and a lot of additional texturing, such as haunting backing vocals, dark and moody acoustic effects and an instrumental or two.
The album has been very well put together and as concept albums should, flows easily from start to finish.
Symphonic rock fans get their bit (Where Was Their God, Priory Of Zion), hard rock fans get plenty to chew on (Meet Me At Midnight, The Order) and fans of epics get the 9 minute Mary to dissect.
The first 1000 albums will be available in special edition booklet format, rather than the conventional jewel case presentation, which will make for a nice complete package to deliver the story in.

The Bottom Line

Saracen fans will be beside themselves with this fine effort. Fans of symphonic rock and British hard rock and also fans of concept pieces would do well to check this album out. It may not appeal to all, but it is an album of very fine quality which might just draw in a few new fans because of that.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Heroes Saints & Fools
· Red Sky
· Vox In Excelso

Line Up:

· Steve Bettney: Vocals
· Rob Bendelow: Guitars
· Mark Cross: Drums
· Richard Bendelow: Bass
· Paul Bradder: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Saracen
· Symphonic Rock

Track Listing

· Lament
· Meet Me At Midnight *
· Exile
· The Order *
· Militum Christi
· Mary *
· Vive Dieu...Saint Amour
· The Power & The Glory
· Chain Reaction
· Vox In Excelso
· Where Was Their God?
· Priory Of Zion *
--*Best Tracks

Evil Masquerade Third Act

Escape Music

ESM134

· Produced By: Henrik Flyman

· Running Time: 44.30

· Release Date: July 21

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Metal

· Links: Escape Music

83%

Songs: 80%

Sound: 85%

I'm surprised to see that after two pretty ordinary albums, the band actually found a label interested enough to give them a shot at album number 3. It seems however, that band mastermind Henrik Flyman was determined to top previous efforts and set about working hard on the songwriting and then concentrated on the production quality.
Thankfully I am happy to report that he has done a fine job at improving both. This album sounds far superior sonically than either of its predecessors and the songwriting is also several notches above what I expected.
The best change of all is new vocalist Apollo Papathanasio (ex-Time Requiem). He brings a far more commercial European metal feel to proceedings and the mostly over the top warblings of the band's original singer are gone.
The subject matter and the delivery of the songs - classic demons and wizards style neo-classical metal stereotype material – is still somewhat larder than life and definitely an acquired taste.
But there is a certain restraint shown here not previously evident and as stated the quality of the songs and the production make this quite listenable – more than I can say about the first two records.

The Bottom Line

The problem facing the band and the record label is overcoming the preconceived notion in the market place of just what an Evil Masquerade album is. The legacy of the first two records may haunt the band. If this was anything like those, I'd say avoid like the plague, but this is a pretty solid European metal album and the changes made now make it an album worth checking out – should the style sit the tastes.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Welcome To The Show
· Theatrical Madness
· Third Act

Line Up:

· Apollo Papathanasio: Lead Vocals
· Henrik Flyman: Guitars, Vocals
· Dennis Buhl: Drums
· Thor Jeppesen: Bass
· David Rosenthal, Richard Andersson: Keyboards

Essential For Fans Of:

· Evil Masquerade
· Time Requiem

Track Listing

· The Devil's Last Temptation
· Third Act
· Black Raves Cry
· Descended From the Grave
· Far Away
· The Dark Minstrel Plays
· I'll Make You Burn
· Under the Surface of Water
· Orchestration For More Than One Horn
· Bring On the World
· The Final Goodbye

Stonelake Reincarnation

Indie

· Produced By: Stonelake

· Running Time: 46.30

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Stonelake

86%

Songs: 88%

Sound: 84%

Stonelake is the Swedish duo of Jan Åkesson (instruments) and Peter Grundström (vocals). The band has roots going as far back as the mid-80s, but only recently did the stars align in favor of the guys recording their first album.
And quite a debut it is too. The band's own bio describes their sound as accurately as I could - melodic hard rock in the vein of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Bad Company, but later era acts such as Whitesnake, Van Halen, Journey, Riot and Dokken.
The end result is a powerful guitar driven melodic hard rock record which is big on melodies as well as riffs and featuring some powerhouse higher pitch vocals along the lines of Tony Mills, Tony Harnell and Rob Moratti.
The band has quite a groove too, and impressively, they don't have the feel of a duo. The quality production gives the guys that full band sound. Once through the intro, the double hit of You Strike Me With Love and Saint Or Evil gets the album off to a heavy rocking start. Riffs dominate, but very melodic choruses and some soaring vocals make them very memorable.
All I Need is a more keyboard friendly AOR number, with a more laid back commercial feel.
Mistreated Heart makes for a great blend of the two styles so far – a big groove and solid hard rock riffs, but lots of keyboards and a big AOR chorus.
Mason (The Miracle Boy) retains the hard rock heaviness, but is another very accessible melodic rocker with another strong chorus and some serious guitar work.
Walk On The Rainbow walks that heavier path as the opening songs of the album did, while Only One Reason and Call My Name feature great choruses and a certain commercial flair. Reason features a ton of keyboards surrounded by some big riffs while Name is all riffs!
Wonderland closes the album with one of the heaviest and hardest hitting tracks of the album, with a double kick drum rhythm pounding furiously along with some swirling keyboards.

The Bottom Line

A very solid debut and a very enjoyable slice of European melodic hard rock, with enough memorable songs to bring the listener back for more. Best part I think is the fact the album has that big band sound, yet there are only 2 guys responsible. Terrific performances all-round and an album definitely worth checking out for fans of straight head guitar driven hard rock.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Reincarnation

Line Up:

· Peter Grundström: Vocals
· Jan Åkesson: All Instruments

Essential For Fans Of:

·

Track Listing

· Reincarnation (Intro)
· You Strike Me With Love *
· Saint Or Evil
· All I Need *
· Mistreated Heart *
· Mason (The Miracle Boy) *
· Walk On The Rainbow
· Only One Reason *
· Call My Name
· Wonderland
· Tsunami (Outro)
--*Best Tracks

Dragon Sunsine To Rain

Liberation Music

BLUE090.2

· Produced By: Todd Hunter & Brent Clark

· Running Time: 69.53

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Acoustic Rock

· Links: Dragon

50%

Songs: --%

Sound: 80%

I tried, I really did try. I love Dragon with a passion. I grew up listening to them and they deservedly remain Australian rock icons. It was with deep sadness that their fans saw the demise of the band when lead vocalist Marc Hunter died on cancer in the late 90s.
I was very surprised to see the Dragon name resurface. All the original band are gone aside from Marc's brother Todd. Now he has decided to get back to what he loves and that's great. Too much talent to waste doing nothing.
Todd's back playing the Dragon classics to re-launch the band, delivered here in this unplugged full band setting, featuring new singer Mark Williams – the fellow New Zealander who is best known for his hit single Show No Mercy and his vocal coaching on Australian Idol.
The songs here are all genuine classics….I love every one of them. But hard as I try, I can't get into this album.
The biggest hurdle for any act to overcome is the replacing of a singer and in Dragon's case, the singer was not only the backbone and heartbeat of the band, it was his unique voice that made these songs the classics they are.
Without him it is obviously not going to be the same and no one would expect it to be. But I don't like William's voice here. He's a soulful cat, no doubt and has a fine voice in itself, but for these songs it goes nowhere and simply acts as a barrier to enjoyment. I don't like what he has done with the songs and I had a hard time getting through the album at all.
Case in point the beautiful Age Of Reason (originally written by the band but covered by John Farnham). This track is the one song to feature an archive recording of Marc Hunter. Bloody hell, it sounds utterly brilliant – powerful and emotional. The inclusion of this track is a double edge sword for the band. It is the best song of the album, yet it highlights just what is missing from the rest of the vocals.

The Bottom Line

The unplugged setting suits these songs and the sound quality is perfectly fine. But it's all about the vocals for me. Williams just doesn't have the fire, the passion or the powerful tone of Marc Hunter and I can't get past it. Roll out the originals instead and indulge in some of the finest Australian melodic rock ever.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Universal Radio
· Scented Gardens For The Blind
· Sunsine
· Running Free
· O Zambezi
· Power Play
· Body And The Beat
· Dreams Of Ordinary Men
· Bondi Road
· Incarnations
· Sunshine To Rain

Line Up:

· Mark Williams: Vocals
· Bruce Reid: Guitars, Vocals
· Pete Drummond: Drums, Vocals
· Todd Hunter: Bass, Vocals

Essential For Fans Of:

· Dragon
· Marc Williams

Track Listing

· Sunshine
· Speak No Evil
· April Sun In Cuba
· Are You Old Enough
· Body & The Beat
· Wilder World
· Still In Love
· Dreams Of Ordinary Men
· Get That Jive
· Magic
· Age Of Reason *
· Promises
· This Time
· Young Years
· Celebrate
· Rain
--*Best Tracks

Hydrogyn Bombshell

DA Records

· Produced By: Michael Wagener

· Running Time: 50.42

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: DA Records

84%

Songs: 82%

Sound: 87%

The much hyped Hydrogyn have been making waves for some time now, their debut album Bombshell recorded and produced by the great Michael Wagener.
Lead by the saucy Julie, this American hard rock outfit has a classic hard rock sound. I'm hesitant to make comparisons to anyone, but the sound is traditional American melodic hard rock with a slight 80s feel, but a contemporary up to date production thanks to Wagener.
I guess fans of Wagener's past work with Skid Row and Dokken and those that like female lead vocals will find definite appeal here.
Musically the album is mostly uptempo and guitar driven in your face stuff, with Vesper's Song kicking things into high gear from the outset.
Blind has a certain intensity to it; Look Away SP is more aggressive and contemporary; Love Spoke is very commercial with a great pop hook; the straight forward AC/DC cover Back In Black has since been replaced with a Skid Row cover; Whisper and Come Back To Me are the album's ballads and make for a nice change in tempo.
One concern for me is that the band is using Julie's femininity to promote the band as a whole. She is only part of the very tight package that makes this album work.

The Bottom Line

Still, a solid and very enjoyable record here – traditional American hard rock with a strong female lead vocal and some powerful guitars. For those that like it straight ahead, with no frills, but a solid wall of sound, this is an album worth investigating.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Bombshell

Line Up:

· Julie: Vocals
· Jeff Westlake, Jeff Boggs: Guitars
· Jerry Lawson: Drums
· Dave Moody: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Dokken
· Skid Row
· Female fronted hard rock

Track Listing

· Vesper's Song *
· Blind *
· Look Away SP *
· Breaking Me Down
· I've Been Waiting
· Confession
· Love Spoke *
· Back In Black (or 18 And Life)
· The Sand
· Whisper *
· Circle
· Book Of Names
· Come Back To Me
· Mutilated Mind
--*Best Tracks

Violent Divine Violent Divine

Chavis Records

CD0010

· Produced By: Violent Divine

· Running Time: 44.41

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Hard Rock

· Links: Chavis Records

83%

Songs: 80%

Sound: 86%

I think the first thing I noticed about this album was the big guitar sound and just how crisp and clear it is.
The guys have a nice little sound here, mixing old school American hard rock (Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Ratt) with more updated contemporary influences (Nickleback, Foo Fighters, Shinedown).
The vocals of Michael Ahlstrom have that modern rock drawl, yet the driving rhythm section is more in line with what you might hear on Motley Crue. The riffs come thick and fast and the songs are really quite accessible.
The guys have great energy here and credit to the guys for capturing a raw, live feel in the studio and retaining a high quality production sound. The Morning Show and Levitate both have the swagger and modern rock credibility to be heard on radio just about anywhere, plus have cool choruses to draw in the listener.
This stuff is far better than any Nickleback, Creed or even Jet perhaps.
Let's Go has a punky rhythm LA Guns might deliver and Ghost In The Machine rocks hard. I think the quality drops a way a little on the last few tracks – at least as far as the chorus and melodies go. The tracks themselves still rock.

The Bottom Line

One for fans of old school American hard rock with a touch of sleaze, but also a strong modern influence. Very commercial in relation to what is on modern rock radio today, but this still has one foot planted firmly in the past, making it quite a crossover release.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Violent Divine

Line Up:

· Michael Ahlstrom: Vocals
· Mikael"Q"Qvist: Guitars
· Gustav "Gus"Liljenstron: Drums
· Klaus Gauffin: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Motley Crue
· Nickleback
· Modern American hard rock

Track Listing

· Let's Go *
· Love Revolution
· The Morning Show *
· Levitate *
· Enslaved
· Slow
· Rush You
· Apocalypse
· Ghost In The Machine *
· Malfunction
· Misery
· Down The Line
--*Best Tracks

The Poodles Metal Will Stand Tall

Lionheart

LHICD0035

· Produced By: Johan Lyander

· Running Time: 42.55

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock

· Links: Lionheart The Poodles

95%

Songs: 95%

Sound: 95%

There is a real renaissance happening in Europe, with some young guns doing great business actually playing traditional melodic hard rock. What a concept!
The likes of Wig Wam, Brother Firtetribe and The Poodles are uniting old and new fans alike and collectively are kicking America's ass.
The Poodles are 4 of Sweden's best session guys (members of Talisman, Lions Share, Zan Clan, Dalton), who first started playing together as a cover band to huge audiences. Best known to readers to this site will be guitarist Pontus Norgen who is famous for his work in Humanimal and Great King Rat among other things, and incidentally is also Europe's live sound guy.
Metal Will Stand Tall is an apt title. Along with the two aforementioned artists, this album sees the guys deliver the best style and attitude of the classic era of commercial hard rock mixed with an updated and gigantic production sound.
There is no reason why any fan of the old school glory days shouldn't like all three albums as all three are equally brilliant.
Where The Poodles are a little different from Wig Wam and perhaps even The Darkness is their approach to the music.
The Poodles are a little darker, a little more serious and a little heavier than Wig Wam and more guitar orientated than Brother Firetribe.
A few tracks stand out first time around, but a dozen listens in proves there are no fillers present at all. This is a pretty varied album and the change in vibe between tracks takes a little getting used to.
At first glance, you would perhaps deduct that the album is not as consistent or cohesive as the awesome Wig Wam album, but after living with this for a few weeks I'm inclined to think it is every bit as good.
I generally prefer things a little darker and moodier and while there are a couple of great feel-good party rockers here (Metal Will Stand Tall, Number One), the overall vibe is more serious and tracks like Echoes From The Past, Night Of Passion and Shadows all rock hard and feature very memorable choruses, but also have a serious edge to them.
The band has their own way of doing things. Take the intense moody rock ballad Song For You. It features the same dark groove apparent throughout the album, but in a twist features guest vocals from Jonas Samuelsson-Nerbe, who I guess is the Swedish answer to Pavarotti!
The uptempo and anthemic Lie To Me has a strong contemporary edge and Rockstar is a brilliant melodic pop rocker with a slow beat and quirky melody. Even the cover of Ultravox's 80s new wave pop hit Dancing With Tears In My Eyes has a darker, more menacing twist.
The big power ballad of the album closes things out. Crying is a radio hit in waiting and complete with orchestral parts ensures the album ends on the highest of highs.
I love the crunchy guitar sound, I love the very melodic but powerful lead vocals and i love the pounding rhythm section.

The Bottom Line

In a word - essential. For all those that crave fresh talent, but with the attitude, sound and energy of the classic era of melodic hard rock - these guys are for you. I would recommend this to all fans of the genre, be it American or European or elsewhere. The guys have major crossover appeal and the huge wall of sound featured here, mixed with some classic rockers makes for a truly joyous record.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Metal Will Stand Tall

Line Up:

· Jakob Samuel: Vocals
· Pontus Norgren: Guitars
· Christian Lunqvist: Drums
· Pontus Edberg: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Wig Wam
· Classic Melodic Hard Rock
· Brother Firetribe

Track Listing

· Echoes From The Past *
· Metal Will Stand Tall *
· Night Of Passion *
· Song For You
· Shadows *
· Lie To Me *
· Rockstar
· Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
· Don't Give Up On Love
· Number One
· Kingdom Of Heaven
· Crying *
--*Best Tracks

John Waite
Downtown - Journey Of A Heart

Frontiers Records

FRCD293

· Produced By: John Waite, Scott Bagget, Linda Blum Huntington

· Running Time: 51.36

· Release Date: July 7

· Released:

· Musical Style: AOR / Melodic Rock

· Links: Frontiers

66%

Songs: 80%

Sound: 90%

As most should know, John Waite is one of my all time favourite singers and songwriters. His music means more to me than most artists and I remain passionate about his best work.
However, I am at a point where I am losing my patience with him as an artist.
Journey Of A Heart is an album of re-recorded Waite "highlights" and for the second time in a row, fans are served up an album that includes a meager 2 new tracks.
But that is not my only frustration. For the second album in a row, another new version of the classic, but over cooked Missing You is included. John has such a rich catalogue of inspiring rockers and heartfelt ballads, but it seems his legacy is being tied to this one track.
And for the second album in a row, one of the two new tracks is a Bob Dylan cover (John's third Dylan cover overall).
It has now been 5 years since the last all-new studio release Figure In A Landscape, itself not a classic, but at least it was all new music. Long time fans deserve something more fulfilling than this.
I honestly don't know who is going to buy this album. I suspect it's only real appeal will be among casual fans in Europe that have not had the desire or the ability to purchase last year's self-released The Hard Way record (which featured several remixes of the Figure In A Landscape album, 2 new tracks and a new acoustic version of Missing You), or the hard to find duo of Temple Bar (bankrupt label) and the original release of Figure In A Landscape (bankrupt label).
The bulk of the material for this release comes from those 3 albums, plus a couple of classic Babys tunes (Isn't It Time and Headfirst) and Bad English's When I See You Smile.
Die hard fans have all but 2 of these songs already, so in their case, they will be looking towards the substance of these new versions to see what spin John has put on them.
That unfortunately unfolds another problem. As the title suggests this is a collection of John's more laid back songs, more ballad friendly and peppered only with a couple of rockers – the two Babys tunes to be precise and the pop/rock of the opening track The Hard Way and the mid-album Keys To Your Heart.
The rest are all laid back ballads. On top of that is the stronger than usual country influence over the music.
You'll hear slide guitar and a country twang on several tracks, such as In Dreams, Downtown and the all-acoustic When I See You Smile.
Missing You in this instance is a duet with country crooner Alison Krausse and is all but a bonafide country ballad.
For long time die-hards fans like myself, there isn't much here that screams essential.
There isn't enough difference between the originals and what's included here - perhaps these are a little more organic and live to tape. The more uptempo conclusion to the classic Downtown is an interesting twist, but aside from that, it is all very straightforward.
Although I don't care for the Dylan cover Highway 61 it is genuinely authentic and Waite's vocal is one of passion and self belief. You can hear that he loves the song and the style of vocal. But I don't see the fans adopting Waite's enthusiasm for the track or the artist.
There remains one high point for me within this album. The other new track is an all new original from the writing partnership that brought you Downtown (perhaps John's best song ever?) and New York City Girl (another classic).
Yes, Glen Burtnik returns with another song and yet another classic from his work with John. St. Patrick's Day has all the passion and beauty of Downtown and is without doubt a stunning track that I believe all Waite fans will adore.
Why don't these two guys just make a record together already??
John Waite doesn't have to be the rocker for me to be satisfied. I just have to hear that voice of conviction and that haunting emotion that was so evident on Temple Bar and on parts of When You Were Mine. This album doesn't have any of that passion.
I mentioned breifly the choice of material. John has such a vast catalogue of unreleased material and I am totally confused as to why none of it has been tapped into. There is at least 15 tracks that are of the same style and feel as Temple Bar - a definite fan favourite. If John was not keen on writing new material for an album, why not tap into those treasures rather than dish up this all too familiar set of songs?

The Bottom Line

I don't hear or feel John's true essence on this record. Apart from the Dylan cover and St Patrick's Day, I think he is going through the motions. He sounds bored and personally I will stick with the original versions of all of these tracks. I don't think any of these are better than they once were.
Additionally - if you are going to do a career retrospective, go the distance and fill up the CD. There's another 20 minute of spare time that could have been utilized here. There are only 11 tracks here, as a 35 second instrumental should never be classed as a song. 11 relatively laid back tracks just seems somewhat lazy.
As for the score - well, sound quality isn't in question; the songs themselves are all classics aren't they - but I think the song selection as such is very safe and there is no way I can give the overall album any better than I have, and I think most long time fans will agree.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Ignition
· No Brakes
· Mask Of Smiles
· Rovers Return
· Temple Bar
· Falling Backwards - Best Of
· When You Were Mine
· Figure In A Landscape
· The Hard Way
· Downtown: Journey Of A Heart

Line Up:

Various

Essential For Fans Of:

· John Waite

Track Listing

· The Hard Way
· In Dreams
· Blue Venus
· Missing You
· Keys To Your Heart
· New York City Girl
· Highway 61
· Isn't It Time
· St. Patrick's Day *
· Headfirst
· Downtown
· When I See You Smile
--*Best Tracks

Shooting Star Circles

Frontiers Records

FRCD291

· Produced By: Van McLain

· Running Time: 52.03

· Release Date: July 7

· Released:

· Musical Style: Melodic Rock

· Links: Frontiers

85%

Songs: 91%

Sound: 79%

US melodic rockers Shooting Star return after way too long with a new studio album – minus one lead singer - but with an equally good one stepping into his shoes.
Gary West and Keith Mitchell have both held the mike for the band, but in deciding to reform again now, the guys had to make an important choice. Who would best represent the new material and help the band move forward?
In my mind they could not have picked anyone better than AOR favourite Kevin Chalfant (The Storm / Two Fires). Kevin has one of those instantly likable voices and is perfectly suited to the melodic friendly material featured on this album. If anything, he takes the material to a new level and into a more AOR friendly area.
There is a natural earthy timbre to this album and the songs themselves are marvelous. The 10 tracks featured are thoroughly enjoyable and although varied, are held together by some strong performances by Kevin and guitarist Van McLain and some fine choruses. I don't hear any fillers in play at all.
The songs move from guitar driven Midwestern melodic rock (Runaway, Trouble In Paradise, Temptation) to straight AOR (Without Love, George's Song, What Love Is) via a little southern rock n roll (Everybody's Crazy), sometimes reflecting an 80s vibe and at other times a more timeless classic rock feel (Borrowed Time, I'm A Survivor – which features some shredding guitar work).
The only problem with this album is the production quality. It does these songs and the guys performing them, no favors whatsoever.
The whole album sounds very hollow and the mix is not at all consistent, varying from track to track. While the quality of the lead vocals is not in question, the tone sometimes is. At times they have a tendency to sound as if they were recorded in a cupboard and the guitar sound is also quite muddy.
Worst offender though is the truly pedestrian drum sound. It kills the impact of the rhythm section completely and therefore knocks some of the power out of these songs.

The Bottom Line

Thankfully the song quality is strong enough that you can forgive the ordinary production. Kevin Chalfant's pitch perfect tone and Van McLain's wailing guitars drive this record and the songs written are I think about as good as it gets for Shooting Star fans.
It's great to hear Kevin back in the melodic rock business and I'm hoping his partnership with the band continues for a long time to come. But next time, perhaps a bigger recording budget and name producer might achieve a better overall result.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Shooting Star
· Hang On For Your Life
· III Wishes
· Burning
· Silent Scream
· It's Not Over
· Leap Of Faith
· Circles

Line Up:

· Kevin Chalfant: Vocals
· Van McLain: Guitars
· Steve Thomas: Drums
· Ron Verlin: Bass
· Dennis Laffoon: Keyboards
· Shane Michaels: Violin

Essential For Fans Of:

· Shooting Star
· Kevin Chalfant

Track Listing

· Runaway *
· Without Love *
· Trouble In Paradise *
· George's Song
· Borrowed Time
· Everybody's Crazy
· Temptation
· I'm A Survivor
· We're Not Alone
· What Love Is *

--*Best Tracks

Stephen Pearcy Stripped

Sidewinder Music

60024-2

· Produced By: Kenny Lewis

· Running Time: 58.03

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Acoustic Rock

· Links: Sidewinder Music

84%

Songs: 88%

Sound: 80%

I have been pretty critical of the last couple of Pearcy releases. His chosen solo direction is definitely not to my musical taste and I questioned how many old fans of Pearcy's would really be into his current fare.
No such problems with this album. What better way to connect with the past than actually cover the past in an intimate live setting.
Stephen has been involved with the VH1 Stripped series from the outset and continues that collaboration with this live unplugged album, recorded in March on LA's Sunset Strip.
Pearcy and band (including the always cool Chuck Wright on bass and Scott Coogan on drums) rip through 12 Ratt classics including Slip Of The Lip, Way Cool Jr, Lovin' You's A Dirty Job and of course, the essential Round & Round.
What makes the CD ever more interesting and more personable is Pearcy's commentary between tracks and interaction with the audience. His rock drawl and couldn't care less kinda attitude suits the delivery of the songs and the whole rock n roll persona Pearcy is known for.

The Bottom Line

Put basically, this is an engaging CD and a good raw, live recording of a band that pretty much got everything right on the night. I'm not a huge Ratt fan, but I enjoyed this release for what it is and restored some of my faith in Pearcy as a classy rock performer.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Social Intercourse
· Fueler
· Stripped

Line Up:

· Stephen Pearcy: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
· Erik Ferentinos, Frank Wilsey: Guitars
· Scott Coogan: Drums
· Chuck Wright: Bass
· Scott Breadman: Percussion

Essential For Fans Of:

· Ratt /Stephen Pearcy
· Metal Mania Stripped

Track Listing

· Slip Of The Lip
· Back For More
· Way Cool Jr.
· Lovin' You's A Dirty Job
· Lay It Down
· You're In Love
· Mother Blues
· You Think You're Tough
· Wanted Man
· Bring It On Home
· Oh Well
· Round & Round
* --*Best Tracks

Heed The Call

Metal Heaven

00021

· Produced By: Tobias Lindell

· Running Time: 61.20

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Modern Melodic Metal

· Links: Metal Heaven

85%

Songs: 83%

Sound: 88%

More bloody Swede's! What, does every band in that country have a recording deal? Per capita, I seriously know of no other country with so many great bands of various genre's all doing so well.
Heed are a little different from the traditional fare featured here. But still well worth checking out if the style fits the taste. Heed play a blend of modern rock and Scandi influenced melodic metal.
Singer Daniel Heiman has a very likable voice and adds power, finesse and melody to these bone crunching modern hard rockers.
Singer Heiman and guitarist Fredrik Olsson decided to leave their former band Lost Horizon to form Heed and one can only hope the guys go on to gain as much momentum as Lost Horizon had in Europe.
They have carried over much of that band's sound, but perhaps making it a little more contemporary again.
One cannot argue with the song quality either. I Am Alive gets the album off to a flyer with some in your face guitars and menacing vocals; Last Drop of Blood remains dark and intense, but the vocals are more melodic; Salvation features some astounding powerhouse vocals and The Other Side pegs it back a little for a more melodic moment.
The album closes with the acoustic ballad Nothing. A Nice showcase for Daniel's voice, but don't bother sitting thru 10 minutes of silence for 2 minutes of pure metal aggression that is hidden away at the end of the album.

The Bottom Line

A very good album for those whose taste's it fits. Expertcly recorded and mixed, it sounds big and is a very in your face record. It has a definite modern rock twist, woven into some over the top European melodic metal. Worth checking out for those curious and of course, a must have for Lost Horizon fans.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· The Call

Line Up:

· Daniel Heiman: Vocals
· Fredrik Olsson: Guitars, Keyboards
· Mats Karlsson: Drums
· Jörgen Olsson: Bass

Essential For Fans Of:

· Lost Horizon
· Modern Melodic Metal

Track Listing

· Heed Hades
· I Am Alive
· Last Drop Of Blood
· Ashes
· Enemy
· Salvation
· Tears Of Prodigy (Fallen Angel)
· The Other Side
· Hypnosis
· Moments
· The Permanent End Celebration
· Nothing
* --*Best Tracks

Vengeance Back In The Ring

MTM Music

0681-166

· Produced By: Michael Voss

· Running Time: 49.07

· Release Date: Out Now

· Released:

· Musical Style: Hard Rock

· Links: MTM Music

88%

Songs: 84%

Sound: 92%

So while fans wait for a new AC/DC album, they can sit back and soak up some good old-fashioned guitar driven accadacca style rock n roll courtesy of Dutch legends Vengeance.
Armed with a crystal clear production (thanks to Mr. Everywhere, Michael Voss), a thumping rhythm section, in your face guitar riffs and a perfectly raspy Bon Scott style lead vocal, Vengeance re-appear after a long hiatus to deliver one of the more enjoyable straight ahead hard rocking records of the year.
Absolutely no frills here – just 11 in your face rockers - guitars everywhere and just a few keyboard parts – all delivered with more energy and enthusiasm than I anticipated.
What is most surprising is the all-star team on board to help create the album.
The album is made up of songs co-written by Michael Voss with frontman Leon Goewie, plus other contributions from Paul Sabu and Mat Sinner.
The Sabu contributions are of the more melodic of the album (the moody Captain Moonlight and the keyboard dominated Now And Then), while the rest of the album just rocks!
From the outset, this is all old school rock n roll – Back In The Ring, Holy Water, Bad Attitude and Cowboy Style are all great fun.

The Bottom Line

Nothing to complain about here at all so long as the style suits the listeners need. Good old fashioned good fun rock n roll with a strong emphasis on the traditional AC/DC style. Those contributing to the album all have great track records and do not let the side down here. For those that like it loud and simple…and in your face!

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Vengeance
· We Have Ways To Make You Rock
· Take It Or Leave It
· Arabia
· The Last Teardrops 1984-1992
· The Last Of The Fallen Heroes
· Back From Flight 19
· Back In The Ring

Line Up:

· Leon Goewie: Vocals
· Peter "Slash" Bourbon: Guitars
· Hans In'T Zandt: Drums
· Barend Courbois: Bass
· + Guests

Essential For Fans Of:

· Vengeance
· AC/DC
· Krokus

Track Listing

· Back In The Ring *
· No Mercy *
· Mind Over Matter
· Captain Moonlight
· Holy Water
· Bad Attitude *
· Had Enough
· Now And Then
· Cowboy Song *
· Rip It Off
· Evelyn

--*Best Tracks

Deacon Street II

MTM Music

0681-164

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