ROCK N ROLL EXPERIENCE - Nov/Dec 2006
Hey Rock N Roll Experiencer's!
REVIEWS
The new Tenacious D - "Pick of Destiny" soundtrack is out now, so make sure you pick it up, because it rocks just as hard as the movie!
Before you begin reading these reviews, we have a rating system to tell you just how good or bad a CD is & here's the breakdown on how it works:
1 Star - crap
2 Stars - This is stuff your Mom might like!
3 Stars - It rocks, but is only okay
4 Stars - This is good, but there's room for improvement!
5 Stars - You should consider buying this...it's a good one!
6 Stars - Sell your car, dog, baby, etc., this is a MUST have!
Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny is in theaters November 22nd. The soundtrack is set for release November 14th. For more information please visit www.tenaciousdmovie.com/fs and www.tenaciousd.com
Do you like Tenacious D? We have some really cool swag to give away..we have 3 prize packs consisting of a dvd, necklace & tattoo..simply send us an email with the title "T-D contest" in the title & we'll pick 3 random winners! Sorry, but USA residents only for this one!
Rating: 4 stars!
Vocalist Chris Jackson is the star element via his vocals on every track on the Impulsive Lust cd, which is called "Gothic Reggae", but to be totally honest with you, there's only a few reggae songs on here, so don't think it's a full on reggae cd, & I mean that in a good way, because where Impulsive Lust shines is on their darker, gothic rock stuff..the reggae stuff, like on track one, "Holiday", is kinda odd..not saying it's bad, just that if you try to fuse together too many things, it's like trying to put too many ingredients into a cake..you end up with something that's artistic, but also not very appealing to the masses..what I mean by that is, the fans of goth music might not get the reggae thing, & the reggae fans will probably not get the darker side, so it's a weird thing when an artist decides to mix genre's & in my personal opinion, the song "Amphetamine" is where Mr. Jackson & Impulsive Lust shine, because that track is sincere & true to his voice & atleast to me, that is the best song on the cd! Make sure to check out the bans site at www.impulsivelust.com & show them some love, because without artists like Impulsive Lust, the music scene would be boring!
Rating: 5 stars
Tristania are an interesting band..there's a male & female singer, very similiar to Lacuna Coil & even what Cradle of Filth have done in the past, but Tristania are definitley NOT like the later 2 bands..they blend dark metal with gothic elements & create a textured form of dark wave metal that's not really like anything out there today! I think I might have been in an upbeat mood when I listened to this CD, so I didn't quite "get" the depression side of the band, because every song is brooding & dark & gloomy, but as far as the production goes, this CD sounds amazing & the female vocals are beautiful! "The Ravens" is an interesting song & "Sacrilege" is the personal favorite around here! I will admit too that the artwork is pretty interesting & very artsy!
Wow, all I can say is wow...you get alot in the new MXPX cd if you buy the deluxe version...the cd is chock full of rarities, demos & hard to find tracks, then the bonus DVD is crazy..it has all the bands promo vids, & the packaging of the cd is really cool with lotsa pics of the band & little liner notes. MXPX remind me alot of Blink 182 in the sense that they are the modern day version of punk..they play songs that are short, fast & to the point, & they have a sense of humor to boot! When you listen to the lyrics on the cd, you realize that these guys are not some dim-witted punk rockers..they have interesting points of view on things & their love for their music is evident when you listen to "Let It Happen"! "Prozac" & "Let It Happen" are the songs that just stand out as being must hear songs on this cd, but to be honest with you, they are all very rockin' & one thing I like is that you get alot on this cd..there's not any filler or wasted time, & the dvd that comes with the deluxe version is cool, because MTV didn't show most of these videos! I couldn't think of a better X-mas gift for the MXPX fan than this new cd!
Rating: 6 stars
December is definitley the time for box sets & greatest hits packages...the latest band to jump on that bandwagon is California's own, Unwritten Law! I never really thought that the band had "hits", since the only single I really knew they had was "Seein' Red", so I found this compilation interesting, because it's almost like an anti-greatest hits collection, because it's obviously for the die hard fans, but it's also a cool package for the guy who only knows that one song, because you get the cream of the crop from all their stuff all in one package! "Seein' Red" is obviously the stand out track, but "Soulda Known Better" is great, simply because of the lyrics...I mean any song that mentions VD's is cool! lol "She Says" is where the CD starts taking shape for me, personally..that's the song that kicks the CD into high gear & these part punk, part emo rockers definitley have their A-list material here for sure! Check out more on the band at www.myspace.com/unwrittenlaw
Rating: 5 stars
I'll admit that initially I wanted to pan over Pillar, because it's a known fact that they are a Christian rock band, BUT, I must admit that they really re-define what Christian rock truly is! THe band is very guitar heavy, the vocals are a mix of aggro & clean, & this band is really good! "Everything" kicks the CD off with a guitar tone that is a mix of Stevie Ray Vaughan & Sevendust..it's very interesting sounding, & "Tragedy" is the song that kicks you right in the gut..it's loud & hard as hell! If you can overlook the God references & the Christian over-tones, then you'll like this cd alot...I make that statement because I talk to alot of you, my readers, & I wouldn't be honest if I didn't just say it like it is...I mean no harm to Pillar, but alot of the religious overtones are not popular in the hard music genre...bands like Creed are rare, & a band like Evanescence basically had to re-vamp their entire musical overtone, because they started out on the Christian rock circuit & they didn't break big till they kinda ditched that act & went mainstream sans the God stuff, but anyways, this is a good rock record & it's worth checking out if you like Sevendust, Flaw or bands from that genre, soundwise.
Rating: 6 stars
With the exception of "The City Ignites", which is an acoustic song that's super mellow, this entire CD rips & roars like a freight train & there's a few mellow moments, but for the most part, it's non-stop screamo-core from beginning till the end! Musically, it's pretty frantic-paced, & the opening track, "I'll Go.." sets the pace with it's hectic guitar tones, screaming vocals, & steady beats, which make it clear why 36 Crazyfists are the best at what they do! I remember seeing this band a few years ago on their last tour when they played up in DC & I had never really heard their material, but was blown away by their energy, & now I can tell you that they pack the same energy on their CD as they deliver in concert! Check out "Aurora"..it's a really great song, & the entire CD is good from beginning to end, & the songs, lyrically, read almost like poetry if you can figure out the screams!
Rating: 6 stars!
On November 19 at 8 PM, the History Channel will air "Desperate Crossing" which is the untold story of the Mayflower..essentially, this is the ultimate biography on American History, because it was the Pilgrims on the Mayflower that came over here for their religous & social freedom from England. The Mayflower was not actually a vessel that was meant to carry passengers, it was more like a cargo freight that was used to carry wine & other goods. One thing that I never remember learning in school was that the living environment on the Mayflower was rough...they had no way to really carry food over without salting it very heavy, & this was used to preserve it, but it was also a cause of passengers getting ill, & there was very poor conditions under which the food was prepared & stored, so needless to say, it was a bad situation. Another huge problem was that the water all around the ship was salt water, & there was no way to carry fresh water for everyone, so they would drink about a pitcher of beer everyday, & this was EVERY passenger, even children! I can't help but wonder if that didn't make the unbearable trip a little more bearable! This documentary/movie is actually quite fascinating & I don't wanna give it all away, so make sure & check it out on Nov. 19 on the History Channel @ 8 PM..it's the perfect show for the month of Thanksgiving!
Rating: 6 stars!
I have to admit that when I heard over a year ago that Paul Stanley was going to do another solo record, I had my doubts, because alot of times, especially in the music biz, there's rumors & such, & sometimes if the rumor's pan out, they end up sucking really bad! Well, the new Paul Stanley CD, "Live To Win", is a stellar cd that's very modern sounding, & I can hear alot of the current pop style cliche's in the new cd, which are pretty cool, because it shows that Paul is still capable of sounding relavent & cool in 2006! "Live To Win", the cd's title track, was featured in an episode of South Park, & is a rollercoaster ride of a track..it's a great rocker that really capture's the vibe of the record, although the ballad "Everytime I See You Around" is really touching & about a girl who you can't have, the entire CD is good & about living life to the fullest! "Where Angels Dare" features John 5 on guitar & is the most KISS sounding track on the CD, but I'd swear there are parts of that song that sound like "Little Drummer Boy", the X-mas classic! "Bulletproof" is my personal favorite, & Paul is currently out promoting the CD by performing live shows, & trust me, if you get a chance to see him, DO IT..Paul & his backing band ROCK! "Live To Win" might have been 15 years in the making since it's been that long since Paul's last solo record, but it was well worth the wait!
Rating: 5 stars
Initially, my first thoughts of this cd are that it reminds me of a heavier version of Flyleaf, a more melodic Kittie, & a Metal version of No Doubt..the female vocals are really good, & it's what makes this band stand apart from the pack! "Too Far" kicks the cd off with metallic guitar riffs & "Something More" is the song that really got me hooked on this band...the vocals, the music..it's just magic! The cover of "Helter Skelter" was kinda cliche I thought...I didn't really like it until the last minute or so when the band just started bashing it out, I mean that song is an instantly recognizable Beatles classic & it's hard to do anything different with it & retain that vibe of the original, but I give the band credit, I do like their version of it, it just took some time to listen to it & get what they were trying to achieve with it. "Names" is a good song & could be on modern rock radio, but "Whispers", the last song on the cd is the one that you will remember the most..it starts off quiet & builds up to a heavy, raging pit of emotions. Very interesting, female fronted, & in your face - Spider Rockets are a band you need to check out!
Rating: 5 stars!
If you've never heard Norma Jean before, let me give you a crash course in what they do...the band plays brash, harsh, often eclectic music that is a mix of metal, hardcore, punk, & it's VERY frantic! Imagine taking the Clash, System of a Down, & the Deftones & mixing them together, then scrambling it all with a hand grenade...that's a brief idea of what the band Norma Jean sound like, & their new cd "Redeemer" is a non stop rollercoaster of anger & energy that leaves you exhausted when you listen to the CD from beginning to end! I really like the cover art & there's a companion piece inside the CD that has a little boy being attacked by a bird..it really reminds me of the Alfred Hitchcock movie, & I might add too that the artwork inside the CD totally fits the music..it's very off the wall & crazy, which is a good thing! The only song that is really distinct on here is "No Passenger No Parasite" which, in my opinion, the title is a little stab/joke at a Bob Marley song, & the song itself is the most mellow song on the CD & it actually lets up on the frantic pace that the entire CD keeps. I might add too, that the picture of the band inside the CD jacket which has them covered in mud...the band actually looks like that when they are on-stage...that mud is NOT just for the picture!
Rating: 6 stars
Anytime a compilation/tribute CD is released, the odds are, that the CD will suffer from lame covers that do little to re-create the original song, & when you take a band like the Beatles, it's REALLY hard to top what the Fab 4 did, because they were pioneers in the music biz & the songs they made are beyond legendary, but I will tell you, for me personally, I really like this new tribute CD to the Fab 4, because it gives all their classic rock standards a harder edge, & the song that really excited me on this cd is "I Feel Fine" because John Bush's vocals are just amazing & it really proves that Stephen from the Deftones CAN play guitar, because the Deftones material is very different than this tye of song & it's just a great song to begin with, & John Bush's vocals take it to that next level! "Back In The USSR" is interesting, because Lemmy from Motorhead was not really the best choice for that song, BUT, it's an interesting take & John 5's guitar work is superb! Geoff Tate's vocals on "Lucy in the Sky..." is as good as the original & infact I think it might be better than the original...Geoff's voice has an almost opera-style quality to it & "Revolution" is another really killer song, because Bill Gibbons IS ZZ Top & hearing him do a bluesier version of the song is great, because Billy has so much soul & vibe to his voice & playing, that the song is really different from the original & sounds great! To promote the CD, I was given 3 copies to give to you, our reader, so just send us an email @ bobsu@mindspring.com with the title "Butchering the Beatles" with your name/address & we'll pick 3 random winners..sorry, but USA residents only!
Rating: 6 stars
To start this review off right, I MUST state that this IS NOT a rock record..it's what I consider soundtrack/background music..it's really truly the ultimate theme for Halloween night or a good Horror movie..it's spooky, moving, & errie! There's a little guitar on it, but the bulk of it is orchestral, keyboards, & other instruments that create a blanket of sounds to coat the inner-demons that crawl around in the mind of Glenn Danzig. It comes as no surprise really, either, because Glenn is a dark dude & his music has always been really black & dark, so the lighter side of Glenn is equally chilling & moving. Glenn did everything on this CD too, with the exception of a few guitar noises done by Tommy Victor! October is the perfect time to check out Glenn Danzig's "Black Aria II", so go out & get it & be prepared to mellow out, but still get a chill!
Rating: 6 stars
Initially, the first song on this CD sounded like alot of the emo/screamo bands out there today & I wasn't impressed with "Hang "em High"..I was hoping for more, but when I got to track 3, "Anexation of Puerto Rico", the song writing changed & it got interesting...the vocals mixed screaming & clean & the writing was really good! "Art of Sharing Lovers" is amazing, & "The Collision" is spectacular, but "Trigger Happy Tarantuala" is the song that really moved me..it's got a break down that is kinda sad, the vocals are intense, the music is up & down with emotions, & the guitart riffs are killer! "Eager Cannibals" starts off slow & kinda emo with an interesting guitar tone & it's another song that highlights why A Static Lullaby is such a good band..they have this depth that most emo/screamo bands lack..they mix the heavy with the mellow & the mixed vocals are what really hooked me! "Life in a Museum" is hands down, the best song on the CD & it's one that will infect your brain & you won't be able to get it out of your head..it's really addictive! Overall, I was very impressed with this CD & I'd highly advise you to check it out if you like good modern rock..I will go as far as to say this is probably one of the top ten best heavy rock records to come out in 2006!
Rating: 4 stars
Dawn of Azazel are an interesting band...vocally, I found them annoying because it's like that screaming thing that Dani Filth does that I just find annoying...it's really my own personal preference, so don't hate me for my opinion! Musically is where the band stands on their own..the guitar parts are at time erratic & impromptue...I'd describe it as death metal doen jazz style! There's some odd timings, strange things played, & it's really what makes this CD worth checking out. All the stereotypical death metal things are there & you can practically envision the pentagrams, skulls, & upside down crosses that are typical of the genre...what I will say though is that the guitar playing is worth checking out..tone wise, some would say it's too trebley, BUT, I enjoy guitar tones that are not as easy to categorize & it's what makes each song distinct. Fans of Cradle of Filth & Carcass would probably enjoy this CD!
Rating: 6 stars
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Rating: 6 stars
This is easily the most commercially aceptable & commercially viable RHCP releases ever! Every song has the potential to be on the radio & they are all very good, well written chili pepper gems that all pretty much have the same strains of funk, punk, rock, & energy that made the RHCP's such an amazing band! To the critics, this will be a dream come true, but I wonder if the older fans will reject this 2 cd set because it's not as edgy as the bands prior releases. "Dani California"is the lead single & we all know it's very much like "Last Dance with Mary Jane" by Tom Petty & the guitar solo borrows from Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze". "Charlie", "She's Only 18" & "Make You Feel Better" are funk-ti-fied songs that blend alot of genre's & I have to admit that 2 full length cd's in one package is ALOT of music to absorb & I think this package will hold the fans over for quite a while & I can easily see 6 singles off this cd..they have 2 so far & another 4 should be no problem! The artwork is kinda strange & conceptual, but if you look at it just for the music it's also interesting. If you like the Chili Peppers, then this is a CD you will love!
REVIEWS
Rating: 6 stars!
Do you remember when Rock N Roll was loud, fun, & un-apologetic, when it was cool to be politically incorrect & basically, without sounding cliche, when sex drugs & rock n roll was cool? Well, I realize that the kids today have their apethetic emo rockers & they think that's where is started musically, that it's cool to be depressed & stare at your shoes while mixing hair metal style with hardcore looks, BUT, I give Cosmic Ballroom kudo's..they are playing great, loud rock n roll that's got alot of curse words, that's a mix of Motorhead meets Motley Crue...it's just fun to hear a band play good riff rock that's about having fun & NOT about being depressed! "I Can't Keep My Hands Away" kicks the cd off with power & reckless passion & it's straight up rock n roll decadence with guitar solo's, rhythm that you can both pump your fists to, or get your groove on...this band really captures the essence of what rock n roll used to be about...FUN! "Kix" has a bit of a punk edge, but it's still straight up good rock n roll & I love the garbled vocals..it's a mix of AC/DC meets Ratt..very in your face, & NOT what you'd hear on modern rock radio! THe unfortunate thing really though, is that as much as I love this band & this CD, the current state of rock music isn't ready for this band, & what I mean by that, is that radio & whatever means that people gather their new music from today, will probably not be accepting of this band..the people who will truly love this band are the music seekers...the one's who seek out new bands, & that's what makes Cosmic Ballroom so special..they're not jaded rock stars, but I swear to god, they have the rock star looks & attitude pretty in their music! The bonus video that is included on the disc as an enhanced extra is really cool & I think it's what really sells the band, or atleast I liked it! If you like good riff rock that's about having fun, then this is a band you MUST check out, & I hope they tour, because I really wanna see this band live!
Rating: 5 stars
Fans of prog metal rejoice, because there's a band called Fatal Force that you're gonna wet your pants over! Fatal Force blend the best of Ronnie James Dio with Dream Theater, & even some later Savatage material, along with the bands own style to make a unique blend of prog metal that's epic & intense & melodic & heavy! "Caveman" is the first track on the CD & it really sets the pace for the disc...the vocals are strong, the guitar is heavy, & the solo's are rich & textured & complex, & the bass & drums are dead on with not even one flaw! "Domino" has a killer shred guitar solo intro, & "Far Away" & "The Only One" really reminds me of Queensryche, because they builds up slowly & they are softer songs which are pretty moving at times! "No Question" is my personal favorite..the guitar tone is strong & nasty, with lots of bite, & it's also kinda moody & distinct in it's own special way. "Eye to Eye" closes the CD with an epic 5 minutes of prog power & when you get done listening to this song, you feel like slaying a dragon!
Rating: 6 stars
I'll admit that whenever a CD has enhanced features, or music videos, that I always watch that stuff first, & this cd has a music video for "Diabolic Symphony", which is dark, gothic, & very prog metal...the band looks dark & creepy, which is very cool, & musically, I can tell they they were heavily influenced by Dio, Iron Maiden, & all the great early metal bands that laid down epics about mythology & the darkside! Musically, the guitar work just shreds..there's guitar solo's by the barrel full, pinch harmonics, dazzling classical guitar shred that would make Yngwie proud, & the keyboards are the staple to their gothy vibe & feel. The music reminds me of Children of Bodom at times, except the vocals are wayyyy better! "Dreaming" is the song that the band really shines on, because It has a strong sound, high highs & low lows, & it's just a great song if you like good shredding & epic tunes that go on for a while! "Sanctimonious" wins the award for most interesting guitar lick on the cd...it's catchy, addictive & really cool sounding! It's interesting how the band mixes their brooding melodies with shred guitar to make this strong prog rock dynamic that alot of bands could never even attempt to play!
Rating: 6 stars
Gritty, punchy, straight up rock n roll decadence is what Bettie Ford deliver's on their "League of Fools" cd that kicks off with a song called "Here We Are" which is basically an intro about being another rock show, & "Ordinary" leads the way for catchy riffs, punk attitude, & rock n roll insanity via great songs that mix punk, pop & rock with loads of attitude! "Sonic Foundry Vegas" rolls like a runaway freight train with power & carelessness & this song reminds me alot of early Bad Religion, & the fuzz guitar tone is killer! "The Day I Missed the Bus To Memphis" is my personal favorite because it's got a killer rock n roll riff that's borrowed from oh so many bands before Bettie Ford, & I really think the best way to describe this band is if you took AC/DC, The Misfits & Bad Religion & mixed them up properly, that's what Bettie Ford is like...just really pure, raw, energy, angst, & it's what rock n roll needs...a little danger! "Here We Were" ends the cd with an acoustic guitar & vocals, & it's the perfect completion to a rock n roll overdrive!
Rating: 6 stars
Forty Deuce is an interesting rock n roll band...what I listen to the song "Oh My God" it reminds me of the movie the Wedding Singer, because there's a scene where they are at a wedding & band is playing a song, & the singer is singing a normal song, then he drops an "f" bomb without acting like it was anything, & the song "Oh My God" is the same way..it's a radio friendly rock song with a killer guitar solo, & the chorus is "Om My God, I F**ked up again" & it's said as if it's just another word, & I love it because it just works! "Still" sounds very modern & the vocals are strong...it reminds me of the better bands from the 80's hair metal scene, & "Complicated" is the song that really changes the pace of things on this cd, because it's a rock song, but it has a different vibe & edge that really makes it distinct & memorable & it's actually a song that you'll find yourself singing along to if you listen to it a few times! Vocally, I am reminded slightly of Chris Cornell at times, but not in a copy-cat kinda way, it's just the rasp in his voice that is pretty unique & "Stand Up" has a chorus that is really memorable & strong! "Nothing To Lose" closes the cd off & it's really the highlight of the cd...it's touching & about love & loss, & it's just a great song that reminds me of the great songwriters like Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, etc., who just wrote these songs that you remember!
Rating: 5 stars
Production wise, this CD sounds excellent, & musically, the band falls inbetween Trapt & Hinder...they rock, but are kinda safe at times, & this CD is super radio friendly! There's some interesting breakdowns, & the guitar solo in "Chicksinger" sounds like it almost doesn't fit, but it works somehow! "Aint Low" is a slow song that I could honestly see as being a huge hit if it got radio play & the right exposure, because it's really a well written song that's just good! "Fanatic By Choice" might be the heaviest song on the cd with a driven guitar tone & sound, but what really makes this band stand out from the pack of current metal bands is that every song has the heavy side to it, but it's not too much...it's just enough to still retain melody & blend hard rock with normal rock to make music that's listenable to the pop masses!
Rating: 4 stars
No matter how hard I try to ignore it, Vengeance's new cd, "Back In The Ring" just does not sound current..I'm not slamming it by any means, it just sounds like 80's hair metal with the vocals that are as loud as the guitar tone, the standard song structure that's fodder for that hair metal scene...it's almost cliche at times, but to be honest with you, I like it! You can practically see the mullets, spandex, teased hair, blue mascara, & all the other "things" that defined that era, but don't get me wrong, these guys can play & are good..."Holy Water" kicks ass, but I can't ignore the fact that alot of the song titles remind me of bands from the past...the title of the CD is a line from an AC/DC song, track #2 is the same title as an LA Guns classic, the only other act to spell the word enough, enuff, were Enuff Znuff, & there's other examples that I won't go into...I'll just say that if you like classic, retro metal from the '80's then you'll dig the hell out this cd!
Rating: 3 stars
It's interesting, the last review I just did reminds me of this one too...what I mean is that the music The Mob create is excellent, but is all sounds very dated & retro...kinda like something from the late 80's or early 90's that was just shelved, or released & no one ever really go it. I want to stress that I am not knocking this band, it's just the vibe I get from the music, & that's coming from a young guy who listens to everything rock wise, so I'm not giving a pigeonholed view, it's just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. Vocals for the Mob are handled by Doug P. from Kings X, & they are soulful & bluesy with his trademark rock edge, but as I remember hearing so many people say in the business...I just don't hear a single or a hit! The music created by the Mob is done for the sheer love of the music & there's no hits, singles...it's just music for the sake of music, which is pretty cool & I hope this CD doesn't get panned over for that very reason!
Rating: 6 stars
This is what I'm talkin' about now..the music is sloppy, the production is sub par, BUT, this band rocks like fuck! The cd opens with an appropriatly titled song called "Motorfreakout" that rolls with all the steam of Motorhead, & track 3 (I'm too lazy to type out that long title) is an in your face rocker that's a mix of the Misfits, Danzig, early Iron Maiden, & GHB...it's really more on the punk rock side, but it's just great stuff that's got a raw edge, & the imperfections are what make it really fresh & interesting to me...the overproduced stuff gets stale & this CD just brings it all home! "On Your Own Now" is what Johnny Cash would sound like if he was a hardcore artist...Bad Machine is a very street, working class type band that just kills it with every song & for that reason, I think this is an excellent rock record from beginning to end...it has all the power that Iggy & the Stooges had & then some!
Rating: 6 stars
Holy shit! Initially, I thought this band would be another thrash/prog band that had nothing special to offer, BUT, the opening guitar licks on track one prove me wrong..this band has some of the best guitar solo's I've heard, ever! Musically, they remind me of Iron Maiden at times, but the guitar work is beyond what Maiden do..think guitar solo olympics! I'll admit that the last song, which is a little over 15 minutes, is a bit too much, but dynamically, Mystic Prophecy are just superb & there's few bands that can come close to playing what these guys play! I can't stress enough, if you like good guitar solo's, strong vocals, & music that straddles prog & metal, then this is a must hear cd!
Rating: 3 stars
I can't deny that these guys can shred & are great players, but I think the lyrics are kinda goofy at times, I mean it's obvious that the band loves Judas Priest when you listen to them, but "Metal Law 2006" & "Heavy Metal Desire" are just too easy to make fun of...it's very reminiscent of the late '80's when bands named songs after stuff like that..kinda goofy, but I can't deny that the music is decent & the guitar solo's are really good, I just get an image that the dumb Yngwie Malmsteen CD cover where he's slaying a dragon with his guitar! Jokes aside, the band are good, just a little dated & in this era, they come off as that nerdy dungeons & dragon metal that the trench coat kids love so much.
Rating: 4 stars
A bit over-produced at times, but still nearly perfect, Allen/Lande have a strong piece of prog metal here that's synth & keyboard heavy with loads of neo shred guitar solo's & solid vocals that soar high above the music...& I might add that the artwork is perfect for this cd! "Silent Rage" is the catchiest track on the CD, but I really ike "Another Battle" as my personal favorite. The thing that makes this CD interesting to me is the guitar solo's...they are all over the place & really interesting!
Rating: 4 stars
It's funny, I didn't read the liner notes to know it was Joe Lynn Turner singing on this cd, & I immediatley though of Yngwie Malmsteen's era with Joe, which now makes sense! Musically, it's a little dated sounding & reminds me of Y&T at times, which isn't a bad thing. "Fist Full of Heat" is a great song, but a prime example of why this CD is for Joe Lynn Turner fans only, because it's not like anything you hear out there today..it's kinda older sounding, but still fresh & good classic metal!
Rating: 4 stars
Musically, this is pure prog rock with heavy keyboards, interesting guitar licks, & soaring vocals, & what makes this package special is the free bonus disc of studio tracks that you get with it! For live recordings, the live disc sounds stellar & if you like Dream Theater, you'll probably like this band alot!