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Here we have another typical European Power Metal sounding record, yet with the difference some Folk elements (such as in the acoustic 5) have been added, kinda like FALCONER and RHAPSODY. Most of the songs are uptempo and really typical Euro Power Metal, so nothing new is brought here, but happily it does sound quite impressive, so it’s not like we’re listening to a second rate band here. In fact, fans of mentioned bands will enjoy this release a lot. It’s the third CD of the band and the 10 included songs (especially “Eyes of the dead”, “Watcher in the deep”, “Beauty is the beast”, “Underworld” (fantastic) and “Magic elements” (very HELLOWEENish) will please the fans a lot, because despite the cliché tingled Euro Power Metal it is done very well and therefore definitely a must for fans of HELLOWEEN, FALCONER, RHAPSODY… (Points: 8.5 out of 10)
Band from San Diego/USA with a huge sounding pure Metal record sounding like a cross between JUDAS PRIEST, PRIMAL FEAR, NEVERMORE and, METAL CHURCH, which means raw, edgy and very heavy, but with also a good sense for a strong melody and a memorable hook. Vocally very strong and most of the 11 included songs are really impressive Metal Monsters! There are even some Progressive Metal influences, such as in the fantastic “Misogyny”, but also have a listen to the superb epic 9 minutes counting “Valkyrie rising” which.is by far the best song on the record, a truly masterpiece which combines the best of every Metal genre! Also notable are the BLACK SABBATH (with DIO) covers “Heaven and hell” and “The mob rules”, which are still very underrated songs, because most of the time BLACK SABBATH is associated with OZZY. Back to BENEDICTUM, which is a really great new band. Instrumental sounding pretty impressive, but most striking is the fact that this band has a female singer, who has a really big mouth, not heard since WENDY O. WILLIAMS left this world. She is called VERONICA FREEMAN and if we have a closer look at the other musicians involved with this records, we can add the guest appearances by DIO members Craig Goldy (guitars) and Jimmy Bain (bass) and last but not least producer was DIO/ex-DOKKEN bassist JEFF PILSON, while the CD was mixed by WARLOCK bassist Tommy Henriksen. They all contributed in making this CD sound like Metal really should sound! (Points: 8.6 out of 10)
Recorded actually 10 years ago and I recall reviewing it not long after it was originally released, but still I can not remember if this was on tape only or it was actually released as an independent CD. No matter what happened back then, the Scottish Melodic Hardrockband proudly present the release of a new album, which is actually the re-release (or official release) of the band’s debut CD from 1996. Musically this is a high quality Melodic Hardrockalbum sounding like a cross between HARDLINE, HAREM SCAREM circa ‘Mood swings’, TYKETTO and DANGER DANGER, so big time guitar driven Hardrock with strong melodic choruses, filled up with strong harmonyvocals. This CD contains such melodic hardrock hits like “I’ll be there”, “Rescue me”, “Holding onto your dreams” and “Fuel that feeds the fire”, which make it an absolute winner for fans of mentioned bands. The CD also contains an additional CD, which features a live concert of the band. Definitely a must for the Melodic Hardrockfans! (Points: 8.6 out of 10)
Formed 10 years ago in Baltimore/USA, KURGAN’S BANE releases their 3rd CD with ‘Camouflaged in static’. Some of the members (3 out of 4 actually) also play in the Progressive Rockband SONUS UMBRA, while guitarist Pete Laramee also releases solo CDs. Anyway, KURGAN’S BANE has once again released a great album, which is the follow-up to ‘The future lies broken’ which was released on the Swedish label RECORD HEAVEN 5 years ago. The music is still the same, so we get to hear classic Progressive Melodic Rock with great female vocals (of singer Lisa Francis), kinda like a mix between LANA LANE, MOSTLY AUTUMN and MASTERMIND. The fantastic opener “I’m alive” shows right away we are dealing here with a high quality record, because this is a beautiful progressive melodic rocker like LANA LANE meets RUSH and further on the CD we can hear a lot more in this style, such as “Signal to noise”, “The spectator”, “Regret” and “Martyr”. Besides the impressive lead vocals, also instrumental this band has much to offer. Something worth checking out for both Melodic Rock and Progrockfans. More info at: http://www.kurgansbane.com and e-mail at: kurgansbane@comcast.net (Points: 8.5 out of 10)
If BLACK SABBATH ever wants to reform with OZZY, why not use the singer of the Swedish band HELLFUELED, because this guy sounds like OZZY if he had stepped in a time machine to the early 80s when he released a few awesome solo records, which until this day features some of the best work he ever did. Anyway, HELLFUELED is playing superb high class Melodic Metal which of course is pure OZZY circa ‘Bark at the moon’, but still sounding like any other present big time Melodic Metalband. Besides the OZZY type of vocals, also the HUGE sound is remarkable. The band is mostly playing uptempo Melodic Metal, which can best be heard in songs like “Look out”, “Friend”, “Old” and “On the run”. Not just a must for any OZZY/SABBATH fan, but anyone into high class Melodic Metal. Don’t let the cliché lyrics fool ya, because this is definitely a strong Melodic Metal record! (Points: 8.6 out of 10) SENCICROW ‘PERCEPTION OF FEAR’ (AFM RECORDS/ROCK INC) From out of nowhere comes a band called SENCICROW. They were formed some 10 years , so they have been practising a lot before the release of their first full-length CD ‘Perception of fear’ on AFM RECORDS. The band comes out of Germany and they play Melodic (Power) Metal at it’s very best. It all sounds very well, a bit reminding of NOCTURNAL RITES. Especially the band’s singer is able to sing very well and with strong songs like “Connection of evil”, “Fear”, “Incidious dimensions”, “Dreamspace” and “Keeper of souls”, this band has enough to offer for the Melodic Metalfreak, although nothing new is brought here, but it is all done very well (with some awesome guitarwork as well)! Definitely another band to check out if you’re into PRIMAL FEAR, classic 80s MAIDEN, DUNGEON, BLACK MAJESTY, NOCTURNAL RITES… (Points: 8.3 out of 10) KAOS KREW ‘UNDER DESTRUCTION’ (INDEPENDENT) Judging on their AOR past I thought the former members of bands like WILD FORCE and STORMWING were releasing a sort of melodic rock sounding album, but their new project KAOS KREW is actually a mix between Progressive Metal and Industrial. Happily, most of the time it is instrumental, because then we get to hear some great musicianship, but when the distorted vocals join it truly sounds some sort of RAMMSTEIN kinda Industrial Metal act. However, most of the time this is good instrumental modern sounding Progressive Metal and for more info you need to go to: http://www.kaoskrewmusic.com and e-mail at: info@kaoskrewmusic.com (Points: 7.9 out of 10)
STORMGARDE is a young band from Germany, formed 5 years ago when most of the members were teenagers, but their new 4-track demo CDR shows we are dealing here with a very impressive band. STORMGARDE has a strong female singer (Sabrina Grochocki) in the NIGHTWISH/EDENBRIDGE style, while the music is very impressive Melodic Rock/Metal with a slight Goth/Power Metal touch. Actually the band fits in nicely between the likes of COASTLINE/ALYSON AVENUE and EDENBRIDGE/NIGHTWISH. All 4 songs on their demo are uptempo Melodic Heavy Rockers (“Everything I did was wrong”, “Fear”, “The nightstorm” and “Left alone”). Instrumental also sounding quite good, while the production is one more positive note, so all together this STORMGARDE is a very interesting band to check out. More info can be found at: http://www.stormgarde.com and e-mail at: stormgarde@stormgarde.com (Points: 8.3 out of 10)
A very interesting release that makes the whole LA GUNS history even more complicated, because I have never known what happened before PHIL LEWIS joined the band as their lead singer. I always thought the band was formed after guitarist TRACII GUNS had left GUNS’N’ROSES and from there on had built up LA GUNS to what it became known for. This CD (with extensive info inside the CD booklet) shines a whole new light on LA GUNS, because apparently they had a different singer called PAUL BLACK before they got their record deal. With him LA GUNS had built up a big reputation already, but somewhere something went wrong, but you can read all about that in the CD sleeves. Musically LA GUNS was not that different, because the 18 (!) included songs (all sounding very strong, so not just bad sounding demos!) are typical LA GUNS, but the different lead singer make them sound slightly different in the sense of typical mid 80s LA Hardrock, like WASP and ICON at times. Actually this is the most interesting LA GUNS since 1991, because I finally enjoyed some LA GUNS songs without skipping any of them, which has been the case with most LA GUNS releases from the past 10+ years. The CD has been released on PAUL BLACK’s own label BLACK CITY RECORDS and I guess true LA GUNS fans will be very interested in checking this release out, because it contains very rare 1986 recorded LA GUNS material with singer PAUL BLACK. It has all been carefully restored and sounds as if it was recorded yesterday, with really interesting extensive liner notes. More info at: http://www.blackcitymusic.com (Points: 8.3 out of 10) THE BAMBOO KIDS ‘THIS AIN’T NO REVOLUTION’ (BIG DIPPER RECORDS/SONIC RENDEZVOUS) New York Rock N Roll at it’s very best! This is what THE BAMBOO KIDS are all about. They are clearly influenced by the late 70s punky CBGB Rock’n’Roll with a sort of slight 60s Garage Rock influence as well. They do remind of THE DICTATORS very much, so we have a true 70s sounding Rock n Roll record here. Songs like “USA out of NYC”, “Heart attack”, “Radio rebel”, “Take what’s mine” and “Low life” (best song, sounds like a Classic 60s rocker!) are very strong true Rock N Roll anthems, while a calmer song like “I’m ready” is a very 60s inspired song or closing track “Jet boy, jet girl” sounding like THE RAMONES meeting up with BEACH BOYS. I guess you can besides the DICTATORS similarities also mention acts like STARZ, THE STOOGES, THE KINKS or ROLLING STONES as comparisons, so this is definitely something worth checking out if you’re into classic Rock N Roll the 60s meets 70s way, like 60s UK meets 70s New York, so go check ‘em out at: http://www.thebambookids.com (Points: 8.2 out of 10)
The USA is coming back huge lately with the delivery of so many good new Metalbands. After Grunge killed the complete scene in 1991/1992, Metal went down big time until the late 90s when acts like DISTURBED and EVANSCENCE became big acts in The States, because they brought back melodies in the Metalworld for new US acts, so the doors are opened now for Melodic Metal and new acts are delivered on my desk each week. Here is the latest act whom deliver some very strong Melodic Metal. The band sent me their 3 song demo CDR, which was produced by Tadpole of 3 DOORS DOWN/DISTURBED fame, and also an official mini-CD/CD-single release titled ‘1,9 minute attention span’. A.D.D. come out of the US state Illinois, have a fantastic female lead singer (MARGARETH YOUNG) and play superb strong Melodic Metal. It is clear the band is focused on strong melodies and catchy choruses instead of endless instrumental freaking (although I think it is a good thing space is left for each song to have a great melodic guitarsolo), but that surely isn’t a problem if you have such a wonderful singer as Margareth. If promoted well, this could well be the next band to be signed to a major label, because with wonderful songs like “Maybe”, “Can’t breathe”, “Waiting” and “Reflect” they offer the best female fronted Melodic Metal heard in a long time. Mixture of last DISTURBED record and EVANSCENCE with HEART influences as well (covering “Barracuda” for example during live performances). Somehow I think their new demo CDR sounded better than their 2003 released mini-CD, but nevertheless it doesn’t musically differ that much, because most of the songs are in a similar style, which is mostly medium/slowtempo with big fat heavy groovy Metal guitar riffs. Definitely a band worth checking out before they are swallowed up by the major labels someday soon. More info at: http://www.addarmy.com (Points: 8.4 out of 10) JAGGERNAUT ‘DEMO CDR’ (DEMO CDR) Unfortunately not much info on this band, but their demo CDR sounds like a super sensational Euro Melodic Power Metal release. It’s a pity only 4 songs are included, because right from the start you can hear that this is definitely a high quality band with a sound somewhere between TWISTED SISTER, PRETTY MAIDS and SAVAGE CIRCUS/BLIND GUARDIAN. The band has a superb singer and without any doubts a song like “Morbid math” sounds like the latest sensation in the Melodic Metalworld. The other songs are a little less sensational, but this first song alone is worth it checking out this band. Better check ‘em out really fast at: http://www.jaggernaut.net and e-mail at: info@jaggernaut.net Band is working on a full-length CD right now, which will sound completely different than this old demo CDR, so we’ll wait for the result… (Points: 8.3 out of 10) GASOLINE QUEEN ‘GASOLINE QUEEN’ (INDEPENDENT) New band from Sweden with a sound which is situated between 80s LA Sleazy Hardrock and 70s Classic Hardrock, think of a mix between GUNS’N’ROSES/LA GUNS and SCORPIONS, yet similarities to BACKYARD BABIES and GEMINI FIVE are also not out of place here. All 4 included songs are uptempo straight-ahead catchy melodic hardrock/sleazy heavy rockers with as best ones “Hell” and “Gasoline queen” (best song, very catchy, classic late 70s style). If they make more songs in the style of their final track of the mini-CD they are easily able to beat the likes of THE DARKNESS or even BACKYARD BABIES. Better check out this band at: http://www.gasolinequeen.com (Points: 8.3 out of 10) TEMPUS ‘ROMANTIC REVOLUTION’ (INDEPENDENT) Great new Swedish band mixing catchy punky Glamrock with Classic Rock/Hardrock, ending up releasing a strong 10 songs counting CD. What you have here is a CD filled with some very catchy Melodic Rock orientated songs, especially songs like “Dollar devil”, “Metal machine”, Miss my lady” and “Romantic revolution” (very catchy!). The band’s mix of STONES, STARZ and POISON sounds very original and for he big audience much more interesting that what THE DARKNESS has to offer. More info can be found at: http://www.tempushemsida.tk and e-mail them at: kimmen.magnuson@swipnet.se (Points: 8.3 out of 10) THE BRIMSTONE SOLAR RADIATION BAND ‘SOLSTICE’ (BIG DIPPER RECORDS/SONIC RENDEZVOUS) Out of Norway comes the band THE BRIMSTONE SOLAR RADIATION BAND. They play an original mix of retro progressive rock a la FLOWER KINGS and straight-ahead indefinable melancholic rock which reveals some 60s Rock influences. I was quite surprised by the sound of this CD, because it actually sounds like no other band. It is melodic, has a retro sound, but on the other hand it also sounding modern, so I guess you can say it is a timeless album which might have been released 30 years just as well as today. Imagine a mix between GOLDEN EARRING, THE KINKS, THE CURE and FLOWER KINGS, very bizarre, but that’s what I would say about the CD of this band. Especially fans of 70s orientated experimental psychedelic/progressive rock this CD is a must-have. More info at: http://www.brimstone.no (Points: 8.0 out of 10) SCREECHING WEASEL ‘WEASELMANIA’ (FAT WRECK RECORDS/SONIC RENDEZVOUS) Old School Punkrock is what we get to hear on the CD of SCREECHING WEASEL. This Chicago settled band was formed 20 years ago and this new CD contains their best material from throughout the years, so therefore the oldschool sound. In total 34 songs are included, mostly very short tunes and for a fan of classic Punkrock of course a must to hear, with as highlights “Supermarket fantasy”, “”My brain hurts”, “What we hate” and “Every night”, Punkpop at it’s very best. These guys showed how catchy Punkrock should sound like, which is definitely different than what GREENDAY is trying to do nowadays (and for the past 10 years). Nice collection for the real Punkrockfan! (Points: 8.0 out of 10) VARIOUS ARTISTS ’WOLVERINE RECORDS PRESENT: 13 YEARS OF ROCK’N’ROLL’ (WOLVERINE RECORDS/SONIC RENDEZVOUS) Definitely one of the more interesting compilations out there, because what we get to hear are 24 songs of 24 different bands, with a total playing time of 80 minutes. The only pity is the lack of information on each band, but probably most of them have released albums on the German label WOLVERINE RECORDS, so we can assume that all bands are also coming out of Germany. The music is a mix of Good old Rock n Roll, classic Punkrock and even some Ska. Between the 24 bands the best ones I heard are THE HEROINES (great female fronted band a la THE DONNAS/THE RUNAWAYS), THE ED RANDOM BAND (a la THE BUSINESS), GERM ATTACK (very catchy Poppunk a la THE BOYS), More info at: http://www.wolverine-records.de (Points: -)
Here we have a sensational Melodic Hardrock release from California. The band is called WALK THE SKY and they play a pure 80s Hair Metal/Melodic Hardrockstyle with catchy choruses, melodic hooks, flashing guitarsolos, superb lead vocalwork and big time harmonyvocals in the style of the 80s sounds of DOKKEN, FIREHOUSE, STRYPER, SCORPIONS… I can’t believe these guys are independent, because what they show on their debut CD is of a very high class and finally we have something pure 80s that doesn’t sound dated, because it rocks big time. This CD simply blows away most of these so-called 80s releases on the major labels, because this WALK THE SKY is basically playing the perfect 80s Melodic Hardrockstyle. Songs like “Castles in the sand”, “Lay it on the line”, “Always remember”, “Face to face” and “Heart of stone” (cool 80s MALMSTEEN riffs) are really terrific catchy uptempo Melodic Hardrocksongs. Big surprise is the TOUCH cover “Don’t you know what love is” (one of the best songs of all times!!!), done very well with perfect vocals and harmonyvocals. The band is at their best during the uptempo rockers, because during the few slower songs, such as the groovy “Make up your mind”, “What you need” and the semi-ballad “Touched by you” the band sounds a little less strong, but nevertheless with the mentioned sensational uptempo Melodic Rockers, these guys deserve the prize for releasing the best independent release of 2005! The CD was mastered by KEN LEE (U2, ERIC CLAPTON, QUEEN) and for more info on WALK THE SKY go to: http://www.walkthesky.com and e-mail them at: contact@walkthesky.com (Points: 8.7 out of 10)
More cool Aussie Power Metal, although a bit heavier here (Thrash Metal guitar riffs) and much rawer than DUNGEON, BLACK MAJESTY and CRIMSON FIRE. The new BLACK STEEL CD is a little less sensational than their debut from a few years ago, because the production could have been much better and the 11 included songs are not as strong as their debut, which I really thought was a sensational record. The new CD is of course not bad at all, but it misses sometimes the power and strength of the songs of the debut and therefore can not always compete with the sensational releases done this year by the earlier mentioned bands. Nevertheless, songs like “Relentless force” (an epic classic piece mixing the best of MANOWAR and MAIDEN), “Up against the world” (a sort of semi-ballad), “Going down” (very strong uptempo Melodic Power Metal masterpiece), “Live for the fight” (midtempo MANOWAR style at it’s best!) and “Death or glory” (uptempo Power Metal at it’s best) are all very impressive songs, so in the end I guess it was just the first 3 or 4 songs that slightly disappointed, because the rest is True Metal the way it should sound, so it still is a must for all MANOWAR fans. More info at: http://www.blacksteel.com.au and e-mail at: info@blacksteel.com.au (Points: 8.4 out of 10) KENNY DREW ‘KENNY DREW’ (INDEPENDENT) Independent musician from Jacksonville/Florida, who did everything on his own on his debut CD, which he recorded between 1999 and 2002. Musically we have a good deal of 80s AOR/Poprock in the style of STEVE PERRY/JOURNEY/HUGO/RICHARD MARX/JOHN WAITE/MARK SPIRO here. It is clear that STEVE PERRY is a big influence on Kenny, because he tries to sound like him, which is done quite well sometimes, although there’s only one STEVE PERRY of course. Anyway, the 10 included songs are nice little aor/poprockers with as best songs “Bloom fall”, “Whisper”, “Whenever your heart is” and “Forever”. If you liked JUST JAY, DAVID ALLEN, STREET TALK, JIM JIDHED or DAVID KUHN, you will love KENNY DREW just as well. Maybe not as good as STEVE PERRY, still someone worth checking out if you’re an AOR fan! More info at: http://www.kennydrew.com and e-mail him at: email@kennydrew.com (Points: 8.0 out of 10)
SOUL DOCTOR returns, but it is a good thing to see lead singer TOMMY HEART making a return with FAIR WARNING next year, because without any doubts, their records from the 1990s are instant melodic rock classics, while the albums he released with SOUL DOCTOR are nothing but standard rough around the edge Hardrock releases. Not a week goes by for me without hearing one of those FAIR WARNING classics, so all hopes are going out to next year for the new FAIR WARNING release. In the meantime Tommy’s band SOUL DOCTOR has released another ‘nice’ little standard Hardrock affair in the style of a weaker GOTTHARD (so more like their late 90s albums, not like their last couple of records), with a few great semi melodic rockballads (“Remember” and “Where do we go”), although most of the time this is a Hardrock affair going nowhere. I suppose live it will do well, but one understands that everyone is waiting for a new FAIR WARNING record instead and if all goes well that will happen within a year from now. (Points: 8.0 out of 10)
One of the true Metalbands from germany makes a return with the release of a new CD titled ‘Seven seals’. This is the 6th CD release of the band around bassist/vocalist MAT SINNER (SINNER) and RALF SCHEEPERS (ex-GAMMA RAY). Musically no changes at all, so once again high class straight-ahead Power Metal like JUDAS PRIEST in their best days. 10 new songs are included and most of the time the band is focused on uptempo Power Metal, which is done at it’s best in the songs “Rollercoaster”, “All for one” (8 minutes!) and “Question of honour”, but the band also has a few slower songs, such as the midtempo epic “Seven seals” and even a semi-ballad as closing track “In memory”. However, we are safe to say this is a pure straight-ahead Power Metal record like PRIEST will never deliver. Definitely a must-have for the real Metalfans! (Points: 8.7 out of 10) ANOTHER MESSIAH ‘DARK DREAMS, MY CHILD’ (INDEPENDENT) ANOTHER MESSIAH is a band from Holland and with their first full-length CD ‘Dark dreams, my child’ they have released something quite impressive. The CD has a big sound, thanks to the production of JOOST VAN DEN BROEK (AYREON, AFTER FOREVER) and musically this is Metal with all sorts of influences. It’s a pity the clean vocals aren’t used more often, because now we get to hear most of the time raw growls. Nevertheless, this is a fine piece of high quality Metal, which will mostly be interesting for the fan of complex progressive metal and anything between Doom and Death Metal. Influences of OPETH and GOREFEST are very clear, but when things get a little cleaner it sounds a lot like NEVERMORE as well. In fact, a song like “I never noticed” is a very strong semi-ballad with Progressive Rock/Metal influences a la VANDENPLAS, so the band shows they really sound very sensational if they focus on more clean melodic vocal passages. On the other hand, the mixture of dark and melodic passages with both clean vocals and growling also works quite well, but still I had rather heard more clean vocal songs a la “I never noticed”, which is by far the best song on the record. Check it out for yourself at: http://www.anothermessiah.com and e-mail at: info@anothermessiah.com (Points: 8.0 out of 10) AMERICAN DRAG ‘AMERICAN DRAG’ (INDEPENDENT) This Californian band doesn’t sound original, but who cares if the music is quite catchy and strong enough to appeal to the fans of the typical American Rocksound. The band combines influences of NICKELBACK and DISTURBED with more 70s groovy Guitar riffs and also better melodic vocals than the 2 afforementioned bands, but there are also clear similarities to bands like VERTICAL HORIZON, GOO GOO DOLLS and MATCHBBOX 20 here and there. Concluded, the 11 included songs on their same titled debut CD offer good clean modern day sounding Melodic Rock’n’Roll (with some Pop influences as well) with as best tunes “Throwing fables”, “Drive”, “Holding on”, “Post runaround let down” and “Awake” (strong melodic chorus, 70s spirit). More info at: http://www.americandrag.net (Points: 8.1 out of 10) RAY WHITLOCK ‘NEW BEGINNING’ (INDEPENDENT) Singer/Songwriter RAY WHITLOCK from Tennessee/USA got a rave review from me when he was in the AOR/Melodic Rockband ONE EYED GYPSY. Now he has a solo CD out, which is less AOR/Melodic Rock, but still sounding pretty good. The aor/poprock has some westcoast/country/southern rock influences, but also features some great clean vocalwork of Ray, ending up sounding like a good mix of JON BON JOVI, JOHN TAGLIERI, 38 SPECIAL and VAN ZANT. 11 songs are included and most of the songs fall in a similar style, which is calmer midtempo song/chorus based songs with not too many instrumental passages. Call it typical American singer/songwriter with a touch of AOR. Best songs are “What’s been missin’”, “Alive and in love”, “Could be” (very catchy) and “Yesterday’s over”. Must-have for fans of JOHN TAGLIERI, 38 SPECIAL/VAN ZANT and the BON JOVI solo records. What I miss a bit here are some more uptempo rockers (only the BRYAN ADAMS/RICK SPRINGFIELDish “This must be heaven” may be seen as an uptempo rocker), but nevertheless the material will definitely appeal to fans of mentioned acts. More info at: http://www.raywhitlock.com (Points: 8.2 out of 10) |
THE STORYTELLER ‘UNDERWORLD’ (BLACK LODGE/SUBURBAN)
BENEDICTUM ‘UNCREATION’ (LOCOMOTIVE MUSIC/ROCK INC)
CRY HAVOC ‘REFUEL’ (MAJESTIC ROCK RECORDS)
KURGAN’S BANE ‘CAMOUFLAGED IN STATIC’ (INDEPENDENT)
HELLFUELED ‘BORN 2 ROCK’ (BLACK LODGE/SUBURBAN)
STORMGARDE ‘DEMO’ (DEMO CDR)
PAUL BLACK’S LA GUNS ‘BLACK LIST’ (BLACK CITY RECORDS)
A.D.D. ‘3 SONG DEMO CDR+1,9 MINUTE ATTENTION SPAN’ (BMI
PUBLISHING) 
WALK THE SKY ‘WALK THE SKY’ (WALK THE SKY MUSIC)
BLACK STEEL ‘HELLHAMMER’ (ADRENALINE RECORDS)
SOUL DOCTOR ‘FOR A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS’ (FRONTIERS RECORDS/ROUGH
TRADE) 
PRIMAL FEAR ‘SEVEN SEALS’ (NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS)