 NORWAY - RISING UP FROM THE ASHES' (MTM MUSIC)
NORWAY is back and that took a very long time, because the previous album 'Arrival' was released in 2000. Nevertheless, their comeback is very impressive and the change of lead singer is not a problem at all, because new singer (and keyboardplayer, known for singing on TRADIA/DEPARTURE albums as well as solo) DAVE BALDWIN (who replaced GLENN PIERSON) even makes them better in my opinion, as he has got some great lung pipes in the HUGO/STEVE PERRY style, so going up high without any problems. The music is still the same, mixing classic 80s melodic rock of the DOKKEN/SCORPIONS kind, especially in the guitar riff department, with AOR melodies and choruses a la JOURNEY. Result is a very strong album, with such great tracks like "Anything At All" (SUPERB AOR song), "Tell me" (TRIUMPH meets 80s SCORPIONS), the midtempo AOR song "Since You've Been Gone" and "The power of Gold" (lovely catchy AOR). The songs are very lenghty actually, with closing track "Haunted" being almost an epic piece of more than 8 minutes! It also reminds me of FINAL FRONTIER here and there, but not high vocal pitched all the time, while the music is a bit heavier, like said before more Melodic Hardrock a la DOKKEN/SCORPIONS, but always with a pure JOURNEYesque AOR approach. The only disappointing song is the very cliché tingled "American girl", which suffers from a poor chorus, unlike the rest of the album, which is quite strong. Still going strong after 21 years, NORWAY has now finally their 3rd album availanle and melodic Rockfans will definitely love this new NORWAY record, as it is of a very high level and presenting some pure melodic rock with absolutely zero modern influences! (Points: 8.6 out of 10)
It seems like about every band from the 1980s has released a comeback record. SINNER is the latest band, although they have never split up actually, because they released a bunch of records in the 90s, but leader MAT SINNER has been involved with other bands and projects as well as recently joining the MTM MUSIC team to sign more Metalbands to the label. SINNER's new release 'Mask of sanity' is basically pure 80s Teutonic Metal, nothing more nothing less. Songs like "The Other Side", "The Sign", "Under The Gun" and "Diary Of Evil" are for the fan of the classic SINNER sound recognizable, although I doubt if SINNER will win new fans with this release. The album features guest appearances by Andy B. Franck (Brainstorm), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) and Martin Grimm (Mystic Prophecy) and although it all sounds like a high quality record, the songs are just nice. Live SINNER will sound much better and MTM would do an even better job if they could re-issue the 80s albums of SINNER, because they are still almost unavailable on CD. (Points: 8.0 out of 10) MOONLIGHT COMEDY 'DOROTHY' (LION MUSIC) Moonlight Comedy were formed in 1998 in Italy and 'Dorothy' is their 2nd album release. Musically they play progressive power metal and they do it very well. Their music is absolutely not original, but on the other hand it is high quality Melodic Progressive Metal and should be put next to bands like PAGAN'S MIND, VANDENPLAS, MIND'S EYE and even DREAM THEATER. The band has a strong lead singer and especially the first couple of songs are very impressive. Towards the end of the CD, it is getting a bit less strong, but I am sure all Progmetalfans are gonna love this record! (Points: 8.4 out of 10) VITALIJ KUPRIJ 'GLACIAL INFERNO AND REVENAGE' (LION MUSIC) Keyboardmaster VITALIJ KURPIJ returns with a new solo-album titled 'Glacial inferno and revenge', which musically is pure Neo-Classical melodic Prog/Power Metal madness with not just Vitalij showing offf on his keyboards, which include classical knowledge, progressive leanings, fusion and even folk, but also contributions by Michael Harris on guitar, and the former Yngwie Malmsteen/Ark rhythm section of John Macaluso on drums and Randy Coven on bass. The new CD 'Glacial Inferno' is being released as a limited edition double pack of just 2000 units with Vitalij's latest band project release 'Revenge', which was unavailable outside Asia until now. REVENGE is a very interesting CD, so I do not understand it is just a limited bonus CD, because this CD is basically high class Neo-Classical melodic metal in the style of ARTENSION, BRAZEN ABOTT, RING OF FIRE, MALMSTEEN, with fantastic vocalwork of JOE LYNN TURNER, DOUGIE WHITE, Songs like "Burning My Soul" (very fast), "I Don't Believe In Love", "Follow Your Heart" and "Stand Up And Fight" (aor/melodic rock) are quite superb songs. This bonus CD is without any doubts a must-have for any fan of mentioned bands, but in case you don't want the vocals, well then 'Glacial Inferno and Revenge' is a recommended piece. One way or the other, fans of high quality neo-classical metal as well the the more progressive leanings of MALMSTEEN, RING OF FIRE and ARTENSION are making this limited edition double pack a truly prized release. (Points: 8.5 out of 10) MARTONE 'WHEN THE ALIENS COME' (LION MUSIC) Canadian guitar virtuoso Dave Martone has a new solo-CD out, which musically is bringing us a good clean quality instrumental guitar orientated mix of straight ahead rock and progressive metal, with some experimental moments. Dave has performed in countless cities in the world, given clinics and taught at Berklee College Of Music and the National Guitar Workshop. Definitely a high quality release, especially to those who appreciate guitar based instrumental hardrock... (Points: 8.1 out of 10) LAC PLACIDE 'CLOSER' (QUADRIFONIC RECORDS) 'Closer' is the debut CD of the French band LAC PLACIDE. A band with a male and a female singer and musically they are playing progrock, which sometimes borders the progmetal border. However, it does not really click and in the end it is just a nice record, only for the die-hard fans. They do have a flashing website at: http://www.lacplacide.com where you can check out everything about LAC PLACIDE. (Points: 7.9 out of 10) PATH THROUGH THE MIST '7 HOMESONGS' (QUADRIFONIC RECORDS) A very open-minded band from France, combining Progressive Rock with all sorts of other influences, Pop, Folk, Celtic, etc. all sounding very dark. It doesn't sound like any other band, which of course makes it very interesting for the progfans, although it should not really be called prog, as it is very dark music. Slow, very experimental and really only for the open-minded fans. Check it out for yourself at: http://www.myspace.com/paththroughthemist (Points: 7.5 out of 10)
The Dutch band CASUAL SILENCE comes back with a very impressive new CD, definitely their best so far, beating their previous 3 efforts. 'Lost in life' might even be called the best Dutch Neo-Progalbum in ages, as it really is sensational in all places, vocally, musically and the production are alll sounding amazing. The new FOR ABSENT FRIENDS was really disappointing, so it is a good thing that the new CASUAL SILENCE is a very good record and I might even add that CASUAL SILENCE is at the moment the best Neo-Progband out there. They use different vocalists, all sounding very melodic and AORish, while the music is typical Neo-Progressive Rock in the style of the English bands, like PALLAS, but then again with here and there some superb AOR melodies/harmonies/choruses. Especially the songs "Escape", "Memories" and "Dress Code" (with DAMIAN WILSON ex-THRESHOLD on guest vocals) are MASTERPIECES! This band has been going strong for a long time, but with 'Lost in life' they have reached their peak, because this album is the perfect mix of Neo-Progressive Rock and AOR. I can easily recommend it to both AOR and Progfans out there! More info at: http://www.casualsilence.nl (Points: 8.8 out of 10) RIUL DOAMNEI 'APOCRYPHAL' (DEADSUN RECORDS/ROCK INC) Here we have a Black metal release in the style of VENOM/BATHORY, instrumental very good, but vocally endless screaming in pure Black metal style, so we have to pass for this one I believe. (Points: -)
The Swedish band MARYS CREEK was founded in 2004 and after a few demos they already start working on their debut CD, which now has been released on MTM MUSIC. Musically we are entering the Melodic Hardrockworld, with strong similarities to WHITESNAKE, RAINBOW... Production was in the hands of FREDRIK NORDSTROM of DREAM EVIL and therefore the sound is HUGE! The 12 songs included here are quite nice to hear, but like many releases nowadays, the beginning is very strong with such great Melodic Rocksongs like "A little bit of everything", "Down", "She", etc. but towards the end it all gets a bit too standard. The band reminds me a lot of MILLENIUM and EYEWITNESS, but also some HAREM SCAREM. Anyway, this is a good release from yet another new Swedish band, surely something to own if you're a Melodic Hardrockfan! (Points: 8.2 out of 10)
Brazil has brought us hundreds of Power Metal bands the past 10 years, all trying to follow the footsteps of ANGRA. Some are very good indeed, such as FATES PROPHECY, GLORY OPERA, EYES OF SHIVA... Many of these bands are signed to a Brazilian label, but most of these releases do not make it outside of South America, as they are not distributed over here. A real pity of course, but MTM is one of the labels that signed a Brazilian Power Metal band. The band is called SCELERATA and they were formed in 2002, with this album 'Darkness and light' being their debut CD. Even lead singer EDU FALASCHI of ANGRA makes a guest appearance on one of the songs on the CD, while the band even shot a pro video for the song "Eminence". However, I am afraid the band is not outstanding, because the 10 included songs on their debut CD are just ok melodic power metal that sadly do not reach the level of the earlier mentioned other Brazilian bands. The band's singer CARL CASAGRANDE somehow does not have the voice to turn the Melodic Power Metal of SCELERATA into a sensational direction. Not saying this is a bad release, because it all sounds pretty good, but somehow none of the included 10 songs make a big impression and go in one ear and out the other. I think for a future release the band should work on an improvement in the song department. (Points: 7.9 out of 10)
I long back to the days we received many demos from the underground aor/melodic rockscene. That was about 10 years ago, in the middle/later part of the 1990s, when many demo tapes landed on our desk. Yes that was the end of the Tape area, because with the turn of the century, mp3s became the next big thing and literally millions of unsigned bands presented their music to the public. Of course a good change, but it was harder to find really quality acts. Anyway, it is now 2007 and there are still some very good unsigned bands out there. From Sweden we have received quite a lot great unsigned AOR band demos lately, such as CC ROCK, DREAM, NEON DIVER and now we can introduce to you the amazing band WORK OF ART. This Stockholm based band was formed in 1992 and sadly only recorded a few demos through the years and not a full album. The band was inactive for many years, but when they started up a myspace page recently, things finally changed for the better, because they recorded a new demo in January 2007. The band consists of Lars Safsund - Vocals & Keys, Robert Sall - Guitars, Herman Furin – Drums and guest musician Andreas Olson - Bass. The demo they recorded contains only 3 songs and that's a pity, because it is of an exceptional high level what we get to hear and you wishfor more and more after this 12+ minutes of sensational AOR. This is pure AOR at it's very best. Especially the vocalwork of Lars is truly amazing, an incredible voice that sounds like GORAN EDMAN and THOMAS VIKSTROM, very melodic and aorish! The 3 songs are pure AOR, like RADIOACTIVE, TOTO, PRIDE OF LIONS and such. This is by far the best demo I have heard in years. Opener "Why do I" is an amazing uptempo AOR rocker that sets the record straight here, because it shows we have something special here. Also the other songs, the midtempo TOTOish "Camelia" and the uptempo "Her only lie" are all pure AOR and sound like a perfect cross between RADIOACTIVE and PRIDE OF LIONS, so any fan of True AOR is gonna love this band a lot. If this band would record a full CD this year, then it could easily be one of the AOR highlights of 2007 as it really is close to what RADIOACTIVE, TOTO and PRIDE OF LIONS achieve on their albums, so AOR of the highest level. Now everyone should check out WORK OF ART at: http://www.myspace.com/musicofworkofart and it should only be a matter of time before this band is signed by one of the AOR labels. E-mail them at: robert.sall@home.se (Points: 9.2 out of 10)
Here we have another Brazilian band playing Melodic European orientated traditional Metal. STORMENTAL has a very strong lead singer (Alexei Leao) and their debut CD is filled with actually quite impressive melodic prog/power metal. Similarities to ANGRA are easy to make, yet it is a little more melodic. Especially opener "The conquer" is an excellent song and after 8 songs and sadly just 35 minutes the CD ends and this first track remains to be the highlight of the CD. There are also similarities to DREAMLAND and NOSTRADAMEUS possible and I can really add here that this band is one you should check out if you're a Melodic Metalhead! More info at: http://www.stormental.com.br/ (Points 8.3 out of 10)
Although they scored a hitsingle in the 1980s with the song "Comin'On Strong", the UK band BROKEN ENGLISH never released a full album, although they recorded an album in the mid 1980s. Now 20+ years later it has been released onto CD, with the addition of some bonustracks. Musically BROKEN ENGLISH were making Pop/Rock and sounded like STONES meets CHEAP TRICK, sometimes very poppy and quite weird/quirky, but at other times more like your typical weekend melodic poprock of the 1980s, such as the catchy THE OUTFIELD/CUTTING CREW orientated "Do You Really Want Me Back?". Although a nice record, I am not sure if this is really a highly recommended album, but in case you ever wanted to hear more of BROKEN ENGLISH besides their one-off UK hitsingle, here's your chance at a full CD release. More info at: www.angelair.co.uk/ (Points 7.8 out of 10)
Yet another re-issue of an album of the band STACKRIDGE. 'Extravaganza' is from 1974 and now 33 years later it is remastered and available on CD. At the time the music of this band was indeed extravaganza, because it was sort of theatrical pop/rock, like CITY BOY, CHARLIE and ELTON JOHN did at the start of their career. For the time being, a very experimental album that nowadays of course sounds dated, but I am sure fans of that long-forgotten experimental 70s style, which combined Theatrical, Comedian Art and Popmusic a must-hear for sure. More info at: www.angelair.co.uk/ (Points 7.8 out of 10) APPLE 'CROSSROAD' (MALS RECORDS) It has taken some time, but finally we have a Russian band playing Neo-Prog with English lyrics. Let me inform you rightaway that they do it very well. This Russian band has a very impressive lead singer and their music is high quality Neo-Prog a la IQ, PENDRAGON, PALLAS, etc. It sounds very good, not only vocally and songwise, but the 76 minutes which are divided into 10 long songs, also offer some beautiful instrumental parts. Besides, the production and sound quality is very well for a Russian band, but since the new decade started Russian has exploded sort of musically, because most Russian releases have a quality sound nowadays. Anyway, this APPLE is one of the first really good Neo-Progbands from Russia to deliver a CD, which is really worth checking out if you're into IQ, PENDRAGON, PALLAS, etc. More info at: www.mals.ru/ (Points 8.3 out of 10) DYONISOS 'AN INCIDENTAL COLLECTION' (MALS RECORDS) Russian band with a new CD release, but I am afraid their progrock is not really strong. It has similarities to ALAN PARSONS/MOODY BLUES, but the vocals are not impressive and struggling your way through the 60 minutes the CD counts is only for absolute die-hard progfans worth trying. More info at: www.mals.ru/ (Points 7.2 out of 10) CRYONIC 'EVIL MIND' (SWEDMETAL RECORDS/SOUND POLLUTION) Not to be confused with the band CRYONIC TEMPLE, whom are making the same kind of music as this Swedish band CRYONIC, which is traditional Melodic European Power Metal. Of course hugely influenced by HAMMERFALL and PRETTY MAIDS, this is not really an original release, but it does contain some high class Melodic Metal like only the Scandi bands can make it. Especially the song "Promised land" is a very strong Melodic Metal tune, while the song "Queen of sorrow" is a very strong epic tune a la JAG PANZER, but most of the time this CRYONIC is all about raising your fists in the air, riding a horse like a medieval knight while fighting a dragon and saving the princess, yes, this is True Metal and all HAMMERFALL fans are surely gonna love the record of CRYONIC. More info at: http://www.cryonicmetal.com/ (Points: 8.2 out of 10) KRISTIAN HERMANSON 'BRAND NEW DAY/LADY SUPREME CD-SINGLES' (DIST/MARIANN GRAMMOFON) Singer/songwriter from Sweden, who is playing ncie poprock, although a bit too poppy for the rockers among us. It reminds me a lot of Sweden's favorite idol MARTIN STENMARCK, so he should actually be seen as a Popsinger. We received 2 singles, 'Brand new day' and 'Lady supreme'. Both are radio-ready, well-produced, but very poppy and actually it has not much to do with rock. If you're keen on more poprock/pop orientated stuff, the singer-songwriter kind, you can try KRISTIAN HERMANSON, more info at: www.kristianhermanson.se (Points 7.2 out of 10) GIANT SQUID 'METRIDIUM FIELDS' (THE END RECORDS) A female fronted band playing Doom is very rare, but GIANT SQUID is one of them, although I would not call them real Metal, as they are more playing Dark Gothic Rock with a sort of Doom kinda approach, so very slow, but also poppy with some Ambient/New Age influences. Open-minded musicfans will probably like this a lot, as GIANT SQUID has sort of an own sound on their 2nd CD 'Metridium fields'. The CD was produced by Billy Anderson (Neurosis, High On Fire, Mr. Bungle, Melvins) with the assistance of Robert Cheek (Deftones, RX Bandits, An Angle). Sound is good and all together it really feels like an underground record, so nothing mainstream here. More info at: www.myspace.com/giantsquid (Points 7.7 out of 10) JON GARCIA 'JON GARCIA' (INDEPENDENT) This is not really our cup of tea, because American JON GARCIA is playing soft acoustic based pop in the style of JAMES BLUNT, not bad at all, but you really have to be a fan of singer/songwriter pop. More info at: www.myspace.com/jongarciaportland and www.jongarcia.org/ (Points 6.7 out of 10) CAKE ON CAKE 'I GUESS I WAS DAYDREAMING' (DESOLATION RECORDS) CAKE ON CAKE is an American female fronted band playing soft popmusic. It sounds very quirky and not really rocking at all. More info at: www.cakeoncake.com (Points 5.7 out of 10) TODD SNIDER 'PEACE, LOVE AND ANARCHY' (OH BOY RECORDS) Acoustic folk pop is what to expect on the new CD of US singer/songwriter TODD SNIDER. He was born on October 11, 1966 in Portland, Oregon, USA and has been active for about 20 years now, reaching a lot of success in his early years. He released a few albums for MCA RECORDS and switched from labels several times, while last year he released the album 'The Devil You Know', which scored a No. 33 ranking in Rolling Stone magazine's top 50 albums of the year, but also the new 2007 album 'Peace, love and anarchy' will probably be loved by the pop critics. However, it has nothing to do with rock, as this is a Folk-Pop affair. Fans of TODD SNIDER know what to do I assume... (Points -)
A few years ago we reviewed 2 CDs of SERENITY, an Austrian band and now they have released their 3rd CD 'Words untold and dreams unlived' on ... It is more or less a new version of their 2nd CD 'Engraved within', with some new songs and I think re-recordings. Musically we can hear some bloody fantastic Melodic Progressive Metal like a mix between KAMELOT, SYMPHONY X, SILENT EDGE and VANDENPLAS. The band is blessed with a superb lead singer (Georg Neuhauser) who sings as good as any of the established acts in this genre. It sounds huge and some of the songs are very sensational, such as "Forever", "Engraved within" and "Guiding light". Definitely a band to check out if you're a fan of mentioned bands. More info at: http://www.serenity-band.com (Points: 8.6 out of 10) BLAME ‘LIFE IS NOT LIKE A PORN’ (ALKEMIST FANATIX) The CD of the Italian band BLAME is really pure Metalcore from start to finish, so not interesting at all… (Points: -) SENSAZIONE 'ANCHE I PESCI HANNO SETE' (ALKEMIST FANATIX) 2nd CD of the Italian band and the one thing that made me laughing a bit was a certain sentence in the press letter accompanied with the CD of SENSAZIONE. It said that this release would hit your stomach without asking permission for it! Well, putting on the CD and listening to it, it does not match the bandname at all, because the CD of the Italian band SENSAZIONE is just a standard rockband, mixing emo, melodic rock and some punk/rock with metal riffs, melodic choruses with distorted guitars, it’s all very cliché and sung in Italian, so not for everyone interesting. On the other hand, the band does offer some good quality rockmusic, just listen to the song “X sentirmi meglio”, a very catchy almost melodic rock sounding tune. And so further we can find some more nice rockers, although it does not get sensational like the bandname wants us to believe. More info at: www.sensazione.it (Points: 8.0 out of 10) CHEOPE 'DOWNLOADIDEAS' (HEARTLINES MUSIC/ALKEMIST FANATIX) Founded in 1999 in Rome/Italy, the band CHEOPE was founded out of the ashes of the Death Metalband AGONY. Happily, musically CHEOPE goes in a different direction, as we get to hear pure American modern metal, with a touch of European melodies. It reminds me of a cross between PAPA ROACH, DISTURBED and EVERGREY, with sometimes very strong melodies, such as the last couple of songs on this 14 tracks counting CD. Their new CD 'Downloadideas' was released 1 year ago and the most notable thing is the fact that GEORGE MARINO mastered the CD in New York City, which of course is very surprising for a new band, as George is known for doing many of the big 80s releases. Here we have also a very strong impressive release, although it sounds very American and not really original. However, all is done well and for more info go to: www.cheopeonline.com (Points: 8.1 out of 10) BACK ONE OUT ‘HELPLESS’ (AMMONIA RECORDS/DIVISION RECORDS/ALKEMIST FANATIX) If someone would have told me this BACK ONE OUT was an American band, I would instantly believe it, but BACK ONE OUT is an Italian band. Their CD ‘Helpless’ sounds like the best Emo/Punkpoprecord I have heard in ages. This is close to THE CLICK FIVE, especially on such superb catchy melodic punkpoprockers like “Helpless”, “Little Alice” and “Melancholy romance”. Unbelievable this is an Italian band, because this CD sounds so much like it is from an American band. Anyone liking FALL OUT BOY, BOWLING FOR SOUP, etc, well they will like this BACK ONE OUT a lot and due to the fact these aforementioned bands sell about 2 million records of each release, this CD of BACK ONE OUT could also easily end up in the US Top 10 Billboard Charts. For a starter go to their site at: http://www.backoneout.com (Points: 8.5 out of 10) ILID 'THE SHADOW OVER ARKHAM EP' (UKDIVISION RECORDS/PLASTIC HEAD/ALKEMIST FANATIX) Italian female fronted band with an EP release. Musically this is typical modern female fronted rock, which mixes huge sounding distorted guitars with strong melodic clean vocals and catchy choruses. 4 songs are included and although not pure Gothic, fans of LACUNA COIL will definitely like this CD a lot. Actually this band sounds very impressive and they could well be the next big thing. A song like “Envenomation” says it all, calm start with peaceful guitarsound, but then the chorus and big guitarsound kick in and it all sounds like something you hear on the radio or TV somewhere. Quality band, more info at: www.ilid.it (Points: 8.3 out of 10) SHOWSTRIPSILENCE 'MONSTERS AND HUMANS' (GRAVES RECORDS/ALKEMIST FANATIX) Italian band playing a mix of typical American Emo/Punk and Sleazy Glam, like mixing FALL OUT BOY with GUNS’N’ROSES and adding a bunch of screaming. Although it does not sound bad, it sometimes is a bit messy, although a song like “Nightmare” is a nice catchy tune, but please leave out the screaming next time. More info at: http://www.showstripsilence.com (Points: 7.1 out of 10) CONVERGENCE 'POINTS OF VIEW' (CASKET RECORDS/PLASTIC HEAD/ALKEMIST FANATIX) Italian band started as a Death metalband in the early 2000s, but through the years they changed a bit and this is their latest CD. Unfortunately the band is playing metalcore,with some Melodic elements happily, although it all sounds very American and very dark and aggressive. Track 4 “Six feet under” shows the band can also do some straight-forward more traditional Melodic Metal and then they sound pretty good actually. However, most of the time it sounds very modern and close to metalcore. More info at: HTTP://WWW.CONVERGENCE.IT (Points: 6.5 out of 10) EDENSHADE ‘THE LESSON BETRAYED’ (MY KINGDOM MUSIC/ALKEMIST FANATIX) Italian band mixing a lot of various Metalgenres, because if you put on the first song “Tmesis” you can hear Gothic, Prog Metal, Death Metal growls, clean vocals and a very melodic chorus, while the guitar and keyboard solos are straight out of the Progmetal book. Yes this band mixes everything, kinda like INTO ETERNITY, although not that good, but definitely a band to check out if you like your Progmetal very diverse. Then check them out at: http://www.edenshade.com (Points: 8.1 out of 10) STONE THE CROWS 'IN CONCERT - BEAT WORKSHOP GERMANY 1973 DVD' (ANGEL AIR RECORDS) Although a legendary band, especially since they were from Scotland and were active in the very early 1970s, the band STONE THE CROWS formed around female singer MAGGIE BELL became a popular act. Nevertheless, they are not that well-known down here at the mainland in Europe. However, there is now a DVD available of the band, as recorded way back in 1973 in Germany where they gave a very strong performance. Bonus features on this DVD are interviews and a history, making this a collective 2+ hours counting experience of a band that did not become huge, but earned a lot of respect in the cult/underground scene. MAGGIE BELL became quite popular in the near future, worked with ROD STEWART, but this STONE THE CROWS was her starting point and it truly rocked, although musically I would describe it as bluesy/boogie/folk rootsy rock and roll a la JANIS JOPLIN. This DVD is the living proof that it does rock and I really need to add it is quite impressive too, because a lot of work has been done in making this a high quality DVD release. More info at: www.angelair.co.uk (Points: 8.0 out of 10) STACKRIDGE 'FRIENDLINESS/THE MAN IN THE BOWLER HAT' (ANGEL AIR RECORDS) 2nd album and 3rd album of the band STACKRIDGE, formed around JAMES WARREN, recorded way back in the early 1970s. This early 1970s UK band recorded several albums, but James did achieve more success with THE KORGIS. Anyway, musically STACKRIDGE was very much into late 1960s Psychedelica Rock a la THE BEATLES, especially on their album 'Friendliness'. Just listen to their song "Syracuse the elephant' and you hear such close similarities. The next album 'The man in the bowler hat' was more 1970s pop/rock orientated, quite smooth actually. Anyway, short-lived band, but now a lot of their material has been put out on CD, besides these 2 releases. More info at: www.angelair.co.uk (Points: 8.0 out of 10) JAMES WARREN 'BURNING QUESTIONS' (ANGEL AIR RECORDS) JAMES WARREN is known as being a member of the bands STACKRIDGE and THE KORGIS ("Everybody's gonna learn sometimes"), but also released solo material, of which this 'Burning questions' is a new re-issue (and remastered) album from 1985, now available on ANGEL AIR RECORDS. Musically it is very mid 1980s orientated Hi-Tech Pop/Rock like ULTRAVOX, MIKE AND THE MECHANICS, MIDGE URE, but even poppier and very heavy on the keyboards, completely different than the stuff he did with his former bands. It is not really a strong album, as it is really sounds fabricated and could well have been from hundreds of other 'fabricated' artists from the 1980s. Nevertheless, another album to own if you're familiar with JAMES WARREN's music, but be aware it is musically very different. More info at: www.angelair.co.uk (Points: 7.5 out of 10) MCCOY 'UNREAL - THE ANTHOLOGY' (ANGEL AIR RECORDS) Multi-instrumentalist JOHN MCCOY has been in quite some bands in the British Rock History, with now this compilation CD 'Unreal - the anthology' being a very nice summary of his career. The CD contains songs from bands like GILLAN, MAMMOTH, SAMSON, ZZEBRA, ATOMIC ROOSTER, SUN RED SUN and a few more. Musically we go through different rock styles, partly due to the fact these songs have been recorded throughout a long period, mainly in the 1970s and the 1980s. 2 discs with in total 30 songs make up this release. His 1980s material surely was the best he did, as this was very Melodic Rock orientated, but the man changed after that, mainly focusing on making heavy rock with huge guitar riffs and a sound updated for the present day. GMT is one of his latest recordings, but that is far from sensational. Anyway, this 2-CD set is a nice summary of MCCOY's career, especially with the extensive liner notes and pictures included in the CD booklet. More info at: www.angelair.co.uk (Points: 8.2 out of 10) WISZDOM STONE ‘DEMO 2007’ (DEMO CDR) Unbelievable this is just a demo, because WISZDOM STONE from the US state of Wisconsin present us here 4 awesome songs that are all pure classic Melodic Metal US style a la RUFFIANS/VICIOUS RUMORS/LEATHERWOLF but also reminding of CIRCLE 2 CIRCLE. Vocally the band hired 3 different singers, all sounding excellent, of which of course we all know MIKE STONE from QUEENSRYCHE (guitarist, but apparently also a fantastic singer!) and the band also had VICIOUS RUMORS singer MORGAN THORNE as singer once. Anyway, the 4 songs on this demo are truly sounding superb, with “Unforgiven” and “The blade” being 2 sensational 80s US Melodic Power Metal style songs. Check out this band at: www.wiszdomstone.com and e-mail at: wiszdom@hotmail.com (Points: 8.6 out of 10) LYKAION ‘THE THINGS I’VE LEFT’ (INDEPENDENT) Female fronted band playing strong traditional Metal with some Prog and Melodic Metal influences, imagine a mix between DORO, LACUNA COIL and NEVERMORE, sounding modern and very melodic at the same time. Especially the song “Not a farewell” is a very impressive song, because it has an amazing melodic chorus that truly sticks in your head after hearing it, while the guitar arrangement are also very good, very Progmetalish. Definitely a quality band to check out at: http://www.lykjaion.it and e-mail at: tiz@lykaion.it (Points: 8.2 out of 10) TRINITY ‘HEARTBREAK RIDGE’ (SLV FINLAND) Baack to Finland again with the band TRINITY. They have a mini-CD out, featuring 3 own songs as well 2 covers (MOTORHEAD and THE RAMONES). Their own material is good strong Melodic Hardrock, very 80s, a bit THE CULT at the start of each song, but the chorus is pure Melodic Rock, very impressive for sure. Sound is huge and melodic rockers like “Heartbreak ridge” and “Pet Sematary” (the RAMONES cover turned into a melodic rocker) show this is another new sensation from Finland. They are called TRINITY and their CD is titled ‘Heartbreak ridge’, imagine a mix between 69 EYES, LORDI and BROTHER FIRETRIBE! More info at: http://www.trinity.fi and e-mail at: fredator73@hotmail.com (Points: 8.3 out of 10) GRUDGE’S CLAW ‘VISION WEAVER’ (TUNERAIL RECORDS/SLV FINLAND) On the same label as TRINITY, this GRUDGE’S CLAW is yet another strong new Finnish Melodic Metalband. Their mini-CD ‘Vision weaver’ is filled with high class Melodic Metal a la PRIMAL FEAR, EDGUY, NOCTURNAL RITES… Sound is HUGE as always with Finnish bands and the 3 songs on the CD sound very fresh, with as highlights the uptempo titletrack “Vision weaver” and also the very melodic “Time machine”. The band also reminds me a lot of TAROT, which was once the only Metalband in Finland, but nowadays it seems like every musician from Finland is playing in a Rock/Metalband as weekly I receive new Finnish releases and most of them are very good as well, so let’s hope this continues in the near future. In the meantime, check out this GRUDGE’S CLAW at: http://www.grudgesclaw.com and e-mail at: grudgesclaw@hotmail.com (Points: 8.3 out of 10) LINES OF LEAVING ‘IT’S NOT ABOUT US ANYMORE’ (STALKER MUSIC FINLAND) Once more we head to Finland, where we can find the band LINES OF LEAVING. This band is currently making a buzz in their homecountry, where MTV picked them up recently. Now they have a good 2-song CD out, of which the uptempo melodic rocker “It’s not about us anymore” is a very catchy tune indeed. The band mixes melodic rock with classic rock riffs and add some emo, with as result a nice melodic rocking cocktail. Keep this band in mind, just go their site at: http://www.myspace.com/linesofleaving and e-mail at: info@linesofleaving.com (Points: 8.0 out of 10) SNAKE EYES SEVEN ‘PROMO’ (CHAVIS RECORDS) It took some time, but the American Melodic Rocklabel CHAVIS RECORDS is working on some new releases. The first promo of 2007 I received was from SNAKE EYES SEVEN, a band made up of members from the bands KICK AXE, INTO ETERNITY, WRATHCHILD and LOVE HUNTER. Musically they play a sort of dark 80s Rock/Metal style, with a strong BLACK SABBATH/TROUBLE kinda heavy groovy Metal riff here and there. The choruses are melodic, although none of the 10 included tracks is really sensational, a pity because vocally and instrumental it sounds pretty good. However, it’s the song that counts and most of the tracks go in one ear and out the other. The production is also a bit under par, so I am afraid only the die-hard Rock/Metal fans might want to collect this one. More info at: www.snakeeyesseven.net (Points: 7.7 out of 10) (All reviews by Gabor Kleinbloesem) |
SINNER 'MASK OF
SANITY' (MTM MUSIC) 
CASUAL SILENCE 'LOST IN LIFE' (ROCK INC)
MARYS CREEK 'SOME KIND OF HATE' (MTM MUSIC)
SCELERATA 'DARKNESS AND LIGHT; (MTM MUSIC)
WORK OF ART 'DEMO 2007' (DEMO CDR)
STORMENTAL 'STORMENTAL' (INDEPENDENT)
BROKEN ENGLISH 'THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH' (ANGEL AIR
RECORDS) 
STACKRIDGE 'EXTRAVAGANZA' (ANGEL AIR RECORDS)
SERENITY 'WORDS UNTOLD AND DREAMS UNLIVED' (NAPALM
RECORDS/ROCK INC)