AIRBOURNE - “Black Dog Barking”

Label: Roadrunner

Rating: RRRR

Review By Alan Holloway

For a band who make no frills kick ass rock and roll, Australia’s Airbourne don’t exactly rush when it comes to releasing material. Probably too busy hanging from lighting rigs, drinking and fighting, I suppose. Either way, it’s been yet another three years between albums, with “Black Dog Barking” unsurprisingly following the template set out in stone by the lads on their first two full length releases.

What makes reviewing an Airbourne album more fun than reviewing an AC/DC one is that, although they have the same influences, Airbourne never throw a half assed product at you. Whilst AC/DC have some excellent tracks, it’s a hardened fan who would think that even the now legendary “Black Ice” can hold a candle to either of Airbourne’s first two discs.

Well, the new kings of Aussie rock have their own “Black” now, and it’s appropriately a snarling black dog that’s ready to bite your bollocks off if you don’t join the party. Subtlety is binned in favour of full on, spit in your face rock and roll, and fans will be happy to know that the quality is just as consistent third time round. Joel O’Keefe still sounds like he’s chewing Brian Johnstone’s head off with every chorus, whilst the rest of the band keep it simple and loud, aided by a clear production.

Suffice to say, there’s no ballads here, and not standout tracks. The latter is because they are all great tracks, with the album going at a rate of knots from start to finish. I’ve been listening to it for most of the day and am yet to get bored or even stop singing along with the choruses. The bottom line is that “Black Dog Barking” is a first class balls n boogie album that earns it’s place in your collection as well as it’s predecessors. Can’t wait to see the live shows.

Official Website: http://www.airbournerock.com/

VIP: "Palaneet Sillat"

VIP: "Palaneet Sillat"
 Rating: RRR
Label: Bullroser Records 2012
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

Despite some line-up changes, the sound of VIP hasn't drastically changed since their previous album, "Maasta Olet Tullut" (2009). They play contemporary Christian Metal and sing in Finnish, and have an interesting way of mixing thrash metal influences to a more melodic rock style. The cookie monster vocals that raised their ugly head every now and then on the previous album are pretty much gone, and the band says that their music is a bit more straightforward these days. I guess they know what they're talking about, these songs are easy to digest, yet there are interesting details for those who like to analyze it deeper.
While the songs are good, they're haunted by the sombre, melancholic vibe that's very common in Finnish music, especially metal music. A lot of people find it very appealing and I can relate to it, but somehow it makes this album a bit heavy to listen to from start to finish. Yeah, it's Heavy Metal but still... the only "breather" among the tracks seems to be "Turvaan", a ballad sung by a female guest vocalist, but its' heavy lyrical subject doesn't make it an easy-listening song either. But anyway, when enjoyed in smaller doses this works better, and I would recommend this to the open-minded fans of Finnish Metal - from Sonata to Sentenced.
Website

COVERED CALL: "Impact"

Rating: RRR Label: AOR Heaven 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen
Swedish melodic rockers released a pretty good debut album "Money Never Sleeps" a few years ago, with Thomas Wikström on vocals. Now they're back for another try with a new album and a new vocalist, the one and only Göran Edman (Madison, Malmsteen, Kharma etc etc). "Pretty good" sums up this album too, they have some fairly catchy songs but then again some rather average ones, especially on the second half of the album.
The overall vibe of the album is uptempo and positive, it's well produced and played. The band makes a good impression with the first few tracks like "Lorraine", "Think About The Old Times" and "Hold On". The latter is actually a cover of Saxon's somewhat obscure track "Hold On" from "Dogs Of War" album. I'm not familiar with that album, so I was surprised to find out that they were still writing AOR type of songs in 1994... Covered Call's version is in my opinion better the original and probably my favourite track of "Impact".
"Impact" is just what's missing on the remaining tracks. They aren't actually that bad, just forgettable. The choruses aren't that catchy, and towards the end the band seems to slip into a boring "boogie rock" style. A pity, it started out so well.
Website

BELIEVE: "The Warmest Sun In Winter"

Rating: RRRR
Label: Metal Mind
Review by Martien Koolen

Believe's fifth studio album The Warmest Sun In Winter is their best effort so far. It was recorded in Mirek Gil's studio in early 2013 and the CD includes eight new tracks including Please Go Home; a song written in memory of Robert Rosnak, a Polish reporter and friend of the band.

The album opens with a short song called The End, filled with guitars and piano, followed by one of the highlights of the CD, namely the guitar-dominated track Beginners. The absolutely amazing guitarsolos of Gil in this song remind me of Sattelite and Riverside; pure magic. Another great song is Heartless Land, also the longest track, which is again filled with breathtaking melodies and exquisite guitarpassages, solos and grooves.

The only disappointing song on the album is the so called hidden track The Bright Day, which is rather weird and jazzy. But I can really recommend this album to lovers of melodic progressive music as Believe has really turned into an amazing band.
Website

DANNY BRYANT - ‘Hurricane’

Rating: RRRR

Label: Jazz House Records

Review By: Alan Holloway

Another day, another Blues guitarist I’ve never heard of. Whilst I certainly appreciate a good bit of heavy blues, I’m not really the sort to go out and track it down, so it’s a bonus when something that stands out amongst the crowd drops through the letterbox.

‘Hurricane’ is the sixth studio album from Danny Bryant, and it’s plain to see from the start why he’s got such a reputation amongst those who worship the blooze. ‘Prisoner Of The Blues’ is a perfect opener, a sturdy, solid rock track that just drips with the blues. When Bryant lets loose with the solo it’s almost impossible not to pick up an air guitar and pull tortured faces as you play along with him. Vocally, he’s no slouch either, and whilst he’s unlikely to top and best singer lists he gets the job done. ‘Hurricane’ is a very solid album, chock full of excellent playing and lively songs, bringing to mind Jeff Healy and Gary Moore in places. ‘Devil’s Got A Hold On Me’ takes the basic riff from ‘Spirit In The Sky’ (or near as dammit) and lays over it a fantastic blues sheen, whilst ‘I’m Broken’ is a standard bluesy ballad with a huge, meandering solo.

If you like a bit of Joe Bonamassa, or enjoyed Gary Moore’s blues days you really should check out Danny Bryant. Soulful and very talented, he tears up the fretboard as well as anybody else, with his finger dancing surrounded by good, solid songs. A fine export from the UK, Danny is the real deal.

www.dannybryant.com

GREAT WHITE - '30 Years - Live From the Sunset Strip'

 Rating: N/A

Label: Frontiers

Review By: Alan Holloway

Great White have been around a long time now, with members coming and going and original vocalist Jack Russell even forming his own version a few years back. This is not that Great White, this is, ostensibly, the real one. Probably.

The band needed a vocalist who could carry them live and in the studio, and ex XYZ man Terry Ilous certainly does the job. There’s no tracks from his only CD with the band, but with only eleven cuts this had to be a tricky setlist to pick. The band sound fantastic, especially axeman Mark Kendall, with Ilous handling the blues and the rock & roll with class and style.

Great White never achieved the fame they craved, but this album is a too short testament to their quality. Whichever camp you are in, this is a fine collection of songs well played, and what more do you want?

Official Site -  www.greatwhiterocks.com/
 

KILL FOR EDEN - S/T

RATING: RRRR

LABEL: N/A

Review By: Alan Holloway

Now this lot have certainly be garnering a lot of positive press, thankfully not just because they have a hot chick lead singer, but because they also churn out powerful, catchy rock with  undeniable pop sensibilities. The Hot Chick in question is Aussie born Lyla D’souza, who has written the album with British guitarist Dave Garfield, and her stamp is all over this impressive full length debut.

The opening salvo of “Kerosene”, “Untouchable” and “Beige” is very impressive, throwing out three strong, guitar driven monsters with pounding drums, big riffs and strong, aggressive vocals. This isn’t a million miles from what Halestorm are doing , but has a rougher, charismatic edge to it. “Stalemate” follows, but is a slower, moodier track rescued mainly by the vocals. “the Evil That men Do” is nothing to do with Iron Maiden but is instead an emotional, smooth track with a great middle section and softer vocals from D’souza. Although the album goes on to deliver thirteen tracks (plus a second version of Kerosene“), it’s a credit to those involved that it doesn’t get boring at all, with the style changing just enough with each song to stave off the old ‘heard it before’ feeling.

If you like Halestorm or just upbeat, melodic hard rock then you should check out Kill For Eden. It’s got everything from kick in the balls hard rock to melodic rock and ballads, all tied together by Lyla D’souza’s powerful vocals. Definitely a band to watch.

Official Site: http://www.killforeden.com/

WHITESNAKE - “Made In Japan”

Label: Frontiers

Review By: Alan Holloway

Rating: N/A

Label: Frontiers

Recorded in late 2011, this package is available with a DVD but all we got was a download of the two CD’s, so if you want to know what the concert looked like tough titties, because I haven’t a clue. I imagine old Cov was posing his arse off and Japanese fans were very appreciative, so that’ll have to do. There might even be a booklet with cool photos and stuff like that, but we didn’t get that either, so let’s concentrate on the music because there is, basically, fuck all else to do.

Let’s be honest here, Whitesnake are hardly likely to release a live album unless David Coverdale is on fine voice. He may be getting old, he may not quite have the range of the good old days, but Coverdale can still hold it together and howl at the moon like a young buck. The first CD features the band’s 70 minute headlining set, and naturally there’s a fair few classics shoehorned in. Opener “Best Years” reminds us that the Whitesnake brand is still alive and kicking in the studio, but it’s with follow up track “Give Me All Your Love Tonight” that things really kick off. We get “Love Ain’t No Stranger” as well, which is a stone cold classic in it’s own right. The evening ends with the power trio of “Fool For Your Loving”, “Here I Go Again” and “Still Of The Night”, and they are, of course, brilliant. What’s not brilliant, especially on CD, is an EIGHT FUCKING MINUTE DRUM SOLO nine tracks in. I doubt this is even that entertaining (at least more than once) on the DVD, but on CD it’s just boring. Doung Aldridge and Reb Beach get their own six minute spot a little earlier, and this is sort of entertaining but ultimately absolutely no substitute for a Whitesnake song. Fourteen minutes could have been MUCH better used, is my point.

Disc two is an interesting thing, with eight tracks recorded ‘on the fly’ at rehearsal or soundcheck, including banter between the band. It’s relaxed and includes some tracks not on the first disc, like “Fare Thee Well”, “Evil Ways”, “Lay Down Your Love” and acoustic versions of “Good To Be Bad” and “Tell Me How”. Interestingly, I found myself enjoying the second disc more than the first, as it is something different and doesn’t have any drum solos on it. Overall, the complete package is certainly worth buying, as I doubt the DVD will be a let down in any way.

Official Site: www.whitesnake.com/

DE LA CRUZ - ‘Street Level’

Rating: RRR

Label: Frontiers

Review By: Alan Holloway

I think the last Australian band I reviewed was White Widdow, so it’s nice to return to the seedy underbelly of the planet (okay, I’m jealous - it looks lovely) for the debut album from De La Cruz. It will come as no surprise that a band with a name like De LA Cruz play Eighties influenced semi sleaze, especially when you see song titles like ‘Gimme Love’ and ‘S.E.X’, but it certainly came as a surprise to me just how darned good they are at it for much of the album.

“Street Level” certainly starts off very well with a title track that is just stuffed with skyscraper sized riffs. It’s a bit reminiscent of stuff like Leatherwolf, it’s so in your face. This is pretty much the peak of the album as far as aggressiveness goes, and the do calm down a bit as it goes on. Roxxi Catalano has a good, powerful vocal and is a great screamer when he needs to be, and there are plenty of seriously good solos from Casey Jones and Rory Joy. It’s not all joy and balloons, though, as “Street Level” seems to run out of puff half way through. The bombast and bluster of the opening tracks gives way to more mid range stuff, and although it’s good it lacks the sheer attitude and “Fuck You”-ness of the openers. “Dreaming” for example, is a pleasant enough track, but compared to the title track it’s rather tame. “S.E.X” kicks things back into gear with some blistering guitarwork, but the two tracks following, “Set The Night” and “Shine”, again fall back down, tempo-wise.

So I have mixed feelings about this album. When it rocks, it really rocks, but when it doesn’t it’s like a thoroughbred racehorse being taken out for a trot. The rating given here is not what I was expecting to give when I first put it on, but hopefully their next album will be more consistent.

Official Website: www.delacruzofficial.com/

VON HERTZEN BROTHERS - ‘Nine Lives’

 
Rating: RRRR

Label: Spinefarm

Review By Alan Holloway

So, a three piece crossover prog band, eh? No, don’t mention the “R” word, because it’s a long way to Finland from Canada, and the Von Hertzen Brothers (who really are brothers) would be upset to be so easily dismissed with a comparison that isn’t remotely apt. So that’s cleared that up, then.

Album number five for the boys is certainly not a step back, mixing powerful classic rock sensibilities with full on, hippytastic prog that is more Pink Floyd than Rush. Closing track “Prospect For Escape”, for example, is seven and a half minutes of psychedelic weird that is probably best listened to in a darkened room lit only by a single lava lamp. Yeah, it’s THAT sort of prog. Not to say that even the trippiest of tracks can’t pack a punch, as the VHB can throw in some powerful guitar and know a good crescendo when they see one. It’s not all slow and interesting, though, and the casual listener will find a good dollop of more straightforward rock to amuse, such as the rather Doors-like “Coming Home”, which barrels along with a killer bassline, totally at odds with the slower stuff.

The thing with the VHB is that they are happy to defy convention, mixing their no holds barred prog with songs that would go down a storm at any rock disco. The thing is, I actually like it quite a lot - you can pick your tracks to suit the mood you’re in. “Nine Lives” really is a something for everyone kind of album, showing great talent and adaptability on the band’s part. Not just for proggies, this is a fascinating and entertaining album.

Official Site: Website

BAI BANG: "All Around The World"

Rating: RRR Label: AOR Heaven 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen
Despite being around since the late eighties, Bai Bang aren't usually mentioned alongside their Swedish contemporaries Treat, Dalton, Bad Habit and others. Maybe it's because their first album "Enemy Lines" was a rather hideous and poppy one, and it took them a few years to come up with a follow-up "Cop To Con". In 1992 their kind of music was fast going out of fashion, and the album didn't get that much exposure. Vocalist Diddi Kastenholt has kept the dream alive over the years. In 2009 the band hooked up with AOR Heaven, and a new period of activity started.
I haven't heard the band's previous album "Livin' The Dream", but compared to the 2009 release "Are You Ready", this new album is an improvement. The melodies are much stronger on this one, and the production is better too. One thing that hasn't changed are the lyrics, it's still the same "time to party, let's rock" kind of stuff with a couple of balladic songs about lost love throw in.
The album's standout tracks are the catchy melodic tracks "Everybody Everywhere", "Raise Your Hands" and "All Around The World". All three have big hooks and melodies that might remind you of Wig Wam, Bon Jovi or Def Leppard. The two balladic ones "How About Now" and "Now You're Gone" are fine songs too, even though "Now You're Gone" seems to be based on the "Ooh Wee Oh" vocal hook of Def Leppard's "Women"... A few of the songs don't work quite as well, take the summer anthem "Summertime" for instance. I guess it was intended to be a perfect song for the sunny days, but it's just too slow and plodding to be an uplifting holiday hit. And then there's "Get It On", which really should have been left off the album. Diddi's vocals are all over the place and the song sounds like it was put together in three minutes to fill the space. No amount of "Whoa Whoa's" can save it.
Website

AIRLESS: "Changes"

Rating: RR
Label: Lion Music 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen
It's time for album number four for Spanish band Airless, and apparently there are "Changes" in the air. Don't know about that... I was pretty sure that I hadn't heard this band before, but I checked our archives, and found out that I have actually reviewed the band's second album "2nd Round". I wrote that "I'm not too fond of this album, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Airless releasing a killer album one day" about that one, and I actually could write that about this album too. They are competent musicians, but something about their songwriting just doesn't appeal to me.
Vocalist Iñaki Lazkano still has a bit of an over-the-top style which seems to be favoured by several Southern European singers. Think Jon Bon Jovi's early style but with more vocal acrobatics, or if you're familiar with more obscure acts, Russell Arcara during his days in Surgin'. Anyway, he has toned it down or I've gotten more used to it, because it doesn't annoy me as much as it seemed to do back in 2005.
As for the songwriting, somehow I get the vibe that the band isn't completely sure of their chosen style. It's as if they're a progressive rock band trying to be Bon Jovi... trying hard to create melodic rock hits, but lacking that pop sensibility required for it. The prog side pushes through, and there's just too much widdling, doodling and whatnot. Especially the drummer Pako Martinez sounds a bit too busy for this sort of music sometimes - he's very good, but maybe "less would be more"...
The album's best songs for me are "Rescue Me" and "Start Again". The album's title track features Danny Vaughn sharing the vocals with Lazkano, but that doesn't rescue the song, even though it's always nice to listen to him.
For the next album, I'd like to see some "Changes" indeed. A more direct approach to songwriting, less tricky rhythms and bigger choruses. Or maybe an even progressive style would suit the band, if that's what they want to do?
Website

BON JOVI: "What About Now"

Rating: RRR
Label: Island Def Jam 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen
Once upon a time Bon Jovi used to "Let It Rock". Those days are long gone, today's Bon Jovi plays laidback poprock with some country overtones. They are still an entertaining live act with a massive back catalogue of hits to rely upon, and while their recent albums have been a bit on the bland side of things, there's usually a song or two on each album that shows that they can still hit the bullseye every now and then.
On "What About Now", the first two tracks do the trick for me. The first single "Because We Can" is a catchy and fun track with a chorus that sticks like glue, while "I'm With You" is a moody, hugely melodic track that merges the old with the new quite beautifully. The whole first half of the album is actually quite good, with nice uptempo tracks like "That's What The Water Made Me" and a decent enough ballad "Amen". But then the band starts slipping... badly.
The second half of the album starts with a second-rate re-write of "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" called "What's Left Of Me". Desmond Child, the co-writer of the band's classic hits is credited on the next song, but his involment doesn't help - "Army Of One" is Bon Jovi trying to be hip modern rock. Some fine playing from Sambora and nice keyboard work save the song from being completely forgettable. No such luck with "Thick As Thieves", which is modern-day Bon Jovi at their worst - whiny balladry with no hooks to speak of. "Beautiful World" is better, a rather okay uptempo track and easily the best one of the second half. The two remaining tracks can't compete, "Room At The End Of The World" is a dull U2-like midtempo song while "The Fighter" is an acoustic one with Jon Bon Jovi going to Nebraska or something. You might go to sleep while listening to it.
Now that Sambora's out of the band, be it temporarily or permanently, I have a sneaking suspicion that this might be the last Bon Jovi band album. I hope not, the Bon Jovi fan in me hopes for a one last album with big, bold rock songs and no whiny ballads. The realist in me says "yeah, right".
Website

STALA & SO: "Play Another Round"

Rating: RRRR Label: Escape Music 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen
It's the second round for Stala & So, Finnish glam rockers. Their first album was okay, although a bit of a mixed bag of seventies' and eighties' influences. In the end, it didn't have enough great songs to be something particulary exciting. I'm glad to say that the second effort is better. Even Stala's accent seems to have gotten less edgy.
The seventies' influences have taken the backseat as most of the songs are very much 80'ies style melodic rock. Yet the band throws in some quirky pop elements to the mix.
This album has been compared to Reckless Love, and while I hear the similarities, I'd say that Stala & So are a bit more down-to-earth and their sound is less polished. But yeah, both bands can write catchy melodies and take their cues from the eighties, so they do play in the same ballpark.
So, what do we have on the album? 11 melodic rock tracks. Admittedly a couple of the songs could be considered a bit "throwaway" ("Rock Star" and "Alrite Tonite" maybe) and one of them, the video song "The Boys Are Having Fun", is just so sickeningly sugary attempt at a "summer hit" it makes my teeth ache. Otherwise it's all very good, big or even bigger choruses and a couple of good, if somewhat familiar sounding power ballads somewhere in between the rockers. The stand-out track is "Tokyo Delights", which is one of my favourite songs of this year so far. The hook hits ya straight between the eyes!
Note: The European release features two bonus tracks; a remix of the band's Eurovision Song Contest "Pamela" and an acoustic cover of Ozzy's "Shot In The Dark".
Website

PRETTY MAIDS: "Motherland"

Rating: RRRR
Label: Frontiers 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen
Pretty Maids is a bit of a special band. I've almost given up the hope that they might release a perfect "five R-album", but on the other hand, I know that they'll hardly ever disappoint. The band's range is pretty wide even within one album - usually they've got some ultra-melodic AOR type of songs sitting comfortably next to aggressive metal tracks.
"Motherland" is a solid PM album. The melodic AOR gem of the album is "Sad To See You Suffer" while the heaviest track is probably "Hooligan". The other tracks are somewhere between. Initially I wasn't too impressed with the album, I thought it lacked melodic choruses. It just needed a few spins... I still think that some of the hooks could have been sharper, but there's no denying that it's a strong album. "Mother Of All Lies", "Why So Serious?", "Bullet For You" and "Who What Where When Why" and the aforementioned AOR gem are top-notch tunes. At their best, Pretty Maids are unbeatable when it comes to mixing metal with melody.
Website

BURNING POINT: "The Ignitor"

Rating: RRR
Label: Scarlet Records 2012
Review by Kimmo Toivonen
Pete Ahonen seems to be a one-man "metal factory" from the northern Finland, with three active bands going on at the same time. Ghost Machinery and Stargazery are the two others and Burning Point is the one that has the longest history behind it. My knowledge of his material is somewhat limited, I think I've heard one BP album, I'm more familiar with Ghost Machinery, as I've reviewed their last album and seen them live.
Frankly, the material on this album isn't that different to what I heard on the GM album. It's firmly rooted in classic eighties' metal. The BP songs don't flirt with AOR as much as GM ones do though. Solid stuff, but I prefer the slightly more melodic Ghost Machinery. That's not to say that "The Ignitor" is a bad album, far from it.
The band's influences are easy to pick out, you'll hear echoes of bands like Yngwie Malmsteen, Accept, Queensrÿche and Dio in these songs. The band does have an identity of its' own, thanks to Pete's distinctive vocals and clever songwriting.
The highlights for me were probably the first three songs, although there are really no weak songs here. The album would have needed a real stand-out track or two to gain the fourth "R", but anyway, the three "R's" it gets are stRRRong...
Website

BRUJAS DEL SOL: "Moonliner"

Rating: RR
Label: Devouter Records
Review by Martien Koolen
Brujas Del Sol is a psychedelic quartet that mixes krautrock, fuzz-laden blues, surfrock, ambient and rock to become their weird sound, reminding me mostly of Hawkwind. The six songs on this album are loud, strange, hypnotic, spacy and maybe even addictive as you can hear long instrumental pieces and lots of loops and fuzzboxes on this album. Noon On The Moon and Conquistadors are good tracks, but songs like Castles Upon Golden Gate or Baba Yaga are extremely mediocre and dull. Judge for yourself!!
Website - Bandcamp
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RIVERSIDE: "Shrine Of New Generation Slaves"

Rating: RRR
Label: Inside Out Music
Review by Martien Koolen
Riverside is still the best Polish prog rock band of this moment and their fifth album called Shirne Of New Generation Slaves is again a decent, however not too predictable rockalbum. This new album is slightly different from the other four and that means in this case that the music is quieter and not so heavy. Luckily for me all the horrible grunts have gone and although the songs are different you still hear thise typical Riverside characteristics, being: the atmospheric keyboardsound of Lapaj and the breathtaking guitarsolos of Grudzinski.
Deprived is a ballad with superb guitarsolos, followed by the best song of the album Escalator Shrine. However, the rather poppy Celebrity Touch and the acoustic Coda are defintely not to my liking. The opener New Generation Slave is the heaviest song on the album, but unfortunately this album is not as good as albums like Second Life Syndrome or Out Of Myself; but it is still good rock music and really worthwhile to listen to.
Website

CLIVE NOLAN: "Alchemy"

Rating: R
Label: Metal Mind Records
Review by Martien Koolen
I like Clive Nolan as a keyboardplayer in Pendragon and Arena, but his solo efforts are not really my cup of tea. Alchemy is a double album and it is a musical, in the true sense of the word. I loathe musicals, as they are all the same and far too sweet. Alchemy is a Victorian adventure set in 1842 and it sounds like that!! There is too much singing, there are narrative parts, and there are absolutely no musical highlights, no guitarsolos whatsoever. I listened to this album once, it lasts almost two hours!!!, and that was quite enough for me, as I have only a couple of words to describe this new solo project, which are dull, boring and horrible. Truly NOT recommended to rockfans!!

COHEED AND CAMBRIA: "The Afterman: Descension"

Rating: RRR
Label: Hundred Handed/Everything Evil
Review by Martien Koolen
"The Afterman: Descension" is Coheed and Cambria's sixth album and to me this one is slightly disappointing as especially the second half of the album is too dull and predictable to really enjoy this album. The New Yorkers start off this album with Pretelethal and the Sentry The Defiant, which are rather pleasant metal tracks to start an album with. Songs like Number City or Gravity's Union are also up to the standard of former good CAC songs. However the two ballads Iron Fist and Away We Go are really mediocre rock/popsongs, that are actually unworthy of this band.
Claudio Sanchez's voice is still ok but his growling and howling in The Hard Sell is completey redundant to me. This album will not gain any new fans I am afraid and maybe it will not even keep the old fans happy, but if they make a new album filled with songs like Number City then we have something to look forward to..
website

PENDRAGON: "Out Of Order Comes Chaos"

Rating: RRRRR
Label: Metal Mind Records
Review by Martien Koolen
I already reviewed the DVD some time ago and I thought it was one of the best DVDs I have ever seen, so this double CD is also a must for melodic prog rockers. This is a superb double CD with 14 magical songs of which none is a misser. Every song is spot on and the guitar melodies, riffs and solos of Nick are almost out of this world as they give me goosebumps every time I listen to this CD.
Pendragon's music is addictive and the band has an unstoppable energy, making this CD a classic album to come over the next years. Do NOT miss out on this album as you will truly regret it.
Highlights for me: Not Of This World, If I Were The Wind, This Green And Pleasant Land, Last Man On Earth and Paintbox. Play it as loud as you can and this album will become even more magical! Buy or die!!
website

HARDREAMS: "Unbroken Promises"

Label: Perris Records 2012
Review by The Bailey Brothers
This band hail from Spain and I know a few cynics go on about the accents and phrasing but if you have good melody and musicianship it translates worldwide. Look at Rammstein they sing predominately in German but their music and live show have made them an International success. We had to sit with this one for a while not because it was bad but to try and forget about the bits that are maybe White Lion inspired or sound like Journey’s “Faithfully” such as the title track “Unbroken Promises“ where the chorus and even the guitar solo is an attempt at maybe appealing to those fans. It’s a decent song but nowhere near in the Journey class but who is?
“This Land Inside Our Souls” like a few of their songs it has a very memorable chorus. If anything “It’s Only Love” would be my favourite on this release simply because it does what it says on the tin it plods along nicely. Spain has many rock and metal fans as anyone who’s been to Barcelona will tell you. For some reason they have not quite broke worldwide like say German based bands like the Scorpions but I have heard a lot of bands that have tried to copy the American AOR style and failed tremendously. If you like easy listening then this may sit well in your car stereo. Some songs grow after a while and some don’t but it was nice to hear AOR is alive and kicking in Spain.
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TIM BROWN: "Pleasure Strike"

Rating: RRR
Label: Own Release
Review by Martien Koolen
This is the second album of keyboard player Tim Brown and both his albums are completely instrumental, with the keyboard as dominant insrrument of course. If you like albums from Derek Sherinian (ex- Dream Theater, Black Country Communion), Planet X, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) or even Rick Wakeman (ex - Yes) then you will most certainly enjoy this album. Most of the ten songs on Pleasure Strike are up tempo and after a while the songs tend to sound too much alike, but I still can recommend this album to keyboard afficianados. My personal favourites are the title track, Eyes Of Memory, Reaching The Surface and the second to none track Drifting With The Spirits, which is absolutely amazing and that is mainly due to the thrilling guitar solo by Christian Schmider. Next time a couple of more of those songs and the album will eb superb. Till then keep on howling that keyboard!
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AMARANTHE: "The Nexus"

Rating: RRRR
Label: Spinefarm 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen
Amaranthe impressed a lot of people with their first album and the relentless touring that followed, and I believe their second album is one of the most anticipated releases of 2013. The big question is... could the success of the first album be repeated, or even surpassed? The answer will be revealed within the next few months, but I could bet some money on the band's continued success. Despite the fact that "The Nexus" isn't quite as explosive collection of hits as the debut was.
The mixture of metal, pop hooks, dance sounds and three vocalists hasn't changed much. Maybe some of the rhythm patterns are a bit more tricky and "busier" than before, but that's about it... and I may be wrong, but I think that the "growling" vocalist Andreas has gotten a bigger share of the vocals. The band still has a knack for writing irresistable hooks, although it's not evident on every song. There are actually a few songs that might be called fillers...
"Afterlife" gives the album a fine start, featuring one of the strongest choruses of the album. The "don't bore us - get to the chorus" approach continues with "Invincible", a song that seems to be all about the chorus... The first single and video "The Nexus" showcases the "progressive" elements of the band, yet the hook is pure pop perfection.
I like "Theory Of Everything" which has another strong chorus, but "Stardust" doesn't quite reach the same level. The mostly growl-free, balladic "Burn With Me" is a potential single and one of my favourites, even though the "real metal fans" probably think it sounds like The Rasmus or something...
Andreas gets to sing a lion's share of "Mechanical Illusion", which would have required a brilliant chorus to make up for it. We don't get that, just a decent one. The bouncy "Razorblade" is a step into a more hookladen direction again, as is "Future On Hold". I'm not so sure about "Electroheart", which reminds me of Scooter. "Transhuman" doesn't work for me either, but the closing track "Infinity" does and it showcases the band's ability to write fine melodies.
So there, a few future Amaranthe classics yet also a few not-so-great tracks. Mind you, even the weaker tracks aren't really too bad at all, so the RRRR rating is justified. I did make an observation - the stronger the chorus, the more I seem to tolerate the growling. And the other way around.
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SPIN DOCTORS - "If the River Was Whiskey"

RATING: RRRR

LABEL: Ruf Records

LINK:  www.rufrecords.de/

Review by: Alan Holloway

It's not at all surprising if, when you hear the name "Spin Doctors", you bring to mind their horrendously cool and catchy 90s anthem "Two Princes". I did, anyway, and as such was looking forward to a bright, breezy comeback album. I did not get this, but blow me down if I didn't get something just as cool, but totally different in musical direction.

It seems that the Spin Doctors started out as a bloooooze band. Not a little blues, but full on Robert Johnson sitting on a porch style blues, the sort that comes with a harmonica made out of someone's bones and a pact with the devil. So what the lads have done is stamp on the 'rewind' button, back to teh days when they would play blues bars, throwing out their own material rather than covers and challenging the punters to tell the difference.

I've got to say that they've done a great job with the guitar souns here, with the solos flowing out of the speakers like they were found in a hundred year old tin bucket, dusted down a bit and stuck on disc. This is down and dirty blues, with vocalist Chris Barron showing a certain flair for the style of music. There's a real sense that they absolutely loved making this album, something from the heart rather than the wallet.

If you love a good bit of classic blues, you should adore this, as the songs are melodic enough to keep casual listeners happy, and low down enough to keep true blues afficianados happy as well.All in all, "The River Was Whiskey" is a very pleasant surprise from a band many (including me) were lost toi the mists of time.

Offcicial Site: http://www.spindoctors.com/