DAN REED - Signal Fire (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Melodic Rock / Alternative / Pop
Label -

Track listing -

01 - Signal Fire

02 - All I Need Is You
03 - Only Love
04 - Sing To Me
05 - End Of The World
06 - Last Leaf
07 - Avalanche
08 - Slow Down
09 - Beloved
10 - All Night
11 - Indestructible
12 - Soul Warrior
13 - Drive On

I used to have a passing interest in Dan Reed Network way back in the day and when I came across the cd I was intrigued to see just how Mr Reed had developed over the years. To be fair he has weathered well with the passage of time.
The following review is not my own words but pretty much says all that I have to say about this beautiful melodic album.

"After his successful eighties / nineties musical journey fronting the global sensation and multi-selling outfit The Dan Reed Network, singer & songwriter DAN REED moved to India for a somehow spiritual retreat.

Reed returned to the musical business a couple years ago with a very good album under his own name, and now  his second solo effort "Signal Fire"  hits the stores.
Dan's catchy melodic rock of the past is now fused with softly sung sweet melodies and vocal harmonies, accompanied by reflexive lyrics.
Title track "Signal Fire" has a truly brilliant song structure and what a grand way to open up this release with this uptempo hooky tune - the catchiness is all over.
There's a unique vocal performance on the the bouncy follower "All I Need Is You", an then track three "Only Love" is another song filled with happiness and obvious enjoyment in the way of an acoustic ballad.
More classic rock feel and sound crops up throughout the collection on such numbers as "Sing To Me" and the countrified "Soul Warrior", with a great acoustic groove and another slice of perfection on the chorus.
This is Dan Reed, and the man knows how to write superb songs. But there's more.
"End Of The World" offers up a perfect musical balance of mellowness and songwriting finesse and those dreamy vocal tones that most vocalists would die for.
All of Dan Reed's life experiences and refined musical knowledge have helped mould this beautiful collection of songs beyond the point of just music; there's definitely a spiritual vibe all over this album which makes it even more enthralling.
And that spiritual feel is evident on the super commercial Melodic Rock of "Last Leaf" and the chanty, infectious grooves of "Avalanche".
We have certain retro feel at places, especially on "Slow Down", but it's the slower paced tunes such as "Beloved" and "All Night" that shine magnificently, stand out here and ooze out intelligent musicianship and a wonderful studio production of note courtesy of Dan and Steve Daiker.
Then there's "Indestructible", a mood-filled piano piece that flows so creatively amidst the soft vocal harmonies and instrumental harmonies, whilst the album closes with "Drive On" and more beautifully crafted song arrangements.
Dan Reed is a musician who, unlike many folks who've made comebacks in recent years, is far from trading on past glories but rather he is continuing to grow as an artist.
Still producing music that is timeless, inventive and engaging, Dan Reed's fire is certainly burning brightly, and his new album "Signal Fire" proves this via its memorable crafting and exuberant melodies.
"Signal Fire" is an impressive, soulful, uplifting and melodius piece of work plenty of class and finesse."

Highly Recommended.


Rating - 9/10

Rob Zombie - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Industrial / Alternative
Label -

Track listing -

01 - Teenage Nosferatu Pussy
02 - Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Supertown
03 - Revelation Revolution
04 - Theme For The Rat Vendor
05 - Gong Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga
06 - Rock And Roll (In A Black Hole)
07 - Behold! The Pretty Filthy Creatures
08 - White Trash Feaks
09 - We're An American Band (Grand Funk Railroad cover)
10 - Lucifer Rising
11 - The Girl Who Loved The Monsters
12 - Trade In Your Guns For A Coffin


Rob Zombie pauses momentarily from making Hollywood Horror movies to release a new solo album in the form of Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor. Now if you have ever heard any of Rob Zombies previous material then you should pretty much know just what to expect, and if you havent, then where the hell have you been for the last twenty years?
Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor is a solid album, filled to the brim with good solid songs all in the familar Rob Zombie style that we have become accustomed too, its a strong album with plenty of highlights such as opening track, Teenage Nosferatu Pussy, Dead City Radio...... Rock And Roll and Trade In Your Guns, but, and to me its a big but, this album, although a strong and solid album, see's Rob Zombie under achieving. There is nothing here that really pushes the boundries that Rob has already set with previous releases. Yes this album is a great album, I just for some reason feel that it could have been even more.
That said though, fans of Rob Zombie will find plenty on Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor to keep them entertained, and its strong enough to be a good introduction for the curious listener.

Worth checking out

Rating 8/10

Deep Purple - Now What?! (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Heavy Metal
Label -

Track listing -

01 - A Simple Song
02 - Weirdistan
03 - Out Of Hand
04 - Hell To Pay
05 - Body Line
06 - Above And Beyond
07 - Blood From A Stone
08 - Uncommon Man
09 - Apres Vous
10 - All The Time In The World
11 - Vincent Price
12 - It'll Be Me (Bonus Track)

The legendary Deep Purple, (well Ian Gillans current versoin of it anyway), return with their latest offering in the form of Now What?!
To be fair its a very strong and solid album, and not as predictable as one might expect. Now What?! shows that the current incarnation of the band still have plenty to offer as its crammed with great (and very strong!) songs. The musicianship, it goes with out saying,  is absolutley top notch, Ian Gillan's voice is in fine form and the production really does allow the songs to shine. Upon initial listens I dont really see any obvious songles but thats of no real matter as Deep purple like their contemporaries Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath were always an album, as opposed to singles band.
There are plenty of highlights on offer here, from the albums opening track, A Simple Song, which opens with a riff that is very reminicent of Iron Maidens Dance Of Death, Wierdistan, the swift tempoed Hell To Pay, the bluesey Body Line, the epic Uncommon Man and horror themed Vincent Price.
There really is something on offer here to suit everyone.

Highly reconmended for existing fans of Deep Purple and any one curious about one of the founding bands of the heavy metal genre!

Rating 10/10

Catch Deep Purple on their Now What?! 2013 World Tour

Skid Row - United World Rebellion (Chapter One) E.P. (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal
Label -

Track listing -

01 - Kings Of Demolition
02 - Lets Go
03 - This is Killing Me
04 - Get Up
05 - Stitches

Skid Row return with a new five track E.p. United World Rebellion (Chapter One), which In my honest opinion just happens to contain some of the strongest material that the band have recorded since they split with Seb Bach way back in.......
To be honest, this EP contains some of the strongest songs that the band have put out since the phenomenal Slave To the Grind.
United World Rebellion opens with the thunderous Kings Of Demolition, a song that would have fitted nicely on Slave.... and a song that is quite easy to imagine Seb singing. Lets Go follows, with a more punkish attitude and delivery. Again another great song which is delivered with just the right amount of venom. Next Up is This Is Killing Me, a track that brings the bands debut album to mind with songs like 18 & Life and I Remember You. For some reason the song also brings Bon Jovi to mind, a good well constructed ballad that mixes up the Ep's tempo nicely. Get Up follows with its multitude of temp changes and epic feel, a great metal track!
Stitches closes out the Ep in style bouncing a long with the perfect mix of punk and metal, again a song that could have fitted well in the Slave To The Grind era bringing to mind songs such as Monkey Business etc.

A great return to form for a band that have become also rans for way to long, now if the the new album is up to the same high standards as this Ep we are truly in for a treat.


Well worth checking out!

Rating - 9/10

Givvi Flynn - Thieving From The Magpies Nest (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Pop / Punk? / Rock
Label - Pledge Music

Track listing:

01 - Good Guys
02 - Without Emotion (written by Ginger Wildheart)
03 - TV Is King (The Tubes cover)
04 - Seven Day Summer
05 - Darlin' (Danny Frye cover)
06 - More Beautiful Than Before
07 - Dirty (written by and featuring Willie Dowling of Honeycrack / Jackdaw4)
08 - Penny Arcade
09 - The Chauffeur (Duran Duran cover)
10 - I Did It Again
11 - Everyday (Slade cover)
12 - Thieveing From The Magpies Nest


After hearing Givvi's numerous contributions to other artists music such as Ginger Wildheart, Jackdaw4 and more rercently Random Jon Poole's solo album, I was really looking forward to hearing just what this little lady with a huge voice from the Midlands could deliver on her debut album. I was not dissapointed. Opening with the brilliant Good Guys with its thin Lizzy meets New World Order riffage the album gets off to a great start. Following quickly is Without Emotion, a great song writtn by Ginger Wildheart and donated for this release. "I sang on the original demo of this song when Ginger wrote it back in 2010. If my memory serves me correctly, it was put together very quickly by Ginger and Jase Edwards and I arrived one Sunday to do my thing and buggered afterwards. True to his word, Ginger let me have the song for my album (as he had flippantly promised at the time) when I asked. I am eternally grateful off soon."
The song has a typical Ginger feel to it, and Givvi delivers a fantastic vocal performance, (although to be honest the entire band do a fantastic job throught the album!) defininetley a favourite for me.
Next up is the cover of The Tubes classic, TV is King, an enjoyable enough track but in my opinion not as strong as the previous two. Seven Day Summer follows, a songs that sees Givvi duet with guitarist Jay Clark, a solid song a quick return to the standards set by the albums two opening tracks.
Darlin' is a cover of a song by Danny Frye, a good old fashioned rock 'n' roller of a track that sees a nice change in both pace and tempo, another great song. "Danny Frye did rock ‘n’ roll in a dirty, sexy, Cleveland punk way and I loved the ‘Hellbent’ album (still do). He also had the most glorious voice and I wish I’d had the chance to sing with him. Sadly, he was taken from the world on July 12th 2003 and I only knew him very briefly. This song is full of Danny’s wicked sense of humour and it’s been a pleasure to remember him during the recording process. RIP Danny, this one’s for you x"
Givvi and the gang follow this up with the wonderful More Beautiful Than Before, which has a delightfully venomous feel to it and a truly wicked guitar solo!
Next up is the wonderful little track Dirty, written by the one and only Mr Willie Dowling of Jackdaw4, Honeycrack, The Grip, Sugar Plum Farries fame. Dirty brings another change in both style and pace proving that this album has plenty of variety! " I just had to record this – it was definitely the final piece of the jigsaw. And who wouldn’t want a Dowling original on their CD?! When I heard the demo, I couldn’t stop singing it. I have learned that if you don’t ask, you don’t get. As you now know, I asked :). Big love and huge thanks to Willie for not only letting me have the track, but for being kind enough to play and sing on it too. That’s right, THE man is on HIS track on MY album. I love that sentence."
The wonderful Penny Arcade follows proving to be yet another great track and leading nicely into The Chauffeur, a cover of the Duran Duran err pop classic? Well to be fair Givvi and the guys turn in a truly great performance turning this song, which apparently was the first song Givvi ever recorded many years ago with her father, into a monster of a track.
We then get to I Did It Again with its fun Rolling Stones esque riff, a grteat song that quickens the pace again and brings a cheerful element of fun back to precedings!
Everyday, a Slade cover is the albums penultimate track, a great atmospheric track that slows things down a little but is awesome non the less!
"I tend to go for unconventional voices and Noddy Holder has got to be the king of shoutycrackers! What a noise! Slade wrote so many amazing songs that it was difficult to choose one but the sentiment in this is lovely – something I’d struggle to write myself. As you may know, I’m quite good at the shoutycrackers myself so I thought this would make a nice addition. Technically, this is the album ballad."
The albums closer is also the albums awesome title track, the wonderful Thieveing From The Magpies Nest, a great rocker with its lyrical seemingly poking fun at the Xfactoe culture. A great way to close a truly wonderful (and long over due) debut album from the massivly talented Givvi Flynn.
" Inspired (I think) by an Elvis Costello ballad, Jay wrote the bridges to this first then he and I finished it during a couple of studio sessions. With Eli’s help, this track has turned into a monster! So much so that we have given the middle section its own title (Part II – To Hell and Bacharach). Many folks have told me I should go on X Factor. I shouldn’t. This is why."

 Very, Very Highly Reconmended!!!!!!!!

Rating 11/10

Album credits -

Givvi Flynn – All lead vocals, backing vocals, button monkeying, engineering, general pushing &.

Jay shoving Clark – Guitars, bass, programming, vocals on ‘Seven Day Summer’ and ‘More Beauty Than Before’, backing vocals, production, engineering, piano on ‘Penny Arcade’.

Eli Cameron – Piano, backing vocals, programming, keys, video editing, production, engineering.

Willie Dowling – Vocals, keys and additional guitars on ‘Dirty’.

James Wall – Backing vocals on ‘I Did It Again’ and ‘TV is King’, photography, filming, salad logistics, photobombing.

Brandon ‘Bradderz’ Clark – Additional Guitars on ‘Penny Arcade’.

Lord Percy Scandal – Logistics manager, online presence, Pledge Music liason, admin and TFTMN photography.

Sweet Taste - Hit The Spot E.P. (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock
Label - Rocksector Records

Track listing:

01. Get Your Groove On
02. Lost My Mind
03. Knocked Out
04. Midnight Train

Irish rockers return with their new E.P. Hit The Spot, their first release for new label Rocksector Records.
After causing quite a stir back in Ireland, these guys first crossed the pond back in 2011 and haven't really looked back since. With their classic styles hard rock in the same vein as The Black Crowes, Free and Bad Company Sweet Taste deliver a record that's guaranteed to leaves fans of the classic rock genre salivating for more! The songs are extremely well crafted and delivered with a certain underplayed innocence that just brings them to life in a manner that so many other bands fail to do today. Musically as I have already said, they are very tight and disciplined, at times the vocals are reminicent of a young Sean Harris (Diamond Head), and again as I said the songs are very well put together.
All four tracks on offer are killers, that are just bound to leave the listener hungry for the full length Album!

Very highly reconmended!

Rating 10/10

New Generation Superstars - Rock N' Roll Or Die! (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Sleaze
Label -

Track Listing -

01 - Rock n Roll Or Die
02 - Bastards
03 - Can't Live Without Them
04 - Black Heart
05 - Life Of Crime
06 - Hell City
07 - Guess What
08 - My Life
09 - The Price
10 - Rockstar
11 - Solid Gold (L.T.G.T.R)
12 - Waste Of Time

First before I forget let me just say that this album is actually FREE at the moment for you to download. Visit iTunes or Reverbnation. From 1st May 2013, you’ll have to pay for a copy. Visit www.facebook.com/newgenrocks for all the latest news!

Now on with the review.
N.G.S. return with their sophmore album in the form of Rock n Roll Or Die, an album that is jam packed full with attitude, killer riffs, huge hooks, sleaze and did I say attitude.
the album opens with title track Rock n Roll Or Die and Bastards, the perfect one two punch of power and attitude, real statements of intent!
Cant Live Without Them and Black Heart slow the tempo a little before Life Of Crime starts to rev things up a little again then Hell City explodes out of the speakers. Six tracks in and six possible future N.S.G. classics!
Guess What is bound to be a live favourite with its Guess What, Fuck You chorus chant!
The pace slows again for My Life, and The Price rocks away a little with its pitfalls of touring lyrics, before the last three tracks close out the album in style. Solid Gold has enough hooks to keep a fishing tackle shop in business for years!

On a whole this is a great album, with a slighty Backyard Babies influence coming through loud and clear (which is no bad thing!)

A great good old fashioned sleazy rock n roll album that comes highly reconmended!

Rating 9/10

Bon Jovi - What About Now (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Melodic Rock / Pop
Label -

Track listing -

01 - Because We can

02 - I'm With You
03 - What About Now
04 - Pictures Of You
05 - Amen
06 - That's What The Water Made Me
07 - What's Left Of Me
08 - Army Of One
09 - Thick As Thieves
10 - Beautiful World
11 - Room At The End of The World
12 - The Fighter
13 - With These Two Hands (bonus track)
14 - Not Running Anymore (bonus track)
15 - Old Habits Die Hard (bonus track)
16 - Every Road Leads Home To You (bonus track)

New Jersey icons BON JOVI release their twelfth studio album "What About Now".

At this point of their career, Bon Jovi really have no interest in breaking any ground, and "What About Now" is not likely to introduce the group to those who aren't already fans of the band.
Yet fans will find the album a focused and energetic exercise in the sort of fist-raising, arena rock that Bon Jovi can still do as well as anybody — and that is still valuable, no matter how radically musical times have changed.
Somehow lost in their delivery since the last couple of albums, Bon Jovi has not sounded this driven or awake in the studio in years. Even the band haters have never thrown stones at the group's musicianship. With their skills honed by decades on the road, these now mature musicians are playing as well as they ever have.

Richie Sambora’s signature guitar leads enliven the title track and lead single "Because We Can", his delicate acoustic guitar decorates the ballad "Amen" and on "Beautiful World", he chimes away on the high strings with the urgency of a young kid hungry for glory.
Drummer Tico Torres, who still hits his snare with conviction, provides heavy black frames for these bright acrylic paintings; while secret-weapon synth player David Bryan brightens the corners of the mixes with string pads and those fat, burbling mid-range sounds that seem exclusive to Bon Jovi albums.
Then there's the Jovi musician who never gets any love from fans but has become a fundamental piece of solid groove for the group's musicianship: bassist Hugh McDonald. His cement-solid throb anchors two of the best cuts on the record: the optimistic single "Because We Can" with its sing-along, feel good vibe, and the defiant "That's What The Water Made Me".
And what about Jon Bon Jovi itself in 2013?

The singer remains an indefatigable force. Jon sings in this new record with more vigor and believability than in any of the band's albums from the last decade, blowing his melodies straight through his characteristic leonine nose really convincingly for the most part.
His determination to identify with working-class characters gets him in hot water, especially when he chews up all the scenery he can in the name of hard-eyed realism.
"I'm With You" a minor-key grinder that doesn't entirely hang together, is a desperate statement of solidarity with the downtrodden and impoverished. Even if that sentiment sounds a little funny coming from a world-famous rock star, he wants to believe it badly, and his desire to align himself with the poor bestows dignity on the song.
To be fair, the plight of the working stiff has been his preferred topic since the '80s, and we loved then, why not now in 2013.
The love songs on the disc lead with compassion and comfort, too. At least for this outing, Bon Jovi is less interested in romantic fire than he is in sanctuary.
On "Because We Can", he likens himself to a rock, and that's not merely a tribute to the style his band will go down playing, no matter what. A rock is steady and reliable, firm and unchanging — quite a bit like Bon Jovi itself.
With "What About Now" Bon Jovi has returned, at least partially, to their trademark delivery of air-punching numbers with some of the fire from the band's late eighties / nineties style. More rocking, more rougher and with a slightly edgy sound provided by John Shanks' production.

"What About Now" really does show where Jon Bon Jovi and his three band-mates have come over the years: a quite solid and consistent rock act.
Reconmended for fans of the band!


Rating 9/10

MIKE TRAMP - Cobblestone Street (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Melodic Rock
Label -

Track listing -

01. Cobblestone Street

02. Caught In The Storm
03. New Day
04. Ain't The Life I Asked For
05. Revolution
06. We'll Be Alright
07. Angel Or Devil
08. Find It In Your Heart
09. What Are You Gonna Do
10. Once

*** Please note that the following review is not my own words, but I agree with the sentiments exactly therefore I am reposting it here! ***

"If you're used to the big sounds which defined MIKE TRAMP through his platinum days with White Lion or the heavier Freak Of Nature, then his hew album released today, "Cobblestone Street", will take you by surprise.
According to Tramp, this is the album he always dreamt about doing.
This place, a location oft walked by singer/songwriter types, is where he finds himself today and, bravely it has to be said, has influenced him into making a quite remarkable record.
Recorded by Mike himself together with his good friend - talented Soren Andersen (multi-instrumentalist and co-producer) - in Vesterbro, Copenhagen, not far from the cobblestone streets Mike grew up on, the album is described as a journey akin to viewing a movie of his life, its end providing you with details of just who Mike Tramp is.
It's hard to disagree with him. The lyrics that wrap themselves around a clutch of songs that most listeners will instantly warm to are heartfelt, love letters to a past, possibly even a catharsis in song form: the ten songs that make up "Cobblestone Street" combine to form the finest all-round release of Tramp's career.
The title track, lyrically, appears highly personal to the artist, setting the scene nicely being about his childhood and where he grew up. The album as a whole obviously so, if a little more subtly, but listeners will pick much from the bones of the tracks as they swirl and seduce.
This is a simple, yet simply effective, recording that is easy to listen to yet not easy listening.
So when on "We'll Be Alright" he says that few would appreciate what it's like to walk a thousand miles with him, Tramp is telling you the truth. But in suggesting that you don't get what he's all about, Mike is challenging you to listen more attentively than you've ever needed to in his career.
These beautiful songs draw from his soul, exploring moral confusion in "Angel Or Devil" and being at the mercy of fate in the acoustic White Lion-like "What Are You Gonna Do".
Throughout the album Soren Andersen adds-in just the right musical backing, be it the subdued keys on the title track or the electric guitar solo on "Revolution".
Listen to "Find It In Your Heart" or "New Day" and it's clear Tramp Tramp has not lost his Melodic Rock symphaties, his knack of penning a potential chart topper is intact.
On "Once" Mike's vocal is set to a crackly background bringing to mind an old movie and you can hear the reel of the imaginary film spooling out at the song's end.
"Ain't The Life I Asked For", the album's standout track for me, perhaps sums the record, and where Tramp is today, up perfectly: "This ain't the life that I wanted to live / Now it is what I've become".
This album feels less of a reinvention, more of an acceptance of where he is today, and revels in its honesty.
Since the first note of "Cobblestone Street", I was hooked. This album is in no way hard rock or brash as White Lion, but that's the beauty of it. This is one of those songwriting accomplishments that define an artist's career.
These are deeply personal tunes that take the art of storytelling to the highest levels. 'Now everyone can see, it ain't the way it used to be', Tramp sings on "New Day", a line I find hard to beat to close a review of one of the year's most surprising albums; surprisingly good it has to be noted.
Tramp followers should adore "Cobblestone Street", however, this album shouldn't be the sole possession of old school fans: listeners new to Mike Tramp will find a truly deep, well written, emotional performed recording of amazing tunes.
There simply is not a bad note on this record. It would be absolutely criminal if this is not recognized for a ton of awards this year, and most importantly, true music lovers respect"

Reconmended!

Rating - 9/10

Line Up -
Mike Tramp - vocals, guitar
Søren Andersen - keyboards, drums, guitar, bass, production

KEE MARCELLO (Ex - Europe) - Judas Kiss (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock
Label -

Track listing -

01. Zombie
02. Dog Eat Dog
03. Starless Sky
04. I'm Stoned
05. Dead End Highway
06. Judas Kiss
07. And Forever More (duet with Akane Liv)
08. Coming Home
09. Get On Top
10. The Harder They Come
11. Dead Give Away
12. Love Will Tear Us Apart
13. Metal Box

*** Please note the following review is not my own, but I couldnt agree with it more therefore I replicate it here! ***

"Swedish axe-slinger, former Europe guitarist KEE MARCELLO seems to be a very busy man lately, decided to recover his place into the international Rock scene.
After releasing his controversial Europe own-versions album 'Redux: Europe', the 'humbly' entitled biography 'The Rock Star God Forgot' and his performance in the well known musical Rock Of Ages in Scandinavia, Marcello has just released a brand new CD.
"Judas Kiss" is his third solo album featuring original material since the last almost nine years ago.
Decidedly into a full rocking territory, "Judas Kiss" is basically a traditional Hard Rock album with an updated sound & style.
Sometimes really melodic, quite hard n' heavy in others, this new offering finds Marcello in great form, both musically (he has undoubtedly inspired many players since Europe's Superstitious back in the late '80s) as well as in the songwriting.
"Judas Kiss" as a whole is a solid piece of kickin' Hard Rock. 13 tracks about love, loss, road weariness and betrayal (there's some good lyrics to be found) wrapped by potent riffs, incendiary solos and a groovy rhythm section.
Kee is singing better, his slightly raspy style fit with good feeling these bluesy inspired hard rockers. His playing is out of question, displayed here in abundant variations.
On the melodic side, "Starless Sky" is the highlight, somehow a midtempo rocker with excellent verses both in the vocals and the instrumental arrangements. Killer solo and layered chorus.
Despite its uptempo rhythm and some gritty vocals, opener "Zombie" is a melodic hard rock song in essence, while the bone-dry, groovy yet melodious "Dead End Highway" (love the solo here) and title track "Judas Kiss" recalls his ex-bandmates circa Start From The Dark years.
Another nice track which adds variation is the melodic march of "And Forever More", featuring female singer Akane Liv dueting with Kee. The main melody is inspired by one of Europe's best tracks ever; Girl From Lebanon.
"Coming Home" is the album's token ballad, slowing things down a bit with an earthy guitar work and modulated vocals. Good one.
But also we find in this CD some truly hard hitting numbers such as "Get On Top", the dark "Metal Box", "The Harder They Come" (with a riff dangerously close to Metallica's Enter Sandman, but cool), and the crunchy "Dog Eat Dog". "I'm Stoned" features some down-tuned guitars and a refrain akin Alice In Chains working well on all levels.
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a cover of Joy Division, at first glance certainly an odd choice, but Marchello has cleverly arranged the song in Melodic Rockin' way, adding even more balance to the album. I liked a lot this one.
Kee Marcello proves with "Judas Kiss" that there's life for him after Europe.
Perhaps it has taken too many years to find his own musical identity, but never it's too late, and this new recording is by far the best of his solo career.
Well written, arranged and superbly played, "Judas Kiss" has a dynamic production - I would preferred a more crispy sound - but seems Kee wants to attack with more bite and this matter is amply accomplished here."
Recommended.

Rating 9/10


Line Up -
Kee Marcello: Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Jonny Scaramanga: Guitar
Ken Sandin: Bass
Tim Brown: Drums
Akane Liv: guest Vocals

Adrenaline Mob - Coverta EP (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Classic Rock
Label -

Track listing -

01 - TNT (ACDC)
02 - Stand Up And Shout (DIO)
03 - Break On Through (The Doors)
04 - Romeo Delight (Van Halen)
05 - Barracuda (Heart)
06 - Kill The King (Rainbow)
07 - The Lemon Song (Led Zepplin)
08 - Mob Rules (Black Sabbath)


Adrenaline Mob return with what in all honesty can only be a stop gap covers album / EP. With Coverta they tackle eight varied all time classic from the likes of ACDC, Rainbow, Heart, Black Sabbath, Dio, The Doors, Led Zepplin and Van Halen. Interesting mix hey? Well interesting but these guys pull them off perfectly, and as varied as they are they sit together here just as though they were written specifically for this release.
Russ Allen pulls of the vocals perfectly and axemen Rich Ward and Mike Orlando do admirable jobs playing the riffs of such messers as Richie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Agnus Young, Eddie Van Halen  and Jimmy Page.
Although this can only be a stop gap until the bands next studio release its well worth checking out just to hear how well they pull these classic off!

Highly reconmended!

Rating 9/10

The Dogs D'Amour - Cyber recordings EP (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Rock 'N' Roll Label -

Track listing -

01 - Flameboy
02 - Hotel Daze
03 - Livin' On
04 - Walk Away

Tyla reunites a classic Dogs line featuring Jo Dawg on guitar and brings us a short and sweet four track Ep.
Flameboy opens up precedings with its mid to fast tempo classic rock vibe and quickly lets the listener know that The Dogs D'Mour are back and mean business. Hotel Daze slows things down a touch before Livin' On picks things up with a darker quicker tempo, some great lead guitar through out too. Walk Away closes the Ep out with its typical laid back Tyla / Dogs vibe. Tyla's voice sounds as good as ever, and the old line seems to just gell together almost as though they have never been apart.
Judging by the strenght of this short Ep I'm praying for an album of new material!

Rating - 10/10

Eureka Machines - Remain In Hope (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Pop / Punk /
Label - Pledge Music / Wrath Records


Track listing -

01 - Good Guys Finish Last
02 - Pop Star
03 - Love Yourself
04 - Getting Away
05 - Affluenza
06 - Believe In Anything
07 - None Of The Above
08 - Wish You Were Her
09 - Living In Squalor
10 - Break Stuff
11 - Eternal Machines

OK so I have been sitting on this CD for a little while now, digesting it fully and well, bloody repeatedly playing the bugger and loving every second of it!
Remain In Hope is the third album to be released by this mighty little (completely independent) band from Leeds and to be fair, although I truly loved its predecessors, (2008's Do Or Die and 2011's Champion The Underdog), its their strongest release to date! Not bad considering that the band were on the brink of calling it a day at one point last year. Thank God that the reconsidered.
The album opens with the unusual choice of slow and mellow track, Good Guys Finish Last, with its chorus recalling certain refrains from Do Or Die's Scream Eureka, before powering in to the first single and ultra catchy Pop Star. Love Yourself and Getting Away follow, both certain to become crowd favourites with their typical Eureka Machines vibe going on throughout.
Affluenza is up next, more of a stop start track, power pop perfection, with a chorus that's guaranteed to annoy your work mates when you sing it out loud at work, and you will, trust me!
Believe In Anything slows the tempo down a little with its multi layered vocals and mellow intro, that slowly builds into something truly special, a really great track!
None Of The Above picks up the tempo alittle with its great horn section. This song is going to be lots of fun live! Wish You Were Her is another great tracks that starts of nice and slow before building into something massive and epic, (the acoustic version is pretty damn awesome too!)
Living In Squalor is reworked here, (the original being a b-side to Being Good Is Okay....), sounding even better with its beefed up guitars!
The album closes with what are quite possibly two of the best songs ever written. The brilliant Break Stuff, which features the mighty Willie Dowling on keyboards!), with its huge epic feel and the awesome Eternal Machines, a song that I just cant find the words to describe adequately. Ironic how this could have ended up being the bands swansong!
Remain In Hope is one of the best albums that will be released this year, by one of the best bands that you will probably have never heard of. Change it, check these guys out and supports a great independent Bristish band!

These guys deserve to be massive!

Rating 10/10


The band are -
Chris Catalyst – vocals, guitars, bass, keys, percussion
Davros – guitars, vocals
Pete Human – bass, vocals
Wayne Insane – big drums, lad vocals