Sinister Angels Realm

Wolfsbane - Did It For The Money EP (2011)

2012-01-16T13:30:00.000-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Punk / Garage

Track listing -

01 - Did It For The Money
02 - Limo (Special Version)
03 - GSB
04 - Killing Machine
05 - Dance My Tune

I dont believe that I missed this release. Originally made available back in April 2011, and still available via the bands website, this was the bands comeback release, well 5 track EP.
Featuring one new song, Did It For The Money, which also features on the bands new album, Wolfsbane Saves The World, and four re-recorded versions of Wolfsbane classics, which include Limo and Killing Machine, two massive fan favourites.
Well the new song sounds like classic Wolfsbane, and the re-recorded classics all sound excellent, re-recording them really adding a new lease of life to the songs. I really love GSB and Killing Machine, although Dance My Tune is also a contender for track of the EP.

A Great release, welcome back lads!

Rating 10/10

Wolfsbane - Saves The World (2012)

2012-01-16T13:11:00.000-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Punk / Garage

Track listing -

01 - Blue Sky
02 - Teacher
03 - Buy My Pain
04 - Starlight
05 - Smoke and red Light
06 - Illusion Of Love
07 - Live Before I Die
08 - Who Are You Now
09 - Everybodys Looking For Something Baby
10 - Child Of The Sun
11 - Did it For The Money

Hey remember the nineties, we had a great Uk music scene with the likes of The Wildhearts, 3 Colours Red, Honeycrack, Wahtever, The Almighty, Little Angels, Skin, and god damned Wolfsbane! Those were the days, when men were men, women were women and rock was ROCK! It all ended for Wolfsbane when frontman Blaze Bayley opted to leave and fill the huge shoes of the departed Bruce Dickinson in Iron Maiden, a sad day, as Wolfsbane were one of the best live bands around at the time, and their swan song album, Wolfsbane was simply brilliant.
Well guess what folks, the guys reunited a few years back for some live dates, and enjoyed it so much, they decided to write and record an album! Praise be to the lord of rock n roll!
So is the album any good, you bet your bottom dollar its bloody good, the Howling Mad Shitheads are going to love it!
From the Britrock charge of opening track, Blue Sky, to the Dave Lee Roth era Van Halen esque over the toppness of Teacher, to the pounding punk metal work out of Buy My Pain, this is classic Wolfsbane in all of their glory, its just as though they had never been away!
Starlight, a great little ballad, and Smole and The Red Light are great tracks, Illusion Of Love is a classic in the making, a real gem, a great song!
Live Before I Die is a typical Wolfsbane track, with the added metal edge probably from Blaze's solo stuff, a great song, even down to its ska type break lol.
Who Are You Now brings a britrock edge back to things that many of the bands nineties contempories would be envious of, whilst the punk black work out of Everybody's Looking For Something Baby is just classic Wolfsbane! Child of The Sun is a trippy little number whilst album closer Did It For The Money is a blast of puer Wolfsbane.

So, who would have guessed that in 2012, Wolfsbane mwould release probably their best and most varried album to date.

Love live rock n roll, long live Wolfsbane!

Rating 10/10

Hate Gallery - Viva La Resistance (2012)

2012-01-16T12:25:00.000-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Metal / Punk

Track listing -

01 - Viva La Resistance
02 - The Warning
03 - Satellite
04 - The Becoming
05 - Security Forces (Dead Jimmy)
06 - Rats
07 - Frequency
08 - Domination Soul
09 - 2 Minute Hate
10 - Love Shine On
11 - Salvation

Man have I been waiting for this album!
Hate Gallery grabbed my attention with their debut 'Compassion Fatigue', with its great anthems, The Idiots, New God, Good Things Come To those Who Hate, Slave New World and Exit Wounds, a stunning debut brimming with attitude and great tunes. They following that up with their EP, Dead Celebritie, which again was packed with six stunning tracks showcasing the bands versitality and songwritting talent. So as you can imagine, I have been praying for this album, but does it live up to the same standards as its predecessors? Well all I can say is HELL YEAH!
Opening with a call to arms in the form of Viva La Resistance, angst and attitude, uptempo, in your face, it has it all, a great title track, excellent opener!
The Warning drops the tempo a little, a little more melodic than its predecessor, whilst Satellite is a great rocker, filled with attitude, go light the fuse I dare you!
The Becoming is the first of the more mellow tracks, a great trippy and moody track, again displaying the bands versitality, love it! Security Forces and Rats return to the angst and anger of the opener, again a great track, and I imagine a real crowd pleaser when played live!
Frequency is another great rock track with a few nice suprises along its way, Domination Soul, slows things down once again, but dont misunderstand, this song still rocks like a mother!
2 Minute Hate has a punk feel to it that really helps get things going again, before the albums second slow mellow number kicks in in the form of Love Shine On, once again a great song!
The album closes out with Salvation, which is kind of an epic builder of a track, again a great song to close out a great album.

Its only January and Hate Gallery have delivered a contender for album of the year!

rating 10/10

You simply have to check these guys out!

Metallica - Beyond Magnetic Ep (2011)

2012-01-16T11:51:00.000-08:00

Genre - Heavy Metal / Hard Rock / Thrash

Track listing:

01 - Hate Train
02 - Just A Bullet Away
03 - Hell And Back
04 - Rebel Of Babylon

Ok time to 'fess up I guess, first of all I'm really not sure as to whether this EP is actually an official release or just a leaked bootleg. It claims to be four left over, or out take tracks from the nbands last full length studio album, Death Magnetic. Now I have to be honest, I truely beleive that the last great album that Metallica released was the 'Black Album', although their best work in m,y opinion is to be found on the 'Master Of Puppets' and 'And Justice For All' albums. Death Magnetic saw the band heading in the right direction, with the songs being closer to the classic Metallica style than the last few releases, but I felt that the songs were too long, bloated by their excessive riffs, great as they were they were just too long for me.
Now here is something that I am finding it hard to get my head around, all four songs here are stunning, so why were they left off of the last album?
Hate Train opens things up with a spirited and energestic workout, seven minutes shoot by before you know it, a great song. Next up is Just A Bullet Away, which I guess has a more moderate tempo, yet is a truely great song, tempo changes, attitude, the lot, and I love the mellow break down around the four minute mark!This is probably one of the best songs Metallica have put out since 'And Justice For All'!
Hell and Back is probably the most commercial of the bunch here, and in my opinion could have fitted nicely onto any album, especially the Black Album. Once again a great song.
Closing the album out is the real gem, Rebel in Babylon, which see's the guys remembering their thrash roots with the riffs hurtling past at a million miles an hour, classic Metallica!

I am so blown away with the four songs on offer here i just really wished that they had appeared on the last album!
proof that the guys can still cut it, now can someone please explain what the hell happened with Lulu?

Rating - 10/10

Danko Jones - Mouth To Mouth EP (2011)

2012-01-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock

Track listing -

01. "Rock 'n' Roll Proletariat"

02. "She's Too Pretty"
03. "The Kids Don't Want to Rock"
04. "Guest List Blues"
05. "Mouth to Mouth"

Released at the tail end of 2011, Danko Jones unleashed a new five track Ep upon the world, all be it featuring songs that were recorded during the Below The Belt sessions, and only one of them having not previously seen the light of day before. (That being title track Mouth to Mouth, the others were released as bonus tracks on the various forms of Below The Belt!)

Like the other tracks from Below The Belt, all the tracks have a air of laid back ease to them, whilst bursting with energy and attitude. Rock n Roll Proletariat is a call to arms of sorts, She's Too Pretty is an energetic punkish track with tons of attitude. The Kids Dont Want To Rock is the most commercial track here, and also my favourite, a great viewpoint on the state of the music tastes of kids today, but more importantly a bloody great song!
Guest List Blues would have fitted well on Below The Belt (As would all of the tracks here!), a great little rocker, and title track and closing track is another Danko party anthem!
A great little Ep that may just about tide me over until the new album is done!

Very highly reconmended!

Rating - 10/10

Alfonzetti - Here Comes The Night (2011)

2012-01-05T13:32:00.000-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Melodic Rock / AOR

Track listing -

01. Losing You

02. Here Comes the Night
03. I’ll Wait for You
04. Heartbreaker
05. Don't Listen to Your Heart
06. Why Can´t You Love Me
07. Lay Your Love on Me
08. Rock n Roll Heart
09. Set Me Free
10. I Will Never Let You Fall

"Born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden Matti Alfonzetti began his musical career in his early teens playing bass in the local Hard Rock band Heavy Waters. Shortly after this he abandoned the bass and became the lead vocalist for this group. He later met guitarist Göran Elmquist and formed the band Hardware that would soon change it’s name to Scandinavia and then Bam Bam Boys and recorded the album ‘Bam Bam Boys’ in 1988. Sadly, it was not released until 1999.The band split-up and Matti, not being sure how to pursue his career as a singer, was sitting in his flat in Stockholm when he received a phone call from Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy) asking him to audition for his new band Western Front. In London he successfully auditioned and got the job as lead vocalist for Western Front. Preproduction for album began when sadly the record company decided they were not going to release the album at that time and the band was put to rest for the time being.
Matti had already received an offer to become the lead singer of London based band Jagged Edge, and went straight in to the recording studio to record 5 songs that would be released as the EP ‘Trouble’ (1990). With Jagged Edge he also recorded the album ‘Fuel For Your Soul’. The band toured extensively in the UK with bands such as Dan Reed Network, Vixen, David Lee Roth among others. Leaving Jagged Edge in 1992 he went back to Sweden to briefly tour with Swedish band Talisman and on to join Skintrade and recorded the albums ‘SkinTrade’ (1993) and ‘Roachpowder’ (1995). After extensive touring in Europe the band split up in 1996. Next up was Boxer, a Swedish AOR/ Pop group, where he sung in native language for the first time. The self titled debut was released in 1998.
In 2000 Alfonzetti’s first solo album ‘Ready’ saw the light of day - and two years later the album ‘Machine’. Following this Matti started getting into songwriting and producing and had success producing and writing for bands such as The Poodles among others. One new project emerged in 2007, Road To Ruin, including drummer Tomas Broman and Sampo Axelsson and Lars Chriss of Lion’s Share. ‘Road To Ruin’ came out the same year on Metal Heaven.
Now, Alfonzetti’s third solo album is ready. Titled ‘Here Comes The Night’, it is the Alfonzetti’s return to the music and vocal style of first solo album ‘Ready’ with up to date production. This time Matti collaborated with drummer/ producer Daniel Flores and the albums includes guests such as Marcus Jidell (Evergrey) and Emil Fredholm (Plankton).The CD was recorded at Sound vs Science Studios and Atomic Rooster Studios, Stockholm. All songs were written and produced by Matti Alfonzetti and mixed and co-produced by Daniel Flores."

A great album that really showcase's Matti's vocal prowess, and a great compliment to the debut album from his new project, Red White & Blues with ex Jagged Edge band mate myke Gray!

Well worth checking out!

Rating 8/10

SIXX: A.M. - 7 (2011)

2012-01-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock
Track listing -

01 - Lies Of The Beautiful People (acoustic)

02 - Is Gonna Hurt (acoustic)
03 - Life Is Beautiful (acoustic)
04 - Help Is On The Way (acoustic)
05 - Sure Feels Right (acoustic)
06 - Pray For Me (acoustic)
07 - Accidents Can Happen (acoustic)

Again not my own personal review but one with which I agree with totally, again the reviews author is unkown to me but all credit goes to them for their work.

On December 13, Motley Crue's bassist Nikki Sixx side project SIXX: A.M. is releasing "7", a new collection of tracks which aim to put a new spin on 7 songs from their 2 successful albums 'The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack' and 'This is Gonna Hurt'.

"7" features the band performing acoustic versions of tracks from each of their two albums, reworked with different arrangements.
The opening track "Lies Of The Beautiful People" consists of acoustic guitar and oriental orchestration that make the song more mysterious than the original. The solo guitar is also a highlight.
"This Is Gonna Hurt" has received a beautiful piano arrangement, and their hit single "Life Is Beautiful" is remarkably revisited with strong guitars that sound as powerful as an electric one.
"Help Is On The Way" features a very appealing combination of acoustic guitar, cellos, violins and piano alongside speechless vocals with high quality arrangements.
"Sure Feels Right" is a great fusion of strings and piano with an electro-acoustic guitar work. "Pray For Me" is more stright, with a double acoustic six string guitar panned on both channels.
"Accidents Can Happen" ends the album with a moody, slow melancholic feel.
SIXX: A.M. "7" is much more than 'let's play some of our songs with an acoustic'.
All songs have been reworked at some point that sometimes sound as new ones. There's new beautiful melodies and gorgeous arrangements with a nice variety of high quality textures.
James Michael is a great singer, his vocal range gets even more amazing on these stripped versions, enhanced by the piano, cellos and violins background.
"7" reinforces the fact that SIXX: A.M. isn't a spare time project for Nikki Sixx and his talented bandmates, it's a serious and interesting power plant of ideas and musicality.
Very Good.

This Ep is very highly reconmended!

Rating - 10/10

RED WHITE & BLUES - Shine (2011)

2012-01-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock

Tracklisting -

01 - Stand Up For Rock And Roll

02 - Shame Shame
03 - Rescue Me
04 - Red White & Blues
05 - Let It Shine
06 - A Little Too Late
07 - Good Times
08 - Get It On
09 - Counts For Nothing
10 - Set My Sights On You
11 - Long Way From Home
12 - Girls And Guitars
13 - The Best Is Yet To Come
14 - The Road To Hell

First of all let me say that this is not mu personal review of this fantastic album, but one that I agree with completely and have decided to re-post it here, unfortunately I dont know who the author is, but all credit should go to them!

"The new UK/Swedish band that all in the music rock management are talking about for a couple of weeks now is called RED WHITE & BLUES.

"Shine" is the debut album from this duo who you may not have heard of yet… I say yet as you will soon, believe me.
This group features no other than talented Myke Gray and Matti Alfonzetti.
Originally working together in the acclaimed Jagged Edge, which released the stunning album 'Fuel For Your Soul', Matti Alfonzetti went on to record with acts such as Road To Ruin, Skintrade and also issue a series of solo albums, the last released just a month ago ('Here Comes The Night').
Myke Gray went on to form Skin, one the the UK's best loved rock bands, which racked up hit singles such as 'Money' and whose debut album made the UK Top 10.
Now Matti and Myke are back together and Red White & Blues are sure to impress any fan of high quality rock music.
Joining Myke (guitars) and Alfonzetti (vocals & bass) is drummer Che Leon Beresford to complete the line-up.
The trio play classy traditional Hard Rock, which is some of the best I have heard in many years, with a baggage of original classic songs that most bands would die for.
As a mark of how good Red White & Blues are, as well as supporting The Quireboys and Whitesnake recently, they are also playing along with Chickenfoot on their forthcoming UK dates in January.
All concert promoters and managers want Red White & Blues on their major acts gigs, and I can hear why.
Don't be mislead by the band's name. That's refers to the colors, not the genre.
Red White & Blues is an oiled classy Hard Rock machine, based on blues rock, yes, as many pure Hard Rock bands from England. But their sound combines the best of Skin, Jagged Edge and Thunder with a bit of early Whitesnake / Def Leppard.
"Shine" is a so energetic and passionate CD that I can figure out how hot they ought to sound on stage.
The opening song "Stand Up For Rock 'N' Roll" sets out the bands stall greatly. This is a heavy rock anthem of the first degree with fantastic playing from Myke Gray, his guitar work throughout the album is amazing, from blistering solos to slow melodic lines, all are taken in his stride.
Another highlight throughout the disc is the vocal delivery from Alfonzetti. His voice is perfectly suited to this style of rock with a powerful, bluesy delivery not unlike Paul Rodgers in parts which is high praise in my book.
The album highlights are too numerous to mention with all 14 tracks being of the highest quality, but if pushed I would recommend "Set My Sights On You", "Let It Shine" and the excellent ballad "A Little Too Late" as a good starting point.

I can't recommend Red White & Blues' "Shine" enough.
It is a fun, upbeat, hard rocking album in the classic style, including terrific original songs wonderfully executed and produced with a crispy & brilliant sound.
At the moment the album appears to only be available through the band's own website or at gigs. Get a copy while you can; it's limited to 1000 units.
If you like Classic Rock and well written songs with hooks big enough for shark fishing, then this is definitely for you."

Highly, Highly Recommended.

Rating 10/10

Fastway - Eat Dog Eat

2011-11-12T11:13:00.001-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal

Track listing -

01. Deliver Me
02. Fade Out
03. Leave the Light On
04. Loving Fool
05. Dead and Gone
06. Sick as a Dog
07. Freedom Song
08. Do You Believe
09. Love I Need
10. On and On
11. Only If You Want It

With a line up featuring the likes of Toby Jepson - Vocals (Little Angels, Fastway, Gun, Toby and the Whole Truth), Eddie "Fast" Clarke - Guitars (ex-Motörhead, Fastway), Steve Strange - Drums (Fastway), and John McManus - Bass (ex - Mama's Boys, Celtus, Fastway) it would be fair to say that we could expect something special from this album, and to be fair it delivers. What we get here is eleven very finely crafted songs combining the blistering guitar work of the legendary Eddie Clarke withe the amazing vocal talents of Toby Jepson, this makes for a great combination and some great hard rock moments.
Every song has something to offer but the real gem here for me is "Dead and Gone", a truly great track that really hhighlights the entire bands talents at their best.
This album is not just a nostalgic walk down memory lane, or yet another group of aging musicians desperatly trying to re-capture long gone memories, but rather it is a strong relevant release from a group of immensly talented musicians whostill have a hell of a lot to offer the music world of today!

A very strong album well worth checking out!

rating - 9/10

Doogie White - As Yet Untitled

2011-11-07T15:36:00.000-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Clasic Rock

Track listing -

01 Come Taste The Band

02 Time Machine
03 Dreams Lie Down And Die
04 Lonely
05 Land Of The Deceiver
06 Secret Jesus
07 Sea Of Emotion
08 Catz Got Yer Tongue
09 Living On The Cheap
10 Times Like These

"As Yet Untitled is the first solo album of the Scottish singer Doogie White, who halfway of the nineties became world famous as the lead vocalist of Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and who very convincingly took care of the vocals parts on the ‘Stranger In Us All’ record. After having sung for a couple of years at the side of mister Blackmore, he went on to do the vocals with another guitar hero being our Swedish ego-tripper Yngwie Malmsteen. With mister Malmsteen Doogie’s adventure lasted about six and a half years and two albums and recently he very surprisingly joined the reincarnated New Wave Of British Heavy Metal band Tank. Besides all of this over the years Doogie also recorded four (great) albums with his band/project Cornerstone, as well as albums with Tank and Empire"

The list of guest musicians involved in the recording of “As Yet Untitled” looks impressive:
Patrick Johansson (Yngwie), Thomas Broman (Glenn Hughes) – Drums, Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion), Tony Carey (Rainbow) – Bass, Neil Murray (Whitesnake), Greg Smith (Ted Nugent), Paul Logue (Edens Curse) - Keyboards,Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall), Marcus Jidell (Royal Hunt), Phil Hilborne ( Queen Musical), Mick Tucker (Tank) - Guitars and Patti Russo (Meatloaf, Cher) - Guest vocals.

So with such a wide ranging array of talent we should be expecting something special, and thats exactly what we get. With a sound that falls somewhere between the classic hard rock of bands like Rainbow and Deep Purple with a contemporary edge and production, As Yet Untitled is a damn fine debut!
Ten very strong melodic yet heavy rock tracks, that show case both Doogies amazing vocal range and his songwriting abilities too. (He co-wrote every track on the album!)

Every one of the ten songs here are excellent but stand out tracks for me have to include, opener Come Taste The Band, Dreams Lie Down And Die, Sea Of Emotion and Times Like These.
This album has been a long time coming, but it sure sounds like its been worth the wait. Lets hope we dont have to wait years for the follow up!

A Great Classic Hard Rock Album!

Rating 9/10

Kev Bayliss - The Project

2011-11-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Indie / Alternative Rock / Modern Rock / Pop
Label - Rare Records

Track Listing:

01 – Your Heart’s Desire
02 – Quicksand
03 – Falling Down
04 – Starchaser
05 – My Sorry Cinderella
06 – One Day Older
07 – The Beholder
08 – Leave This Town
09 – Kung Fu Master
10 – All I Own
11 – Revolution
12 – Make A Difference (CD Bonus Track)

I first came across the vocal talents of Kev Bayliss in late 2009 via a cover-mounted cd with Classic Rock magazine entitled ones to watch in 2010. Upon said cd was a track by Kev's former group, Voodoo Johnson, titled Bad Habit, which immediately grabbed my attention. I quickly tracked down the two Eps that the band had put out and was blown away by tracks such as Seven years, Nowhere Inbetween and Broken. Quickly Voodoo Johnson became one of my favorite bands, with Kev joining the likes of Sean Harris (Diamond Head), Tony Martin (Black Sabbath, Empire, Cage, Giuntini Project), Glenn Hughes, and Ronnie James Dio as one of my favorite vocalists! Then after releasing a great debut album (10,000 Horses) Kev was to announce his decision to part company with Voodoo Johnson in late 2010 citing music differences as the reason. I was heartbroken, I had held high hopes for Voodoo Johnson and prayed that that was not to be the last that I would hear of Kevs amazing vocals.

Luckily, Kev quickly announced his plans to release a solo album, and now almost eleven months later, here it is in the form of The Project.
Joining Kev for this album are, Kev Bartlett (Drums), Nick Daniel (Bass / Guitars), Lucky Singh (Guitars), and former 30 Seconds To Mars Guitarist Kevin Drake. Together they have produced, in my honest opinion one of, if not the best album of 2011!
With The Project Kev has moved away from the angry heavy riff driven rock of his previous band, Voodoo Johnson, and adopted to folllow a more melodic, dare I say musically diverse direction all together.
Opening with Your Heart’s Desire, a finally crafted guitar driven pop song, with some great melodic hooks and some fine heart felt lyrics from Kev, as well as a great vocal line to boot. Next up is the lead single from the album in the form of Quicksand, a more poppy track with a distinctive indie feel to it, but once again a great song!
Falling Down follows, which in my honest opinion has to be a contender for the best song of 2011. A beautiful piece of modern guitar pop rock. A great song with an amazing vocal delivered from Kev!
Starchaser is up next, another great song, My Sorry Cinderella follows quickly, with its music box intro before exploding into great little rocking track, that I absolutely adore!
Next up is a track that fans of Kevs facebook sites should be familiar with as it’s been posted there for a while in rough acoustic demo form, One Day Older, which even in its unpolished form was amazing. Now finished and polished it just blows me away, a track that I can see myself listening to for years to come, truly outstanding, along with the equally brilliant Leave This Town which is up next. The excellent Kung Fu Master rocks things up a little again, allowing Kev to show just what a great rock vocal he can deliver. All I Own is up next, and is yet another contender for song of the year, the quality just never drops with this album!
Revolution closes out the album proper, another great song that has a great melody and some fantastic vocals along with its epic feel.

The pre order cds come with the bonus track, Make A Difference, which is another great little Gem. This album proves that Kev is not only one of the finest vocalists out there today, on a level with any of the biggest names in the business, but he is also a stunning songwriter as together with Kevin drake and Lucky Singh he has produced an album of twelve glorious tracks. A stunning and contemporary mix of pop and rock with indie sensibilities, and quite possibly my favorite album of 2011.

Although all twelve tracks are brilliant my favorites have to include, Falling Down, All I Own, One Day Older, Kung Fu Master, Revolution and Your Hearts Desire!

This album is very highly recommended!

Rating - 10/10

Website - Kev Bayliss

Lou Reed & Metallica - Lulu

2011-11-02T16:19:00.000-07:00

Genre - Experimental

Track listing -

01. Brandenburg Gate

02. The View
03. Pumping Blood
04. Mistress Dread
05. Iced Honey
06. Cheat On Me
07. Frustration
08. Little Dog
09. Dragon
10. Junior Dad

Now please dont get me wrong, I love all kinds of music, I especially appreciate when artists move out of their comfort zone and try something new and expiremental. I loved Freddie Mercurys Rock Pop Opera Cross-over album Barcelona, I love Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid with their Rap / Rock crossovers, I enjoyed Seb Bachs forays into counrty music but this, I just cant get my head around, or even see a point! I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that even the most hardcore fans of either artist are going to have trouble managing to sit all the way through this monstrousity in one sitting. Metallica have recently come out to assure fans that this is not the new Metallica record I can see why!
All that said, closing track Junior Dad has some interesting moments, but at almost 20 minutes long you'd hope that it would.

Seriously this album is only for the completists of each artist.

Rating - 3/10

Meat Loaf - Hell In A Handbasket

2011-11-02T15:53:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Pop
Label -

Track listing -

01. All of Me

02. Fall from Grace
03. The Giving Tree
04. Mad Mad World/The Good God is a Woman and She Don’t Like Ugly (Special appearance by Chuck D)
05. Party of One
06. Live or Die
07. California Dreamin‘ (Duet with Patti Russo)
08. Another Day
09. 40 Days”
10. Our Love and Our Souls (Duet with Patti Russo)
11. Stand in the Storm” (Special guest appearances from Lil Jon, John Rich and Mark McGrath)
12. Blue Sky

Meatloaf returns with his latest offering and the follow up to last years Hang Cool teddy Bear. Now I am a huge Meatloaf fan, I always have been but here we have the same old problem with Meat's new albu as we have with many of his non Bat Out Of Hell releases, that is the lack of one Mr Jim Steinmen. Once again it feels a little too much like Meatloaf by numbers, like he is just not being pushed and stretched enough in the studio. Dont get me wrong, Hell In A Handbasket is not a bad album, its full of more than competant songs, the musicianship is excellent and Meat is in fine voice, its just that it os a little too much by the numbers and therefore a little dissappointing.

The album has a few high points, Fall From Grace, The Giving Tree and closing track Blue Sky come to mind, but its not a touch on any of the three Bat Out Of Hell albums!

Rating 6/10

Megadeth – Th1rt3en

2011-11-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

Genre - Thrash / Metal / Hard Rock
Label - Roadrunner

Track listing -

01 – Sudden Death
02 – Public Enemy No. 1
03 – Whose Life (Is It Anyways)
04 – We The People
05 – Guns, Drugs, & Money
06 – Never Dead
07 – New World Order
08 – Fast Lane
09 – Black Swan
10 – Wrecker
11 – Millennium Of The Blind
12 – Deadly Nightshade
13 – 13

Dave Mustaine returns with his latest incarnation of the mighty Megadeth, a lineup that includes,
Dave Mustaine (Guitars, Vocals), the returning David Ellefson (Bass), Shawn Drover (Drums) and Chris Broderick (Guitars), and by God these guys have rediscovered their form. Thirteen is the Megadeths thirteenth album and quite honestly probably their strongest since Youthanasia! Yes you read that right, dave and the crew have managed to tap into that rich vein that they plundered so well with the Countdown To Extinction and Youthanasia.

""TH1RT3EN" has several levels of meaning, which Dave Mustaine, who first picked up an axe at the age of 13, reveals, saying, "I was born on September 13th; this is my thirteenth record. It just seemed like it was the right thing to do to call it "TH1RT3EN". Mustaine is incredibly proud of the music put forth on the new recording, "This record is the culmination of my work over the 13 records I recorded. There are moments on "TH1RT3EN" that capture my every emotion, and other moments where I am releasing feelings I never knew existed! My proudest moments of my musical career are captured on "TH1RT3EN"."

In TH1RT3EN Megadeth have produced the strongest album to come from any member of the "Big Four" in years, and yes that included Anthrax's stunning comeback album Worship music!

Stand out tracks for have to include, Sudden Death, We The People, Guns Drugs & Money and the title track 13.

A stunning return to form from one of the best metal bands out there!

Rating - 10/10

Singer songwriters pay attention!

2011-10-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Groove Strasse Music Production is a new project set up by Baby Scream's bass player and drummer in Berlin. Its an online studio project aimed at singer songwriters who dont have, or dont want a full band,but still want a full band sound on their songs. Baisically the singer songwriter sends them a clean aciustic track with vocals, then the studio adds the drums , bass and pianno etc. The singer songwriter maintains the copyrights to the song at all times. It sounds like a wonderful idea, and one that could help a lot of talented singer songwriters complete their songs and maybe even achieve their dreams. Its worth checking out, so if you or anyone that you know might be interested you / they can find more information over at http://www.groovestrasse.com/

Steel Panther - Balls Out

2011-10-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Sleaze
Label -

Track listing -

01. In The Future
02. Supersonic Sex Machine
03. Just Like Tiger Woods
04. 17 Girls In A Row
05. If You Really, Really Love Me
06. It Won't Suck Itself
07. Tomorrow Night
08. Why Can't You Trust Me
09. That's What Girls Are For
10. Gold-Digging Whore
11. I Like Drugs
12. Critter
13. Let Me Cum In
14. Weenie Ride

The mighty Steel Panther return with their second album, Balls Out, and well to be honest its more of the same. These guys maybe a 'spoof' band, and their comedy appeal is their main appeal, but each and every song is very finely crafted, and the musicianship is always impecable. These guys are serious musicians, with histories in other bands behind their Steel Panther persona's but Steel Panther is a mighty beast in its own right.
The basic and simplest truth is, if you didnt like the first album, then you are not going to like this one, but on the other hand, if you enjoyed Mike Starr's quirky sexist sense of humour on the first album, then by god you're going to thoroughly enjoy this one too!
Stand out tracks for me include, Just Like Tiger Woods, If You really really Love Me, Tomorrow Night, Gold-Digging Whore, Critter and Weenie Ride.

A great album by a great band, a real breathe of fresh air!

Rating - 9/10

Hard Stuff - Boex Dementia

2011-10-22T03:33:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Re-issue
Label - Angel Air Records

Track listing -

01. Roll A Rocket
02. Libel
03. Ragman
04. Spiders Web
05. Get Lost 0
06. Sick ‘N’ Tired
07. Mermany 0
08. Jumpin’ Thumpin’ (Ain’t That Somethin’)
09. Dazzle Dizzy
10. Bolex Dementia

BONUS TRACKS
11. Inside Your Life
12. (It’s) How You Do It

"HARD STUFF was a rock band formed by JOHN DU CANN and Paul Hammond from ATOMIC ROOSTER with JOHN GUSTAFSON from QUATERMASS. The band released it’s first album 'Bulletproof' to intense critical acclaim in 1972 and was working on it’s follow up when whilst touring Europe when they had a bad car accident returning from a gig at the Zoom Club, Frankfurt culminating in Du Cann and Hammond spending many weeks in hospital in Belgium.

Their second album 'Bolex Dementia' was eventually released in 1973 which was a delay of almost a year before the crucial follow up album could be heard. Then the LP cover (which was considered one of the most horrific of 1973) was deemed in some territories as unacceptable and in the USA for example a fresh cover had to be created featuring a girl?! before the album could hit the racks.
The band broke up shortly after the release of the second and final album with Du Cann and Hammond reforming Atomic Rooster (Du Cann wrote and sang lead vocal on their Hits 'Tomorrow Night' and 'Devils Answer') and Gustafson joining Roxy Music.
A classic album remastered with bonus tracks."

Another classic and lost / forgotten gem to get the Angel Air re-issues treatment. This album saw the band’s sound soften slightly, with them developing a funkier guitar sound as opposed to the heavy riffs that led their debut album. Still the standard of the song writing and musicianship was top notch giving us a great album. Unfortunately, this was to be the last release by the band, which is a pity as I feel that they still had a lot to offer judging by the quality of the songs on display here.

Again, this re-issue serves as a great reminder to those that were lucky enough to be there and witness these guys back in the early seventies, and as a great introduction to another lost classic band. Once again this re-issue comes with extensive sleeve notes written by Jeff Perkins detailing the story of this album and Hard Stuff!

Thank God for Angel Air!

Rating - 9/10

Hardstuff - Bulletproof

2011-10-22T03:08:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Reissue Label - AngelAir Records

Track listing -

01. Jay Time
02. Sinister Minister

03. No Witch At All
04. Taken Alive
05. Time Gambler
06. Millionaire
07. Monster In Paradise
08. Hobo
09. Mr Longevity-RIP
10. The Provider-Part One
BONUS TRACKS
11. Jay Time (single version)
12. The Orchestrator

"HARD STUFF was a hard rock band formed by JOHN DU CANN and Paul Hammond from ATOMIC ROOSTER with JOHN GUSTAFSON from QUATERMASS. Signed to Purple records in 1971 initially as BULLET (they had to change their name in early 1972 to HARD STUFF as there was then already in existence an American group called Bullet) Hence the name of their very first album "Bulletproof" released in June 1972

The band toured heavily across Europe (particularly Germany), often as support to DEEP PURPLE and URIAH HEEP. Their career though was curtailed by a bad car accident returning from a gig at The Zoom Club, Frankfurt in which Du Cann and Hammond were badly injured and they spent weeks in hospital in Belgium torpedoing their plans to record the much anticipated second album.
'Bulletproof' is a classic album now much sought after-remastered with bonus tracks on Angel Air."

Another reissue of an otherwise lost classic album courtesy of Angel Air. Hard Stuff had a sound reminiscent of the like of Deep Purple, Elf, Led Zepplin and the like, with solid riffs and well-crafted songs with at times a little pop sensibility. A great mix and this reissue shows just why they were causing the stir that they were back in 1972. The songs have aged considerably well and display just what the band had to offer, before their career was prematurely cut short.

A great reminder for those that were lucky enough to be there in the seventies to witness this band first hand, a great introduction a great band for those who were not, like me. Once again this re-issue comes with extensive sleeve notes written by Jeff Perkins detailing the story of this album and Hard Stuff!

Well worth checking out!

Rating - 9/10

MUSICIANS
JOHN DU CANN,
JOHN GUSTAFSON,
PAUL HAMMOND

Avenge Vulture Attack - renew Ep

2011-10-22T02:46:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rock / Punk / Alternative
Label - Independant

Track listing -

01 - Seven Dirty Bad Things
02 - Renew
03 - You Are Nothing
04 - All About You

London based female fronted rockers Avenge Vulture Attack unleash their third Ep in the form of Renew, a four track offering, giving us their potent mix of pop, punk, rock and alternative styles.

The Ep opens up with, Seven Dirty Bad Things, a seductive riff led track, packed with great melodies and harmonies, a great start to a very promising Ep!
Next up is the title track, Renew, continues in the same vein, solid riff driven tracks with a haunting yet cutting lead vocal from Ella Grace. They really have something special here with her on lead vocals!
You are nothing slows the aggression levels a little, having more of a pop edge, and yes this must be the most painful and direct way to be dumped ever! A great little song.
All About You closes out the Ep and the band have saved the best track until last. A great song that has so much going on and real sense of class about it.
Avenge Vulture Attack really are a promising young outfit, they have some great songs, and billing themselves as "The kids of the 90's meet the kids of the 00's" seems to be quite fitting. You can hear their influences (which include No Doubt, Queens Of The Stone Age and Skunk Anansie), shinning through in both their sound and their style, but they never sound like clones. They have taken the essence of these bands, mixed them together and come out, well with their own sound.
Definitely ones to watch, these guys have the potential to be huge, especially with the immensely talented Ella Grace leading the charge on lead vocals!

Website - AVA
Rating - 9/10

Voodoo Johnson - Black Powder Mother Loader

2011-10-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Modern Rock / Blues Rock
Label - Polarian Records

Available - 17th October 2011

Track listing -

01 - Dogs Of War
02 - Swear It To The Sun
03 - United Divided
04 - The Garden
05 - Black Skies Mist.

Voodoo Johnson return with a new EP, Black Powder Mother Loader, the first release to feature new vocalist Nik Taylor-Stoakes (ex Vallenbrosa), and by god waht an EP it is!
Now I was both shocked and heart broken late last year when then Voodoo Johnson vocalist, Kevin Bayliss, announced his decision to leave the band after releasing two great Eps and a stunning debut album together, citing the old chest nut of musical difference as the reason. Now for most young bands, losing a vocalist the kalibre og Kev Bayliss, especially on the eve of a major tour supporting Europe, would have been too much to come back from, but not these guys! And thank God!!

Black Powder Mother Loader see's Voodoo Johnson move into a slightlty heavier musical direction, and the added power in the delivery really seems to suite the new material. Nik has a lower vocal register than Kev, but by God he has some pipes and a great range!.

The Ep opens with the riffing power of Dogs Of War, setting out the stall, a powerful opening track and a great sign of things to come! Next up is Swear It On The Sun, a bluesey rock track, with some great guitar work and some excellent crooning thanks to Nik! United Divided is up next, another riff driven rocker, and excellent track, this is gonna be a blast live. Next up and adding a little light to the shade on the Ep is The Garden, a beautiful little acoustic track, that showcases the softer side of Niks vocals. Rounding out the Ep is Black Skies Mist, a song written with non other that NWoBHM and Diamond Head legend Brian Tatler. Black Skies Mist was first aired back in March, as a single, but it closes out this EP perfectly, with its speed and power leaving you wanting more!
Voodoo Johnson's future, and the future of British Rock music is looking bright! These guys are still going to be huge!
I truly cant wait for these guys to release a full length album together!

Black Powder Mother Loader is released on 17th October 2011 through Polarian Records, buy it, check it out, you will not be dissappointed!
Now if only these guys would get together with Hate Gallery for a co headlining Uk tour....hmmmm

website - Voodoo Johnson
Rating - 10/10

Chickenfoot - III

2011-09-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock

Track listing -

01. Last Temptation

02. Alright Alright
03. Different Devil
04. Up Next
05. Lighten Up
06. Come Closer
07. Three And a Half Letters
08. Big Foot
09. Dubai Blues
10. Something Going Wrong
11. (Hidden Bonus Track)

Chickenfoot is the SUPERGROUP band, and what a band, featuring Sammy Hagar (Van Halen), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), guitarist Joe Satriani and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith.

Now this band environment really brings out the best in Joe's guitar work, please dont get me wrong, I love most of his solo out put, but here, working within a band environment, working withing the structure of propper songs so to speak, he really shines as a guitarist and not just the flamboyant instrumentalist. All the songs on this album are very strong, very well written, and with a line up like this it goes withoput saying extremely well performed. Sammy is in great voice too, really gelling with the music, love his singing on this album. Its hard to pick out a stand out track with the entire album being so strong, but if I was puched I would have to go with, Last Temptaion, Different Devil, Three and a Half Letters and the Hidden bonus track, all of which are just awesome!

Van Halen's new album (with dave Lee Roth returning for vocal duties) is going to have to be something really special to beat this release!

Very Highly Reconmended!

rating 10/10

LESLIE WEST - Unusual Suspects

2011-09-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic rock / Blues Rock

Track listing -
01. One More Drink For The Road (ft. Steve Lukather)

02. Mudflap Mama (ft. Slash)
03. To The Moon
04. Standing On A Higher Ground (ft. Billy F. Gibbons)
05. Third Degree (ft. Joe Bonamassa)
06. Legend
07. Nothing's Changed (ft. Zakk Wylde)
08. I Feel Fine
09. Love You Forever
10. My Gravity
11. Turn Out The Lights (ft. Slash & Zakk Wylde)
12. I Don't Know 'The Beetlejuice Song' (ft. Richard Christy) [bonus track]

"Legendary guitarist and Mountain founder Leslie West is releasing a brand new solo album entitled "Unusual Suspects" this September, his first since 2006’s 'Blue Me'."
Add Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde and Joe Bonamassa and TOTO singer / guitarist and legendary session musician Steve Lukather to mix and dare I say we're in for something a little special!
"Each of the songs on "Unusual Suspects" has been arranged with the guest musician in mind, which gives them another dimension. West has crafted 12 songs, ranging from the hard rocking “Nothing’s Changed” with Zakk Wylde to the awesome melodic and personal “Legend”.This album also features a couple of cover versions. One of these Leslie has cut before, Willie Dixon’s "Third Degree" which guest musician Joe Bonamassa was so impressed with first time around, he asked Leslie if he’d do it again and let him play on it. Joe also adds some vocals too, and his unmistakable guitar tone, compliments Leslie’s beautifully. The other is a take on Willie Nelson’s "Turn Out The Lights" where Slash and Zakk Wylde join in both acoustically and electrically, the result is nothing short of stunning!

Unusual Suspects is a stunning album, enhanced all the more by the quality of the talent guesting upon it, well worth checking out!

Rating - 10/10

Queen - Made In Heaven (2011 deluxe remaster)

2011-09-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rock / Pop

Track listing -

CD1:
01 – It’s A Beautiful Day
02 – Made In Heaven
03 – Let Me Live
04 – Mother Love
05 – My Life Has Been Saved
06 – I Was Born To Love You
07 – Heaven For Everyone
08 – Too Much Love Will Kill You
09 – You Don’t Fool Me
10 – A Winter’s Tale
11 – It’s A Beautiful Day (reprise)
12 – (Yeah)
13 – (Dead)

Bonus CD2:
01 – Heaven For Everyone (Single Version)
02 – It’s A Beautiful Day (B-Side Version)
03 – My Life Has Been Saved (1989 B-Side Version)
04 – I Was Born To Love You (Vocal & Piano Version)
05 – Rock In Rio Blues (Live B-Side)
06 – A Winter’s Tale (Cosy Fireside Mix)

this album was put together by the surviving band members after Freddies death and released in 1995. It features a collection of songs that Freddie finished before he died, Mother Love, A Winters Tale, You Dont Fool Me, re-worked solo tracks, Made In Heaven, I Was Born To Love You, Heaven For Everyone, Too Much Love Will Kill You, and re-worked tracks that had never been released, Its A Beautiful day, Let Me Live, and a re-worked B-side in My life Has Been Saved.

It was a strange album to listen too for the first time know that Freddie was no longer with us. this album had a slightly heavier sound than the past few Queen releases which was probably down to freddie not being involoved in its production.

Again the remastering here is spot on, and you cant really expect too much from the bonus disc as its an album made from leftovers in the first place, but I would have liked to have seen the origianal version of Let Me Live included with its why dont you take another little piece of my heart refrain.

still a great release.

rating - 10/10

Queen - Innuendo (2011 deluxe remaster)

2011-09-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rock / Pop

Track listing -

CD1:
01 – Innuendo

02 – I’m Going Slightly Mad
03 – Headlong
04 – I Can’t Live With You
05 – Don’t Try So Hard
06 – Ride The Willd Wind
07 – All God’s People
08 – These Are The Days Of Our Lives
09 – Delilah
10 – The Hitman
11 – Bijou
12 – The Show Must Go On

Bonus CD2:
01 – I Can’t Live With You (1997 Rocks Retake)
02 – Lost Opportunity (B-Side)
03 – Ride The Wild Wind (Early Version with Guide Vocal)
04 – I’m Going Slightly Mad (Mad Mix)
05 – Headlong (Embryo with Guide Vocal)

1991, This album suprised the hell out of the nation. Lead single and title track went straight in tio the UK charts at number 1, the album followed a week later, and by god what an album! Spawning another 5 hit singles, Innuendo, Im Going Slightly Mad, Headlong, These Are The days Of Our Lives (which was to be the last promo video Freddie would ever record, where he seems to say goodby to his fans!) and The Show Must Go On.

This was the best album Queen had made in years, pure majesty, Innuendo, epic, Dont try So Hard with freddies vocals so crystal clear and sharp, The Hitman, a pure rocking work out, if Freddie knew he only had months to live he intended to go out on a high, and that he did!

Again the remastering is spot on, and the bonus disc throws up a few nice suprises, such as Ride The Wild Wind (Early version) and the embryonic Headlong with Brian adding guide vocals.
I would have loved to have seen Face It Alone, Assassin, My Secret Fantasy, Self Made Man and Robbery make this release, but onve again I can but hope that the promoised Anthology set eventually gets released.

rating 10/10

Queen - The Miracle (2011 deluxe remaster)

2011-09-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rock / Pop

Track listing -

CD1:
01 – Party
02 – Khashoggi’s Ship
03 – The Miracle
04 – I Want It All
05 – The Invisible Man
06 – Breakthru
07 – Rain Must Fall
08 – Scandal
09 – My Baby Does Me
10 – Was It All Worth It

Bonus CD2:
01 – I Want It All (Single Version)
02 – The Invisible Man (Early Version with Guide Vocal, August 1988)
03 – Hang On in There (B-Side)
04 – Hijack My Heart (B-Side)
05 – Stealin’ (B-Side)
06 – Chinese Tortoure (Instrumental)
07 – The Invisible Man (12” Version)

1989, the decade was coming to a close everyone was looking back over the past 10 years and voting in polls about who were the best band, best single, best live act etc, Queen released The Miracle spawing 5 hit singles and pretty much made clean sweep of all the polls!
5 hit singles, I Want It All, The Miracle, Breakthru, The Invisible Man and Scandal, not bad going for a 10 track album!
now this album was one of the first albums to be recorded digitally, and that left the sound feeling a lil over produced (Queen over produced, no never!) and flat. This remaster injects a lot of life into the over all sound, making the tracks sound a little closer to their demo's (which are ace by the way!) so splendid job there.
the bonus disc, hmmm well mixed feeling here, yes I am happy at what they've put out, but there is so much more from these sessions that couls have been put on this disc! They've included the 12" version of The Invisible Man but NOT the extended 12" versions of Breakthru or Scandal hmmm. They have also included the unrealeased demo of The Invisible Man, which is interested and great appreciated, but why not include the other demo's know to exist from these sessions (theses sessions were so productive at one stage they considered putting out another album or EP entitled The Alternative Miracle!)
I would have loved to have seen, A New Life Is Born, I Guess We're Falling Out, Stealin' (12 min Jam version), Affairs, the original version of Too Much Love Will Kill You with Freddie on vocals (which was recorded during these sessions!)or Grand Dame get an officail realease. Also where is My Life Has Been Saved (Original 1989 B-side)?

great release, appreciated remaster but seriously left wanting more!

Rating 9/10 (for what we get)

Queen - A Kind Of Magic (2011 deluxe remaster)

2011-09-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rock / Pop

Track listing -

CD1
01 – One Vision

02 – A Kind Of Magic
03 – One Year Of Love
04 – Pain Is So Close To Pleasure
05 – Friends Will Be Friends
06 – Who Wants To Live Forever
07 – Gimme The Prize
08 – Don’t Lose Your Head
09 – Princes Of The Universe

Bonus CD2:
01 – A Kind Of Magic (Highlander Version)
02 – One Vision (Single Version)
03 – Pain Is So Close To Pleasure (Single Remix)
04 – Forever (Piano Version)
05 – A Kind Of Vision (Demo, August 1985)
06 – One Vision (Live at Wembley Stadium, July 11th 1986)
07 – Friends Will Be Friends Will Be Friends…

Hot on the heels of a blistering performance at 1985's Live Aid (a gig that pretty much saved the band from splitting up!) Queen entered the studio to record the soundtrack to one of my favourite films of all time, The Highlander. For some reason, although the music was used in the movie, the soundtrack album was scrapped and the songs re worked into what would be come A Kind Of Magic.
This was to prove to be one of Queens biggest selling albums and tours of all tiume, in fact the last tour to feature the late Freddie, those were magic years!
Featuring 4 huge singles in, One Vision, A Kind Of Magic, Who Wants To Live Forever and Friends Will Be Friends, this album was awesome. Again the remastering is perfect, ensuring the tracks now sound even better!
The bonus material on here is a mixed bag, its great to see the Highlander version of A Kind Of Magic getting an official release, but why not the awesome Highlander version of Princes Of THe Universe?
The demo of A Kind Of Magic is a welcome addition, but would have liked to see more material like this made available, such as the Queen demo of You Are The Only One, ohh well maybe we will get the Queen Anthology released one day (as promised back in 2000!)

A Great album well worth reaquainting yourself with!

Rating - 10/10

Queen - The Works (2011 deluxe remaster)

2011-09-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rock / Pop

Track listing -

CD1:

01 – Radio Ga Ga
02 – Tear It Up
03 – It’s A Hard Life
04 – Man On The Prowl
05 – Machines (Back To Humans)
06 – I Want To Break Free
07 – Keep Passing The Open Windows
08 – Hammer To Fall
09 – Is This The World We Created …

CD2:
01 – I Go Crazy (B-Side)
02 – I Want To Break Free (Single Remix)
03 – Hammer To Fall (Headbanger’s Mix)
04 – Is This The World We Created… (Live in Rio, January 1985)
05 – Its A Hard Life (Live in Rio, January 1985)
06 – Thank God It’s Christmas (Non-Album Single)

Queen studio albums continue to get the remastering treatment, this time its 1984's release The Works. this album need no introductions, it features some of Queens biggest know singles (and most controversial!), in Radio GaGa and I Want To Break Free, plus a couple of Queens later day rockng classics such as Tear It Up and Hammer To Fall. Again the remastering brings out the best from each song, giving them all a brand new lease of life, leaving the listener to discover things that they had never noticed in the past.

the bonus tracks on CD2 are a little dissapointing, I know for a fact that there are demo's that could have been included in place of the live tracks, such as the Michael Jackson tracks, or Back To Storm or even the demo version of Keep Passing The Open Windows that has been doing the rounds in trading circles.

Still a mighty fine release non the less!

Rating - 9/10

ROBIN GEORGE'S LOVEPOWER - LovePower and Peace

2011-09-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rock / Classic Rock / Blues / Soul / Pop
Label - Angel Air Records

Track listing -

01. Love Power And Peace   (lead vox Ruby Turner & Jaki Graham)
02. Seven Golden Daffodils    (lead vox Jacqui Williams & Robin George)
03. Cocoon                            (lead vox Sean Harris)
04. Pride                                (lead vox Ruby Turner)
05. Bluesong                          (lead vox Charlie George)
06. World                              (lead vox Freya Copeland, Vix, Robin George & Arthur Brown)
07. King’s Call
08. Tired Eyes                        (lead vox David Byron)
09. Another Lonely Night       (lead vox Daniel Boone)
10. With A Little Help From My Friends (lead vox Sean Harris, Jacqui Williams & Robin George)
11. Mona Lisa Smile              (lead vox Pete Goalby)
12. Wasted Time                   (lead vox John Wetton)
13. Alice                                (lead vox Robin George & Spike)
14. No Justice                        (lead vox Andy Pyke)
15. Heartline                          (lead vox Nick Tart)
16. Next to You/Don’t Turn Away (lead vox Robin George)
17. Angel Song                      (lead vox Robin George)

" This album involves no less than 50 artists making a contribution to this charity album under the production of project mastermind ROBIN GEORGE. The LovePower Band who are: Pete Haycock (The Climax Blues Band), Charlie Morgan (Elton John Band), Mel Collins (King Crimson), JacquieWilliams (Sister Sledge), Charley Charlesworth (Dangerous Music) and Robin George (Phil Lynott etc) Artwork is by the fabulous Andie Airfix.'

As the title suggests this is Robin’s Love Power and he has called on members of Uriah Heep, Trapeze, UFO, Mott The Hoople, Hanoi Rocks, Cry Baby's, King Crimson, Diamond Head, Asia, Quireboys to soul queen Jaki Graham to Ruby Turner to ViX to produce an album which is the desire of all artists participating to put something back by way of a charity album." "The Love Power project began with a conversation in the Andalucian mountain village in which Robin George now has his home. It started as a single, then grew to an EP and then as more artists recorded Robin’s songs they started contacting fellow artists/musicians and has now grown to a full album. As Robin recently said "It’s amazing a couple of weeks ago I recorded drummers Charlie Morgan in Nashville and Pete Thompson in Dallas where he was performing with Robin Trower. With 21st Century technology, geographical distance is no barrier"

Apart from the 50 musicians others who have freely dedicated their time and expertise include a choir of over 200 schoolchildren, an international women’s choir, a male rock choir, as well as photographers, journalists, art studios and record companies.
Uniquely for a charity album the entire profits from this release are being donated to three charities- BCAT, Haven House, and Compton Hospice."

This is a great album, combining the talents of a whole host of musicians. Highlights for me include Cocoon and With A Little Help From My Friends, if for no other reason than they feature ex Diamond Head vocalist Sean harris on lead vocals, in quite possibly his first released work since being ousted from the band a few years back, awesome.
Another highlight is Bluesong where Charlie George just owns the lead vocal!
Some tracks do sound a little dated, but what the hey, on the whole this is a great album and its raising money for some great charity's!

webisite - LovePower and Peace
rating 9/10

Dirty Habit - Mental Execution

2011-09-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Garage
Label - Dirty Records

Track listing -

01 - Hell
02 - Sick Of You
03 - Place To Be
04 - Down Below
05 - Alcohol
06 - Car Wreck
07 - Verge Of Insanity
08 - Daddy's Little Girl
09 - Gold Digger
10 - Make Things Right
11 - Dirty Little Habit
12 - Go Hard Or Go Home

UK 3 piece rocker's Dirty Habit, Scarlette Sin (Vocals and Bass), Dan (Guitars) and Toby (Drums) deliver up Mental Execution an filled of raw edged attitude filled gems. Dans Guitar work is stunning throughout, Scarlette's vocals are a perfect match and the raw production suites the songs and dare I say the band perfectly.
Add some crowd noises and I think this album is a pretty close match to how the band sound live, which must be an experience with the band and songs displaying so much energy here!
Stand out tracks for me would have to include, Sick Of You, Verge Of Insanity and Daddy's Little Girl.
A very promising band, definetley one to watch in the future!

Website - Dirty Habit
Rating - 9/10

Visitor - The Need To Believe

2011-09-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

Genre - Metal / Metalcore
Label - Copro Records / Casket Records

Track listing -

01 - Face Of Fear
02 - 428
03 - The Whispering
04 - We Are Not Alone
05 -World In Flames
06 - Relentless
07 - 9 Circles of Hell

Manchester four piece, Visitor, unleash The Need To Believe upon the poor unsuspectine world. Seven, yes only seven, tracks of blistering riffs, relentless drumming and 3 part vocals, yes three of the four guys handle vocal duties, switching between each other throughout each song. The songs are relentless, pounding you into submission, barely leaving you time to catch your breath. I love the vocals, constantly changing from old school metal, vocal harmonies and growling, great concept.
This album probably needed a softer track included, to add a little contrast, a little light to the shade so to speak, but on a whole its a good release, but be warned, it WILL LEAVE YOU EXHAUSTED!!

website - Visitor
Rating - 8.5/10

Sworn To Oath - Leave You for Dead EP

2011-09-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Genre - Metal
Label - Independant

Track listing -

01. Last Call
02. (Everything) Reminds Me of You
03. False Promise
04. Leave You for Dead

Uk three peice, Sworn To Oath return with their new Ep, Leave You For Dead, the follow up to last years Dont Fuck About Ep, and hell these guys just get better and better. Opening with current single, Last Call, which has an almost commercial edge to it, without losing any of the bands power and attitude, before steam rolling into (Everything) Reminds Me Of You, with its intro pummling you into submission with a barrage of riffs. Next up is moody rocker False Promise with the grinding title track, Leave You for Dead closing out this great little Ep.
What I like about Sworn To Oath, and what sets them aside from many of their contemporarys is vocalist and bassist Tom Shaw. He has (at times) a great melodic voice and doesnt resort to constant growling and shouting all the way through songs, a major plus point for me! Together these three guys are a solid force!

All four tracks are great, and with the reputation that these guys are building for themselves on the live circuit you had better check them out as soon as possible!

Sworn To Oath are quite simply one of the best UK metal bands out there at the moment, and are surly desting for greatness!

website - Sworn II Oath
Rating - 10/10

Sebastian Bach - Kicking and Screaming

2011-09-24T14:03:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal

Track listing -
01. Kicking & Screaming

02. My Own Worst Enemy
03. TunnelVision (featuring John 5)
04. Dance On Your Grave
05. Caught In A Dream
06. As Long As I Got The Music
07. I'm Alive
08. Dirty Power
09. Live The Life
10. Dream Forever
11. One Good Reason
12. Lost In The Light
13. Wishin'

Former Skidrow vocalist Seb Bach returns with his latest offering, Kicking and Screaming, an apt title for one of rocks wildest characters.
Opening with lead single and title track, Kickind And Screaming, Seb really sets out his stall. Great riff driven songs dripping in melody. Seb seems to be in fine voice here, with his vocals showcasing his range, from subtle soft melodies, to rough growl to full on metal scream.
Now here we have 13 well written, finely crafted songs, performed by a very talented band, but to me it just seems that something is missing. please dont get me wrong, I have always loved Seb Bach, ever since back in the MTV hey day with Skidrow's 18 & Life and Youth Gone Wild, through Skidrows highest point todate with Slave To The Grind, and I loved Sebs last solo effort Angel Down, but this album is more Youth Gone Mild than Kicking and Screaming. I just cant put my finger on it, the songs are great, the band sonds great, and as I have already said, Seb is in fine voice, so maybe its the production. Everything is just a little too polished for my liking, robbing the tracks of that raw edge, that energy that was so apparent of Skidrows Slave To The Grind.
Again, please dont get me wrong, this is a fine album, with stand out tracks like, My Own Worst Enemy, As Long As I Got The Music, Dirty Power and Tunnel Vision, it just lacks a little something for me.

Rating - 8/10

The Answer - Revival

2011-09-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock

Track listing -

01. Waste Your Tears

02. Use Me
03. Trouble
04. Nowhere Freeway
05. Tornado
06. Vida (I Want You)
07. Caught On The Riverbed
08. Destroy Me
09. New Day Rising
10. Can not Remember, Can not Forget
11. One More Revival
12. Lights Are Down

Irish hard rocker's, The Answer, return with their new album, Revival. Well the good news is that if you're a fan of the band then you're gonna love this album! Hell to be honest if you are a fan of Classic / Hard Rock then you are going to love this album. You've got great classic riffs, solid songs and HUGE chorus's to boot!
The band have been around long enough now to have the confidence to stretch their songwritting tallents a little too and mix the influences within the songs too, which a possitive, with some songs having a very Zepplin feel to them and some having a distinctive southern flavour too. There are out and out rockers like New day Rising, there's moody classy songs like Destroy Me, as well as great balladesque tracks like Lights Are Down and classy tracks like Caught On The Riverbed. This album really does have it all!

Revival is a fantastic album from a great band, a record (or should that be CD?) that really delivers!
Very Highly Reconmended!

Rating - 10/10

YOU LOVE HERE COZ SHE’S DEAD - YOU LOVE HERE COZ SHE’S DEAD

2011-09-21T04:38:00.000-07:00

Genre -
Label - Glasstone Records

Track listing -
01 - Leap of Desire 1
02 - Sunday Best
03 - Mud (feat Sucker Twin)
04 - Leagacy
05 - Blinded
06 - This Is A raid
07 - Pull Out The Nails
08 - Leap Of Desire 11
09 - Nowhere To Run To
10 - Softer Cell

Brighton-based duo YOU LOVE HERE COZ SHE’S DEAD release thier debut self titled album on Glasstone Records. YOU LOVE HERE COZ SHE’S DEAD’s album release follows an iTunes featured 'Hot Picks' debut EP, singles, remixes & compilations on Kitsuné, EMI & Glasstone, andwith their music appearing on films (Teen Wolf) and TV Shows (Skins). So as you can see these guys have been showcasing their blend of elctro punk indie pop all over the place.
The album is a collection of 10 tracks (some re-worked and some brand new) that Elle & Jay felt made sense together and are a good representation of their collaborative creative efforts.

The album was entirely produced and mixed by YLHCSD and mastered at The Exchange in London by Nilesh Patel (Daft Punk / Justice / Mr.Oizo / Björk / Underworld).
This is an interesting release, a kind of cross over album, with a punk ish element, but definetly more techno / electronica based. The songs are a miss mash of electronic beast, keyboards, guitars and Elle's distotrted vocals. Not bad at all but not really my cup of tea.
Enjoyable but for me rather throw away, so please check these guys out for yourselves.

Fans or anyone interested in these guys, can DOWNLOAD ALBUM TRACK ‘LEAP OF DESIRE FOR FREE HERE: "http://soundcloud.com/%20youlovehercozshesdead/free-%20track-giveaway

Rating - 7/10 (mainly because its not to my personal taste, so please check them out for yourselves!)

POLAR FOR THE MASSES - SILENCE

2011-09-21T02:57:00.000-07:00

Genre - rock / punk / garage / experimental / indie

Label - Black Nutria Independent Label / Cargo

Track listing -
01. Consequences

02. Rust
03. DIsmembered
04. Sailing Away
05. U.T.W.
06. The Last Man
07. Ignorance
08. Guilty

"This Italian trio have been a band since 2003, pursuing an essential and minimal “ice cold” approach to their music: an eclectic and unpredictable brand of post-punk that doesn't overlook the genre’s minimal approach and essence."
With a stripped down sound, and some fairly solid songs, Polar For The Masses pretty much acheive their goal with Silence. With an almost idie grunge feel with a punk / post punk approach these guys do offer something a little different, and rather enjoyable. All the songs are pretty solid, with Sailing Away, The Last Man and Guilty really standing out to my ears. With comparisons being made to Placebo, Brian Molko, Foo Fighters and Dave Grhol the band are getting alot of relavent attention. Silence is the bands third album, and their experience shows in the tightness of the band, but I feel the production is just a little too flat for me, robbing the songs of some of their attitude and agression.
On a whole not a bad album, worth checking out, but I would love to see what the guys could come up with, by enlisting the aid of a top producer!

Website - Polar For The Masses
rating - 8/10

Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare

2011-09-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Shock rock / Glam Rock

Track listing -

01. I Am Made Of You

02. Caffeine
03. The Nightmare Returns
04. A Runaway Train
05. Last Man On Earth
06. The Congregation
07. I'll Bite Your Face Off
08. Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever
09. Ghouls Gone Wild
10. Something To Remember Me By
11. When Hell Comes Home
12. What Baby Wants
13. I Gotta Get Outta Here
14. The Underture

Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original multi-platinum "Welcome To My Nightmare" album in 1975, the record picks up right where they left off, with Alice trapped in his own warped mind. "This is Alice's nightmare 35 years later," explains Alice, "Bob and I created this character and we know how to write for him. I play the part but we're not writing for me, we're writing for Alice. We kept the first 'Nightmare' album very personal to us, on this one we found more humor and we were more open. This was our world and we want to present it to the fans. The original album was my first solo album after all those huge hit records with the original band and now that nightmare is exposed, this one can be a little bit more open. The music crosses all sorts of boundaries; we went where the lyrics took us."

"There is a vast array of collaborators on the new album, including original Alice Cooper members Denis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith reunited on three tracks; global pop superstar Ke$ha, who affectionately calls Alice "dad"; and legendary Alice and Lou Reed guitarist Steve Hunter, who is part of Alice's current touring band and featured prominently on the first "Nightmare" album.

Musically, the album ranges far and wide, from trashing disco to garage punk, pop balladry to a rocking number very much in the spirit of THE ROLLING STONES. And then there's the ballad "Something To Remember Me By", described by Alice as "the prettiest song we have ever released."
Glimpses of themes from the original album are intertwined throughout, each track representing a different aspect of Alice's nightmare."

The first thing that I did before listening to this album was to give the original 1975 Welcome To My Nightmare a spin, just so that I could honestly say as to whether Welcome 2 My Nightmare stands up to its predecessor, and not to be comparing it through the eyes of nostalgia.

Welcome 2 My Nightmare, just like its predecessor has a wide range of music styles and themes going on, from the Rolling Stones influenced lead single, I’ll Bite Your Face Off, to the Beatles / Oasis themed Last Man On Earth, to the rock n roll / Ramones groove of Ghouls Gone Wild.
One thing that I have loved when listening to this album is the way that they have interwoven themes, snippets of piano or guitar refrains from the original 1975 masterpiece. All of a sudden, you hear a piano segment from Steven, or a little theme from Only Women Bleed, and all done without it sounding tacky or forced, awesome!

I love this album and I can honestly say that Welcome 2 My Nightmare is the best album Alice has released in years, and I love most of the albums that he has released in his long career!

Well worth checking out!

Website - Alice Cooper
Rating - 10/10

The Brew - The Third Floor

2011-09-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Blues
Track listing -

01 - Sirens Of War
02 - Six Dead
03 - Reached The Sky
04 - See You once Again
05 - Master and Pupeteer
06 - The Third Floor
07 - Piper Of Greed
08 - Crimson Crsyal raindrops
09 - Hard Times
10 - Imogen Molly
11 - Let It Back

"Though often named a modern blues band, The Brew have evolved far beyond the restrictions of blues to become one of Europe's most prominent rock bands. Hailing from Grimsby (UK) the band draws inspiration from a wide range of influences, from the experimental psychedelic tunes of the '60s, to more contemporary artists on the rock scene.

The band's extensive European tours have resulted in a massive underground following, which is just beginning to break into the mainstream as their fan-base rapidly increases. Appearances across national television and radio stations in Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Spain and Holland have confirmed the band as one of Britain’s better known musical exports."

Here we have eleven finely crafted and excellently executed songs. It would be unfair to label them simply as blues song, as they are so much more, crossing many musical boundaries, through classic and hard rock to psychedelic rock!
This multi generational trio's line up consists of Jason Barwick - Lead guitar, vocals (born in 1989), Tim Smith - Bass guitar, vocals. (Father of Kurtis.) and Kurtis Smith - Drums, vocals (born in 1988), and boy do they know how to put together a song, just check out the title track alone!

The Third Floor is a very solid album and well worth checking out!

website - The Brew
Rating - 10/10

Anthrax - Worship Music

2011-09-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

Genre - Metal / Thrash

Track listing -

01. Worship
02. Earth On Hell
03. The Devil You Know
04. Fight 'Em Til You Can't
05. I'm Alive
06. Hymn 1
07. In The End
08. The Giant
09. Hymn 2
10. Judas Priest
11. Crawl
12. The Constant
13. Revolution Screams

Who would have thought that in 2011, Anthrax would release what could possibly be the best album of their 30-year career? That's exactly what happened with their latest, highly anticipated slab of metal, Worship Music. This is classic Anthrax at its best - fast, heavy and melodic!
With a lineup that includes, Joey Belladonna ( returning to lead vocals after a 20 year absence from an Anthrax album!), main stay and heart of the band, Scott Ian (rhythm guitar), Rob Caggiano (guitars), the mighty Charlie Benante (drums) and Frank Bello (bass), Anthrax fans were hoping for something special and boy have the band delivered!
Earth On Hell in vintage Anthrax, fast and furious, The Devil You know is Anthrax with an ACDC groove, Fight 'Em Til You Cant is another classic Anthrax track in the making!
In The End is a near seven-minute epic that pays tribute to the bands fallen friends, Dimebag Darrell Abbott and Ronnie James Dio. This is easily the most emotional and passionate song Anthrax has ever done, whilst Judas Priest has a nice NWOBHM feel to it
I'm Alive, The Giant, The Constant and Revolution Screams are just as solid as the other tracks, all four being straight ahead, in your face rockers with big melodic hooks.
As I said earlier, this is possibly the best album Anthrax has released in their 30 year career.
Highly Recommended!

website - Anthrax
Rating - 10/10

The Union - Sirens Song

2011-09-12T13:14:00.001-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock
Label -

Track listing -

01 - Siren's Song

02 - Blame It On Tupelo
03 - Orion
04 - Obsession
05 - Make Up Your Mind
06 - The Remedy
07 - Cut The Line
08 - Burning Daylight
09 - Black Gold
10 - Time
11 - If I Could Make You Mine

Ex Thunder, leader and axe man Luke Morley (Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Vocals) and ex Winterville singer Peter Shoulder (Lead Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars) return with their second album under "The Union" banner with Sirens Song, and once again, it is the perfect marriage between experience and maturity and youth and energy. Every song on this album just screams quality, and I am still amazed by Peter Shoulders ability to co write songs of this standard at his relatively young age!

From the acoustic numbers like Sirens Song, Orion, and Make Up Your Mind, to the foot stomping rockers like The Remedy, Black Gold, and Obsession, this album has it all.
For every song on this album the guitar work, both acoustic and electric, is top notch and the vocals are out of this world.

A contender for Classic Rock album of the year, I think so!

Very highly reconmended!

website - The Union
Rating - 10/10

Baby Scream - Secret Place

2011-08-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rock / Pop / Powerpop
Label - Eternal Sunday

Tracklisting -

01 The Last Call
02 Hit And Run
03 Secret Place
04 Going North
05 Cold Weather Reggae
06 Bad Seed
07 Patiently
08 London Sun
09 The Atmosphere
10 Eating My Face

Baby Scream return with their Eighth studio release, hot on the tail of last year’s self titled album, with Secret Place.
"The story behind Secret Place, Baby Scream's eighth album and the first to be released by Eternal Sunday, begins when the government office Opción Música, that belongs to the City Government of Buenos Aires, announced that local indie labels could present proposals for recording an album at Estudio Urbano, a cultural centre dedicated to rock music and youth culture. The winners could use 80 hours of recording. Eternal Sunday proposed recording a new Baby Scream album (the band was releasing its homonymous album by OK! Records in the UK) and the project was accepted, so the band has to enter the studio to make a new album in two weeks."

The result is a refreshing laid back and honest album upon which composer Juan Pablo Mazzola takes us on a journey through a myriad of music styles and influences from the relaxed rocker, opening track The Last Call, through the Lennonesque Hit and Run (which is set to be released as the lead single from this album!) on through the darker themed songs like Going North. Cold Weather Reggae throws us a bit of a curve ball, but once again shows that Juan can turn his hand to writing almost any musical style that he chooses. The rest of the album continues in the same vein, relaxed laid back songs covering almost every emotion, even Eating My Face, which covers a dream where composer Juan was served his own head to eat in a restaurant!

The standard of the song writing and the musicianship on display here is as always top notch. THERE REALLY ISNT A BAD SONG ON THIS CD!
Secret Place maybe a little more laid back than some of Baby Screams previous release’s, but its still a truly stunning album, if you are a fan of Baby Screams previous releases then you will love this album, if you’ve not heard Baby Scream before, then why not? Check them out, they’re a great band producing great music!
The albums out August 15th, do yourself a favour and grab a copy!

Website – Baby Scream

Rating – 10/10

Hit And Run (single)
Faithful to the classic rock tradition followed by Baby Scream, Eternal Sunday announces the release of the single "Hit And Run" backed with "20th Century Baby". "20th Century Baby" is a song written by the legendary Marc Bolan (the leader of T-Rex) that was only released as a demo after the composer's death. Baby Scream recorded its version during the Secret Place recording sessions.

The single will be available at every major digital store (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, Spotify, etc.) on July 15th, 2011. (OUT NOW!)

Stone Soul Foundation - Electric Valley

2011-07-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock
Label - Stone Soul Foundation (independant)

Track listing -

01. Sidewalker
02. Christian
03. Electric Valley
04. Aint No Mystery
05. Song About You
06. Window
07. Mountain of Time
08. Next Flight
09. Gonna Try
10. They Are Me
11. I Master
12. Song About You (Radio Edit)
13. I Master (Radio Edit)

"Black Sabbath, Zeppelin, and Grand Funk Railroad meets Metallica, Wolfmother, and Queens Of The Stone Age" is how Stone Soul Foundation have been described, all I can say is that Electric Valley, the third release from Stone Soul Foundation, delivers first class hard driving blues groove riff-heavy rock with the vocals to match.
Theres plenty of variation on offer here, but there is also an underlying quality that keep all the songs moving along, its no wonder that these guys were picked out by Classic Rock magazine to be amongst the ones to watch for 2011.
A great band with solid songs performed to perfection, A very solid release that captures all the right elements from the late seventies hard rock giants, mixes them up a little and releases them with a contemporary edge.

A great album, well worth checking out!

Website - Stone Soul FoundationRating - 9/10

The Itch - Spreading Like Wildfire

2011-07-30T11:03:00.001-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock
Label - Rambo Music

Track listing -

01. Calling Me Back
02. Action
03. The Catalyst
04. Propaganda
05. No Friend Of Mine
06. Pain
07. Bring In The Wine
08. Sold My Soul
09. Mother (Acoustic)
10. If You Could See
11. Losing My Mind

The Itch hail from the south of Sweden, a country that has given the world a huge amount of talented rock bands over the past few years!
They consists of lead singer (and former Tenebre guitarist) Lukas Landerö, Magnus Wahlberg on guitar, Johan Helgesson on the drums and Tobbe Skogh on bass, and deliver an infectious blend of hard rock and blues!
from the opening track you know that you are going to enjoy the ride, with the bands sound being a in the same vein as bands like The Answer, Electric Mary, Roadstar and Heavens Basement with a few punk elements thrown in here and there.
Spreading Like Wildfire is a very infectious album, a pretty diverse album ranging from straight ahead rockers to heavy riffsters and the acoustic interlude.
Well worth checking out!
Highly recommended!

Website - The Itch
Rating - 10/10

Nightvision - Consequence Of Sin

2011-07-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Metal / Sleaze
Label - Rocksector Records

Track listing -

01 - So Many Lies
02 - Sob Story
03 - Words Like Bullets
04 - Long Way From Home
05 - Nowhere To Hide
06 - Find Me
07 - What Makes You Bad
08 - Enter Escapism
09 - Nothing To Lose
10 - Petrol & Practise
11 - Mirrors & Smoke
12 - Post Tour Blues

"Nightvision are a four piece hard rock band from Lincolnshire, UK. They formed in 2003. Nightvision have played with bands like Diamond Head, Fozzy, The Imperial Vipers, IwasACubScout, New Generation Superstars, Sweet Seduction, Patchwork Grace, Forever Never, From Almost the End, Kid Ego, Disarm and many more. Nightvision, now signed with Manchester label, Rocksector Records released their debut album ‘As The Lights Go Down’ on 6th April 2009 followed by a series of gigs across the UK to promote the album and raise the profile of the band."

Consequence of Sin is the bands follow up album and its solid on all fronts. With this album the band have really raised their game, pushing eveything up a notch from the songs to the performancies, the band has refined their performance and it shows through in their sound as it comes together and meshes a lot better this time around. The songs are also quite a bit heavier than the previous offering, which may delight the metal fans out there! Opening track, So Many Lies is a good example of how their style has changed as it really sets the pace for some of the future songs.
There is some truly blistering guitar work on display here too, just check out the riffs on Sob Story!

Consequence Of Sin is a great album that should appeal to many rock and metal fans, its has the harder edged rhythm's that can hold their own alongside any contemporary band, the hard rock melodies and lyrics should keep the band accessable to fans of rock as opposed to metal.

I dont think that there is a bad track on this cd, and once again Nightvision along with countless other Uk bands prove that there is plenty of life in the Uk rock and metal music scene!!

Highly reconmended

Website - Nightvision
Rating - 10/10

Exit State - Black Veins

2011-07-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Metal / Pop / Indie
Label - Rocksector records

Track listing -
01 - Enough Already
02 - In That Place
03 - Tonight Be Free
04 - Check Out The Crazy
05 - Circles
06 - Ten Years Later
07 - Stay
08 - Black Veins
09 - Wasted
10 - Out In The Rain
11 - All For You
12 - This Life

"The past 2 years has been a whirlwind for East Lancashire (UK) rockers Exit State. With a successful debut album, a tour in Finland, a video playlisted on Kerrang TV (Lost Beyond Beleif), support slots with Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden/Wolfsbane), Dave Evans (AC/DC), The Black Mollys, Witchfynde & Black Spiders you could be forgiven for thinking the band has been around for years. However, the early success of their high octane sound has been almost immediate, not least due to their crossover appeal to rock, metal, pop, punk, indie & alternative crowds alike…."
Balck Veins is the lads second full length album, building upon the solid foundations they set with 2010's Death Of A Rockstar debut. It feels like the songs have a slightly harder edge to them this time around, yet I dont see the band loosing any of their crossover appeal. the riffs come thick and fast, the lyrics are excellent, and the melodies really shine here, making Black veins a difficult album not to like!
There is plenty of variation here too, from the riffage of the opening track, Enough Already and Check Out the Crazy, to the gentle melodies of Ten Years Later, the quirky Indie rock feel of Stay and the grinding riffs of the title track Black Veins.
All in a great album from a very promising band, whi I beleive are going to be huge.
The Guys are planning a extensive Uk tour in October to promote the album, Id suggest you get yourselves along to a show and check them out for yourselves!

Very Highly Reconmended!

website - Exit State
Rating - 10/10

formspring.me

2011-07-25T00:55:00.003-07:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/bgennard

formspring.me

2011-07-25T00:55:00.001-07:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/bgennard

Head Cat - Walk The Walk . . . Talk The Talk

2011-07-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

Genre - Psychobilly / rockabilly
Label - Niji Entertainment Group

Track listing -

01. American Beat
02. Say Mama
03. I Ain't Never
04. Bad Boy
05. Shakin' All Over
06. Let It Rock
07. Something Else
08. The Eagle Flies On Friday
09. You Can't Do That
10. Trying To Get To You
11. It'll Be Me
12. Crossroads

"The Head Cat is an American rockabilly supergroup formed by vocalist Lemmy (of Motörhead), drummer Slim Jim Phantom (of The Stray Cats) and guitarist Danny B. Harvey (of Lonesome Spurs and The Rockats).
Head Cat was formed after recording the Elvis Presley tribute album Swing Cats, A Special Tribute to Elvis in 2000 to which the future band-mates all contributed. After recordings were finished they stayed at the studio and Lemmy picked up an acoustic guitar and started playing some of his old favorite songs by Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran.[1] The rest of the guys knew them all and joined in.[2] The name of the band was created by combining the names Motörhead, The Stray Cats and 13 Cats, which resulted in The Head Cat, similar to what Lemmy did in 1980 with Headgirl, a collaboration between Motörhead and Girlschool."
Walk The Walk . . . talk the Talk is the bands second album, the first one being released some eleven years ago, (although it was re released in 2006)and its a corker!
Its great hearing Lemmy sing his way through these songs, and this different style really suites him too. I'm loving every track here, not a duff track in sight.
This album is fantastic, just do yourself a favour and check it out!

Website - Head Cat
Rating - 10/10

Rival Sons - Pressure and Time

2011-07-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock
Label - Earache

Track listing -

01 - All Over the Road
02 - Young Love
03 - Pressure and Time
04 - Only One
05 - Get Mine
06 - Burn Down Los Angeles
07 - Save Me
08 - Gypsy Heart
09 - White Noise
10 - Face of Light

My God I have stepped back in time to the mid - late seventites, but in a good way. American Blues rockers, Rival Sons, produce the kind of music that wouldnt have sounded out of place along side the likes of Free, Bad Company, Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix and the like.
The music is great, classic sounding with a band upto date production, and the songs well, as I said they could easily hold their own against any of the classics.
Rival Sons are being touted as the next big thing at the moment, and I wouldnt be suprised if they do manage to break through to the mainstream, as they have all the right ingrediants to be huge.
Stand out tracks for me have to include, Only one, Save Me, Pressure and Time and Face Of Light.

this is an essential release for fans of the classic rock genre, these guys could be huge!

Website - Rival SonsRating - 10/10

MYSLEF -Ill Get Better B4 It Gets Worse

2011-07-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

Genre - Indie / Alternative Rock / Pop
Label - GLASSTONE RECORDS

Track listing -

01 - I'll Get Better B4 It gets Worse
02 - Do the Zombie Walk
03 - Baby You Drive Me Crazy

Myself are an interesting mix of musical styles. There's a laid back feel to the songs and the vocals yet they're full of energy and groove.
I'll Get Better B4 It Gets Worse, though interesting does start to get a lil repetitive towards the end, Do the Zombie Walk has an almost Ska feel to it, again with some very laid back vocals whilst Baby You Drive You Me Crazy is the most rockin track on here, even if a little simplistic.
this Ep is interesting, and shows a lot of promise, check it out if you fancy something a l little different.

Rating - 6/10

Halestorm - ReAnimate EP

2011-07-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock
Label -

Track listing -

01 – Slave To The Grind (Skidrow Cover)
02 – Bad Romance (Lady Ga Ga Cover)
03 – Hunger Strike (Temple Of The Daog Cover)
04 – Out Ta Get Me (Guns 'N' Roses Cover)
05 – All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You (Heart Cover)
06 – I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (The Beatles Cover)

Halestorm serve up a covers Ep and by God its a corker!
Opening with a stunning version of Skidrows metal classic, Slave To the Grind, the scenes set. Quickly follows a rockin cover of Lady Ga Ga's Bad Romance, and by God, Ive fallen in love with this track, this is destined to be a classic!
Next we get Hunger Strike, a good cover of the Temple Of The Dog classic, which is quickly followed by a great version of the Heart classic All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You, before a rocking version of the Beatles classic I Want You.
This is a great Ep,Lzzys vocals are top notch throughout, with all the songs lending themselves perfectly to a female vocal!
The only fault lying in the fact that its too damn short.
Well worth checking out!

Website - Halestorm
Rating - 10/10

Queen - Deep Cuts Volume 2 (1977 - 1982)

2011-07-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Glam / Pop
Label - Island Records

Track listing -

01 – Mustapha
02 – Sheer Heart Attack
03 – Spread Your Wings
04 – Sleeping On The Sidewalk
05 – It’s Late
06 – Rock It (Prime Jive)
07 – Dead On Time
08 – Sail Away Sweet Sister
09 – Dragon Attack
10 – Action This Day
11 – Put Out The Fire
12 – Staying Power
13 – Jealousy
14 – Battle Theme

The second volume in the Deep Cuts series, in effect a sampler of the latest batch of remastered albums released by the band. A great a fair tracklisting, and a good intriduction to this era of the bands music.

Highly reconmended

Website - www.Queen-online.com
Rating - 9/10

Queen - Hot Space (2011 Deluxe Edition Remaster)

2011-07-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Pop / Disco
Label - Island Records

Track listing -

CD1:
01 – Staying Power
02 – Dancer
03 – Back Chat
04 – Body Language
05 – Action This Day
06 – Put Out The Fire
07 – Life Is Real (Song for Lennon)
08 – Calling All Girls
09 – Las Palabras De Amor (The Words of Love)
10 – Cool Cat
11 – Under Pressure

CD2:
01 – Staying Power (Live at Milton Keynes Bowl, June 1982)
02 – Soul Brother (B-Side)
03 – Back Chat (Single Remix)
04 – Action This Day (Live in Tokyo, November 1982)
05 – Calling All Girls (Live in Tokyo, November 1982)

Hot Space, originally released back in 1982 and arguably Queens least popular album, and with understanble reasons. Hot Space saw Queen in effect turn their back on their hard rock roots and completly embrace the disco pop sound that was popular at the time. saying that there are a few gems on here still, like Under Pressure, which features the mighty David Bowie on co-lead vocals. Again the remastering is excellent, but this time the bonus tracks are a tad disappointing in my opinion. We get a few live tracks, an excellent B-side, and a single remix, yet there is so much more the band could have put on here. To start with the entire album exists in demo form, with notable differences, mainly being the tracks having a harder rocky sound, plus there is the demo of Cool Cat which also featured vocals again from David Bowie, and then there is the demo of Under Pressure, without David Bowie, all noticable by there abscence.
An un popular album with a dissappointing selection of bonus material.
Sorry, again for completists only.

Website - www.Queen-online.com
Rating - 6/10

Queen - Flash Gordon Soundtrack (2011 Deluxe Edition Remaster)

2011-07-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Pop / Soundtrack
Label - Island Records

Track listing -

CD1:
01 – Flash’s Theme
02 – In The Space Capsule (The Love Theme)
03 – Ming’s Theme (In The Court Of Ming The Merciless)
04 – The Ring (Hypnotic Seduction Of Dale)
05 – Football Fight
06 – In The Death Cell (Love Theme Reprise)
07 – Execution Of Flash
08 – The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash)
09 – Arboria (Planet Of The Tree Men)
10 – Escape From The Swamp
11 – Flash To The Rescue
12 – Vultan’s Theme (Attack Of The Hawk Men)
13 – Battle Theme
14 – The Wedding March
15 – Marriage Of Dale And Ming (And Flash Approaching)
16 – Crash Dive On Mingo City
17 – Flash’s Theme Reprise (Victory Celebrations)
18 – The Hero

CD2:
01 – Flash (Single Version)
02 – The Hero (October 1980… Revisited)
03 – The Kiss (Early Version, March 1980)
04 – Football Fight (Early Version, No Synths! – February 1980)
05 – Flash (Live in Montreal, November 1981)
06 – The Hero (Live in Montreal, November 1981)

Hmmmm, this album was recorded as a soundtrack to a guilty pleasure of mine, The 1980 flim Flash Gordon, which I love. It features some interesting soundscapes and musical ideas but only a couple of full blown songs, mainly beiong the theme track, Flash and closing track The Hero, both classics in their own right. The bonus tracks are intesting, a couple of demos, a single mix, a couple of live tracks and an alternate take on The Hero.
Again the remastering is excellent, but this album is album really is only for completists.

Website - www.Queen-online.com
Rating - 8/10 (for the bonus tracks)

Queen - The Game (2011 Deluxe Edition Remaster)

2011-07-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Glam / Pop
Label - Island Records

Track listing -

CD1:
01 – Play The Game
02 – Dragon Attack
03 – Another One Bites The Dust
04 – Need Your Loving Tonight
05 – Crazy Little Thing Called Love
06 – Rock It (Prime Jive)
07 – Don’t Try Suicide
08 – Sail Away Sweet Sister
09 – Coming Soon
10 – Save Me

CD2:
01 – Save Me (Live in Montreal, November 1981)
02 – A Human Body (B-Side)
03 – Sail Away Sweet Sister (Take 1 With Guide Vocal)
04 – It’s A Beautiful Day (Original Spontaneous Idea, April 1980)
05 – Dragon Attack (Live at Milton Keynes Bowl, June 1982)

This album has always been one of my favourite Queen albums, originally released in 1980, and featuring some wonderful songs from the title track, Play the Game, the world wide chart buster's, Another One Bites The Dust and Crazy Little Thing Called Love, to the quirky Dont Try Suicide and Sail Away Sweet Sister and power ballad Save Me. A Great album. A great thing about this release is that includes the original spontaneous idea that became Its A Beautiful Day, and an early take of Sail Away Sweet Sister, plus the Roger Taylor sung B-side A Human Body and a couple of live tracks.
Production once again is top notch with this remaster, a truley great album very highly reconmended.

website - www.Queen-online.comrating - 10/10

Queen - Jazz (2011 Rematered Deluxe Edition)

2011-07-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Glam / Pop
Label - Island Records

Track listing -

CD1:
01 – Mustapha
02 – Fat Bottomed Girls
03 – Jealousy
04 – Bicycle Race
05 – If You Can’t Beat Them
06 – Let Me Entertain You
07 – Dead On Time
08 – In Only Seven Days
09 – Dreamer’s Ball
10 – Fun It
11 – Leaving Home Ain’t Easy
12 – Don’t Stop Me Now
13 – More of That Jazz

CD2:
01 – Fat Bottomed Girls (Single Version)
02 – Bicycle Race (Instrumental)
03 – Don’t Stop Me Now (With Long-Lost Guitars)
04 – Let Me Entertain You (Live)
05 – Dreamer’s Ball (Early Acoustic Demo)

Originally released in 1978, Jazz continued to give Queen hits and anthems in the form of Bicycle Race, Dont Stop Me Now and Fat Bottomed Girls as well as continueing to show case the bands experimental side with tracks like Let Me Entertain You and Mustapha.
A Great album and once again the remastering really brings every sound to life. Bonus tracks are pretty interesting too, An acoustic demo of Dreamers Ball, I different mix of Dont Stop Me Now, an Instrumental, a Live and single mix.
Well reconmended, especially as an introduction to some of the bands lesser known classics such as Jealousy,Dead On Time, Leaving Home Aint Easy and Dreamers Ball.

Website - www.Queen-online.comRating - 9/10

Queen - News Of The World (2011 Deluxe Remaster)

2011-07-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Glam / Pop
Label - Island Records

Track listing -

CD1:
01 – We Will Rock You
02 – We Are The Champions
03 – Sheer Heart Attack
04 – All Dead, All Dead
05 – Spread Your Wings
06 – Fight From The Inside
07 – Get Down, Make Love
08 – Sleeping On The Sidewalk
09 – Who Needs You
10 – It’s Late
11 – My Melancholy Blues

CD2:
01 – Feelings Feelings (Take 10, July 1977)
02 – Spread Your Wings (BBC Session, October 1977)
03 – My Melancholy Blues (BBC Session, October 1977)
04 – Sheer Heart Attack (Live in Paris, February 1979)
05 – We Will Rock You (Fast) (Live in Tokyo, November 1982)

Originall released back in 1997 hot on the heels of A Day at the Races, News of The World was probably the last all out 'Rock' album produced by Queen. Featuring future anthems such as We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions along side true classic such as Sheer Heart Attack, Its Late and My Melancholy Blues. News Of the Worldd truley is a great album, and this 2011 remaster just makes it sound even better! A great sound that seems to breathe life into every song, allowing every single sound to make itself heard. The bonus tracks here are interesting, demo version of Feelings Feelings, a song probably rather familar to hard core collectors, a great little rock track, and great to hear such a great sounding version at last, we also get two of the era's BBC session tracks and two previously unreleased live tracks. Again I'd rather have had a few more demo's from the archive but on the whole this is a great re-release.

Website - www.queen-online.com
Rating - 9/10

formspring.me

2011-07-17T08:13:00.001-07:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/bgennard

Obsessive Compulsive - Dreams Of Death and the Death Of Dreams

2011-06-26T15:55:00.001-07:00

Genre - Gothic / Punk / Metal / Hard rock
Label - Vociferous Records

Track listing -

01.$$
02.Man Vs Machine
03.The Decay of Hope
04.A Cocktail of Toxins
05.Spit The Medicine
06.Virago
07.Autopsy
08.Future Closing In
09.Exit
10.Hell is a Circle
11.27½

"Obsessive Compulsive Are A Gothic/Punk Band From Manchester, UK. Signed To Their Own Label Vociferous Rocords. They've Released Two EPs, June 2004's 'A Demon For Every Occasion' & 'The Corpses Of Thought' In January 2007. As well as this their debut full length album, 'Dreams Of Death & The Death Of Dreams'."

Imagine a modern day Die Cheerleader (from the early 90's) , with a more sophisticated and polished sound, then you'll be on the right tracks to understanding Obsessive Compulsives sound.

On this album the band have produced 11 great songs, that really showcase the terrific vocals of lead vocalist kelii's voice. (The line up is completed by Pete - Bass, Giz - Guitar and Dani - Drums.) Their sound is familiar angst-ridden, guitar-driven punk rock complemented by Kelii’s dirty, gutteral growls and creamy crooning. The music and composition is not particularly complex, but it works, and it works well. This is a refreshing album, and nothing like I expected it to be which can only be a good thing!
Id like to see the band try to push their musical boundries a little further on their next release but saying that this, their debut album is a great album well worth a few repeated listens!

Website - Obsessive Compulsive
Rating - 9/10

LUTHER GROSVENOR - If You Dare

2011-06-26T15:36:00.001-07:00

Genre - Melodic Rock / AOR / Blues /Pop
Label - Angel Air Records

Track listing -

01. Dusty Track
02. If You Dare
03. Say Never
04. Emis Song
05. Fire And Water
06. Tears Run Dry
07. Kids
08. Heroes
09. Nobody Knows
10. If You Dare (version 2)

"LUTHER GROSVENOR a.k.a ARIEL BENDER past reads like a who's who of the rock elite. A member of SPOOKY TOOTH, STEALERS WHEEL, WIDOWMAKER and MOTT THE HOOPLE he has constantly delivered a performance as a guitarist that rates amongst the finest. Luther has always rewritten the guitar players rule book, simply by remembering that technique isn’t everything: you have to have some fun as well.
Having released over the years a number of solo albums Luther has been recording for the past year the "If You Dare" album which captures both his stunning guitar playing as well as his substantial song writing and vocal talents."

Here we have a stunning peice of melodic rock / bluesy pop, written and performed by a true veteren of the industry.
Every song is a well crafted masterpeice, with tracks like If i Dare, Dusty Track and Heroes really standing out

An album well worth checking out!

Website - Angel Air
Rating - 10/10

Young Blood - Transfussion

2011-06-26T15:11:00.001-07:00

Genre - hard rock / NWoBHM
Label - Angel Air Records

Track listing -

01 - Fantasy
02 - American Bride
03 - Run For Your Life
04 - Doin' The Best That I Can
05 - Can't Stop Rocking
06 - Talkin' About L.O.V.E.
07 - Heartache
08 - Shine On
09 - Thunder In The Mountains
10 - Hold On To Love
11 - Your Money Or Your Life
12 - Good Time Tonight
13 - Dangerous Games
14 - Ray Gun (Shoot Me Like A)
15 - Shoulda Known Better

"YOUNG BLOOD were formed in the early 80’s in the NWOBHM era and like lots of new young bands they soon found critical acclaim with their Conquest Records release 12" EP "First Blood" and massive amounts of touring including Marquee, Dingwalls as well as a 22 date supporting to PHIL LYNOTT and his new band GRAND SLAM. Numerous other support dates with TOKYO BLADE, She, Thor Stray followed culminating with their support of MOTORHEAD at Hammersmith Odeon during May 1984. They signed to The Agency who immediately offered them the all important exclusive tour contracts.

The band became the "darlings" of the rock press with GARRY BUSHELL of SOUNDS placing the band on the front cover of their May 12 th issue. Other notable press reviews followed in KERRANG which culminated with offers of record deals from Bronze and Capitol Records. The band was hot and they accepted a deal with Bronze but at the same time there were issues with personnel so the signing was put on hold until these were resolved. By the time the personnel issues were resolved personal changes at record companies meant that there was now no deal on the table and the band sadly continued another 12 months before they called it a day.

Now released for the first time on CD the rare "First Blood" EP and the full previously unreleased album"

I was unlucky enough to have been born a little too late to full appreciate the NWoBHM the first time around, but have become a massive fan of many of the bands from that era including the heavy weights such as Iron Maiden, Saxon, Samson, Def Leppard, Diamond Head, Praying Mantis, Vardis, Demon and the like, but to my shame I had never heard any of Young Bloods songs.
Falling into the same vein as the more melodic bands from the era such as Vardis, Demon, Praying Mantis, Samson and Diamond Head, Young Blood were a damn good band in my honest opinion.
Well crafted songs, with great polished production, maybe even for-seeing the musical trends that were to come and make success's of bands like Foreigner and FM.
this is a great album, and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed, so I'd like to thank those at Angel Air Records for putting this collection out and drawing my attention to a lost gem from an era filled with shinning stars.

Website - Angel Air
Rating - 9/10

Sister - Hated

2011-06-26T14:44:00.001-07:00

Genre - Hard rock / Sleaze / Punk
Label - Metal Blade

Track listing -

01 – Radioactive Misery
02 – Body Blow ‘Pissed Off N’ Beautiful’
03 – Bullshit & Backstabbing ‘We All Were Born Lobotomized’
04 – Hated ‘The Snakes You Thought Were Safe Spit In Your Face’
05 – Motherfuckers (Like You) ‘Can’t Destroy Me, Can’t Hold Me Down’
06 – Werewolves On Blackstreet ‘Peel The Skin From Your Broken Bones’
07 – Spit On Me ‘You Ain’t Got What It Takes To Stay In Hell’
08 – The Unlucky Minority ‘That’s Why I Tore Out My Eyes’
09 – Would You Love A Creature ‘Hypnotized Alcoholized’
10 – Too Bad For You ‘A Living Disease, Too Hard To Please’
11 – Drag Me To The Grave ‘Bottoms Up At The Edge Of The Fall’

This is not the Sister from the late 70's that once featured such members as blackie Lawless and Nikki Sixx, no this incarnation of Sister were formed in Stockholm/Jonkoping Sweden,2006.
Sister's Metal Blade debut, Hated, is a punk-laced slab of angry hard rock. “Hated” is an album that combines this new wave of Glam/Sleaze along with some Punk elements. If you’re into this new stuff you’ll understand what I’m talking about. The music is pretty filthy and raw and in combination with Jamie’s vocals they kick major ass reminding of bands like HARDCORE SUPERSTAR and BACKYARD BABIES with a Gothic / Shock Rock edge ala the likes of Alice Cooper and WASP.
These songs are not exactly going to set the world of fire, but they will enterain make a great party!
I love the angst, I love the passion and I love the tongue in cheek lyrics, this is what rock was all about back in the day!
GREAT album!!

Website - Sister
Rating - 9/10

HEAVEN'S BASEMENT - Unbreakable (2011)

2011-06-26T14:29:00.001-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock
Label -

Track listing -

01 - Unbreakable
02 - Guilt Trips And Sins
03 - The Long Goodbye
04 - Close Encounters
05 - Paranoia *
06 - Let Me Out Of Here
07 - Leeches

"HEAVEN'S BASEMENT born from the ashes of a promising British combo formerly known as Hurricane Party, and then Roadstar which was surprisingly dissolved after only two albums.
After their self released EP debut in 2009, Heaven's Basement certainly managed to create a buzz. The band has been featured in Classic Rock Magazine and also two tunes from the EP have aired on the accompanied Classic Rock CD.
The band has seen a couple of line-up changes since they formed in 2007. The latest version has Aaron Buchanan (vocals), Sid Glover (guitar and vocals), Rob Ellershaw (bass) and Chris Rivers (drums). Now they're presenting a brand new EP; "Unbreakable" (again, self-managed) with some tracks produced by legendary mutli-platium Grammy nominated U.S. producer Bob Marlette (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Stone Cherry, Alice Cooper). Heaven's Basement sound and style reminded me a lot of the bands that came out of the late eighties, except heavier.
"Unbreakable" is trashed-up guitar-driven release, chock full of hard bluesy, ballsy tunes that are extremely fun and enjoyable to listen.
Each track is full of swagger and attitude, packed with screaming choruses and tons of hot and vintage valvular guitar work."

Unbreakable is a great little Ep, whose only fault is the simple fact that its too short, this should have had a few extra tracks and been made into the new album.
Unbreakable presents the band with a heavioer sound than its predecessor, with seven extremly well written and executed songs and boy have they found a set of pipes in new vocalist Aaron Buchanan.
Im loving tracks like Unbreakable, The Long Goodbye and Leeches!
On the strength of this Ep, I really cant wait to hear the new album!

Website - Heavens Basement
Rating 10/10

Dustineyes - Bullet For My Generation

2011-06-26T14:22:00.001-07:00

Genre – Hard Rock / Metal / Punk / Sleaze
Label – logic(il)logic

Track listing –
01. Bullet For My Generation
02. Wild 'N' Alone
03. Get Away
04. This Is My Ring
05. Bet With Life
06. No Redemption
07. Eyes In The Jar
08. Spinning On My Hell
09. Sick Of You
10. Joe
11. Under The Ashe

Okay, imagine Hardcore Superstar covering Motorhead, well that’s as close as I can get to describing the sound of Dustineyes. With Bullet For My Generation the band have unleashed on hell of a rocking album, and yes many of the songs can blend into each other, but the sheer energy and vibe really does disguise this minor faux par. Great hard rock with a sleazy punky edge is the best way to describe what come out of the speakers when you put this cd on your system. The lyrics can be a little hard to make out at times with the vocals sometimes sounding a little like Southpark’s Cartmen doing Lemmy impressions, but it all sounds good to me!
Thoroughly enjoyable

Website – Dustineyes
Rating – 8/10

Hollywood Killerz - Dead On Arrival

2011-06-26T14:19:00.001-07:00

Genre – Hard Rock / Glam / Sleaze
Label – logic(il)logic

Track listing –
01. 700.000
02. Grey Celebrations
03. Luxury Depression
04. Girls ® Dead
05. How (Could I)
06. Going Down
07. Somewhere Out Of This Mind
08. All Tomorrow's Parties
09. Over And Over
10. Through The Sand
11. Our Memories May Be Right
12. Lovecrash
13. More Than It Hurts You

Italian sleaze / glam / hard rockers Hollywood Killerz unleash Dead On Arrival upon the world, and well, it’s not at all bad. I can truly imagine fans of Alice Cooper, Dogs d’ Amour, Michael Monroe and Demolition 23 falling in love with this album. Straight up sleaze rock with a punky edge. This album is filled with catchy melodies punctuated by spiky guitars, sleaze heaven!
The only faults I can really pick out here are that, one there’s nothing really new on offer here, it’s all been done before, but Hollywood Killerz do it very well! And two, a problem for a lot of European vocalists where English is not their native language, sometimes the pronunciation of certain lyrics can be off, but that said it does add a little something to the all over charm of the songs.
If you like your rock downright dirty and truly sleazy then check out this album!

Website - Hollywood Killerz
Rating – 8/10

Lost In Vegas - A State Of Mind

2011-06-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

Genre – Alternative / Modern Rock
Label – Independent

Track listing –

01. Wash Away
02. Nothing
03. Looking Back
04. Breathe
05. Chasing The Dragon
06. The World Is Ending

Tamworth rockers deliver up their second release with A State Of Mind, following up 2006’s Addiction.
Here we have a pretty solid selection of 6 tracks with Chasing The Dragon (Not a cover of the LA Guns track of the same name!) and The World is Ending proving to be the strongest on offer, although to be fair the other four are very solid, just not quite as grasping in my honest opinion.
Sound wise, Lost In Vegas deliver up the usually meaty Alternative Rock riffs, with some catching melodies liberally sprinkled over the top that wouldn’t be out of place on a Green Day release. Chris Lynch's vocals occasionally leave a little to be desired, but there is plenty on offer here to like, well worth checking out!

Website - Lost In Vegas
Rating – 9/10

Lionsex - Get It

2011-06-26T14:13:00.001-07:00

Genre – Hard Rock / Sleaze
Label – Roar Power Records

Track listing –
01. Get It
02. M.I.A
03. Too Good
04. Smokin Out The Neighborhood
05. Nobody Said It Was Gonna Be Easy
06. Midnight
07. Rip-Off Britain
08. Used To Be
09. Rocket To Ur Heart
10. Bringing Back The Heartache

Hailing from Milton Keynes in the UK, LIONSEX boast a front man with the moniker Jef Leppard and count the likes of Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue, The Rolling Stones, The Wildhearts and Hanoi Rocks among their influences to name just a few. For some reason vocalist Jef’s voice seems to bring a certain Billy Idol to my mind in places. The songs are solid, well written and delivered, and some of the guitar work is truly stunning!
Some great tracks here, with the stand outs for me including, Nobody Said It Was Gonna Be Easy, Rip-Off Britain and Midnight.
A refreshing band with some great songs well worth checking out

Website - Lionsex

Rating – 8/10

Le Reverie - Truth & Lies

2011-06-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Genre – Hard Rock / Alternative / Modern Rock / Gothic
Label – Independent?

Track listing –

01 – Hold Me Down
02 – Truth & Lies
03 – Ghost of You

I couldn’t find out much about the band Le Reverie, except that they’re an American female fronted band, who was touted for break out sing of the year with Hold Me Down.
The band has a song writing style that is very similar to bands like Evanescence and System of a Down, yet unique and potent enough to warrant interest. Most of the tracks are piano led, with fuzzy guitars providing Zepplin style riffs all over them. This is an Ep that you need to listen to once or twice, it’s not immediately instant, to me anyway, but with repeated listens the songs give up their magic, and the songs are very well written and performed. Vocalist Allie Jorgen, has a great voice very much in the vein of female rock legends Pat Benatar, Ann Wilson and Amy Lee.
Truth & Lies is an interesting little Ep, cant wait to hear the debut album when it’s released.

Web Site: www.lereverie.com
Rating – 8/10

The Rods - Vengeance

2011-05-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal
Label - Niji Entertainment

Track listing -

01. Raise Some Hell
02. I Just Wanna Rock
03. Rebels Highway
04. Ride Free Or Die
05. The Code (feat Ronnie James Dio)
06. Livin' Outside The Law
07. Let It Rip
08. Fight Fire With Fire
09. Madman
10. Running Wild
11. Vengeance

Legendary Cult rockers The Rods reunite for one last stab at the cherry, with the Immortal voice of Ronnie James Dio lending a helping hand. First off, let’s get one thing straight, Vengeance is a true retro album -- it is pure uncompromising, aggressive and melodic hard rock / heavy metal.
The Rods, although American, had a very NWoBHM sound about them, back in their day they cut some classic tracks, Crank It Up probably being the most famous. With Vengeance, they continue pretty much where they left off, 25 years ago. The songs are pretty solid, the production is crystal clear, and we’re in for a good time I think!
First I should be honest, I am only really aware of this albums existence because it includes one of the very last songs that Ronnie James Dio sang upon before he sadly passed away 12 months ago, The Code. So let’s deal with this track first, even though its track 5. The Code is a heavy song, with a powerful performance put in by Dio, unbelievable considering he passed away a few weeks later. It’s got some great lyrics, and a brilliant theme, yet it’s not the best song to feature Ronnie, and if I’m totally honest, as much as like the song, I doubt that it would have made the final cut of the Heaven & Hell album, The Devil You Know.
Now that tracks out of the way, what of the rest of the album? Well as I said earlier, it’s a straight up rock / metal album, very much in the vein of Saxon and Judas Priest in places. There’s a high energy attitude about the songs on this album, and if you like your rock in the classic NWoBHM vein, then Vengeance could be right up your alley!

Well worth checking out!

Website - The Rods
Rating - 8/10

Who Cares? - Out Of My Mind (2 Track Charity Single)

2011-05-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy metal / Classic Rock
Label - earMusic

Track listing -

01 - Out Of My Mind
02 - Holy Water

Who Cares? A new project / super group featuring the talents of Tony Iommi - Guitars (Black Sabbath), Ian Gillan - Vocals (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath), Jason Newsted - Bass (Metallica, Voivoid, Flotsam & Jetsam), Niko McBrain - Drums (Iron Maiden), Jon Lord - Keyboards (Deep Purple), Linde Linstrom - Guitars (HIM, a Finnish band) amongst others.

The all-star line-up has recorded two new songs. They are to benefit a music school in Gyumri, Armenia. The review below tells you all you need to know about these tracks, awesome!

"This two track charity single by Who Cares has been released to support the rebuilding of a music school in Gyumri, Armenia. Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi and various other hard rock and metal stars, have combined to record two original songs and it was that fact alone that tempted me to make a purchase.

The first track Out of my mind, is a classic sinister hard rock track, all heavy guitars and growling Hammond (courtesy of Jon Lord), with a couple of killer slow burning guitar solos. My favourite track however, is Holy Water which has the feel of classic Ian Gillan solo material. It rocks a bit harder than the recent One Eye to Morocco album, but with a haunting duduk intro opening the track and Ian Gillan's alternately mystical/anecdotal lyrics, the song is very much in that vein.

The music feels as gelled as any touring band, and deserves to make it into your record collection on its own merits. Rather toning down their excesses and hoping for a radio friendly effort, Who Cares have produced the sort of material their fans rightly love them for and donated the proceeds to charity." ( testedonpencils 2011)

I tend to disagree, in that Out Of My Mind is my favourite of the two songs, but both are future classics!

Support this cause, and keep your fingers crossed that these guys choose to record more material together, the line up on the first track is absolutely awesome, differs slightly on Holy Water, with the line up being
•Vocals: Ian Gillan
•Guitars: Tony Iommi , Steve Morris, Michael Lee Jackson
•Drums: Randy Clarke
•Bass: Rodney Appleby
•Hammond organ: Jesse O'Brien
•Duduk solo: Arshak Sahakyan
•Underlying duduk intro music & keys: Ara Gevorgyan

very Highly recommended!

website - Who Cares
Rating - 10/10

Die Pretty - Battle Over Brooklyn EP

2011-05-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Genre - Pop / Punk / Rock
Label -

Track listing -

01 - 7th Avenue
02 - Let Me Out!
03 - Voices

"Die Pretty formed in 2005. Brother and Sister Skip and Sarah stemmed Die Pretty from their previous band of 8 years. With their new aggressive style of combining punk and catchy rock they have graced the stage with such acts as Goldfinger, Everclear, Pennywise, The Living End and many more. They have been called, "The Punk Rock Hope" by Brooklyn Music Magazine. Their style has been described as sticks of dynamite with a punk rock wick."
Sarah’s vocals, to me anyway come across as a sort of mix between Stevie Nicks and No Doubt's Gwen Stefani. The band has grown musically since their 2009 release, Bittersweet, which was typical break neck punk rock album, with huge melodies. This Ep shows a more melodic side to the band, 7th Avenue becoming an instant sing along, even on its first spin. Let Me out! is more akin to the band’s debut, super fast punk riffs with a huge melody over the top. Voices closes out this 3 track Ep, with its 80's New Wave feel, and I must say I found this Ep thoroughly enjoyable!

I think we should expect big things from these punk and punkettes!

Well worth checking out!!

website - Die Pretty
Rating - 8/10

Black Stone Cherry - Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea

2011-05-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Southern Rock / Alternative
Label - Roadrunner Records

Track listing -

01 - White Trash Millionaire
02 - Killing Floor
03 - In My Blood
04 - Such A Shame
05 - Won't Let Go
06 - Blame It On The Boom Boom
07 - Like I Roll
08 - Can't You See
09 - Let Me See You Shake
10 - Stay
11 - Change
12 - All I'm Dreamin' Of
13 - Staring At The Mirror (Bonus track)
14 - Fade Away (Bonus track)
15 - Die For You (Bonus track)

Black Stone Cherry return with their third studio album in Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, once again filled to the brim with huge meaty riffs and hooks big enough to land moby dick himself!
There are some real gems and definite future Black Stone Cherry classics here, with current single, White Trash Millionaire, radio friendly Like I Roll, Moody Killing Floor, the fun Blame It On The Boom Boom and the true stand out track, Such A Shame, with its haunting soul chilling heartfelt lyric!
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea is a great and solid album, with very few fillers to be found, with maybe the exception of Cant You See and Stay.

Black Stone Cherry's previous two albums were ballsy, and had their classic tracks, but I always felt that they were missing something, well looks like they’ve found it on Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea,

This album can be summed up on four words, Huge Riffs, Massive Hooks!

Very highly recommended.

Website - Black Stone Cherry
Rating - 9/10

Def Leppard - Mirror Ball Live and More

2011-05-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Pop Rock / Glam
Label -

Track listing -

CD1:
01. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
02. Rocket
03. Animal
04. C’Mon C’Mon
05. Make Love Like A Man
06. Too Late For Love
07. Foolin’
08. Nine Lives
09. Love Bites
10. Rock On

CD2:
01. Two Steps Behind
02. Bringin’ On The Heartbreak
03. Switch 625
04. Hysteria
05. Armageddon It
06. Photograph
07. Pour Some Sugar On Me
08. Rock Of Ages
09. Let’s Get Rocked
10. Action
11. Bad Actress
12. Undefeated
13. Kings Of The World
14. It’s All About Believin’

'Mirror ball' was recorded across the world over the course of many of the band's sold-out dates and features all of the classic songs that have made Def Leppard one of the most respected and beloved power rock bands in the world. Attempting to capture the group's legendary concert experience, this double disc set bring together many of the bands classic tracks such as 'Pour Some Sugar On Me', 'Rock Of Ages','Foolin'', 'Hysteria', 'Photograph' and 'Bringing On The Heartbreak', a great set list, I just wish that they were all from the same show!

The thing that is of real interest to me are the last three tracks on disc two, new studio recordings, current single Undefeated, Kings Of The World and It's All About Believin', each a future Leppard classic in their own right, but Undefeated is definitely one of the strongest songs that the guys have come up with in years, as is Kings Of The World with its very Queen - esque sound, awesome

A great introduction for new fans, and a pleasant addition to us older fans

Website - Def Leppard
Rating - 9/10

Black Country Communion - 2

2011-05-26T10:20:00.001-07:00

Genre - Hard rock / Classic rock / Blues Rock
Label - Mascot

Track listing -

01. The Outsider
02. Man In The Middle
03. The Battle For Hadrian's Wall
04. Save Me
05. Smokestack Woman
06. Faithless
07. An Ordinary Son
08. I Can See Your Spirit
09. Little Secret
10. Crossfire
11. Cold

New rock super group, Black Country Communion, follow up last year’s awesome debut album with "2". Pretty much continuing where the debut left off, with their bluesy soulful, Deep Purple meets Led Zepplin sound. With the pedigree within this band you expect the songs to amazing, and they don’t let you down!
The album opens with two powerhouse tracks, The Outsider and Man In The Middle, before the band slow things down a little with The Battle For Hadrian’s Wall, an epic bluesy track that could of easily have been a part of guitarist's Joe Bonamassa's album Dust Bowl. Save Me follows, a song with a very heavy Zepplin feel to it, which isn’t surprising considering drummer Jason Bonham claims that it has its roots in a jam that took place between himself and Zepplin Messer’s Jimmy Page and John Paul after the famous 02 reformation gig! Awesome song! Everyone pulls through with this with some great work from Joe and Glenn!
And it just doesn’t stop, with song after song of supreme high quality classic bluesy rock!

I truly hope that these guys can keep the egos in check, because so far they’ve delivered two fantastic albums, if they can stay together they will become a legendary band in their own right!

True pedigree shines through once again, very highly recommended!

Website - Black Country Communion

Rating 10/10

Sixx A.M. - This Is Gonna Hurt

2011-05-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Modern Rock
Label - Eleven Seven Music

Track listing -

0l. This Is Gonna Hurt
02. Lies Of The Beautiful People
03. Mare You With Me Now
04. Live Forever
05. Sure Feels Right
06. Deadlihood
07. Smile
08. Help Is On The Way
09. Oh My God
10. Goodbye My Dear Friends
11. Skin

This Is Gonna Hurt is the second album from NIKKI SIXX’s latest Sixx A.M. and the follow up to the hugely successful Heroin Diaries, and pretty much picks up where that album left off. This Is Gonna Hurt is pretty much the soundtrack to NIKKI SIXX’s latest book release This Is Gonna Hurt: Music, Photography And Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx.

The album is filled with atmospheric, haunting and moody soundscapes, from the industrial tinged opener, and title track, This Is Gonna Hurt, to the big ballad Smile. This is an album that contains so many mixed musical styles, yet is woven together so well it’s unbelievable!
Another truly outstanding thing about this album is the simple fact that every one of the 11 tracks stands perfectly well on its own, there’s not a duff track in sight, something of as rarity today!
Once again the band, Nikki Sixx – bass, James Michael – vocals and DJ Ashba – Guitar
really do themselves proud, showcasing their talents and songwriting to perfection.
As I said, all 11 tracks are brilliant, but a couple really do stand out to me, those being title track, This Is Gonna Hurt, Lies Of The Beautiful People, Deadlihood, Oh My God and album closer, Skin.

Very highly recommended!

Website -

Hollywood Undead - American Tragedy (Deluxe Edition)

2011-04-30T06:51:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rap / Rock Cross over
Label - A&M/Octone Records

Track Listing -

01 - Been to Hell
02 - Apologize
03 - Comin' In Hot
04 - My Town
05 - I Don't Wanna Die
06 - Hear Me Now
07 - Gangsta Sexy
08 - Glory
09 - Lights Out
10 - Coming Back Down
11 - Bullet
12 - Levitate
13 - Pour Me
14 - Tendencies
15 - Mother Murder
16 - Lump Your Head
17 - Le Deux
18 - S.C.A.V.A.

Hollywood Undead is an American rap rock cross over band from Los Angeles, California.. Their sound has a lot in common with Horror bands such as Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid, Tech N9ne, yet with a mainstream element mixed in similar to Eminem, with a little Linkin Park thrown in to th mix for good measure to give tem the Rock element.
Now its no secret that I am a huge fan of Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid, Tech N9ne and Eminem, and rarely do people trying to pull off similar sounds come close to acheiving their goal and usually end up sounding like cheap imitations, yet this is not the case with Hollywood Undead.
These guys are hugely talented, and here the produce an excellent and varied album. American Tradegy has it all, itr has the comericail tracks like Comin' In Hot, Gangsta Sexy and current single, Hear Me Now but it also has the darker edged tracks more at home on underground albums such as Apologize, I Don't Wanna Die, Tendencies
and Mother Murder all of which are truly excellent!
I came across this album by accident and by god I am glad that I did, as Hollywood Undead may be my personal musical discovery of 2011!
Hollywood Undead's music features a wide variety of musical styles, generally blending hip hop with alternative rock and dance influence. However, many would identify them as rap rock, crunkcore, or nu metal. Half of the songs in Swan Songs display a more party-based style, while the other half show a more rock approach to the album.

If you have an open mind (musically)and want to check out a band bringing something different to the table then I strongly reconmend this album!

I Love it!

Website - Hollywood Undead

Rating - 9/10

DUFF McKAGAN's LOADED - The Taking

2011-04-30T06:42:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Punk Rock
Label - Century Media

Track Listing:
01.) Lords of Abaddon
02.) Executioner’s Song
03.) Dead Skin
04.) We Win
05.) Easier Lying
06.) She’s An Anchor
07.) Wrecking Ball
08.) King Of The World
09.) Cocaine
10.) Your Name
11.) Follow Me To Hell

Duff McKagan's Loaded returns this year with their second album, The Taking.
The Taking is jam packed with unadulterated punk rock and no-frills rock 'n' roll. The Taking is a solid effort, yet it never really manages to step out of the shadow of its predecessor, the excellent Sick!
“The Taking” was produced by Terry Date and the current lineup of the band consist of Duff McKagan – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, Mike Squires – lead guitar, backing vocals, Jeff Rouse – bass, backing vocals and Isaac Carpenter – drums, percussion. It kind of reminds me of the British band The Almighty. It’s a blending of rock, metal, pop punk and post grunge like sounds, little bit dark, but quite pumping. 12 different colored songs finally make this album quite interesting. There’s something for everybody,
There’s plenty of variety on this album, with each song having its own flavor so to speak, it’s a very solid album from a hugely talented band.
A full classic Guns n’ Roses’, or even Velvet revolver reunion may never happen, but with Loaded, Duff has great outlet for his musical ideas.

A very good album, well worth checking out!

Website - Loaded

Rating - 9/10

Andrew W.K. - The Party All Goddamn Night EP

2011-04-30T06:01:00.001-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock
Label -

Tracklisting -

01.Party All Goddamn Night
02.Everybody’s Raging
03.I Sold My Soul
04.Head Bang
05.I’m A Vagabond
06.We’re All Women
07.I Was Born To Love You (Freddie Mercury cover)

This Ep offers up 7 songs in the typical Andrew W.K. party music style, although his sounds has shifted a little with a 2011 Dance club element to his production, but still Andrew W.K!
This Ep is filled with 7 gems, I'm loving I Sold My Soul, Party All Goddamn Night, and even though he comitted the ultimate sin in my eyes by covering a Freddie Mercury song (I'm a life long Queen and Freddie fan and generally hate hearing people cover their songs as very few pull it off and do them justice!), in I Was Born To Love You, I love this version of the song! He really pulls it off.
This a great little short Ep,with plenty of variation a kind of stop gap before the next full length album.
This Ep will definitely appeal to Andrews existing fan base, and I believe amybe even attract a few new ones too!

Highly reconmended!

Website - Andrew W.K.
Rating - 9/10

Quicksand Snippet

2011-04-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

Kev Bayliss - Quicksand (Single)

2011-04-30T05:24:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Indie / Alternative / Modern Rock
Label - Independant

Tracklisting -
01 - Quicksand

Former Voodoo Johnson vocalist, Kevin Bayliss, returns with his first release since leaving the band late last year. Whereas Voodoo Johnson have apparently headed into a slightly harder / heavier direction with their new vocalist on their first single Black Skies Mist, Kev has opted to go in a more commercial, softer, more indie direction with Quicksand, which is the first song to be made available from his debut solo album, The Project which should follow later this year.
Kevin says, " This song however, is typically ‘Indie’ and a bit softer than what people have heard me sing before, but I love all kinds of music and probably have been ‘typecast’ now as a rock singer. I only joined VJ cos I liked ROCK and they were looking for a singer. My hope was that they would become more commercial and I tried to make that happen with the lyrics and vox, but I think after time I decided it wasn’t going to happen. I think they’ve found the right singer for what they want now though."

Quicksand is a great track with some very heartfelt, topical and relevant lyrics, and the softer approach really brings out the best in Kevin’s vocals. The song perhaps has more in common with Kings Of Leon, U2 and Cold Play than his previous outfit, but again that allows Kevin more freedom to truly showcase his voice.

I really do like this song, it’s extremely well written and executed to perfection, and I’m hoping that Kevin can keep a hold of the musicians that he has assembled here for the rest of the songs that will feature upon the album.
(The band is: Guitars - Lucky Singh, Keyboards - Pete Lakin, Bass - Nick Daniel, Dums - Kevin Bartlett, and obviously, Vocals / Lyrics - Kev Bayliss.

I'll let Kev have the final word with, "So, the album will have several more tracks, some acoustic section too! – So it’ll have a bit of everything, some hard, some soft. The key is to make it diverse. No ‘Dance’ though, or RnB lol. Mind you I have recorded vocals for a Dance song, and it looks as though it may be released under a large independent label! – I love all kinds of music, not just rock, so I thought I should stop pretending to be Axl rose and just sing what I like!"

I truly recommend buying this single when it is made available on 20th May as I think you’re gonna love it, I Do!

Highly recommended and I can’t wait for the album!

Website - Kev Bayliss

Rating - 10/10

Electric Boys - And Them Boys Done Swang

2011-03-28T13:55:00.001-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Funk / Psychadelic Rock
Label -Supernova, JVC (Victor Entertainment), Universal

Tracklist:
01. Reeferlord
02. My Heart's Not For Sale
03. Father Popcorn's Magic Oysters
04. Angel In An Armoured Suit
05. Ten Thousand Times Goodbye
06. The House Is Rockin'
07. Welcome To The High Times
08. Sometimes U Gotta Go Look For The Car
09. Put Your Arms Around Me
10. The Day The Gypsies Came To Town
11. Rollin' Down The Road
12. A Mother Of A Love Story
13. Chickalicious (Japanese Bonus Track)
14. Down On Shakin' Street (Japanese Bonus Track)
15. Nowhere To Go But Up (Japanese Bonus Track)

Sweden’s Electric Boys were one of the first and most celebrated purveyors of the short-lived funk metal phenomenon of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Led by charismatic singer and guitarist Conny Bloom and with a splash of beatle-esque pop-psychedelia, the quartet garnered rave reviews and built an impressive following in Europe & America. Their creative juices were also quickly spent, causing the band to disintegrate into obscurity after only three albums. Guess what? They’re back!! By God they’re back with an album stocked full to the brim of future Electric Boys classics on the making. The band is tight and well-oiled, and they do swing! The songs as always are of the highest standard, hey Conny kept himself busy during the bands down time, touring with Ginger (Wildhearts) band SilverGinger5, Gingers solo band, writing recording and touring with Hanoi Rocks as well as producing his own solo material! There's not a bad track on this album, and long term fans of the band should love it! Favorite tracks for me tend to include the rockier tracks like, Reeferlord, The House Is Rockin, My Heart’s Not For Sale, and Welcome To The High Times, although softer tracks like Ten Thousand Times Goodbye, have a special magic all of their own. A great band and a fine comeback album, well worth checking out!

Website - Electric Boys
Rating - 10/10

IRON MAIDEN To Release From Fear To Eternity - The Best Of 1990 - 2010

2011-03-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

Genre - Heavy Metal / NWoBHM
Label - EMI

Track listing –
Disc 1:
01 - 'The Wicker Man'
02 - 'Holy Smoke'
03 - 'El Dorado'
04 - 'Paschendale'
05 - 'Different World'
06 - 'Man On The Edge' (Live)
07 - 'The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg'
08 - 'Blood Brothers'
09 - 'Rainmaker'
10 - 'Sign Of The Cross' (Live)
11 - 'Brave New World'
12 - 'Fear Of The Dark' (Live)

Disc 2:
01 - 'Be Quick Or Be Dead'
02 - 'Tailgunner'
03 - 'No More Lies'
04 - 'Coming Home'
05 - 'The Clansman' (Live)
06 - 'For The Greater Good of God'
07 - 'These Colours Don't Run)'
08 - 'Bring Your Daughter... To The Slaughter'
09 - 'Afraid To Shoot Strangers'
10 - 'Dance Of Death'
11 - 'When The Wild Wind Blows
'
“From Fear To Eternity is a chance for these new fans of the band to explore Iron Maiden's rich history, with the highlights of their last eight studio albums distilled into this handy collection, which follows 2009's compilation of their earlier work, the 1980-1990 Somewhere Back In Time album.”
This a fine track list here on these two discs, and you always no you get quality with Iron Maiden, with many of my favorite tracks from the last eight albums being included, but I do have one gripe. I wish that they would have either of included the original studio versions of the live tracks, which tend to be the ones that originally featured Bruce Dickinson’s short term replacement Blaze Bayley on vocals, or even better still, get Bruce to re-record the vocals for the said tracks, as I find that the sudden appearance of a live track kind of spoils the flow and feel of the cd for me.
But that gripe to one side, and this collection is a great set, and a fine place for new fans to introduce themselves and get acquainted with the last few years of Maiden history, it also had me digging out my Iron Maiden Cds and giving them a good run through!

website - Iron Maiden

rating - 8/10

Terrorvision - Super Delux

2011-03-28T13:03:00.001-07:00

Genre - Rock / Pop / Metal / BritRock
Label - Total Vegas Recordings

Track Listing
01. Demolition Song
02. Hold Tight
03. Neighbourhood
04. Pushover
05. This Is Suicide
06. Babylon
07. All the Girls Wanna Dance
08. Friend in Need
09. Rock Radio
10. Shiny Things
11. Run & Hide

After a 10 year absence from the recording studio, Terrorvision return with a new studio album, and I’m glad to say, it’s a true return to form with the band going back to what bought them to the dance in the first place.
This album contains all the pop bounce and northern whit that made albums like How To Make Friends And Influence People and Regular Urban Survivors so great. These guys just haven’t lost their touch.
The energy is still there and so is the song writting quality, and songs like Demolition Song, Pushover, This Is Suicide, All Girls Wanna Dance (a sucessor to Oblivion?), Friend In Need and Babylon are welcome additions to the Terrorvision arsenal.
This is great album and great reminder of days gone by, now all we need is Ginger to get The Wildhearts back together along with a 3 Colours Red and Honeycrack reunion and we can have the 2nd coming of Britrock!
Viva la revolution!

Website – Terrorvision Rating - 10/10

Joe Bonamassa - Dust Bowl

2011-03-28T12:40:00.000-07:00

Genre - Blues / Rock
Label -

Track listing -

01. Slow Train
02. Dust Bowl
03. Tennessee Plates (featuring John Hiatt and Vince Gill)
04. The Meaning of the Blues
05. Black Lung Heartache
06. You Better Watch Yourself
07. The Last Matador of Bayonne
08. Heartbreaker (feat. Glenn Hughes)
09. No Love on the Street
10. The Whale that Swallowed Jonah
11. Sweet Rowena (feat. Vince Gill)
12. Prisoner

Joe Bonamassa is an American blues guitarist who regularly wins awards in guitar magazines and has been praised by BB King, and lead guitarist for the Super group of 2010, Black Country Communion. But beyond all of this, Joe is an established solo artist in his own right, with Dust Bowl being his 12th solo album to date.
There is just simply no questioning this man’s talent, his guitar cries, sings and wails, the emotion it purveys is phenomenal!
Joe is also one hell of a song writer too! This album is filled with modern day blues classics, from the opener, Slow Train to title track Dust Bowl, upon which Joe shoes a enough restraint to really build an atmosphere when the licks he plays. Another excellent song, which I find myself listening to over and over again is The Meaning of The Blues, a truly great song!
This is also full of surprises too, with Black Lung Heartache having a southern almost Celtic folk feel to it in place.
Joes Black Country Communion cohort, Glenn Hughes, puts in a brief appearance on Heartbreaker, another excellent song added to Joe’s cannon.
This album is probably THE blues rock album of 2011, it really is that good, and you really should check it out!

website - Joe Bonamassa
Rating 10/10

Queen - Deep Cuts Volume 1 [1973-1976]

2011-03-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard rock / Glam / Pop
Label - Island records

Tracklist:
01 – Ogre Battle
02 – Stone Cold Crazy
03 – My Fairy King
04 – I’m In Love With My Car
05 – Keep Yourself Alive
06 – Long Away
07 – The Millionaire Waltz
08 – ’39
09 – Tenement Funster
10 – Flick Of The Wrist
11 – Lily Of The Valley
12 – Good Company
13 – The March Of The Black Queen
14 – In The Lap Of The Gods…Revisited

"Queen release the album'Deep Cuts Volume One 1973-1976'on March 14th 2011, a bespoke collection of hidden gems from the band's first five albums, specially chosen by Roger Taylor and Brian May in consultation with life-long fan, Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters.

'Deep Cuts Volume One' is designed as a companion piece to the first five Queen albums which are being re-issued by Island Records on March 14th as part of the bands 40th anniversary celebrations.

Designed to dig a little deeper than their multi-million selling 'Greatest Hits' compilations ('Greatest Hits', by the way, is officially the biggest selling British album of all time with sales of an incredible 5.7 million copies so far in the UK alone), 'Deep Cuts Volume One 1973-1976' showcases a less well-known side of the early Queen story and reveals some brilliant tracks to listeners looking to delve into the band's founding years' work for the first time.The first five Queen albums – Queen, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night At The Opera and A Day At The Races - are a testament not only to the band's skills as songwriters and musicians, but also to their determination to push the creative and technological envelopes to their absolute limits.

Challenging the traditional practises of the studios of the time, pioneering new methods of recording and refusing to use synthesisers, the band's unique sound was born out of their incredible individual talents and ingenuity. Breaking the mould with multiple vocal harmonies, multi-layered guitar harmonies, cross rhythms and multiple repeats, Queen would layer so many tracks onto recording tape as to render it literally translucent, their 15 hour studio sessions now the stuff of legend within the studio community.

For Queen, the studio was a place of boundless possibilities. From the raw energy and heavy rock of Queen I to the polished splendour of A Day At The Races, they continued to challenge and innovate. Listening to 'Deep Cuts' in the 21st century, you can hear how Queen revolutionised both rock music itself and the way rock music was made.

The booklet notes for 'Deeper Cuts' were especially commissioned by Roger Taylor and Brian May from comedy actor and writer Rhys Thomas, an unlikely but unquestionable Queen fan and expert. Thomas publicly showed his vast knowledge of the band appearing on the New Year special edition of Celebrity Mastermind where, answering questions of the subject of his favourite band, Queen, he achieved the distinction of scoring the highest number of correct answers in the history of the television series."

The track listing is amazing, and this album is a great way for a fan to see if they want to invest in the rereleases of the bands first five albums, but to me its stands as a great compilation of the bands formative years!

website - Queen
Rating - 10/10

Queen - A Day At The Races (2011 Remaster)

2011-03-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Glam / Pop

Label - Island Records
Tracklist:
01 – Tie Your Mother Down
02 – You Take My Breath Away
03 – Long Away
04 – The Millionaire Waltz
05 – You And I
06 – Somebody To Love
07 – White Man
08 – Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy
09 – Drowse
10 – Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)

Bonus CD:
01 – Tie Your Mother Down (Backing Track Mix 2011)
02 – Somebody To Love (Live At Milton Keynes Bowl, June 1982)
03 – You Take My Breath Away (Live In Hyde Park, September 1976)
04 – Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy (Top Of The Pops, July 1977) (Mono)
05 – Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) (HD Mix)

A Day At The Races was originally intended to be released together with A Night At The Opera as a double album, but the band decided to release them as two separate albums, and in my opinion A Day At The Races is often overlooked by many rock fans despite containing some real gems like Tie Your Mother Down, Somebody To Love, the sublime You Take My Breath Away, which see’s Freddie Mercury in absolutely great form vocally, Long Away and Teo Torriatte, some of Queens finest songs.
Again the re-mastering is excellent.
The bonus disc offers up some interesting tracks but I would have loved to have seen some demos included here.

A great album

Website - Queen
Rating - 9/10

Queen - A Night at The Opera (2011 Remaster)

2011-03-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Pop / Glam
Label - Island Records

Tracklist:
01 – Death On Two Legs
02 – Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon
03 – I’m In Love With My Car
04 – You’re My Best Friend
05 – ’39
06 – Sweet Lady
07 – Seaside Rendezvous
08 – The Prophet’s Song
09 – Love Of My Life
10 – Good Company
11 – Bohemian Rhapsody
12 – God Save The Queen

Bonus CD:
01 – Keep Yourself Alive (Long-Lost Retake, June 75)
02 – Bohemian Rhapsody (Operatic Section A cappella Mix 2011)
03 – You’re My Best Friend (Backing Track Mix 2011)
04 – I’m In Love With My car (Guitar & Vocal Mix 2011)
05 – ’39 (Live at Earls Court, June 77)
06 – Love Of My Life (South American Live Single June 79)

A Night At The Opera, Queens Tour d’ Force, featuring the venomous Death On Two Legs, Rocking I’m In Love With My Car, the pop classic You’re My Best Friend, the epic Prophets Song, The mighty operatic Bohemian Rhapsody to name but a few. What an album, a true masterpiece!
Again the re-mastering adds new life and dimensions to these classic tracks making hearing them again a purely pleasurable experience.
The bonus tracks are different, but not amazing, but still add a little to the sheer might of this awesome album!
Every self respecting rock and pop fan should own this album, it’s the album that made Queen household names around the globe with Bohemian Rhapsody breaking chart records everywhere!
You need to own this album, simplez!

Website - Queen
Rating - 10/10

Queen - Sheer Heart Attack (2011 Remaster)

2011-03-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Glam / Pop
Label - Island Records

Tracklist:
01 – Brighton Rock
02 – Killer Queen
03 – Tenement Funster
04 – Flick of the Wrist
05 – Lily of the Valley
06 – Now I’m Here
07 – In the Lap of the Gods
08 – Stone Cold Crazy
09 – Dear Friends
10 – Misfire
11 – Bring Back That Leroy Brown
12 – She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stilettos)
13 – In the Lap of the Gods… Revisited

Bonus CD:
01 – Now I’m Here (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, December 1975)
02 – Flick of the Wrist (BBC Session, October 1974)
03 – Tenement Funster (BBC Session, October 1974)
04 – Bring Back That Leroy Brown (A Cappella Mix 2011)
05 – In the Lap of the Gods… Revisited (Live At Wembley Stadium, July 1986)

Sheer Heart Attack gave Queen their first commercial chart success in the form of a brilliant little song about a high class hooker in Killer Queen. Sheer Heart Attack really does contain some gems, from the rocking likes of Brighton Rock, Now I’m Here and Stone Cold Crazy, to the pop genius of Killer Queen and Misfire, to the quirky but brilliant Tenement Funster, Flick Of The Wrist, Lap Of The Gods and Bring Back that Leroy Brown, in fact a great all round album!
Again the re-mastering really adds a new lease of life to these classics, enabling even hardened life loving Queen Fans like myself to hear things that they had never heard before within the tracks!
The bonus disc contains a few BBC session tracks from the era, could have possibly have included the stand alone versions of Flick Of The Wrist, Lily Of The Valley and Tenement Funster, and a few demos that are known to exist, but maybe they’ll be on the Anthology.
A great album

Website – Queen
Rating - 9/10

Queen - Queen II (2011 Remaster)

2011-03-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Pop / Glam
Label - Island Records

Tracklist:
01 – Procession
02 – Father to Son
03 – White Queen (As it Began)
04 – Some Day One Day
05 – The Loser in The End
06 – Ogre Battle
07 – The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke
08 – Nevermore
09 – The March of The Black Queen
10 – Funny How Love Is
11 – Seven Seas of Rhye

Bonus CD:
01 – See What a Fool I’ve Been (BBC Session, July 1973 – Remix 2011)
02 – White Queen (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, December 1975)
03 – Seven Seas of Rhye (Instrumental Mix 2011)
04 – Nevermore (BBC Session, April 1974)
05 – See What a Fool I’ve Been (B-Side Version, February 1974)

Queen II is quite possibly Queen's best ever album, simple!
Here it sounds even better with the likes of Ogre Battle, Fairy Feller's Master Stroke, Nevermore, March Of The Black Queen, White Queen and Father To Son really coming to life under the excellent 2011 re-mastering treatment that they have received.

The bonus disc here features a few real gems, Nevermore (BBC Session), See What A Fool I've Been, (BBC Session and its camper B-side version), but If I’m honest I'm sure they could have included a little more, at the very least the rest of the BBC session or some of the unfinished demos that they have in their archives. Oh well here’s to waiting for the anthology.

A great album and if you're unfamiliar with the Queen of this era, then this album is a great way to introduce yourself.

Website - Queen
Rating - 9/10

Queen - Queen 2011 Remaster

2011-03-25T13:08:00.001-07:00

Genre - Rock / Hard Rock / Glam / Classic Rock
Label - Island Records

Tracklist:
01 – Keep Yourself Alive
02 – Doing Alright
03 – Great King Rat
04 – My Fairy King
05 – Liar
06 – The Night Comes Down
07 – Modern Times Rock’n'Roll
08 – Son and Daughter
09 – Jesus
10 – Seven Seas of Rhye…

Bonus CD:
01 – Keep Yourself Alive (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
02 – The Night Comes Down (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
03 – Great King Rat (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
04 – Jesus (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
05 – Liar (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
06 – Mad The Swine (June 1972)

Queens mighty debut album gets the 2011 re-mastering treatment and yet another rerelease here, but to be honest I think they've done a great job. The new re-mastering leaves every note crystal clear, and really shows the original albums tracks in all their glory. Queen features some of my favorite Queen tracks, Liar, Great King Rat, Jesus, Son & Daughter to name but a few, and they sound even better now. For the uninitiated, Queens sound at this time had more in common with the power and pomp of the likes of Led Zepplin than the pop majesties that they later became known for, and the amazing thing is that despite the many sounds you here on this album they famously never used synphs!
The bonus disc is a little disappointing to be honest, yes it does include the often bootlegged but never officially released famous De Lane Lea Demo's, taken directly from Brian Mays own Acetate copy, and Mad The Swine, an outtake that first saw the light of day back in 1991 on the Hollywood records rerelease of this album, but I was hoping that a few other famous gems would get to see an official release like Silver Salmon, Polar Bear (Queens 1972 reworking of the Smile track), and the infamous Hangman, which also exists on acetate. They could have also included the relevant tracks recorded for BBC sessions.
On a whole though it’s still a great release and brings warm fond memories flooding back, and as for the missing demos. Well maybe we'll see them when they release the Anthology set they promised back in 2000 when they released the Freddie Mercury Box Set!

website - Queen
Rating - 9/10

Eureka Machines - Champion The Underdog

2011-03-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

Genre - Rock / Pop / Punk / Powerpop
Label - Wraith Records

Track listing -

01 - Champion The Underdog
02 - These Are The People Who Live In My House
03 - (I'm) Wasting My Time (Yet Again)
04 - Magnets
05 - Godot's Arrived
06 - Professional Crastinator
07 - Everything's Fine
08 - The Best Night Of My Life
09 -Beginning Of The End Of The World
10 - Zero Hero
11 - A Ballad To Finish

Chris Catalyst and the Guys of Eureka Machines Return with the follow up to 2008’s amazing debut, Do Or Die, with Champion The Under Dog.
Once again the lads have managed to attain power pop perfection, there just simply isn’t a bad track anywhere in sight on this cd.
Produced by Chris and Jase Edwards (Wolfsbane), and filled to the brim with eleven littler gems and sure to be future rock classics.
This album has it all, from the pure pop of These Are The People Who Live In My House, to the heart tugging ballad, A Ballad To Finish. Throw in there some nice pop / punk / rockers like Magnets and Professional Crastinator and you have a fantastic album,
You really can hear the bands influences here too, especially the Ginger / Wildhearts / Honeycrack / Willie Dowling / Queen (especially in the vocal harmonies), and this makes the songs seem even stronger.
If there is any justice in the world then this band would be huge, and here’s to hoping for that to happen!

Very highly recommended,check it out when its released on May 2nd!!

Catch the guys live on tour at one of the following dates –

Champion The Underdog tour:

Thursday 5 May 2011 - The Bittersuite, Preston
Friday 6 May 2011 - Retro Bar, Manchester
Saturday 7 May 2011 - The Belle Vue, Blackpool
Sunday 8 May 2011 - The Leopard, Doncaster
Wednesday 11 May 2011 - The Thunderbolt, Bristol (TBC)
Thursday 12 May 2011 - The Borderline, London (with The Dead Identities and Tecnoctitlan)
Friday 13 May 2011 - Wight Rock Bar, Isle of Wight
Saturday 14 May 2011 - The Mill Inn, Deal, Dover
Wednesday 18 May 2011 - Academy 2, Sheffield
Thursday 19 May 2011 - Stereo, York
Friday 20 May 2011 - The Lamp, Hull
Saturday 21 May 2011 - The Marrs Bar, Worcester
Sunday 22 May 2011 - The Asylum, Birmingham
Thursday 26 May 2011 - Black Flag, Wakefield (with UK Subs)
Friday 27 May 2011 - The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (with The Scaramanga Six, Black Moth and Circles)
Saturday 28 May 2011 - The Parish, Huddersfield (with The Scaramanga Six)
Sunday 29 May 2011 - The Maze, Nottingham
Thursday 2 June 2011 - The Hyem, Newcastle (with Supercharger
Friday 3 June 2011 - The Railway, Bolton
Saturday 4 June 2011 - Puzzle Hall, Sowerby Bridge
Sunday 5 June 2011 - BBC Introducing Raw Talent radio session
Saturday 2 July 2011 - Bladefest, Fleckney (with Goldblade)

website - Eureka Machines
Rating - 10/10

Michael Monroe – “Sensory Overdrive”

2011-03-21T01:38:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Sleaze / Glam / Punk
Label - Spinefarm Records

Track listing -

01. Trick Of The Wrist
02. '78
03. Got Blood
04. Superpowered Superfly
05. Modern Day Miracle
06. Bombs Away
07. All You Need
08. Later Won't Wait
09. Gone Baby Gone
10. Center Of Your Heart
11. Debauchery As A Fine Art (featuring Lemmy)
12. Another Night In The Sun [bonus track]
13. You're Next [bonus track]

Pure Rock 'n' Roll with (punk) attitude! This album is awesome.
When Michael Monroe released the live album last year, Another Night In The Sun, I hoped that we would be in for something special, especially with a lineup featuring Ginger, Sami Yaffa, Steve Conte, Karl Rockfist and of course Mr. Monroe on lead vocals, and boy, this album doesn’t disappoint!
The sound comes across as a mix of later day Hanoi Rocks, Michael’s solo stuff and a little Demolition 23, all with a great pristine production, oh and of course some cracking songs!
Now let’s just say this and get this out of the way, Ginger has hi stamp throughout all of these songs, and must have been heavily involved in the songwriting, and thank god!
Later Won’t Wait could be a Ginger solo or even a Wildhearts track, the riff is just so familiar, and Uk bonus track, Another Night In The Sun, could have stepped right off of Warrior Souls Space Age Playboys album, great riff, great song.
This album is a contender for album of 2011, all the songs are great, the musicianship awesome (although could you expect anything less from this line up!), and well, it’s just a bloody fantastic album, simplez!
At the moment my favorite tracks include, Later Won’t Wait, Bombs Away, 78, Trick Of The Wrist, Modern Day Miracle, You're Next and Debauchery As A Fine Art, a song that is co written with Lemmy, and appeared in an earlier form as Motorheaded For A Fall on last year’s live album, Another Night In The Sun.
This is a great rock n roll album, go get a copy now, you won’t regret it!

Website - Michael MonroeRating - 10/10

Voodoo Johnson Announce April Tour

2011-03-16T18:27:00.001-07:00

Eureka Machines announce new album details and tour!

2011-03-16T18:16:00.000-07:00

Those poptastic rascals, The Eureka Machines have announced details of their new album and tour dates. So here in their own words are those details:
Well, it's about time we told you our plans for the rest of the year. We're putting out our new album, which we call Champion The Underdog, on May 2nd. It will be out through Wrath Records again, and it is the best thing that any of us have ever done. It will be preceded by a new single, another snappily monikered tune called (I'm) Wasting My Time (Yet Again). You may recognise it from the gigs as The One With The Uptown Girl Bit. We're filming a video for it at the moment and it's suitably amusing.

The tracklisting for the record is thus:

Champion The Underdog
These Are The People Who Live In My House
(I'm) Wasting My Time (Yet Again)
Magnets
Godot's Arrived
Professional Crastinator
Everything's Fine
The Best Night Of My Life
Beginning Of The End Of The World
Zero Hero
A Ballad To Finish

It was produced by Jase Edwards and Chris Catalyst and made across about six different studios at various times across the land. The cover artwork was shot by evil genius Tom Martin. Please, if it's the last thing you ever do for us, tell your friends, get people excited, spread the word, it would be a terrible shame if the past eighteen months of our hard labour was to disappear unnoticed.

We're doing some gigs so you can come and see us and maybe buy it and all that. Of course, it'll be available online before that, so keep checking back. The dates confirmed so far are:

Champion The Underdog tour:

Thursday 5 May 2011 - The Bittersuite, Preston
Friday 6 May 2011 - Retro Bar, Manchester
Saturday 7 May 2011 - The Belle Vue, Blackpool
Sunday 8 May 2011 - The Leopard, Doncaster
Wednesday 11 May 2011 - The Thunderbolt, Bristol (TBC)
Thursday 12 May 2011 - The Borderline, London (with The Dead Identities and Tecnoctitlan)
Friday 13 May 2011 - Wight Rock Bar, Isle of Wight
Saturday 14 May 2011 - The Mill Inn, Deal, Dover
Wednesday 18 May 2011 - Academy 2, Sheffield
Thursday 19 May 2011 - Stereo, York
Friday 20 May 2011 - The Lamp, Hull
Saturday 21 May 2011 - The Marrs Bar, Worcester
Sunday 22 May 2011 - The Asylum, Birmingham
Thursday 26 May 2011 - Black Flag, Wakefield (with UK Subs)
Friday 27 May 2011 - The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (with The Scaramanga Six, Black Moth and Circles)
Saturday 28 May 2011 - The Parish, Huddersfield (with The Scaramanga Six)
Sunday 29 May 2011 - The Maze, Nottingham
Thursday 2 June 2011 - The Hyem, Newcastle (with Supercharger
Friday 3 June 2011 - The Railway, Bolton
Saturday 4 June 2011 - Puzzle Hall, Sowerby Bridge
Sunday 5 June 2011 - BBC Introducing Raw Talent radio session
Saturday 2 July 2011 - Bladefest, Fleckney (with Goldblade)

Whitesnake - Forevermore

2011-03-13T08:55:00.001-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Cock Rock / Bluesy Rock
Label - Frontiers Records

Track Listing -
01. Steal Your Heart Away
02. All Out Of Luck
03. Love Will Set You Free
04. Easier Said Than Done
05. Tell Me How
06. I Need You (Shine A Light)
07. One Of These Days
08. Love And Treat Me Right
09. Dogs In The Street
10. Fare Thee Well
11. Whipping Boy Blues
12. My Evil Ways
13. Forevermore
14. Whipping Boy Blues (Swamp Mix)

Forevermore pucks up exactly where Good To Be Bad left off, whilst not quite as heavy, and slightly more melodic. The album finds messiah Coverdale in fine voice, sure his voice hasn't quite got the power it had in his heyday of the 80’s but Mr Coverdale knows how to work within his limitations and deliver a powerful soul lifting performance.
I’ve got to be honest, Forevermore could be the strongest album Mr Coverdale has put his name to in years. There’s not a weak track here, and there’s enough variety to satisfy the fns of all eras of Whitesnake’s illustrious past.
With Good To Be Bad, Whitesnake rediscovered their blues based rock roots, something that continues here on Forevermore.
The line up changes have continues, unfortunately, but importantly the guitarist line-up has remained unchanged, with Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach forming a formidable partnership, whose riff’s and solos, really drive this album along and bring it to life!
David Coverdale has really pulled out all the stops on this one. A great album from a legend!
Possibly one of the albums of 2011!

Website - Whitesnake
Rating 10/10

Falling Red - Hasta La Victoria Siempre

2011-03-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Sleaze Rock / Punk / Glam
Label - Rocksector Records

Track listing -

01 - Come On Down
02 - My Little Vice
03 - The Last Kiss Goodbye
04 - Aint Down With The Rock (2011)

Hasta La Victoria Siempre is a new four track Ep for British Superstars in the making Falling Red.
Falling Red put the world to rights with the release of the phenomenal debut album last year, Shake The Faith, really putting British Glam and Sleaze rock back on the map with the album being credited as the most relevant album since Guns N Roses released Appetite For Destruction.
This Ep is a follow up release, to plus their new UK tour with label mates Velvet Star, and the European Tour with Hardcore Superstar.
The EP opens with a rabble rousing anthem in Come On Down, quickly followed by the sleazy little number, My Little Vice.
They follow these up with the power ballad, The Last Kiss Goodbye, a song Bon Jovi / Poison or Guns N Roses would kill for. It’s a great commercial song, with real heart, love it!
Rounding up this little Ep is Aint Down With The Rock, a song that has become a kind of anthem among Falling Red fans, a great calling card.
These guys obviously love what they do, and they do it very well!

A great little Ep very, very highly recommended!

Falling Red Tour Dates:
March 26 - ReSession, Workington (warm up show)
April 1 - The Brickyard, Carlisle (EP launch)
April 2 - Wildside, Nottingham
April 3 - Yardbirds, Grimsby
April 4 - Satan's Hollow, Manchester
April 5 - Snooty Fox, Wakefield
April 6 - The Dome, London
April 7 - Stereo, York
April 8 - Hyem, Newcastle
April 10 - Classic Grand, Glasgow
April 29 - Czech Republic (to be confirmed)
April 30 - Czech Republic (to be confirmed)
May 6 - Gasworks, Bradford
May 7 - O2 Academy, Newcastle
June 4 - Airfest, Chepstow

Website - Falling Red
Rating - 10/10

Velvet Star - In The Face Of Vanity

2011-03-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Punk rock
Label - Rocksector Records

Track listing -

01 - Revolver
02 - Rockstar/Superstar
03 - One Of Us
04 - Zero
05 - Easy
06 - Ego
07 - Give In To Me
08 - It Ain't Over
09 - Something About You
10 - 15 Minutes

British rockers Velvet Star unleash their debut on us in the form of In The Face Of Vanity, and what a strong album it is. Here is yet more proof that the UK has a vibrant and relevant music scene, with the likes of Velvet Star, Falling Red, Fury On, Voodoo Johnson, Eureka Machines, Jackdaw4, The Treatment, Fury UK, Super-Charger etc, things are really looking good for British music.
As I said this is a really strong debut album, filled with solid songs, and just the right mix of punk into the classic rock to give the band a contemporary sound. Stand out tracks include Revolver, Rockstar / Superstar, One Of Us, It Aint Over and 15 Minutes, but to be honest they’re all great.
Catch these guys live around the UK on tour with their label mates Falling red during April / May

Well worth checking out!

Website - Velvet Star
Rating - 9/10

Voodoo Circle - Broken Heart Syndrome

2011-03-13T08:05:00.001-07:00

Genre - Classic Rock / Blues Rock / Hard Rock
Label - AFM Records

Track Listing -
01. No Solution Blues
02. King Of Your Dreams
03. Devil’s Daughter
04. This Could Be Paradise
05. Broken Heart Syndrome
06. When Destiny Calls
07. Blind Man
08. Heal My Pain
09. The Heaven’s Are Burnging
10. Don’t Take My Heart
11. I’m In Heaven
12. Wings Of Fury

By God this is great album!
Opener and title track, No Solution Blues, really sets the standard, quickly followed by the Kashmir esque King Of Dreams, which co incidentally features some guitar work that the master in black, one Richie Blackmore, would be proud of, and it’s a great song to boot!
Devils Daughter has a soulful blues feel to it, a true atmospheric master piece, again a great song!
Vocalist David Readman sounds like he could step into the shoes of any classic rock band’s lead singer, he has a Coverdale / Lande esque voice, yet its distinctive in its own way, never sounding like he's trying to mimic the greats.
All 12 songs her are of the highest quality, and performed to perfection!
If you’re a fan of classic rock with a bluesy edge, ala the likes of Dokken, Rainbow and Whitesnake, then you are sure to love this cd!

Very highly recommended!

Website - Voodoo CircleRating - 10/10

The Martinets - Comeback Tour

2011-03-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

Genre - Pop / Punk / Rock / Indie
Label - Tornado Ride Recoreds

Tracklist:

01.COMEBACK TOUR
02.BACK TO NOWHERE
03.SHAKE IT LIKE A MAN
04.TELL YOUR FRIENDS
05.SHE’S A WHIRLPOOL
06.CAN’T…LET…GO
07.LEARNING ANNEX
08.I STAND CORRECTED
09.PAST PERFECT
10.SWEET LIFE
11.TAKING A LONG TIME
12.TOO MUCH
13.YOUR WAR
14.SO ROMANTIC
15.TOO PROUD TO CRAWL
16.WE GOT POSSESSION
17.HIDDEN BONUS TRACK

The Martinets return with their rd album in the form of Comeback Tour.
With a lineup of veterans including, Eamonn Bowles: vocals, guitars, Daniel Rey: guitars, Dave Rick: bass, Roger Murdock: drums, you'd expect a solid and strong record. Sound wise The Martinets have their roots firmly planted in the New York Club scene sound from the late 70's, Think New York Dolls, The Ramones, and Dead Kennedys etc. In fact Daniel Rey provides a strong link with the Ramones, having written and produced for them towards the end of their recording career, on albums such as Brain Drain, Mono Bizaro and Adios Amigos’.
The Martinets surly don’t offer up anything new, but what they do do, they do well. The songs come in short blasts, many below 3 minutes in length, and always come in high quality. (Plus great value for money with 17 tracks here!)
A good solid album very much in the same vein as later day Ramones, highly recommended.

Website - The Martinetsrating - 8/10

Lester And The Landslide Ladies - Estranged In Ladyland

2011-03-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

Genre - Pop / Punk / Rock
Label - Tornado Ride Records

Track Listing -

01. Eat It Up
02. A Drug I Can’ t Deny
03. From The Start
04. Margarida
05. Nothing Left To Borrow
06. Answering Machine
07. Estranged In Ladyland
08. Who Do You Think You Are
09. Dead And Gone
10. Me, Myself And I
11. 1 2 3 Arriba
12. Fraulinen Broderline
13. Bleeding In Style
14. For The Ramones

Described as being lost somewhere between Kiss and The Ramones, Lester And The Landslide Ladies deliver a high quality pop / punk rock that warms the soul.
These degenerates offer up a great dose of love, hate, pain, blood, power! For fans of The Ramones, D.A.D., Kiss, AC/DC, Hanoi Rocks, Bowie, Cult, N.Y. Dolls.
A great little album, thoroughly enjoyable!

website - Lester And The Landslide LadiesRating - 8/10

Reverend Backflash - Who's The Man!

2011-03-13T05:25:00.000-07:00

Genre - Hard Rock / Classic Rock / Sleaze
Label - Torando Ride Records

Track Listing -
01. Another part of town
02. Hard to put the thumb on it
03. Hit it home
04. D.y.l.w.y.s.
05. Say hello
06. Slave to the beatmachine
07. Dead to the world
08. Touched by the underground
09. Bad news alley
10. Too much
11. Fuck with me
12. Who’s the man?!

Formed in 2003 by four boys from the northern outskirts of Vienna, Reverend Backflash delivers a sleazy hard / classic rock sound that is almost instantly likable. Not often that happens!
With a sound that comes across as similar to Guns n Roses, LA Guns, Kitty Hudson, Cowboy Prostitutes, Hardcore Superstar, with a little punk element thrown in there to give them a contemporary edge.
The songs are really strong, with opener 'Another Part Of Town' setting the picture rather well. This is a strong release for a debut cd! (The band have only released a couple of Eps previously)
The band are solid, obviously very talented musicians, and the vocals have that perfect raspy feel to them, perfect for this kind of music.
Highlight tracks include, Another Part Of Town, Bad News Alley, xxxx With Me, and Touched By The Underground.
Great songs from start to finish, a great debut album.
Highly recommended!

Website - Reverend Backlashrating - 9/10