Skintrade - Scarred For Life (2015)

Genre - Hard Rock

Label - AOR Heaven Records

Track listing:

01. Scarred For Life

02. Goodbye

03. Wide Awake

04. Lay With Me

05. Find A Way

06. Lovehate

07. Leave A Scar

08. Broken

09. Storm Will Come

10. 15 Minutes Gone

Fronted by great vocalist Matti Alfonzetti, SKINTRADE are quickly hitting back with their fourth studio record "Scarred For Life" released by AOR Heaven Records.
Following the more than adequate comeback album of last year these Swedes consistently deliver in the melodic hard rock genre - and this new CD is no different.
The 10 songs in "Scarred For Life" are infectious, energetic, and bubbling from a bluesy perspective while the vocal harmonies and delivery out of Matti Alfonzetti remains top class, as he has been ever since I first heard him all those years ago on the debut EP from defunct UK rockers Jagged Edge, moulding the best of David Coverdale and Eric Martin in shimmering grace and gritty textures.
You can expect certain songs to have a cross between the '80s Sunset Strip scene and a little bit of '90s alt hard rock edge like "Storm Will Come" and "Goodbye", especially in terms of the guitar tone Alfonzetti and fellow Skintrade guitarist Stefan Bergström choose to employ.
At other times the band choose to go for more of a simplified, stripped down groove arrangement, which for the case of "Lay With Me" emphasizes the entertaining musical interplay between guitarists and rhythm section, and allow Matti a chance to dig deeper into his natural bluesy, playful melodic register.
Occasionally throwback elements come into play, the main riff for "Leave a Scar" has a bit of Aerosmith meets Ratt going on, while Skintrade also tackle a left field cover with Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" that works - much more hard rock oriented while the spacey elements are given a heavier, guitar fused charge up.
These are bountiful times if you are a melodic hard rock fan - and Scandinavia seems to be hitting pay dirt when it comes to exemplary songwriting and performances while understanding the need for memorable hooks, melodies, and choruses.
Skintrade with their second go around aren't living on nostalgia - and "Scarred for Life" proves their desire to keep the genre potent and worthwhile in current times.

Very Highly Recommended

Rating - 9/10

Alfonzetti - Here Comes The Night (2011)

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

RED WHITE & BLUES - Shine (2011)

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